Sakura The Mermaid Princess
Chapter 4:
Sakura took a last look of Prince Syaoran Li with a sad look on her face as she dived back to the sea.
Sakura and Tomoyo returned back to the palace before anyone found out they were missing. Then, they decided to go to sleep. Tomoyo went straight to sleep while Sakura was laying on her bed thinking about Prince Syaoran and how gallant he was before she fell fast asleep at last.
Before they knew it, a couple of hours passed and it was sundown. King Fujitaka, Queen Nadeshiko, Prince Touya, his wife Kaho, Tomoyo and everyone else were waiting for Sakura to wake up. In a hurry, Sakura made her way to the hallway that lead to the ballroom when suddenly a merman with dark black hair and sapphire eyes who looked like around sakura age appeared.
"Happy birthday your highness" said the merman as he bowed down to Sakura.
Sakura stopped her track and elegantly curtly at the man as it was custom.
"Thank you" said Sakura as she beamed a friendly smile that can melt anyone resolve when present.
The merman quietly returned a smile.
"Are you going to the royal dining room?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, perhaps we can go to the royal dining room together?" asked the merman.
"Okay, that is so nice of you." said Sakura.
They were swimming on their way to the royal dining room without saying a word to each other until Sakura decided to start up a conversation.
"So, can I asked your name since you know mine?" asked Sakura politely.
"Sure princess, my name is Daisuke" answered the merman calmly.
"How old are you Daisuke?" asked Sakura trying to follow up with questions.
"I just turned eighteen a few months ago" answered Daisuke.
"I see, so you must know my father since you are here?" asked Sakura.
"I met King Fujitaka and Queen Nadeshiko a few weeks ago and then they personally invited me to your 16th birthday party."
"I see." said Sakura with a surprise look on her face.
"Why is that?" asked Daisuke with a little confuse look on his face.
"My father never invited just anyone to my parties unless there are my closest friends or some very important merperson" said Sakura friendly.
"Yeah?" said Daisuke calmly.
"So you must be someone very important." said Sakura with a happier smile on her face which made Daisuke blush.
"If you don't mind, can I ask you something?" asked Sakura when she noticed something strange.
"No of course not, ask if it is to satisfied your curiosity."
"Why do you look so sad?"
"I don't know what you are implying." Said Daisuke giving the princess a slight odd look.
"For some reason, when I look at you I can tell that you are hiding your true self. I am not sure what it is going on but you shouldn't force yourself to play a facade. Try to enjoy yourself since you are at a party. Besides if you get bored and don't have anyone to talk to, you are welcome to join me and my friend princess Tomoyo."
The merman look surprised. No one has ever shown concern for his mental well being before since his status didn't allow him to show any weakness but here is this girl who immediately read his every thought. Everything that his soul wanted to say but can't. He felt grateful a mermaid like her exist in this sea which made coming the Kinomoto kingdom all worth it.
"You have sharp eyes. As merman of my status, I am not allow to show any emotions or it will offends someone and cause chaos amongst others. That can be awful but I can be at ease that there is someone who can be honest with me."
"Well, I am glad I can put you at ease while you are here. I will feel awful if anyone is upset while staying at my home."
"Thank you for the generous offer princess. I will take your offer to join you and your friend when it is proper." Said Daisuke gratefully as they resume their way towards the dining room.
When Sakura and Daisuke got to the royal dining room, they saw that it was filled with beautiful streamers with cream color table cloth for the table and a lot of flowers.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA!" yelled everyone as Queen Nadeshiko, Tomoyo and Kaho gave Sakura a hug.
"Thank you everyone!" said Sakura with a big smile that was beaming for joy.
"Happy birthday Monster" said Touya with a meaningful smile as he gave Sakura a small pat on her head with made Sakura blush from embarrassment.
"Thank you Touya and I am not a monster! yelled Sakura.
"But I will let it slide for today!" said Sakura with a happy tone as she gave her big brother a big hug which made Touya blush lightly from embarrassment because everyone was staring at them.
"Today is your 16th birthday Sakura, so I ask the master chef to make a big feast with all of your favorite food." said King Fujitaka.
"Really!?,She always make the most delicious food in all the sea!" said Sakura with a bigger smile as she look all the food.
Everyone was sitting at the table with a happy face and talking and laughing. Sakura was happy that her family and friends were here but some reason she felt that something was missing which made her a little sad but cheer herself up.
"Everyone I like to make a toast before we start eating." said King Fujitaka as everyone stop talking and look straight at the king.
"I like to say thank you everyone for coming today. It means a lot to Sakura for her friends to come on this special day that Sakura is officially sixteen and is at the age to marry." said King Fujitaka as he continued to talk.
"I wonder why he use the word marry?" thought Sakura as she was snap back to realty by Tomoyo who was sitting next to her.
"Sakura, are you alright?" said Tomoyo with a worried tone as she whispered to Sakura so she wouldn't disturbed King Fujitaka' speech.
"Yes, I'm alright I am just thinking about the word "marry" whispered Sakura that Daisuke who was cross from the table can hear her talking with Tomoyo.
"What about the word "marry" Sakura?" asked Tomoyo.
"It's just, that Father used the word "marry" while he could have use another word." whispered Sakura.
"Do you think it has to do with the person you are going to meet tonight?" asked Tomoyo.
"I don't know." answered Sakura with a sad look on her face.
"A toast to my daughter Sakura for coming of age and I wish her the best of luck!" said King Fujitaka.
"CHEERS!" screamed everyone as they lifted up their cups than started to eat the food and resumed talking and laughing.
"I think we missed on something important." said Tomoyo as she look back at Sakura.
"Same here." said Sakura agreeing with Tomoyo, giving her with the same confused look.
After everyone finished eating, they all went to the ballroom where there was playing romantic music and mermaids and mermen were dancing while others was talking with each other. Sakura was seeing a couple dancing together, and were so close and kissing passionately which made Sakura sighed thinking about Prince Syaoran.
"Your not enjoying the ball are you?" asked Tomoyo with a concerned look.
"How could you tell?" asked Sakura.
"You don't seem to be your usual cheerful self" said Tomoyo with a worried look on her.
"I was just thinking about something." said Sakura with a sad look on her face.
"You are thinking about the human Prince from last night." said Tomoyo with a gentle smile on her face that made Sakura blush.
"Do you think I will ever see him again?" said Sakura sadly looking at Tomoyo hoping.
"Maybe, it all depends on faith Sakura. If you were to meant to meet again then you will meet him soon." said Tomoyo with a calm voice which made Sakura feel better.
"Now, try to have some fun Sakura, today is your 16th birthday after all." said Tomoyo nicely.
"Okay, I'll try." said Sakura with a small smile on her face.
Suddenly Sakura was called by her parents to dance with someone. Flustered at the thought of asking a man, her new friend Daisuke appeared by her side and asked her to dance.
"Yes."
The pair move towards the middle of the ballroom with their elbows arching, imitating the other as they began to twirl slowly when the music began to play. Their arms flailing in the water above, they whirled around into sweat to stained air. Their fins gently flipping forward and back. Daisuke's hand grabbing hers and Sakura swung backward ways, dipped low and then soar into the gentle water currents that was illuminating the ballroom. Sakura returned back to her position in Daisuke's arms and smiled, breathless halt.
"You have a lovely expression, I am glad you enjoying yourself now." Daisuke said quietly for Sakura's ear only.
"If that is true, it's because of you." Sakura answered back.
The music continues and they danced like this until the music finished. The rest of the party guests gave a grand applause which both Sakura and Daisuke stared at each other for a single moment before they bowed down and returned back to their respectable seats as more guest went to the grand floor and continued to dance and enjoying the party.