Hi again to those reading!

And congratulations chainedheart999 for being the first reviewer! YAY!

I also have to remind everyone that since school's started up again I will be busy. And I'll try for an update each week, but I have to say that if you do want an update every week they won't be as long.

Sorry if you found any grammar and/spelling mistakes!

And I have a habit of going in and out of first person and third person. So please bear with me. Plus I like to use the word 'before' a lot. And I mean a lot, but if you could find me a word that is synonym to 'before' I would be forever grateful!

Gilded Cage- Chapter II: Welcome to The Deck

Previously:

Tomoyo walked out in front of me. "Sakura-chan, welcome to the place where your initiation will be held—along with others of course." She said, then she gestured to the grand building behind her. "Welcome to the Assembly Hall of The Deck."

My mouth dropped open and I halted completely.

"This is the Assembly Hall?!" I looked over to Tomoyo, who stated blankly back at me. "Is there something wrong with it?" she asked back, frowning slightly.

I shook my head furiously. "Of course there's nothing wrongwith it, but it's… huge!"

Tomoyo giggled. "Well I suppose it's rather large to you, but I'm used to it." She said matter-of-factly.

My face must have still kept its look of bewilderment, as she burst out laughing.

"Sakura-chan you're just too cute!" she said whipping out her trusty V-8 recorder and swiveled around me.

I turned a bright red and ducked my head. "Let's get going Tomoyo-chan or else we're going to miss the actual initiation!" I reminded, pulling her with me as I walked hurriedly down the path to the front door.

Stopping at the foot of the step that would take me into the building that would soon set my place in life, I gulped nervously before looking over to Tomoyo.

Giggling lightly, she turned off her camcorder and placed into safely in her large tote. "Sorry Sakura-chan but here is where we part."

"Wait, you mean I have to go in by myself?" I whimpered.

Tomoyo gave me a sympathetic smile before pushing me softly in the door's direction. "You'll be fine Sakura-chan; I have to go in a different door. Just take a deep breath and go in with your head held high." She said patting my back encouragingly. "So just go in and there'll be someone inside to guide you."

I let out an unsteady sigh.

'Okay Sakura, you can do this. Take deep breaths. In. Out. Don't worry I'll do fine. I'll—'

"Sakura-chan I have to get going now but we'll see each other in a while." Tomoyo said with a smile.

"See you in a while Tomoyo-chan." I said, nodding my head in response and watched as she disappeared behind the corner.

I looked up at the large double door that dwarfed me tenfold. My hand grasped the door knob tightly; feeling its intricate details I could tell the knob was very ornate just from the touch of it. The knob was a large brass globe decorated with multiple lines and swirls that all came together in the focal point of the knob crossing in an elegant 'X', and in the four spaces of the X four suits filled the empty spaces. The uppermost space was filled by the Spade, below it the Heart, to its right the Club, and to its left the Diamond.

I calmed myself once more and turned the knob opening the door and a strong gust of wind shoved past me into the corridor leading into the building; I stepped inside closing the door quietly behind me but I soon as the door shut closed the corridor was pitch black.

I cautiously stepped forward, blinded in this moment of darkness. Bumping into something solid I caught myself before I could let out a blood-curling scream, realizing it was a door.

'It's okay Sakura, nothing but a door.'

I reached for the handle but the door swung open before I had a chance to grab it.

"Welcome to the Assembly Hall. We've been waiting for your arrival." Two deep voices said as the equally large double door opened swiftly, letting light flood the corridor of darkness.

My eyes were captured by the interior of the hall.

It was absolutely stunning.

Walking in I saw that the double doors were held open by to relatively tall men who graced me with amiable smiles. Returning their friendly smiles I treaded softly on the vibrant red carpet, careful not to trip over my own feet and make a fool of myself in front of the Suits.

"Kinomoto-san!" a voice called.

I stopped and turned to see a girl my age running towards me.

"Kinomoto-san," she panted. "Please follow me to your spot. You're expected to be in your designated seat before the initiation begins. I'm Chiharu Miharu by the way. You can just call me Chiharu-san though."

Prompting me to follow her lead, I looked around at the hall. The hall itself was immense in size; it was finely decorated with classic pieces of art and collected works of timeless sculptures all by various well-known artists, renowned furniture collections and exotic fur rugs by distinguished foreign designers, and in the midst of it all: a Swarovski-crystal chandelier. It shined and glittered throughout the hall leaving glimmering spots of light in its place, allowing people admire its grandeur presence.

But the thing that shocked me the most was the amount of people that were in the room. In fact the whole room was primarily composed of prestigious people from all over the country—even prestigious foreigners were here!

My focus was adverted to Chiharu-san who snapped me out of my gaping stare, pointing me to me designated seat—the very last seat seeing as how I was the very last to arrive; the seats were set in two rows, four in the front and four in the back. I nodded in her direction thanking her as she walked away.

We were sat in the center of the room—apparently we entered a room when I wasn't paying attention. When I looked around at other people who to be initiated, I was surprised at how little there were. Counting me, there were eight people total—five girls and three boys, and we all seemed to be around the same age. The seating arrangement was a girl in the first seat, then girl, boy, boy, girl, boy, girl, and then me.

Looking forward, I was face to face with fourteen large, podiums that were stuck in place by each other, neither throne higher than the next, but in the middle behind the immense podiums was a simple carved throne; it was a simple design that still caught one's eye. Slightly padded with deep blue material to suit the owner's appeal, there was also a large, golden 'J' sewed impeccably into the padding.

Sighing I smoothed out the wrinkles from my dress before crossing my ankles. 'I wonder how Tomoyo-chan's doing.' I was about to reach for my clutch that was lying silently on the ground next to me when a trumpet filled the air.

"All rise for the Suits!" a voice called out.

The inductees stumbled to our feet; in was in awe by the elegant people that entered the room.

"Bow!"

I declined ever so slightly, scared that if my eyes left their forms they would somehow disappear back into the dark room from where they came.

The nine figures gracefully were seated in their large podiums that oversaw the whole room, as if the room became their court. The nine soon grouped into threes as they each sat in their apparent respected areas.

The first group consisted of a female and two males; they sat in the first three podiums farthest to the left. The next group consisted of another female and two males; they sat in the second three podiums from the right. And the last group of yet another pair of males and a single female; they sat in the three podiums to the right of the group that was just seated.

As the three groups were seated comfortably, a soft murmur fell over the room.

"Where are the Spades?"

"I pity poor Naoko—she has to watch over that troublesome child."

"I can't believe the audacity of that boy, missing such an important event!"

"Poor Yelan, how does she stand having such an immature son. "

"No wonder he doesn't have a—"

The comment was soon silenced as all attention was on the new arrival.

"All rise for the Joker, her highness—Yelan-sama!"

The Suits stood and joined the room, which seemed to bow in unison radiating respect for the refined woman that walked over to her throne. She sat down in the seat that was made perfectly for her and added to her elegance before raising her hand then lowering it.

I sat down slowly—my eyes never leaving the regal woman.

She stood up leisurely before turning to the half of the room with the prestigious, wealthy heads.

"I welcome the many people from all over the world who came to witness this initiation—"

She turned to the other half of the rooms filled with uniformed people about my age give-or-take.

"And I welcome you—numbers—back to another exciting year apart of The Deck—"

She then turned to the eight of us sitting in the center of the room, averting everyone's attention to us.

"Most of all, I welcome you—the inductees—to the beginning of your life here at The Deck. In a moment you will each come up and introduce yourselves." She sat down back into her throne with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Let's begin."

As the words left her mouth, silence fell over the room as the first girl stood up and took a step forward.

"Yelan-sama."

"I'm Ayori Misake, nineteen years old, first daughter of the Misake Corporations." She was a very tall, intimidating-looking girl with voluminous ginger curls and calm gray eyes.

As she sat back down the next person—a girl—stepped forward.

"Yes Eriol?"

"I'm Reiko Mashima—but you can call me Rei—eighteen years old, second daughter of the Mashima Hotels!" The petite, pixie-sized girl was wearing a pair of sleek white rectangular frames that contrasted with her pale brown eyes and shocking cropped fuchsia hair.

Next was a towering boy that dwarfed Reiko-san by at least a foot.

"Don't you think the girl sitting in the last seat with the inductees look slightly familiar?"

"Eiji Ueda, eighteen, fourth son of the Ueda Clan." His introduction was direct and sharp as his trimmed black hair; he also sported a pair of titanium metal-rimmed glasses that seemed to disappear when the light hit it just right and his tall build towered over everyone.

Pausing a moment to speculate what Eriol said before responding, Yelan studied the girl Eriol pointed out.

"Ryosuke Takeda at your service," he winked over at the uniformed girls, causing them all to turn a deep red, "Seventeen years old and the first son of the Takeda Tea Company." Standing taller than most boys his age, his tawny hair was messily draped over his head in neat layers that skimmed his light jade eyes. Ending his introduction in a deep bow, he took a step back.

After that, two identical twins walked out of the row; both were wearing matching gothic Lolita velvet frocks.

'Now that Eriol pointed her out, she does look a lot like—'

The first to open their mouth was the boy. "This is Hitomi, she's the second daughter of the Peachy-Love Clothing Line —" he said pointing to his sister. The girl then pointed to her brother, "And this is Hitoshi, he's the second son of the Peachy-Love Clothing Line." The two dropped their hands. "We're both sixteen." Looking at them I really couldn't tell the difference between either one of them, other than the fact that their straight blonde hair was different lengths and their frocks were designed dissimilarly for genders.

Realization hit Yelan as a shock spread over her face.

"I'm Momo Miyake, nineteen years old and the third daughter of the Miyake Enterprises." Looking to the girl next to as she walked back to her seat next to me, she was about my height with her heels on; her light chestnut hair was neatly done in a French braid tied down with a red violet stain ribbon that matched her dress and her mixed hazel eyes.

"In more ways then one, Eriol. In more ways than one."

I watched as all eyes were turned to me as every move I made was scrutinized by the famous and wealthy, the uniformed, and most of all—the Suits.

"Hurry up Syaoran! We're going to be late if you walk any slower!" Naoko said, checking her watch, almost tripping over a Persian rug. "Let's go!"

Sighing loudly, Syaoran stretched his arms. "It doesn't even matter Naoko whether we're late or not. Besides we've been to enough initiations to last us both a lifetime."

Naoko let out a loud huff. "Well fine, it might not matter whether we're late or not, but don't you care about what other people are saying about you when you blow off these things like they're nothing, Syaoran?"

"We're here." He said coldly opening the door, stepping into the room filled with light.

I walked slowly over to the front of the room, standing in the middle of interest, breathing in slightly I opened my mouth to introduce myself when a loud creaking noise stalled my introduction.

"All rise for—" the voice was cut off.

"No need." A suave voice entered the room, capturing most of the female's population.

Swiveling my head in the direction of where the voice came from, I was met with a pair of memorable smoldering, amber eyes that appeared to be amused. "Please continue." He smirked, taking a seat in the podiums with a modest-looking girl who apologized to the speaker.

'Syaoran!' I thought of the dirtied handkerchief in my clutch before glaring at him.

Clearing my throat while glaring at the intruder, I began with my introduction once again. "I'm Sakura Kinomoto, eighteen years old and I'm the first daughter of… of a… architect… ?"

As I walked back to my seat, I felt glares intensify on my back and they increased even more when I faced the room.

"I can't believe The Deck would even allow someone of such poor standards to even set foot on their property!"

"If she of all things can become apart of The Deck why can't my daughter? I'm appalled!"

"Poor thing. Look at her, she's like a little weed lost in a meadow of flowers; she should just go back to her field."

As low but spiteful laugher filled my head, I closed my eyes and bent my head down hoping that the comments would stop.

"My house was designed by her father."

The comments buzzed to a stop.

I looked up in shock to see Mei-Ling, staring down at me. "Mei-Ling! What are you—"

"So now that everyone knows that Kinomoto-san—along with everyone else—is so amazing, I call this initiation to an end! I thank everyone for coming on the behalf of The Deck, please leave in an orderly fashion." she shouted, equally shocking everyone in the room. "And inductees, in twenty minutes please meet us in the lounge for further instructions—for those who do not know how to get there, go find your nominator." She said with a smile.

"I don't believe this!

"Mei-Ling-sama is actually protecting someone! I can't believe it!"

"I'm disgusted that a Queen would protect someone who's not even a number yet!"

"But doesn't this remind you of something that happened be—"

"You heard the lady—leave!" Syaoran's voice echoed throughout the room, silencing the clamor. "Now!" he yelled to the sitting woman and men.

Glancing over to the Suits they all seemed rather amused. 'I suppose they're all used to his outbursts.'

"I won't stand for this—Yelan-sama!" It was a well dressed, young man, draped in a finely tailored suit.

I jerked my head to Yelan-sama, who was walking towards the door, to see her reaction.

"Yelan-sama, I won't stand for your niece and son's rude gesture!" the man grunted, cheeks aflame. "I demand that they apologize to me and the ladies and gentlemen who came today out of our schedule for this event."

Yelan-sama, who was half-way out of the door, turned a smirked. "Two things you need to know, Makoto-kun," she addressed, glaring at the younger man who blushed. "One, I apologize on behalf of the Suits but I cannot apologize on behalf of my son and niece and two, do not demand things from I." she glowered.

Uttering a string of curses, Makoto Tsukushi-sama—who's a famous, young computer developer—stalked outside with his escort in arm; with that the whole audience seemed to have dispersed.

A shrill applause was heard, snapping us out of our stupor.

"Bravo Mei-Ling! Bravo!" a high-pitched voice said. "Bravo!"

Turning around I saw the source of the applause: a Suit with dark-caramel brown locks.

"Thank you Nakuru, thank you." Mei-Ling bowed comically before spinning to face us. "Now you eight probably should go along and find your nominators and make sure you know where the lounge is." She said before dragging the other woman—Nakuru—through the door into the dark where everyone seemed to be disappearing into.

Watching the other inductees go their separate ways, I decided to get to know them better after the initiation frenzy was over. 'Go to your nominator for directions?' I thought watching the door. 'I guess I should try to find Tomoyo-chan.'

Picking up my clutch, I walked out of the Assembly Hall, though stopping at regular intervals to admire the paintings and sculptures, I finally made it back outside; trying to remember the route I took to get here.

'Now was it a right turn or left turn here?'

Brushing his royal navy tresses out of his face, he watched Sakura closely from above, she decided to make a right turn—to bad it was the wrong way.

'Sakura Kinomoto, looks like you're off to an interesting start … looks like this will be a rather exciting year.'

"And your entire luggage has been safely moved to my room, and I showed you how to get there; so here's the key," she handed me a small copper key with the number nine imprinted on it. "And be sure to tell me all about your assignment." She grinned, "Now go and don't ruin that shirt, it's a piece I made the other day!" she said pushing me in the direction of the lounge before walking away taking pictures.

'Haven't been in this situation before?' I thought to myself, groaning inwardly pocking the key in the jeans I had changed into before walking into the lounge.

I felt my mouth drop open as my eyes were flooded by a shade of periwinkle that covered the walls; to my left there a long bookshelf that lined the wall, tables were scattered throughout the room with matching chairs, to my right there was a mini ball that was surrounded by an array of high chairs; the furnishings consisted of a sleek velvet couch with matching black armchairs, a beautifully carved coffee table that had a few titles littered across it, and in front of the couch and coffee table there was a giant fireplace, its the mantle was decorated by a few small sculptures.

"Are you done observing the lounge Kinomoto-san? Because if you are I would really like to go sit down and get this over with." A masculine voice said.

Turning around my eyes were met with a clothed chest that radiated a soothing, musky smell of sandalwood. Inclining my head just slightly, I was shrouded in a strong glare.

"Did you not hear me? Move!" he ordered before pushing me out of his way anyways.

"Syaoran, don't be so mean to Sakura! You'll scare her off." Mei-Ling exclaimed running over to my side enveloping me in a hug. "Ignore Syaoran Sakura, he's just sulking because auntie yelled at him." She giggled before skipping over to Fai who entered the room with the rest of the Suits.

Moving out of the way so that the elegant people could pass, I bumped into yet another person.

"Hello Sakura-san! I can call you Sakura-san, right? I mean you can just call me Rei." a bubbly voice chirped; I rotated around to see Reiko Mashima, along with the rest of the inductees.

"Yes you—" I started.

"Hurry up and get over here newbie's! I want to get this over with a soon as possible!"

I threw Mashima-san an apologetic look as all eight of us scrambled to get seats that were moved to be positioned in front of Mei-Ling and four other people, while the other Suits were either at the mini bar or resting on the couch—and of course Syaoran was lazing on the couch sipping some unknown liquid.

'I hope you choke on it.' I thought disdainfully.

Mei-Ling—who was sitting in the middle of the group—stood up.

"First off, here's a sheet that tells you who everyone is:

--

Kings:

Spade- Syaoran Li

Club- Eriol Hiiragizawa

Diamond- Fai Furoraito

Heart- Saeki Ito

Queens:

Spade- not filled

Club- Kaho Mizuki

Diamond- Mei-Ling Li

Heart- Nakuru Akizuki

Jacks:

Spade- Naoko Yanagisawa

Club- Sui Arai

Diamond- Takashi Yamazaki

Heart- Takuya Maeda

Aces:

Spade- Fanren Li

Club- Fuutie Li

Diamond- Feimei Li

Heart- Sheifa Li

Joker:

Yelan Li

--

"So going down the list with Kings first, Syaoran's the one over there on the couch with the brown hair drinking water; the ones messing with Syaoran are Eriol—the one with the navy hair and Fai—the tall, gangly one; Saeki's the one at the mini bar. Queens are Nakuru—she's the one at the mini bar with Saeki; Kaho's sitting on the armchair reading; and I am here." she said. "And your Jacks are"—she pointed at the last person—"Sui, next to him is Takuya, the one with the retarded look on his face is Takashi"—she chuckled—"and last but not least, the quiet Naoko. The end!" she exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.

Rei Raised her hand, "But Mei-Ling-sama—"

"You can call me Mei-Ling, in fact just call everyone, even the inductees, by their given name—makes life easier." She laughed as Syaoran let out a low growl as he glared at Mei-Ling.

"Okay, well Mei-Ling, where are all of the Aces?"

"Your Aces are busy arranging your housing and Suit placement." She replied.

"Looks like everyone made it here before I did." A feminine voice entered the room.

We all stood to bow as Yelan-sama walked in with multiple stacks of paper.

"Thank you, you may all sit." She said walking over to Mei-Ling. "This is everyone's Suit placement, housing arrangements, and etcetera; with this please explain everything from ranking to allowance. And because I know you love explaining it I left the assignments on top." She smiled warmly at Mei-Ling. "And Syaoran you better be nice to them and actually attempt to learn their names." She warned Syaoran who grunted in response.

Mei-Ling leafed through the sheets, eyeing things here and there. "Thanks auntie."

Yelan-sama nodded before walking back to the door. "And inductees…

Welcome to The Deck."

I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long to get out—and it's not even a long one. Sorry.

Like I said before, I'll try to update as fast as I can but be prepared to expect shorter chapters.

And so everyone knows and doesn't pester me about it, I'm purposely capitilizing the 'the' in "The Deck', but I'm pretty sure I changed all of the 'the' in 'The Suits'. If I haven't ignore it please.

~fueledBYpachi