Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura does not belong to me. The day they do, my professors would stop giving me assignments and tests, Johnny Depp would step in front of my door and profess his undying love for me and a flying purple monkey will zoom around the city.
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Sakura walked ahead of Damion's procession, the king at her side. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of their footsteps echoing down the hallway. She refused to make small talk, answering Damion's attempts with one word sentences. She could still feel his eyes on her when he thought she didn't notice. The nerve of that..No. It doesn't matter.
Sakura knew she was farther from his reach than ever. Without any clue on the identity of her keeper, the man couldn't even attempt to court her. He needed her keeper's permission first and Sakura had to applaud to her father's cunning. Look what you can never touch, tyrant.
Damion snapped to his knights. "Leave us."
Sakura was mildly impressed. She was pushing his limits intentionally and he had exceeded her expectation by five seconds. The man deserves an award. She watched disinterestedly as the knights abide by their king and went ahead to the castle's entrance.
"You are pushing your luck, princess if you expect me to ignore your insolence." Damion spat, his body shook with barely concealed rage.
Sakura sighed. She admitted that she was being rude when she ignored all his attempts of making conversation.
"Rudeness cancels rudeness, my lord. You were admiring my feminine attributes, were you not? Last time I checked, that was very rude." She somehow managed to keep her voice sweetly venomous despite the disgust she felt. Poisonous but still sweet.
Sakura saw the crazed look enter Damion's eyes and readied herself, a small smile turn her lips upwards. Give me your best shot. Damion growled before making a move to lunge at her. That's when Sakura heard a snarl. Damion froze, jaw slack, his eyes fixed at something behind her.
Sakura was more curious than apprehensive, mainly because she knew nothing in the castle would have the ability to hurt her. The castle didn't have any unruly pets and the servants were honor bound to serve them. They had also entered into their service willingly and Sakura knew every one of them is as loyal as a servant can ever be. A threat amongst the servant is thus highly unlikely and spies had never been alive long enough to enter the main castle. Fujitaka had personally made sure of that.
Sakura barely managed to crane her neck when she felt her body pulled against another. Her back bumped solidly into a warm chest and Sakura gave a small yelp at the unexpected touch.
Syaoran wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist, the other buried in her long hair, inadvertently bringing her closer to him. His face was half covered by her hair, the gesture blatantly possessive. Syaoran brushed his magic against hers, careful not to intrude into places she would prefer kept private but enough so that she knew his identity.
Sakura brushed back as if seeking confirmation and visibly relaxed against his hold. Syaoran didn't bother hiding his smug smile from Damion. He watched as Damion's face changed into an interesting shade of red as he squeaked Syaoran's name. Syaoran grinned, purposely exposing his incisors. So he had heard of him, the slight tinge of darkness he purposely cloaked around himself certainly gave Damion a clue.
He tangled Sakura's hair between his fingers, reveling in their softness. His hold on her was gentle but his piercing gaze directed solely at Damion was anything but.
"Attempt to touch her again and I will kill you." Syaoran stated; his tone was clearly a warning.
"You have no claim over her." Damion protested.
Syaoran lifted his face and gently placed his chin on top of Sakura's head, his hold on her tightened. His eyebrows lifted at the challenge.
"That is where you're wrong."Syaoran chuckled softly.
Sakura tensed slightly in Syaoran's arms but Damion was too incensed to notice. He started sputtering something about it being impossible and his face was turning blotchy. Not very attractive; Sakura noted absently.
Syaoran's heat, on the other hand, was comfortable and somewhat soothing. She couldn't care less when her body relaxed into his again even when headache-inducing questions rushed through her head.
Syaoran watched as the foolish king disgraced himself, gaping and sputtering like a fish on land and decided that it's their cue to leave.
"Are you ready to leave Sakura?" Syaoran murmured beside her ear, his breath brushing against her neck. No more secrets.
Sakura gulped inaudibly when shivers trailed up her spine, whether from exhilaration or other things, she didn't care to note. She smiled instead and tilted her head in agreement. Sakura paused to give a perfect little curtsy to Damion.
"I believe you know the way out, my lord." She said; glad to be rid of his presence.
Syaoran placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her away, wanting her to get away from Damion's leer as soon as possible. He wanted nothing but to trace back his steps and rip Damion's eyes from its sockets. Why didn't he do it anyway? Syaoran contemplated silently. Oh right, the damned truce.
Syaoran stole a glance towards the feisty princess. She had become rigid underneath his hand. He had stubbornly kept his hand on the small of her back, guiding her deeper into the castle. No more secrets.
He finally stopped when they arrived at a dead end. Syaoran knew no one was around; not this deep in the castle. He made sure his body blocked her only exit and leaned against the wall. His eyes bore into her.
To say that Sakura was shaken was an understatement. She couldn't meet his eyes. Her legs were feeling strangely jelly-like and she had to keep reminding herself to regulate her breathing; she was close to hyperventilation the last time she forgot to.
Sakura blinked. Syaoran was suddenly right in front of her; caging her with his arms and body, effectively trapping her against the wall.
"Ask." Syaoran whispered huskily.
Sakura's pressed her lips together rebelliously. What you don't know can't haunt you. If she didn't know anything, she can't acknowledge it. Yes, that would be preferable.
Syaoran smiled; a mixture of gentleness and amusement. He knew she would deny it if he made a remark on it but he swore he could see the barest hint of pout on her face.
"All you need to do is ask and I will answer." Syaoran coaxed.
He couldn't resist from inhaling, she was too close and she smelled undeniably good. His princess was avoiding his gaze, looking at anything and everything but him.
"Are you counting the cracks on the wall behind me?" Syaoran teased, his amber eyes smoldering.
Sakura blushed. "There are thirty two cracks, if you must know." She huffed.
Syaoran laughed lightly and leaned closer, distracting her with his proximity. They weren't even touching but his heat seeped into her clothes. Sakura gritted her teeth when she saw his smug smile. He knew what he was doing to her and she was dancing to his tunes perfectly.
She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push her way through; fighting the urge to whimper when he refused to budge. Her eyes found his, almost pleading.
"Stop this madness."
"Not any time soon." Syaoran promised. "Would you like to join me?"
"In the madness?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
Syaoran hummed in affirmative.
"No thank you." Sakura gritted politely; small hands shoving harder.
Syaoran chuckled. "I'm not going to move. Not until you ask the questions that needed to be asked."
Sakura gave up. She folded her arms across her breast, eyes wary. "Instead of demanding me to ask, why not just tell me?"
Syaoran shrugged. "It's more thrilling this way."
Sakura growled in frustration. Any princess would have broken down in tears right now and Sakura wouldn't even blame them; they have every right to. She has every right to. Let's see, she was currently being trapped by a king who refuses to release her until his demands for her to ask him questions she-didn't-want-the-answers-to were fulfilled. The said king, who was also invading and denying her personal space, was watching her with half-lidded golden eyes and seemed to be enjoying himself too.
Syaoran nuzzled her temple affectionately and Sakura's heart almost stopped. The hands that were attempting to push him away formed fists, grabbing his dark tunic instead for support. Her legs threatening to give out. Sakura was undeniably frustrated. She couldn't understand why he had such an effect on her. He smelled warm and spicy with a hint of something she didn't recognize. It was heady and Sakura swore she could get addicted to him.
Syaoran took a deep breath; he was getting ahead of himself. Syaoran leaned so that their forehead met; his expression became solemn.
"Won't you ask?" Syaoran said softly.
Sakura drew a deep breath and relented; she knew the answers even before she asked them.
"Are you my keeper?" She whispered.
"Yes."
She paused before Syaoran nudged her lightly as encouragement.
"What are we exactly?" Please say ward and guardian.
"You are my future queen." Syaoran smiled; the sound has a nice ring to it.
Sakura's mind blanked.
"I'm your future queen?"
Syaoran nodded.
"You're my future king?" She needed the confirmation.
Syaoran nodded again.
"I'm yours?" Sakura said dazedly.
Syaoran sighed contently, that sounds very good. "Yes."
He covered her mouth with his. He had waited too long; been patient too long; had watched her for too long. She tasted sweet and her lips were softer than he imagined, his arm sliding around her waist to brace her against him.
He brushed his lips against hers again and again, getting his fill but he was careful not to overwhelm her. The kiss wasn't hard but it was firm enough that it managed to get her toes curling. Sakura tentatively drew back when she got her bearings and Syaoran reluctantly allowed her to.
Sakura blinked uncertainly. Did that just happened? She lifted her eyes and her heart jumped when she saw him watching her through dark, half-lidded eyes. His eyes flickered towards her lips almost lazily and she couldn't help but press her body further into the wall.
Syaoran chuckled lightly. She looked like she was cornered by some kind of predator and Syaoran had to admit she wasn't really wrong but he decided to take pity on her. She was starting to look like she was going to crawl through the wall soon.
He grasped her hand and pulled, guiding her back to the main part of the castle. Sakura didn't object; there was too much to think about, too many questions she would like to ask and the fact that her lips were still tingling from his kiss didn't help.
Syaoran entangled their fingers together, walking slower than he used to so that Sakura could keep up with his long stride. He purposely guided her through the hallway and then through the ceremony room. Sakura's cheeks blazed when a few servants giggled when they passed through, whispering on how they make a striking couple. She glared harder at him when she noticed his smug smile.
Sakura jolted when she realized something and her feet ceased their movements altogether. Syaoran stopped immediately; already predicting that she would put two and two together sooner rather than later. He had to chuckle when he saw understanding dawn in her eyes.
"How soon in the future?" Sakura asked suspiciously.
Syaoran knew she was talking about the wedding and he made no attempt of pretending not to understand her. However, it does not mean he couldn't tease her a bit.
"Impatient, are we?"
Sakura blushed. "I.."
She didn't seem like she was going to continue her sentence any time soon so Syaoran led her to the main balcony, one of his favorite spots in the castle. Sakura sighed and her body relaxed soon after. The view always managed to steal her breath away. It overlooks the forest she loved and the sky was clear, allowing numerous stars to make an appearance.
Sakura inhaled the fresh air greedily, forcing her mind to evaluate the information she had gathered calmly.
"Noticed the flowers in the hallway and ceremony room?" Syaoran asked; leaning absently against the railing beside her.
"I thought they were for Damion's arrival." She said faintly.
"Those flowers seemed way too nice to welcome an enemy, don't you think?" Syaoran commented.
"An enemy under truce." Sakura corrected distractedly.
Syaoran smiled softly. "Ah..Unfortunately there is one loop hole in your theory, my princess."
Sakura glared at him half-heartedly; more annoyed at herself than at him. She had only herself to blame for not noticing something so glaringly obvious.
"Why would the flowers be placed at a room where Damion would not enter? Why would he even go into the ceremony room?" Syaoran reached for a lock of her hair, tugging on them teasingly.
She didn't really pay attention to the palace's decorations but she should have known. The said flowers were undoubtedly Vanazine and Sora; commonly used in a Wild's wedding.
The atmosphere in the dining room when they were eating breakfast had suddenly become tense when she commented on the busy morning. The servants were preparing for the wedding and for some reason her family had decided to keep her own wedding a secret from her.
Sakura calculated quickly. Her mother had insisted that she learned the ways of a Wild when she was younger so that she would not forget her roots and Sakura didn't mind the lessons. It gave her some quality time to spend with her mother and she had enjoyed them.
The flowers were a part of her lessons of course, since they were tradition and she knew that they could last almost a week after being unrooted. Enough of the flashbacks, her mind chastised. Concentrate.
She was sure that the flowers were already three days. Sakura blinked.
"Four days?" She whispered unbelievingly.
"Make it two."
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