The Little Mermaid

AN: I do not own Card Captor Sakura or The Little Mermaid

Chapter 5

I tremble as we approach the castle. Along the way people stop and stare at their traitorous princess. No one dare say anything, but I can see it in their eyes. So I keep my head down and my eyes cast to the ground.

When we enter the palace whispers form the nobles follow me as far as I go. I am a disgrace to my family, to my people and to the throne. That is what they thought of me in school, that is what they think of me now. They all considered me a disgrace the day I lost my voice. How can a princess rule without a voice?

They will never know the pain they put me through. Nor will they know my reason as to why I did what I did. I have found a place I belong. A place where I feel safe and needed. A place where they love me despite my lack of a voice. All of them, every single person, and him especially. He loves me.

I fall onto my knees when they let go of me. "Get up Sakura." I stand up. "Look at me." I left my eyes to my father's face. He has grown old and he looks tired. "How you have grown, my baby girl." I swallow hard when his hand touch my face. "How you have grown."

He hugs me. My father hasn't held me like this in years, since I was a little girl. I have missed him dearly, and my brother. It's just that I do not belong in their world, no matter how badly I want to. I belong with Li.

He pushes me away gently and holds me at arms length. "As you father I want nothing more than to forget the past and welcome you back home. As your king, however, I have to punish you for you actions. Do you understand?" I nod.

"Sakura Kinomoto, for your punishment I sentence you to spend the rest of you days between the palace walls. You are only allowed into the gardens with and escort. You must understand that your punishment is already reduced because you are the princess." I nod and my eyes burn with tears. I am back in my cage, largely reduced in size and I will never be able to see him again. "Escort her to her room."

I follow the two soldiers up to my room. Everything is as I left it two year ago. I close my door. I my mirror is an image of a young woman with no voice, a broken heart and no future. A woman condemned to spend the rest of her life locked away from the touch of the wind and the feel of the grass under her feet. Her green eyes are empty, still burning with tears and her human body looks odd in the world of water.

I fall onto my bed. I can still remember how it felt once upon a time. It was comforting back then. It was a place I came to after a day of exploring and where I could dream about my adventures that are yet to come. But it's not the same anymore.

He's not here.

I close my eyes and in the darkness I can see his face smiling at me. He is saying something to me, but I can't hear his voice. I walk closer and he steps back. I walk faster and he steps back faster. He turns and runs. I run after him. I call his name. I call him constantly.

"Li! Li! Xiao-lang!" But her never turns around, he just runs… And I stop following.

Even he has turned his back on me. I am alone once again. I am a misunderstood princess in a world filled with people who does not care for me. Locked inside my cage I will weep for the person I once was and I will never be allowed to be again.

I am now truly forgotten.

AN: Hey guys. Here is chapter 5. I have nothing much to say, except that I am absolutely thrilled that I have a long weekend! Four days of doing nothing! Yippy! I hope you have great one!

Thanks for the reviews!

Tella

PS. Read Kayapride's story. It is called Taming the Wild Heart and extremely funny. I know, because I am one of her best friends and semi-editor. Really, if you want a good laugh, read it!