Author's Notes: A few points:
1) For the wedding scene, I used the American way because I don't know anything about Chinese ceremonies. It would be nice if someone told me if they knew. And I know that the Chinese government doesn't permit Christianity, but I'm using it for my story.
2) This is a long chapter, so be prepared to read.
3) Disappointed S+S fans will be pleased about this chapter.
*~*
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.
*~*
*~* Chapter Sixteen *~*
Miracles do Happen / Revenge is Sweet
Kero watched Sakura toss and turn in her bed, crying out for Syaoran. Poor kid . . . I really hate to see her this way. But it's for the best . . .
He turned his head to look at the dresser. What's taking you so long, Xiefa? The little walkie-talkie was silent. He jumped as a loud gurgle of static exploded from it. Not wanting to wake Sakura up, he flew over to it and lowered the volume.
"Kero, are you there?"
"Xiefa! It's about time! Sheesh!"
"Nevermind that! Now you've got make Sakura's alarm doesn't go off until eight-fifteen, not six-fifteen. Got it?"
"Yeah. I hope you've got a backup plan, cuz I'm sure THAT CREEP is gonna find some way to make sure she wakes up on time."
Xiefa laughed. "Of course I do! Now, fix that alarm. Over."
"Uh, over."
Kero abandoned the walkie-talkie and began to reset the alarm. He'd done it several times over the years, secretly making Sakura late for school and almost everything else. After all, a Guardian Beast needed his sleep.
He froze as the doorknob slowly began to turn. He flew into Sakura's closet, not wanting to look suspicious.
Kero watched as a young maid came in and flicked on the lights.
Sakura jumped up, snapping her eyes open. "Wha . . .!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, miss! B-but Master Alan wanted you to wake up early to make sure that you were on time for the ceremony," she replied timidly.
Sakura smiled at the girl. She climbed out of bed. "Okay. Thanks."
When the maid had finally left, Sakura sleepily shuffled to her closet. She gasped when Kero came tumbling out.
"What were you doing in there?"
"Ohhhhh, well . . . nothing!"
She eyed him for a while, then shook her head. "Last night, HE told me that all of my wedding stuff would be at the chapel. I guess he really wanted to make sure that I didn't skip town or something."
"Yeah, what a swell guy . . ." muttered Kero. The idiot just ruined our plans! "I . . . uh, gotta do something. See ya later."
Sakura shook her head. What is he up to?
*~*
Kero flew throughout the busy halls high above the people's heads so that he wouldn't be noticed. He flew into Xiefa's room through her cracked open door.
She frowned when she saw him. "What are you doing here? You're supposed-"
"Yeah, I know! But ALAN has jacked up our plans! He sent a maid into Sakura's room and woke her up early. She'll be on her way to the chapel in like, forty minutes!"
Xiefa swore softly. "We've got to act quickly. Our plan will never work if we don't stall the wedding a bit."
Kero smiled evilly. "I mastered the art of mischief from the 'younger' reincarnation of Clow Reed. I've got a plan!"
*~*
Kero flew out of Xiefa's window and around to the back of the house. He spotted his target- at least twenty black empty limos just waiting for him.
Man, I guess he wants everyone important to travel in style to the chapel . . . Oh well! Boy, am I gonna have fun! He, he, he, he, HO, HO, HO!!!!!!
He quickly lowered himself onto the ground just behind the vehicles. He changed to his stronger form and opened his mouth, releasing giant balls of fire at each limo. They quickly caught fire.
That should slow him down a bit . . . hahahahaha!!!!!!
Kero turned back into the small yellow guy and flew around. What else can I screw up?
He grinned wickedly. Yeah!!!!!!!
Once again turning back to Keroberus (A/N: hmmm, is that right?) and approached a huge tree sitting on the right side of the front gate to the Li mansion. He pushed against the tree with all of his might, causing it to fall in front of the gate, blocking all traffic.
Now I know why Eriol likes to do this! It's fun!!!!!
*~*
Sakura watched in curiosity as people flew up and down the halls screaming "Fire!" and "Tree!" like maniacs. She walked down the stairs, avoiding all of the people. Sakura watched curiously as Alan argued with a butler in the foyer.
"What do you mean 'the limos exploded' and 'there's a big ol' tree blocking the gate'?" he roared.
The frail man trembled. "Um, just that. L-look outside, sir. Please."
Alan glared at the man, then finally opened the door.
Sakura stifled back a giggle when she saw the huge tree in front of the gate. The Elders were trying to use their magic to lift the tree without looking suspicious. Luckily, since it was early morning, no one was on the street.
"Nothing's funny, Sakura," Alan growled. "This will put us way behind schedule. Let me call some people . . ."
Sakura let out a sigh of relief as Alan shuffled away. Someone has answered my prayers! I have time!
*~*
Xiefa was rolling with laughter when Kero was done filling her in with his story.
"And the best part, of course, was blowing up the cars! You should have seen the explosion!" (A/N: Guys and explosions . . . what's up w/ that?)
Xiefa wiped the tears from her eyes, trying to get serious. "Anyway, a few servant people told me that Alan was purchasing MORE limos and they were going to be over in thirty minutes. The tree is already almost out of the way. Looks like you'll get to have more fun, Kero. We still need more time."
Kero sighed. How does Eriol do it? "Well, we'll have to wait to get to the chapel. I can do a lot more there."
Xiefa nodded. "Right. You better think of some stuff fast."
"Why can't you do something?" grumbled Kero.
She sighed. "Because I'LL be with the bride all day! I can't exactly do much with everyone watching! Don't you want to help Sakura?!"
He recoiled slightly from the tone of her voice. "Of course I do. B-but what if I get caught."
"Just don't, okay?"
*~*
Sakura sat all alone at the breakfast table. It seemed as if everyone was helping fix the mess caused by an unknown culprit. She was secretly glad for the mess- it gave her more time to figure out something.
She looked around. I bet I could just walk out of here now and no one would notice. But what about Kero? Where is he, anyway?
Sakura decided to test her theory. She stood up and left the dinning room, then opened the front door. Sakura cautiously stepped out into the chaos. But before she could go anywhere . . .
"And JUST where are YOU going, Sakura?"
She turned around and saw Mei-lin standing in the door behind her. "Now, you wouldn't be trying to run away, are you?"
Sakura lifted her chin. "No, of course not. I just wanted to see what everyone was talking about!"
Mei-lin stared at her, not believing her for one second. "You probably stared all of this! Don't try anything, Kinomoto; I'm watching you."
Sakura shivered at her tone and then reentered the house reluctantly. Well, there goes my only chance! Miserable, she climbed back up to her room. She closed the door behind her and locked it.
Syaoran . . . I miss you so much!
Sakura went over to her closet, pulling out a large box. It was full of pictures of them when they were younger. Her eyes welled up with tears as she flipped through all of them. I wish I had one of him like he was before he died . . . older and more handsome . . .
She knew where she might be able to find one. Sakura crept out of her room and tried to open the door to Syaoran's room.
Locked.
She frowned, her hand still on the knob. I want to open this so bad . . .
She jumped back as the door slid open. What? Did I do that with my magic?
Sakura slipped into his room, closing the door behind her. It had barely been a day since Syaoran died, so the room smelled very like him.
Sakura immediately spotted what she'd come for. There was a picture of him on his dresser in a green frame. Sakura picked it up, hugging it to her chest.
Then she remembered the old chest she'd found under his bed before. I wonder if it's still there? What's in it?
She let her curiosity control her and laid the picture onto his bed. Sakura fell to her knees and felt around under the bed for it. She pulled it out and stared at the lock. Maybe I can do what I did before.
Sakura placed her hand onto the lock and concentrated. Please, I want to open this lock! Please!
It snapped open.
Wow!
She slowly opened the lid and gasped. There were old pictures of her in the chest. Ones she knew were from Tomoyo and ones she didn't recognize. There were good drawings among the photos, too. She pulled all of them out and picked up another small wooden box that had been hidden underneath all of the pictures.
Sakura opened this one and gasped. There was a beautiful emerald ring sitting there. She took it out of the box and held it up to the light.
What's this? A tiny inscription?
'Sakura and Syaoran Forever' it read.
Oh, was this for me? I bet it was. I guess I can take it . . .
Sakura slipped the ring into her pocket and put the chest back under the bed. She picked up her picture frame and left.
*~*
It was eight fifteen when all of the mess was cleaned and the mew limos had arrived. Sakura was forced downstairs and into a limo with Sanori, Mei-lin, Xiefa and the rest of the sisters. None of the women in that limo made good company. It seemed as if everyone had an attitude.
Of course, Sakura was the worst.
She shook away anyone trying to help her do anything, she acted like a spoiled brat by refusing to get into the limo- until Alan came- and argued with Mei-lin about where she was going to sit.
Xiefa's sisters were arguing about who would get to control the television, who got to try on Sakura's wedding dress first who would be dancing with whom at the reception, who would catch the bouquet . . . and on went the list.
So it wasn't until eight forty when all of the limos were pulling away from the mansion. Sakura's limo was totally silent until they pulled up to the chapel at nine sixteen.
As Sakura was looking at the church with dread, Mei-lin decided to say something rude. "Well, this is what you wanted, right Sakura? A rich husband with power and a title. Now you've got it and you're still not satisfied."
Sakura was fed up with her attitude. She leapt towards Mei-lin, stretching herself over Xiefa's lap. "Shut up Mei-lin! Just shut up!" Sakura wailed, tears streaming down her face. "I loved Syaoran and now he's dead! How do you think I feel?!"
Sanori shook her head. "Don't say another word, Mei-lin. How could you be so cruel?"
"Humph!" Mei-lin jumped out of the limo, slamming the door.
Xiefa rubbed Sakura's shoulder as she forced back her tears. "Don't worry, Sakura. Everything will be okay. Trust me."
Sakura looked up at Xiefa. What's she up to?
They shuffled out of the limo and into a large room in the church. Inside was her gown and all of the accessories needed. Sakura picked up the gown. "Uh, this is ugly!" She stared at the horrendous piece of fabric covered in beads.
Feimei frowned. "It's so old-fashioned!"
Sanori took the dress. "Let's just get this on you, Sakura. We know how Alan doesn't like to wait."
*~*
Xiefa slipped out of the room Sakura was in and outside. She spotted Kero hiding behind an old tombstone.
"Do you have a plan?" she asked.
Kero grinned. "Oh, several! I need to get to work. Is everyone in place?"
Xiefa nodded. "Everyone's in a room. You're free to roam around the church. Be careful!"
*~*
Kero fluttered into church and whisked back and forward through the chairs. Where does the priest keep his Bible thing? He spotted it on the podium and pulled it onto the floor. He hid it behind a whole bunch of scenery. Let's hope that the priest is old and hasn't memorized the ceremony thing . . .
Next he changed to Keroberus and used his teeth to pull the rug from under the chairs, causing them to topple over. He quickly changed back to Kero and flew into the room for the bridesmaids. Surprisingly, the Li sisters weren't there. Kero took the chance to change back to Keroberus. Uhh, tight squeeze here! He took one shoe from each of the bridesmaids and flung them out of the window. Now it was time for his biggest prank yet.
Kero crept back outside and around to the fuse box (A/N: umm, that thing that gives power to the lights. You've seen horror movies before. Take a guess) and then turned into Keroberus. Man, this is ANNOYING! He rammed his paw into the box, forcing back laughter as he heard squealing come form the church.
"Who turned off the lights!!!!!!!!!!!!" The Li sisters cried.
A ghost? wondered Sakura, her eyes wide.
"Calm down, girls. The Elders will check everything out. If it's an electrical problem, they'll use their magic to fix it," soothed Sanori.
The Li sisters sighed in relief. But not Sakura.
Could that be Syaoran's spirit? Is he trying to stop the wedding?
*~*
Alan let out an evil roar when the lights went out. He cursed loudly when he saw the chairs in disarray and he almost hit the priest when he said that he couldn't find his Bible and that he couldn't perform the ceremony without it.
It was as if someone was deliberately trying to postpone the wedding.
*~*
Sakura was finally in her dress at ten-o-five. But the lights were still out. The chairs had been set back up and the priest had located the missing Bible.
Xiefa came into the room with a soda in her hand. Everyone else had left the room except Sanori and Sakura.
"Hey, there, bride!" Xiefa said. "How are you?"
"Nervous! How can you be so happy?"
Xiefa stood over the sitting Sakura. "I just am. What time is it- everything is so behind." She twisted her arm and sent the contents of the soda can onto Sakura's dress. "Oh, no!" she cried, her voice filled with false horror. "I'm soooo sorry!"
Sanori eyes Xiefa. She didn't sound sorry. "Give me the dress, Sakura. I'll have one of the Elders take the stain out."
Sakura happily got out of the monstrosity and handed it to Sanori. She turned to Xiefa when Sanori had left. "What are you up to?"
Suddenly the lights flickered on.
Xiefa grinned. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."
*~*
It took Sunni an hour and forty-five minutes to completely remove the stain. It took ANOTHER thirty minutes to get Sakura into the dress.
The Clan was slow as they trickled into their seats. The Syaoran-mourners sat on the right and the Alan-supporters on the left. Because there were more Alan-supporters, there wasn't any extra room on the left side. The Alan-supporters ended up spending another forty minutes moving chairs onto the left side of the room. Finally everyone was settled.
The wedding started at twelve-twenty.
The music stared and the flower girl came in, followed by the bridesmaids. When everyone was in position, the music started and Sakura came in. She took her place next to Alan.
The preacher cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved, we are-"
"Stop the wedding."
Sakura gasped. I know that voice . . . She turned around, like everyone else.
"Syaoran!" Sakura cried.
In the isle stood Syaoran still in his clothes form the battle. His eyes were just narrow slits and his dark hair fell over them. He grasped his sword in his hand.
"What?" roared Alan.
"So I guess your dirty plan didn't work, did it? I know what you did," Syaoran growled.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Don't play stupid, cousin. If you'd really won the duel, then I'd be dead by now," replied Syaoran, coming down the isle. "But something told you that you would loose, didn't it? So instead you resorted to foul play. You stole MY fiancée!"
Alan suddenly grabbed Sakura's arm and pulled her in front of him. He produced a knife and pressed it to Sakura's neck. "Stay back or your girlfriend gets it."
At that, everyone leapt out of their chairs and fled to the back of the room.
*~*
Sanori watched in surprise as her son stared at Sakura and Alan.
"You're so weak, Alan. You're hiding behind a girl."
"Hey!" squeaked Sakura. "Are you saying that I'M weak?"
Syaoran chuckled. "Not at all, my love. You're one of the strongest people I know."
Alan pulled Sakura back. "Shut up! Both of you!"
Sanori knew that things were getting out of control. She crept away from the crowd in the back of the room and silently went behind Alan. Taking a swift breath, Sanori grabbed Alan's arm- the one with the hand holding the knife- and pulled hard.
Alan gasped and Sakura immediately freed herself from his grasp. She ran behind Syaoran.
Alan pushed Sanori off of his arm. "Get away from me, you old bat!"
Syaoran took the chance to tackle Alan onto the floor. He quickly pried the knife out of his cousin's hand and threw it behind him. He hauled Alan up by the collar of his shirt and flung him out of a window. Syaoran jumped out of the window.
"Now we can have our REAL battle," he told Alan.
Alan quickly called forth his staff and flung a ball of his infamous black energy at Syaoran. Syaoran jumped out of the way and called upon wind. A huge gust of air forced Alan back against a tree. Then Syaoran used wood. Thick roots sprouted up out of the tree, keeping Alan in place.
Syaoran raised his sword high above his head. "Lightning! I call upon thee! Help me defeat my enemy!"
The sky began to darken and the ground shook. A streak of lightning hit Alan. He cried out in pain.
Alan wrestled free of the roots and fell to the ground. He was dying. His body was turning into little black sparkles. Alan glared up at Syaoran. "This is FAR from over." And with that, his body was gone.
Sakura ran up to Syaoran, throwing her arms around him. "I'm glad you're okay!"
Syaoran smiled and hugged her back. "I'm glad you're okay." He looked down at her. "What the hell are you wearing?"
Sakura looked down at her gown. "Shut up and kiss me!"
And he did.
Author's Notes: This isn't he last chapter yet. I've got the epilogue to do, where I will explain how Syaoran got to the church and junk like Xiefa's plan. Please R+R!
