Note: I do not own any of the characters! They are copyright of CLAMP and I do not take credit for any EXISTING characters, though I will create a few of my own for the purpose of this story. My fic is basically a new world that Syaoran and the gang go to next. Note that it takes place after they leave the Oûto world (where they were actually inside a game). Enjoy!
What happened last time:
Syaoran asked, "Dark 13?"
The King seemed to have trouble speaking now. His breath grew raspy, and his hands, began to shake as he held them together. "The Dark 13 was a length of 13 days where mass murders and kidnappings took place each night, until on the 14th day, Sorceress Sephiria sends a message at dawn to the castle pronouncing the message 'Sephiria shall arrive at midnight.'
"Today…Tonight… will be the 13th. Tomorrow, Sephiria will rise again."
A deadly silence fell upon the throne room. The echoes of songbirds chirping beyond the window seemed alien to the mood within. The chilling tale sent shivers through Princess Esmerelda's spine.
A century old sorceress, come back to avenge her defeat?
Fye was the first to speak, breaking the stillness. "Well, that explains why the townsfolk were so happy to see us. But one thing…. Its odd that you spoke of a sudden rise to power." He glanced to Kurogane, Syaoran, and Sakura.
"Feh." Kurogane grunted.
"Yes," Syaoran replied, staring out the long window to the side, watching the songbirds soar higher into the sky. "Sounds like Sakura's feather." Sakura looked up from the floor, giving a momentary look at his young face.
Syaoran turned his gaze away from the window, not noticing Sakura's fleeting glance of worry. He stared into the king's eyes, a newborn fire lit. "Your majesty, we will help you defeat Sephiria." And get Sakura's feather back. He added in thought.
At once, the King's features relaxed, as if a large amount of weight had been lifted from his aching shoulders. "Thank you, thank you so much. The Kingdom of Silan will forever be in your debt. Please, help yourselves to some food…" The King hurriedly ushered in some servants, all carrying silver trays. "You must all be famished by a long journey, I presume. Please, eat! I will have rooms prepared for you as soon as possible. Jacques!"
Syaoran, taken by surprise, stammered, "Eh-eh, no, really it's alright! We-" but before he could finish, Mokona jumped out from his travelling bag and launched himself at the awaiting trays.
"I smell chocolate cake!" Mokona began stuffing his mouth with the delectable dessert, as shocked servants stared in fear at the white pork bun that just talked, moved, and was currently digesting large amounts of cake.
"G-gomenasai!" Syaoran rushed forwards, and tried to pull Mokona away. Mokona picked up a piece of cake and flung it at Kurogane, giggling. The hall rang with laughter as the chunk landed on target, and Kurogane launched himself in fury at the white marshmallow.
"—YOU! —" Kurogane grabbed another piece and flung it at Mokona, who dodged it gracefully, and an epic battle of chocolate cake began, lightening the darkened mood hanging over the castle.
Syaoran smiled and laughed, and was soon pulled into the fight when Mokona flung a piece at him too. Sakura stood where she was, watching at his smiling face. Little did anyone know, just a few feet behind her, Princess Esmerelda was doing the exact same thing.
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The afternoon breeze swept into the sunlit room, bringing the scents of the summer flowers below drifting through the window. Syaoran leaned against the windowsill, gazing out to the radiant gardens below. A knock came at the door."Come in," Syaoran called out, as he turned around. Sakura stepped in, carrying a tray full of food, and two long bags, one more puffy than the other. Each seemed to be holding clothing of some sort.
"Sakura-hime."
"I was on my way to see you, and a maid was walking by with an armful of trays, so I thought I'd help her by carrying your share." Sakura held out the tray.
Syaoran smiled. Sakura had gotten so good at carrying a tray, especially because of her role at the café in Oûto World.
"Thank you," he said as she set the tray down on a wooden table beside him. "What are the bags for?"
"I'm not sure… I think they're outfits for the ball tonight. The maid was holding them as well, and handed me these two when I asked to help." The King had mentioned holding a ball for their arrival tonight as he took them to their rooms. Sakura held up one bag and took off the cloth cover to reveal a splendorous black cape. "Um…perhaps…not?"
A slip of parchment fell out, and Syaoran bent down to pick it off the cobbled stone floor. In neat cursive, the words "Please check wardrobe for full apparel" scratched across. He placed the parchment beside the tray, and headed for the dark rosewood wardrobe at the corner of the room. As e was about to pull open the door, Sakura let out an "Ah!" of surprise from behind. He turned on the spot. "Hime?"
"Eh… um…" Sakura was holding the second bag very closely in her arms. He face was turning crimson red. "I… I have to go, Syaoran-kun." She rushed straight out of the room, refusing to release her strong hold on the bag.
Syaoran stared after her in confusion. If the clothing of the bag was what he thought it was, was her outfit that bad? Hesitant, he reached for the wardrobe door again, and it creaked open in protest. Syaoran stared in disbelief at the contents of the wardrobe. Perhaps his sword would come into use.
The evening dawned slowly as the rouge sunset stained the old medieval scenery a bloody red and orange. Lords and their ladies, and many from the land entered grandly into the lavishly decorated ballroom. Servants had spent the entire day adorning the castle, preparing for the celebration ball. Tassels and bouquets of flowers hung from the ceilings and high walls, and the crystal chandelier glimmered in the soft glows of a million white-wax candles.
Laughter and the echo of merry voices sounded through the ballroom, as guests continuously arrived and made their entrance down the staircase into the ballroom. The final guests, garnished in the latest formal fashions had descended down the steps.
Syaoran stood at the foot of the stairs, dressed in full black armour, the black cape Sakura had brought him earlier tied to his back. White symbols streaked across the shining metal; portraying him like a gallant fairytale knight in glowing armour, ready to sweep a princess off her feet. A black sheath hung at his side, holding the sword Hien he got in Oûto. He was growing more worried by the minute. Where was Sakura? His thoughts began wandering, and cruelly lingered on one terrifying detail in particular. Each night, mass murders and kidnappings take place…
Panicking, Syaoran made to climb the stairs and rush to Sakura's room. But something stopped him. A growing silence descended upon the huge gathering, though the music still played on. Syaoran turned to find the crowd all staring at the top of the staircase, and followed their line of sight.
Standing at the very top, framed by the grand gold doorway behind, Sakura stood in a beautifully white dress, with folds hanging gently from her sleeves and the bell of her dress. In her hair, a beaded white hair ornament matching her dress, hung from her brown curls. Sakura's face flushed a light pink as the crowd below continued to stare in awe. Placing her hand on the white marble railing, she descended into the crowd and made towards Syaoran.
"Sakura-hime." Syaoran said as he bowed to her.
"D-does it look alright?" Sakura asked, her hands clinging tightly to a layer of her white dress.
"You look beautiful Sakura-hime, like a white angel from the heavens." He replied, with a bright sincere smile.
Sakura looked up in surprise and turned further red at the comment. Syaoran laughed quietly and asked genuinely, "Was the dress the reason you ran from my room?" The crowd around them had gradually begun chatting again, and the original chatter now mingled with the evening music.
"H-hai." She replied shyly. "Yours turned out quite handsome too, Syaoran-kun." Sakura looked away sheepishly as Syaoran too, felt embarrassed.
"Hoo whee!" Fye pretended to whistle. You two look like fairytale characters!" Clad in white ornamental robes, Fye strode up to them like a dauntless lord, his snow-white cloak billowing behind him. It made his blond hair seem even finer, his height increasing his sense of splendour. Mokona sat on his shoulder, while Kurogane, who dawned silver armour, stood behind looking bored.
Syaoran then caught a glimpse of something behind him. "Uh… Fye-san?"
"Hm?"
Behind Fye, a whole visible line of girls ushered behind a pillar was eyeing the three handsome male travellers with sparkles in their eyes. Some giggles and pushed each other, trying to get a closer glimpse of Syaoran, Fye, and Kurogane.
"Teehee, Mokona's attracting ladies!" Mokona concluded happily as the girls continued to giggle and squeal like mad fan girls.
"Excuse me, miss?" They all turned to see a young man, adorn in a midnight blue outfit. He stretched out his hand to Sakura. "Would you care to dance?"
"Um…" Sakura looked hesitantly towards Syaoran, who was deeply uncertain of what to do. Could he trust a stranger with the princess?
A hand clasped on Syaoran's shoulder, and he turned to see Fye smiling down on him, "Don't worry, Mokona will look after her."
"Yep, yep!" Mokona shouted enthusiastically as he bounced off Kurogane's head (much to Kuro-pin's dismay) to reach Sakura's shoulder. "I'll make sure she's a-ok, Syaoran!"
Syaoran smiled, and patted Mokona's head. "Thanks Mokona." He giggled in reply, then hung onto Sakura as the young man, standing with a new esteem in his pose, steered her off to the dance floor. As Syaoran watched them go, he noticed a few other guys staring after the young man in envy.
"Syaoran-kun?" A quiet voice from behind him shyly said. He turned to face Princess Esmerelda, wearing a pale turquoise gown, sinking low at the front. "May I speak with you a moment outside?"
"Of course, hime." Syaoran replied as he bowed low in respect, and then followed her towards one side of the ballroom. Fye gave him a cheerful wave before squealing girls hailed him and Kurogane. It seemed they could no longer hold themselves (and each other) back from trying to win the affections of the two remaining travellers.
Syaoran trailed Princess Esmerelda out a set of glass doors, and a gentle summer breeze rustle through nearby bushes. A momentary scent of Sakura blossoms reminded him of his time with Sakura back in the other world, where cherry blossoms filled the sweet air. Esmerelda's blonde hair shone in the pale moonlight, splashing down from a cloudless tarry sky. The distant chirps of cicadas hiding in the low grass echoed peacefully through the castle's grounds. She slowed so that Syaoran could catch up, and then continued walking side by side. Music echoed from the ballroom behind.
"Syaoran-kun, do you believe in love?" Esmerelda suddenly proclaimed, taking him by surprise.
"Well, yes hime." He replied awkwardly. This was the last topic he'd expect her to talk to him about…he had definitely been expecting something utterly different.
"My mother married my father when she was 14, yet I'm already 16, and see no marriage in sight. Father, unlike his ancestors, wants to see change in this type of marriages, so he does not want me married until I've found someone perfect."
She paused, waiting for Syaoran to say something, but continued when it was evident he will not.
"Of course, I've had many suitors and countless men have fallen for my fair beauty and asked my hand in marriage," She flicked her hair as she went on, her blonde strands fluttering a little in the night breeze. "But I didn't LOVE them, do you understand?"
"Yes, hime." Syaoran replied.
"Oh you don't have to call me "hime" all the time." She hooked her arm around Syaoran's and drew closer to him. "Call me Esmerelda, or at least "Esmerelda-hime" like you do that other girl." She made sure to emphasize "other" as if with a deep loathing.
Syaoran was getting uncomfortable, having the princess hook her arm around him and drawing so close, but he couldn't protest. He was a guest at her kingdom, and they'd provided them with so much. But he couldn't help feeling still that Sakura would be the only girl he'd allow to do this to him.
"Sakura-hime is an old friend, hime." Syaoran replied as politely as possible.
"And she went to dance with Lord Elmer?" Huh."
"You know who he is?" Syaoran turned towards Esmerelda, who gave him a quick glance and replied. "Of course, I told him to ask her. How else was I supposed to talk to you alone?"
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Back in the ballroom, Sakura had "finished" dancing with Lord Elmer, who had turned out to be quite a nuisance. Mokona had gotten so annoyed at him touching and holding Sakura in various (wrong) ways that he began hopping up and down on his head several times, shouting "Baka! Baka!" repeatedly. The disgruntled lord finally left Sakura alone, and went off to find another pretty girl to dance with.
Sakura, with Mokona sitting on her shoulder (still fuming about "that horrible man"), spotted Fye's head, still in a huge huddle of girls.
"Fye-san, have you seen Syaoran-kun?" she asked, trying to get a glimpse of him through the crowd of girls surrounding him and Kurogane.
"He went out back with Princess Esmerelda, Sakura-chan. She said it'd take just a moment but…" Fye's voice called out from the group. Sakura shouted back thanks, and hurried out into the night air, with Mokona still on her shoulder. The gardens and hedges in the back of the castle's grounds gave an air of romance on this summer night. What's Syaoran doing out here with Esmerelda-hime? Sakura began wandering through the pathways, searching under the moonlight.
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"How else was I supposed to talk to you alone? I've seen the way she looks at you." Esmerelda's hand loosened her clutch around his arm, and Syaoran silently breathed a sigh of relief. He had been feeling quite uncomfortable with her continuously hooked on him. But to his dismay, her hand slipped down his arm, ran across his armour's wrist plate, and she slipped her palm into his hand. Her long fingers entwined with his and locked their hands together.
" H-hime-" Syaoran did not want to be rude and pull away, but he was really disliking the awkward situation.
"Syaoran, do you love her? Do you love her the same way she loves you?" She squeezed his hand, demanding an answer. She looked up at Syaoran's brown eyes, tempting him to look back.
"I don't know what you mean. Sakura-hime and I are…"
She squeezed his hand a little tighter.
"…just friends." Syaoran looked down at the clay tiles paving the pathway. He may love Sakura, but he knew Sakura doesn't remember him… so how could she love him too? Princess Esmerelda did not seem the type of person for Syaoran to confide in about his love for Sakura. It seemed quite the contrary.
Sakura was still searching for Syaoran and Mokona was singing sleepily and softly on her shoulder, tired out from his bouncing on Lord Elmer's head. She was about to give up and return to the ballroom to wait for Syaoran when his voice trailed to her ears from just beyond the next bend. She hurried forwards, her white slippers falling silently with each step, with Mokona sitting suddenly silent and attentive on her shoulder. The night wind felt cold on her skin now, or was it something else?
Just as she rounded the bend and peered around the hedge she saw Princess Esmerelda holding Syaoran's hand, his back to Sakura "Is that so?" She said, staring into his brown eyes. Sakura's legs felt numb and she wanted to run away, but her muscles refused to obey. The princess and Syaoran did not seem to notice her presence yet."Well then," Esmerelda continued. She let go of Syaoran's hand, but instead hooked both arms around his neck and twirled her fingers through his chocolate brown hair. Pulling him towards her, Esmerelda whispered into his ear, just loud enough for Sakura to hear by the hedge…
"Syaoran, I want YOU."
Author's Notes:
Teeheehee XD Cliffie for the end of Chap 2 So Esmerelda's after Syaoran… and Sakura was there to see it! What will Syaoran reply to Esmerelda? What'll this do to Sakura and Syaoran's relationship? There's another evil lurking about… stay tuned!