Chapter 26
Disclaimer: "Cardcaptor Sakura" and all related characters belong to Clamp.

Author's Notes: Well, this is the first ending and the happily-ever-after version. This is the 1st original ending that I have contemplated with for 'Destiny'. It is very much like episode 70 of the anime CCS, except with the roles of Sakura and Syaoran reversed. So, here we have, the happy ending to 'Destiny'.

Sakura sat down on an available seat, scanning the airport with a quick glance. There were many people rushing here and there, and she could not help feeling uncomfortable.

"Sakura-chan," Oto-san moved towards her from the counter, "the plane is delayed and won't be here till twenty minutes later. So, we have a bit of free time. Do you want to get something to eat?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, thank you. I'll like to sit here for a while."

"Alright. I'll go and get something. Please wait here."

Sakura nodded as she saw the receding figure of her father.

* * *

Syaoran quickly shoved the money to the cab driver. "Thanks and keep the change." He stormed out of the cab and dashed into the airport.

Where are you, Sakura? He scanned to the left and then the right of the airport. Has your flight left?

A crackle came through the air and a lady with a deep voice announced, "Due to bad weather, air flight number X439 that is going to Tokyo, Japan has yet to arrive. It will arrive in ten minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"Thank goodness I still have time. Sakura should be at the waiting area." His heart warmed as he made his way towards the right.

As the waiting district became closer and closer to him, a distinct figure caught his eye. A young lady was sitting by herself among strangers. She was engrossed in reading a book, with small conscious efforts to push away her auburn locks that had gotten to her face. Her emerald eyes remained fixated on the book, with only slight movements now and then to look at something else.

"Sakura…" Syaoran realized and closed in the distance between him and her. "Sakura!"

The girl lifted her eyes from the book to look at him. "Syaoran-kun… why are you here?"

"I…" Syaoran tried to catch his breath. "I… came to find you."

An element of surprise arose onto her face as she contemplated with the idea. "You came to find me?"

"Yes. Are you leaving?"

"I have to. My brother is injured. I want to go back to look after him."

Syaoran drew in a mouthful of air. "Oh… I see."

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for coming to see me off. It means a lot to me." Sakura smiled.

"I… eh… I want to tell you something."

"Yes?"

"I… I… here." Syaoran shoved the velvet box into her hands.

"What is this?"

"Eh… open it."

"Oh, it's beautiful. But why?"

"I want you to have it."

"But it's expensive."

"I want you to have it because," Syaoran gathered another mouthful of air as he encouraged himself. "Because I want you to be my fiancée."

"Oh…"

"Will you accept the ring?" Syaoran looked at her hopefully.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, thinking. Then she moved closer to him and pulled his arm towards her. "Here." She exclaimed as she replaced the box back into his hand.

"Why?" Syaoran began.

"Take the ring out." Sakura smiled as she placed her right hand in front of him. "Take it out and put it on my finger."

"Really?" Syaoran shone with excitement. "You agree to be my fiancée?"

Sakura nodded, smiling. "But I still have to return to Japan. My brother needs my father and I."

"I'll wait. I'll wait for your return."

"Then it's a promise." She smiled, as a glimmer of light sparkled off the ring.

The End

Author's Notes (again): In my opinion, it is a great misery never to be able to confess your feelings to the one you loved. So, even though they are separated by distance, I think it's a happy ending because at least they recognize each other's love and make their acceptance known.

Also, even if Clow Reed has never been around, Syaoran will also be around. I went to check my manga and anime collection to see if I remembered wrongly. Both versions mention Syaoran as a distant relative of Clow Reed, not a direct descendant. Clow Reed's mother came from the Li family and Syaoran's family tree may have come from one of the brothers or sisters of Clow Reed's mother. Besides, Clow Reed had never gotten married before. There is a Chinese tradition that even though you are not from the direct lineage of a person, as long as he's from your family (in general) and that he's older than you, he's considered your ancestor.