So I've come to update once again because I felt like typing and the holidays are coming up and the homework is lessening.
So on with the story!
(and hopefully people are liking this story)
Gilded Cage- Chapter IV: In Come the Inductees
Previously:
One by one everyone left to deal with their own business.
Sakura sighed and turned to Hitoshi. "Shall we go to our rooms?" she asked the boy.
Nodding once again he followed Sakura out of the room.
Following the rather vague map, Sakura and Hitoshi finally made it to their destination—their rooms.
"So I guess we're both next-do-neighbors." Sakura said cheerfully, searching through her envelope; Hitoshi mimicked her action.
"Well I guess I'll see you at seven then Hitoshi-san." She said finding her room key before swiping it, opening the door to her room.
"You can just call me Hitoshi if you want." Hitoshi mumbled, swiping his key.
Stepping in, Sakura waved a hand. "And I have to go meet up with my friend so she can help me get ready for the ball, so I'll be out the whole time."
As the door to Sakura's room closed shut, Hitoshi let out a small sigh before walking into his room as well.
The four Kings sat in chairs situated in the middle of the large room where the initiation ball would be held.
"So Syaoran, looks like you're the only one out of us guys who gets an assistant." Eriol chuckled, playing with the wine glass in his hand.
"I propose we place a bet. See how long poor Sakura-chan lasts before mean, evil Syao-chan scared her off." Fai laughed, taking a sip of wine.
Saeki swished the wine in his mouth. "Yes propose we should place a bet. Though I'm rather jealous of you Syaoran, you get such a pretty assistant."
Syaoran growled at the three other men before pouring another glass of wine. "I don't know why the hell the Fanren and the rest of them stuck me with bento freak." He took a long gulp.
"Bento freak?" Eriol inquired, "Do I want to know?"
Syaoran opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when Naoko and Mei-Ling rushed through the large doors, entering the room.
"There you all are!" Mei-Ling shouted. "Where were you guys? Naoko and I were looking all over for you guys!"
"Honestly the ball is only and two hours away and yet you're all sitting around drinking the wine that's reserved for the guests—you've wasted an hour being old men." Naoko exclaimed, grabbing the wine glass from Syaoran and Fai's hands; both made a noise a protest. "Let's go, you four need to get ready for the ball tonight; you're all Kings but you're going to be the worst dressed people there!" she said pointing to their uniforms.
Eriol made a face. "Well at least they're black. Besides, the ladies won't mind as long as Syaoran stays in one spot."
Fai let out a loud snicker that earned him a death glare from Syaoran.
"Well I don't know why you're laughing at Syaoran when you look just as stupid." Mei-Ling yelled, pulling Fai and Eriol by the arm towards the door. "Let's go!"
"You too Syaoran!" Naoko said, grabbing Syaoran's built arm. She looked over at Saeki.
"No need Naoko." Saeki said raising his hands in surrender. "No need to tell me twice."
"You'll look so gorgeous with the dress I made for you." Tomoyo said excitedly, running into her closet.
Sighing loudly, Sakura looked at Tomoyo's room; it was decorated to fit Tomoyo's eclectic needs. The room was painted a light lavender—Tomoyo's favorite color, her bed was precisely made as her violet sheets were tucked neatly into the oak frame, at the other end of the room in the corner there was a large sewing table with miscellaneous designs and string scattered about, and the closet was specially made so Tomoyo would have space to store her many designs; but other than the sporadic mess her and there, Tomoyo's room was very clean.
"Found it!" Tomoyo's voice came from the inside of the closet. "Come try it on."
Cautiously, Sakura stepped into the closet and was welcome by the rainbow of colors that lined the walls of the closet.
"Over here Sakura!" she said ushering Sakura onto the dressing stand that was positioned in front of a three-paneled window. "Now change."
Slipping her clothes off obediently she handed the articles of clothing to Tomoyo, who laid them gently on a chair before selecting a covered hangar.
"Isn't it absolutely beautiful?" Tomoyo gushed, pulling the cover off. "I spent three full days working on this dress nonstop before you came and I still have to do some finishing touches but other than that try it on!"
Sakura stood half-naked gawking at the dress. "Tomoyo-chan… its beautiful." Sakura managed to say, moving to touch the dress.
Tomoyo unzipped the dress and motioned for Sakura to step into it before zipping it up.
"Tomoyo-chan you've really out done yourself this time." Sakura said fingering the light fabric.
"I know I did." Tomoyo said smugly, before pulling out a sewing needle. "Now stand still while I sew on the back lace."
The dress was a strapless, silky-cream color that fell to the ground; under her breasts a ribbon of the same silky-cream color was tied around in bow and it was bedecked with tiny, crystal-faced beads that shined every time the light hit them, a layer of white, Victorian lace draped over the skirt of the dress and the rim was decorated with the same beads that were sewed into the ribbon.
"I'm done! Now stand here and wait for me to get changed." Tomoyo said dropping the needle and spool of string into a drawer.
Mei-Ling tapped her foot impatiently as Fai stood by the dressing room door.
"Syaoran just come out already." Fai said desperately. "Just come out so we can see if we need to get the seamstress to fix anything."
"Then throw the camera Eriol has in his hand over the door." Syaoran said from behind the door.
Sighing, Eriol tossed the camera over the door. "There. Happy?"
"No. Now throw the one in your jacket pocket over too."
Another camera sailed over the door.
"What about now?"
"Fai you too."
A small disposable camera flew over.
"There."
"Mei-Ling."
Groaning, she chucked the digital camera over the door.
"I hope it hit you!" Mei-Ling shouted. "Now just hurry up and come out. We already threw over all of our cameras, so come out. Naoko has to go get the seamstress if there's anything wrong."
The door slammed open as Syaoran came out.
"Say cheese!"
A bright flash blinded Syaoran.
"What the hell?" he blinked a few times to recover from his moment of sightlessness and see who it was. "Takashi you asshole!" he growled jumping to grab the camera.
"No Syaoran!" Mei-Ling yelled. "Don't make any brash movements in the tux; we paid Daidoji good money to make us our clothes."
"Who the hell is Daidoji?" Syaoran asked.
Mei-Ling threw her satin gold clutch at Syaoran's head. "Tomoyo Daidoji is the seamstress who made the outfits!"
"Isn't Daidoji-san that pretty Nine from your Suit Eriol?" Naoko asked Eriol who was getting his cameras from the dressing room.
"I guess so." He said. 'Well I'll just have to go see her for myself.'
Mei-Ling shrieked. "Guys we half and hour until the ball starts, let's go!"
"Hey where's Saeki?" Fai asked looking around.
"Of course if Aribelle and Madeline were here they would've done a much better job with your hair and make-up, but I did a pretty decent job." Tomoyo said, swiveling Sakura's chair around so she could see herself.
Sakura's face was lightly powered while her cheeks were a slight shade of pink; her eyes were brushed evenly with a bare white bringing out her emerald eyes. Her bangs were swept to the side while her hair was pulled into an opposite side chignon, an ornate hair comb burrowed into it.
"Thank you so much Tomoyo-chan! I'll never forget this." Sakura beamed, touching the hair comb. "But putting that aside you look amazing."
"Thank you very much Sakura-chan." Tomoyo blushed, checking her watch. "Anyways we should get going, the ball must be starting." She grabbed Sakura's hand, dragging her out of the seat, "To the ball!" she said excitedly, stuffing her black clutch under her arm.
Sakura sighed. 'Here we go.' She thought smiling at her best friend who was currently trying to lock her door.
"Tomoyo-chan," Sakura called to her friend, who looked up. "Let's have fun tonight, alright?"
Tomoyo stared wide-eyed at Sakura before slowly smiling, "Right."
The tinkling of the glass silenced the loud chatter and the orchestra came to a fading stop.
Clearing her throat, Yelan stood up. "I welcome our esteemed guests and fellow Deck Numbers to the 45th Annual Deck Initiation Ball, though it seems that our inductees have yet to arrive." She said raising her glass, as did everyone else in the room, "So I hope that everyone enjoys their time tonight—now cheers!" she took a sip of her champagne, everyone following in suit.
She motioned to the orchestra, and they began once again.
"Here you go ahead Tomoyo-chan, the inductees were told to meet together." Sakura said apologetically.
"Its fine, I'll just come find me when you arrive." Tomoyo said as the two spilt to different side of the hallway.
"See you in a couple." Sakura said, darting away.
"Okay, and don't run in that dress!" Tomoyo shouted after her, attracting stares.
Sighing she walked into the open doors held open by a familiar face.
"Rika!" she exclaimed, pulling her friend into a hug. "How've you been, it's been forever since I've had a good talk with you?"
Rika, who was dressed in an elegant, sleeveless, jade turtleneck dress, hugged Tomoyo back. "I've been doing great, here lets go sit over at a table." She said before propping the door open.
Properly seated at one of the many tables, the two were later accompanied by a pair of half-drank champagne.
"So how's it going with Terada?" Tomoyo asked taking a small sip.
Rika blushed. "It's been good; next month will be our third year together."
Tomoyo chuckled softly. "Well early congratulations."
Rika smiled back before standing up, smoothing out her jade gown. "Well I actually have to go meet up with Terada. Hopefully we'll see each other around." She said smiling before sauntering away.
As Rika left, Tomoyo finished off her champagne before motioning for a maître d' to bring her another glass of champagne.
'Now all there is to do is wait for Sakura-chan to arrive with the other inductees.' She thought before crossing the long crimson-red carpet to the other side, to listen to the orchestra with the glass in hand.
The orchestra began a new song as she walked over, careful not to bother the dancing couples.
Tomoyo closed her eyes and let the calm, harmonious music soothe her.
"Pachelbel Canon in D Major, in case you don't know your classical pieces, Daidoji-san." Came an urbane voice.
"Syaoran get your lazy ass out of the coach and hurry up and come out! Fai and the rest of them already left. And the inductees are going to be here any minute." Mei-Ling yelled from the other side of the door. "So get off your ass!"
Groaning, Syaoran straightened his tuxedo before walking out. "There. My ass is out of the coach. Happy?" he glared.
Mei-Ling smiled. "Very. Now you get to be a gentleman and escort me in there!" she said seizing Syaoran's arm, pointing in the direction of the large doors.
"Well what about Fai, isn't he supposed to be the one to escort you?" Syaoran asked, still glaring.
Mei-Ling's grip loosed slightly and her eyes fell. "Well Fai seemed to have escorted another person instead, so you get to escort me instead! And who else who be better?" she asked grinning, grip tightening again.
Syaoran's glare softened and his voice lowered. "If Fai ever hurts you, I'll kick his ass."
Mei-Ling scoffed. "Why? It's not like we're going out." She said laughing nervously, walking through the doors.
"Well you should tell him." Syaoran said, stopping in front of the doors that would open to the Assembly Hall.
"Well it's not like he—"
"All stand ready for the King of Spades: Syaoran-sama and the Queens of Diamonds: Mei-Ling-sama!" a booming voice announced.
Mei-Ling's grip tightened once again. "Here we go for another year, Syaoran."
Tomoyo turned around and was greeted by a pair of royal blue eyes. "E-E-Eriol-sama… How do you do?" She asked, taking a long sip of her champagne, turning back around to face the orchestra. 'And how does he know my name?'
"I'm doing very well. How do you do?" he asked in response, but received none.
Eriol chuckled lightly. "Well Daidoji-san, I wonder how you would feel if I got this lovely tuxedo ruined by champagne."
Gasping, Tomoyo reversed sharply. "You would dare!" she cried before covering her mouth, realizing her mistake. "I apologize sincerely, Eriol-sama."
Chuckling once again, Eriol moved Tomoyo's hand out of the way. "I apologize for scaring you, Daidoji-san, and besides I wouldn't dare to ruin this exquisite tuxedo that you made."
Tomoyo blushed, fiddling with her deep violet shawl. "Thank you." She mumbled. 'What are you doing Tomoyo? Why are you all flustered?'
He grinned, pushing his glasses up. "And might I say you look absolutely stunning tonight, Daidoji-san."
And she did.
She was wearing a strapless, black evening gown that draped to the ground; it was littered with small baubles that glittered each time Eriol looked at her dress. To warm her arms, she chose her favorite violet shawl that had designs sewed on it—silver sakura blossoms—and her black clutch in hand.
"Flattering me will not get you any where Eriol-sama." She said pointedly.
Eriol let out another charming chuckle that resonated throughout Tomoyo's head. "Well then what will?" he asked taking a glass of champagne from a passing maître d'. "And if you don't mind, I would prefer it if you would call me Eriol without adding the formalities; everyone does." He smiled showing his teeth.
"Well I'm sure that the people you allow to call you by your given name feel very honored, but I'm afraid that I have to refuse." She said downing the rest of her drink.
'Aren't we rather daring?'Eriol thought, laughing inwardly. 'Even declining my offer, how very interesting.'
'You're rather gutsy aren't you for a Nine, you know." Eriol said bluntly taking a sip of his champagne.
Tomoyo stammered to find the right words. 'Shit! How could I be so careless? I'm four ranks under him. Good job Tomoyo, you've really outdone yourself.'
"Well… you see—"
"No need to correct yourself, but if you wish for me to overlook your slip, you well join me tomorrow while everyone is—"
"All stand ready for the King of Spades: Syaoran-sama and the Queens of Diamonds: Mei-Ling-sama!"a loud voice cried.
Turning around, the two pairs of eyes were met with two other pairs of eyes.
Squinting slightly, Syaoran slightly gestured over to a gorgeous pair. "Isn't that Eriol?" he asked Mei-Ling.
Mimicking her escort, she squinted. "It is! And he's with… Daidoji-san!"
"Who the hell is Daidoji?" Syaoran asked, but received a smack from Mei-Lings hand.
"Daidoji-san is the Nine from Clubs—Eriol's Suit—who designed and made our clothes." Mei-Ling said touching her beige dress. "I saw Nakuru wearing one of her designs once and I just had to have and outfit of my own, and before you know it I have a whole closet worth of her clothes." She gushed to Syaoran who sighed loudly.
"Well what the hell is Eriol doing with Daidoji; I thought he was going out with Kaho?" Syaoran question eyeing, Tomoyo.
Mei-Ling groaned. "You really don't keep up don't you? Eriol and Kaho had a mutual breakup along time ago, and besides Kaho is getting married in a couple of months."
Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Well I'm sor—"
"All stand ready for the inductees, Ayori Misake-sama!"
Syaoran and Mei-Ling came to a stop and turned around to face the large doors as a steady applause insured.
Ayori came out dressed in a deep green gown with her ginger hair done in a high bun. She walked over to the side.
"Reiko Mashima-sama!"
The pixie-sized girl stepped into the hall wearing a purple, petite dress to fit her small demeanor and her hair was slicked to frame her face, she waved to the viewers before walking next to Ayori.
"Eiji Ueda-sama!"
The stoic boy was wearing a traditional black suit with the exception of his metallic blue tie which contrasted with his metal-rimmed glasses. He stood straight next to Reiko.
"Ryosuke Takeda-sama!"
The handsome youth came out wearing—what it seemed to be an American label—and tousled his hair before winking to all the girls in the front. He brushed his suit before taking his spot next to Eiji.
"Hitomi and Hitoshi Abe-sama!"
The two blonde twins sauntered in dressed in matching cerise outfits linking arms; the ruffles of Hitomi's dress brushed against Hitoshi's charcoal slacks with every step they took before they settled next to Ryosuke who winked at Hitomi—which earned him a glare from Hitoshi.
"Momo Miyake-sama!"
Momo walked in a coral halter-dress that brushed the ground momentarily before she walked next to the twins, brushing her chestnut locks over her shoulder revealing her tan neck wrapped in a glistening diamond choker.
"Sakura Kinomoto-sama!"
The applause scattered to a stop.
'You just have to walk out there and try not to trip, nothing bad just look for Tomoyo's face and wait until the introduction is over. And don't trip or else the rich vultures will eat me alive. So just smile. This'll be easy… 'ish.'
"Sakura Kinomoto-sama!"
As the roaring voice called out her name, the steady applause came to a stop and Sakura took a shaky step in the Assembly Hall.
"Sakura-chan's next!" Tomoyo whispered excitedly, tugging gently on Eriol's sleeve. "I should have brought my recorder!"
Eriol looked down at Tomoyo, whose face lit up as Sakura's shadow was finally seen on the wall.
'Sakura-chan? Isn't Syaoran's new torture-toy?' Eriol thought staring at Tomoyo intently.
Groaning softly, Syaoran walked over to the table which seated plates and small stands filled with delicate appetizers.
Mei-Ling grabbed his arm to keep him from walking any farther.
"Syaoran what are you doing? Sakura's coming out." Mei-Ling whispered trying not to attract attention from the guests. "Don't you want to see your assistant dressed up?" Mei-Ling teased.
Glaring down at his cousin, Syaoran stuffed a finger sandwich in his mouth. "I could care less whether she came dressed or not! I'm just here so that I don't get my ass chewed by you and the others." He muffled, moving to pick up another sandwich.
Mei-Ling stopped Syaoran's hand. "Well if you don't stop moping I'll chew your ass anyways." Mei-Ling said brushing crumbs from Syaoran's mouth. "Understand Syaoran?" she asked smoothing out Syaoran's jacket.
"Whatever." Syaoran said before walking away from Mei-Ling.
'Why the hell am I even here?' Syaoran thought, looking around searching for Fai, seeing as how Eriol was currently occupied with his new violet-haired obsession.
Looking for another table filled with food since the other table was being guarded by Mei-Ling, Syaoran searched for the tiny appetizers.
Though instead, his eyes were met with a certain petite inductee.
Looking through the crowd for Tomoyo, Sakura's eyes fell on a familiar messy head.
Coincidentally, the messy head looked up.
Amber met emerald.
Sakura diverted her gaze. 'Holy—'
'—Shit.' Syaoran thought diverting his gaze.
That was a slightly weird ending, so I apologize.
But I really didn't know how to end this chapter originally, so I just cut out some of it to use in the next chapter so that you guys would be able to read a new one soon!
And since the winter holidays are coming up, I will most likely be updating sooner with more chapters!!
Also hopefully everyone caught onto my little Eriol&Tomoyo fluff!
And another wonderful note to end off with….
My birthday is coming up!!!! *fanfare!!* YAYYYY!!! It's this Sunday, December 14th!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!
Stay tuned for the next chapter!
~fueledBypachi