Yelan studied her son closely as he stood before her. It intrigued her that he had requested her audience, it had to be something of great importance for her son to even contemplate questioning her on the matter. She signalled for him to begin. "I've stumbled upon an amazing discovery," he told her, "I found a girl who can not only communicate with wolves, but become one as well." Whatever Yelan had been expecting, this was definitely not it. Yelan's eyebrows were now in danger of disappearing into her hairline. "I wish for permission to take her as my student," he told her. Yelan regained her composure as she coldly stared at her son. "If this girl does have magic," she told him icily, "she should be taught by Eriol. He is the youngest to receive his mastery and therefore more capable of tutoring her in her studies." Syaoran winced inwardly. His mind showed him her big, emerald eyes and he knew that he could never allow such an innocent creature to be condemned to suffer such an egotistical pervert. "While normally I would," he told her, his voice as evenly as possible, "her magic is entirely new, and as there is no one skilled in her particular brand of magic, as the one who found her, it's my duty, and in this case, my pleasure, to teach her." He smiled inside, he knew he had her now, there was no way she could break the laws of magical teaching, could she? "She will join us in my study for lunch," she told him, "when I will decide her tutor, until then, you are dismissed." She stood, ending their discussion, and walked out of the room. Syaoran sighed and went in search of Tomoyo. Sakura would need to be dressed to perfection to meet his mother's analytical eye.
Syaoran walked into his chambers, Tomoyo and a few maids trailing behind him. The maids quickly set about preparing a hot bath, while Tomoyo took the still-sleepy girl into another room to take her measurements. Syaoran stood patiently outside the door, waiting for Sakura.
Tomoyo wrapped her cord around Sakura's slim waist, "Hi," she exclaimed, "I'm Tomoyo by the way, the royal seamstress. When Prince Syaoran told me he wanted a gown made for a beautiful young girl, I didn't realise how true that was." Sakura stared at Tomoyo, "What did her dress look like?" she inquired, "Was she really that pretty? I wonder if he'll introduce me to her." Tomoyo collapsed into a fit of giggles, "You really are cute," she told her, "This place can be harsh sometimes, so if you ever need someone to talk to, just know I'm always there for you, okay?" Sakura's eyes widened as her lips broke into a large grin, "Really?" she asked, "I've never had a friend before, would you be my friend?" Tomoyo glanced up into Sakura's big, puppy-dog eyes and smiled, there was no way she could turn down someone that cute, "I'll be your best friend," she replied as she opened the door. "I'll be back by the time you finish your bath with a few choices," she told them as she left for her workroom.
Syaoran took Sakura's hand and led her to the bathroom. He laid out soaps, sponges and towels before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. He sat on the other side, listening to her splash around in the boiling water. Sakura smelt each of the soaps before choosing one that smelt of Jasmine. She sank back, allowing the hot water to ease the tension in her muscles while she scrubbed away ever tiny speck of dirt. When the water began to lose its heat, she finally stepped out of the tub, wrapping one towel around her while using another to dry to her long hair. Sakura put Syaoran's shirt back on before exiting the bathroom.
Tomoyo had returned. Tomoyo and Syaoran were now sorting through the many dresses now littering the bed. Once they had sifted through most of the outfits, Syaoran picked up a pink gown. "What about this one?" he asked Tomoyo. She glanced up at the dress. "Sakura," Tomoyo asked, "try this one on." Sakura gently took the garment from Syaoran before disappearing into the wardrobe. She returned moments later wearing the strapless gown.
The dress consisted of two layers. The inner layer was of light pink silk, which hugged her form and emphasised her womanly curves. An outer layer of chiffon, which was pale pink at the top and slowly graduated into a deep burgundy at the bottom, added depth to the design. Her hair fell around her bare, creamy white shoulders. Tomoyo leapt up, forcing Sakura to sit on a chair while she pulled her hair back into an elegant twist. Tomoyo quickly pinned a few cherry blossoms in Sakura's hair before starting on her make up.
Syaoran stood back to admire Tomoyo's work. His amber eyes took in everything from the way the dress matched Sakura's bubbly nature, to her full, pink lips and innocent smile. She turned slowly for him, "So," she asked, "how do I look?" Syaoran reached up and brushed a stray hair back into place before cupping her cheek in his large palm, "beautiful," he told her, "but there's just one thing missing." He walked out of his rooms, and returned a few minutes later with two, pink diamond, drop earrings, and a white gold necklace with a pink diamond shaped like a tear. Syaoran gently slipped the earrings into her ears. He moved to stand behind her as he fiddled with the clasp of the necklace. Sakura felt her heart quicken slightly as his warmth breath tickled her skin. He spun her to face him, his strong hands still holding her bare shoulders, "perfect," he whispered, "now, would you care to join me for lunch?" he asked as he held out his arm to her. A shy smile played over her lips, "I'd love to." Tomoyo 'kawaii'ed quietly to herself as she watched Sakura wrap her slender arm around Syaoran's muscular one as he led her to his mother's study.
Syaoran and Sakura entered Yelan's study only to be met with the one person Syaoran didn't want to see. "Eriol," Syaoran told him curtly, "may I introduce the lovely Sakura. Sakura," he added softly, "meet this perverted bastard." "Syaoran," yelled a cold voice from behind them, "watch your language." Eriol seized the opportunity to grasp Sakura's hand and bring it to his lips, "Lovely is right," he told her, "especially your eyes. You have exquisite eyes." Syaoran quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her to face Yelan. "Mother," he told her, "this is Sakura. Sakura, this is Queen Yelan." Sakura immediately dipped into a curtsey. Yelan placed her fingers under Sakura's chin, forcing her to rise and look up into the older woman's face. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Sakura whispered, "your majesty." Yelan gave a small smile, a rarity for her. Removing her fingers, "let's sit shall we?" she asked before striding over to the table.
Syaoran escorted Sakura to the table, pulling out her chair for her, before taking his own seat beside her. Sensing her nerves he gave her hand a small squeeze under the table, hoping his mother wouldn't realise. Sakura gave him what she hoped was a bright smile. Yelan obviously didn't notice this exchange, or at least, ignored it if she did. Eriol, on the other hand, did notice, much to his displeasure.
While they were waiting for their lunch to arrive Yelan decided to discuss the matter. "My son has been kind enough to inform me of your magic," Yelan told Sakura, "what exactly can you do?" Sakura shyly glanced up the table to Yelan. Syaoran slid his hand under hers, gently rubbing it, encouraging her to speak. "Well, I can understand wolves," she told her, "and I can transform into a wolf at will, but I don't think I'm very good at it, because I can only turn into a wolf cub. I still haven't managed to become a grown wolf." She looked down sadly, ashamed of her limited gift. She prayed silently for the food to come, so she wouldn't have to speak again, but her prayers went unanswered. "So how old are you?" Yelan's cold voice demanded. "I'm sorry," Sakura whispered, 'but I don't know. I don't remember anything before a couple of years ago. I don't even remember if I have a family, all I remember is my wolf pack." Tears silently made their way down her pale cheeks. Syaoran could see his mother about to comment and cut her off. "Hey," he whispered, "a girl with no past can still have a bright future." He gently wiped the tears from her face, before cupping her chin, forcing her to look up at him, "and I see yours shining as brightly as the stars." "Thank you," she whispered back, smiling wetly up at his kind face. Eriol's smiling mask cracked slightly, allowing some of his anger to slip onto his face. Yelan had a hard time trying to disguise her shock, never had she seen her son this friendly with a girl. The tension was broken by maids arriving with lunch.
Lunch was eaten quickly and silently. Sakura briefly thanked the gods for this brief interlude, but it was soon over. "Now, Sakura," Yelan told her curtly, "my son wishes to tutor you in the ways of your magic..." Sakura cut her off, "Oh. No. I couldn't possibly," she stammered, "your son has already been so kind to me, I couldn't possibly ask him to teach me as well." "Nonsense," Syaoran cut in, "You have untrained magic, and now that it's been discovered, the laws of magic clearly state that you must be taught how to use your gift properly." "Speaking of which," Yelan interjected, "Eriol here already has his Mastery in magic, which means he is clearly the best qualified to teach her." Now Syaoran was mad, not only was his mother disregarding the laws of magic, the sacred code that all magic users must adhere to, but Eriol was grinning like a Cheshire cat. He took a moment to collect himself before speaking. "Mother," Syaoran replied, "I have already spoken to you regarding this matter. Since Sakura's gift is so unusual, there is no one skilled in her field, which means that as I discovered her magic, I am now bound by magical law to be her teacher and legal guardian, considering she has no family. Are you really willing to have the masters of the Magical Academy in outrage because you showed no respect to the laws of magic?" Yelan stood, "I have made my decision," she told them, "and my decision is final."