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.
Read and enjoy!
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. Two days?
"I wanted to be married before the war." Syaoran shrugged absently, his eyes didn't leave her profile. "There are certain benefits I'm sure you would enjoy."
Sakura was incensed. "Really? Like what?" She bit out, barely managing to keep from snarling.
If he dared to use any sexual innuendos, she would punch him in the solar plexus so hard that he would still have trouble breathing on the wedding day.
Syaoran's eyebrow quirked at her obvious fury and he smiled. "Well, for one, you could join me when the war started."
Sakura's jaw dropped. Luckily, Syaoran was too caught up in his thought to notice.
"No one would question my queen's honor." Syaoran's eyes darkened. "They wouldn't dare."
Sakura frowned bemusedly and for some reason that earned a weary sigh from Syaoran.
"Did you honestly think that no one is going to say anything if you join the war, surrounded by thousands of men even though you're in camp?" Syaoran asked; frustration evident in his voice. He gave another tug on her trapped lock of hair.
"The situation couldn't be more scandalous. Besides, it would make your sleeping arrangements much easier." Syaoran lips curled into a suggestive smile. "You're sleeping in my tent, of course. It would make things much more convenient."
"Of course." Sakura echoed.
There goes the sexual innuendo but Sakura was too occupied to retaliate. She was still reeling from surprise. He would allow her to stay beside him in the war.
Sakura had always thought that once the real battle started, she wouldn't have a place in it. Not that it would stop her of course. Guess she could return the soldier's attire that she had borrowed a while ago.
Sakura knew that once she had managed to blend in with the army, it would take a few days for people to notice she's gone and by then it would be too late. Even Touya would take weeks to find her in the throng of knights.
For someone as protective as Syaoran allowing her to join the war, it was unexpected. And rather nice, she had to admit. It is clear that Syaoran knew how important this is to her. She was brought out of her musing when she noticed Syaoran shifted so that he could look at her better.
"When I told you that I owed your father, I didn't go into the details." Syaoran scrutinized her expression critically.
Sakura nodded and listened attentively; his tone had indicated that this is important.
"In exchange for my debt, I had offered to protect you." Syaoran continued softly.
"Not the country?" Sakura's gaze widened in surprise.
She had simply assumed that he was here to help the country. He stayed by her, trained her because it was his duty? For some reason, her heart clenched beneath her chest.
"Never the country." Syaoran brought her hair to his lips to kiss them. She could feel the soft touch all the way to her toes.
"Damion is threatening the Ice clan and inadvertently threatening you. To continue keeping you safe, I will destroy the threat." Syaoran smiled. "I will gladly rip his lungs out for you."
He was making the offer like some sort of a romantic proposal and damn if Sakura felt a bit flattered at his thoughtfulness.
"Why didn't anyone tell me about this wedding sooner?" Sakura was incredulous.
"That was my idea." Syaoran admitted. "I wanted you to get to know me better. And it gives you less time to plan your escape." Syaoran grinned.
Sakura blushed. It seemed as if Syaoran could read her thoughts. She still couldn't help but feel like she was being used and her blood bristled at the thought.
"You are going to marry me to settle a debt you owed to my father." She accused bitterly.
"You're not listening to me." Syaoran's eyes darkened in strained patience and Sakura could see the flecks of black trying to overpower the amber in his eyes.
"I protected you because of the debt I owed to your father." His lips grazed the shell of her ear as he admitted that fact and Sakura shivered. "I am going to marry you because I wanted to."
The training field was filled with off-duty soldiers that evening. All of them kept a respectable distance away but nonetheless they watched in breathless anticipation at the two sparring kings. The fight was intense; neither holds himself back.
Both kings stop attacking at the same time, as if hearing an invisible signal. They tilted their heads; acknowledging the other skills silently.
Fujitaka smiled. The barest hint of pride was there for all to see. Syaoran had come a long way since he first met him. One question teased his mind and Fujitaka weighed his options carefully. He knew Syaoran could choose not to answer if he was inclined.
Syaoran watched as his mentor delved deeper into his own thoughts and decided to take the first step. He didn't want his mentor to go into 'what are your intentions towards my daughter' mode.
"Sakura is soft-hearted." Syaoran said softly; his eyes flickering to the dispersing soldiers, making sure none could hear their conversation.
"Once the actual battle starts, soldiers will start dying. It is inevitable and unavoidable." Syaoran followed as Fujitaka led them under a cool shade.
"She would have second thoughts." Fujitaka admitted.
"I am going to make her my queen so that she could not possibly choose that cretin just to stop the war." Sakura breathed in slowly, savoring the sweet taste of fresh air.
Fujitaka tilted his head and scrutinized Syaoran; a small smile made its way to his lips. "Is that all?"
Syaoran's grin was almost boyish this time."No."
Fujitaka nodded in understanding and let the matter dropped; coming to a conclusion. Syaoran is not in love, yet, but he did care and that would do. Caring is, after all, the shallower form of love.
Sakura sat on her bed, eyes glazed in thought.
"Tomoyo, what am I going to do?" She finally wailed to her waiting best friend.
Tomoyo sighed; at last she was getting a break through. Sakura had come to her, saying she needed to talk but had done nothing but sat silently for almost two hours. Tomoyo had to admit she was surprised when she found out that Sakura was engaged to Syaoran but thinking back she should have seen the signs.
Tomoyo had noticed the way he had looked at Sakura since the night he had brought her back. She had seen the soft light in his eyes when he looked at her and he always seemed to seek Sakura's company. Tomoya smiled softly.
They looked good together and their easy banter was always entertaining. Syaoran always managed to rile Sakura up, stripping her out from her princess façade to become just Sakura. He was perfect for her and the fact that Syaoran wanted to marry Sakura must mean that he thought she was perfect for him too.
"He is your keeper Sakura. Anything he says about you goes. Do you even have a choice?" Tomoyo asked exasperatedly.
"No and that makes it harder." Sakura retorted sulkily.
Tomoyo decided to try another tact.
"Do you find Syaoran repulsive Sakura?" Tomoyo asked gently.
Sakura gaped. How could anyone find Syaoran repulsive? "No."
"Is he a cruel king? Feared and hated by his subjects?"
"No, not at all. I heard he is a just king. We had visited the Dark country a while back Tomoyo. You know the country is prosperous and the people loved and respected their king." Sakura frowned at Tomoyo bemusedly.
They had stopped by for a night on the way back from Tomoyo's Water country. They were undercover and had decided to stay at an inn. They had gathered at least that much from their brief stay.
"Then what seems to be the problem?" Tomoyo demanded.
Sakura blinked and sighed. She wasn't making any sense again.
"Of course I would understand if you prefer Damion. His tenacity was very impressive." Tomoyo teased and laughed when Sakura blanched.
She shuddered in revulsion. "That's not even funny."
"After your wedding night tell me all the details, okay?" Tomoyo wiggled her eyebrows meaningfully.
"Tomoyo!" Sakura blushed and laughed so hard at her friend's attics that tears sprung to her eyes.
Sakura threw a pillow which smacked right into Tomoyo's face which only made her laugh harder. Tomoyo peeled the offending piece of fluffiness of her face, a rare malicious look on her face. Sakura readied herself and with a war cry they started an impromptu pillow fight.
The ceremony hall was decorated beautifully and guests from both Darkness and Ice country who was lucky enough to get invited murmured quietly from their seats.
Sakura stood face-to-chest with her husband-to-be, hands gripping the Sora-Vanazine bouquet and head bowed demurely. Syaoran had worn the traditional black attire but his collar and sleeves were decorated by tasteful forest green threads, beautifully arranged against the black of his tunic.
Sakura had a pale green dress, complimenting her eyes and her fair skin. Black, glittering threads were sewn around the span of her waist, emphasizing her figure. Gold threads were magically intertwined in her hair. They had decided not to tie up her hair, letting it hang freely down her back.
"I hereby wed you, keep you and offer you my protection as long as I shall live." Syaoran's voice was clear as he declared his intentions, letting his magic leaked between them and offered itself to her. Bonding them forever.
Sakura took a deep breath before replying. "I willingly wed you, give myself into your keeping and accept your protection as long as I shall live." She also allowed her magic to mingle with his. This way, she accepted a part of his magic into hers and simultaneously allowed Syaoran to do the same, bonding their magic together. Binding them forever. Syaoran smiled possessively. No way to escape now.
Sakura chose that particular moment to lift her head and meet his eyes. He saw the rebellious princess side of her and Syaoran couldn't help but smirk.
"..if I ever need them."
Syaoran laughed lightly when he realized what she was saying. Sakura would only accept his protection in dire need. An independent princess. What fun!
"I don't care. You're getting them." Syaoran took a threatening step forward.
"I don't need them." Sakura responded smugly, surprising him when she too took a step forward.
She held her palm out and directed it to the nearest Sora bouquet, holding his gaze. The bouquet suddenly went into a growth spurt. It wasn't much of a bouquet anymore and more of a tree. The flowers moved to the edges of the tree and Syaoran watched in fascination as her eyes glinted ice blue and the tree immediately freezes.
He glanced at the beautiful ice tree and returned his gaze back at her. Her powers had returned.
"Impressive." As he spoke, the tree was suddenly swallowed by darkness, hidden from view.
"Too bad you can't see it anymore." Syaoran shrugged in mock helplessness.
"You are being childish." She retorted, silently mourning the dissapearance of her pretty tree.
"So are you."
Syaoran chuckled openly when Sakura blushed, finally noticing their gaping, momentarily forgotten guests.
"Do you want me to make you disappear too?" Syaoran whispered; his offer genuine.
They were so close that Sakura had no trouble hearing him but Sakura managed to give him a small nod, the blush still on her face.
"That is preferable. I was just wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole." Sakura informed him lightly.
"Very well." Syaoran smirked and pulled her against him.
He sealed their vows with a soft kiss, pressing his lips against hers gently and he offered her his darkness to hide from her earlier outbursts. They had to make an appearance at the wedding banquet, of course, but for the time being he would gladly rescue his wife from her mortification.
"I believe the ceremony is over." King Fujitaka announced, smiling fondly at the now empty altar. Queen Nadeshiko giggled from her seat beside her husband.
The crowd broke into laughter and preceded to the dining hall, the future looks promising. There is plenty to celebrate.
"She would be so happy with him." Nadeshiko sighed dreamily, already imagining her future grandchildren whom she had already planned to spoil rotten, as soon as they made their appearance, of course.
Fujitaka smiled. Sakura and Syaoran complement each other perfectly. He could already see that and they have to realize that themselves. Fujitaka kissed his wife softly and he smiled when Nadeshiko's lips curled against his own. After all, the journey was half the fun.
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Oh I almost forgot. RL would be intruding. The usual stuff .Studying. Final Exam. 'Moan'. Unspeakable horrors. Anyway, that means I would not be updating for the next three weeks. I would return of course. Don't worry. All I ask is to wait patiently for me to finish my modern version of war. I shall miss you guys. And don't forget to leave a review!