Sakura awoke the next morning with her muscles stiff and rather sore. She stretched langouriously and sighed in content. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes before yawning and rising from the awkward position she had fallen asleep in. With a tired face, she shimmied over to her vanity and sank into the seat. Under normal circumstances, she would be horrified at the scene her mirror portrayed back at her but this morning, she was just too sleepy to care. 'that's odd..' she thought 'I fell asleep so early yesterday.' She shrugged off the worrisome thoughts as Tomoyo opened her door without knocking, a perky smile on her face as she laughed and threw open Sakura's dark curtains. Sunshine poured into the room as Sakura squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and frowned in pain, the sunlight casting spots in her vision from being used to the darkness of her chamber. She shook her head, auburn tresses carelessly tossed about her shoulders "Tomo! why are you so happy this early in the morning? shouldn't you be flirting with Eriol or bothering someone about your clothing designs?" Sakura questioned gruffly. Tommoyo's face fell as she frowned at her sister, placing her hands on her hip. "Sakura Kinomoto! why the hell are you so godamn grumpy this morning? ... I thought you'd be delighted to see General Li alone last night" She replied impishly.Sakura's face burned with the memory of how easily Syaoran had made her crave him. She smiled and shrugged, turning to her mirror and picking up her brush to tame the few snarls in her hair. "Having him alone isn't as wonderful as you all might think you know.." she smirked as she ran thr brush through her hair, glancing at Tomoyo in the mirror. "And all we were doing was talking business. Now.. don't you have things to do this morning my love?" Tomoyo giggled and nodded, deciding for now to keep quiet about Sakura's obvious interest. "yes sister.. I do.. see you tonight. I'll come by your room at 5 to begin your dressing" She called over her shoulder as she closed the door behinnd her. Sakura sighed and laid the brush back down. She flung herself onto her bed and whistled softly, smiling when Xercees came crawling out of the shadows, his bright silver eyes questioning her. "For today my pet.." she slapped the mattress beside her and laughed softly as her overly large kitty jumped beside her, nearly taking all of the room on her king sized mattress. She smiled dreamily as Xercees's large head nuzzled her arm and he lay beside her, his body pressed against her. His purring lulled her into her own thoughts as she decided this was a day for her pet, she never usually let him sleep on her bed since he was a kitten, he had gotten too big. But Sakura knew if she spent too much time with Li, arguing or not, people would catch on and she did not need that right now.
Li paced his chamber in thought, his angry frown deepening with every minute that passed. He was not used to this at all. His feelings for the young Princess had far surpassed any he had felt with any other woman. True, she had the most wonderful body he had ever set eyes upon, and her smile could make any man's blood boil. But what was it about HER! He growled and slammed his fist through the wall, dust rising from the plaster that he had broken through. Removing his fist, he cracked his knuckles and fell onto his bed. His amber eyes blazed hotly as he gazed at the ceiling , still not finding any conclusion to his troubles. He didn't want any other man to look at Sakura. He didn't want any other man to touch Sakura, hell! he didn't even want another man thinking about Sakura! his fingertips massaged his temples tenderly, attempting to rid himself of his horrible headache before the festivities began tonight. 'What am I going to do...'
(yes the time seems to be going much too fast but at least I'm updating and I'm even doing it when I'm horribly head-achey myself)
-that night-
After Li had spent the entire meal gazing longingly across the table at Sakura, He now stood in a group of other important men, close to the King. Their tedious chatter had long since become uninteresting as he watched Sakura get spun around the dance floor by numerous partners. Jealousy started to rise in him as he politely excused himself from the men and made his way toward Sakura and her current dance partner. Li cleared his throat, not even bothering to ask to cut in. The glare he gave the man was enough to get the message through. Sakura smiled softly and hid it in Li's shoulder as she accepted his offered hand. Her heart sped up slightly as a slower melody began to play and she moved in rythym with Li's body, closing her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder. His head rested against hers as his lips brushed her ear sensually. "I missed you today Princess.. you left me hungry for you all day" he whispered to her as she smiled into his shoulder. "I thought distance makes the heart grow fonder general" she replied in a playful tone. As the song ended, they once again retired to the balcony. Sakura looked above at the star spattered heavens and sighed, wrapping her arms around herself to chase away the chill from her bared skin. her full skirted dress didn't do much to cover her arms or chest, seeing as the tightly fitted top had neither sleeves nor any other sort of attachment to keep her skin from being exposed. making sure no one was in sight, Li gently placed his arms around her waist from behind, leaning his chin against her hair "just think Sakura... two more nights of this and we can be by ourselves..far from the pomp and gossip of the castle.." Li stated, hugging her against him. Sakura smiled sadly, thinking he merely said this for sexual benefits. she half sighed, half moaned as she turned to face him. "Maybe we should wait until then... so no one gets suspicious hmm Li?" She threw him a gentle smile to show her playfullness but his eyes became serious as he shook his head. "I don't care if they're suspicious or not... I want you princess.. and no one is going to take you until I say" He knew his words sounded different than he meant them to, but something just wouldn't let him tell her his feelings so soon. She smirked and held her surprise and hurt away from his disconcerting eyes. "You think what you want Li..I'm a big girl.. I can take care of myself you don't need to keep me from anyone.. I'm not yours" She spat out as she went to return inside.
When he entered the ballroom, Sakura was already climbing the stairs to her chambers and paid no attention to him as she did so. He growled at his own feelings and turned his attentions to a lovely blonde broad that had been giving him the eye all night..