The Princess and the Slave
I'm sorry it took so long to update! I couldn't think of anything, but now I have a plot. I wonder what will happen.
Thank you to all that reviewed. If you want a question answered and are not a ffn member, please leave your e-mail for me! I hope you like this chapter.
And thanks to my beta, Sango Twin!
Chapter 15
Over the next two days, Sakura visited Syaoran everyday. When she did, she would tell him of her day and how it went. On the first day, she mentioned his mother.
"What? My mother was here?" Syaoran questioned as he sat up. Sakura nodded and continued.
"She told me of your past. What you had to go through, especially after Wei. I'm sorry for what happened." Sakura said, her head hanging down.
"Sakura, I'm sorry I never told you. I remembered what happened at that fight, but… It never occurred to me to tell you. I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive me." Syaoran responded.
Sakura's head snapped up, "Of course I can forgive you!" Sakura exclaimed, startled at the mere thought.
A knock came from the door.
"Sakura-hime, your parents would like to see you." Mumbled a servant through the door. Sakura stood and responded, "Ok, I'll be there in a minute." She turned back to Syaoran.
"Syaoran-kun, get better soon." she exited through the door leaving Syaoran to his thoughts.
Kun, eh? He thought to himself before laying down for some shuteye.
When Sakura entered the study, her first sight was a familiar one, her father behind his desk on his mahogany chair. Her mother was sitting in front again.
"Sit down and shut the door", commanded her father. When she complied, her mother and father traded concerned glances.
"Sakura, we've chosen a new fiancée for you." Sakura's eyes widened.
"What?" She hissed loudly. "I thought we went over this last time."
Her mother decided to speak up, "Sakura, you know we're only doing this for you. It's for your own good. Wouldn't it be nice to settle down and have children? Maybe you'll even out grow that fascination you have with weapons." Her mother added as and afterthought.
"But, I thought we had a silent agreement, no marriage nonsense!" Sakura was now on her feet.
"Sakura, honey." Her mom started, "I think you should give him a chance. We're only doing this for you. We never announced the engagement to him yet, we're only seeing if it works out first."
"Sakura, listen to your mother, we're doing this for you." Her father said.
"Sakura, I love you, that's why I'm doing this." Her mother whispered. Sakura felt a tear trickle down her cheek.
Am I crying? Without another word, Sakura ran out of the room.
She ran down the twisting hallways until she landed on her knees next to Syaoran's bed. Syaoran immediately sat up at the intrusion.
"Sakura?" He asked with a puzzled tone. He reached his hand out to brush her bangs from her face. "What's wrong?"
"My parents, again… they're… again…" Sakura mumbled, unable to form complete sentences. Syaoran gazed at her for a few minutes. The only thing that could be heard was he sobbing. When her sobbing subsided, Syaoran reached out to her.
"What's wrong?" He asked, concern emitting from his every pore.
"My parents… They're forcing me to… to meet a new suitor again." Sakura spoke with a sad voice.
"Another suitor?" Syaoran asked with concern. When she spoke those words, there was a tiny pang in his heart.
"Yes, another one! What am I going to do? After so many, I just want to accept one and get it over with!" Sakura exclaimed.
"No! You can't," Syaoran yelled. "Uh… You can't give in just because you're tired. You should marry the one you love." Syaoran said, with a slight tint of pink on his cheeks.
Sakura looked into his eyes for confidence. When she saw it there, she smiled. "Thanks Syaoran-kun! I'll make you something special for lunch!" Sakura skipped towards the door but turned when she got there, "Say, do you think the nurses will let you go outside for some fresh air?" When Syaoran nodded, Sakura continued out the door.
Sakura skipped happily through the halls, until she bumped into someone. When she looked up into his face, she didn't recognize him.
He was taller than her by a whole head and he had dark raven hair. His eyes were a dark shade of blue. He had a rich air to him, his clothes were fancy and the fabric quality was very high.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. If you don't mind me asking though, who are you? I haven't seen you here before, and I'm pretty sure I've meet everyone."
"I'm sorry, it was all my fault. I could have scarred your delicate skin. I'm sorry, fair princess." Was the man's only response. Only when he turned the corner, did Sakura realize that he never answered her question.
Sakura continued onto the kitchens, not letting the little encounter faze her.
When she entered the kitchen, Futtie rushed up to her.
"Is my brother still alright? He's healing normally, right?" The concerned sibling asked.
"Yes, he's fine. I'm going to take him on a little picnic today, would you like to join us?"
"Sorry, I can't we have a lot of meals to prepare." Futtie said reluctantly.
"Ok, I understand. Now about that pie in the corner…" Sakura urged, indicating the pie on the table with a sly smirk.
"That pie is fresh, you may take some if you'd like." Futtie giggled, reading her implication perfectly.
"Thanks." Sakura rummaged around, pulling out some food. When she filled a small basket with some fresh fruit, some bread and meats, and of course, the pie, she left, waving to Futtie.
When she arrived at Syaoran's room, he was standing by the window, looking out.
"Syaoran-kun, are you ready to go outside now?" Sakura questioned from the doorway.
Syaoran turned slowly and nodded when he was facing her. Sakura ran over and grabbed his arm. "Let's go!" The two walked slowly out of the room.
When they entered the gardens, they walked for a while before choosing a location to eat.
They sat down on the cool stone that enclosed the rushing water of the small fountain. The sun was out and blazing down at the couple as Sakura opened the basket.
"Syaoran-kun, what would you like to eat first?" She asked as she handed him the basket.
"I don't mind, what ever you want, hime." Syaoran added the last part playfully, hoping to see her smile. She didn't fail him. She turned to him, smiling.
"Hime? I really don't think I deserve the title. I think I'd rather be a normal citizen then be the princess." The two ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Sakura, I can take you out to the village if you'd like." Syaoran said as he munched the pie.
"Really? Will it be any trouble?" Sakura's concerned eyes looked up at him.
"No trouble at all, Sakura." He replied.
"Thank you, Syaoran! Can we go tomorrow" When he nodded his head, Sakura sprang up.
"I have to go now, I can't wait until tomorrow!" Sakura exclaimed as she ran off with the picnic basket.
"Until tomorrow, my hime…" Whispered Syaoran.
When Sakura got back to her room from her practice, she was tired. She collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.
When she woke up the next morning still in her training clothes. When she got up, she tried to straighten her clothes. When she failed, she stripped them off and climbed into the bath that was prepared for her. She exited only to find her practice clothes gone and in their place, a set of freshly pressed clothing.
That Tomoyo, she's so great. Sakura thought to herself. When she finished dressing, she looked herself over in the mirror. She noticed that her attire was not what Tomoyo would normally leave her. The dress was much plainer and the colors were less vibrant. Maybe she knows about my little outing. Sakura thought as she inspected the clothes. Yes, they would help her blend in.
When she finished getting dressed, she approached Syaoran's door. She knocked lightly, hoping that he could hear it. When he didn't answer, she opened the door a crack. She peeked in and saw all of his furniture pushed up against the wall. She assumed he was training. When he started to flow into a series of moves, it confirmed her assumption.
She slid in through the little crack and made herself comfortable on his bed, which was farthest from where he was training.
He didn't notice her until he stopped and opened his eyes.
"Sakura, I didn't notice you there. Am I late?"
"Not Syaoran-kun! I'm just anxious!" Syaoran nodded at the explanation and entered his bathroom. Sakura could hear the water running. When it stopped Syaoran emerged with new clothes on and his hair was slightly wet.
"Shall we go now?" He asked her. Sakura nodded and they headed out.
Before they reached the gates, a voice stopped them, "Sakura, where do you think you're going?" When they turned around, they saw Sakura's dad.
"We were going to go for a walk, father." Replied Sakura.
"Outside the grounds?" Questioned her dad as he raised an eyebrow.
"Sir, I thought it would aide in her education, she was learning about the geography of Cherryblossoms and I thought it would be wise to show her around, seeing as I know the land and the people very well." Syaoran said smoothly.
The king looked him over. "Fine, but take some guards with you." He ordered Sakura. Sakura nodded and motioned to the red head that just came into view.
"Kondo-san, would you like to escort Syaoran-kun and I through the village?" She asked him. When he nodded she turned to her father, "Kondo is vice-commander of the guard; I think he is sufficient enough." Her father thought on it for a minute before nodding and continuing his walk.
"Alright then, lets go."
Notes: How did you like it? It was longer than my other chapters because it too me so long to update. I wonder what will happen at the market. What about this new prince? When will he show up? I wonder! Thanks for reading and remember to review.
Sango: tsk longest ever chapter? Its five pages! Everyone do me a favor and yell at her to make them longer. Kay? I'll be sure to force her to make them longer to! - more Reviews the faster she writes and the faster we can force her to write even more!
LWB
