So here it is. Final chapter, but not the end. Epilogue will be up at the end of the week.
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: 23 yrs
Kinomoto Sakura: 21 yrs
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
It's Only Love – This Betrayal
It had been a week since Nadeshiko had been revealed to Sakura and since then some changes had occurred in the Li castle. The first was that Nadeshiko had been moved, as soon as it was practicable, to Sakura and Syaoran's room so that Sakura could personally care for her niece. Syaoran made little protest to this change, pleased to see the two together.
The second change was perhaps more subtle but did not go unnoticed by anyone around them. The relationship between Sakura and Syaoran had changed. They were now more openly affectionate with one another and able to express the emotions they had been trying to hide a week earlier. Syaoran took every opportunity he could to both tell her and show her how much he loved her, and Sakura reciprocated in kind with sweet gestures of love and affection.
Sakura smiled warmly to herself as she ran her fingers through Nadeshiko's curly, ashen locks. The two-month infant gurgled at the attention, grasping for the hand as it hovered over her face.
"I love you, Nadee-chan," she whispered to the child, lifting her back into her arms, and lying back on the bed with Nadeshiko resting upon her chest.
"Have I been replaced?" Syaoran teased from the doorway where he was watching the two with a warm expression. Nadeshiko immediately turned towards the sound of his voice, her hands reaching towards him. With a smile Syaoran walked to the bed, lifting the baby into his arms where she immediately settled.
"If anyone should worry about being replaced, it's me," Sakura replied, sitting up with a pout. "You are interrupting mine and Nadeshiko's private time," she scolded. "We were bonding until you came along."
"I could give her back to you, but you know she'd just cry," Syaoran suggested, kissing his wife's cheek to try and appease her sour expression.
"I know," she sighed. "Why does Nadeshiko like you more than me? I'm her mother. It's not fair," she sulked childishly.
Syaoran grinned at her admission, not daring to point it out and ruin the moment. It was the first time that Sakura had openly referred to herself as Nadeshiko's mother (although he was sure it wasn't the first time that she had thought of herself that way) and thus a momentous occasion. Syaoran had considered her such from the moment she first took Nadeshiko in her arms, and so was glad to see they were on the same page.
"You hear that, Nadee-chan," he said aloud, lifting the child to his face so he could rub his nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss. "Your mummy is jealous that you like Otou-san more than her. You've hurt Okaa-san's feelings, Nadee."
For a moment Nadeshiko looked positively dismayed by the pain she had inflicted. Her features scrunched up in concentration and her face turned almost red with embarrassment. But a moment later, her expression changed to relief, and her contented look caused Syaoran pale.
"You know what, I think you're right," he said suddenly, handing Nadeshiko back to Sakura despite his earlier insistence that it would only end in tears. "I shouldn't have interrupted your mother-daughter bonding. It's very important. I should leave you two."
With those last words, he quickly made his escape, almost running out of the room to avoid diaper duty.
Sakura just shook her head. "You see that, Nadee-chan," she laughed. "Your papa is a big fat chicken. And a silly one at that," she added after giving the baby a quick sniff. "You were just pretending, weren't you, Nadeshiko. You naughty little girl playing a mean trick on your papa like that.
"I think we should take ourselves to the garden before he comes back and tries to interrupt us again," Sakura suggested, not waiting for assent. She grabbed her favourite sunhat and a little white cap for Nadeshiko before heading out to the garden for a leisurely stroll with her favourite little girl.
Syaoran sighed with relief as he found refuge in the empty library, feeling as though he had just dodged a bullet. As much as he adored both Nadeshiko and Sakura, the thought of diaper duty still made him shake in his boots. There were just some things a man was not meant to see.
He smiled as he thought of his small family – his wife and daughter. He found it hard to think of Nadeshiko as anything but his and Sakura's even if they weren't her biological parents. He didn't care if her father didn't want her or if Ayame had refused to even look at her; they wanted her, and that was what mattered. Nadeshiko belonged only to those that loved her.
She was such a good little girl – rarely fussy and quick to settle. She did have a particular preference for him, but he assumed that was only because he had been with her the most often in the period after her birth. She had imprinted on him – or he was imprinted on her – while Sakura was still new and perhaps a little scary. He was sure it probably wouldn't last, and so would make the most of it while he could.
He wasn't left long with these thoughts before a brief knock on the library door brought him to attention and Wei popped his head in looking rather perturbed. "Is something wrong, Wei?" he asked, noting the old mans worried expression.
Wei frowned in response. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Syaoran-sama," he said with a quick bow. "We have a visitor."
"Who –"
"Li-kun," a voice cut in as large, dark-haired man forced the doors open and entered the room. Syaoran grimaced as the man pushed aside his head servant and surveyed the room with a haughty look. "Why don't you get us some tea, my good man," the man said, turning back to Wei and waving him out of the room. Wei nodded, reluctant to leave, glancing at Syaoran for confirmation before going on his way.
"It's been so long since I've seen you, Li-kun," the man greeted with a fox like grin. "Nearly a year I think."
"You are probably right, Gensou-san," Syaoran replied. "What brings you here?"
"Oh nothing, nothing," Gensou replied, casually examining an expensive tapestry that hung on the wall. "How are you, Li-kun?" he said as though by way of light conversation. "Any new business in the life of the Li monarch."
"I am the same as always," Syaoran replied cordially, giving nothing away. "I'm sorry if that displeases you."
"No, of course not, brother," Gensou returned, avoiding the double meaning of Syaoran's statement. There was evidently no love lost between them. A silent contempt lay between them, each party goading the other to step out of line and give them reason to attack.
Gensou moved causally around the room while Syaoran silently observed his brother-in-law. It was more than apparent that Gensou knew of his bride and so now it was a matter of strategy over who would make the first move. For now they each held their cards close to their chest, waiting for the other to show.
"This is new," Gensou said, stopping at an ornately crafted table in the centre of the room. It was made out of dark ebony wood not native to Minami lands and the work was reminiscent of the Amamiya kingdom, which was famous for their wood crafting.
Syaoran knew it was a trap. Gensou laid his words carefully, expecting to catch Syaoran in a stream of stutters and denials, but Syaoran would not go down without a fight. He was in his element here – playing games and testing strategies – it was like a game of cards, only with higher stakes.
"It was a wedding present," Syaoran replied coolly, indifferent even. "Misaki-san crafted it himself."
"Ah yes, the wedding," Gensou grinned. "I believe your sister mentioned it. She sends her best wishes to Kinomoto-chan."
"Li-chan," Syaoran corrected, almost snarling at his brother-in-law. "She is a Li now which means she is under the protection of this kingdom along with all those important to her."
"All those important," Gensou nodded, glancing towards Syaoran with a challenging expression. "Her father?" he questioned, compiling a short list. "Her brother and his family? Her sisters? Friends? Her kingdom?
"How far are you willing to take this, Li-kun?" Gensou finished, eyes narrowed at the younger king.
Syaoran said nothing and just returned Gensou's glare.
"You've finally picked a side," Gensou mused. "A part of me is almost pleased to see you trying to defy me in this way – finally seeing some semblance of a backbone. I almost respect you for it."
"I am not picking sides," Syaoran argued defiantly, "but I will not betray my wife for you, Gensou. Sakura is too precious to me."
Gensou scoffed aloud.
"Really, Li-kun," Gensou hissed, never failing to remind Syaoran of his place. "You expect me to believe that you – quite conveniently, I might add – found yourself enamoured with one of Kinomoto's daughters and married the girl right when I was planning to use you to wage war on her kingdom?" He stepped closer as he spoke, finally bringing the dance to a close by speaking aloud the undercurrents of their discussion.
Syaoran clenched his fists, needing everything in him to keep from attacking Gensou on he spot. "You make it sound like some sordid conspiracy against you," Syaoran argued, gritting his teeth. "I love her and this marriage has nothing to do with you."
Gensou snorted derisively. "You've always been a terrible liar, Li-kun, but I almost believed that one."
"Believe what you will," Syaoran hissed, bringing them to a stalemate. The two glared dangerously at one another, neither backing away from their position. Gensou would not concede his war, and Syaoran would not concede his marriage, and so the room was perfectly silent when Sakura suddenly walked in cradling a crying Nadeshiko in her arms.
"Syao-kun, I can't get Nade – " she began, stopping suddenly as she noted Gensou's presence. "Gomen nasai," she quickly apologized, bowing to their guest. "I didn't realize that someone else was here."
Gensou observed them carefully, noting a pair of matching emerald green eyes above all else and a child whose age did not coincide with the duration of the marriage. Nadeshiko didn't look much like Syaoran or much like Sakura either. She looked like her father, whoever he was – some dead soldier according to Ayame's lies, but no one would ever know the truth – still she had her maternal grandmother's eyes, much like Sakura, and that resemblance was enough for Gensou to jump to conclusions.
His expression changed, understanding seeming to dawn upon his features. "Don't mind me," Gensou said, an amused smirk on his lips. "I offer my best wishes on your recent marriage, Li Sakura." He gave a quick bow, his eyes never leaving her and his expression sly.
"Was there something I can help you with, Sakura-koi?" Syaoran asked pointedly, not liking the appraising looks that Gensou was giving his wife.
"Un," she said hesitantly, "but it can wait until you're done. Nadeshiko won't take her bottle and I know she always takes it from you."
Syaoran nodded, giving her a discrete, questioning look. "I'll be with you in a moment, Sakura," he assured her. "We were almost done."
"Indeed," Gensou agreed almost pleasantly, "I promise I won't keep your husband much longer, Li-chan." Sakura gave a respectful bow before disappearing out of the room almost as suddenly as she appeared.
"Now it makes sense," Gensou smirked, a smug laugh escaping his lips. "You soiled one of Kinomoto's precious daughters, and the only way to avoid the prince's wrath was to marry her. I assume you've been hiding her here until the baby was born, and then married her just as soon as she was presentable.
"I only wish my own wife looked so lovely after childbirth," he finished with a lecherous grin just to tick Syaoran off.
Syaoran's eyes widened at the conclusion and he tried desperately to raise a protest in defence of his good character. "Gensou, I-"
"Don't worry, Li-kun," Gensou smiled, bringing a hand down on Syaoran's shoulder in a friendly gesture, "I'll keep this information to myself.
"I'll just nod my head to whatever lie you decide to spin for your mother and sisters," he assured Syaoran with a sense of superiority, "whether it be adopting a street urchin or fudging the dates. I'd recommend going with the street urchin, otherwise you might find yourself trying to pass off a one year old as a newborn.
"I'll let you see to your daughter now, Li-kun," he added as he moved towards the door. "I know you have other matters to attend to, so I'll see myself out.
"Consider this business settled, Li-kun," he finished breezily, letting go one last amused chortle before going on his way. "I'll have to find some other way to expand my kingdom."
Syaoran just gaped, unsure whether he should protest Gensou's conclusions or simply let them be seeing as they had their desired outcome. He was still in a daze when Sakura peeked her head the doorway, cautiously examining the room for its inhabitants.
"Is he gone?" Sakura asked just to be safe.
"He is," Syaoran nodded, gesturing for her to come closer. "What was all that about?" he asked, frowning at her. "Nadeshiko never gets fed at this time."
"I know," Sakura replied. "I saw you two from the garden and it didn't look like he was believing you, so I thought I'd give it a shot myself.
"It doesn't really matter what he thinks of us, just as long as he doesn't think we did it because of him," she concluded with a brief shrug.
Syaoran smiled at her, feeling no shame in having done so badly without her help. "I love you," he said, bringing her into his arms. "You're a genius, Sakura. I don't know why we didn't think of this sooner."
"No 'Sakura-koi' this time?" she teased, a mock pout on her lips. The expression only lasted a moment as Syaoran blushed bright red and Sakura broke into cheerful laughter.
"S-sorry," he stuttered awkwardly, releasing his hold on her so he could try and cover his shame.
"It's fine, anata," she assured him with a kiss to the cheek, her words laced with affection. "I don't mind being your 'koi'."
"I consider myself honoured then, Sakura-koi," he said, gaining a bit of confidence.
"It's really over now, isn't it?" Sakura questioned, her eyes bright with hope. "There's nothing else that needs to be settled. No more secrets. Nothing else in our way?"
"Nope," Syaoran agreed, "so we can finally start on this happily ever after business.
"Starting now," he added, swooping in and planting his lips against hers in a deeply passionate kiss.
"Where's Nadeshiko?" he asked breathlessly as he pulled slightly away, his face still close to hers as he spoke.
"With Feimei," she replied simply. "Where's Eriol?" she asked knowing the propensity of a certain blue haired king to pop up at the most inopportune times.
"Gone," he grinned, glad that she'd picked up on his train of thought. "How about you and I start working on those heirs you promised?"
"I promised you no such thing, Li Syaoran," she argued, slipping out of his arms and walking towards the door. She turned back before she left, with a meaningful smile. "But I suppose I could be convinced."
Syaoran grinned, following quickly behind her. He already knew just how to make her see things his way.
~ The End ~
And suddenly the world doesn't seem so cold. Suddenly my smile turns bright.
Of all the reasons, you give just one. 'It's only love, dear. It's only love.'
But not really. Once again I'm gonna remind you that there is an epilogue coming and the end of the week so don't dump your alerts just yet.