Sweet Deception

Witch-Mistress-Animaru

A/N: Okay. Just before I get on with video editing, I decided to start writing this chapter.

I’m resuming writing while loading up my MP3 player with songs. That takes a while, so you should be glad.

I just realized. A lot of things are happening in this chapter, all at the same time. So sue me, I happen to like things complicated.

P.S. I am deviating from my chapter plans. I mentioned in an earlier chapter that I was somewhat behind in plotting what goes on in each chapter. But now, I find that if I followed my chapter plotting, some parts would be a drag. So…I am improvising a bit, following writer’s instincts on what chapters should contain.

Yeah! I made it before New Year! Consider this my gift to you guys, okay? See you next year, I hope! :)

13: Consequences

"Don't say silly things like 'no matter how many other mistresses there may be!' It's not like that, right? Besides, after all, you want the person you love to look only at you, right?"

- Hino Kahoko, La Corda D'Oro

It’s just too little, too late,

A little too wrong

And I can’t wait…

-Jojo, Too Little, Too Late

She’s too good to be forgotten

Too good to be true

Before my world gets torn apart

I promise her the moon.

- Mr. Big, Promise Her the Moon

“Where has she gone to? This is a scandal, an outrage! The empress running away…” The royal advisers were all in agog. Syaoran was unable to hide the fact that his wife was missing. Soon, his grandfather called his advisers to convene.

“Have you contacted Kinomoto Fujitaka? Bring him here, at once!” Taira Kiyomori shouted.

“Kiyomori-sama, he has already been summoned. We can only hope that his daughter has come home to their house and not anywhere else.”

“Could it be…could your wife have eloped? Was she close to any man, do you know?”

“I do not think she eloped, grandfather,” he answered blankly. His mind had gone numb for the past few hours. He did not know what to think, much less do.

A murmur has broken out amongst the advisers, but he was too distraught to care.

“I knew it. Kinomoto has a lot to answer for now that his obedient little daughter has disappeared. Heavens!”

“First the unexpected attack, now this! What is happening, Taira-sama?”

“Silence! We will know once Kinomoto arrives.”

Syaoran no longer cared what happened to the throne. He never wanted it in the first place. However, he chose to stay, if only to see his father-in-law, the enigmatic man who fathered his wife. He needed answers—badly. For only in solving the mystery of his wife’s identity and background can he solve the mystery of her personality. Once he fully understood her, he can trace where she has gone, and why.

Although he knew she would never return to their house in Heian, he hoped that by a slim chance, she had come home. For that would remove her other alternative—siding with the Minamoto clan.

“He’s here!”

“Kinomoto has arrived, Taira-sama,” the servant announced, a tall man striding past him purposefully.

There was no denying that this man was Sakura’s father. Her hair was the same shocking auburn shade of this man’s. And yet that was where the physical resemblance ended. His face was oddly blank, his expression unperturbed. Syaoran was oddly reminded of Sakura’s shuttered expression. He knew at once that this face was just a mask, hiding the true man beneath.

“Kiyomori-san,” the lack of the higher honorific surprised him. But then, this was the man who saved his grandfather’s life long ago. “To what do I owe the urgent missive I received?”

“‘Tis your daughter, Fujitaka. My son discovered her hasty departure early this morning, just after the break of dawn.”

Fujitaka’s eyes narrowed by a fraction. “She left?”

“So she did not come home, then?”

“Home? No. I have not seen her since the crowning ceremony.”

Pandemonium reigned among the advisers.

“Where could the empress be?”

“Is this a sign of things to come? Dear kami-sama…”

“Taira-sama, what are we going to do?”

“Hush. Do you have an idea where she could have gone to?” Kiyomori asked Fujitaka.

Syaoran could see that the man was more shocked than he let on. His hands were shaking…and he wondered if it was in anger.

“No. We are her only family,” he said tersely. “Nonetheless, I shall alert my household, should she appear home.”

“Can I come with you, Fujitaka-san?” Syaoran said suddenly, stepping forward just as the man was about to leave.

“Ah. The emperor, are you not? Of course, you are welcome to come. But what will your coming to my humble abode serve? It is better if you let us handle this. I promise to return with my daughter as soon as possible.”

Syaoran hated the easy, indulgent condescension in Fujitaka’s voice. He gritted his teeth.

“I wish to come,” he repeated, more forcefully this time.

“Very well,” Fujitaka replied, defeated. “I shall sort this out as soon as possible.”

In the end, he had no choice but to allow Syaoran to tag along. After calming the royal panel of advisers, they left the Heian-kyo palace.

Silence reigned as they traveled to the merchant’s home.

For what was there to say when your wife disappeared and her own father didn’t know where to find her?

---

Sweeping the lawn of the vast Kinomoto household was the only thing that soothed Nadeshiko’s restless nerves. Perhaps, having grown accustomed to doing it for years, it had become a ritual, a habit she could not break. Whenever dark thoughts pervaded her mind, she would take the broom and start sweeping.

Like now.

A short while earlier, she received an urgent missive for Fujitaka from the Imperial Palace. She handed it to him, loath as she was to see his face so early in the morning. She expected him to chuck it straight to the floor upon reading it—many a time she had witnessed him vent out his frustrations on Taira Kiyomori, it was not something new. However, a worried frown crossed his face as he read the letter before he dashed off suddenly.

It must only mean that something must have happened in the palace. And that something had everything to do with Sakura.

Oh, she did not think that Fujitaka was worried about his daughter. She was sure he was worried that the girl, or whatever she has done, has destroyed his chances of taking his “rightful place” in the palace.

However, she was unable to put the incident past her. She paced about, unable to concentrate.

In the end, she had to sweep the lawn to clear her thoughts.

“Nadeshiko! Prepare us some tea, will you?” She turned to see Fujitaka striding towards her and behind him was…

The broom fell to the lawn with a clatter as she gazed at the man who married her daughter.

“Nadeshiko-san!” Li Syaoran strode forward, overtaking the master of the house.

“You know her?” Fujitaka asked, perplexed.

“Yes, she was here when I visited.” Syaoran did not even spare the man another glance. His eyes were transfixed on the strange woman he met several weeks ago.

“It is you, Xiao Lang…sama,” she added the honorific almost as an afterthought when she realized that Fujitaka was listening.

“I need to talk to you, please, Nadeshiko-san.”

“I…that is, Fujitaka-san…” She glanced meaningfully at Fujitaka, who nodded curtly, albeit reluctantly.

“If you must,” he said. “I must leave now, Syaoran-san,” again, the lack of honorific confused Syaoran, but he refused to dwell on it. “I have other matters that need urgent attendance.”

He nodded and watched as Kinomoto Fujitaka retreated to the house.

“It is you, indeed. What has happened?”

“Sakura’s vanished.”

Nadeshiko paled. “What did you say?”

“She left. She left, and I have no idea where to find her.”

Nadeshiko said nothing. To say she was shocked was an understatement. And yet, somehow, she was glad. Sakura’s ambitions did not consume her, after all.

However, that did not stop her from worrying. As she gazed at the young man before her, she could suddenly feel the panic he was trying to hide.

Could it be…?

“How can I be of help?” She asked softly, hiding her own pain. It wouldn’t do for both of them to lose their heads in worry.

“I was thinking…no, I had hoped that she’d somehow return here. Clearly, I was wrong.”

“If you thought that, then you do not know my dau…n-niece very well,” damn, I nearly slipped, she thought, silently cursing herself.

“No…I think I already knew I will not find her here. But I hoped…because it would mean she did not go with your son.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“I believe she has run off to the Minamotos.”

“No! What could she be thinking?”

“I…we had a misunderstanding the night before. It was my fault. I gave her the impression that…that…” he could not say it. He didn’t want this woman to know that he ever thought of leaving his wife to start a new life with someone else. He’d never been more ashamed of himself.

“I…see. You shouldn’t say it if it is a personal matter,” she said with a sad smile. “What matters is that you care for her, isn’t it?”

His face reddened, but he nodded just the same.

“But…I am afraid you sought the wrong person for help.”

“What do you mean?”

“I would be the last person Sakura would seek out,” she said with a sad smile. “As for my son, you know that we are estranged. They would never seek solace here.”

“I know where to find her. I’m certain she is with the Minamoto clan now.”

“Then…what…?”

“I wish to know more about her. I wish to understand her better. Maybe that way, I can…Maybe if I know more about her childhood, maybe we will…”

“I…I understand your request, but I do not understand why you sought me.” Did he suspect anything?

“I don’t know. It just feels right.”

“I fear I am not the one to tell you. If there is someone you should ask, it should be her.” But I want to tell you about Fujitaka. I want to warn you about him. I want to tell you about his delusional plans to take over the Imperial Palace. Yet, she knew she could not tell him. Fujitaka would not take kindly to being duped.

“All I can tell you is that…her mother neglected her. Badly. Her father…” I can’t tell you that she was just a spare to him. “Let’s just say that…he never treated her as a daughter.”

Syaoran stared at her, contemplating her cryptic words.

“I see.” He was, little by little, uncovering secrets of the Kinomoto household. And he was also beginning to understand his wife more and more. Her coldness, her relentless wall of defenses, seems to be the only way she protected herself from the pain of her parents’ neglect and indifference.

“Will you try to find her? No, don’t answer that. Of course you will.”

“Hai, ma’am. I will stop at nothing to find her.”

“Then I wish you luck.” She bowed at him, and he took that as a signal to leave.

“Wait…” He turned. “Should you need any assistance, please feel free to come to me. And…my son… when you see my son, please give him my apologies, the repentance of a mother who wronged her child…” I wish I could give the same to Sakura. “And tell him to please, please come home.” Tears glistened in her eyes.

How could he say no to that? Although that man would probably kill him once he learns what caused Sakura to leave in the first place. He nodded before he finally turned and left.

“What did he tell you?” Fujitaka emerged from the house once Syaoran was gone, his sharp gaze resting on her.

“Nothing,” she lied. “He only asked me to keep an eye out for Sakura, should she return here.”

“You did not let anything slip, by any chance, did you?”

“Of course not,” she said with what she hoped was disdain. “That foolish girl was a nuisance to me.”

“And you better not lay your claim on her. In the eyes of the world, she is my sheltered, legitimate daughter, and it shall remain so. She is essential to my plan, and you know it.” He started to walk away from her. “I did not see Sonomi. It seems she has shut herself inside again. I will not be back until dark.”

Fujitaka has long since left, and yet, Nadeshiko remained rooted outside the house. The broom remained frozen in her hand. Despite her firm resolve to never shed a tear on Fujitaka again, her tears fell like rain once more.

Why, why have you become so cruel?

---

“Oi, squirt. Are you even listening?” Touya asked Sakura sharply, but he was only rewarded with a blank stare.

“What the hell’s wrong with you? You haven’t said a word since we arrived.”

“Huh? Oh, you were saying, oniichan?” She straightened up and gazed at her brother, a forced smile on her face.

“Forget it.” He said with a shake of his head. “Yue-sama will call for us at any moment. It is best if you prepare yourself.”

“Oniichan. That man. He mentioned something…about my brother and sister being here. Is Tomoyo-neechan…?”

“No, I haven’t seen her here,” he said absently. “But then, I wasn’t here for weeks. I stayed at the palace, remember?”

“I see,” she said softly.

“Don’t think too much about it. And don’t look so sad; you’re safe now, and that is what matters.”

She bit her lip to quell the protest she wanted to voice out, but in the end she nodded.

---

“They have arrived, Yue-sama.” Yue froze upon hearing the news.

So she was here. Touya’s sister. At last.

She was not part of his plans. And yet, he could not get her face out of his mind. And so, out of impulse, he forced her to join his side.

He could not bear the thought of destroying such an innocent face for the sake of war.

However, although he already figured out who she was, he needed explanations. The three of them—Touya, his sister — the empress — and his cousin, now married to Eriol, will have to fill him in on information.

But that can wait. First, he must see her.

She had been like a dream when he arrived to lay siege at the palace. Now, he had to assure himself that he had her, at last.

There was that small problem of Touya. He was certain the man would never approve of what he had in mind, loyalist or not. He loved his sister too much.

But he needs to understand Yue’s reasons.

As for now, he has to see her.

“Send them in, please. And call my sister-in-law.”

“Sister-in-law…do you mean Daidouji Kinoa-san?”

“You forget that she is my brother’s wife now.”

“Y-yes, of course, Yue-sama. I will get to it now.” The messenger appeared to be confused, but he did not question the strange orders.

“Do that.”

---

“Touya, Yue-sama is calling for you.”

Sakura jolted from her seat at the messenger’s voice.

“Kaito,” her brother acknowledged the man. “Where is he?”

“At the conference hall.”

“I see. We shall see him now.”

They walked in silence; their footfalls echoed within the wooden walls of the seemingly endless corridor. Finally, they halted outside a large, ornate door. Touya sighed before he knocked.

“Enter,” the same cold voice that whispered the disturbing news to her called from inside.

Touya pushed the door open and pulled her with him.

The room was obscenely luxurious; wreaths of silk hung across the walls. A long table stood before them. At the far end of the table stood the silver-haired man who led the palace siege three days ago.

There was a beat of silence as she met the man’s gaze.

Then, Touya bowed down to him.

“Oniichan!” She said, horrified.

“Stand, Touya. You are making her uncomfortable.” He turned his silver eyes on her. “Welcome. I see you have decided, and decided well, too.”

“I did not know I had a choice,” she said coolly.

Laughter emanated from him at her rebuff. “Fire,” he said softly. “You are very much like fire.” His cryptic words meant nothing to her. She thought of the lives he had taken at the sudden siege and she thought she didn’t like this man very much.

“Who are you?” She asked proudly, disguising her sudden fear of him.

“Ah. Forgive my manners, my lady. Minamoto Yue, leader of the Minamoto clan, at your service.”

So this was her brother’s master.

“What do you want with me? Why summon me here?”

His eyes flashed mysteriously.

“I see that you disdain me, somehow. But no matter, that is easily changed. As to my reasons, alas, I could not tell you now. In time, you shall know.”

“Why have you summoned us, then? If not to tell us your plans?” It was Touya who spoke this time, his eyes narrowed. He did not care for the sparkle of amusement in Yue’s eyes. Nor did he care for how he looked at Sakura.

“I wish for you both to see someone.”

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Yue ordered. The door opened and a young woman stepped in.

“You called, Yue-sama?” She asked. Upon seeing the pair standing before her, however, the woman’s amethyst eyes widened.

“You,” Touya gasped.

“Tomoyo-neechan?” Sakura said softly. “Is it really you?”

“Touya-san,” she acknowledged her cousin, but her eyes were transfixed on Sakura. “Sakura…? Sakura!”

Touya stood awkwardly as the two women hugged each other. Sakura seemed to have forgotten her earlier gloom as she laughed and kissed her sister.

Yue, who never cared for emotional situations, quietly slipped out of the room. Explanations can wait.

---

Guan Dong, China

“Why are you here?” Li Yelan did not disguise the contempt in her voice. She regarded the woman before her with cold eyes. She had not quite forgiven her for what she has done to her son.

“Mamoru is dead. I did not wish to stay any longer,” Li Meilin’s eyes pleaded with Syaoran’s mother, who also happens to be among the leaders of this village.

“What makes you think you are welcome here?” She asked coldly.

“I…I know I had been a fickle creature…then…but I was not entirely at fault! Mamoru seduced me…” She reddened at her statement.

“It would never have happened if you truly loved Xiao Lang.”

“I know I was wrong! I have long regretted it, and Xiao Lang has already forgiven me…”

“I am not my son. I remember his suffering all too clearly.”

“Please,” teardrops began to fall from her eyes. “Was my miserable marriage not enough punishment? Wasn’t his rejection enough?”

“Rejection?” Yelan froze in her tracks. “Do you mean to tell me…?”

“Yes. I was foolish to think he’d agree to come with me here.”

“You asked him to come with you? Are you really that selfish? My son is already married!”

“I know…at least, I know now how wrong I was to think that he still loved me…”

“I see.” And indeed, Yelan saw. At some point, she is disappointed that her son refused to leave his post. But she was glad that he did not come here, if only for the fact that it meant that things are going well between him and Sakura.

A ghost of a smile played on her lips, and she surveyed Meilin with a fresh surge of pity.

“Come,” she said curtly. “I could not very well turn you away, can I?”

“Thank you…thank you, Yelan-san.”

“I hope,” she said softly. “For your sake…you would give up your pursuit of my son.”

“I already have,” Meilin whispered, and her tears fell down again.

TBC