Fanfiction written by Mae Vargas; (Most) Characters don't belong to me.
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Eternal Eminence
Chapter One
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Syaoran jumped off his horse. He tied the reigns to a nearby post and grabbed his belongings off the saddle. The sun shone brightly in the sky as Syaoran ran across the field. He hadn't seen her in ages, his childhood friend, Tomoyo Daidouji.
He ran down the familiar street and, twice, took a left turn. Finally, he made it. A small cottage on the south-eastern part of Tomoeda City. It was a medium-sized property with a large yard where animals were kept. There used to be a house next to theirs, but it seemed that it was torn down and paved.
Syaoran used to visit this place often when he was little. His mother and father were always abroad, so they'd have Syaoran stay with the Daidouji's to lighten the traveling expenses.
He was ecstatic to the bone. His heart was beating and his mind was racing. It had been 5 years since the last time he came to visit. He wondered in Tomoyo still looked the same. He pictured her with shoulder-length wavy hair tied in pigtails. He knocked on the door and waited for the answer.
A girl around his age opened the door. She had red ruby eyes and pale skin. Her hair was tied up in pigtail buns. She wore a loose sleeveless top and pants. It looked like she had been crying.
"Tomoyo?" She didn't look anything like he expected.
Their eyes met; her face bunched up into a frown. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"My name is Syaoran. I'm a friend of Tomoyo Daidouji's. Is she here?"
The girl's eyes widened. "Syaoran Li?"
"Yeah."
The girl opened the door and stepped back to let him in. "Come in! I'm sorry, Tomoyo has talked a lot about you. I didn't know you'd come to visit so soon! You must have heard the news.."
"What news?"
The girl in pigtail buns let him in and grabbed some of his stuff off his shoulder. They set down his bags near the entrance of the cottage. It hadn't changed a bit, although it was a little bit cleaner. The furniture was the same. On the walls hung paintings of the Daidouji family. There were a few new ones, one which included the girl who stood in front of him. There was also a portrait of Tomoyo and two people he didn't recognize: a tall black-haired male with dark brown eyes and a girl about the same height as Tomoyo, with green eyes and light brown hair.
"I painted some of those," the girl said as she noticed his eyes gazing at the portraits. "My name is Mei Ling. The Daidouji's adopted me a few years back. I've been living here for 3 years now. Tomoyo has told me so much about you."
"I see, nice to meet you, Mei Ling." Syaoran looked around the living room again, trying to remember which door was Tomoyo's.
"You're here to see Tomoyo?" Syaoran nodded. "When mother passed away, Tomoyo took her room. I'm using Tomoyo's old room right now."
"What? When did auntie pass away?"
Mei Ling looked to the floor. "It wasn't that long ago. A year maybe? The two of us had been living by ourselves all this time."
She had been like a mother to him. Sonomi Daidouji was a beautiful youthful person. Syaoran didn't understand how she could have died. "Where's Tomoyo? I'd like to see her."
Mei Ling nodded and pointed to the second room to the right. As soon as he walked into the room, he was shocked. Syaoran ran to Tomoyo's bedside and held her hand.
Tomoyo Daidouji was pale and skinny, skinner than he'd ever seen anyone before. She was resting on her bed, breathing unevenly. Her short wavy hair was now long and luscious, with the same gleam to it as when they were kids. Mei Ling appeared in the doorway, her arms hugging her body. "I don't know what to do.." Mei Ling let out a soft whimper.
"What happened to her?"
"It's the same thing mother had. We didn't know what it was. But just 3 days ago, Tomoyo collapsed and hasn't woken up since." Mei Ling sank to her knees. "I've tried everything I could possibly think of, but there's no doctor in the area who knows of an illness such as theirs." Mei Ling let out soft sobs as she brought her hands to her face.
Syaoran continued to stare at Tomoyo. He was disturbed at the way she looked now compared to the fullness of her body the last time he'd seen her. He held her frail cold hand in his and looked around the room. There was a futon on the floor, along with a bucket, a few cloths, a glass, and pitcher of water. Mei Ling had probably never left this house, or room, unless she had to.
Syaoran looked over at the sobbing girl who sat at the door way. He got up, sat down beside her, and put a comforting hand around her shoulder. Mei Ling immediately stopped crying to look up at the face of the person she had just met. He led her out of the room.
"Sorry about that," Mei Ling apologized. "I'll make something to eat."
Syaoran sat at the table as he watched Mei Ling fumble around the kitchen, heating up stew in a pot. She set the table and the two of them ate in silence.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" he asked, after he emptied his bowl.
"I've heard that Kaito-sama has one of the best doctors under his employment at the castle."
"Kaito? He's still alive?" Syaoran remembered back to when they were kids. Kaito was nearing the age of 50 then. He saw him a couple of times during his visits.
Mei Ling let out a giggle. "I guess you haven't stayed here long enough to know. Every ruler adopts the name Kaito in memory of the greatest Kaito that ever ruled Tomoeda, Kazuya Kaito. He was ruled around a century ago. Mother always told us about how kind he was. The castle door was always open."
"Oh? Do you think the new 'Kaito-sama' will help us?"
Mei Ling frowned. "I don't know.."
Syaoran stood up from his chair and grabbed a small bag from his back pack. He loaded it with his water bag and a few coins. "Where are you going?" Mei Ling asked.
"I'm going to see him. I going to the castle."
"What? Do you think they'll just let you in to talk to him?"
Syaoran shrugged his shoulders. "It's worth a shot. If he lives up to the Kaito name, then yeah, I hope they let me talk to him. I'm going to use the bathroom really quick." Syaoran took out a clean shirt from his pack and walked to the bathroom. He stripped his shirt off, took a wash cloth, washed his face, and wiped the sweat off his body. He slipped his clean shirt on and walked back into the living room.
Mei Ling suddenly realized how handsome he was, without the dirt on his face. He had strong facial features. His eyes were a chocolate brown, just like his messy hair. His clean shirt showed how built he was. Unaware, Mei Ling blushed.
"I'm going now." Syaoran said as he slung his small pack over his shoulder. "I'll be back, okay?"
Mei Ling nodded as she watched him out the door.
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It was cold. Sakura brought her knees up to her chest. She looked around her dimly-lit cell room. She sat on her bed made of straw and a huge amount of blankets. In one corner of her cell room was a huge pile of books. She had read each book three times, maybe four. In another corner, was a small rack of clothes. Some were too small for her now.
She'd lived in the basement of the castle for about a year now. She was turning 19 in two weeks. She would ask Kaito-sama for a new book.
Sakura got up and walked to her en suite bathroom. It was small, plain and a little bit dirty in places, but it did the job. There was a small mirror on the wall, a toilet, and a corner with a knob for running warm water which she used to bathe. She looked at her face in the mirror. Her eyes had dark circles around them; her hair lost its sheen due to the lack of sun. At least she kept herself clean.
She was a prisoner here. Ever since the day she confronted Kaito-sama, she'd been thrown here and locked up. It wasn't that she did something unlawful, she only offended Kaito-sama, and her punishment was never to see the light of day.
Sakura washed her face with her wash cloth and brushed her teeth for the third time in 2 hours. There wasn't much for her to do. She'd walk around every now and then. She'd read her books or try to climb the walls to peer out the only window which was so high up, it was closer to the ceiling than the floor. Occasionally, she drew pictures on scrap pieces of paper, anything to keep her mind working.
Every now and then, Kaito-sama would come down and visit her. But his visits were always short and meaningless. He would give her something to do, like a new book, or a puzzle or something. Sakura walked back to her bed and pulled out her newest book, the one Kaito-sama had given her last month. It was a children's tale; Rapunzel.
It reminded her of her own situation: she was trapped in this lonely room, just like Rapunzel was. And like Gothel in the story, Kaito-sama was her only visitor. She wondered when the Prince would come to save her. She fancied the idea for a bit before she fell asleep.
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Syaoran had waited in a line of about 20 people for at least an hour now. The villagers, each with their own problems, had come to see if Kaito could do anything about it. Finally, Syaoran reached the front of the line. An important looking man dressed in a dark blue cloak sat behind a booth. Syaoran walked up to the man.
"I need to speak to Kaito." he said with a bit of desperation in his voice.
Without looking up, the man behind the desk asked, "Who are you and what is our inquiry?"
Syaoran sighed. This man wasn't taking him seriously. "My name is Syaoran. My friend, Tomoyo Daidouji is sick and is in need of intensive medical care. I heard that there's a very experienced doctor in the castle right now. I was hoping Kaito would allow him to diagnose and treat my friend."
The man twirled a pen around his fingers and tapped on the desk with the end. He scribbled a few things on a sheet then handed it to a little boy beside him. The boy then scurried off into the back room and didn't appear again. "Walk down the hallway to your left and take a seat."
Syaoran looked puzzled. "What's going to happen?"
The man let out a long irritated sigh. "What was your name again?"
"Syaoran."
"You see, Syaoran, most people are here because a neighbor stole their goods, or because they don't have enough money to pay taxes; small nuisances like that. In these cases, we'd send members of the Royal Guard to find these hooligans that committed theft, or give jobs on the castle grounds for those who can't afford to live here." The man straightened his glasses. "I'm in charge of the relationship between the people and the king. I have the power to imprison a man if I want, I can also set one free if I feel like it. I can have one's house taken away from them, if they oppose me, I can also-"
"I'm not interested in what you can do." Syaoran interrupted. "I want to know if someone can help my friend."
The man behind the booth got up off his high stool and glared at Syaoran. "I don't think you heard me. I am a powerful person in this city."
"I'm not from here. Your laws don't matter to me."
The nerve of this person, the man thought. "What you're asking is not at all a light request. You ask for Doctor Hiiragizawa to treat a commoner. He is the best in the country, and you ask that he treat a commoner.. such audacity!"
"That is not for you to decide. I am asking Kaito-sama for permission." Syaoran was sick of this man's pride and arrogant behaviour.
"Well you will know. I've sent someone to ask Kaito-sama for you. Although, you might not get an immediate response. The king is busy with more important things than to concern himself with this little friend of yours."
Syaoran growled. Tomoyo was more than a friend to him. She was family. She was like a sister. He couldn't stand anyone offending her like that.
In a furious rage, he attacked the man. Syaoran grabbed his shirt and punched the left side of his face. The man's glasses fell and snapped in half on the floor. A few guards started running towards them. They lifted Syaoran off his feet and threw him on the ground away from the important man with the blue cloak. He landed with a thud. Someone proceeded to pour a bucket of water to cool down his temper, but mostly to further humiliate him.
"Take him to the basement dungeon!" the man screamed, a little shaken up. He scrambled for his glasses, which were now reduced to nothing but empty frames and broken shards.
Syaoran spat before the guards hoisted him onto his feet and dragged him away.
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They passed a numerous amount of locked gates and descended even more steps and staircases until finally, they reached the bottom. Syaoran was dragged down a long hallway and right at the end, they took a left. He was thrown into a heap of straw and heard a gate shut behind him. He turned around just in time to see one of the guards secure the lock. He was trapped in this cell.
Syaoran scrambled to the bars and watched as the two men left, laughing. He cursed aloud as their footsteps drew further and further away.
He shivered. Her clothes were damp and the cool basement air wasn't helping. How was he going to help Tomoyo now?
Just then, he heard a rustle in the cell across from him. Syaoran looked up, to see a pair of green eyes looking back at him. He squinted. It was kind of hard to see in the dark, but her eyes shone in the little light the torches on the wall gave off.
"Hello," he spoke.
"Hello," came the reply. It was a small voice, definitely a girl's. He strained his eyes. She sat beside the bars of her own cell. She wore a simple brown dress. Her hair was long and left to dangle across her shoulders. She was clean, despite being kept in a dungeon.
Syaoran smiled at her. She awkwardly smiled back. She was strangely familiar, despite her gaunt appearance. "My name is Syaoran Li. What's your name?"
"Sakura."
Syaoran shivered once again. He'd soon catch a cold if he didn't dry off. Unfortunately, the torches were out of reach.
"That's a nice name, Sakura."
"Thank you." Sakura got up and disappeared to the back of her cell. He heard more rustling but the light didn't reach that far back. He couldn't see what she was doing. Maybe she didn't want to talk to a stranger like him. Syaoran got up on his knees and blindly looked around for something to keep him warm.
Sakura came back into view with a blanket and a book in her hand. She wrapped the book in the blanket and fit it through the bars. Their cells were about 3 meters apart, she judged. With all her strength, she slide the blanket across the floor; the book added extra momentum and guided it towards Syaoran's cell.
He reached through the bars and was able to grab the end of the blanket. He pulled it back into his cell and unwrapped the book. "Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome."
Without a second thought, Syaoran pulled off his soaked shirt and wrapped himself in the warm and dry blanket. Sakura, from the other side, couldn't help but notice fresh red whip marks on his back.
"You're bleeding.." she pointed out. Syaoran took the blanket off and noticed red marks where his blood had touched the cloth.
"Oh, don't worry about it. They didn't whip me that hard. My father used to do worse, whenever I didn't listen."
Sakura frowned. He couldn't help but laugh at her scrunched up face.
"Why did they flog you? What did you do?" she asked.
"I got into a little argument with some pompous bastard. He wears a blue cloak and talks about his 'authority in the kingdom.'" Syaoran scoffed. Just the thought of that guys cockiness made him mad.
"You mean Yamato?"
"Is that his name? Pft. I'd like to see him without all those guards around. We'll see conceited he is then."
Sakura let out a laugh. It rang through the hallway and cheered Syaoran up instantly. "You remind me of my brother." She smiled warmly.
"Was he as handsome as me?" Syaoran joked.
"Way more handsome that you."
The two of them continued to laugh. Somehow, this stranger was different from the people Sakura was used to talking to. Well, it was true that for the last year, her only visitor had been Kaito-sama and sometimes a few guards that would come to bring her meals. She hadn't had a conversation like this in a long time. It was refreshing. She suddenly felt a hole in her heart. She missed home.
"Why are you here?"
No one had ever asked her that. Then again, they all knew: the guards, and Kaito-sama, the king. She took a while to reply. "I am Kaito-sama's prisoner," she replied. "I offended him."
"What? What did you do?"
Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching. There were three men: two guards and a man in a loose maroon shirt, black leather riding pants and laced boots. His face was young, but lined with fresh wrinkles. He looked tired and worn out. And he donned a crown.
One of the guards unlocked Syaoran's cell. The other pulled him onto his feet and guided him out, holding Syaoran's hands behind his back.
"So you are the one that punched Yamato."
"I'd gladly do it again."
The man that Syaoran expected to be Kaito chuckled. "You've got a great sense of humor. What is your name?"
"Syaoran."
"Syaoran? Are you from here?"
"No. I came to visit my friend, Tomoyo Daidouji. She's sick. I came to ask if you can help me."
Kaito paced back and forth, his eyes set on Syaoran, covered in a blanket, his pants and boots still wet. "And what do you have to offer in return if I allow this?"
"Are you not the king? Do you not live to serve and aide your people?"
Kaito took that as an offense. He was taken aback by his boldness. In her cell, Sakura stared with amazement. No one had ever talked back to Kaito-sama like that. No one ever told Kaito-sama what to do.
"I like you." Kaito walked over to him and lifted his cheek. Syaoran didn't move. Instead, he gazed into his eyes and hoped Kaito would see his determination. "Very well then. You will get what you want." He turned to the guard which opened the cell door. "Tell Eriol he leaves tomorrow at dawn for Ms. Daidouji's house. Syaoran here will give the directions."
The guard nodded as he left the hallway and went to fulfill Kaito's orders. He then turned to Syaoran. "You are free to go. I'm sorry you were treated so badly. I respect your character."
Syaoran nodded as the guard started pushing him down the hallway. He didn't even get the chance to say good bye to Sakura.
She sat by the bars as she watched him leave. Before Kaito turned to follow, he turned his attention to the brunette. She noticed his gaze and looked back at him. "How are you doing?"
"Fine, thank you." She answered curtly; she didn't want Kaito-sama to be here. She was afraid of him.
"If fate allows it, we'll be seeing him again soon." He turned to walk away.
Sakura didn't know what Kaito-sama had meant, but she was sure it wasn't anything good.
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Syaoran ran as fast as he could back to the Daidouji estate. He knocked on the door and told Mei Ling the good news.
"So someone's coming tomorrow morning?" she exclaimed. This was relieving.
"Yeah, Kaito was really nice about it." Syaoran had just come out of the shower. The blanket he had on earlier was in the wash. He didn't realize it until he was on his way home, but he also had the book which Sakura had given him. It lay on the kitchen table.
Mei Ling then attended to his wounds. She blushed every time her hand touched his skin. He was muscular and had broad shoulders. She was thankful that his face couldn't see the redness in her cheeks.
"So I was thinking, you said every ruler adopts the name Kaito, right?" He sensed Mei Ling's nod. "That means the Kaito right now isn't a descendant of Kazuya Kaito, right?" Again, she nodded. "So how does Tomoeda choose it's rulers, if there's no royal bloodline?"
Mei Ling was surprised at how perceptive and curious this man was. She was born and raised in Tomoeda. She knew the process of choosing the king well, for her own father had died trying.
"The rulers of Tomoeda are chosen by strength."
"What do you mean?"
Mei Ling was done cleaning his wound. She only needed to bandage the parts where his skin was exposed. She got up and went to look for the wrap. When she came back, Syaoran was still sitting there, patiently.
"I guess you should know. It surprised me when you said Kaito-sama actually agreed to let his doctor see Tomoyo. He isn't known to be fair or just; sometimes he doesn't care about the people at all. Most of what he does is a front to please outside nations and show them that he is a good ruler, but we, the people of Tomoeda, know better.
"It's been a tradition, ever since the death of Kazuya Kaito, that the next king of Tomoeda be chosen but a battle. When Kazuya died, his adviser and Captain of the Guard, Jirou, took over. But someone challenged him for the title and there was a one-on-one combat. Both sides fought however they wanted to, but no outside help was allowed. This man, no one remembers his name, beat Jirou. He then became the new king, adopted the name Kaito, and since then, this tradition has been upheld."
"Really? That's interesting."
"My father was fed up with Kaito's way of ruling. He challenged him to a battle, but was killed in the process. My mother died from depression of his passing. That's how the Daidouji's came to adopt me. Tomoyo and I were neighbours. When my mother died, we tore down our house and it became property of the Daidouji's. We use it now as a training ground."
"No wonder. I knew there used to be a house beside this one."
Mei Ling had finally finished bandaging his chest. He thanked her and put a new clean shirt on.
"So, if I were to defeat Kaito in a battle, I'd become the ruler of Tomoeda, huh?"
"Yeah, but I think that position is cursed." Mei Ling got up and put the medical supplies away.
"How so?"
She closed the first aid box and walked to the sink to wash her hands. "Everyone who decides to challenge Kaito and wins becomes even worse a ruler than the last."
"What happens to those who lose?"
"Worst case scenario: they die. If they survive, they get to come back. Although, their pride is greatly affected."
That was understandable. Syaoran would be ashamed if he had lost a battle. If there was anything his father had taught him, it was to be a man and never lose your battles.
"I'm going to start dinner." Mei Ling went to the kitchen.
Syaoran sat there, in the familiar living room. He looked around again. There really wasn't anything that changed. Even the scent was the same. He scanned the room, and found himself gazing at the portrait of a younger Tomoyo and the two people he didn't recognize. Then his eyes fell upon the girl with the green eyes.
"Mei Ling!" he called.
She came rushing into the living room. "What is it?" She found him directly in front of the portrait.
"Who is that?" He was pointing at the brunette with the green eyes.
"Sakura Kinomoto. Her and her brother practiced martial arts with my father when he was still alive. We all were pretty close. I painted that picture of the three of them."
His heart was racing. Sakura? She must be that girl in the basement cell! "What happened to them?"
Mei Ling smiled a sad smile. "I don't know. One day, Touya just disappeared. A month later, Sakura ran after him. We haven't had any word since then. Tomoyo got worse after Sakura left, and she became bed-ridden when her mother died."
His heart was pounding in his chest. "I have to go somewhere," Syaoran said as he rushed into the guest bedroom to get his stuff.
"Again? Where are you going?"
"Back into town." He emerged from his room and raced to put on his boots. He opened the door. The sun was setting now.
"Try not to get into any fights again, and stop dirtying your shirts!" she scolded.
Syaoran gave her one of his boyish smiles. "I won't be too long." And with that, he left Mei Ling with butterflies in her stomach.
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It didn't take him long to reach the castle. The hard part was finding the right window. Syaoran walked along the walls of the castle, trying his best not to be seen. Ever since he was small, he was perceptive and remembered things easily, kind of like photographic memory, except not really.
He had noticed a small window in Sakura's cell chamber. He didn't hear voices coming from it, so her cell must be somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the castle courtyard. It was to his advantage that night was setting in and everyone was inside their houses having dinner.
He tried his best not to trample the flowers of the garden. Finally, he found a window that fit the size he had worked it out to be. It was barred, of course, about 30 inches wide. He saw light flicker from the torch on the wall as he peered through. And then he saw a girl pass by.
She was unclothed. Her long hair was damp. She had just taken a shower. Syaoran froze, his face turned red. He knew it was rude, but he couldn't tear his sight away. The silhouette of her body showed not one that was thin malnourished, but she had a slender body with strong defining lines.
Finally, she put a long shirt on and wrapped her hair in a towel. Syaoran decided to wait a few more minutes before he called out to her.
"Sakura!" he whispered. She watched as she looked around the room, and finally set her eyes to the window. "It's me, Syaoran! I was in the other cell earlier today!"
Sakura ran over to the bars of her cell, looking for a guard. When she confirmed they were alone, she ran to the window and whispered back. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to get you out of there!"
"What?" Sakura shook her head in disbelief.
"I'm friends with Tomoyo Daidouji. I saw a picture of you on her wall in the living room. She's sick right now, that's why I came to ask for Kaito's help to cure her. Some guy named Eriol Hiiragizawa is coming tomorrow. I'm going to save you."
Sakura couldn't help but smile. He was so naïve, this Syaoran. How foolish is was to think he could sneak her out of this god-forbidden jail cell.
"That's impossible. There's no way out!" she replied.
"That's not what I meant." Syaoran looked around. He was hidden by a large tree. He looked for anyone who might have been patrolling around this side. But it was clear. "I'm going to defeat Kaito, and set you free!"
Sakura covered her mouth in shock. Syaoran waited for her answer but none came. "Sakura?"
"You can't do that!" she whispered back, a hint of desperation in her voice.
"Why not?"
"You'll die."
Syaoran thought about this for a moment. He then proceeded to talk in a low voice, quiet enough for only her to hear. "I have no family. They've all passed away. The closest person now to me is Tomoyo, and she's sick. What have I to lose? You are her friend, right? If there's a chance I can make Tomoyo happy by setting you free, then I'll do it."
She didn't answer.
"Mei Ling told me that every ruler who adopts Kaito's name gets worse than the last. If I become king, then for sure I'll be a better ruler. The first thing I'll do is get rid of that Yamato freak." He laughed to himself.
It was then that Sakura realized it. Syaoran's innocence and determination was exactly like Touya's. She shed a few tears, remembering her beloved brother.
"You can't do it; you'll die." Her voice was barely audible.
Syaoran frowned. "I know we only met a couple of hours ago, but if you don't believe me, fine. Just don't be surprised when I come busting you out of there." He got up, quickly glanced around, and left.
She listened as his footsteps got further away before she sank to her knees and brought her palms to her face. She cried. It was too much to bear. She hadn't thought much of her brother lately. She hadn't thought so much in a while. But his image was imprinted in her mind and she couldn't get it out. She kept seeing scenes of when they were younger. He would always tell her, Mei Ling, and Tomoyo about the things he'd do when he became king.
And now, this boy comes along, with all the same virtues as Touya. She had taken a liking to him, to Syaoran, the boy who made her laugh. He stood up to Yamato, and even more impressive, he stood his ground while talking to Kaito-sama.
If he were to take on Kaito-sama, he wouldn't survive. She had seen first hand what he was capable of. He was learned in all types of fighting styles, old and new. He was strong, powerful, and quick on his feet.
She knew where this was going, and it wasn't a happy ending.