Author's Note: Hi guys, I Dare You has a just ended, and a new beginning is starting. Hope you enjoy this story as much as my others.
Summary: Syaoran is a king who had started a competition; the woman who pleases him the most will be married to him. 50 are accepted, once one gets kicked out, another can join. Sakura is the only one who realizes this is a lie, Syaoran only wants 50 girls to treat him like God and there will be no winner. Despite the fact she's married, Sakura joins the competition to warn all the women, tell them to leave, at the same time trying to teach Syaoran a lesson…
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Chapter One
Decision
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Once upon a time, in a place where time was invented yet date wasn't; where men are only allowed to have one wife, where they obeyed everything the king said, where marriages are assigned by parents, where people believe they should be married to someone of the same blood line, where women are usually expected to be married around the age of 16, where you're not to have sex until you're married to that person, where if you do, and the person decides not to marry you, you will never be wanted again, where there is no such thing as a divorce. This is a place where everyone lived together in small villages… and if you were known to have another relationship or touching with someone of the opposite sex more than a hug after you're married, yours and your husband's reputation can drop so hard, that you will have apple thrown at you if you take a step out of your door…
And so, our story begins…
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It was first day of the seven-day cycle once again, a glorious morning. Many people crowded around the message board and waited for one of their king's soldier to arrive and post the updates for the past week. After a few minutes of patience, a gorgeous man came along on his stunning black horse and jumped off, loading a few scrolls in his hands. The man pushed through the crowd and pinned the messages on the blank wooden board, and without a word, he left.
There was one particular message the ladies were looking for… it was the one and only message every woman prayed to arrive on this day… and lucky them… it's here…
—
Attention:
Three ladies have been discarded of the 'King's Competition', so will the numbers 323, 324, and 325 please arrive in front of the castle tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Rules will be given there.
As for anyone else who is interested for trying out now or for a second time, report to the King's castle tomorrow at 6:00 pm, where your waiting number shall be given.
Good Luck!
—
There were 'ohhhs' and 'ahhhhs' heard from the crowd… they obviously don't notice something a certain lady in this crowd realizes. Yet she didn't say a word, she simply shook her head and sucked in a breath of disapproving air as a frown formed on her face.
This woman has lived in this village ever since she could remember. She was loved by all not because she was extraordinarily beautiful or anything—she was average—it was her personality that made everyone in town either like her or love her. Her name is Kinomoto Sakura, currently 20, married to a wonderful husband and mother to a four-year-old daughter whom everyone calls "Chiika".
Sakura left the crowd and walked back to her home where her husband greeted her with a kiss. Mmm… life was perfect for her… yes, only for her, because she was loved and she knew the truth… while the other women didn't. Is it fair? Isn't it called selfish to have herself enjoy a tranquil life while others are battling each other day after day to earn the love of that treacherous, shameless king? Her husband – also her cousin – Kinomoto Touya ran his hands through her hair and kissed the top of her head lightly. "Is something bothering you, love?"
"…"
"You know you can tell me anything…"
Sakura hesitated. "Well… actually yes, something is wrong. It's that cursed competition started by our King… The people don't realize it, those ladies trying to win over King Li's heart. Don't they see it? At least 300 people have tried and the competition started a year and half ago, yet, there's still no winner! It's quite obvious, once he chooses the one he will marry, he will be stuck with her for eternity, and therefore, the lady will not feel the need to treat him well. While now, when 50 people are trying to win over his heart at the same time, obviously all 50 of them will treat him luxuriously to overcome the other competitors… This competition will simply cycle on till his death… I know it… I just do…"
Touya pulled back and stared into her emerald eyes. "Sakura, I know this has bothered you for quite some time now… but you will not go and do anything foolish you understand me?"
Her gaze shifted towards the ground, for she couldn't stand to look into his eyes while saying what she's about to say. "I want to warn those women… it's the least I can do…"
"You can't! Don't you know? In order to get close to the ladies in there, you have to be one of those ladies!"
"I know…"
"Sakura… what are you saying?"
"Touya… I… I want to join the contest… warn all the ladies to treat him badly so they will be kicked out and never enter that hideous castle again to please a selfish king… as for me, I'll make sure not to get kicked out but also teach the king a lesson that he'll never forget…
Touya's eyes widened, he shook her roughly by her shoulders and shouted, "No! You can't! Don't you get it? When you go into that castle, the king gets to put his hands all over you! Do you know what kind of reputation that gives us? Besides, you can't get in unless you're unwedded!
"What kind of reputation that gives us? Do you worry about me, or yourself?"
"Both! Sakura! How can you stand having his hands all over your body? Even if you can, I can't!"
"Even if I can? Even if I can? I thought you knew me better! I'm not that kind of a girl! The only reason I'm doing this is because I can't stand all the girls coming back pregnant and end up not ever being able to get married! I'm sick of this! And someone has to put a stop to it!"
"All right…" Touya guided her towards their bed as they both sat down. "How about this, putting aside our reputation issue, how are you going to get into the competition?"
"I'll make up a fake name, and once I get in the castle, I will reveal my true self. The king doesn't know who I am, but the ladies do, or at least those from this village do, and they will trust me and listen to me…"
"Sakura… you have too much love within you…"
A drop of tear fell down her cheek. "Yes, but only for those who are not me or part of me…"
He kissed away her tears and held her close. "Don't talk like this… I'll keep your secret… I'll tell everyone you went to visit your ancestor's temple and want to be alone… I'll make up something, anything to help you…"
"Thank you, Touya… I love you… I really do…"
"You're welcome Sakura… just be careful… I love you too much to lose you…"
"I know Touya, I know…"
Li Kingdom the next day…
King Li stepped out of his castle to personally greet his next two 'guests'. His footsteps were heard as they made contact with the blood red carpet, his fancy robe trailed behind.
The two girls bowed as soon as they saw the King. "Your highness…" They said.
King Li stood in front of them and signaled for them to stand up. "From now on, you call me King Syaoran. You come when I call you and you must try your best to please me. If I'm happy with you, you will not be kicked out, if I'm in love with you, you will be my bride. Now, you," he pointed at the shorter girl. "Your name."
She curtseyed and put on her best smile as she stared into the king's lovely amber eyes. "My name is Daidouji Tomoyo, your Majesty."
"And you?" He asked the other taller lady with reddish-orange, long hair.
She too, curtseyed and gave a soft but calm smile to the king. "My name is Mizuki Kaho, my King."
He smiled. These two are no doubt beautiful, one of calmness with the attitude of a naïve young girl, the other with a fiery appearance, but a personality calmer than gently falling snow… This should be fun… "My advisor will show you to your rooms. Until I call for you, goodbye."
The King turned around and left, and not much later, a tall, handsome young man came out, he bows and the ladies bow back. "Good morning ladies, I'm the King's advisor, please follow me to your rooms."
Kaho and Tomoyo picked up their dress and followed him into the castle. Kaho thought he was cute, but Tomoyo thought he was much more handsome than the king…
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"You will be sharing a room. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two beds, two drawers… basically two sets of everything, just that there are no wall between the things. Hope you will become friends, it is not often the king will pick you out of all 50 beauties he has." He bows once again. "I must leave now. Good day."
Just as he was about to vanish from view, Tomoyo suddenly called out, "Wait! What's your name kind sir?"
He turned around and smiled at her. "My name you ask, fair lady?"
"Yes, what is your name? You've been kind and helpful; I feel it's my duty to at least be able to address you properly!"
"Why of course, but may I ask what your name is first?"
"My name is Daidouji Tomoyo. And you sir?"
"Hiiragizawa… Hiiragizawa Eriol…" He gave her one last smile and walked away.
Hiiragizawa Eriol…
Sakura, an hour before…
"You would like to sign up for the "King's Competition"?"
"Yes…"
He scribbled something down quickly and handed her a piece of wood with a number carved upon it.
"Your name?"
"Private."
"Pri—wait, what?"
"I'll tell the King, but not now…"
"Alright… May I ask why you're hiding your hair?"
"Secret."
He frowned. "May I see your face?"
"No need."
Cocky…
"You may now go, then…"
"Thank you." Sakura peeked at her number. It says: 341. Making sure no one saw her face, she left the castle in a hurry.
—
"Did anyone see you?" Touya asked in worry when Sakura arrived home.
"Luckily, no. But I think the guy was suspicious, he kept asking for my name, why I'm not showing my face or even a strand of my hair… Oh well, with so many women there, he will surely forget me…"
"Let's just hope…"
There was a moment of silence… and suddenly, a tear slipped down Touya's cheek. Sakura immediate hugged him and wiped away his tears. "No Touya… don't do this… don't cry, I'm scared too… but it scares me even more when I see you cry… it breaks my heart… Please, stop…"
But only more tears fell, he couldn't stop them, no matter how hard he tried. "I can't Sakura, I can't! I miss you too much, I can't believe you will have to leave me for at least 6 months… Oh Sakura!" He hugged her tightly and kissed her ear. His kisses traced to her lips where he captured it in a loving kiss. When he pulled back, all he had in his eyes were shimmering tears, and a well of endless love. "Please don't go, Sakura…" He moaned.
Sakura was about to wipe away his tears when she felt a hand on her own cheek, and that's when she realized that she had too, been crying. She took hold of his hand and brought it down for a kiss. "I have to, Touya, I have to… I'm sorry but I cannot leave hundreds of girls believing such lies and having their lives ruined…"
He sighed and looked down. "Alright… just, just promise me two things…"
"Anything."
"One, Come back as soon as possible…"
"Of course."
"Two, don't fall in love with anyone else in the castle."
She was startled, and didn't hide this feeling. "Of course not… you're the only one I will ever love…"
He looked up into her eyes; he didn't need to look up too much for he was still a head taller than her. "I'm so relieved to hear that. Whenever you're in a tough situation my love, think of me, always, and I'll be there for you. Maybe not physically, but mentally, I'm always with you."
"Thank you…"
(A/N: You may think this is sick because in the story, Touya is suppose to be Sakura's brother, but remember, in this story, he's NOT, so if it makes you feel any better, just imaging him to be Syaoran… And remember, this is God knows how long back then, so just shut up and read…)
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A few weeks passed, and those days Sakura spent as much time as she possibly could with her daughter, Chiika, and her husband, Touya. And soon, the day came, when number 341 was called.
On that day, Touya and Sakura were hugging and crying together, and Chiika had no idea why. "Mommy, you're only going to visit a tiny box called a temple for a few days, you'll be back, so why are you crying?"
Sakura bent down to level with her daughter and wiped away her own tears. She gave Chiika a hug and whispered, "of course mommy's going to be back Chiika, mommy would never leave you or daddy… mommy's not crying, there's just some dust in mommy's eyes that's all…"
"What about daddy?"
"Oh, daddy's fine too… don't worry about daddy…"
"But daddy's crying…"
At those words, Sakura's heart broke once again. "D-Da-Daddy w-will, will be fine…" Her voice and heart broke.
"Mommy—"
Sakura pulled back abruptly. Without one more glance at her husband nor daughter, she put on her black cloak and opened the door. "Goodbye." That is all she said, for she was afraid if any more conversations took place, she would change her mind about leaving. Before anyone could reply, she ran out the door without looking back.
—
Sakura wasn't the only one called; as she stayed kneeling in front of the castle, with her knees on the rough ground, she noticed another girl also kneeling next to her. This girl was truly gorgeous; she had thick layers of silky, long and enchanting waterfall of black hair, eyes that showed intelligence, pride, courage and burning with fiery red of determination, matching her crimson coloured eyes perfectly.
She had on a delicate blood-red dress; it's strapless, and hugged her curves all the way to her hips, where it then fell down straight to the ground in elegant folds, puddling around her feet. There was also a huge butterfly ribbon tied on the back of the dress and diamonds dotted the hem of the dress.
The King stepped out of the castle in his set of fancy robes onto the same red carpet. He stopped in front of the two girls and signaled them to get up.
The beautiful one stood up with grace and curtseyed before standing straight up with her head high and kept an adoring smile on her face as she looked over the King. As for Sakura, her back arched, her head covered, her hair protected, she stood up with no grace or beauty what-so-ever.
"My gracious King Li, it touches my heart to finally see you in person, I feel feverish and may faint from the overpowering grace you radiate." The girl said with a smile. The King seemed pleased.
"Your highness." That was all Sakura was able to get out.
The King wasn't pleased. "Name." He looked at the black haired girl.
"My name? I'm just a peasant my king, you may call me whatever you wish for I am not important."
The King smiled. "So you wouldn't mind if I called you 'piece of crap'?"
"If that's what you believe suits me."
He smiled even more. "No, you are too graceful and beautiful to be known as that. I would like to know your name."
"Meiling, my King, Raye Meiling."
He likes her, it's deathly obviously. King Li brushed his hand by her cheek and smelt her scent. "I have a feeling I'm going to like you…"
Meiling grinned.
He then looked at the bundle of black cloak beside Meiling. What's an old hag doing here? Syaoran thought. He cleared his throat and dusted his robe as if she were an infectious bacterium. "And you, your name."
"Ask what you have to ask Meiling, I will answer your questions once she is gone."
Not only is she ugly, has no sense of style, but also bitchy… I'm getting rid of her by next week. He complained in his head. "You do realize you're speaking to the King right now and I have every right to cut off your head for speaking to me in such manner.
"Yes, I do realize that."
At least she's got guts… He thought. "Alright then…" He turned his attention back to the lovely Meiling and questioned everything from the day she was born to the present day. Finally, he called a servant of his to escort her to her room. Now, his attention is on the 'bitchy old hag'.
"Now we're alone, reveal yourself to me."
This time, she didn't argue. Sakura stood up straight and tall, she let the cloak gently fall down to the ground and shook free of her medium-length auburn hair. Slowly she pushed her top eyelid upwards, showing her emerald green eyes.
She barely had any clothing on, for all she wore was her thinnest night gown. If this is what it takes for the King to be attracted me, then so be it… I will then change him after… Sakura thought, disgusted with herself.
King Li blinked. Ok, maybe she's not an old hag… she's actually ok looking… but no where near the beauty of Meiling, that's for sure… "Your name."
"Sakura, my King, Kinomoto Sakura."
He smirked. "Now Sakura—"
"Kinomoto, my king, if you please. We do not know each other enough yet."
He blinked. "Alright, Kinomoto. Would you mind if I call you a 'bitchy old hag'instead? I think that suits you more."
"It'll be my pleasure, as long as I get to call you an 'arrogant deceitful moron'."
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH! I HAVE TAKEN ENOUGH FROM YOU, ALRIGHT? BUT THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR!"
"No, it hasn't… I'm only trying to be civil here… you shouldn't think yourself more superior than others just because you were born more lucky than the rest."
"You will watch what you say!"
"I'm only being fair, my king."
"I don't care about fairness, I am the greatest of this land… and you will treat me that way!"
"I will treat you the way you deserve to be treated."
"Sakura—"
"Kinomoto, if you please."
"NO! I DON'T PLEASE! Sakura, do you wish your head to be cut off?"
"I really don't care, my king."
His jaws tightened. "You will call me King Li, unlike others who have permission to call me King Syaoran."
"That is fine with me."
"Until you give me permission to call you Sakura."
"That will happen if you treat me more properly."
"TREAT YOU MORE PROPERLY? THAT'S IT! I'M SICK OF THIS, THIS CRAP FROM YOU! GUARDS! PULL HER AWAY TO HER ROOM!"
A few men dressed in special clothing came out, grabbed her and began pulling her away. But she suddenly held up her hand signaling them to stop. "I will not run away, please, just lead me the way."
The guards looked at the king, who gave a tiring nod.
—
Sakura has been shown to her room, and like Kaho and Tomoyo, she is sharing one with Meiling. Meiling didn't even look at her when she entered. "Hi, umm Raye?"
Silence.
"I'm Kinomoto Sakura, but you can call me Sakura. Is it ok if I call you Meiling?"
Silence.
"Hello?"
"BITCH! Take a hint would you? If I'm purposely ignoring you then that means I don't want to talk to you! No you may not call me Meiling, or Raye because I don't want you calling me at all! And I don't care what your name is wrench, because I don't care about you!"
Sakura stayed silent. She isn't going to be here long… these are people whom she is simply trying to warn… she won't have to know them for too long… "Um… Raye… I have to warn you about something…"
Meiling sighed and slapped her forehead. "God dammit what?"
Sakura walked up a bit closer to Meiling. "I have to warn you about King Li…"
"What about him? That he's yours?"
"No! I have no interest in him… Don't you realize something? This competition has been going on for a year and half… and hundreds of girls has joined, left pregnant… don't you get it? This competition will never have a winner! King Li is using this excuse to have many girls loving him for the rest of his life… it's so obvious…"
"You know what slut?" She stared at Sakura's choice of clothing. "I don't need to hear this bullshit from you." She stepped up and put her face right in front of Sakura's. "Listen, whore, I didn't plan to tell this to anyone, but if it gets you to shut up, here it goes. I'm Princess Meiling from the Raye Kingdom. You might've ever heard of it because it's a tiny space in middle of nowhere… but it exists, and everyone's happy there I tell yah, especially me, I'm the most wanted, every prince who's heard of this land and has seen me, falls in love with me and begs for me to marry them! But you know what, of everyone I've seen, I'm in love with King Syaoran. And you know what? With my looks, my class, my intelligence, it's to be compared with every peasant girl here! Even if this is a fake competition, I'm sure he will fall in love with me anyways… So you know what girl, I won't stop you from telling your story to every peasant in this castle—it'll help me getting my Syaoran quicker. One warning to you though, girl, keep away from him, he's mine." She gave Sakura a devilish smirk and turned around to decorate her sleeping area.
Sakura sighed to herself. This is going to be one long and unforgettable 6 months…
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Author's Note: What do you think? I've already finished typing chapter 2, it'll get more exciting…
4049 Words everybody…