Author's Note: Sorry this is so late guys! I really thought it would have been done shortly after the first chapter, but the inspiration just wasn't with me at the time. Gomen nasai!

As Sakura is following Syaoran's steps (you'll see what this means later) see where he's taking her before I reveal it! There are clues, very simple ones, and all are special spots to the couple!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. I do own the idea to this story though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.

Chapter 2: Blessing Given

:---:

"Tomoyo? What are you doing up so early?" Eriol asked coming out of his bedroom Sunday Morning.

"Look Eriol, isn't Skaura beautiful right here?" She answered him. She sat on his couch in a pair of shorts and one of his university t-shirts she had stolen. She had her laptop on her lap, and her video equipment hooked up to it on the coffee table. "And it isn't that early, it's already 9 o'clock.

"You have all week to work on this though, Tomoyo."

"I want to send it to them at the hotel."

"Wouldn't it be best to wait awhile before sending them their wedding video?"

"This isn't the wedding video, although there are shots from the wedding in it. This is a video of their relationship, starting in fourth grade when they met. Most of the early shots are from when they were collecting the Clow Cards, then with the trouble you caused with the Sakura Cards. I've been working on it for months. I'm just adding the last few scenes."

"You ever gonna stop bringing up my role in that situation?" Eriol asked her, moving into the kitchen to make breakfast.

"No. I love teasing you about it." She answered coming up next to him and kissing him on the cheek. "You want to see the video?"

"While we eat?" He asked breaking eggs.

"Sure. I'll go set it up." Tomoyo answered and Eriol nodded his head.

:---:

"Tomoyo, is there a time I could speak to you…without Sakura around?" Syaoran asked the raven haired girl, walking through the courtyard in front of the University Library.

"Sure. Meet me here after this class, say at 2?" Tomoyo said looking at her watch, seeing it was ten to 1.

"Sounds good, thank you." Syaoran said running off towards the History and Anthropology building just across the courtyard.

Tomoyo watched Shaoran run away, after a moment she turned away with a thoughtful expression on her face, wondering what Syaoran wanted to speak to her about.

:---:

"What did you want to discuss with me, Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked sitting down on the bench next to him.

"This." He replied holding up a velvet box.

Tomoyo opened the box and saw a tiny silver ring with a diamond in the center with smaller pink diamonds surrounding the larger diamond. "Oh Syaoran, Sakura will love it! When are you going to do it?"

"Tomorrow night. That's why I wanted to speak to you."

"Me?"

"Don't you want to…let's see, 'special clothes for special occasions'…want to make her something?"

"Of course! Um…Syaoran?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I tape it? Oh, it would be lovely…'Sakura says Yes to Syaoran'! I could make the outfit pink and white…or pink and green…your favorite colors!"

"That's the other part. I did want you to tape it." Syaoran looked over at his friend. "I wanted to be able to see it later, her face is going to be…precious."

"What color should I make the outfit?" Tomoyo asked.

"I like the pink and green idea." Syaoran said.

"Okay. I have one that I've already started that will be perfect for this occasion. Now, how are you going to do it?"

"I'm leaving her bread crumbs. The first will be your house, where she'll get dressed. She'll go around Tomoeda, ending up at Penguin Park, where I will be waiting for her."

"So you want me to hide?"

"Yes. That way she won't be any more suspicious. I want her to be surprised when she gets to the park. I don't want her to be any more suspicious because of the date."

"May 18th…" Tomoyo said, her eyes narrowing in thought as she looked over at the smiling Syaoran. "Oh! Tomorrow is the date that…"

"Yeah, I thought it would be a good date to propose. Actually, I realized that after I decided to go through with it tomorrow." Syaoran said cutting Tomoyo off. "Well, I have to go to class. Sakura and I will be going to her Dad's house for dinner."

"Have you spoken to Kinomoto-san and Touya-kun yet?"

"Somehow you calling Touya, Touya-kun is a bit freaky….But no, I have to do that tonight." Syaoran responded standing up while stretching.

"Good luck."

"I'm going to need it, speaking with Touya about Sakura; he's so damn protective of her."

"Almost as much as you yourself are."

Syaoran turned back and looked at Tomoyo, who was smiling slightly. He smiled in return. "I guess that's the one thing Touya and I have in common." Syaoran said waving goodbye and walking away from Tomoyo.

"Yes, it would seem so." She said to herself as she watched her friend go off, turning her thoughts to what Sakura's outfit and the video should look like.

:---:

Syaoran watched as Sakura and Touya cleaned up the dishes from dinner while he sat in the living room with Kinomoto-san. Sakura was yelling at Touya for some remark he had said to tease her.

"He's always saying something to make her mad." Fujitaka said as he brought in tea and cakes for after dinner.

"Its how he tells her he loves her, cares for her." Syaoran replied.

"Hm, yes it is. I'm lucky to have two children who care for each other as much as Sakura and Touya do; they are both amazing young adults. Now what was it that you wanted to speak to me about?" He asked sitting down in the chair next to Syaoran.

"You know how much I love Sakura, right? That I would do anything for her, protect her, make sure she has the best life possible…right?"

"I thought I told you several years ago that you have my blessing." Fujitaka answered the young man, figuring out where he was going with his questions.

"I know you did, but I wanted to tell you that I have bought the ring, and I wanted to officially receive your blessing."

"You have it, of course. Sakura's never loved anyone else like she has you. Goodness, I don't know what I would do if she chose someone else. Syaoran, you've been like a son to me, I couldn't be happier for Sakura, or you."

"Thank you, Kinomoto-san. You don't know how much that means to me. Your family has been my second family for so long now…I feel honored that you see me as a son."

"Now, I am thinking that you would like to speak to Touya as well?"

"I think he already knows, but yes, I would, it seems only fair to him."

"I'll go take over his cleaning duties then; this is probably the best time, while Sakura is busy."

"You're probably correct." Syaoran said as he watched Fujitaka Kinomoto walk into the kitchen, telling Touya that Syaoran would like to speak to him.

Sakura smiled up at her brother and father. "The dishes are almost done Dad, why don't you go sit down as well? I'll take care of the rest."

'You're making this too easy, Sakura.' Syaoran thought to himself smiling as he watched Touya and Fujitaka come back into the room.

"What's the smile for, Brat?"

"Don't call him a brat, Touya! I thought you got over that a long time ago!" Sakura called from the kitchen.

"Oi, I thought Monsters had horrible hearing!"

"TOUYA!"

"It's okay, Sakura. It was nothing." Syaoran called out, hoping to call off another Kinomoto war.

"So, it's that time, hm?" Touya said pouring himself a mug of tea and sitting down next to Syaoran.

"Aa. I figured you would have known."

"I just didn't expect it to be tonight. When will you do it?"

"Tomorrow night. I went to the jewelry store yesterday and picked the ring up."

"May we see it?" Fujitaka asked, glancing into the kitchen to see Sakura still busy.

"Yes." Syaoran responded reaching into his pocket and pulling the box out. Fujitaka stood next to Touya as he opened the box. Both men stared at the small ring, small smiles showing up on their faces.

"She'll love it, it's perfect."

"Thank you." Syaoran said, taking the box. He took one more glance at the sparkling pink and clear diamonds, closed the lid and slid it back into his pocket. "I thought of her the moment I saw it, and new that it was the one."

"Yes, Sakura will love it. You're having Tomoyo help, right? She'd never forgive you if you didn't." Fujitaka said.

"Yes, I spoke with Tomoyo this afternoon. She was quite excited about helping. Ecstatic actually."

:---:

Sakura quietly closed the front door behind her. "Sorry if Dad and Touya were bothering you tonight."

"They weren't, I had fun. I always do." Syaoran said turning towards her.

"You seemed a bit weird tonight. I thought maybe Touya had said something."

"No. Actually he was on his best behavior; you won't have to yell at him." Syaoran said kissing her on the top of her head.

Sakura smiled up at him. "I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you here with me. You've done so much for me."

"You don't have to anything but be yourself." Syaoran said pulling her into a hug and resting his head on top of hers.

"You said something about going out tomorrow night, what time should I be ready?"

"How much time do you need after Tomoyo's?"

"I should be back from her house around 4 o'clock I think. Seven okay? That gives me time to cook dinner for Dad, shower and get changed."

"Seven it is then." Syaoran said kissing Sakura. "I love you, and I will see you tomorrow."

:---:

Sakura ran towards the library where she was supposed to meet Tomoyo in front of the café that was in the lobby.

"Sakura! There you are!" Tomoyo called out as she waved to her friend.

"I'm so sorry, Tomoyo! Class ran over then I ran into Yamazaki who wanted me to tell Syaoran to call him about their English assignment, then one of the girls from my history class caught me and wanted the notes from yesterday's lecture because she had to…"

"Its fine, Sakura, don't worry about it. I haven't been waiting too long as my class ran over as well."

"Oh, thank goodness. Are you ready to head to your house?"

"Yes! I'm so excited about this outfit; you're going to look absolutely adorable in it!"

"What is it like?" Sakura asked as they walked toward the parking lot where Tomoyo's car was parked.

"It's too good to tell you now; it'll have to be a surprise!"

"You and Syaoran. I asked him what we were doing tonight when he picked me up this morning, but he said it was a surprise as well."

"You'll just have to wait and see I guess."

"Do you know what he's planning?" Sakura asked Tomoyo passing her a suspicious look.

"And what if I did?"

"I'd try to get it out of you."

"Sorry, too good of surprise to let you get it out of me this time Kinomoto Sakura."

"So you do know!"

"Of course."

"Is that why you're making me a new outfit?"

"Of course. Special occasions…"

"Need special clothes, yes, yes, I know." Sakura said finishing Tomoyo's sentence.

:---:

"Tomoyo it's gorgeous!" Sakura squealed looking at the dress her friend was holding up. It was a bright spring grass green with pink buttons going down the back, stripes along the bottom of the skirt and pink lace along the top of the strapless bodice so that the green would show through. Tomoyo had also made pink and green polka-dotted ballerina slippers, short gloves, and a huge floppy brimmed hat to go with the ensemble.

"Here! Let's get you in it, see if there has to be any adjustments."

"Tomoyo, you know there aren't any adjustments to make. Everything you make me fits perfectly!" Sakura said as she slipped out of her capris and tank top.

"You never know. Anyways, I just can't wait to see you in this outfit. You look absolutely adorable in green!" Tomoyo said helping Sakura in the dress and buttoning the buttons up the back.

"Tomoyo, do you know anything about Syaoran's surprise tonight?" Sakura said as she slipped her hands into the gloves.

"I was told not to tell you anything, hence the word surprise." Tomoyo answered her, placing the hat on Sakura's head, checking to make sure it was in the right spot.

Sakura looked at Tomoyo through the reflection in the mirror. "Tomoyo, it's beautiful! I can't believe I'm actually wearing something so wonderful! It's surely the best of all the outfits you make me!"

"I'm glad to hear that." Tomoyo said from behind her video camera, watching Sakura through the viewing screen. "Let's go outside, I want to get some footage of you in the garden. It's a great day for it too!"

"Okay, but not too long. Syaoran is picking me up at seven o'clock."

"Don't worry; you'll get home on time." Tomoyo said as they walked out of her bedroom.

:---:

"Thank you so much for the dress!" Sakura said hugging her best friend as she got out of the car.

"Make sure to take pictures tonight! I want a picture of you and Syaoran at your big surprise!"

"I'll be sure to take my camera. Tomoyo, really, thank you, you've done so much for me, now and in the past. You're the best friend a girl could have…ever!"

:---:

"Hello…Syaoran? It's me, Tomoyo. Sakura has been dropped off." Tomoyo said when Syaoran picked up his cell phone.

"Where are you?"
"I'm on the way back to my house. Eriol is meeting me at my house. We'll park a few houses down from hers, than I will hide to do the filming of her at her house by 6:30. Eriol and I will follow her in his car after that. That will give me enough time to get to my hiding place and set up. I have also scoped out good hiding spots for each of the steps that you have planned out."

"Where will you be hiding?"

"In the bushes in front of her house, just don't act suspiciously and everything will go fine."

:---:

"Syaoran's here Sakura!" Her father yelled up the steps after opening the door.

"It's okay Kinomoto-san; just give this note to Sakura. It will explain everything." Syaoran said, then turned and walked back to his car.

Fujitaka smiled slightly as he watched Syaoran leave. 'He knows Sakura so well. A puzzle hmm? Perfect, Syaoran.' He thought as Sakura came down the steps

"Syaoran left this for you, I assume its part of the surprise he's giving you."

Sakura turned and looked at her father. "He's not here?"

"No, he left this for you instead."

"Hm." Sakura said as she opened the envelope.

Sakura—

You'll have to follow the steps to get your surprise. Each spot is someplace special to the both of us, and each will hold a clue to the next step. The first step is easy. The place where we first met, the spot where I first met Touya's wrath, the first spot where I knew I had fallen in love with you.

Syaoran

P.S. I'm giving you until 11:55.

"I'm going on a scavenger hunt it sounds like." Sakura said smiling up at her father.

"What's the first clue?"

"The place where we first met, the spot where I first met Touya's wrath, the first spot where I knew I had fallen in love with you." Sakura answered handing him the note. "The side yard of the Elementary school. We were in 4th grade when we first met, it was on that first day that I found out he was looking for the Clow cards and that he and Touya started to fight right off. I didn't know it was also the spot where he knew he had fallen in love with me though. Hm, even after all these years I'm still learning things about Syaoran."

"Well, you better hurry. He's only giving you until 11:55."

"WHAT! Why'd he give me a time limit?"

"Is there something special about today's date?"

"Hmm…May 18th…I'm not sure. I'll think about it on the way. I gotta fly!" Sakura said leaving.

:---:

"Okay, I'm here, now where is the next clue?" Sakura said to herself as she came near the fence.

Sakura turned in around in a circle where she stood, looking for the next clue. When she couldn't see because of the dark she decided to call on a little bit of help. 'I can't believe I didn't think to bring a flashlight.' She said to herself as she called 'Light' out. The light grew and made the surrounding are glow in a greenish tint. She turned around slowly, when she had turned about half way she spot of red caught her attention. As she moved closer she noticed that it was a piece of red string attached to another creamy white envelope similar to the one she held in her hand.

Sakura—

The Red String of Fate, a story many believe is just a myth, but one that I know to be true. The other end of mine is connected to you. Fate is a funny thing; we've come to realize that through collecting the Clow Cards, than changing those into Sakura Cards. Our fate is like a maze, we had to search and follow the leads until we found our exit, each other.

Syaoran

"Fate? Maze? Exit?" Sakura thought out Syaoran's clues while re-reading the note. "Tsukimine Shrine, that's where we changed the maze card, and that's where the Cherry Blossom Tree was that transported me back in time, then I used it to visit Clow-san as well. That has to be the place he means—the tree!" Sakura said running off of school property and towards the shrine.

:---:

"Tomoyo, how's she doing?" Syaoran asked when Tomoyo answered her phone.

"Excellent. She used Light as a flashlight; she's on her way to the shrine right now. It hardly took any time at all for her to figure out the second clue. I think you made them too easy." Tomoyo said.

"I didn't want them too tough, she has to make to the last place by 11:55, and I made the last three a bit tougher than the first two.

"Yes, yes. Anyways, did you get the shirt I sent by for you?"

"Yes I did, it matches Sakura's, I assume?" Syaoran asked looking down at his green sleeveless Chinese styled shirt. It was a nice summery green with deep pink, almost red trim, and loophole buttons that rested on his left shoulder.

"Yes, it does. Do you like it?"

"It's very nice, Tomoyo. Thank you." Syaoran responded. "I must be going now, and you should be too, don't want her hearing you."

"Good-bye and I will keep you updated."

"Thank you." Syaoran said hanging up the phone. 'Good luck, Sakura. I know you'll do your best.' He added silently to himself as he gazed up at the sky.

:---:

Sakura-

You're almost there; I know you're doing your best. Remember all of the festivals we enjoyed together, along with Tomoyo, Yukito and Touya and the rest of the gang from school? I cherish those memories; they are magical memories for me, some of the happiest moments in my life.

When we first met, Yukito was the one to bring light to your eyes, not me. I was jealous of him for awhile, then you came to your own realizations and then it was my own fear that kept me from telling you how I felt, the fear of rejection, that you wouldn't return my feelings. When you told me your feelings, I couldn't have been happier. You were the light of my life, the only one I would ever love.

Syaoran

Sakura re-read the note once more. 'He sure didn't make this one very easy. Let's see, he has 'festivals' and 'light' in cursive verses the print, so those are key clues. Most of the festivals we went to were here…hm, it could be another clue in a different part of the shrine.' Sakura thought out, looking around the dark grounds of the shrine.

'He also talks about 'light', but this isn't where I changed the 'Light' Card, that was at the school.' Sakura thought, her eyebrows scrunching together in thought. 'Then he speaks of Yukito.'

'Oh Syaoran, what are you doing? You've never said those things to me; everything with you has meant so much to me. You've done so much for me, done so much in my life. Where are you leading me with this one?' Sakura thought out loud.

'Could it be…?' She had a thought and started running farther into the shrine grounds. 'It had been so long ago, how had he remembered that incident?' Sakura thought as she ran towards the pure lake that myth said could tell you your future. 'I had gone there to see if Yukito would be in my future, but ended up fighting that horse with Syaoran…I guess that's how he remembers it, he was always protecting me in those days, still is, I suppose.

She ran across the wooden bridge that led to the secluded lake, the half moon, shining down on the clear water, reflecting enough light to see the area. Sakura stopped in the middle of the clearing, catching her breath from running all the way from the front of the shrine to the farthest point. She looked up, looking for the red string that had accompanied each of the clues. She saw it as she turned to her left, tied to the limb of a tree, a Cherry Blossom tree, just like the last two.

Sakura—

Sakura and Syaoran, it always has been and it always will be. We made sure of that, promised that to each other when you completed changing the cards and I went home to Hong Kong. I will always have a special memory of that day.

Syaoran

'When I finished changing the cards and he went home…the airport? No…he was on the bus when I gave him my answer.' Sakura turned around and started walking out of the shrine, thinking of where he would of put the next clue.

'He was on the way to the airport, but that isn't a special spot for us, maybe the street where I met the bus?' Sakura thought turning towards the street. 'No, that's not special enough either.'

'Penguin Park…but that doesn't have to do with the day he left…I gave him Sakura the day he…THAT'S IT! Sakura and Syaoran! It's at the craft store!' Sakura thought, snapping her fingers together. 'Hoe…that was a bit more difficult.'

Sakura looked down at her watch as she ran. 9:35. 'I have plenty of time…I hope. I'm on my way Syaoran, just a little bit longer.'

As she approached the craft store, she saw that the light was still on and the 'open' sign was still up. 'That's strange; I thought it would be closed by now.' Sakura thought, trying the door and finding it open.

"Good evening, how may I help you?" The shop keeper said as she walked in the store.

"I'm looking for something; I was surprised to find you still open."

"We aren't usually; I'm doing this as a favor for a young man surprising his girlfriend. You wouldn't happen to be her, would you?"

"Yes I am. Do you know where the envelope is?" Sakura asked smiling sweetly at the older gentleman.

"Not precisely, although I did see him near the teddy bear selection."

"Thank you, Sir. Sorry to keep you so long."

"No problem young lady, the young man must love you very much, and you he."

Sakura smiled as she walked towards the display of make-your-own teddy bears. "Yes, very, very much."

Sakura soon found a red string peeking out between the boxes of teddy bears, right between a gray and a pink colored teddy bear pattern, which was connected to another envelope. "Thank you, Sir, I found the clue, so I won't keep you any longer." Sakura said as she walked towards the door.

"Good luck!"

"Thank you." Sakura said. Once she was outside she leaned against the glass window of the shop and opened the note.

Sakura—

You're almost done, just one more stop before the final one. I once promised someone that I would marry them if I didn't find someone I liked better. It was fate (and thank goodness for that) that I found you, and didn't have to marry her. You'll find her only in one spot in Tomoeda. She'll give you your final clue as to where I'll be waiting for you.

Syaoran

:---:

"It's Tomoyo. She'll be there shortly—she just got the craft store clue."

"Okay, isn't this a grand plan Tomoyo-chan?"

"He's certainly out done himself, that's for sure, but Sakura deserves this, it's a perfect way to propose."

"I totally agree. I couldn't hope for a better girl to marry my Syaoran."

:---:

'A promise to marry another if he didn't find the one he loved best…that must be Meiling.' Sakura thought straightening up and starting to walk. 'She would normally stay at Syaoran's, but when he's not there she goes to Tomoyo's or my house. I'll check Tomoyo's first. That's probably where she went when she found out we went on a date.' Sakura thought to herself. 'But how to get there? It's so far away…Well, I've used my cards tonight anyways, might as well continue…'

"FLY!" Sakura said as she finished calling the wand to help her in her time of need. Instead of attaching the wings to her back, Sakura had the wand turn into the flying wand that it used too.

'This brings back memories.' She thought as she flew towards Tomoyo's house. She glanced down at her watch once more. 10:20. 'I'm still doing pretty good. This is the second to last stop, so I must be.'

:---:

"She's headed towards my house!" Tomoyo said into the phone.

"Huh?" Syaoran answered her, confused.

"She thinks Meiling is at my house! I can't fault her logic, Meiling does come here when you two go out and she's in town, but that will put her way off on time!"

"She's not using transportation?" Syaoran asked, looking at his watch. 10:25.

"She's flying."

"Flying?"

"Yes."

"Let's not worry quite yet, then. She's an excellent flyer."

:---:

It took awhile for Sakura to reach Tomoyo's house, even flying. She knew it was a little late to call on the house, but Tomoyo and Meiling would still be up and answer the door. Or so she thought as she approached the front door.

"Good evening Miss. Kinomoto, may I help you?" The butler said as he answered the door.

"Yes, is Meiling here with Tomoyo?"

"I'm sorry Miss. Kinomoto, but neither Miss. Meiling or Miss. Tomoyo are at home tonight."

"Tomoyo isn't here?"

"No, she went out for the evening, I'm afraid. I believe she is with Mr. Eriol."

"Thank you so much, sorry to bother you." Sakura said turning and running towards the gates of the mansion. 'She must be at Syaoran's apartment with Wei than.' Sakura thought as she looked around her, than called 'Fly' out once more.

Once in the air, she looked at her watch once more. '10:45, I better hurry. I have just under an hour to get to the last spot.'

:---:

"Good evening, Wei-san, is Meiling here?" Sakura asked at ten minutes past 11 o'clock.

"Yes, she is Miss. Kinomoto. I believe she has been waiting for you." Wei answered showing Sakura into the Syaoran's living room.

"Sakura! Oh good you finally made it! I was getting worried!" Meiling exclaimed as she flew to give Sakura a hug. "It's so great to see you!"

"It's great to see you too as well Meiling. I don't have much time, do you have the clue?"

"Yes, here it is."

"Thank you. Do you know what my surprise is?" Sakura asked innocently.

"No, Syaoran wouldn't tell me, I think he thought I would tell you, purposefully or not."

"That's okay, I'll find out shortly now anyways." Sakura said opening the envelope.

Sakura

The last clue. This spot is probably the most special to us. So many things have been done and said between us here. I'll be waiting for you with your surprise. Just remember, I love you with all of my heart.

Syaoran

"He's so sweet. I've been sitting here wondering what the surprise could be all night. It must be really good for him to go through all of this." Meiling said when Sakura was done reading the note out loud.

"I don't know where he is. There are so many spots." Sakura said collapsing on the couch.

"Now you don't have time to be doing that. This is the most special spot. This is the place where you guys are all the time, where you told each other you loved each other possibly, maybe some connection to collecting the cards as well… a favorite spot for you and Syaoran." Meiling suggested.

"That's it! Thank you, Meiling! I know where he is now!" Sakura said jumping up and running out of the apartment.

"She could of at least told me where the spot was."

"You know where he's waiting." Wei answered.

"I do?" Meiling tilted her head in thought. "The park! Of course, that's the only spot!"

:---:

Syaoran used his legs to pump his body higher into the air. The motion was steady and soothing as thoughts ran through his head. There were a lot of them going at top speed too. It had been like that all day, knowing what he was about to do tonight.

'Just a few more minutes.' He thought as he slowed himself and looked at his watch. Tomoyo had called ten minutes ago, at 11:30, saying that Sakura had just left his apartment. Meiling had also found Eriol was going to tag along. 'Just great, exactly what I need, an audience.'

'What should I say? I just can't say 'I love you, Sakura, will you marry me? Why won't anything come to mind? It should be special, poetic…romantic, heaven forbid. That's something I'm not though, and Sakura wouldn't want that. She'd want me to be myself.' Syaoran stopped pacing at that thought.

"Everything will be okay, Syaoran. Just don't freak out." He said to himself quietly.

"Since when have you started using my motto?" He heard her voice say behind him. "And since when have you freaked out? You're usually cool as a cucumber." Sakura continued.

Syaoran turned around slowly, placing his hands in his pants pockets, feeling the soft velvet of the ring box in his right pocket. "You're here."

"Of course I'm here, I'm not an illusion." Sakura said smiling at him. "And if I was, you'd be able to tell."

"I guess a better way to say that is…you're on time."

Sakura looked down at her watch. 11:45. "So I am; did you build that into your time frame?"

"No. I just wanted to do this before tomorrow was upon us."

"What's so important about today?"

"You don't remember?" Syaoran asked tilting his head questionably.

Sakura tilted her own head in response. "Hoe…today…today is…hoe! May 18…" She answered trailing off when she remembered the date.

Syaoran smiled softly at her, holding out his left hand. Sakura took a step forward and placed her hand in his. After a few moments he pulled her towards the swings and had her sit down on one, moving behind her to push.

Sakura waited quietly as Syaoran pushed her gently for a few moments, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't say something, she decided to. "Syaoran, I'm guessing the meeting at Penguin Park to swing wasn't my surprise."

"Um, yeah…I'm just trying to find the right words." Syaoran said pulling her to a stop and stepping in front of the swing. He crouched down so that he was eye level with Sakura. "I love you with all of my heart, and it's only ever been you that my heart has held precious. Each of the places that led you here to me, were places that that love has grown in, has been nurtured, kept safe, made special by with you. Tomoyo has always been there to push us together, even before I knew I loved you. The one thing I have in common with your brother is that we protect you with our entire beings; your father has been like a father to me, bringing me into the family that has loved me like a part of that family."

"You are apart of our family, Syaoran." Sakura said placing her hand gently on his cheek.

"Hai, I know." He said tilting his head towards her hand and resting it there. "I met you at Tomoeda Elementary school, got to know you there, fell in love with you there, and protected you there as well. At the Tsukimine Shrine we fought for the Clow cards, got many answers there, and also had fun there with all of the festivals we have gone to there over the years. Meiling, along with Tomoyo conspired to bring us together."

"Syaoran, I know all of this, and this was in your clues." Sakura said interrupting him once more.

"I know, I just want to explain why. In each of these places, we have memories. Especially here, in Penguin Park." Syaoran said taking her hand and holding them in her lap, covered by his own. "There were so many instances where I saw your true strength right here in the park while collecting the cards. But it holds more than those memories, it holds the ones where I've seen you weakened and afraid, trusting me to protect you, and most importantly, where I first told you I loved you. It seemed right that I do this here, in this spot." Syaoran explained.

Sakura looked at Syaoran, "Syaoran?"

"Sakura, I love you with my entire heart, my entire being, and I gave those to you a long time ago…And as I thought of it, today seemed to be the perfect day to ask. Do you remember what today is?"

"Of course, May 18, the day that you came back from Hong Kong our first year of Jr. High." Sakura answered taking his face in her hands. "How'd I forget that date? It was the happiest day of my life."

"Would asking you to marry me replace that?" Syaoran asked looking up innocently at Sakura.

Her reaction made his smile break out across his face. Her emerald green eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open, then everything happened at once.

"HOOOOEEEE!" Sakura yelled launching herself at Syaoran as she wrapped her arms around his neck, sending them both backwards.

Syaoran wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist, pulling her closer to him saying, "So, is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?"

"Hoe, do you even need to ask me that?" Sakura said smiling down at him. "It's definitely a yes. Yes a million times. Yes until the day that I die. I love you Li Syaoran. I will love you my entire life." Sakura said leaning down to kiss him softly.