Okay, here's a fresh one!

Thanks for all your reviews!! arigatou!

Please keep it up and I'll keep on updating!

And don't worry, love is always confusing, so give Sakura and Syaoran some time. They just met.

Love for Royalty

Chapter VI The Aquarium

Sakura woke up the next morning feeling renewed and well rested. She instantly notied that Shen wasn't with her and looked in front. Sure enough, he was again working on his laptop. So she got out of bed and went to get ready for breakfast. Today she decided to wear something comfortable and casual. She wanted to get out from the mansion and breathe some fresh air. So much had happened in the last 24 hours. She felt that she deserved a breather. After taking her morning shower, she put on a rouched bra top tank, with hidden support in a show-off shape, and white fit skinny-leg pant in stretch cotton.

No one spoke during this particular breakfast either, except for the rumbling coming from Jennifer. It was weird. She was engaged to Syaoran and still, they didn't share a room. It was kind of polite of him. Which at the same time turned into something suspicious. He was up to something, and Jennifer was involved. No matter what, Sakura couldn't bring herself to trust Syaoran.

The conversation she had last night with Tomoyo, made Sakura feel confident again. She wasn't about to be manipulated by Syaoran. After breakfast, in the privacy of their room, Shen sat beside Sakura in their bed. He had something important to tell her.

"Honey, I have an important business meeting to attend to in Italy. So I won't be here for a week" he grabbed Sakura's hand and kissed it.

Sakura instantly argued back. "But what am I supposed to do while you're gone?!"

Shen just kissed her forehead and apologized, but he already bought the plane ticket and reserved a hotel room. He promised to make it up to her though. He owed her that much.

Sakura sighted in defeat. "And when will this trip of yours be?" But Shen's answer made her go pale. She started dreading what Syaoran might be capable of doing. "Today? Are you sure? I wanted us to go sightseeing!" However, Shen was resolute. Work had more priority, he wanted to go on a vacation with her too, but he couldn't risk it. He was so close of becoming President.

Shen left at noon, but not before threatening his younger brother and kissing Sakura goodbye. He had his doubts about leaving his fiance alone in the hands of his perverted brother and even more after seeing Sakura upset the last few days. But he didn't have any other choice. He just had to trust Sakura.

Watching Shen leave, Jennifer whispered something to Syaoran. "How am I supposed to win Shen's heart if he's gone?"

Still trying to act in front of Sakura, Syaoran put his arm around Jennifer's arms and whispered back. "Trust me"

As requested by Syaoran, Jennifer asked Sakura to go the Aquarium with her and Syaoran. The girl instantly caught a trap being prepared for her to fall into. She tried to turn down the invitation but Jennifer wouldn't listen to her and Sakura was left with no other choice. She would just have to be cautius. And besides, what could Syaoran possibly do in public and in front of his own fiance?

In a limo they all went to the Aquarium, once in the entrance the choufeur left them with arrangements to come pick them up in three hours. Sakura was marveled by the structure in front of her. The entrance was shaped like the entrance of a cave. Inside was a long tunnel where you could see the fishes in all directions. Sakura couldn't stop looking. Ever since she was small she loved the coral ocean and the sea. She was charmed by watching the tiny fishes and the sharks.

Syaoran's heart started beating slowly and strongly just by watching Sakura. She looked so cute, like a small child with a new toy. He couldn't help but smile at her. It wasn't to call her attention, it was all pure instinct. But Sakura didn't smile at him, she just ignored him as much as possible, which hurt his pride a bit. From a distance, Jennifer was watching Syaoran from the corner of her eye. She had been instructed to make Sakura have a good time. As if he couldn't do that himself. Something was changing inside of the guy, and Jennifer clearly noticed it.

When Sakura was clearly out of earshot and far watching the sea horses, Jennifer went beside Syaoran and cought his attention by clearing her throat. "It seems to me that your plan is failing Syaoran. You want her heart and yet you only loose more every time. Just what are you trying to do here?"

Surprised by her question, Syaoran pretends he is still watching Sakura. "I don't know what you're talking about. Everything is fine with us"

"Don't make me laugh! That girl hates you! I can see it in her eyes" Jennifer replies and leaves him alone to his thoughts. He was too proud for his own good and that would only lead him to his doom. By behaving like his playboy self he won't win Sakura's heart. He has to be gentle. Problem is, he has never been gentle in his life. He was always upfront and honest. Jennifer predicted an inevitable disaster looming.

Jennifer kept socializing with Sakura, which helped her in a way. It had been long since she had been in an Aquarium herself. She liked it too. It was like being in a whole different world where reality was far. Sakura got to know the girl better, and soon started feeling a sudden bond with her. They were so alike. Jennifer was kind, funny, and honest. It made Sakura feel kind of bad for her, to know that she was engaged with someone like Syaoran.

As a treat for both girls, Syaoran made reservations to Scuba dive in the Coral Reef Gallery. This way they could actually feel like swimming in the acean. Both girls jumped in excitement. Once packed with the proper equipment, they lost no time and started swimming. It was all beautiful. There were hundreds of fishes of every color and sizes; grunts, French angelfish, spotted morey eel, princess parrotfish, fairy basslet, and others. After spending half an hour inside the tank, they were soaked and tired. Syaoran felt sorry for them and bought them ice cream in the Aquarium cafeteria. Afterwards, they went to watch the penguins. They were Sakura's favorite animal. Watching her, Syaoran couldn't avoid laughing, she really did look like a small child.

Hearing Syaoran laugh, Sakura got irritated and went to him. "May I know what's so funny?"

Syoran wiped a tear from his eye. "You just look so cute"

This comment made Sakura blush, but it was more in shyness than anger. Somehow, she was starting to feel comfortable with him. The whole day he had been nice with them. He was always patient and didn't complain at all.

After watching the penguins, they all went to watch a dolphin and killer whale show. Jennifer was amazed by how they jumped and understood the trainer's orders so well. She liked the dolphins better though, she thought they were way cuter. But the killer whale was awesome. When it jumped it sent a huge splash that got whole front row wet.

After spending most of the afternoon at the Aquarium, Syaoran invited the girls for dinner. Since they were already out they might as well enjoy themselves. But before leaving Sakura wanted to stop by the store. She wanted a souvenier to remember this day. She bought a dolphin plush for Jennifer, a penguin plush for herself, and a watch for Syaoran. The lad was surprised to receive a gift from her, knowing that she hated him.

Seeing his surprised expression Sakura laughed. "If you don't want it you can give it back. I just thought I might as well give you something to show you my gratitude. You were bearable today"

He only replied with two simple words. "Thank you"

Syaoran took them all to an Italian style restaurant. A host took them to their table and they sat down to review the menu. Jennifer and Syaoran sat next to each other and Sakura to the other side. It made Sakura miss Shen even more.

Finally after much considering, Sakura and Jennifer ordered the Alfredo pasta, and Syaoran for the Risotto. He wasn't too hungry today.

The table was silent for a long moment until Jennifer talked. "So tell me Sakura. What do you like most about Syaoran?" at these words Syaoran smirked and Sakura turned her face away as if angry at something.

"Nothing" was her simple reply. And it was true. Not even his physical atracted her any longer.

But Jennifer saw right through Sakura's reaction. She wasn't blushing because she was mad, it was because she was shy. Jennifer instantly laughed at that thought. Both Sakura and Syaoran looked at her as if she were crazy.

"Jen! Are you okay? What happened? Why are you laughing so hard?" Syaoran kneeled down to see her face. She was bending because of how hard she was laughing. Finally she straightened up and dried her teary eyes.

"I finally saw what you were talking abour earlier Syaoran. She is cute. Very much so" Jennifer winked at Sakura.

After dinner the group walked for a while through the city streets. Jennifer begged Syaoran to let them walk before going to the mansion. She wanted to show Sakura the streetlights. And it was as beautiful as she told. The skylight was one to remember forever.

"You know Sakura. I once fell in love with Shen" Jennifer started confessing. Sakura wasn't surprised by the news at all, she was already able to put two and two together last night. And she didn't mind. It was all in the past now. Sakura was with him now. She loved him. Seeing that Sakura was silent, Jennifer kept on. "He was all I wanted in a man. Strong, faithful, honest, and so smart. Of course, I was sort of atracted to Syaoran too. But I didn't let on. It would have made him so proud to have another conquest" she eyed Syaoran to look for his reaction. He just kept on walking without saying a word. "But Shen didn't want me. I tried and I tried to seduce him and to make him see that I was the one he always wanted. But it seemed that I was wrong" At this last sentence, Sakura halted and grabbed Jennifer's arm.

"But I thought you said you both had a fling a long time ago" she looked at Jennifer right in the eye, trying to see if she was lying.

"We did. But it was more about revenge than anything else. He never wanted me. He only slept with me to overcome his jelousy. Finally a girl wanted him, he should have been so proud of himself" now Jennifer was almost on the verge of tears and laughing. Sakura felt as if her body had just frozen. Shen had a one night fling 4 years ago! He had told her he hadn't. That it was Syaoran who did that kind of thing.

Sakura could barely get the words out of her lips but made the effort. She wanted a straight answer. "He used you?" Hearing Jennifer's reply, Sakrura started crying and fell to the ground on all four.

Syaoran wanted to help her but knew that she would only push him away. For some reason it hurt him to see her cry. She was so happy and joyful a minute ago. Watching her cry made him want to hold her in his arms and comfort her. But he couldn't. It wasn't his place. He decided to call for the limo and go home. The trip was over.

The ride home was completely silent, as if someone died. But Syaoran couldn't understand why it upset Sakura s much to know that his brother did one stupid mistake when he was younger. He tried to redeem himself. Shen wasn't the same guy from four years ago. Syaoran shook his head, surprised at the fact that he was defending his older brother; his lifelong rival. Something was seriously wrong with him today. He didn't take any advantage of Sakura's weaker state at all, and he had his golden chance right in front of him. Somehow, Sakura was affecting his senses. He wasn't thinking right. She was just one more conquest, no need to become attached. He just needed to break her and Shen apart/ And Jennifer just played her key role in the whole show. She was an incredible asset for his plan to work. Sakura was losing faith in Shen.

Sakura felt defeated and worn out. She didn't know what to think about what Jennifer just told her. She didn't know if she could believe her. As she opened her bedroom door, she heard a voice talking on the phone and then hung up. Hurriedly Sakura turned on the lights. Sitting in the room's desk was her best friend; Tomoyo Daidouji.