Disclaimer: CCS by CLAMP is not mine and never will be, this fanfic is just loosely based off the new clear card arc.

Inspirations: imperfect, unfold, destiny, haunted, drama, stormy, patience, timeless.

Mysterious Queen of my Heart

Chapter 30: Epilogue

~3 years later~

Akiho decided to return to France after middle school. The French high school she was hoping to go to was enough to travel back to her homeland, leaving Japan behind. The gang was a bit upset to lose a new friend as it was her choice. They were going to keep in touch though skype and email.

Syaoran kept his word on sticking around town, his 1st purpose was to help Sakura with the new threat and represent his clan on his mother's premonition but 2nd to start over and be with his girlfriend in Japan.

Everyone suspected that Eriol would leave again back to England where they assumed Kaho was waiting, but she had written him not long after the final battle, basically asking them to go their separate ways and live a long and happy life. As much as Eriol was an Englishman, he didn't feel right going back this time around, so he decided to see how Japan suited him.

It was currently summer term of their first year of high school and everyone was excited about the upcoming school council election.

"Tomoyo-chan" Sakura called her best friend in the hallways skating her way to first period.

"Hmmm?" she replied distantly.

"Did you hear? Eriol-kun is running for president! I thought for sure you would be as well?" Sakura inquired.

"Yes, I know him and I discussed a few weeks ago, we laid out his campaign and help him with student engagement, as he's only been back for three years. He even asked me to become his campaign manager as soon as he found out I'm not running this year" Tomoyo revealed.

"Well I got to go but good on you Tomoyo-chan, he'll win for sure with you by his side" Sakura replied rolling away.

"We'll see" Tomoyo muttered to herself.

################################

Eriol had struggled with his affections for his best friend for a while now and it was tiresome being selfish and keeping it to himself. It was a heaven send opportunity when he discovered that she would not be running for council this year unlike middle school where she ruled with an iron fist. After some delicate prying he found out that she wanted a break from the spotlight and to work on her magic skills which were getting rusty.

He swooped in and at least convinced her to manage his campaign to victory to keep her by his side. This was the year where he would ask her out. He had waited long enough to let her stew with the aftermath of their curse being lifted.

Sakura and Syaoran had gone on a date to the park, it wasn't anything too special and Kero was allowed to come this time. They packed a picnic and of course sweets. After a while they found themselves talking about Eriol and Tomoyo.

"Syaoran-kun? Do you think that they will finally let themselves be together? Eriol clearly loves Tomoyo, and she is being oblivious even though she spends most of her time at the manor. Their best friends but the whole school knows that they are going to be together at some point." Sakura complained loudly.

"Well, now that Tomoyo isn't running for council, perhaps she'll find time for him. I don't understand how she does so much all the time" replied Syaoran.

Kero stopped eating his cookie and contributed to the conversation.

"Who says they have to be together, just because they used to be Master Clow and Mistress Kyoko?"

Sakura and Syaoran looked at each other, he had a point.

Tomoyo was feeling depressed. She had everything she could want, and yet she felt like she was missing something. She knew that Eriol had deep feelings for her but she couldn't feel back for him. Internally she reciprocated those feelings but mentally she was holding back due to the fact that she knew it was only the Kyoko part of her that wanted him. She was Daidouji Tomoyo, not the same person and she wouldn't fall again twice. Eriol was too blind to see past her. Maybe this was the year to choose for herself.

There was a sophomore student that had caught her eye, he wasn't anyone special or anything but she had noticed that he hanged out in the library and was currently trying to read the entire selection, for reasons she didn't know of and it had been bugging her deeply.

Eriol's campaign had been going great so far, Tomoyo had been present at all the rally's so far and they worked like clockwork after school, moving on to the next item but Eriol did notice that her behavior became more distant, yes she seemed to be with him 24/7 but as time continue it was like all the laughter and banter was less frequent and it became more and more businesslike.

"Tomoyo-san? Where have you been around lunch time? I've been waiting for you on the rooftop like usually?" asked Eriol suspiciously.

"We spend enough time together as it is, Eriol-kun. It's not any of your business but ive been in the library with Deshimaru Naru-san, class 2-2. He asked me out the other week and I said yes." Tomoyo divulged.

"Oh… well good for you, I'm happy for you" Was all Eriol could managed caught off guard.

"Thank you, you know after this campaign, you should find someone too" Tomoyo encouraged happily.

Sakura had received a letter from Akiho that evening which informed her that she had been thinking about the situation between Eriol and Tomoyo that she had consulted her library and discovered that now that curse was lifted, their preset destiny resumed. They were tied by the red string of fate whether they liked it or not. They didn't have to be together if they so wished but their lives wouldn't be as fulfilled.

Sakura frowned at reading it. She wanted her best friend to be happy. But maybe this was being happy for her.

Syaoran agreed with Akiho, they wouldn't be any help if they tried to interfere. So it was decided that they butt out of Tomoyo's future.

Destiny is a fickle thing.

Tomoyo had made up her mind and Eriol was disappointed, but knew that if he pushed her that it would become worse. He backed off and settled for himself for now but the rest of high school was going to be painful. No he wasn't going to run away this time, he would move on if he had to in his own time.

~*~THE END ~*~

Word Count: 1'088 words

Prompt: Union

Posted: June 5, 2017

AN: So this is it, not quite sure how I like the ending but I rewrote this three times. I think there is more to ExT than this but perhaps in a sequel? I wanted less cliché and more complicated than it seems, kind of relationship. We all know that life is not fair and some people have to go through more before they can be really happy, the trials I call them. Sorry if you were hoping for better for Eriol and Tomoyo.