"Happy birthday, Sakura!"
The princess' wide eyes blinked, staring at the well decorated white cake that was placed in front of her.
"The cake looks like Mokona!" Mokona cheered.
"My... birthday?"
"Yes. Today is your birthday, the 1st of April." Fai smiled. "Syaoran made sure to let me know a week in advanced so we could plan a little surprise for you."
"I don't have many memories about my birthday..." she said, a tone that wasn't even somber, but simply matter of fact. Still, a smile tugged at her lips at the sentiment. "I'm really happy you remembered, Syaoran-kun. But..."
The princess put a finger to her lips in thought. "How... did you know that?"
Both Fai and Kurogane gave a knowing look, aware of what happens when the princess gets too close to remembering. They turned their gaze toward Syaoran, who seemed to have expected to the question.
"Everyone knows, Princess." he replied with a gentle smile. "The princess' birthday is a celebrated occassion across the land."
"Really?" her eyes widened even more. "I can't believe so many people would care to remember my birthday."
"That seems to be a pretty standard practice for any royalty," Kurogane said. "Everyone knew when it was Princess Tomoyo's birthday, including her enemies."
That statement sounded rather ominous, but considering Kurogane was often tasked with protecting her, those enemies probably weren't even alive anymore.
"Well... thanks everyone, for this." Sakura smiled. "May I have a slice?"
"Of course, Princess." Syaoran took the knife and cut her a piece, putting it on a plate and sliding it her way.
"Make a wish, make a wish!" Mokona chanted.
"Oh... uh..." the princess closed her eyes, folding her hands. "I wish..."
Her voice quieted, lips moving but no words were verbally spoken.
Syaoran's mind wandered off as he watched his beloved princess make her wish, recalling her past birthdays in their childhood.
"So Syaoran, when is your birthday?"
Syaoran was taken aback by the question.
"Huh?" the princess tilted her head. "Do you not remember when it's your birthday?"
"It's actually today, but -"
The princess gasped, putting her hands to her mouth. "So you and I have the same birthday?!"
"Yes, but -"
Sakura started giggling with glee, pulling Syaoran to the banquet table. "Father, Father! Today is Syaoran's birthday too! Can we celebrate it?"
"You mean we have to celebrate that little brat- ow!"
The princess elbowed her older brother, pouting at him.
"It's OK. Today is the princess' special day, I'm just a normal person." Syaoran said.
"But... don't you want to celebrate too?" Sakura cried.
Syaoran blinked. He then felt a hand on his shoulder; it was the king. "I agree. We should celebrate your birthday as well."
"Hehe, yay!" Sakura cheered. "Come sit with me, Syaoran ~"
"That's right, Syaoran has the same birthday as you, Princess."
"Huh?" Syaoran broke out of his thoughts at the sound of Fai's voice.
"Really?" Sakura gasped.
"Yes. April 1st." Fai smiled. "Isn't that right, Syaoran?"
Syaoran's eyes just widened, not sure what to say.
"So the kid and the princess were born the same day, huh?" Kurogane commented.
"Make a wish, make a wish!" Mokona chanted once again, this time to Syaoran.
"Oh, no, today is about the princess, not me." Syaoran hastily said, shaking his hands.
"But... don't you want to celebrate too?"
Syaoran whipped his head around to see the princess looking at him with sad eyes. A flash of her teary, childhood face momentarily appeared in his mind.
"I do, actually."
He placed his hand on hers with a warm smile. A light flush of pink appeared on her cheeks, but she smiled back.
"Okay then," Fai cut a slice of cake and slid the plate to him. "Make a wish, Syaoran ~"
"Make a wish, make a wish! Haha!" Mokona repeated.
"Hmm..." Syaoran closed his eyes.
'I wish for the princess' happiness.'