Author's Note: I've realized how the last chapter was totally dedicated to "Love"… it's just that I really have to get it a move on… "Love" was supposed to be a slight… foreshadowing of "Wanted"… though I became so absorbed into writing the story, that God knows when, but suddenly this surge of emotions just developed along with the complicated love triangle… I really, REALLY gotta get a move on with it… for goodness sakes it was suppose to be foreshadowing! How can it FOREshadow when it hasn't even reached the beginning of "Wanted" yet? Gosh…
Also, due to the popularity of "Love" (sometimes even over "Wanted", lol), I'm thinking of making it into a separate story on fictionpress… so anyone wishing to recap on it can read it without stopping… :)
)lilqtazn( - already replied to ya from an email… :P lol didn't wanna post the entire thing here… would've taken up the whole story… :sweatdrop:
)Moon_Star( - Thanks! I'm glad you like this story… :) I think I'm the first on fanfiction with the idea of "2 stories in 1" ne? :is hopeful:
)BiskElle( - Yes, "Love" does have much more significance than just bringing Sakura and Syaoran together… I would never work this hard on something this long just for such a shallow cause… it'll all come together at the last chapter… which could take a while… :sweat drop:
)L.P.B.( - Strange you noticed that too… I reread this chapter over a couple of times and it seemed short to me too… I wonder why? Considering this chapter had about 4400 words of pure text… rather average for a "Wanted" Chapter… I wonder if it's just 'cause "Love" is so addicting… :wonders: Lol, I agree, I'm so into writing "Love"… SS, whatever… :tosses onto the side: :P
)Amy( - Thank you! And I have to say, that was one of the most enjoyable chapters to write! :)
THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO REVIEWED!
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Chapter Thirteen
A Man's Weakness
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There was a brief moment of silence. Sakura stared deep into King Syaoran's eyes.
Their nose still touching, lips barely half an inch apart.
Sakura swallowed, and at last, blinked and broke the trance. "Oh, d-dear, I, I better go now…" she quickly collected herself and pulled away backwards abruptly.
King Syaoran blinked; he too, seemed to have finally noticed the situation, though he was more worried about having shown emotions over a simple tale than having stolen a woman's first kiss. (A/N: Remember, King Syaoran believes Sakura to be unwedded, and therefore still pure). "Yes, good idea, you better—" He stood up quickly, accidentally knocking the booklet out of Sakura's hands. "Uh, right." He paced away so that he stood a good three meters away from the cursed pages. "Gather those, and you better, um, leave… it is getting late… sleep, of course."
Sakura nodded whole-heartedly as she gathered the pages and stumbled towards the door. She was so desperate to leave she barely had time to bow and bid him a good day before shutting the door behind her a little too quickly.
King Syaoran slumped down in his royal chair as he collapsed over the oak table, groaning. "Good God…" he whispered. "What is happening to me…? How could I… have… been so… so… vulnerable? I never though I'd even know what the word vulnerable meant! H-How… How did this happen?"
Frustrated, he banged his head against the solid wood, speaking obscenity. "What's she done to me…? And how did I… how could I…" He groaned even more as the memory flashed back. "I… I kissed her… tenderly… Oh for heaven's sake, I am the King! I do not know words such as tender, or gentle, and especially not vulnerable! Where is all this… sudden… disturbing emotions coming from…? Am I getting old? Is my health failing me? Am I sick? I must be! As the King I am bold, I am brave, I am merciless!" As he spoke, he got louder, and rose from his chair in excitement. "I AM ABOVE ALL! I AM THE GREATEST OF THE LAND! I succumb to no one!" He slumped back into his chair. "So why, WHY was I gentle? Why was I affected by a mere tale?" Aggravated, he cried, "ERIOL! YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY!"
Yet Eriol did not respond, as he couldn't respond.
—
"Please, darling, stop pacing…" Eriol pleaded gently. "You're simply overreacting, my dearest…"
"Overreacting?" Tomoyo cried, near hyperventilation. "Oh, you of all people, Advisor Hiiragizawa, you know best the King's temper and mood swings!"
Eriol winced as such pronunciation of his name. "Sweet heart, I assure you, he will not harm her…"
"Then why hasn't she returned? Goodness sakes, why is Sakura not yet back in her room?"
"Yeah, good point…" Meiling muttered. "Why hasn't she yet returned?" She pondered slightly, though for a much different reason.
Standing near the door, a low growl was let out of Ilonka. "If something happens to her… he'll pay… he'll pay…"
"Ilonka, please!" Tomoyo groaned. "Honestly, sometimes I really don't understand you… if you hate King Syaoran so much, why did you join this contest?"
Ilonka looked away. "Personal reason. Reason involving helping poor innocent victims—such as you—escape from this wicked King's evil plot…"
Unexpectedly, Tomoyo's frown faded, and laughter filled the air. "It's rather ironic, actually, don't you find? It is clear we're the women King Syaoran finds most pleasing with, yet, it also seems we're the only ones who can see right through his façade… rather amusing, I must say."
Ilonka and Meiling laughed along with her. "Quite true, quite true! Oh, what is a King to do?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind…" Meiling whispered softly. "As long as he chooses me in the end, I will definitely dedicate my life and soul to him…"
"Oh Meiling!" Tomoyo laughed softly. "Certainly, you are much too in love with this King!"
Meiling pouted. "You make it seem uncommon! You, a contestant in this contest, shouldn't you love the King as well?"
Tomoyo gasped. "Meiling!" She glanced at Eriol. "I… well, I…"
"Oh, I'm just teasing you, don't you worry about a thing, we all know you got your eyes set on Advisor Eriol!"
Tomoyo blushed softly, yet Eriol's expression was stern. He cleared his throat. "Lady Meiling, it is true, that… that… that, well, I am rather… fond of Lady Tomoyo—" Meiling and Ilonka looked at each other and snickered. "—However, I would much appreciate it if such things were not said out loud, as it is very inappropriate, and I'm sure you've all seen King Syaoran's expression today…" his face darkened. "In fact Lady Tomoyo and I may be punished soon… whenever King Syaoran gets back, that is."
The room echoed with silence. At last, Tomoyo whispered softly, "What shall we say, when his majesty asks…?"
Eriol sighed. "Deny it…? Perhaps that will be the only way…"
"No." Ilonka replied firmly. "King Syaoran isn't blind. Anyone with two working eyes can see there is definitely something going on between the two of you." She frowned slightly. "Lying to him will only anger him more, and multiply your punishments."
Tomoyo looked frightened, as she wiped her eyes. "Then… admit it?"
"No." It was Meiling's turn to object. "If you admit straight out it'll show you aren't afraid of him, and that will anger him ten folds."
"So we can't admit it, nor can we deny the fact… so what is there to do?"
Meiling sighed. "I really don't know… for now, I suppose we hope for King Syaoran to forget…"
"For that to happen, something more drastic must occur…"
Ilonka rolled her eyes. "What is more dramatic than for five people to beg for the release of a prisoner?"
Tomoyo chuckled softly, yet there was no joy in her laughter.
There came an anxious knocking at the door.
"I wonder who it could be…" Tomoyo thought aloud.
"Sakura, maybe?" Meiling replied thoughtfully.
"Let me get it." Eriol offered, as he stepped forward.
When the door opened, he met the surprised face of a low-classed servant. "Goodness! Advisor Hiiragizawa!" He exclaimed.
"Yes… that would be me… is something wrong…?"
"Is something wrong? My lord, his Majesty is throwing a tantrum!"
"WHAT?"
"Well, he has demanded your presence for the past twenty minutes now, and you still have not responded!"
Eriol turned a shade paler. "Well, I-I, it's not like I was purposely ignoring his calls you know, I mean, it's just that, that, well, I mean I didn't hear it, it's not—"
"I understand, Advisor Hiiragizawa, but you weren't suppose to leave your post in the first place!"
Eriol groaned. "I know, I know! It's just that I suspected King Syaoran would be occupied for quite a while, what with dealing with Sakura and all…" Eriol rubbed his temples. "Jeez, what could the King need me for right now? Isn't he supposed to be with Sakura?"
A head peeked in from behind the servant. "Um… hello?"
The servant turned around, and Eriol stepped forward to take a better look. "Ah, for the love of all things!" He cried, exasperated. "Sakura, what on earth are you doing here?"
Sakura frowned slightly. "Well, I mean, I got sent back from King Syaoran… and decided to come visit Tomoyo…?" She peeked in. "Jeez, what do you know, it's a full house."
Eriol rubbed his temples furiously. "If you do not see me by next day, it means I've been slaughtered by his Majesty…" he muttered with a weary sigh. "And my Lady Tomoyo, there is nothing in this world I wish less than to be rude towards you. And yet, here I am, prepared to leave you without an earlier warning, leaving you without a sufficient excuse, I do hope to all the stars that shine in the universe, that you shall forgive me for my—"
"Enough already!" Sakura rolled her eyes as she pushed Eriol out. "I'm sure she understands, and for the love of all things, Advisors Eriol, isn't there something more important to be done right now?"
Eriol was already shoved outside the door, but he turned around to make his final statement. "Why, Lady Kinomoto, there is no one more important than Lady Tomoyo herself, as her mere presence shines—"
With a roll of her eyes, Sakura slammed the door shut. "Tomoyo, my dear, you will be the death of Lord Eriol someday… She sighed.
Tomoyo blushed slightly, but couldn't help but to smile.
"So…"
Sakura looked around at the three women, each starring at her intently. "Yes…?"
"Well… what happened?" Meiling demanded.
"What do you mean…?"
"Oh please, for goodness sakes Sakura, less than five hours ago you were dying inside a jail cell, on the verge of being beheaded, yet here you are, before us, unharmed."
"True, true…" Sakura said thoughtfully. "Well, actually something pretty amazing happened… just as I was moping inside the cell, pondering the end of my life, King Syaoran just came and apologized and requested to have me out of jail! Can you believe that? I think maybe he's actually becoming a better person, you know…? I mean the King I knew before would never have—"
"Sakura, darling…" Tomoyo started with a sigh. "He's not a better person, and yes, you're right, the King we knew would never have done that… he only did so because we begged him and refused to leave him alone till he let you out…"
Sakura's eyes widened slightly. "What…?"
"Yea…" Meiling replied. "Eriol, Ryle, Tomoyo, Ilonka and I knelt in front of King Syaoran till he finally agreed to let you free!"
"Oh my goodness… thank you guys so much… jeez, and here I was thinking he turned over a new leaf…"
"So, after he let you out of jail… then what? From the time he left to fetch you, till now, when you just came back, quite a bit of time has elapsed…"
"Well, actually, when I was let out, I read to him…"
"You, read to him." Meiling raised an eyebrow.
Sakura sweat dropped. "I know, that seemed rather like a lie, but I assure you, it is true…"
"Really." Still skeptical, Meiling pressed on. "And can you tell me just what was the title of this book you read to him?"
"Love."
Meiling's heart raced slightly. "Are you hinting at something…?"
"No, no, the book's title is called Love."
"Uh-huh." Meiling replied, unconvinced.
Yet beside her, two gasps were heard. Meiling tilted her head slightly. "Ilonka…? Tomoyo…?"
"SAKURA WHY! THE LAST TIME YOU DID THIS! I TOLD YOU TO STOP!" Tomoyo cried furiously, shaking Sakura violently by her shoulders.
Sakura was shocked by the sudden violence from her calm friend. "But Tomoyo… he didn't mind… really… I think he liked it…"
"NEED I REALLY EXPLAIN TO YOU AGAIN? I TOLD YOU OVER, AND OVER AGAIN, THAT BOOK CONTRADICTS ALL RULES DEPICTED BY HIM, AND DEFINES ALL LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY! AND YOU READ IT TO HIM OF ALL PEOPLE! HIM! THE ONE WHO SET ALL THE LAWS! "LOVE" IS PRACTICALLY A BOOK WRITTEN TO DEFY THE KING HIMSELF! AND YOU HAD TO READ IT TO HIM! HAD TO!"
"But Tomoyo… trust me, he really liked it… he was a little angered by it before… but, today, the more I read to him, the more he enjoyed it… in fact, he liked it so much, that when I was done reading today's part he—"
Sakura froze.
Now what?
How's she suppose to explain what happened next…?
How could she possibly explain the passion that vibrated within the room…?
How could she explain the longing deep within her as his hands touched her cheeks… how?
How to explain all that?
She stared at all their wondering eyes, waiting for her to continue. She looked especially into Meiling's. How deeply does this girl love King Syaoran…? How could she possibly tell her what happened between them merely minutes ago…? The betrayal would definitely be too much for her to handle… and especially after what she'd done for her today to let her out of jail… How could she betray Meiling…?
"So… what did he do…?"
Sakura looked down. "Nothing…" she muttered.
Ilonka's eyes were starting to burn again. "Sakura…" her voiced sounded as if they may explode at any moment. "If that bastard did anything to hurt you at all… anything inappropriate… don't be afraid to speak of it Sakura… don't be ashamed… tell me… and I'll show him a world of pain… I'll make him regret every move he did to hurt you… I'll burn his skin off and slice open his—"
Quickly, Sakura patted her friend on the arm, before things got out of control. "Now, now, Ilonka… don't worry about it… I assure you, he did not harm me in the least bit…" Of course not… it's not like he force-kissed me… not when I enjoyed it…
Ilonka stared at her in the eyes. "Sakura, listen to me, don't be afraid… please, if anything, just tell me—"
"No, Ilonka, you listen to me. I know King Syaoran isn't exactly the greatest being in the world, but give him at least some credit, all right? He really isn't such a bad guy…"
Meiling raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you start defending him…?"
Sakura looked away, her heart skipping a beat. Since I felt attracted to him. "Since I got to know him better…"
"How better…?" Meiling pressed.
Sakura sighed, pretending to be annoyed, when in reality, her heart was racing from nervousness. "Look, can we just drop it? I assumed his personality before, now after having spoken to him once or twice, and especially having him rescue me out of jail, I figured maybe he isn't as bad as I thought him to be, that's all. There's nothing else to it, all right?"
Meiling sighed. "Yeah, all right. I'm sorry I sounded snappy… it's just that lately… it seemed he have taken much more interest in you than me… I guess I'm a little… jealous…"
Sakura's heart—if possible—raced even quicker. Betrayal… Such a traitor she felt like… "No need to be jealous, Meiling… believe me, you're his number one princess."
Meiling smiled a little bit. "Thanks, Sakura…"
Sakura returned a guilty smile.
"So, Sakura… you're sure then… sure that the King didn't mind, I mean…" Tomoyo asked slowly, thoughtfully.
"Yes, that I can guarantee you." Sakura replied whole-heartedly, glad for the change of subject.
"Then… can I ask… where have you read to him till…?"
Sakura's mood dropped at that question. Just thinking to that last long part she read with King Syaoran made her heart ache.
"Sakura…?"
"When Lilia left Reyn…"
Tomoyo giggled lightly. "Lilia left Reyn many times, silly, which part are you referring to?"
When Sakura didn't smile or find even the slightest humour in that sentence, the grin faded off Tomoyo's lip. "Sakura?"
"When she left him, even after she vowed to stay with him forever… and when he chased her, she finally told him the truth to why she believed his love to be a lie… and even when he tried explain to her… she still left him."
Tomoyo was sympathetic. "That was… definitely a difficult part… to read… I must admit…"
"That's the an understatement…"
"Wow, no wonder you stopped speaking… I cried for days when I read that part… and I just couldn't continue on…" Ilonka said softly, a sad smile on her face, thinking back.
Meiling tilted her head. Though she wanted so badly to know what they were discussing, she knew better than to butt in with an irresponsible and random statement at such a time.
"Well, at least I feel slightly safer now… I mean, convinced that King Syaoran would not wish to behead the author…"
"Oh? So sure suddenly?"
"Well, yes…" There was a dreamy look in Tomoyo's eyes once again. "That part was especially difficult… almost everyone who's read there will be so focused on their love, that they will forgive all the supposed wrongs of that dystopian society written within that book…"
"And I can understand perfect why they'd do such a thing…" Sakura muttered, and paused. "Before I read on again—which I know will be a while from now, to get over the pain—could you just tell me… does Lilia return to Reyn…?"
Tomoyo smiled lightly. "Do you really want a spoiler?"
"No, but I mean… if I knew she doesn't return to him… I think I might go crazy… I mean, I'll know that I have nothing more than doom to be left to read… which would have me keep thinking of the endless "what if"s… which would eventually drive me crazy…"
Tomoyo covered her mouth and giggled. "How about this, I'll tell you for sure, that Lilia and Reyn will meet again, soon…"
Sakura's eyes brightened a slight. "Now that is the best news I've heard in years!"
"To receive such reactions from a reader, the author must be quite something…" Ilonka commented. "If she knew of our reaction to her book, I wonder if she'd let us know she's the author to this masterpiece…"
"Of course she would!" Sakura chirped. "Why wouldn't she? Such a divine piece… the creator must be recognized!"
"I think not…" Tomoyo muttered, eyeing Ilonka. "Sometimes fame can be such a bother… and book are to be better read as the book themselves, not to be judged or influenced by the character or personality of the author…"
"Hmm… well, I suppose you do have a point…" said Sakura thoughtfully.
"Okay, guys, now that the sad moment is over, can someone please tell me what the hell you're all talking about?" An exasperate Meiling finally cried.
The three girls turned and looked at her, and they laughed.
—
"What the hell took you so long?"
"I am so sorry my King! Truly! I am absolutely terrified at my own disobedience, but please know! It was not on purpose!"
"NOT ON PURPOSE? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GUARD MY DOOR AT ALL TIMES! YET YOU WERE GONE! GONE! JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU TOO!"
Eriol winced. "I… it… I had to… I wanted to…"
King Syaoran shook his head in annoyance while rolling his eyes. "Were you with that wrench Daidouji again?"
"Yes… and she's not a wrench, your majesty. Or at least, you certainly seemed to like her before…"
"That was before I knew she was seducing my advisor!"
"I assure you, my King, she was not seducing me… if anything, I'm the one making the move at her!"
"SO YOU'RE ADMITTING TO BE MAKING A MOVE ON MY WOMAN?"
"Well, you've got 49 others!" Eriol defended feebly.
Such statement would've usually earned the death penalty, but because Eriol and King Syaoran has known each other since near birth, King Syaoran simply grinded his teeth and threw Eriol a dirty look. "Normally, I would've killed you for such a careless comment… but, since today's issue is revolved around one of the other 49 women, I have no right to stop you from doing anything with that wrench…"
"Tomoyo."
"WRENCH."
"Lady."
"SLAVE."
"Peasant."
"Peasant it is…" King Syaoran growled.
Eriol dared not smile nor retort.
King Syaoran paced furiously back and forth, before finally slumping straight to the floor, in front of Eriol, legs crossed, both hands clawing the ground with a frustrated snarl across his lips. "All right, look, let's get down to business. I am confused, I am in turmoil, and I no longer feel like my almighty self."
Eriol looked him up and down. "I can tell, your majesty."
King Syaoran growled. "Now is not the time to smart-mouth me!"
Eriol bowed his head. "Yes, my King." Though he did find the King much less intimidating now that he was shorter.
"So, talk, wise Advisor, the one with supposed answers to everything. This one time that I truly do need help to save my own ego, you better be useful."
Eriol paused. "Forgive me if this does not seem to be the right time, your Majesty… but… I was just curious… you mentioned something about punishments some days ago…"
"What punishment?"
"Well… between, well, Lady Tomoyo—"
"PEASANT!"
"—er, right, between peasant Tomoyo and myself… you were… going to punish us for… our relationship…"
The King narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I do remember… you sneaky little filth… Never thought you of all people would betray me…"
At those words, Eriol looked up, and stared into King Syaoran's eyes, unflinching. "My King, you of all people would know, that you would never find a more loyal man. My loyalty towards you knows no bounds, and I would gladly give up my life for you… yet, Lady Tomoyo—"
"PEASANT!"
"No, my King… this you would know as well… she is nothing less than a Lady."
King Syaoran wanted to retort, but considered, and said nothing more.
"I love her. I truly do… It is difficult to explain, but my attraction towards her knows no bounds. I would rather die a thousand deaths than to betray your trust, my King, and that you should know. But for her… I'm willing to die a million deaths."
King Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"
"Yes, your Majesty. More serious than I've ever been."
The King shook his head in disapproval, yet he said nothing more. "I understand." He finally said.
"You do?" Eriol exclaimed, surprised.
"Well, I mean, under normal circumstances, I would never, and would have both of you sent to a brutal punishment for sneaking behind my back like this… yet… just recently…" he sighed. "Actually, this is what I have to talk to you about…"
"Yes…?"
"What… what does it feel like… when you're with Tomoyo… I mean, what does it feel like to be in love?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow, as he stifled a gasp at the King's… sensitive question. "I… well, I mean it's difficult to explain… you don't notice the feeling as much when you're with them as when you're not…"
"Elaborate."
"When I'm with Lady Tomoyo, I am in bliss, I am happy, I can think of nothing but her… Just starring at her, drinking her in, it satisfies me… but the moment I am away from her, she is all that I can think of. Every moment I'm away from her, I can only dream of the next time we will meet… the next time I will be able to smell her scent, to touch her… it is all I can think about sometimes… and the feeling overwhelms so much at times, that you feel like you will overflow…"
"Interesting…" The King was thoughtful. "But… but, what if… I mean, say, Tomoyo is in the room with you, and you two were just… well, talking, nothing unusual… and all of a sudden, you get this… this urge to just kiss her… is that… is that normal?"
"Oh, that happens very often… if you're caught in the moment… but I, myself, am very careful about such things, as I know that once one is mesmerized, it is a spell hard to break, and I definitely do not wish to trespass upon Lady Tomoyo's personal space."
King Syaoran groaned.
"What is the matter, my King? Surely this isn't something you should be worried about… I mean, you are the King, after all… I'm sure the women would gladly receive your touches and kisses… And if any aren't, you can simply boot them from the competition…"
"This is exactly what is so frustrating! I've never worried about this sort of garbage before! But just recently—hours ago, to be precise—I kissed a woman… and somehow, I am now thinking about how she received it, and whether or not she will see me as rude!"
Eriol's eyes were huge. "That's preposterous! How could she possibly believe you are to be rude? You're the King, for goodness sakes! Anything you do is right, and it is not a crime for you to kiss a woman!"
"She is not a normal woman, I'll tell you that much…" he muttered darkly. "In fact, I thought I hated her… she treated me not like the King, but rather like a commoner… I wanted to torture her for her disrespect… yet somehow, caught in the moment… I guess I was mesmerized or whatnots… and I kissed her, not forcefully, trying to control her, but rather I just couldn't help it… it was such a strange feeling… and goodness, look at me now, worried, over a simple little kiss!"
"Well… how'd she respond? I mean, did she push you away?"
"No… though afterwards she left almost immediately…"
"And… may I ask who this is…?"
A dark shadow crossed the King's face. Unwillingly, he muttered, "Kinomoto."
"No! It can't be her!" Seeing the look in the King's eyes, Eriol wavered. "It can't be her… right…?"
"I wish it weren't! Yet it is her! I don't know when it happened! It seemed just days ago when I wanted nothing more than to ruin her future forever and watch her suffer an eternity of damnation… and look at me today! I'm the one ruined! She must be sent by the devil to destroy me…"
Eriol seemed uncertain. Truly, Lady Kinomoto was definitely kind, though a rather odd one. Sure, maybe she did have her charms, though he couldn't tell what the King would see in her… especially compared to the hundreds other women he has been with, whom Eriol feels to be much more preferable. "Do you… love her, then? Might this competition really be over?"
King Syaoran's eyes were murderous. "Never, ever, ever, say such cursed words again. I've never known love, and I will probably never love. I most certainly do not love her!"
Eriol sighed. "Whatever you say, your Majesty…" A pause. "So, what do you propose on doing now?"
"That, is why I have you, my trusted Advisor."
Eriol was shocked. Truly, his Majesty is much too inexperienced when it comes to love.
And now, Eriol has a decision to make.
On one side of the balance, he could help Lady Sakura and the King get together… and perhaps truly end this cursed competition once and for all, and perhaps with the end of that, he could possibly truly have Lady Tomoyo as a wife… At the same time, it will stop hurting the poor women who keeps leaving pregnant…
On the other hand, as the trusted Advisor who thinks truly for the goodness of the King… Eriol does not believe Lady Sakura to be the best match… she does have her good traits, though she was simply too strange, too common, and did not seem to be the "Queen" material… and certainly not someone who seemed capable of feeding King Syaoran's ego… and with that in the way, it is very likely that the King will soon tire of her, and get into many fights with her.
What to do…
It was indeed a difficult decision to weigh. But at last, he made up his decision.
Looking up into His Majesty's eyes, he said, "This is your next step…"
—
Touya woke up to shaking. He rubbed his eyes from under the oak tree, before sitting straight up to see the disturbance. It was his daughter. "Chiika? Hey honey… you're done playing?"
"Daddy… where did mommy go? I wanna play with mommy…"
"Hmm? Kaho? I don't know… isn't she in the fields?" He yawned.
"I went there to look for her! I was hoping she'd give me something delicious to eat," she giggled. "But she wasn't there!"
Touya stretched. "Well, I'm sure she'll be back soon."
"But I'm bored daddy! I wanna play with her!"
He chuckled. "All right, all right, let's go find her together…" He said, as he got up.
To his surprise, as he did, a piece of paper fell out of his lap. Curiously, he picked it up. "Huh. I wonder where did this come from?"
Slowly, he unfolded it.
Dear Touya, and my Sweetheart Chiika,
First of all, there is nothing I'd hope for less in this world than for you to take offence to this. I am not leaving you because you have mistreated me, or I felt abandoned. Quite the opposite, actually. The time I stayed with you, I was happier than I ever was in my entire life of loneliness and longing.
But I must now leave… I have promised you that I shall never become a burden to you… you have nursed me so kindly back to health, and I most certainly do not wish to overstay my welcome. I leave now, to allow you and your daughter some peace, and I know you've never quite voiced it again, but you said once, when your daughter first saw me… you were rather annoyed with her calling me 'mommy', right? I didn't want to stop her, not to try to provoke you, but simply because I had no right to lecture your daughter. Please understand…
If I ever did anything to displease you over this short time span, please forgive me… I did the best I could…
And thank you, for giving me such fond memories to remember… I will never forget your generosity or hospitality for the rest of my life.
I can't tell you where I'll be going, as even I have no clue where it is that I'm headed… simply that I wish to unburden myself from your family… Thank you kindly, Touya, and tell Chiika I'm sorry too, and I love her very much, and that she is the cutest girl in the world…
Goodbye, and Thank You…
Yours truly,
Mizuki Kaho
—
Touya swallowed.
His heart was thumping within his chest, and he couldn't understand why. But it suddenly felt as if the sun would never shine again. "Chiika…?"
"Yes daddy?"
"Kaho… Kaho's not coming back…"
She tilted her head to one side. "Not coming back? Why?" Tears formed in her eyes. "Is she… is she going to be like… Mommy…?"
He looked at her slowly. "Mommy? Isn't Kaho your…" He froze. Stopped. And could've kicked himself. How could he have forgotten?
Mommy.
Of course.
Who else?
Her real mother.
Sakura.
"Yeah… just like… just like Sakura…"
Chiika burst into tears. "Why? WHY? Why does everyone leave me? I want mommy! I WANT MOMMY!"
Touya scooped her up in his arms, as he chuckled bitterly. "Which one?" The sound of that made him disgusted with himself. That's two women that's left me… He shook his head. God… how could I have thought that? Kaho's not my woman… He groaned slightly.
Chiika looked up. "I just want mommy…" she muttered.
Touya sighed. "Mommy will be back, Chiika… in a couple of months… she'll be back… she promised…" He closed his eyes. It's okay… Who cares, right? She was a kind-hearted person, but nevertheless a stranger… I'll forget about her soon enough… and I'll be once again, praying for Sakura's return, daily… Goodbye, Kaho… it was nice meeting you…
"Breath… breath…" Touya muttered to himself, while rocking Chiika back and forth. "She's just a friend… just an acquaintance… forget her… For goodness sakes, you shouldn't be affected like this…"
Despite what he told himself, his heart continued to ache.
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Author's Note: Okay, chapter 3 and 4 has been edited so they should have little to no errors now… If you'd like to see a pic of Jelensta or any of my art work… feel free to visit my bio… I've updated it, and has a new section explaining some of my Ocs… xD It as much for others to see as for myself to keep track… :sweat drop: and under Jelensta I posted some artworks I did of her… :)
Hoping to update I Dare You 2 and Till we Meet Again next… HOPING TO being the keywords… Just came back from ECOO: Regional… damn super-smart computer geniuses from Wilburn… Dx
5692 words.