Spring Sakura

.::Chapter 1: Set Up::.

It was spring in the land of Clow. Patches of green could be seen all over the land, despite the sea of ecru all over the land. Flowers bloomed with great beauty around the palace gardens. Different shades and different kinds could be seen there but one seemed to be enchanted to a certain pink blossom growing from branches of a certain tree.

This person was as pretty as the pink blossoms. Her auburn hair shimmered as rays touched it. Her emerald eyes glittered as she admitted such beauty around her. Her delicate features made the picture very heavenly.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A certain man with long bluish-black hair asked his beautiful young daughter. He approached her and embraced her. "I named you after that flower." He caressed a blossom with his hand. "This was your mother's favorite flower."

The girl looked at her father's serene face. She loved being hugged that way. Her father told her that he always hugged her mother like that. "Dad, will I ever fall in love?"

Her father suddenly loosed his embrace to look at her with amazement marked on his face. But he kept smiling at his daughter and asked her, "Why? Do you think you wouldn't fall in love?"

Her expression changed. Her smile turned into a small frown as she answered, "I don't know…" She paused for a moment, thinking of a perfect answer. Then, her expression turned back to normal and said, "I really hope I do because love is a very nice feeling, isn't it, Dad?"

"Yes, it is, Sakura."

"Love, in the form in which it exists in society, is nothing but the exchange of two fantasies and the superficial contact of two bodies." Those were the words of Nicolas Chamfort, a French writer. This quotation could be stated as reality or as idealism for different people of different countries. But which would be better – the idea that love is a feeling shared by two bodies or the idea that love is just a fantasy which can never be a reality?

It was spring once again in the land of Clow. The wind was calm and tepid. The sky was blue and clear. It was a perfect spring day like any other. In a certain garden, a certain auburn haired princess sat on her favorite spot under the shade of her favorite tree. It was the tree that bore flowers which she was named after.

She sighed and closed her emerald eyes as she finished the book – a love story – that she was reading since that morning. It was a wonderful love story of a princess finally meeting her prince charming and living happily ever after. She hoped that she would finally have her happily ever after at her current sweet age of sixteen.

In the perfect spring day, a hazel haired boy was digging – digging for knowledge and new discoveries in the outskirts of the kingdom with wonderful people around him. At his age of sixteen, he had already been to different places and discovered new things and gained knowledge. His father was a famous archeologist who goes around their world searching for something that would help make their world a better place than it already was.

The hazel haired boy trusted facts of all things. He always believed in the ideals of the world around him. He was intelligent and wise, just like his father. He was brave and courageous, always ready to take up any type of challenge.

But one of the things he didn't believe was love. Why wouldn't he believe in such feeling? He felt it but never really shared it with someone special. He believed that love was just a word used to describe a short feeling of happiness with someone close to your heart.

"Syaoran," A caramel haired man called to his son. His eyeglasses were slipping off his nose as he waited for his son to approach him. Everything was already done. They already found the ruins they were looking for. This man, Fujitaka, wanted his son to be with him when they'll explore the ruins. They were always together during explorations and expeditions.

The boy he called came and gave his usual stoic smile. Sweat trickled down his face since he was under the sun since it rose. He was never tired but that's because this time, the discovery would mean a lot to the land. He wiped his forehead with his arm and asked his father, "Are we ready to go, Dad?"

"I'm ready when you are, son." He placed his arm around his son's shoulders. Both men laughed and walked toward the opening of the ruins.

That night, Fujitaka had to report to his royal highness, Touya. His majesty, the King of Clow, died so suddenly the year before so as the eldest child, Touya resumed the throne as the ruler of the land. Fujitaka asked his son for accompaniment inside the palace.

As they entered the castle, amazement filled Syaoran. It was his first time to enter the palace. Back then, Syaoran was always left studying the artifacts they found. But now, he was walking side by side his father as they entered the throne room.

The throne room was large. A series of chandeliers gave light to the large room. Pillars were made with care and showed such supremacy. The night sky was seen from the majestic windows on the left and right walls.

On the other end of the room, however, was not that much of a pretty sight. His Royal Highness was arguing with his younger sister, the princess. The raven haired king looked at her with complete boredom as she complained about being stuck inside the palace walls.

"But, Brother…" She showed him her innocent puppy dog eyes and reasoned out, "I won't be able to find love inside this castle."

"Love, eh?" Touya smirked at her. She rested her elbow on the left arm of the chair and cupped his face with his left hand. "Sakura, if Father knew about this, he'd have a fit."

"NO. He'd even allow me to get out of these walls to find it!" She added, "I remembered that he said love is a very nice feeling. I wanted to feel it like those princesses in books."

"Now, now, Squirt." He smirked again as he saw her irritated but cute face as the mention of his pet name for her. "Those stories are fictional… Not true. There's no such thing as a happily ever after."

Sakura was so irritated that she turned around and stomped her feet. Suddenly, she saw someone new. Behind the archeologist she knew as Mr. Fujitaka, there was a boy about her age. He had hazel hair and eyes. He gave this stoic look on his face until hazel met emerald.

Touya observed the scene from his seat. Suddenly, an interesting idea came into his mind. 'Ahh… I guess I know what I'll do now.' Touya stood up and said, "Dr. Fujitaka, welcome. I'm so sorry you had to watch the spat earlier. Come closer and start your report." He motioned them to come. Then, he looked at Sakura as he sat down again. "Sakura, sit down here." He patted the arm of the throne. Sakura nodded and ran up to the throne.

Fujitaka and Syaoran walked forward and knelt down to give recognition to the royal family. "Thank you for welcoming us, your Highness." He looked up at the prince. "Shall I begin my report?"

"Go ahead."

"We found that there was an old mansion built on the outskirts of the kingdom. It seems like it had been buried there for over a thousand years. We found ancient writings on walls and old artifacts that may be valuable to your family." Fujitaka looked down once again to show that his report has ended.

"I see…" Touya replied and looked at the archeologist's companion. "Doctor, who is your companion? I'd like to know about him… My sister seemed… interested." He lightly nudged his sister. Sakura, however, never felt so embarrassed in her entire life. She gave a shade of deep red as she saw the hazel haired boy looked up.

Fujitaka smiled and answered, "This is my adopted son, Syaoran. I've been teaching him to become an archeologist like me, sire. He's always with me during expeditions and explorations." He looked at his son, as if he expected him to answer. Then, he looked down again.

Touya smiled and stared at the boy called Syaoran. His plan was working according to what he had in his mind. "Your name is Syaoran, right?"

Syaoran looked up and answered, "Yes, Li Syaoran is my whole name, sire."

"Stand up." Touya commanded him so suddenly. His sister felt such anxiety because she didn't know what her brother had in his mind.

Immediately, Syaoran stood up and looked at what was left of the royal family. He still had his stoic face and stood straight. He hoped that his clothes weren't wrinkled and that he was presentable enough.

"Li Syaoran, I suppose you saw my little spat with Squirt here, right?" He, once again, nudged her with his elbow. She looked a bit irritated but kept her composure because they had guests.

"Yes, sire."

"I wanted you to be her escort around the palace so she wouldn't get any ideas of going out and finding whatever it is she was looking for there." Touya spoke as if it was normal to ask somebody to escort the princess which is a very important person in the land.

Sakura's face was redder than ever. She felt so embarrassed. "BROTHER!"

"Sire, as much as I don't want to say this, but I couldn't do it." Syaoran answered him directly. He showed his full respect to him and stayed calm. He didn't want to get arrested for reacting so rashly.

"Why couldn't you?" Touya was now excited. The game was on and all the cards are favorable to him. "Don't you like to stay in this magnificent place and relax all day long, keeping my sister company?"

Syaoran didn't have any second thoughts as he answered, "It is not that I don't like her royal highness but it's just that I have more important things to do than stay and chat with her all day."

Sakura kept telling herself to stay calm. She was always timid but that night, her blood kept boiling because of such embarrassment.

Fujitaka watched the scene and wished he could do something. He wanted to side with his son but he knew that there's nothing he could do to change the mind of the prince.

Touya smiled slyly. "Well, if you don't agree, I'd have to imprison your father." He was happy to be crowned prince and soon-to-be king. He loved the power and everything that came with his position.

Syaoran sighed and looked at his father. Of course, he didn't want the only person he cared for to be locked up in a cell because of his stubborn attitude so he answered, "I now agree to your command, your majesty."

Sakura looked at him with surprise. She just looked and felt something new surging inside of her. She wanted to hug and thank her brother but because of the embarrassment he caused her, she stopped herself.

Touya looked at her sister, then at Syaoran. "Come here tomorrow morning. I'll explain to you the conditions first thing in the morning. Go now." Touya stood up and uttered, "What a great start!" He walked away from the throne room.

Fujitaka stood up as Touya left the room. He patted his son's shoulder. His son froze to the spot where he was standing, looking at the floor. He smiled at him and said, "Let's go now." But Syaoran didn't move.

Sakura got up from the chair. She walked nearer and said, "You don't have to do it. I'll talk to my brother so you can go on with your life."

It was the first time that the princess spoke to them. Syaoran suddenly looked straight into her eyes and sparks started to fly. "I always keep my promises, your Highness. I shall be here tomorrow morning. Please do excuse us." Both men started to walk away.

Sakura wanted to say more but she didn't continue. She just sighed and stood there. She felt that the days would never be the same starting tomorrow morning. 'It's going to be a long day tomorrow.' She uttered to herself as she left the throne room as well.

Author's Notes:

At first, I didn't want to turn this into a long story. This was intended to be a one-shot SyaoSaku story but I felt that it was right to turn this into some sort of novelette.

To be honest, I felt that the last part – about the whole idea of setting them up sucked a bit. I was thinking that Syaoran would suddenly comment on the argument and sided with Touya. But then, I don't know what got into my brain and it turned into some sort of game.

I would also like to advertise my first English Tsubasa Fan Fic which is "If Only You Were Here" I really thank those who reviewed there and I really appreciate it.

Of course, I would like some reviews here as well. Tell me what you think

Go ahead and review but don't forget to check the 'Add Story to Story Alerts' so that you could easily know if I updated or not.

Disclaimer: CLAMP owns the characters of Tsubasa Chronincles.

Good day!