White Dress
a sequel to "Green Ribbons"
by Rhapsody Moonschild
DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to CLAMP. You know that, right? Just making sure... Alcyone and Lilac are mine... So's Mardon...
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This is a sequel to "Green Ribbons." I'm not gonna go back over any of that stuff here, so you better go find that 'fic....
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Also: I know this much exactly about Syaoran's sisters: they are younger than he is, there are four of them, and they can be annoying. Therefore, I have made up the names and personalities you see before you. Same goes for Syaoran's mother. Just so you know! ^_^";;
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CHAPTER ONE: DEPARTURE
"Yes."
What a beautiful word, Syaoran thinks dreamily. The most beautiful word he's ever heard....
As if in a dream, he slips the ring on Sakura's finger.
Sakura is crying happy tears and laughing at the same time. He gets up and pulls her close, thanking the gods for sending him this girl.
"Ha!"
Both jump. Tomoyo, grinning widely, steps out from behind a tree. She holds a video camera in one hand and Eriol's hand in her other.
"Got that big moment on tape!"
Eriol protests weakly, "You shouldn't have burst out like that, Tomoyo-chan..."
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura and Syaoran say at the same time in exasperated tones. Then they smile at each other. Sakura has stopped crying. Syaoran absently wishes he has a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her face.
"That was so sweet!" Tomoyo says.
"How did you know we were here, Tomoyo-chan? Syaoran asks.
"I have a confession to make, Li-kun." Eriol hangs his head. "My hardheaded girlfriend and I have followed you from your home. Gomen nasai."
"It's all right," Sakura says and sweatdrops.
"Congratulations, Sakura-chan and Li-kun!" Tomoyo says brightly. She hugs each in turn.
"Yes, congratulations, my descendant, Miss Sakura." Eriol bows.
"Domo," Sakura and Syaoran say.
"Now I can finally give you your birthday present!" Tomoyo grins. She pulls a small rectangle of paper out of her purse and hands it to Sakura.
"A ticket to Hong Kong!" Sakura grins. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"But how did she know?" Syaoran is floored.
"I think she reads minds," Eriol says from the corner of his mouth.
"I think you're right." The corners of Syaoran's mouth turn up into a half-smile.
The next day, Sakura and Syaoran are standing in front of Touya's house. They can't make themselves walk up to the door.
Finally, Koneko comes out, curious.
"Sakura-chan, Li-kun..." she says inquiringly, "What are you two doing just standing out here?"
"You tell her!" Syaoran whispers.
"You tell her!"
"I don't think she'll mind as much as her husband will... Okay, I'll tell her."
Syaoran clears his throat. "Mrs. Kinomoto-san, we've come to make our wedding announcement."
"Now isn't that sweet!" Koneko says, pleased. "Come in, tell Touya!" Then she pauses. "On second thought... I, uh, know that he might be a bit upset.. Here, I'll tell him for you."
"Domo arigato gozaimasu!" Sakura says immediately.
"No," Syaoran says immediately. "Sakura, Mrs. Kinomoto-san, I must tell him myself."
He searches for his courage, drags it out of its hiding place among his daydreams, and ties it down so it doesn't escape. Then he squares his shoulders and walks up to the house.
Sakura and Koneko follow, bemused.
"Touya, dear, we've got visitors..." Koneko calls out as they enter the house.
"I'm in the living room!" Touya returns.
They follow Koneko there and stand in the doorway.
Touya looks up from the television screen. "Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan, Li-kun." His eyes narrow.
"What are you here for?"
Syaoran takes a deep breath. "Touya-san... I have asked your sister to marry me."
Koneko and Sakura cringe back, anticipating verbal blows.
Sakura's eyes plead with Touya. Please, Onii-chan... Remember the truce.... she thinks.
All is quiet for a moment. Syaoran and Touya stare at each other.
"She's going back with you," Touya says. There's no question in his words.
"Yes," Sakura says cautiously.
"Dear sister... I will miss you," Touya says earnestly in a husky voice.
Was this Touya's tacit approval? Sakura and Syaoran look at each other.
Touya rises from his chair to stand before Syaoran.
"You keep her safe," he says, putting his hands on Syaoran's shoulders. "I can't be her protector anymore... Promise me that you'll keep her safe and happy."
"Sir... I promise," Syaoran says solemnly. "I promise."
After Touya, telling Aiden and Yukito is easy. On August 31st, they stand there at the airport in front of the gate.
"Flight 655 to Kong Kong now boarding! Flight 655 now boarding!"
Sakura gives Tomoyo a hug (and also her father, brother, Eriol, and Yukito). Syaoran shakes everyone's hand and they board the plane.
Somewhere a dark figure jumps, startled. He grins a grin that reveals an impossible amount of sharp white teeth.
"Yesss...." the figure hisses. "They come....."
Finally, the plane lands and Sakura takes her first step into her new life... The airport is a huge bustling hive of activity.
She lets it sink in. I am in Hong Kong, she breathes to herself. Where my beloved grew up. Where my children will...
Syaoran watches his countrymen fondly. Japan is a wonderful place, he thinks, but it doesn't beat home... He puts a hand on Sakura's shoulder.
They get their bags and Syaoran finds the person sent to pick him up.
It is Wei! They greet each other. Sakura stands behind Syaoran shyly.
A smile crosses Wei's face. "And who is this lovely lady? She looks familiar..."
"Kinomoto Sakura, Wei-san.** My fiancee," Syaoran says.
**I don't know know the Chinese equivalent for my Japanese terms, so I'm gonna use the Japanese. Gomen!
Wei merely lifts his eyebrows. "Come on, then," he says pleasantly.
"You haven't told your mother yet, have you?" he says to Syaoran privately in Chinese.
"No," Syaoran says. "I would guess she knows..." He sweatdrops. "Mother always knows everything."
"True, Li-sama... Though perhaps you should give her a heads-up." He nods toward a pay phone.
"Follow me, Miss Kinomoto-san. Has Li-sama told you much about our fair city?" He leads Sakura to the car, telling her all about Hong Kong.
Syaoran puts some coins in the phone and dials home.
"Li residence," one of his sisters answers.
"Su-jin, it's me... Put Mother on the phone," he says, hoping that for once she might listen.
"Syaoran!" Su-jin squeals.
No such luck.
"Sisters, Syaoran is back!"
Immediately three other high-pitched voices can be heard.
"Lemme talk!" "No, I want to!" "It's my turn!" "Give the phone back!" They argue.
Syaoran sighs and puts another coin into the phone. This could take a while...
Jei, the oldest, finally assumes possession of the phone.
"Hi, Syaoran!" she chirps. "Why aren't you here yet? Wei-san came to get you, didn't he?"
"Yes, he did," Syaoran says tiredly. "Look, Jei, I need to speak to Mother!"
"Oohh..." another voice says. "Why???"
Su-jin giggles. "Bet it's about his Japanese girlfriend!"
"Oohh..." they all say in chorus. "Yeah!"
"Sisters! I won't tell you anything unless you put Mother on the phone!" Syaoran says shortly.
"Aww..."
Finally, another voice speaks. "Girls, Syaoran and I need to talk."
"Yes, of course, Mother!" The girls scurry off.
Syaoran sighs in relief.
"You have brought that girl with you," Syaoran's mother says abruptly. "I can sense her aura from here..."
Syaoran is unsurprised. "I have brought her back to be my bride, Mother," he says cautiously.
"I shall inform the elders," his mother tells him. "She must be tested..."
"I know, Mother. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, my son."
"Sakura, are we there yet?" a voice complains from Sakura's carry-on.
Wei starts. "Miss?" he inquires.
"We're here, Kero-chan," Sakura replies. "Wei-san... meet Keroberos."
Wei stares at the carry-on. How could the mighty Keroberos fit in that?
Kero untangles himself from Sakura's stuff and flies out of the bag.
"Keroberos... guardian of the Seal," Wei says respectfully. "You are... looking a bit different...."
"I know! This is my borrowed form!" Kero snaps in Chinese.
"You know Chinese, Kero-chan?" Sakura asks incredulously.
"Clow Reed-sama was half-Chinese, Sakura-chan. Remember? Of course I know my master's language!"
"Of course." She smiles faintly. She is feeling a bit left out. She hopes for her sake that Syaoran will teach her some Chinese soon.
"What an ingenius idea!" Wei says admiringly. "Assuming the form of a stuffed toy in order to remain anonymous!"
Kero preens modestly.
"He didn't have any choice until I re-captured the cards," Sakura says.
"Keroberos..." Wei says, "perhaps later you could show us your true form?"
"I can show you now, Wei-san!" Kero assures.
"Not in the--" Sakura protests, but Kero has already began his transformation. He emerges, a lion-shaped being, and lands on her lap, knocking the wind out of her. There is not enough room in the car.
"--car," Sakura gasps.
"Err... gomen, Sakura-sama..."
Syaoran walks up to the car and peers inside.
"Keroberos!" he snaps. "You baka! Get off of Sakura!"
Wei is astonished. Syaoran speaks to Keroberos in that way??? Well, familiarity breeds contempt....
Sheepishly, Kero returns to his true form.
"Ugh... Arigato, Syaoran," Sakura says. She moves over so that Syaoran can sit beside her.
Wei, secretly astounded by Kero, starts the car and they go to the Li household.
As soon as Sakura and Syaoran get out of the car, they are met by four girls jabbering in Chinese: Syaoran's sisters.
"She's so cute!" "Big brother's in love!" "What's her name? Sakura?" "They look so cute together!"
Sakura steps back.
"Syaoran... what are they saying?" she asks him.
"It's not important... Just girlish chatter." Then, to his sisters, he says, "Girls, meet Kinomoto Sakura, my fiancee."
"Ooohhh..." is the same in any language. Sakura flushes, embarrassed by the attention.
"Sakura," he says, returning to Japanese, "these are my little sisters."
"This is Li Jei," he says, and Sakura and Jei bow to each other. Jei, as the eldest, is 16. Her glossy pastel pink hair sets off her clear blue eyes.
Jei knows enough Japanese to say, "Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan!"
"Konnichiwa, Jei-san," Sakura replies politely.
"This is Li Kimi." He gestures to a girl about 14 years old. Her long blue hair is tamed into two pigtails.
Kimi takes Jei's lead and says, "Konnichiwa."
They exchange greetings and Syaoran moves on.
"Li Su-jin," he introduces the twelve-year-old. Su-jin has short black hair that won't lay flat, like Syaoran's.
"And finally, Li Mingrei (pronounced ming-ray)," he says, pointing to the youngest. She's about ten, with dark green tresses partially tamed by a red ribbon. Her eyes are hazel, like her brother's.
Introductions done, the girls immediately pepper Syaoran with questions about Sakura and his life in Japan.
Seeing his plight, Sakura finds a diversionary tactic: she takes Kero out of her carry-on again.
Kero complains long enough that the girls notice him. They transfer their attentions to "the kawaii little teddy bear guardian!".
Sakura and Syaoran watch, amused, as Kero tries to escape the sisters.
Then someone's approaching footsteps can be heard. The footsteps are quick and decisive. They echo long before their owner comes into view.
The owner of these footsteps is a tall woman. Her azure-colored hair is pulled back into an immaculate bun. Her violet eyes are authorative. The kimono she wears has the Li clan symbols and also those of strength and command. This lady exudes an aura of power.
Sakura feels a strong urge to bow down before her. The lady is like an empress.
Syaoran's mother, she realizes. Ho-ee, I'm glad she isn't mine...
"Daughters," the mother says calmly. Her voice is not loud, but it is edged with steel.
"Yes, Mother?" they say as one.
"I must speak with Syaoran and... Clowmistress Sakura." She takes her time to pronounce Sakura's name right.
Sakura has only understood three actual words of this dialogue: her name, Syaoran, and Clowmistress, but she gets the gist of it.
"Yes, Mother," the girls reply, and run off. Mingrei clutches Kero in one hand.
"For the love of Reed-sama, let me go!" he moans as Mingrei passes by the three adults.
"Keroberos should always fly free, daughter," Mrs. Li scolds gently.
Immediately Mingrei releases Kero. He takes one glance at Mrs. Li and returns to his true form.
"Mrs. Li-san," he says respectfully and bows his head to her.
"May I present to you Kinomoto Sakura, Clowmistress."
Unlike the girls watching from a safe distance, Mrs. Li seems unsurprised by Kero's transformation.
"Thank you, Keroberos. You have trained this girl well," she says slowly in Japanese, without glancing at Sakura.
"Madam, your son was a big help," Kero says honestly.
Syaoran is pleased by the remark. Perhaps Kero is serious about that truce, he thinks.
Mrs. Li waves her hand in negation. "My son did not do as he was told."
A fire flares up in Sakura's eys. She opens her mouth to speak, then shuts it again, unsure if she can interrupt.
"Do you wish to say something, Miss Kinomoto-san?" Mrs. Li asks.
"Syaoran-kun did not do as he was told because of circumstances beyond his control. My brother, Keroberos, and later Yue prevented him. And because he did not take the cards, he found a real life.
"Not constant training, Mrs. Li-san! He had classes... friends... love.
"And because of this, Syaoran is a better person!" She stopped here, having run out of words. She feels a bit edgy. Perhaps she shouldn't have spoken like that...
Syaoran has an impassive face, but inside he is proud of Sakura for speaking up in his defense.
Slowly, Mrs. Li nods. "Yes," she allows. "More life experiences make one wiser." Then a smile crosses her face.
For a fleeting moment she is transformed from a forbidding clan leader to a woman speaking with equals.
Syaoran mutters, "She never smiles...."
"Miss Sakura--" She pauses here, seeking permission to use the first name. Sakura nods and Mrs. Li goes on.
"Miss Sakura, I believe that you are a worthy wife for my son."
"Thank you, ma'am." Sakura feels honored.
"Su-jin will show you to a room. Rest for a while, ne? Then tomorrow we will present you to the elders." She turns to leave.
"Keroberos, can we chat?"
Kero pads up beside her and they begin to talk softly in Chinese.
Su-jin shows Sakura to a room and manages to communicate that Syaoran is two doors down if she needs anything.
Sakura flops onto the bed. She is exhausted.
Aiee... What a day.... she thinks, and drifts off to sleep.
And she dreams....
It is pitch black, so dark that she can't see her hand in front of her face.
"Light card!" she says as the staff and the card appear in her hand.
The card provides a very small globe of light around her body. Cautiously, she walks forward.
"Any... anyone here?" she calls cautiously. "Syaoran? Eriol? Tomoyo?"
Sakura catches the barest glimpse of someone small running past her through the darkness.
"Hey, you!" She runs in the direction the person went, but does not find them. The person seems to have disappeared.
"What's going on?" she asks the darkness softly.
"Out of death comes rebirth/ Out of love comes loss/ Deep in good true evil reigns/ Of which I am the boss," something hisses behind her ear.
She turns and catches a glimpse of sharp teeth, then she is running, running...
"Sakura! Wake up!"
Syaoran has come into the room to find his beloved trapped in a nightmare. She clutches the covers so tightly her knuckles are white.
He takes her shoulders and shakes her.
"Sakura!"
"Lemme go! Lemme go!" she moans in her sleep. After a moment, she awakens.
"Syaoran?" she says questioningly.
"You were having a nightmare, I think," he says. He releases her shoulders and sits down on the bed.
"Are you okay?" he asks. Worry shows in his eyes.
"I... Yeah, I'm fine. I don't even remember what I was dreaming about," she reassures him.
"If you're sure?" he says, still worriedly.
"Positive, love! Now... what are you here for?" Sakura asks.
"You've overslept again, Sakura-chan," Syaoran says in an amused tone. "You missed dinner. It's tomorrow morning. You've got to meet the elders."
"Oh... the elders that I've heard so much about?" Sakura says, and half-smiles. Then she turns serious.
"Syaoran... What if I'm not good enough?" she asks earnestly.
"If you're good enough for me, Kero, Yue, and Clow-san, then I think you'll be good enough for the elders." He smiles for her.
"Sakura, I'm not worried. In fact, I'm ecstatic! I'm going to marry the woman I love."
He leaves then so she can prepare herself.
"And I will marry the man I love," she says softly. "I will pass that test."
To be Continued...