Author: Wow…what can I say? How many years has it been since I've been back in here? I sincerely apologize for my sudden absence but with so much going on, I had completely forgotten about this story, in fact, I didn't even remember writing one at all!
If it wasn't for someone who had added me on my MSN and reminded me about this story as well as many of you who wanted me to continue it, I doubt I'd ever be back here again. But for those who waited so long, I'm not even sure if you're all around anymore…but for those who just read this story and want an update, I will be giving it to you. )
Since it's been such a long time since I've done any writing or art for that matter, my style of writing has changed though I will try to make it sound as similar to the old me as possible. I am in college now and going to school for most of the day but I hope to complete this story as soon as possible and start on a new one.
I apologize again and I hope you all enjoy the rest of this chapter and a few more that lies ahead. D
CONTINUING FROM WHERE WE LAST LEFT OFF! ;DDD
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/Chapter 8/ - Anger Arises Blind
Storming
into his chamber, Syaoran slammed the door behind him with a loud
thud. Blindly, he strode into the interior and yanked off his cloak,
along with his black leather boots and tossed them in a pile on the
ground. His armor and weapon followed shortly after.
How
could he have been so ignorant and blind to her ploys? He hated
himself for being so weak and so gullible. Scowling, he sat himself
on his bed. After tossing away most of his garments, he was only clad
in his white shirt and black trousers. He knew it wasn't the last
time he would see her. He definitely knew that dinner was to be
served in only a few hours and she was also to attend. He didn't like
the idea, having to be in the same room with her and with others.
Right now, he had a large tempting urge to wrap his hands over that
slender neck of hers and wring it. Somehow she had managed such a
convincing act to remove any suspicion that may have been noticed.
She was good, but this time he was going to be more careful. It was
impossible that his parents too, were so easily tricked by such a
schoolroom chit. He didn't know what her plans were exactly, but he
was going to find out, and he had to do it fast.
To
him, she was now the enemy. His duty was to protect his family from
harm, and if it meant he had to hurt her in the process, then so be
it. It was hard to think of hurting such an innocent, she was so
lovely and breath taking, but he had no other choice. If he didn't
want to harm her, he would need to find another way to take care of
the situation and makes sure she'll never return. He hated the fact
that his feelings were such a big part of the situation. He hated how
he wanted her and he hated the idea of having to hurt her while
instead, he would pretty much want to bed her on the spot. It
unnerved him, but he had to be in control. Thinking about her not
only caused him more anger, it gave him feelings he didn't want to
feel, ideas he didn't want to see. It was different before. He
would've loved to do them all.
To
court her, to woe her. It was a plan from the start. Something he
would've done if his parents were not in the way. But now, everything
had turned. There was no way he could do any of those enticing things
for it may destroy his family. Thinking about the problem only caused
his anger to rile. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts,
but even so, he could not remove the image of her from his mind. He
was plagued by her gentle beauty and haunted by her body. His fingers
itched to run them through her soft silky hair, to run them on her
body and embrace her close. His lips burned from their last encounter
and he wanted to feel her soft, moist lips on his again. No matter
how hard he tried, it became even more difficult to forget that
lovely creature.
"Damn
her! Damnation!" He cursed loudly into the air, damning himself
for wanting her, and damning her for making him want her. Striding
across his room, and finding anything solid he hurled his left foot
into the air and watching it collide with a chair. Ignoring the
burning sensation of pain it gave him, he mused with slight
satisfaction at relieving some of his stress. Grunting with more
frustration he picked up the fallen chair and replaced it back to its
original setting.
Once there, he rested himself on it and tried to relax. Try as he might, there was no way he could calm himself. No one ever caused him to rile up as much as this. It was ridiculous in fact. No one ever had the nerve to anger him. Perhaps it was because he was of high importance. Not being able to handle such an emotion frustrated him even more. Running both hands into his hair he tried to think. As far as he is concerned, his girl will NOT be his bride. Try as she might, he will resist with all he can and make sure she leaves this place empty handed. Straightening himself out, he stood and left his room. This person is definitely getting another visit from him.
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Sakura awoke much later then she imagined, her eyes swollen with the past hours of shed tears. What has she gotten herself into? Everything she had said pulled her into a deeper situation then she'd like to be in. She never intended to hurt him, but she never thought him to be so cruel. Her heart sank as she remembered the quarrel which they had faced together. Somehow it made her feel like crying yet again but she could no longer shed anymore tears. Her eyes burned too much to want to. Pulling herself from the bed, she slowly dragged her disheveled image to the basin and washed her face as much as she could. Looking into the mirror, she saw the red puffy eyes and knew anyone who saw would know what she had been doing. Sighing inwardly Sakura knew she had no way to make her looks vanish and might as well leave it be. For the time being she had to figure how to mend her wrongs, but that would require facing the man she really didn't wish to see at the moment. Perhaps when she has had more time to relax, pull herself together, and gather up courage to look him in the eye.
Striding back to the bed, she fixed it as neatly as possible and then went to put on something more suitable to the evening's event. Though the swelling and redness had somewhat dissipated, she'll have to hope no one notices. Smoothing out the rest of the gown, she took one last look at herself.
Her deep auburn hair was now tied up, leaving soft tendrils to fall about her cheeks and letting them frame her round face. The gown was a lilac shade with a rounded neck that was quite low, but still high enough to be appropriate. It wasn't as fancy or decorated as most were, but she liked the plain and simpler then the ravishing. Nodding with last minute approval, she headed towards the door. Reaching for the brass knob, she twisted and swung it open, but not before having her pupils widen in astonishment.
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Syaoran made his way down the hallway, taking quick steps to reach his destination. Praying that he would not miss the person he wished to see, he rounded a few corners till he stood in front of the bedchamber he had intended to visit before dinner. He raised a hand, ready to give a loud knock when the door suddenly flew open, revealing the girl behind it. His eyes slightly enlarged but not enough to show that he was taken aback. But the image that followed almost took his breath away. He had to remind himself to breath before he even realized that he had stopped in the first place. There she stood, even more lovely then he had see earlier. Somehow he still could not believe how beautiful she got every time he laid his eyes on her.
The gown she had adorned was vaguely plain, but it enhanced her beauty more then an extravagant one would have. Her soft hair made his fingers itch, and her full red lips make him seething with desire. That low-cut gown did nothing to help him anymore then the rest of her did. The showing of slight cleavage almost sent him spiraling into a lust crazed maniac. He felt himself break into a sweat, trying to hold himself still and only look upon the thing that he wanted to pounce on. What he would give to let himself go and carry her into that bedroom and lock the door. Her wide-eyed innocence drove him mad, yet it was the same female that planned to hurt his family. He knew better then to fall for her tricks, no matter how hot she made him feel, or how tight his groin became. Tightening his fists, he dug his nails into the rough flesh, knowing it was the only way to stop him from removing those pins in her hair and madly running both hands into it.
Realizing he had been staring for much longer then a gentlemen should, he cleared his throat and extended his hand forward. "It has been requested that I escort you down to the dinning room m'lady."
His voice was cool and composed, full of manner and not a hint of emotion. Perhaps a bit too cold, but that was how he needed to treat her if he wanted to stay as distant as possible.
Sakura hesitated slightly, catching herself before responding. Finding him right outside her bedchamber was such a shock she almost fainted. Perhaps if she had known he was on the other side, she would've taken measures to act a bit more lady-like. Relaxing herself, she nodded and answered him. Her tone was a bit more quiet and obeying. "Of course, m'lord."
She extended her hand slowly and rested it in his. Though she didn't want to, she forced herself to comply and tried to keep her composure. This was the perfect opportunity to make this right, and perhaps even tell him the truth if it will help rid him of the anger and cruelty he has been giving her.
Syaoran noticed her resistance and smirked inside. So, she knew she had been found out and perhaps she wishes to flee and try her luck in another kingdom. That won't do, not at all. If this is her intention, he will have to destroy her reputation to make sure she does no more harm to any other family out there.
Taking her with him, he led her towards the dinning room knowing fully well that they will eventually have to strike up a conversation sooner or later. "I do hope you are not planning to stay long. Perhaps you should leave soon before anything drastic will occur." There was no other way then to be blunt. He had to get rid of her as soon as possible. It was either because he could take no more anger or that if she took too long, he'll go mad and lose himself in her. Resisting her was a difficult task. It took enough strength out of him for walking so pleasantly beside her and not ravishing her with the kiss he itched to give.
Sakura was hurt from the comment and saddened by the fact that he really believed she had come to harm his family. "Your mother wished for me to stay for a week…and leaving so soon, I believe, would sadden her greatly."
"Well, what I DO believe is that you should leave a bit sooner then that if you wish to leave here with all your wits m'lady." Again with the cold demur, Syaoran kept himself as cold as he could, knowing that if she felt threatened she would perhaps flee as early as tomorrow.
"Are you saying that something will happen to me if I do not obey your orders m'lord?" Sakura tried to sound as normal as she could, even thought deep inside, her heart was plummeting to the ground. How was she going to convince him that she was not here to cause harm? Biting on her lower lip, she tried to think of something, anything that would help her change his mind.
"Perhaps, and perhaps not. Would you like to stay and wait to see what happens then? I'll tell you this if you do, it will not be pleasant."
"I do believe that is a threat my lord. And I do believe you are planning something monstrous that is in store for me as well?" Challenging him was the only thing Sakura could do. Denying it would only fuel his anger and there was nothing she could say at the moment to make him think otherwise.
"I do believe it is, and I do believe we are here. Mother and father will not be joining us tonight, seeing as they have important matters to attend to, but I suppose my presence will be enough to keep you company."
"Really m'lord, you are too kind."
The dinning room was extremely grand. Sakura remembered being here a few times herself, cleaning a few things and arranging much of the flowers placed here from her garden. Syaoran took his place across the table and waited for her to join him. Instead of following, she strode off to a vase that was closest to her. Raising a hand, she delicately grazed a rose, bringing it closer to her nose so she may smell the sweet aroma it gave. Letting the luscious scent roam about her, it reminded her of the time she tended to them and wished to be back there. She wished so much to turn back time, and somehow make it so that she would never have met the Prince, or spoken to him as well. How she wished that this was only a dream and awake to find herself lying beside the wondrous plants that fill her day with hope. Now it feels as if she was slipping away, deeper and deeper from the freedom she once had hopes of achieving. She was trapped once again, into the abysmal cycle of following orders and agreeing with superiors.
Syaoran watched her silently. Seeing her with the flowers reminded him of the time they first met. She was such a sweet, innocent girl. Sadly it was not to be. He had to rid her of this place and somehow destroy her reputation. His parents must find out as well, but in a way that everyone else will.
The dinner you could say was pleasant. Pleasant meaning not a word was spoken to each other during the entire meal. All Sakura could do was stare at her food, though eating a bit at a time considering she wasn't all too hungry. Her mind drifted elsewhere and being under the hateful gaze of the man across from her wasn't as inviting as it seemed to be.
After their meal, Syaoran escorted her back to her chambers. "I do hope you will consider my advice m'lady."
"I shall my lord, and thank you." Sakura hurried into the bedroom and closed the door behind her, only then did she undress and throw herself onto the mattress. Smothering her face into the pillows she sighed, wondering how such a man could be so sweet and become such a cold-hearted snake. She felt like weeping. His threat terrified her and there was no way she knew what he was planning to do. The queen would not like it one bit. How could the plan continue if she couldn't bear the fact of being with him if he acted in such a way? It was as if he wanted nothing to do with her, no longer cared for her except to rid her from his sight. Did he truly feel as connected as her from the beginning? Or was it just a ploy he made himself, to enjoy his own pleasures and then move along to the next?
Sakura felt used, and torn. The Queen was surely wrong to see that there was a future they both could share. She was a servant, he was a Prince. They didn't understand and they never will. They were never meant to be…
Only then did the tears flow and Sakura let them come, crying until she fell asleep.
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End of Chapter 8/
Wow, what a way to end it. After re-reading this, I'd say it wasn't my best work. I'm still a bit rusty but I hope you still enjoy some of what's written. If anything is confusing, feel free to leave a comment about it. I am trying to write like my old self, but it doesn't seem to be working. I hope I can somehow get around that soon. TT Until the next chapter, (which will be very soon I hope) CIAO! 3