REVISED, IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE. PLEASE READ: After much contemplation, I have finally decided to rewrite this story. This will help me put my mind back into the story while giving the readers a reminder of what had happened. This first chapter is revised and completed. Please do not continue onto chapter 2 until you see "REVISED" in the author's note of Chapter 2. (The same goes for the other chapters. Please do not read them unless it states in the author's note that they are revised.) The story will be confusing otherwise. Much thanks!

Author's note continued: First things first. Sorry for not updating in so long!!! Truthfully, I don't know exactly what happened in that year that I have not updated in but I'm back writing this story. I'm really sorry for making everyone wait so long! Special thanks to chocobo16 for sending a PM trying to encourage me to update soon. Oh, and bunch of thanks to blondie and CuteSherry for their long review and advice. It had made my day. :D Remember to read and review! Please stick with me through this story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura.

And as always, special thanks to my patient beta Alyssum. :)

An auburn haired woman used the back of her hand to wipe off the sweat collecting stubbornly on her forehead. She let out a sigh filled with both exhaustion and contentment. As her brilliant emerald eyes gazed up to the bright blue sky, she supported herself on the long shovel she had in her hand. A gentle warm breeze blew by and ruffled her long wavy hair .

"Sakura! Help me get ready for breakfast," a feminine voice rang out from the house. Hearing her mother's voice, she quickly placed the shovel away and stepped inside. She took her shoes off at the doorway and went to her room to change out of her dirty outfit.

Stepping into the worn out kitchen, she gave her mom a smile and immediately started to help her slice the carrots.

"How's the garden coming along?" her mother, Nadeshiko, asked curiously.

"It's coming along just fine. Its hard work, I admit, but I'm sure we'll be able to get some money out of it," she replied, her eyes concentrated on her nimble fingers. The carrots were quickly chopped up in no time. "Oh, I won't be back until late tonight. I'll be working late so don't worry about dinner."

Her mother bit her lower lip. "Sakura, I hate to see you work so hard. I—"

Sakura smiled. "Mom, don't worry about it. I know that you and Dad have been extremely exhausted recently and can't get as much work done. I have much more energy compared to you two anyways."

The two worked quickly in the small kitchen. Silence filled the air for a few moments, before Nadeshiko spoke again. "Sakura, I…"

Knowing that she was about to talk about something uncomfortable, Sakura quickly changed the topic. "Are Touya and Kaho coming over today?"

"Yes," her mother replied gently, a smile on her face. "I believe that they are."

"Yes!" she said, laughing. "I can't wait until Touya tries out this new recipe. If he tells me that he doesn't like it again, I'll definitely know that he's lying about my 'horrible' cooking."

Her father walked into the kitchen, his brown hair ruffled from sleep. "I followed my nose here. What are we having for breakfast?"

Nadeshiko playfully pushed her husband out of the kitchen. "Not yet. Go wash up. It's Sakura's new recipe."

Fujitaka laughed and kissed his wife on the cheek before heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

While Sakura was finishing up in the kitchen, her mother had let Touya and his wife, Kaho, into the house. They headed to the table and sat down, chatting. Fujitaka had returned and begun to help his daughter set the table. Touya's dark brown eyes roamed over the food. He cleared his throat and looked up to his sister's expectant face. "So monster, did you break the pot while you were cooking?"

Sakura stuck out her tongue and whacked him across his head. "You'll never let me forget that nickname." A mischievous glint suddenly shone in her eye. She sat down at the table with her family and slammed her foot on top of her brother's. Hard.

"OW!" he exclaimed loudly, gripping his foot. "That was mean!"

His wife started to laugh loudly, and the rest of the family began to join in.

"Let's eat. Sakura prepared a new recipe for us after all," Nadeshiko said gently, smiling.

"Grab me a bucket. I might hurl," Touya replied casually.

"Touya!" his wife exclaimed. Jabbing her elbow into his side lightly, she smiled. "Don't listen to him Sakura. You could open up your own business and drive all the restaurants out of business with your cooking."

Sakura smiled brilliantly. "Thank you! At least someone here has good taste."

The breakfast went smoothly and was filled with light chatter and laughter. When they had finished, Nadeshiko cleaned the dishes as Sakura ran out the door to work. Everyone quickly said their farewells as she left.

Arriving at the restaurant, Sakura walked into the changing room and changed into her required clothes. She buttoned up her white shirt and slipped into the short back pencil skirt. Quickly gathering her hair into a bun, she stuck the needlelike chopsticks into her hair. She remembered when she first got the job as a waitress. Her brother had presented her with these hair ornaments. He claimed that she should always wear them, just in case she ever needed to fight someone off and use them as weapons. During her first week at work, he checked in at random times just to make sure she was wearing them. A smile slipped onto her face as she remembered her brother's actions.

She stepped out of the bathroom and reported to her boss. Her boss looked at her calculatingly and flipped her long hair behind her. "I want you to sweep and mop the kitchen. Then help them clean all the plates and trays. The woman's bathroom is dirty. Go clean that and refill the toilet paper. You can serve the customers after that," her boss barked. Her boss swished around with her nose held high and went to greet a customer.

"Yes ma'am," Sakura replied obediently. She had no idea why a waitress was required to help in the kitchens and act as a janitor, but she obeyed. Her boss seemed to have something against her. She was unnecessarily cruel to her but she couldn't quit. Compared to her other jobs, she had the highest wage here, and she couldn't take the chance of getting fired.

"Get table five. Don't make them wait. They are important guests and I expect you to treat them with respect," her boss commanded as she walked by Sakura.

Quickly finishing what she was doing, Sakura went to the table filled with three rowdy men. She smiled. "Hello. I'm Sakura and I'll be your waitress for the evening." She placed down three menus onto the wooden table. The man with the chin length hair quickly grabbed her hand and kissed it.

Sakura pulled her hand away quickly and forced a smile upon her face. The man that grabbed her hand introduced himself. "I'm Hiro."

Sakura nodded her head and smiled politely. "It's… a pleasure to meet you Hiro. What would you like to order?"

She shifted the extra menu in front of her body as she saw his eyes roam down her body. He looked into her eyes and smirked. "You, for take out."

"What would you like that's on this menu?" she asked calmly.

"Nothing. Just you." His friends catcalled and egged him on.

Sakura forced herself to smile again. "Sir, I'm not on the menu. If you don't mind, Daisuke will help take your order. I am a bit busy."

Sakura quickly walked away and tapped her friend on the back before the men could reply. "Can you take table five for me Daisuke?"

He glanced over at the table and nodded his head, patting her shoulder in comfort. She smiled at him, glad to have him to rely on. She took a breath and continued to follow her boss' orders. She needed to work hard to save up money to accomplish her dream of opening her own restaurant.

When her shift was completed, she quickly went to her second job, eating a granola bar on the way for dinner. Her boss had kept her behind a bit, taking away her dinner time . As she walked into the fabric shop, she changed and reported in, continuing to work until 9:00 pm. There, she went to her third job at a grocery store where she would continue to work until 2:00 in the morning.

She quickly walked home through the deserted roads after work, heading home. A small streak of light shone through the windows of her house. She opened the, confused. Her parents were usually asleep by now.

Seeing her parents sitting at the table, she walked over to them, worry etched onto her face. "What happened?"

"The king's messenger came by with this letter," said Fuijitaka, handing a letter to Sakura.

Sakura Kinomoto,

You are summoned to the palace to participate in the royal contest where the future wife of His Highness Prince Syaoran will be determined. It is required that every eligible maiden in this kingdom are to attend this contest. To receive this letter means that you are eligible and that you fulfill the following requirements:

-between the ages 20 and 22

-single (not married, divorced, or engaged)

-having a clean record

This contest will last around a year. Within this year, you are not allowed to leave the palace unless given permission by the royal family. There will be holiday breaks and you are free to head home during these holidays. More information will be given later on. The contest will begin on June 26th.

A carriage will come on the 25th. Please refer to the sheet attached to see where and when your carriage will arrive. Please pack clothes and anything else you believe that you might need. Food, toiletries, and rooming will be offered free of charge.

King Xing Li and Queen Yelan Li

Sakura stared at the sheet of paper in her hand, her thoughts running amuck through her mind.

Review and critque! Remember, do not read chapter 2 until it says revised in the chapter note. Otherwise, you'll just be confused. Ehehehe...