CH 29: End of a Season

That December, snow fell on Christmas. Rain began in the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas day, drumming against the roof tiles. Yukito woke up once. He found that Yue lay awake, still reclined next to Touya, listening to the weather change.

Happy Birthday, Yue said, when he recognized that his other self had woken up.

Is it past midnight? Merry Christmas! Yukito answered with sleepy delight.

Yes. Christmas morning, but still early. Go back to sleep.

When Yukito woke again, daylight filled the room, and Touya was kissing him on the forehead. "C'mon, sleepyhead," the dark eyed man cajoled. "My dad wants us over there for brunch."

"OK, I'm up." Yue, get up for me, Yukito joked. To his amusement, Yue complied. First thing in the morning was enough like an out-of-body experience already. Having Yue shuffle him over to the bathroom was truly weird. He felt Yue move to the background of their shared awareness as his foggy mind cleared, and he woke up the rest of the way while brushing his teeth himself.

He and Touya went out in the morning rain under the protection of one large umbrella. The rain was a slushy, wet ice that splattered on impact. Yukito was careful to keep the bag of presents close to body to keep it sheltered from the wet. As the men walked through the neighborhood to the Kinomoto residence, the rain stuttered into snow.

The snowflakes were enormous, falling like cold confetti. The snow started to stick only where air currents dropped the snowflakes onto dry areas that had been sheltered from the rain. Flakes that careened to the streets and lawns joined the earlier rain in liquid state.

Touya tipped the umbrella so that a few flakes gathered onto Yukito's head.

"To-ya!" Yukito mock-complained.

"It suits you," teased Touya.

y.y.y

The window behind Sakura's Christmas tree had ice crystals, and the glass fogged from the contrast of indoor warmth and the outside cold. Sakura reached behind the tree to plug in the string of lights. The branches of the Douglas fir prickled, but the scent of the disturbed pine needles evoked years of happy memories.

Not everyone's memories of snowfall days were happy ones. Yukito stood by the window, looking out at the snowfall. The snowflakes floated down as lightly as feathers. His face displayed the uncharacteristically melancholy nature of his other side's thoughts. Through his eyes, Yue watched the snow and thought of a day that seemed mercifully left in the past.

Yue recited, to himself and to Yukito, a few lines of poetry. "Ah, when to the heart of man/Was it ever less than a treason/ To go with the drift of things/ To yield with a grace to reason/ And bow and accept the end/ Of a love or a season?"

"Robert Frost," murmured Yukito aloud as, to his surprise, the poet's name came to mind. "'Reluctance.'"

It is fitting, would you not agree? asked Yue. I am yielding now. To the end of a blackthorn winter.

I'm glad that you can, said Yukito. He mustered a smile and saw his reflection on the window return it. Yukito plucked a different memory from Yue. "Dust of Snow," he said, seeing the image of a crow shaking snow onto the poet's head. Robert Frost wrote that one, too. Here comes your 'change of mood' now.

Keroberos, splendid in his large, winged form and bejeweled armor, bumped his head against the young man. The bump was for Yue, who Keroberos could guess was looking out at the winter playground but thinking about Clow.

For a moment, it was Yue who looked out through Yukito's eyes, when he took notice of Keroberos. Then the man smiled, and body and personality matched again. "Good morning," he greeted before parting.

To 'the end of a love,' there is no requirement to yield, Yue continued. Love is not by necessity singular in aspect. Or so I have been reminded, he mused.

Yukito switched places with Yue, and the long-haired man knelt to lightly embrace his brother. It came easier for him to do so, now, since Sakura had empowered the best of his memories. In the months since that night, the link of Sun and Moon returned to something like it had been before. "Keroberos," he asked, "do you remember the best thing about snowy days?"

"Snowball fights?" Keroberos suggested.

"Being inside, where it was warm..." Yue mused.

"Toasting marshmallows."

"Telling stories."

"Figgy pudding."

"Watching Clow open his presents at Christmas."

"Christmas crackers!"

Yue gave Keroberos one more squeeze before he let go. "This snow fall is going to blow away, soon," he predicted.

"I have a great idea. Sakura can make some more for a snow battle!" Keroberos delighted in his inspiration.

Sakura finished positioning the presents under the tree. "Sure," she agreed. The smile she wore, seeing Kero and Yue together, glowed at least as brightly as the Christmas lights.

Touya appeared in the doorway of the living room. "Do we want to do breakfast or open presents first?" he asked. He held a spatula in the hand wearing an oven mitt. "Waffle batter is ready when everyone wants to eat."

Sakura said, "We have to wait for 'Tousan and 'Kasan." She looked at Keroberos, Yue, and Touya. "I want to give 'Kasan her special present."

"I get a special present?" asked Nadeshiko. She walked up arm-in-arm with her husband and stood beside her son. "Having everyone together is the best present already." She turned to Touya, her eyes twinkling. "Did you say waffles?"

"Coming right up." Touya led a parade back to the kitchen.

"Yue-san, could you bring that box under the tree with the candy cane pattern paper?" Sakura requested. "Thank you." She followed her mother, brother, and Kero.

Fujitaka lingered behind. "Could I have a moment, Yue-san?"

Yue stood still, holding the small box he had retrieved. His mouth went dry, so he only nodded in answer. While it was possible that Fujitaka would have something entirely unrelated on his mind, something about his discreet tone implied that this would be the conversation that Yue had hoped to escape.

"Have a seat, please." Fujitaka gestured toward the couch. Yue complied, and Fujitaka sat down on the same piece of furniture. He broached the topic with a deep intake of breath. "I, more than anyone," he began, addressing the space in front of him instead of looking at Yue, "understand that Nadeshiko-san is a compelling person. She is unreserved, and that creates a sense of intimacy with her that causes many of those who meet her, however briefly, to feel a connection."

Yue found his voice. "She is not to blame. The responsibility for the incident is mine."

Fujitaka could not help that his response came out with a small, pleasant laugh. "The 'incident,' as you say, was no one's fault. I'm not assigning blame. We're all adults." He half-turned toward Yue. "Forgive me for letting it go this long without saying something."

Yue blinked at the carpet. He tried to sort his confusion. "I should be asking you for forgiveness," he murmured.

"It's given." Fujitaka looked straight ahead again. "However... I have one request of you," he started.

Yue bowed his head in acceptance of whatever was to come. What did come caused him such great surprise that he felt very glad to be sitting down.

"You and Nadeshiko-san share a lifespan that I won't. I don't want her to be alone after I am gone. There were aspects of the kind of grief that I had when I lost her that were unique to a married relationship." Fujitaka's hands alone indicated the depth of emotion behind his words. "Please take care of my wife." They closed into fists, gripping the knees of his slacks. They relaxed again, and he lifted his chin. "I hope that it won't be necessary for a long time yet."

"Yes," responded Yue to both points. After another second, he remembered to breathe again.

"Also. Yue-san," Fujitaka added, "Tsukishiro-kun has been welcome in our family for a long time. I want you to know that the same welcome extends to you." His open smile eased some of the tension. "Now, we should go to breakfast before Nadeshiko-san comes to drag us in," he suggested and lifted himself to his feet.

Yue sent a plea to Yukito. I could use some time to assimilate this, he sent.

Trade places? Yukito offered.

Yes. To Fujitaka, Yue gave a thank you. He placed Sakura's box onto the couch cushions while the transformation happened. Yukito picked it up and proceeded to the kitchen with Fujitaka.

Touya had to shoo everyone out of the kitchen so that he could start the production of waffles. The warm oven filled the room and the connecting dining area with cozy heat. Fujitaka put on an apron to assist as needed with the cooking. Yukito did the same, but first he delivered the requested box to Sakura. He put his elbows on the pass-through counter between kitchen and dining room to watch the gift giving.

"Thank you, Yukito-san," she said when he brought the wrapped present to her. She offered it to her mother with both hands. "For you."

Nadeshiko leaned against the dining table. She didn't wait to pull the tails of the red and white striped ribbon that made the bow. The top and bottom of the box had been wrapped individually, making the ribbon the only part to undo. When she opened the box, she questioned her daughter with a look. Nestled inside the box was a familiar pink gemstone pendant on a rose gold chain. "My star necklace?" she asked.

Sakura nodded. "Put it on, 'Kasan."

Nadeshiko ushered Fujitaka out of the kitchen to give her assistance. He put the gift box down on nearby furniture so that he could pick up the necklace. Nadeshiko lifted up her hair, and Fujitaka brought the chain around her neck to do the clasp. The pendant briefly sparkled with kaleidoscopic effect.

Touya moved to the doorway for a better view. He blinked as if the clear his eyes. "Hmh," he grunted.

Keroberos harrumphed in almost the same way, at the same time, as Touya. "That worked," he commented with pleased approval. "You look old now, Nadeshiko."

"Not old," Touya contradicted. "The right age."

"'Kasan," said Sakura, "when you wear your necklace, people will see the ordinary person that they expect you to be. I bonded The Illusion to it." Her excitement shined in her eyes. "When it was a Clow Card, Illusion pretended to be your spirit. So... now you can have another form, but you don't have to be another person. You are still you."

Yukito's face took on a quizzical look. Fujitaka turned his wife's face toward him with a light touch on her chin. He looked at his daughter, then looked back at Nadeshiko.

Nadeshiko took in the surprised faces. "What is it?" she asked.

"You look," said Fujitaka with uncertainty, "the same to me."

"And to me," said Yukito, speaking for himself and for Yue.

Touya chimed in. "Not to me. You changed when 'Tousan clasped the necklace on."

Keroberos clarified the connection before Sakura could explain. "She didn't change for you two," he addressed Fujitaka and then Yukito, "because you didn't expect anything different. Illusion is a Card that makes you see what you expect to see." Keroberos viewed Nadeshiko like an art critic viewing an oil painting. "You look completely different to me, but I knew that the necklace was going to change your appearance to match those sketches."

Sakura asked her brother, "Is that how 'Kasan looks to you?" She worried that the spell was not functioning as she had intended. Touya confirmed with a nod.

Nadeshiko touched the cool, star shaped gem. "Can I see?" she asked. She looked around for a reflecting surface. The polished metal of Kero's armor was the closest thing at hand, and she crouched down to use him as a mirror, much to the Sun Guardian's disgruntlement. "I don't think I look any different to myself, either," Nadeshiko finished.

Yukito asked, "Is there someone else you could test it with?"

"The shopkeeper of Twin Bells?" Nadeshiko considered. "Mm, although, since we have already met, how would that work?" She responded to her daughter's increased worry. "I'm sorry, my Sakura."

Sakura became bashful with all the eyes watching her. "Let's see..." Sakura considered. With another shy look at her audience, she stepped back and took out her key. With less volume and less force than she used in a situation of crisis, she cast out Mirror and brought her double into form. "Mirror-chan, could you show my mother the way she looks to..." Sakura surveyed the others, "to Oniichan?" Sakura's image twin nodded. With a flare of pink light, she became a slight woman resembling the Star Guardian, except that this one had fine laugh lines around her eyes, streaks of silver in her hair, and an overall maternal softness to her appearance.

"Oh... my," murmured Nadeshiko. She touched her fingertips to her lips. Mirror, with a mischievous gleam in her temporarily green eyes, reflected Nadeshiko's action.

"This is a bit spooky," Fujitaka commented, entertained by the novelty of the two versions of his wife.

Keroberos' patience ran out. "Good job, Sakura," he concluded. "Now what about breakfast?" He looked to his fellow gastronomes – Yukito and Nadeshiko – for support. "Waffles are calling, right?"

"Mirror-chan, would you like to have breakfast with us?" Sakura asked. Mirror whispered her answer into her Mistress's ear. Sakura obliged her Card's request and returned Mirror back to dormant form. She put the Card away.

Even with a second waffle iron brought over from Yukito and Touya's kitchen and the head start of a stack keeping warm in the oven, the production of waffles could not keep up with Kero-chan's appetite. Sakura distracted him by handing out more gifts. "Eriol sent us all presents," she said to everyone. "Even for Oniichan and for you, 'Tousan." She passed a package to her father, who set it down after a moment's study. "Kero-chan, this one is for you." She looked for a place to put the large box and decided on the floor. "This is for Yue-san," she said to Yukito. Yue's present had a distinctly "book" shape and weight. "And one for you."

"'Kasan," Sakura said as she handed a soft package to her mother. She left her own and her brother's in the shipping box, since Touya was too busy handing out breakfast.

I think that you should open your present now, Yukito suggested to his other self. I can do it for you if you don't want to change places yet. Yukito opened his own present and held the rabbit plush up with a cheerful grin. "It's from Mizuki-san, too," he laughed.

Yes, go ahead, said Yue.

Yukito tore the silver paper wrapper off the book. It was an antique hard cover novel with gilding on the page edges.

"What kind of book is it?" Nadeshiko asked.

"A King Arthur story, Yue says," Yukito conveyed, "the English king who sleeps in Avalon."

"What a pretty word. 'Avalon,'" Nadeshiko said. "What does it mean?"

Yukito paused while Yue explained, which he passed along. "It's the name of an island where the wounded king was taken to be healed. Some legends say that he died of his wounds and was buried on Avalon, but that he will return to the world in a time of need." Yukito turned the book in his hands.

y.y.y

After breakfast, Nadeshiko took her husband aside. "I have been thinking about this," she said while touching her star pendant. "I want to see Sonomi again. Let's invite her to our new wedding," she cajoled.

"I haven't told her," Fujitaka said. "I didn't think it would be enough to send Sonomi-kun a wedding announcement, but I wasn't sure how well she would take the news."

"It will be better if we invite her," said Nadeshiko with excitement. "I really want to see her, even if I have to pretend to be someone else."

"Are you sure about this?" Fujitaka asked. Nadeshiko nodded a vigorous confirmation. Fujitaka looked at the telephone. "Why don't I call her now?"

Fujitaka spoke briefly with the house servant who picked up the line, wishing the maid a merry Christmas and giving his name. He looked out the window while he waiting. Nadeshiko came close and leaned against the wall. It was not long until he spoke again. "Sonomi-kun, Merry Christmas," he said. He exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, then brought the conversation around to the subject at hand before he lost his nerve.

"I have, ah, some big news," he said, his voice shaped by a sincere wonder. "I'm... I'd like you to come to a wedding. My wedding," he finished.

"What?" Sonomi's voice had gone strange. "When?"

"I'm getting married again," Fujitaka supplied. "The ceremony is set for spring." He didn't want to say that it had been planned for his anniversary. They would have to shift the date, he realized, a date that Nadeshiko's cousin would recognize, or Sonomi would never forgive him.

Sonomi's strained timbre was almost lost across the phone line. "So soon," she murmured. Iron crept in. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

"I've been... seeing her for a while," Fujitaka evaded with the truth, "but I wasn't ready to introduce her to... you, until now." He looked up and met Nadeshiko's gaze.

"I see."

"Sonomi-kun, you are the first person to hear the announcement, after my household," Fujitaka mollified.

"Well. So when do I get to meet this new bride-to-be? Why don't you bring her over for dinner this week?"

"Dinner this week?" repeated Fujitaka for Nadeshiko's benefit. "Yes, I think we would love to -" he paused, covering the handset, because of Nadeshiko's interrupting gesture. He could not interpret what Nadeshiko wanted him to say.

Sonomi asked, "Is she there now?" Her voice could be clearly heard coming from the handset.

Nadeshiko's gesturing became an excited nod. "Tell her yes, Fujitaka," she urged.

"She's here, Sonomi-kun." He contemplated, and inhaled deeply. "Would you like to come by this afternoon, if you aren't too busy?"

"It is Christmas - but I was planning to already, in fact. I have a gifts for Sakura-chan. Ojii-sama has some gifts as well that he wants me to deliver." Fujitaka could hear her paging through what might have been a day planner, then closing the book. "I'll be by before three-thirty. Will that be a good time?"

"That will be fine. We will see you then."

"Kinomoto-sensei," Sonomi asked in that same preoccupied voice, "what is her name?"

Fujitaka didn't have an answer. Again, he gestured his concern at Nadeshiko. What do I do? he pantomimed.

Nadeshiko reached for the phone. She took the receiver from Fujitaka and carefully brought it up to her ear. "Ah- Hello," Nadeshiko wasn't going to make the same mistake that she had with the owner of Twin Bells. "Avalon," she offered as a surname, "...Natasha. Please call me Natasha." She listened to silence in suspense.

"Daidouji Sonomi. Pleased to make your acquaintance," came Sonomi's voice. Ultra-polite and slightly more musical than her regular speaking tones, her voice indicated to Nadeshiko - who had once known her cousin well - that her cousin was covering emotion with civility.

"I look forward to meeting properly this afternoon," replied Nadeshiko.

Fujitaka took the phone back. "Sonomi-kun. It will be good to see you again," he said. They exchanged good-byes.

Fujitaka hung up the phone and exhaled a large breath. He shared a long look with Nadeshiko.

y.y.y

Sonomi clicked the "off" button of the cordless phone but sat thinking, making no other movement. At last she put the phone down.

Kinomoto-sensei was remarrying... and his intended was a foreigner? But her Japanese had been perfect. More than perfect. Her voice had sounded familiar, almost like the voice that Sonomi would never forget. At first - just for a second - Sonomi thought she was hearing her long lost Nadeshiko.

The interaction knocked Sonomi off balance. She closed the email window requesting the background check that she had been about to order. Maybe she would meet the woman first. Sonomi had good instincts, she knew, and if this woman didn't pass inspection, Sonomi would make sure to find out everything about her. Until then, she would give her a chance. Not that this bride-to-be could take Nadeshiko's place - no one every would - but as someone that Kinomoto-sensei cared for so well, she might be someone deserving of him.

y.y.y

"Oh, Tomoyo is here, Sakura," Keroberos announced. He changed to his smaller size and zipped away toward the living room.

"Oh, Fujitaka..." Nadeshiko fretted. "What if... ?"

Touya moved to his mother and put his arm around her. "It's going to work out, 'Kasan," he said. "I'll make coffee."

The doorbell rang, and Fujitaka went with Sakura to answer it with Nadeshiko trailing nervously behind. "Please, come in," Fujitaka welcomed. Tomoyo gave Sakura a conspiring smile, and the girls went together upstairs. Sonomi was enough distracted by the woman standing with Fujitaka not to fuss over Sakura.

"Sonomi-kun," Fujitaka greeted, "this is Natasha, my wife." As the word was leaving his mouth, he realized his mistake. "To be," he added, awkwardly. "My fiancé," he corrected. He completed introductions without bumbling any further.

Nadeshiko spoke around the tightness in her throat. "Can we offer you coffee?"

"Coffee would be fine," Sonomi managed.

Fujitaka ushered the group back to the dining room. Touya brought a French press of fresh, hot coffee to the table. He made a return trip with coffee cups, sugar, and cream. The divine scent of dark roast perfumed the room.

"I still wish it tasted as good as it smelled," said Sonomi unintentionally.

Nadeshiko almost asked, You still don't like coffee? but caught herself and substituted, "Would you like some black tea? It's no trouble."

"No, no," protested Sonomi with embarrassment at her vocal faux pas. "Coffee is fine." She took a seat at the table just as Touya placed a coffee cup in front of her. "Thank you, Touya-san," Sonomi said to the young man.

Nadeshiko, surprised and pleased that her cousin had acknowledged her son, slid into a seat. Fujitaka remained standing for a moment longer, wondering if he should help Touya with serving.

Touya finished placing spoons. He removed his apron, worn while cleaning up the breakfast dishes, left it in the kitchen, and gave the other adults privacy by slipping away to join Yukito and Keroberos in the next room.

"So," Sonomi suggested, "tell me about yourself, Avalon-san."

Nadeshiko looked at Fujitaka for help. "I wouldn't know what to say..."

Fujitaka straightened his posture. He put his shoulders back. "Natasha-san is a very interesting person," he stated. "For example," he said, "what would your first impression of her be?"

Nadeshiko caught on. "Yes! Please don't hold anything back. How do I appear... that is, what kind of person would you say I seemed to be?" She smiled encouragement and leaned in with eagerness to hear what Sonomi would say.

A wrinkle of bewilderment creased Sonomi's brow. "Well..." she hesitated, looking at Nadeshiko, then at Fujitaka, then back at Nadeshiko. "You seem very nice," she supplied diplomatically.

With a smile full of mischief, Fujitaka asked, "Would you guess that Nad- Natasha-san can fly?"

Nadeshiko's face froze.

"Oh!" responded Sonomi with interest. "Is that how you met, flying planes for one of Kinomoto-sensei's archeological trips? That is interesting!"

Under the table, Nadeshiko kicked her husband. "Well, I... " she started. "I find Fujitaka's work fascinating," she said. Afraid of what Fujitaka would come up with next, she said, "Fujitaka has told me all about you."

"Has he?" Sonomi showed surprise.

"Tomoyo-chan is a good friend to Sakura... -chan," she corrected herself. It would be too strange for a future stepmother to already be so close to her future stepdaughter that she would leave off any honorific.

"Sakura-chan is as darling as her mother. She is a wonderful girl. You know about Nadeshiko, I'm sure?"

Nadeshiko smiled. "I do. I know many things about who she was." She chanced going a little closer to truth. "I understand that you have been important to this family, and I am glad to be meeting with you today."

Sonomi gave another surprised look to Fujitaka. "I'm glad to meet you as well," she said to the other woman. She took a sip of her coffee, but it had cooled.

She didn't think that her distaste showed so well in her expression, but Nadeshiko rose and danced over to the kitchen. "I'll make some tea," she said, already clicking on the electric kettle. Fujitaka got up as well. He filled the water kettle and put it back on to heat. Nadeshiko came back with a tin of black tea bags and a fresh cup.

Sonomi added up the personalized house shoes that Natasha wore, the domestic mood, the usage of first names, and the slip in introductions. She fixed Fujitaka with a direct look. "Kinomoto-sensei. Are you already married?"

Taken aback, Fujitaka failed to muster a reply. Nadeshiko made little stuttering noises. Finally, they looked at each other and helplessly answered with the truth. "Yes," they said in unison.

"I thought so." Sonomi's peeved expression gave way to one of grudging acceptance. "No wonder you sounded dodgy on the phone."

Both Nadeshiko and Fujitaka laughed their relief. Fujitaka said, "I apologize, Sonomi-kun."

Sonomi made a face. "Why do you feel the need to dissemble? Why go through the circus of a ceremony?"

"We want to have a wedding," Fujitaka explained.

"It's a second wedding for both of us," said Nadeshiko, bordering truth. "We want the party. So that others can celebrate with us."

"Well," said Sonomi. "Just remember that it is the marriage, not the wedding, that is important." She kept her further thoughts to herself.

Over the tea that was more to her liking, Sonomi talked a while longer with Fujitaka and Nadeshiko. She found herself relaxing and enjoying the company. They even discussed a few aspects of the wedding being planned, and Sonomi jotted down the names of event planners that she could recommend.

It wasn't until Sonomi left with Tomoyo that Nadeshiko began to shake and cry, overcome with profound emotion. She had never wanted to leave; she had never been fully able. After her death she came back over and over again, waiting between the living world and the next life she could have, letting her son believe that visited from heaven. And now she had it all back again, all of it and more.

y.y.y

epilogue

Invitations to the wedding ceremony went out to Fujitaka's network at the university, including his teaching assistants and past students with whom he still had connections. He sent invitation cards to colleagues that he had met on his travels to various archeological sites. Not many of them would be able to attend, but over the years, he had developed friendships with peers across the world.

Nadeshiko would have been the one with a sparse bride's side this time. Sonomi sat on the groom's side. However, Maki from Twin Bells had become a good friend, and she stood as Maid of Honor, party to the secret that the wedding was for show. Sakura encouraged her mother to include her extended family as Star Guardian, which gave the girl a clear opportunity to invite Syaoran Li and Meilin Li. Eriol Hiiragizawa could not have been kept away. Even if he had not been, himself, eager to see the Star Guardian, Ruby Moon would not have missed the combination of an introduction, a visit, and a wedding.

Since Touya was a member of the wedding party, standing up front as best man to his father, Ruby Moon - in her Nakuru Akizuki form - had to satisfy herself by tormenting him indirectly. To her irritation, even though she gleaned early on that Yue was present and aware at the same time, Yukito was still annoyingly unflappable. He just smiled and laughed when Ruby Moon hung around his neck and tried to get her opposite number to "come back out and play." During the ceremony itself, in the presence of non-magical attendees, Nakuru had to limit herself to the smaller annoyances, such as flipping the ends of Yukito's hair. She sang louder than he during the wedding hymn, but they were both surprised when their pure voices harmonized "O Perfect Love" as if they had rehearsed to sing together.

Spinel Sun and Keroberos witnessed the service from the chapel balcony in the company of The Dark. The Light made sure that Tomoyo Daidouji had perfect lighting at any angle for all the mother-daughter photos she took. Tomoyo looked at Nadeshiko in her cream lace and apple green wedding gown and had a vision of how Sakura would look, grown up, on her wedding day. How divine Sakura would look in petal white and blush pink!

Sonomi was astonished at the turn out. For her own reasons, she tended to think of Kinomoto-sensei as isolated and alone. Yet here he was, surrounded by a crowd that wished him well. Here he was, moving on from the loss of her dear cousin Nadeshiko. It should have angered her, but somehow, Fujitaka hit the right note to honor her memory... or maybe it was that Sonomi liked Fujitaka's new bride. She had a welcoming manner that made Sonomi feel as if the woman already knew Sonomi well. Sakura-chan had not stopped smiling once during the whole event, Sonomi noticed.

The celebrant presiding over the service was one of a select few that knew that the ceremony was not a true wedding - since Nadeshiko and Fujitaka were already married - but a renewal of vows. However, like Sonomi, he thought the marriage was a recent event. Legal complications might arise as time went on because Nadeshiko's death certificate nulled her marriage certificate, the Kinomotos knew. However, as Sakura said, "Zettou Daijoubu." They would work around any obstacles as they came up. Keroberos suggested that they could use The Create if necessary, as Clow had done at times, to forge the appropriate paperwork.

y.y.y

Shortly before the ceremony began, Yue found his way to the open door of the bridal dressing rooms. The room exuded the powdery and floral scents of femininity. A careful glance into the interior showed that the ladies were dressed. Tomoyo, leaning in close to Sakura's face, applied subtle make up to Sakura. Sakura had the important role of returning her parents original wedding rings back to them during the vows. Touya, as best man, could have held the rings, but the family wanted to include both children in the actual ceremony.

Nadeshiko beckoned him. "Come in; we're all decent," she laughed. "How do I look?"

"You are beautiful," Yue praised her, radiating a calm cheer.

Nadeshiko took Yue's hands in her own. "I'm so happy today," she said. "Thank you for coming to see me before things get started. I was hoping that you would, while Maki-san is busy with last minute guests arriving." She gave him a wistful smile. "You don't mind being hidden while the regular guests are present, I hope? I still know that you are here with me today."

Yue squeezed her hands and answered, "I will be watching you along with Yukito during the ceremony."

"You look dashing in that suit. Promise me that you will take photos with the rest of us, after," Nadeshiko urged. "I want lots of photos of everyone." She giggled at his discomfiture. "Oh, don't be bashful. Only our family will ever see the pictures."

Our family. Yue glanced over at Sakura, then back to her mother. "Of course," he acquiesced. "I will be honored."

A squeal of a voice suddenly broke their communion. "There you are!" The athletic figure of Nakuru Akizuki – Ruby Moon, Eriol's Moon Guardian, in her human-appearance form – bounded into the room. Seeing Sakura, she veered away from her original target and homed in on the cute girl instead. "Look at you...!" she squeaked.

"Be careful of her makeup, please," Tomoyo requested in a sweet, soft voice that nevertheless stopped Nakuru mid-glomp.

Instead, the young woman hovered, torn between fluttering over Sakura and tormenting Yue, her nemesis. "We're supposed to be taking our seats," she announced.

Nadeshiko had met Nakuru briefly, albeit as Ruby Moon, just the day before when Eriol Hiiragizawa's group arrived in Tomoeda. "I'm sure you are right," Nadeshiko agreed. She looked at Yue and stifled a laugh. He looked like he wanted to flee. "Yue, you should probably go."

"Yes, I should," he agreed. Without compunction, he switched places with Yukito. Yukito had the better nature for interacting with Nakuru's gleeful malice.

Nakuru pouted when she saw the glowing wings form. "No fair," she muttered.

y.y.y

"You may kiss the bride."

The kissing was joyful but contained. The happy couple ended their kiss but remained holding hands. Nadeshiko turned her gaze outward, her smile brilliant as she took in all the faces of the audience to her happiness.

Yukito eyes met Touya's eyes across the room. They shared a look and a meaningful smile.

Yue was witness to their moment and felt the warmth pour over to him. He considered the gathering of loved ones in the room. He saw the connections to himself, stars of varying brightness in a new sky. The universe, once contained all in the presence of one beloved person, had become greater. Deep within himself, Yue felt the warming light of peace.

Owari.

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Author's Notes:

It's so hard to say "the end" to this story, but "owari" means something more like "the tale is done" that "That's all, folks!" I could footnote this story up to the triple digits. It's full of references to beloved fanfics, mine and especially others. My time with Tsukimine Shrine (on Livejournal) shaped a lot of my ideas about the characters of Cardcaptor Sakura. If you have any questions, please do ask! I hope I didn't leave loose ends (or leave "showing" out) this time!

Oh, Yue! I wanted him to have a happiness that wasn't about falling in love again. That always seemed too small. I had to put him through the ringer, but he and I got to experience catharsis together. Did I succeed in getting that across? The richness of love comes from experiencing it in as many of its facets as possible.

At the risk of making you afraid to give negative feedback (please don't be afraid to do so), I want to tell you that my mother died during the ten years that lapsed between the beginning and ending of this fic. When I picked the story up again, in 2010, it was two years after she left this world. Grief is so individual. I thought that it was enough to know heartache, to tell this story, but I know now that how I am grieving (I still am) gave me more crayons to color the picture. Fujitaka's and Touya's and Nadeshiko's experiences became as important as Yue's. This is very much a Nadeshiko-and-Yue story. I hope that you enjoyed it!

You should read "Clow Stories." It's getting an edit/rewrite, and I'm posting it at Archive of Our Own. You can find an up-to-date directory of all of my CCS stories, with links, right now on my Chrysalisdreams livejournal. Link on my bio page.

A gigantic THANK YOU to my reviewers and everyone who has followed this story, especially those since the big gap after 2006. I save every one of those notifications that come into my email inbox. They sustain me. I don't have a lot of readers compared to some, but have the best readers. (big smile) Yes, I will name you all!

So, with that warning, thank you Konnie-chan (for inspiring Nadeshiko's reincarnation to begin with), Tsumina, Dark Koorime0-0, ChibiRisu-chan, Damien Kellis, Tamchronin (for always being awesome), insanechildfanfic, SybilSofiana, Silent Seraphim, Siryn, Tabiku Tab Iakkin, fireash, baka deshi (whose drabble inspired the haircut threat), brokenAngelYue, Mordac, Verna-S, Yami-chan and Unrealistic, Pandora-chan, BloodRaeVynn, Beckeh, babymar-mar, SolidFigments, Chibi-Vicki-san, Kunai, LeBibish, ElfLord Linden, Lady Ski, SilverStar24, opiumsmoke, 0810, Storm Black, sarah, Snowy Leopardess, evilteddybear, tomoyohime8, Butterfly In Furs (hey, I did complete it!), artemis-nz, lil-baby-tash, Ex-Shark-Virtue-005, Vicks111 (hope is answered), sunny-skies-all-around, ghost-in-my-closet, nequam-tenshi (I'm sorry that I could only squeeze Meilin in in the ending crowd scene), LLC, Ranuel, A Coleman, Penny Dreadful (my first indication that I was breaking brains, LOL), A Carousel in a Teacup, Lady Blood Dove, Tyoushiro, Twilight Cardmistress, Yukiko Tsukishirou (I did remember!), James Birdsong, p-chan, vargs, CloudsOverYou, hotmustache, FYSS (I have a story for you and might share it), Viva-Taquitos, NoirxAnge, mooncrystalshinethedarkness, Aristania, xX-MoonGuardian-Xx, MARYXULA, and everyone who has been following or lurking and waiting to leave a review now.

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