Hello. I'm so sorry for updating almost two months late. I've been very busy and I couldn't do much. I hope you please forgive me.

Eriol: What had you so busy, Kenny?

Kisa: Well…how can I put this…?

Brittany: (smirks) She was trying to keep her grades up…mainly in Social Studies.

Eriol: Brittany's back!

Brittany: Yup. I'm so glad to be back. Glad that it's midterm break for us. Yay!

Syaoran: Glad that you're back as well. Things weren't the same without you.

Kisa: You're just happy because you have your partner in crime back and can torture Eriol and me again.

Syaoran: (smirks) Got a problem with that?

Kisa: …I think I better not answer… Anyway…Brittany, did you have to tell them why I was so busy?

Brittany: Hey, look on the bright side. At least I didn't tell them you ended up passing with a C for the subject.

Kisa: (glares) That's what you just did!

Syaoran: How could you get a C in Social Studies! It's the easiest subject ever.

Kisa: Well, I rather math any day. I find math much easier. It's my favourite subject.

Eriol: Me too!

Brittany: …

Syaoran: …

Eriol and Kisa: What?

Brittany and Syaoran: Weirdoes…

Kisa: Hey!

Eriol: It's best we don't respond. Anyway, have you guys seen Charnado anywhere?

Brittany: Nope, can't say we have. Why?

Eriol: I have an uneasy feeling about this…

Syaoran: I wish you didn't.

Kisa: Why?

Syaoran: He's rude, annoying, and appears…

Charnado: (behind Syaoran grinning evilly) When you least expect it?

Syaoran: Yeah! Oh no… (turns around to see Charnado) Not again!

Kisa: (sweat drops as Syaoran runs away from Charnado) Well, I think it's about time we go on with the story while I try to find some way to help Syaoran here.

Disclaimer: I do not and never will own CCS. However, I do own my story plot as well as Elrick, Kyou, and Angelique.

Chapter 11: Free At Last

Elrick sat quietly in his room as he watched the rain gently fall. After he came to Japan he moved into Kyou's apartment where there was an extra room. Angelique already had a small house there and had invited Elrick to stay there as well but he politely refused. He felt she would need her privacy so he decided to stay with his brother instead.

He and his brother were pretty close but he and Angelique were closer. He and Angelique were childhood friends long before he even met Kyou. He picked up the photo that was on his desk and smiled softly as he gazed at the photo and then back at the rain…so many memories he had. He could remember them as though it was yesterday…


America- Nine years ago…

Seven year old Elrick sat by his friends in class just chatting quietly while everyone waited for the teacher. "Hey, Elrick, do you want to play by my house after school?" He turned to look at a friend behind him. "Sure I just got to get permission, Alex." Not too long after, the teacher came in smiling with a girl beside her.

She had shoulder length, blue hair and a petite body. What stood out most though were her small, silver eyes. Ms. Johnson smiled warmly at her students. "Class, I know it's the middle of the school year but it seems that we have a new student in our class. Her name is Angelique Myougi and she has come all the way from China."

Everyone in the class was awed by this fact and looked at the girl with curious eyes. "Angelique, is there anything you'd like to say?" The girl was slightly nudged forward and smiling shyly she bowed, saying, "Pleased to meet each and everyone one of you." Elrick felt a strange aura suddenly and wondered if it came from her… The teacher pointed to an empty spot next to Elrick and told her that's where her new seat would be.

Gingerly, she sat by the brown eyed boy and looked at him quietly. Elrick sensed a strong magic in her and wondered why she was there. He smiled back at her and held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Myougi. My name is Elrick Echiru." She looked at his hand and shook it softly. Elrick smiled one last time before turning back to pay attention to the teacher.

After school, Elrick was going to play a bit at his friend Alex's home. They entered the bus and headed towards the back. He noticed Angelique, sitting alone by herself and no one was paying any attention to her. Everyone sat in the front and left her in the back. So Elrick and Alex sat next to her in the back and Alex introduced himself.

The three had a good time talking. She asked them about their favourite colours, games, and songs and in return, they asked her what it was like in China. She told them many things about her home. About things they have never even seen. Before they reached Alex's stop, they had become good friends. When Elrick and Alex left the bus, they left a silver eyed girl smiling for the first time that day. Elrick had never been any happier before that.


That's when he first met her. Good friends, they truly were. They had their share of laughs and tears but what stood out the most was the amount of mischief the two got into.


Elrick and Angelique- Three Years Later

"Thanks to that teacher, I now have two detentions. I can't stand that woman!" Elrick just gazed out at the water while listening to Angelique's complaints. He couldn't do much about them seeing as how she was the one who put that whoopee cushion in her seat in the first place and then when she got the first detention, ended up with a second one for putting a lizard down her shirt.

"I know that you have magic." Silver eyes stared in surprise at brown ones. "How'd you know?" Elrick continued gazing out at the lake and smiled softly. "I knew from when you first came. I can sense it, just like you can sense mine right now." Angelique's eyes went even wider after that statement and she suddenly ended up in a state of panic.

"You can't tell a soul you hear me? No one at all!" She took Elrick by the shoulders and shook him violently. "Angelique, chill, I haven't told anyone for the three years I knew you, remember? I didn't even tell you that I knew until just now." She suddenly stopped and Elrick fell down dazed. "Good point there; why did I panic again?" "That's what I'd like to know…"

Angelique picked up a stone and studied it carefully before throwing it into the lake. She watched as it skipped across the water. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Hey, Elrick." Elrick was too busy gazing at a grasshopper he just found. Angelique called him again. Elrick was still too busy studying the grasshopper. He was so into it that he didn't sense Angelique sneak up behind him. She used her magic to carry some of the water and then threw it on him.

A scream could be heard as cold water drenched the brown haired boy from head to toe and the grasshopper hopped away. "What was that for?" Elrick shouted out loud. He glared at Angelique as she laughed hysterically.

"That wasn't funny!" Angelique tried to control herself. "I…I'm sorry. You wouldn't answer me." Elrick looked curious. "What did you want to show me?"

She pointed at his wet person. "That." Then she started laughing all over again and Elrick sweat dropped. She calmed herself again. "I'm sorry. Here's the idea…"

The next day, a certain teacher ran outside screaming and sopping wet. Angelique and Elrick laughed nonstop along with the rest of the class until… "Mr. Echiru and Ms. Myougi of Grade 5 Miller, will you please come to the principal's office at this moment. Thank you." They looked at each other to wonder how she could've possibly have found out.


Elrick couldn't help but laugh at that time. That gave him one detention but it gave Angelique three to deal with. Even up to now they don't know how their teacher found out it was them who did it. One moment that stood out in his mind most though was when she had to leave.


Elrick and Angelique- Seventh Grade

It was the last day of school and everyone came running out of the building excited for the start of summer. Elrick and Angelique walked out of the school together laughing and talking. "My dad is supposed to be back tomorrow. "That's great to hear." "Yup! So, Angelique, what do you think waits for us in eighth grade?" She suddenly went silent and the light in her eyes disappeared. Elrick stopped and tuned to look at his best friend. "Something's wrong?"

She lowered her head. "I'm moving back to Hong Kong this summer." Elrick was shocked. "Why?" "They want me to go back so I could do my last two years of junior high there and then high school." He frowned sadly. She was his best friend and didn't want her to go back home. He realized though that she had no choice. Not wanting to let her see his sadness, he smiled. "Let's agree to write and e-mail each other, ok?" Angelique looked up and smiled sadly but nodded her head.

A few days later Elrick was sitting alone at the lake he always would visit with Angelique. He was thinking while the book he was reading lay idly in his lap. He was going to miss her terribly. He knew that. He secretly hoped however that they would meet again. Elrick was thinking so hard that he didn't notice when Angelique came right up behind him.

She nudged him slightly and he turned around and jumped startled. "Oh, it's you, Angelique! You surprised me." She grinned. "Sorry. I didn't mean to." She sat down next to him and they remained like that in silence for a while. Finally, Angelique broke the silence. "My flight is early tomorrow morning so I won't get to see you before I leave then."

That hit him like a ton of bricks but he couldn't say anything. Did it have to be so soon? "That's why I wanted to tell you something now before I left." Elrick turned around to face Angelique curiously. She took a deep breath and continued. "Ever since I came here those years back, you were always there for me. You're my best friend and I will miss you. I do hope we'll see each other again one day soon."

Elrick smiled and nodded back. "I hope so. I feel the same way too." She smiled and got up to leave. "Well, I better go. I have to pack tonight. I guess this is goodbye…" Angelique turned to walk off when suddenly Elrick stopped her saying, "Not goodbye. Just see you later." Silver eyes shone for the first time in days as she turned around and hugged him. "Ok…see you later." With that she walked off, leaving a smiling brown eyed boy behind.


It was a year after that when he was told that he and his dad would be moving to Hong Kong as well. His dad had met someone while he was away and decided to move there. When they moved there, he met Kyou Sanders and his mom. It wasn't easy to talk to Kyou at first for while both were very quiet; Kyou wasn't as open and friendly as Elrick was. Eventually though, they got close and their parents were married. Kyou and his mom changed their last name to Echiru.

A few months after that, he met Angelique again and they talked about all that had happened while they were away. That's when Angelique told him about her engagement. He was surprised at first but he was quite happy for her. He noticed though that while she seemed happy about it, her eyes weren't as bright as they used to be. However, he didn't bring it up…he didn't want to. After that moment, everything changed between them. They were close friends…now they're fighting one against the other.

Elrick looked outside and noticed that it was shining. The rain had stopped. He was hoping that the battle would end as well. That's when he remembered Sakura's statement. "I think there's someone else who can try and talk to her as well." He wondered who that could possibly be… He sighed and placed the picture of Angelique and himself at the lake all those years ago down on the table and got up to take a walk outside. Maybe he'll find out soon enough.


It had been three days now since Sakura was in the hospital and she was recovering quite quickly. Much more quickly than normal. It was Eriol's healing magic and Elrick's medicine to thank. Thanks to them both, the pain was almost gone and her wounds were healing much faster. She thought about them both and how close the two seemed to have been.

They seemed to have quite a past together. She wondered what happened between them. That's something she'd simply have to find out. She sighed and thought about the dream she had been having over and over again. Every time it was something different but it still had the same message… "Don't give up on him." She didn't completely understand what they were talking about but she did know one thing however. She was not going to lose to Angelique and that was final.

Not too long afterwards a knock was heard on the door and Tomoyo came in with Naoko. Sakura smiled. "Hey girls, what brings you here today?" They ran to her and gave her hugs and then placed a dozen red roses in her hands. Sakura looked at the flowers in awe. "Who sent these?"

Tomoyo grinned and said, "Why don't you read the card that goes with it?" Sakura looked back at the roses and noticed a small card attached to them which said:

Sakura,

I hope that you will get better soon. Will visit you later today.

Syaoran

Sakura just stared at the card. It didn't say much but it was enough to tell her that Syaoran cared about her. Naoko sat on the edge of the bed. "Sweet, ne? Syaoran must love you a lot." Tomoyo smiled and nodded in agreement. Sakura looked at them and shook her head.

"You guys have it wrong. We're just friends. Nothing more." Naoko's grin grew even wider. "Whatever you say, Sakura. Whatever you say." Sakura simply shook her head.

"So anyway, how are things doing for you and Eriol?" Tomoyo jumped up in shock at Sakura's question. "What are you talking about? What do you mean me and Eriol?" Naoko smiled widely and Sakura laughed. "Absolutely nothing but your reaction just took all of my doubts with it." Tomoyo pouted and Naoko laughed.

"She certainly got you good, Tomoyo. So, what is really going on between you and Eriol?" Tomoyo smiled. "I don't know." "What! What do you mean you don't know?" Tomoyo turned to look at Naoko and Sakura both. "What I'm saying is that I don't know. I just hope I find out soon…" Sakura simply looked at her cousin and best friend. Something told her Tomoyo would find her answer real soon.

Tomoyo stopped gazing and turned to Naoko with a huge grin on her face. "So, Naoko buddy, how are things going between you and Echiru?" Naoko, being the smart person she was easily evaded the question. "You mean Elrick? We're getting along just fine." Tomoyo growled. "You know who I mean." Naoko smiled. "No, I don't. You said Echiru. There are two Echirus in case you didn't realize. So I couldn't possibly know who you meant."

Tomoyo grumbled. "You're too smart for your own good." Naoko smirked. "Don't blame me for being so clever." Sakura giggled at the two of them. "That's ok, Naoko. You don't have to tell us anything…not yet at least. So why are you guys here anyway?"

They both turned to her and smiled. "We were both wondering if there was anything we could do to help you in this battle. We realize we don't have any powers but maybe there is something we could do." Sakura smiled at Tomoyo. "Perhaps there is something you and Naoko could do, but we'll have to discuss it with the others so let's agree on a certain time." Naoko and Tomoyo nodded. Sakura continued. "Good so maybe you guys can do this…"


Eriol and Syaoran were walking to the hospital later that evening. Eriol had his head in the clouds while Syaoran was thinking about everything that had happened lately. From the time he met Sakura all those years ago to the time he met Angelique and up to now in the break of a serious battle.

He thought to himself and wondered why he loved Sakura over Angelique? Angelique was a very lovable girl. Pretty to say the least and her silver eyes entranced many. Angelique was quite talented and athletic as well. She was very strong and powerful and unique in her own way. There was no doubt that someone would fall for her sooner or later.

Sakura was different though. The first thing a person would notice was her emerald green eyes. Though she was naive and innocent, she had a heart of gold and would help anybody. She was a powerful…no…the powerful Mistress of the Cards. Athletic, strong, talented, creative, and uniquely sweet there was no way anyone would not love her. He could go on and on but it still didn't completely answer why he loved Sakura over Angelique.

"There's no comparison." Syaoran was startled out of his thoughts at Eriol's comment. Eriol looked at him and smiled. "There is no comparison between Sakura and Angelique. Sakura is truly one of a kind." Syaoran smiled. It was as if his blue haired friend read his mind. "You're right, Eriol. You are so right."

As they continued to walk to the hospital, Syaoran now understood why he loved Sakura so much. She is truly one of a kind…


Tomoyo and Naoko were still there talking with Sakura and having a good time when a knock came on the door. Tomoyo went to answer it only to come face to face with Eriol. The two stepped back suddenly in shock and both faces were red. Calming down a bit, Tomoyo apologized and moved to the side to let Eriol and Syaoran in.

A soft smile was on Tomoyo's face and a mischievous grin was on Sakura's, which Naoko and Syaoran seemed to notice. "Hi, Eriol. Hi, Syaoran, nice to see you again." They both smiled at her. Sakura grinned. "Thanks so much for the flowers. They're beautiful." Syaoran whispered. "Yeah, just like you." Sakura turned to look at Syaoran. "What was that?" He furiously shook his head. "It was nothing." Eriol knew however and smiled to himself.

Sakura nodded. "Ok. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! The doctor said that I've healed so much that I can leave tomorrow! Thanks so much for your help Eriol." He smiled. "It was nothing." Sakura nodded. "I'd have to thank Elrick the next time I see him too. This is so great! I can't wait to get out of this hospital!" The others were happy too for not only did that mean that she could come back home but then they could start their plan sooner than expected. Everything was going well and soon the last and final battle will begin.


A/N: That's it for this chapter. I've been a little rusty for not working on it for about two months so I hope this isn't too bad and if so…please forgive me. The next one will be better…hopefully.

Brittany: That's if you are not late again.

Kisa: You didn't have to bring that up! Anyway, I've figured out how to stop Charnado.

Syaoran: (keeps on running from Charnado) Really? How?

Kisa: You'll see. Yo, Charnado! I see Hatsuharu over there!

Charnado: (stops running) Where?

Kisa: (points in a direction) That way. (watches as Charnado runs off)

Eriol: Wow…that worked.

Brittany: For now that is. It's a good thing he's a Hatsuharu fan.

Syaoran: …You're family just gets weirder and weirder.

Kisa: You'll get used to it. Which reminds me, another cousin is coming on in the next chapter.

Eriol: …I'm scared.

Brittany: No need to be afraid with this one…I'd hope.

Kisa: Brittany, trust me. You're the last person who'd be afraid. The person is… (whispers name in Brittany's ear)

Brittany: (smirks) I think she's gonna need the prayer rather then Eriol or Syaoran.

Syaoran: Who is she?

Kisa: You'll see.

Anyway, I apologize for the lateness once again. I will try to update She Will Be Loved tomorrow night or Sunday. Unfortunately, The Last Cherry Blossom is on hiatus due to the fact that well…Ree-Anne and I are not able to work on it together as yet. We may go to the same school, but she's in the elementary part while I'm in the secondary part so I ask that you please forgive me. That's it for now. Please R&R. Bye! Bye!