The Princess and the Slave
Well, I was hoping for 100 reviews before I updated, but that didn't happen, so here's the next chapter. I LOVE reviews, since it's summer, I'll have time to write more, but I need reviews to update.
Chapter 17
Nao had been at the castle for a few days now. He had become accustomed to the proper procedures of the castle and accepted it with grace. Sakura's parents were loving to him and were sure that they'd found a winner.
Sakura thought that he was charming and would be a great friend, but nothing more.
Sakura walked down a corroder of the castle and turned a corner lost in her own thoughts. 'Nao is nice, but he's not Syaoran. Nao is nice and caring, but so is Syaoran. They are both charming, but Syaoran has some thing that Nao doesn't. If I had to marry Nao, I guess I would… but he's not Syaoran. Will I ever have the chance to marry Syaoran?'
Sakura's thoughts were a jumbled mess. She couldn't' figure out what to do. She wanted to stick with her resolve not to marry for money, but for love. If only Syaoran was from a rich family.
'Maybe I can ask my parents to stop again. I think my dad is getting close to giving up and my mom is already sort of on my side.' Sakura was too wrapped up in her thoughts and walked into one of her problems.
"Hi Syaoran." Sakura said, a bit breathlessly.
Syaoran nodded, "Sakura."
"Would you like to join me for a walk?' She asked him with a smile on her face.
"I would love to." Syaoran offered her his arm; much like Nao did when they went to the ball last week. Sakura couldn't help but compare the two in her mind.
Syaoran looked down and noticed Sakura's puzzled face.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, genuinely concerned for her.
Sakura shook her head, "Nope, nothing's wrong!" Sakura added a forced smile.
Syaoran could tell the smile was fake, but he didn't call her on it.
The pair walked out onto the vast lands owned by Sakura's father. The two walked until they approached a brook, one that they had visited in the past.
Sakura released Syaoran's arm and sat down near the bank. Syaoran remained standing.
The two were silent before Syaoran spoke up. "So what's wrong, Sakura?"
"What would make you think something's wrong?" She asked without looking up.
"For one, you're not bubbly and happy like you normally are." Syaoran looked at Sakura and noticed that her shoulders started to shake. "Sakura, are you crying?" He asked gently. He reached down to hold her, but before he did, she bolted.
Sakura didn't care where she was running to. She didn't want to go back to the castle, not yet, so she headed to the fields, where there would be endless rows of fruit and no one working.
The latter was untrue, as Sakura found out. She ran into someone, successfully knocking them down and spilling the fruit that was in their basket.
"Sakura-chan?" The person questioned.
Sakura looked up and saw Tomoyo. "Tomoyo-chan?"
"Are you crying? There there," Tomoyo wrapped Sakura in her embrace, "now tell me what's wrong."
"I'm so confused." Sakura paused to sniffle some more. Tomoyo handed her a handkerchief and Sakura dabbed at her face with it.
"I'm not sure. It would be nice to marry Naozumi, wouldn't it? He's nice and my parents like him. But…" Sakura paused.
"But you like someone else?" Tomoyo finished for her.
"How did you know?" Sakura looked up at her in surprise.
"How could I not know? I bet I know who it is too."
Sakura smiled a bit. "Who?"
"It's Syaoran."
Sakura started sobbing again, "Is it that obvious? Does he know?"
"He doesn't know yet. He's just like you, can't make up his mind about his feelings. He's probably just as confused as you are, especially since you probably left him standing there."
Sakura's head shot up, "Oh no, I did leave him there! Tomoyo, how do you know everything?" Sakura sighed but didn't wait for an answer, "I'm so confused Tomoyo. I think I like Syaoran more, but it would never work. My parents would never allow it. Or, my dad won't. What should I do?"
"Hush, hush, you should do what feels right." Tomoyo soothed Sakura by patting her back.
"But, obligation or heart? It's too hard of a choice." Sakura stopped sobbing and looked up at Tomoyo.
"Do what you want to do, Sakura."
Sakura dried the rest of her tears and stood up. "I'll need to think about it."
Tomoyo looked up at the young princess, "Think about it long and hard, it's your decision." Tomoyo smiled and handed Sakura a piece of the fallen fruits, "Strawberry?"
Sakura shook her head no and left.
Sakura walked into the castle silently, hoping not to bump into anyone. When she turned the corner, she saw Nao. She quickly backtracked and hid around the corner .She peered over, but Nao wasn't there anymore.
Thinking the coast was clear, Sakura stepped out. She took a few steps before someone whispered in her ear. "Hello, Sakura-hime." When the person spoke, Sakura jumped at the breeze against her neck.
"Hello, Nao." Sakura turned slowly around. When she was finally turned all the way, she looked up at him and smiled. Nao smiled back and they both stood silent for a few seconds.
"So, hime, what are you doing now? Would you like to accompany me to see more of your vast gardens?" Sakura looked nervously around.
Not finding a reason to decline Sakura responded, "I would like that."
The two walked beside each other, Nao chatting pleasantly about flowers and Sakura nodding her head in agreement. When they got to the gardens, their chatter continued and Nao started pointing out certain flowers.
He picked up a rose. "I can't decide which is prettier. The rose, or you." Sakura blushed.
"I'm pretty sure the flower is prettier."
Nao smiled at Sakura and placed the flower in her hair. "You're just as pretty, if not prettier than all of these flowers here."
"Nao, do you like me?" asked Sakura abruptly. Nao turned from the flowers he was observing.
"Well, you are pretty and cute." He pondered her question, "yes, I think I do like you."
Sakura expelled a breath, preparing herself to speak.
"Although, I supposed if you liked another, it might break my heart; I think I'd be fine, as long as you were happy, I think I would accept it."
"Oh" Sakura said meekly.
"Why, are you planning on running away?" Nao replied with a grin.
"Of course not."
The two smiled a realized smile and they walked back into the castle.
"So do you know how to fight?" Sakura asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
"Not really. I know the basics, but I don't fight well. But archery, that's a different matter."
"Cool. I've always wanted to learn."
"I can always teach you, hime."
Sakura nodded and they headed off to the archery field.
The targets were far from where the normal guards stood but Nao urged Sakura to stand closer to the targets, seeing that she was new.
"Alright, so you put the arrow like this, and release." Nao demonstrated and hit the target. "But be careful of my heart, you might strike it." Sakura and Nao both laughed at this.
"I'll be careful, don't worry." Sakura positioned herself accordingly and release the arrow. The arrow flew straight, and was a few inches shy of the bulls eye.
"Good job." The two practiced until Sakura could hit the middle.
The two entered the castle, laughing at a joke, until they came upon their parents.
"Hello, Naozumi and Sakura, please sit." Their parents' faces were serious, nothing giving away their true intent, not even the batting of an eyelash.
The two youths sat down, not knowing what to expect from their parents.
Notes: I foresee the ending of this story soon… (Consults crystal ball) Yes, I see it soon… but how will it happen… (Cue mystical noises) Maybe two to five chapters left.
I'm sorry to say, this story will probably be ending soon. If you have any story plots you want me to write feel free to tell me. I'm looking for MANY CCS story plots. I like challenges too.
So please tell me what you think of this chapter. What are their parents going to say? Dun dun dun….
Love ya lots,
LWB
