Hey.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She watched him disappear into the sunset, which was difficult considering how bright the sun was. Sakura blinked vigorously on the way back to her room, having trouble seeing much in front of her. By the time she sat on her bed everything was adjusted correctly and she could focus on other things, like the fact her life was spinning wildly out of control and everything she loved was slowly fading farther and farther away, and pretty soon it would be lost forever. Terrific.

So life wasn't going so well. So what if her only friend(living, of course) was more than likely never coming back? Big deal. So what if she was a few days away from being killed because of her socially unacceptable behavior towards a complete idiot born into royalty? Hey, it happens.

Sakura looked over on her bed and laughed. "You're kidding me."

On the end of her bed was a large box, of the same kind that her beautiful white gown came in. Sakura grimaced and pulled it closer to her. "Cyou, I will kill you," she whispered.

Dear Sakura,

The other dress that I gifted you may have bittersweet memories, so I thought I might try again. I'm sorry it's not as intricate, but knowing you, you probably prefer it. Just promise me you won't wear it to my funeral.

Cyou

Sakura lifted the box lid, wondering where he even finds the time to go buy dresses for her, and smiled. It wasn't her dream dress, or even her favorite color.

It was his.

A dark red dress sat idle in the box, crème lace covering parts of the bodice and hem. She lifted it up and flung it out to look in the mirror. Yes, this reminded her of him. Almost too much.

He was right; it was much plainer than the other gown he gave her. Although that was a good thing, because finding an event that warranted such a dress would be difficult. Well, difficult if she were anywhere else.

She swung it around one more time, imagining herself beside him. His uniform would match perfectly, which he would wear if he were ever to get married...

Yes. She was definitely going to kill him.

Xxxxxxx

"Oh Sakura-san, you cannot wear that gown," Chiharu pleaded. "Today is the anniversary of the Li Kingdom's establishment, you must wear white or gold for the banquet tonight!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Why is that?"

Chiharu was panicking, pacing about the room at the thought of such an obscenity. "It is just so, Sakura-san. And Li-sama himself has picked a dress for you to wear tonight. If you do not wear it, bad things will happen. Even you are not immune to his wrath."

Sakura sighed. "What does he want me to wear? Some huge dress that I can't even walk in because it weighs me down like a cargo ship? I don't think so."

"Please forgive his manners, he really isn't used to girls with... morals." Chiharu opened Sakura's wardrobe slowly. "It really is a beautiful dress. Please wear it."

Sakura examined the dress vaguely. It was beautiful, she just wasn't giving Li the satisfaction of picking it out. The bodice was gathered gold material that ran to her knees, with white underlay where it ended down to the floor. "Fine."

Chiharu laughed, jumped, and hugged Sakura vigorously. "THANK YOU SAKURA THANK YOU SO MUCH THANK YOU THANK YOU."

"Yeah."

Getting into the dress was a challenge, but it did look pretty amazing. Chiharu was joined by three other maids, because apparently tonight was a very, very big deal. She was given a small headpiece and other jewelry, more than usual. Sakura grew tired of the preparation. She was hungry.

"Is is time yet?" she pleaded, watching her hair fall into flawless curls under the supervision of Naoko.

"Only a few moments, Sakura-san," Chiharu replied. "Oh, that looks beautiful. Yes, I think we're ready. Grab my hand." Sakura took her hand as instructed and hoisted herself off the stool she sat on.

"This is a very heavy dress," she moaned. "Men should be forced to wear the same horrible things that we do."

Rika laughed. "I don't think they could do this every day."

Sakura managed to walk almost normally to the door. "So if this is such a huge event, are you all invited?"

They all nodded happily. "Oh yes! Of course, we will just be wearing our normal dresses, but we do attend. It's a wonderful event, really." Chiharu sighed. "Well, let us all go down."

Sakura enjoyed the company on her normal trip to the banquet hall, which was normally silent and disturbing. The three girls did not talk much, but they made her feel more at home, which was a plus for anything at the moment.

"See, Sakura-san, this is why you could not wear red tonight," Rika observed. "You would match the decorations."

Sakura looked through the open doors, completely stunned. The normal hall was completely packed with people dressed in white and gold with red banners and decorations everywhere.

"This is very... extravagant."

The others nodded silently in agreement. "And this is just the dinner," Naoko whispered. "After this a dance is held in the grand ballroom."

Sakura stared at Naoko incredulously. "And none of you felt like this was important to discuss with me?!"

They laughed. "You were gone all day, Sakura-san," Chiharu said. "We couldn't find you."

Sakura sighed and shrugged. "I suppose that makes sense."

They walked into the large room apprehensively, Sakura looking for no attention whatsoever. Of course, attention found her quite easily. In the form of Li Syaoran.

"Sakura," he called, running over to her and bowing. "You look beautiful," he said happily. His brown hair stuck out from his otherwise white and gold ensemble.

She bowed and forced a smile. "Thank you." She tried to walk away but he persisted on talking to her.

"Are you having a good time?" he asked, looking around the room proudly. "Oh, it looks spectacular."

She laughed, trying to hold back her urge to tackle him and beat him into the ground. "I agree!" And if I don't you'll have me decapitated! Wonderful.

He seemed oblivious to the malice she hid under her overexcited smile. "I'm glad you seem to be enjoying yourself."

Well I am seeming to enjoy myself, she thought. That doesn't mean I am.

"It's a shame that some of the military had to leave so soon," Sakura said quietly once the conversation got to the awkward point. "I always find it sad to see them go."

Syaoran laughed. "Oh, you knew about that? I tried to keep it away from public news. But it's not that big of a deal. Only the worse of the enforcements here were sent away. Most of them won't be coming back." He grabbed a drink from a waiter passing by and sipped it quietly.

Sakura grew still. "And you seem like you don't care?"

He shrugged. "As I said, I've only sent the troublemakers and slackers. They are of little value to me. It's a small battle, but we still need more men to... Why is this of such concern to you?" he inquired, filled with curiosity. "I didn't know you found interest in the military."

"You sent... my best and only friend to die?!" she screamed, pushing him backwards into a group behind them. The room grew silent except for Sakura's heavy breathing. "And you don't even have the courtesy to care that men who chose to fight for you, the men who make it possible for you to live in an extravagant castle and never get your hands dirty, are dying as you stand around and get drunk?!"

Syaoran hesitated. "I didn't know you... knew."

"Of course I knew about it! How could I not realize that Cyou was missing?! You're a horrible person and I wish nothing else but for you to die!" Sakura turned and ran from the ballroom, pushing past the hundreds of spectators that watched her with heightening curiosity.

The second the ballroom was out of sight Sakura threw her heels off and began to sprint for her life. If she were to make it out before Syaoran found her, she would have to be faster than him.

Running in a ballgown wasn't as easy as one might think. Sakura tried to restrain from ripping it off as well. But she was already down to the first floor, running through the gardens, seeking shelter from Li's awaiting wrath.

She finally collapsed under a willow tree surrounded by hedges and tried to control her breathing. She felt unsafe. Weak. Defeated. Powerless. There was nothing that she could do to save her life, or Cyou's. They were both sure to be dead within the week.

I mean, telling the prince that he should die in the middle of a banquet isn't one of the smartest things to do if you ask me. And it would never bring Cyou back, because everyone knew that Li never took an insult well, even if it came from a beautiful girl.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This chapter is a little late, but still here! I'm going to bed.