And here's the extra update. Next weeks update will be a day late so look for it on Mon/Tues.
Administrative stuff
Summary: Li Syaoran must return to Kinomoto Kingdom with the remains of his fiancée after her tragic demise. But a marriage is still required to unite the two families, and now Syaoran has his pick of the six remaining daughters of Kinomoto Fujitaka for the sake of both their kingdoms. Romance/Mystery
Ages:
Li Syaoran: 22 yrs (almost 23)
Kinomoto Sakura: 21 yrs
Kinomoto Tomoyo: 20 yrs
Kinomoto Ayame: 18 yrs (dec)
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
It's Only Love – Happy Birthday, My Lord
Sakura stood before a full-length mirror, gently smoothing out the silky emerald fabric of her gown. She didn't think she'd ever seen anything so opulent in her life and yet she could not bring herself to dislike it. Even her wedding gown seemed simple in comparison.
The skirt was a wide a-line, draping neatly around her feet, while the bodice consisted of a jewel encrusted, dangerously low-cut corset, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered as they caught the sunlight. Over top she wore a tuxedo like jacket, pulled together at the waist by a gold chain, but receding in staggered drapes towards her sides and flowing into an elegant train. It was made out a lightweight, silky black fabric, with black lace flounces at her sleeves. The warm weather of Minami meant she could wear such lovely, light elegant fabrics without fear of catching a cold.
Syaoran watched her from the door with an almost predatory gaze as she tried her best to ignore him. It was not an easy task. She knew without even looking at him that his eyes were raking up and down her figure, sending a tiny thrill through her body. She tugged at the top of her bodice, feeling almost indecent as she caught his eye.
Her actions made him laugh and he finally decided to leave his post at the door. He stepped towards her, a suave grin on his lips as he embraced her from behind. "You must be my birthday present," he whispered huskily beside her ear, his lips grazing against her neck and his warm breath hitting the exposed skin of her chest. She shuddered in response, unable to hide her reaction when he was standing so close.
"You look heavenly, love," he added, pressing a kiss her cheek.
She smiled, meeting his eyes in the mirror, but not turning to face him. "I think this may be your gift from Sinomi-kun," she suggested, gesturing briefly to her attired before resting her hands on his.
"I must remember to thank her," he smiled, nuzzling her neck. "This is definitely my favourite present so far."
They lapsed into silence as Syaoran continued his gentle treatment of her, holding her close so that her body conformed to his. It was only when she caught his eyes once again that she turned in his arms, a frown creasing her forehead as they stood face-to-face with Syaoran's arms loosely draped around her waist.
"What were you thinking?" she asked him curiously. "You looked positively evil for a moment there."
He smiled at her deduction, kissing her quickly as a reward for her shrewdness. "I was thinking about what would be the best way to introduce you to my sisters," he grinned, a mischievous glint in his amber eyes. "I think I just came up with the perfect plan. Do you mind not coming down until we're seated for lunch?" he asked.
"Of course not," she replied, feeling a little disappointed all the same. "What are you planning?"
"Never mind," he said, catching her tone. "It sounds a lot like I'm trying to sequester you away or something. I'm sorry I upset you, Sakura."
She shook her head quickly. "I'm not upset," she tried to assure him. "I'll do whatever you want, Syaoran. I was just worried I might miss something important."
"Are you sure?" he asked, still uncertain. She nodded vigorously and he let out a soft sigh of relief. "I'll try and hurry them to lunch and stop them if it looks like anything interesting might happen.
"And I'm going to be a very bad host right now and stay up here with you until my presence becomes absolutely necessary," he added teasingly, tightening his hold on her.
"No you won't," she commanded. "You'll go downstairs right now and greet your sisters. Plus," she continued to reinforce her demand, "you have to go tell the others what you're planning so they don't reveal things prematurely."
"You're right," he groaned painfully.
"Ha," she replied, pushing him away, "I knew you were just trying to get out of seeing your sisters. No more using me as an excuse, Syao. Go," she said, pointing towards the door.
"Fine," he replied doggedly, kissing her cheek before dragging himself out of the room.
With Syaoran gone, Sakura could finally give in to the nerves she'd been hiding while Syaoran was observing her. Aside from today being Syaoran's birthday and very important in it's own right, this was Sakura's fist time meeting the three oldest Li sisters and would be her official coronation as Queen Sakura. This in itself was nerve wracking enough for Sakura, but the whole thing was compounded by the presence of Syaoran's oldest sister, Xiefa, who was the wife of Gensou Hiro. They would have to convince Xiefa that they were madly in love if they were to have even the slightest hope of convincing Gensou later, and this was what had Sakura so on edge.
Sakura knew there would be no problem on her part. Her task for the day was to convince Xiefa of something that was already true. There was no pretending required as she was already in love with him and had been from the start. In her mind, Syaoran was the one with the part to play – he was the one who had to feign emotions that he didn't feel.
But maybe he did feel them. Sometimes it seemed as though he did. He would hold her so gently and say such sweet things that she had to wonder why he would do and say those things if he didn't feel the same. It confused her greatly, because she had entered their marriage believing that the emotions only went one way, and yet at times – times when he would wrap his arms around her and tell her she was his best birthday present – it seemed as though that assumption was false.
She knew now that he never loved Ayame. His actions were at least clear in that respect. He never bothered to mention her, and at the same time, he didn't avoid it. She simply wasn't present in his thoughts or any part of him, and the loss left him unaffected. He was – as so many had said to her already – at best indifferent to Ayame.
But this still did not resolve his feelings towards her. She knew from what Feimei had revealed that he at least cared for her – cared for her enough to put her happiness first in his decision-making – but did it go beyond that? And what had changed his mind? Why was he happy to marry her now and not then?
Sakura sighed, shaking her head to try and disperse her thoughts. Thinking about it only left her more confused. There was a piece she was missing, and without it the whole argument just seemed circular. Whatever it was that Syaoran was keeping from her held the key to everything, and she only hoped that opening that door wouldn't break her heart all over again.
Li Yelan frowned as her son appeared down at the bottom of the stairs, a small grin on his face, as was often the case these days.
"Where's Sakura-chan?" she asked gently, her voice low. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Syaoran assured her, his smile secure. "She'll join us soon.
"Let's go to lunch," he announced loudly, halting the spread of conversation over the room.
"Xiao Lang, we've only just arrived," Hiragizawa Eriol protested, eying his friend suspiciously. "At least give us a chance to acquaint ourselves."
"I'm hungry," Syaoran responded, turning on his heal and expecting the rest to follow. The six of them did, seating themselves around a table set for eight. The girls immediately noticed the extra seat.
"Who are we waiting for?" asked Satou Fuutie who was married to a Higashi noble. "It better not be Saitou-kun," she added, glaring at her slightly younger twin, Saitou Fanren who married within Minami. "I don't think it's fair that he gets to be here when I had to travel all this way on my own."
"Actually it's for –" Li Feimei, the youngest of the four girls, began before being cut off by Fanren.
"Why are you looking at me?" Fanren exclaimed. "I bet it was Xiefa," she added, glaring at the eldest sister. "I can't believe you would badger little brother into inviting Gensou-san when he doesn't even like Syaoran."
"Me?" Gensou Xiefa asked, affronted by the accusation. "I'd do no such thing. If anyone's going to be badgering Syaoran to do their bidding, it would be you, Fuutie."
"Well, I'd never –"
"You know you'd –"
"Hypocrite –"
"Don't pretend you didn't –"
"This is so like you –"
"Like me? You're the one –"
"What about the time –"
"If anyone –"
"HOOOEEEEE!"
The in fighting between the three eldest Li sisters was cut off by a loud cry from the stairs. Yelan was the first out of her seat, helping Sakura back to her feet with the help of Wei.
"Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" Yelan asked worriedly, inspecting her daughter-in-law for any possible damage. "I was afraid something might have happened to you when Syaoran came down alone."
"I'm fine, Okaa-san," Sakura assured her with a smile. "Just my usual clumsy self.
"Syaoran-kun is plotting against his sisters," she added by way of explanation for Syaoran's strange behaviour.
"Oh," Yelan replied, understanding dawning on her features. "Is there any part you want me to play, my dear?" she asked, her smile eerily similar to the one Syaoran had sported earlier.
"I don't think so."
Yelan just nodded, placing a quick, motherly kiss on the crown of Sakura's head before leading her back to the table. The three sisters stared at her suspiciously. Sakura was starting to wonder what it was about her that seemed to engender this response from people.
"Who is this?" Xiefa asked, keen eyes examining the young girl before her.
Eriol, having picked up on what was going on, decided he would play his own part in things and chose to answer Xiefa's question obliquely, seemingly by ignoring it. "Xiao Lang, stop being such a cad and help your wife to her seat," the navy haired gentleman suggested, smiling carelessly. He delivered the line so naturally that it took a moment before Xiefa, Fuutie and Fanren even realized what he had said.
Syaoran sent him a scowl for ruining his fun, but complied with the suggestion all the same, leading Sakura to the seat beside his own and pushing it in behind her.
"You got married?" Fuutie gasped, staring disbelievingly at her brother's apparent wife. "When did this happen?"
"About three weeks ago?" Syaoran suggested, looking to Sakura for confirmation, she nodded, smiling shyly at the table.
"And you didn't tell us?" Fanren exclaimed. "How could you not tell us?"
"Girls," Yelan admonished.
"How long have you known our brother?" Xiefa asked suspiciously, eyes narrowed at Sakura and flashing protectively over towards her younger brother.
"Almost eighteen months," Sakura answered. "We met by accident really. The two of us just happened to be in the same place at the same time."
"How auspicious of you," Xiefa commented drolly. "I suppose your family is very happy with the match?"
"Of course," Sakura nodded. "Father has always thought highly of the Li's."
Seeing where his sister's interrogation was going, Syaoran decided to step in before it got ugly. "I have always thought highly of Fujitaka-sama as well," he said in support, smiling gently at Sakura who hadn't seemed to understand the undertones of his sister's questions.
"Fuji . . ." Xiefa began, her voice trailing off and her cheeks burning red as she realized how terrible an assumption she had made. Like Sinomi, she had assumed that Syaoran's sudden marriage meant he had not married well. "You are a Kinomoto princess?"
"Formerly," Sakura corrected. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you all," she told them all warmly. "I am Sakura – "
"KAWAII!" the three woman screamed collectively, even Xiefa whose mood seemed to have done a complete turn around. They jumped from their seats, surrounding her and complimenting her every feature. It was strange what a difference the name Kinomoto made to people's impression of her. She was sure that moments earlier Xiefa was thinking of ways to kick her out into the street.
"Fanren! Fuutie! Xiefa!" Syaoran called in a commanding voice, "leave her be. Sakura does not need you turning her into your new favourite doll."
"Mou, ototo-chan," Xiefa pouted, "we just wanted a better look at our new baby sister."
"Yeah, Syao-syao," Fanren added, sporting a similar puppy dog pout, "we're just trying to make friends. It's not our fault your wife is just too kawaii for words."
"Sakura-chan is so precious, 'ran-chan," Fuutie finished. "I can't believe you didn't tell us," she said, sending a glare at Feimei.
"I thought Okaa-san had told you," she said, deflecting onto her mother.
The three girls turned a collective glare upon their mother. "Your brother assured me he would tell you in his own time and I thought best to comply with his wishes," Yelan replied regally, raising a challenging eyebrow at her son as he sent her a 'thanks for nothing' look.
"Can we just eat?" Syaoran groaned painfully trying to divert the topic.
Sakura laughed at his desperate expression. "I guess we better do what the birthday boy says," she teased. In a rare moment of childishness, Syaoran poked his tongue out at her, surprising both his mother and sisters.
"You know you're just delaying the inevitable," she whispered to him, leaning in close as the food was placed in front of them. She smiled 'thank you' at the servers before turning back to Syaoran. "You've got lunch to think of a good enough excuse."
"I know," Syaoran nodded, "and right now I'm thinking I should blame the whole thing on you. Tell them you wanted me to yourself," he teased, grinning when she blushed.
"That's fine," Sakura replied, feigning indifference, "but you know I'll be obliged to correct you."
"With what?" he challenged.
"I'll tell them that you were so concerned about how they might take the marriage that you couldn't bear to tell them," she smiled. "I'll let them know how much their thoughts mean to you and what's really going on in that cold little heart of yours."
"Are they always like this?" Xiefa asked Feimei as she watched the two from across the table sharing teases and seemingly in their own little world. "Little brother is so cute," she gushed, "flirting with his own wife."
Feimei nodded enthusiastically. "You should see the way he looks at her sometimes," Feimei sighed dreamily. "He looks so smitten I just want to reach out and pinch his cheeks like we did when he was little."
"Awww," Xiefa responded, "I wish I could see that. I almost can't imagine Syaoran looking so sweet."
"I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen them with my own eyes," Feimei agreed. "I think it was love at first sight."
"All this time, and he never told us he was even courting her," Xiefa pouted.
"Nobody knew," cut in Eriol who was sitting nearby. Eriol, the skilled orator and fabricator of fiction that he was, had prepared the back-story for Sakura and Syaoran's unexpected nuptials and took pleasure in delivering it. He had purposely sat himself next to Xiefa for that very reason and now willingly shared the tall tale with its intended audience.
"It almost caused a scandal when Fujitaka-san found out," he told Xiefa in a low tone. Xiefa leaned in, eager to hear the tale. "Sakura-chan was being promised to a friend of her brother who was in need of bride when Syaoran suddenly appears demanding the hand of the engaged princess.
"They were lucky that Yukito-san was so good about it," Eriol concluded easily, "but it forced Syaoran to bring forward his plans and a quick marriage was organized before accusations of impropriety could fly."
"Well at least it had a happy ending," Xiefa said, her eyes falling upon the newlyweds once again as Syaoran pressed a kiss to his wife's hand. Sakura responded to the gesture with a smile so warm it could dispel even the coolest winter chill.
"I see no endings here," Eriol commented, grinning at the display. He knew that Xiefa was very much convinced of their feelings without either of them even trying. Real affection was all that it took.
"Who knew you were such a romantic, Eriol-kun?" Feimei teased.
"I guess Syaoran's rubbing off on me, ne?" he suggested, causing the two sisters to laugh at the suggestion.
"Perhaps," Feimei agreed, "but I think that's only because Sakura-chan is rubbing off on him."
~ The following evening
"Xiao Lang," Sakura heard someone quietly call, her sleep addled brain recognizing the voice as Eriol's.
Syaoran groaned, unwrapping his arms from around her form. It was this more than anything else that caused her to wake; the loss of his warmth jolting her from her dreams.
"What is it, Eli?" Syaoran asked unpleasantly, shielding Sakura from his view. Eriol noted this action and teasingly tried to look around his friend; Syaoran did not seem impressed by his attempted humour.
"Forgive me for interrupting your pleasant nightly activities, my cute little descendant," Eriol began pompously, his words dripping with suggestiveness. The tone switched a moment later as an uncharacteristically serious Eriol told him, "You've got to come quickly. It's an emergency."
Syaoran climbed out of bed immediately, neither he nor Eriol noticing Sakura shifting around to watch them. He donned a loose shirt and breaches, glaring as Eriol's raised eyebrow.
"What's happened?" Syaoran asked anxiously, his reluctance to leave his wife evident in his stance. "Has something happened to her?"
Eriol shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not really sure," he admitted. "I was just told to fetch you.
"Whatever it is, she needs you, Syaoran," he finished dramatically. "You're practically her – "
"Who is she?" Sakura cut in, drawing the attention of the two men that had been oblivious to her waked state for the entire interaction. She sat up straight, bed sheet clutched to her chest as she narrowed her eyes at her husband and his best friend. "Who is she, Li?"
Syaoran gaped for a moment, unprepared for this eventuation. As realization sunk in, he dashed to her side, making desperate pleas on his own behalf. "It's not what you think, Sakura," he tried to assure her, cringing as her eyes narrowed further. "It's really not what you think."
"What am I supposed to think?" she demanded. "You're being secretive, sneaking out of our bedroom in the middle of the night to race to the side of some woman demanding your presence. It's not looking good, Syaoran, so just tell me her name."
"She doesn't have one," he admitted stupidly, not really helping the matter. He wracked his brain, trying to think of how he could possibly resolve this misunderstanding. "Sakura, it's not –"
"Syaoran," Eriol cut in, his hand resting upon his friend's shoulder as he gave him a look that conveyed innumerable things. Syaoran seemed to relax a little under his touch, allowing Eriol to take control of the situation.
"Sakura-san," Eriol said gently, "I think it is time for you to meet your niece."
~ to be continued ~
Cliffy! How I managed to go this long without a significant cliffhanger is beyond me. I usually throw them in every other chapter. Reviews will not make the next chapter come any faster, but they are always appreciated.
Next chapter: ? ? ?
Note:
Sakura's dress: The dress is sort of based on a Tea Gown. The link to the picture was really long, so I suggest just putting 'tea gown' in google images if you're someone who likes being able to visualize.