Li closed his eyes, trying to numb the pain that tore at his heart as he gazed at the opaque black sphere that stood only a few meters away from him. He had put the life of the girl he loved most on the line just for this charm?
His amber eyes seemed to pierce through his opponent who stood smirking in front of him with gleaming blue eyes. She lifted an amused eyebrow at his reaction as she spoke.
"Don't worry. All you have to do is to surrender, and I'll release that Sakura girl. After all, fair is fair, ne?" she inquired, shooting him a steely blue gaze as she watched him try to sort out his mixed emotions at that moment.
He looked down, clenching his fists ever so tightly. Both the void element charm and Sakura were equally important to him. Still, if he was to battle Yoko, he would be endangering the Sakura's life. He couldn't do that, could he?
"You and I will always be issho."
He squeezed his eyes close as Sakura's clear words seemed to thunder through his mind. Sakura wouldn't have approved if he were to surrender just because he was forced to save her.
Still, it didn't make sense just to let her get harmed because he was so desperate to redeem the void element charm. In fact, both decisions didn't even seem to make sense now.
"No matter what happens, I know you'll always be there for me."
His eyes shot open, listening to the words that he had heard from her almost ten years ago. She had placed her trust in him, and he couldn't fail her. Not at this moment!
His amber gaze remained on the guardian as a slow smile formed on his lips. He was sure of what he had to do now. In fact, he had never ever in his life been surer than how he felt right at this moment.
-------
MEANWHILE IN TOMOEDA UNIVERISTY…
Chiharu gazed at the photograph of Li and Sakura on her table as she sighed. The two of them had much in common since fourth grade; they shared the same liking in sports, and of course, in each other.
She sighed, remembering how red Li's face had used to turn when Sakura looked at him. she hadn't noticed that earlier, but after Li's departure from Tomoeda, Tomoyo had informed her of that. It was only then she knew that Li and Sakura actually harboured feeling for each other.
All of this wouldn't happen if Li and Sakura had realized their true feelings ten years ago before Li left for Hong Kong. In fact, that would have made life easier for the both of them than suffer all the pain and agony of a love that was never answered.
Another sigh escaped her lips as she smiled at the photo that had been taken while they had visited the skating rink. Li and Meilin had complained that they didn't know how to skate. Yet, he had skated fine later, only to slip once again when he was gazing at Sakura.
Still, she had never imagined that Meilin would then return to Hong Kong for a short period of time due to some unknown reasons. That, Tomoyo had told her, that Li and Sakura's relationship had gradually improved and the both of them had grown closer.
The loud ring of her telephone jerked her out from her deep thoughts as she blinked. Picking up the receiver, she spoke a soft "Hello" on the phone.
Yamazaki's voice came over the line; his voice slightly tinged with worry and anxiety after he mumbled a quick reply to her greeting on the phone.
"Chiharu-chan? Is Sakura-chan there with you?"
She blinked, her brown eyes widening in surprise as she replied. "Iie, of course not. Why would she be with me at this time of the night? Besides, it's almost morning!"
"Not so," he sighed over the phone. "Li-kun, Sakura-chan and Tomoyo-chan have gone missing. I've tried calling them, but no one picks up the phone."
Her eyes narrowed as she frowned at the phone. "Maybe they've gone out, Yamazaki-kun. Tomoyo-chan, in turn, might be taking some videos of both Li-kun and Sakura-chan together."
"That's impossible. No place is open this late."
She sighed, glancing briefly at the clock that stood on the table not far from her.
"Very well, Yamazaki-kun. I'll meet you at in front of Tomoeda University in five minutes."
-------
Li gripped his sword in his right hand, ready to unsheathe it. His amber eyes narrowed at Yoko, his attention concentrated on the opponent who was standing in front of him.
Suddenly, Yoko fingers twitched ever so slightly, and two black spheres appeared around him. Narrowly leaping out of the way, he swiftly unsheathed his sword, bringing out a parchment.
"Force, know my plight; release the light! …Lightning!"
The bolts of lightning seem to zap the spheres, causing them to fall into a useless rubble on the ground just as he landed. He couldn't continue blocking Yoko's attacks, he knew. Sooner or later, he would be forced to attack her instead, and at that time, he had to bear the consequences that came with it.
"Force, know my plight; release the light! …Fire!"
Fire rings immediately flew towards the void element charm guardian, but there was not even a flinch from the girl. Instead, she stood still, unmoving through the crackling flames before raising an arm.
The fire seemed to be doused by some type of magic as they suddenly disappeared into thin air. Raising an eyebrow, Yoko took a step closer to Li, whose panic was mounting by every passing minute.
Miyuki, who was watching nearby couldn't keep silent anymore. She had seen and felt the fighting spirit of this cardcaptor, and something spurred her to help him. Taking a step forward, she glared at Yoko.
"I'll help you, Li-kun."
He blinked in surprise before giving her a confident nod. Then, the both of them charged forward at Yoko, who immediately created two spheres for protection.
Dodging away from the black spheres easily, Miyuki raised her hands just as Li closed his eyes, using his fire parchment at exactly the same time. The two attacks hit Yoko, causing her to fall back, letting out a loud scream of pain.
Li shot a worried gaze to the black sphere that surrounded Sakura, only to recoil in horror as he noticed that the opaque walls had somewhat thinned out, and now Sakura's pain filled face was clear in view.
Her expression seemed to be frozen, as if asking Li why he was doing this to her. He froze, only to be pulled back to the scene just as Miyuki used one of her attacks to defend him from a surprise attack from Yoko.
Seeing that he wasn't in good shape to battle at this moment, she shook her head. "I think it's best you don't do anything, Li," she spoke seriously, her eyes dark. "I can handle Yoko myself."
He shook his head obstinately, his hatred for the guardian of the void element charm already curling inside his heart.
"No, Miyuki-chan. I want to defeat this guardian by myself."
-------
Meilin shot up, sweat beading her forehead as she gazed at the crystal globe. From her point of view, it was very clear that Sakura was definitely in much pain- causing Li to lose his normally focused concentration on battling Yoko.
She took a step forward, somehow hating herself at that very moment at her lack of magical powers. If she actually possessed even a meager of the powers Li and Sakura had, she could have helped Li defeat Yoko.
"Hang on, Sakura-chan," she croaked, her voice somehow lost in the soft breeze that blew some strands of her hair back. "I'm sure Li will win this time. He always has…"
Yet, as she uttered those words, some doubt clouded her mind as she knew that the chances of what she had previously said were very slim. Yoko was simply too strong; Li and Miyuki's power wasn't enough to stop her from keeping the void element charm and defeating the both of them.
Tomoyo watched silently as Meilin gazed at the crystal globe somewhat wistfully. She knew how much the girl cared about Li ever since Li had found her bird when they were still young; Meilin had never forgotten how he had always looked put for her.
"Meilin-chan."
The black haired girl blinked, turning around only to be greeted by the warm expression in Tomoyo's blue gaze. "Trust in Li-kun. I believe he has the power to defeat Yoko. You have to believe in him!"
Meilin smiled grimly, wiping away the traces of tears from her eyes as she spoke slowly, pronouncing each word in its clear syllable. "I only wish I could do as you say, Tomoyo-chan. But now…"
Her voice trailed off as she gazed at the crystal globe once more. There was a longing in her eyes that Tomoyo could see, and she lowered her video camera. She could understand the girl's worry for Li; after all, she and Sakura were cousins.
"The both of you have always been together. I trust that even if you were in the same situation as Sakura-chan is right now, Li-kun will surely save you."
The girl lifted her head, her eyes shimmering as a lone tear flowed freely down her fair cheek.
A glimmer of hope had begun to show itself, and for once, she didn't want to let it go.
-------
Miyuki gazed at Li doubtfully as she spoke. "I don't think that it's a good idea to go up against Yoko alone, Li," she commented slowly, her blue eyes boring into him.
He shook his head, watching as Yoko moved into a ready stance while his amber eyes narrowed. "I can't afford to lose the void element charm just because I have to rescue someone, Miyuki-chan. Besides, Sakura's arrival into this world was all due to my fault."
The guardian blinked, but obediently stepped aside as Li brandished his sword. There was something in his words that made her believe in him, Miyuki reflected as she wiped the sweat that had already beaded her forehead. He could win, and he knew that.
Yoko, however, thought quite the opposite. She stood confidently, glaring daggers at the brown haired boy as she clenched her fists tightly. "This isn't over, boy. Remember, I still have your Sakura with me. I can harm her whenever I want to!"
He seemed to be struck by her words, retreating as a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. Still, Sakura wouldn't approve if he were to let the void element charm go just because of her. All the same…
"Don't bother about me, Li-kun. Defeat Yoko."
Sakura's voice suddenly seemed to pierce through his mind, making his eyes widen. Could Sakura really be asking him to defeat Yoko and not care about her? But why?
"Listen to me, Li-kun. You're the only one capable of defeating Yoko. Please!"
His eyes seemed to take on its former serious expression as he nodded. She was right; the important thing was for the both of them to exit from this world and seal The Unlimited and covert the two remaining yin Clow cards into Sakura cards.
"Arigato, Sakura-chan," he whispered as he charged at Yoko, feeling the strength coursing through him once more. It was as if her words had some type of effect on him.
Yoko blinked, avoiding his incoming attack only narrowly as she generated two spheres in front of her as protection before she slid back.
"I should've known that you wouldn't care about that Sakura girl," she spat bitterly, her blue eyes glaring at him. "I should have known that you Clow descendants were all the same- all of you are heartless!"
He blinked, freezing suddenly at the sound of her words. "Nani? What do you mean by 'heartless'? Since when have we treated you badly?"
She glared at him, her steely blue gaze unmoving as she spoke. "I waited for that ancestor of yours to return all these years. He promised to return after creating that last Clow card of his, but he never did. Now, aren't you doing the same thing by leaving that Sakura girl alone?"
He blinked again, not understanding what she had said. "My ancestor? Clow Reed?"
She nodded tearfully as she clenched her fists. "I can't believe I was so naïve to fall for his lies! But I'm not the soft Yoko anymore. I won't trust any person that comes from the Clow family tree!"
Li narrowly dodged the two black spheres that hurtled his way as he looked at her confusedly. Since when had Clow Reed promised this girl that he'd return to this world?
Besides, didn't she know that Clow Reed had died after he sealed The Void, The Influence and The Unlimited under the floor of his mansion?
-------
Eriol blinked at the mention of Clow Reed in Yoko's words. It was true; his past form had made a promise to this girl that he would return to see her after he had created The Unlimited, but he never did have a chance to because he had died.
He looked up at the starry sky, sensing that dawn was approaching as he recalled the incident that had happened decades ago…
"Clow-sama?"
He turned around, only to be faced by two innocent round blue eyes. He smiled as he gazed at the guardian that stood in front of him. "Nanda, Yoko-chan?"
She looked down, somewhat shy to ask him a question as she drew circles on the sand. "I just wanted to know…is it true that you're returning to the other world?"
He looked surprised; he hadn't told anyone. "Hai, Yoko-chan. I have to create my last Clow card, and it can only be done in the other world. I have no other choice."
"I see…"
"Nani? Is something wrong?"
She quickly shook her head, denying the fact. Still, he could see the beads of perspiration that beaded her forehead at that moment, and he smiled gently at her.
"If there's something wrong, you know you can always tell me, Yoko-chan. What is it?"
She was silent, seeming to ponder something as she looked down at the ground. There was silence between them before she finally spoke up.
"Will you be returning to this world then? I mean, after you've completed your task of creating your last Clow card?"
His smile widened as she chuckled softly. So that was why this girl seemed so worried- because she wanted to know when he was returning to this world.
"Of course, Yoko-chan. I'll be back. Don't you worry."
Her face immediately brightened, and she smiled. "Promise that you'll return, Clow-sama. Promise me so I'll know you'll be back."
He blinked, seeming surprised at her strange behaviour.
"Very well, Yoko-chan. I promise that I'll be back after creating my last Clow card."
Eriol opened his eyes slowly, now understanding why Yoko was so unwilling to hand over the last elemental charm. It was because of the promise that Clow Reed never fulfilled- the promise to return to that world.
Yoko had been waiting for Clow Reed all these years- and he couldn't blame her for feeling bitter. It had been indeed a long time since Clow Reed had died, and Yoko had waited for him, just like how Madoushi had waited for him all those years in Hong Kong.
"Eriol-kun, what does all this mean? What does Clow Reed have to do with this?"
He blinked, taking a step back as Tomoyo's face suddenly appeared in front of him. Her eyes held an inquiring look, and he felt himself reddening slightly under her gaze.
"You see, I- Clow Reed had promised Yoko when he was still alive that he'd return to that world once he had finished creating The Unlimited. Unfortunately, he had died before he could return," Eriol explained, his blue eyes serious.
"Demo…what doe all of this have to with Li-kun and Sakura-chan?"
"Yoko thinks that Li-kun is like Clow Reed- that he'll leave Sakura-chan when he's in danger. She thought that Clow Reed purposely left her alone, while in reality, he died."
She nodded, understanding the seriousness of the entire situation. "Wakata. And Yoko is willing to harm the both of them just for what happened decades ago?"
He sighed deeply as he gazed at the crystal globe. Yoko had grown much since the last time Clow Reed had seen her, yet she still looked just as young.
"I only realized this just now, Tomoyo-chan. There is a possibility that Yoko might have been waiting for Clow Reed all these years because of the same reason as why Sakura-chan has waited for Li-kun to return to Tomoeda."
She gazed him wonderingly before it finally clicked into her mind. She sighed deeply as she gazed at the crystal globe. So Yoko had liked Clow Reed, but didn't have the courage to tell him. It was after all these years that she had thought that he had broke his promise.
For some reason, she pitied Yoko at that moment.
-------
Li narrowly dodged a black sphere that narrowly grazed his elbow as he continued to gaze at Yoko. Tears that now began to flood the edges of her eyes were wiped off hurriedly, only to surface once again.
"Your line of magicians are liars!" she spoke, generating another sphere and shooting towards him as she gritted her teeth. "That ancestor of yours never kept his promise, and like a fool, I waited for him all these years!"
He paused, his amber eyes uncomprehending as he stared at her warily. "You were waiting for my ancestor to return all these years from my world?" he inquired, leaping away once again to dodge the incoming sphere. "But why?"
"He promised me that he would return to this world!" she screeched as another sphere flew at him, now directly hitting his arm while making him wince in pain. "He made a promise, and he broke it!"
She stood on the ground, panting as she glared at him. "I've learnt a lesson then. Never trust the Clow descendants; they're bound to follow the example their ancestor set."
Blinking, he took a step back as she lifted both her arms, creating the most gigantic black sphere that he had ever seen. She closed her eyes, focusing her entire energy and powers on creating it.
"I will never forgive him for what he did to me," she breathed softly as she generated her powers to the sphere. "He left me with the excuse that he'll return after creating his last Clow card, and he never did."
Li's eyes cleared, now understanding the cause of Yoko's fury. "Matte! You don't understand, Yoko. Clow Reed didn't leave you, he died after sealing all three yin Clow cards under the floor of his mansion!"
Her eyes shot open as she stared at him, her face growing pale as if she had been shot. She shook her head, trying to deny the fact that she had just heard seconds ago.
"Iie," she spoke, her blue eyes looking confused as she gazed at him. "Clow Reed isn't dead. He's a sorcerer! He can't die."
Gazing at her warily, he lowered his sword as he sighed. "My ancestor created The Unlimited, but he ran into some difficulties with the other yin Clow cards and was forced to seal them under his mansion. After that, he died. Now, he's reincarnated as Sakura-chan's father and another boy called Eriol."
This news seemed to shock her, and she sank to her knees. "Why?" she whispered, her eyes flooding with tears as she retrieved the void element charm from her pocket. "Why did he have to die?"
Her mind began to work, beginning to recall how she had gotten the void element charm decades ago…
She had been surprised at seeing that Clow Reed had been waiting for her in the forest. Blushing slightly, she looked down.
"Is there anything important, Clow-sama? Why do you come to the forest?"
He turned to face her, smiling slightly as he studied her. His steely blue gaze made her blush even fiercer, and his smile widened.
"You already know that I'm returning to my world, ne? Before I return, I want to appoint you guardian of the void element charm. Will you take the responsibility of guarding this elemental charm, Yoko-chan?"
She looked up, gazing wonderingly at the black charm that he held out in front of her. Her? The guardian of the void element charm?
"That is too much trust you put on me, Clow-sama. I don't have sufficient powers to be guarding the most important elemental charm in this world. Perhaps Miyuki-chan would be a better choice?"
He shook his head, keeping her in his warm gaze. "Iie. I have already appointed Miyuki-chan in charge of the earth element charm. Don't worry Yoko-chan. You are the most powerful of the lot, and I think that you should be guarding this charm."
She looked down, turning red once more. How could she not feel flattered over what he said?
"I have no choice then but to accept, since you have already made up your mind," she sighed as she gazed down at the ground, drawing circles with her feet on the soft soil. "Arigato, Clow-sama."
He only smiled before disappearing into the dark shadows of the trees in the forest.
The truth was a cruel blow to her. She kneeled, sobbing her heart out at the revelation of the truth that she had been kept from for all these years. How could the only person that she cared about die?
-------
Tomoyo was silent as she watched the sobbing Yoko in the other world. Eriol was right- it wasn't her fault why she felt so bitter towards Li and Sakura. After all, she had been left alone all these years, only to find out that the person that she had been waiting for had died.
Eriol gazed at her carefully, wondering what she was thinking. He hadn't any idea what Yoko would do next to Li and Sakura, and he truly hoped that they weren't going to be injured.
"Eriol-kun?"
He blinked, snapping to attention as he kept an eye on the crystal globe. "Nanda, Tomoyo-chan?"
"Tell me, did Clow Reed have the same feelings towards Yoko as she had towards him? Did he like her too?" she asked, turning to face him as she spoke. Her blue eyes seemed to bore into him as he looked away, turning a little red in the face.
"Clow Reed treated Yoko as he would treat his own daughter," Eriol replied softly, gazing up at the stars as he sighed. "He only thought of her as a daughter that he never had. That's all."
She sighed, smiling gently at him as she spoke. "To tell the truth, Eriol-kun, I don't blame her for being this bitter. After all, it's been a long time since she's seen Clow Reed. Besides, she didn't know that she'd never see him again."
Eriol turned extremely red in the face at the sound of her words. Tomoyo was right; it wasn't Yoko's fault for she had been alone all these years. Loneliness had a funny way of playing around with one's heart sometimes…
He turned to gaze at the crystal globe, feeling a wave of sympathy for the girl that had waited for Clow Reed all these years. Still, he couldn't do anything as he wasn't fully Clow Reed; the other half of Clow Reed was Fujitaka Kinomoto after all.
Yet, he wished he could do something for her to make up for her bitter solitary life all these years. He didn't want her to forget all her bittersweet memories; Clow Reed had always treasured their times together.
At that moment, he could only smile, hoping for the best.
-------
Yoko's shoulders shook as her sobs wrecked through her. She couldn't believe that the only person that she had ever cared about was now gone. He would never return- and now all she had left was memories.
Li watched the guardian sobbing, and a soft spot eventually began to form in his heart. Laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, he smiled as he watched her stare at him. "Don't cry, Yoko-chan. I'm sure Clow Reed wouldn't like to see you in such a condition now."
She seemed to gaze into his amber eyes for a long minute, before finally raising her hand. The black sphere that surrounded Sakura suddenly disappeared, and Li blinked as the familiar brown haired girl emerged into sight.
"Sakura-chan!"
She blinked, as if newly awakened from long nap before her eyes widened at the sight of a sobbing Yoko. "Li-kun…nani? What happened to Yoko?"
Her question went unanswered as Yoko tossed the void element charm to him. "Here," she spoke simply, wiping the tears from her blue eyes as a wry smile began to form in the corners of her lips. "This is yours. You've rightfully earned it."
Li caught the charm, looking stunned as she stood up. Her blue eyes seemed to flash kindly at him at Sakura as she smiled. "Take care of that Sakura girl. I believe that the both of you were meant for each other."
He turned red at her statement, but blinked as her face turned serious once more. "Lay the elemental charms on that rock following the order of how you managed to collect them," she spoke, pointing to a large, smooth rock beside him.
Obediently, he spread them out following the sequence they had been found: water, wood, fire, earth and last of all, void. Yoko was the only one that knew the way to exit this world, and he had to follow her directions.
There was a sudden flash of light, and suddenly, a bright white doorway seemed to appear in front of him and Sakura. He blinked, shading his eyes from the bright light before glancing at Yoko.
"Go on," she spoke softly, her blue eyes filling with tears as she waved. "This is the way back to your world. Wasn't this what you were fighting so hard for?"
Sakura took a step front, motioning for Li to follow her. "Arigato, Yoko-chan," she spoke softly, somehow wishing that she could do something for this lonely guardian. "Is there anything I can do for you…?"
She snorted, smiling as she watched the brown haired girl pause in her tracks. "Just send my regards to that reincarnation of Clow Reed," she spoke gently as fresh tears began to appear at the tips of her eyes. "Now, go before this portal closes."
The two of them seemed to gaze one last time at the world that had brought them so much trouble before finally stepping through the portal.
There was a flash of light and the entire other world was gone. Left was only the soft voice of Yoko that seemed to ring in their ears at that moment.
"Arigato, my friends…"
-------
Tomoyo watched, almost unable to contain her happiness as Li and Sakura slowly emerged from the blinding white light that had suddenly appeared in front of her, Meilin and Eriol.
Taking a step forward, she flung her arms around Sakura who blinked at the warm response from her friend. She did miss her cousin; there was no doubt about it as they had become very close friends since they had met when they were still children.
Eriol, in turn, seemed to smile approvingly at Li, who took a step back. He was certainly proud of the way Li had handled his situation in the other world. Besides, he was the one that saved Sakura from being tortured by Yoko.
"Arigato for telling Yoko-chan the truth, Li-kun," he spoke softly as the boy took a step closer to him. Li blinked, but quickly understood when the other boy smiled in return. There was an unspoken understanding between the two of at that moment before Eriol turned to gaze at The Unlimited.
Silence suddenly fell over the group as they realized the next step of the converting process. It had already been mentioned earlier: the person that was chosen would have to disappear from the world itself. Besides, Li had already volunteered to take on the conditions of the conversion.
Sakura turned to gaze carefully at Li, as if begging him not to leave her. Her green eyes seemed to bore through him, making him turn red for a split second.
He simply averted his eyes, looking away although he knew deep inside him that he didn't want to part with her. Still, someone had to take the consequences, and he couldn't let Sakura be the one. After all, he was the only one left with magical powers.
Eriol gazed back and forth at Li and Sakura, silently understanding their silence towards each other. Li didn't want to leave Tomoeda and Sakura, he could tell. Sakura, on the other hand, didn't want to lose Li.
Still, the both of them knew the price for converting the three yin Clow cards into Sakura cards. There was no way the circumstances were going to be lifted- unless a miracle happened…somehow that is.
"I guess my time is up," Li spoke finally, still avoiding Sakura's pleading green gaze. Turning to Meilin, he smiled gently, wiping her tears off the tip of her nose and cheeks. "Take care of yourself, Meilin-chan. Help me take care of kaasan too."
Finally, he turned towards Sakura and closed his amber eyes, unable to meet her leaf green ones. "Very well, Sakura-chan. You can convert the Clow cards now. I am ready."
She was stubbornly silent, unwilling to move as she gazed pleadingly at Eriol who simply shrugged. There was nothing he could do; Li had already made up his mind. She sighed in defeat and raised her wand.
"You, Card created by Clow, drop your old form and revive under the name of your new master, Sakura!"
As she uttered these words, tears had begun to stream down her pale cheeks. She was losing the only boy she had loved all this while- again. Why? Why did she have to make such painful sacrifices because of her duty as a cardcaptor?
Li seemed to acknowledge her sorrow, and opened his eyes for a split second, gazing straight at her. He smiled gently, knowing that this was probably going to be the last time he was going to see the girl that he had been waiting for all these years.
"Sakura-chan…"
She looked up at the sound of him voice, astonished as he smiled ever so kindly at her. It was as if he wanted her to forgive him for what he had done, but she couldn't utter a words as she watched the magical storm swirl around him.
He knew that it was useless even if he was to reveal his true feelings towards her now. Even if she was to come to know of how deep his feelings were for her, it would be to late. He would have already vanished.
"Ai shiteru…Sakura-chan. I'll miss you…"
As if struck by a bolt of lightning, she looked up. Li's words had struck an old wound in her heart, making her draw back slightly. Could Li really love her? Could the boy that had told her to wait really admit his true feelings towards her?
Yet, it was all too late now. He was going to disappear- and leave her alone.
Forever.
-------
Li closed his eyes, feeling the magical storm swirl around him. He had done what he had promised to do- and had paid dearly for it. Not only did he bring much sorrow to the girl he loved, he would also be leaving his position of the leader of the Li clan.
Still, it was better than letting Sakura pay the heavy price of converting the three yin Clow cards into Sakura cards. She had a much awaited life to look forward to; he on the other hand, could only expect a life as the leader of the Li clan until his successor came along.
"Don't you think it's unfair to her, then?"
His eyes shot open at the sound of the gentle voice, and he whirled around to face it. Was there someone else trapped inside this magical storm too? But weren't the consequences borne only by him?
"You may think so, Li-kun, but you will never understand your own heart if you keep trying to sacrifice yourself for others. Sometimes, you just have to let it go."
Finally, he managed to locate a small brown haired girl with green eyes. She seemed just like Sakura during their elementary school days…but she seemed different. She seemed…sad.
"You always thought that she'd live quite happily if you were to take on all the consequences. All the same, Sakura-chan has been suffering silently just because of your promise. Don't you think it's unfair to her that you have to break yet another promise to her?"
He snorted, keeping a steady, unwavering gaze on the girl. "Sakura-chan can continue with her life without me. She has many other friends, and she is always guarded closely by her guardians. There is no need for me to be around."
"That is what you think. Have you ever considered her feelings instead?"
He glared at the girl suspiciously now as he spoke. "Who are you to speak of mine and Sakura-chan's feelings?"
She seemed to smile softly, as if in a dream and still replied ever so softly and gently to him.
"I am your past memories of Sakura-chan, Li-kun. I am what is going to be left if you were to truly take on the consequences. Besides, are you that willing to leave Sakura-chan? Don't you love her?"
He looked down, clenching his fists as a few beads of sweat rolled down his face. It was true; he did love Sakura, but that was the only reason why he was willing to help her out. He didn't want her to be in any danger, or else he wouldn't forgive himself.
"Still, you know that you're to afraid to face the truth. The truth that you actually like Sakura-chan, ne?"
He shook his head furiously, denying the voice that seemed to pound in his head. Yet, he knew that her words rang true. He was actually worried not about Sakura's reaction, but also about his ability to come face to face with the truth.
Besides, it was useless to talk about such things now. After all, he was going to disappear from the earth, and never see Sakura again. What was the difference?
"You may still escape this, but only if the bond between the two of you is strong enough to withstand this. The both of you have withstood the test of time, but still have no inkling about the bond between yourselves."
A bond? Between him and Sakura?
He blinked, his amber eyes gazing warily at the girl that was smiling back calmly at him. "That's impossible," he remarked bitterly, looking down as he anticipated his fate. "This is how I was destined to end. Why do you want to stop fate from happening?"
"I don't. I'm just a figment of your past; a part of your memories that have always comforted you in times when you were alone. Perhaps I shall never exist again- just like how you will never live to tell Sakura-chan your true feelings."
He looked up, stunned at her words. It was as if she had reached out and gave him a stinging slap across his face. She was right; he had never told Sakura his true feelings aloud although he had many a time hinted it. "It's too late. I'll be gone when she realizes it."
"Not so. If you can actually reach out and form a bond with Sakura-chan before this magical storm consumes you, you still have a chance to survive and see Sakura-chan once again, Li-kun."
He seemed to contemplate her words, before nodding.
-------
Tears hadn't stopped flowing out of Sakura's eyes ever since the magical storm had descended over Li. She couldn't believe that the boy she had been waiting for all these years was going to leave her yet again- this time, forever.
It was as if she had set a curse upon Li, forcing him to face the consequences every time he came up with a dangerous Clow card that had yet been converted. While, she had converted The Void into a Sakura card, he had come close to losing his most treasured feeling. Now, he was going to disappear from the face of this earth because of the same reason.
"Li-kun…why?" she choked out as the tears slowly streamed down her fair cheeks. Why was he so willing to take on any responsibility that he knew was rightfully hers? Why did he insist on taking the responsibilities?
"Ai shiteru…Sakura-chan."
The words that he had uttered at the airport rang in her ears over and over again, causing her to squeeze her green eyes shut, sealing herself from the pain that she knew only came from inside her. Li-kun…!
She recalled the days she had spent, wondering when he'd come back to Tomoeda and fulfill his promise, and most probably the magical words that he had told her that day in the airport. It seemed all like a dream now, that she could never see him again.
She hadn't realized it at first, but she knew now that the aching void that he left inside her only could be cured by him. There was no other person that could fill the place that this brown haired boy that had appeared suddenly in Tomoeda had earned. He was…special.
He had always been there for her, no matter how serious or dangerous the condition was. He was constantly by her side, fighting by her while ensuring her safety. Why hadn't she acknowledged his feelings before?
Now, she could only watch uselessly as the storm swallowed up the only person that she ever loved, reversing his very existence from this planet. How could she ever bear life anymore without him?
"You can still do something, Sakura-chan."
She looked up, suddenly noticing hat she wasn't on the roof of Tomoeda Elementary School anymore. Instead, she was surrounded by some type of fog in some place.
"Who are you? Why have you brought me here?" she spoke, raising her wand as a warning sign to any offending intruder that dared to step closer to her at that moment.
"I mean you no harm, Sakura-chan. I just want to help Li-kun escape his fate. There is a way for him to avoid the consequences of the conversion of the three yin Clow cards."
The words made her stand up straight as she whirled around, searching for the source of the mysterious voice. Could what this voice had said come true? Was there truly a way to avoid the price that had to be paid by converting the three yin Clow cards?
At last, she spotted a brown haired boy standing not far away from her. He was immobile, and seemed to gaze straight at her with his piecing amber eyes. In fact, he looked like…Li.
"Li-kun…?"
"I wish I was Li-kun at this time, Sakura-chan. Still, I am only what is left of your memories of Li-kun. I'll be destroyed if he is ever wiped out from his very existence."
Sakura blinked, her green eyes seeming confused for a minute before finally clearing. Her memories of L would be wiped out if he were to disappear from the face of this earth? Why?
"Because the magical storm will reverse and erase his existence from the beginning of time. Meaning that the Li clan would have no future leader, and you wouldn't know Meilin either. You wouldn't have anyone to watch over you when you were capturing Clow cards either. Is that the way you want your future memories to be like?"
She shook her head numbly, unable to imagine a past that the boy had mentioned. "I don't think I could stand a past like that. Still, it's too late now. He is going to vanish from this planet- and it's all because of me!"
She broke down, sobbing softly as the boy looked on with a slight smile carved on his face. He seemed to acknowledge her sorrow, and the stern expression that had been on his face earlier softened.
"There is still a way to save Li-kun from completely disappearing, Sakura-chan."
She looked up, stunned at the sound of his words. There was a way to save Li? Wasn't the spell that had been cast on him when she converted the three yin Clow cards permanent?
"Not so. There is a way to free him from this spell- but it all depends on the both of you."
"The both of us?" She blinked confusedly, as if asking for an explanation for the boy that stood straight not far from her.
What did her and Li have to do with this?
-------
Li gazed at the girl warily, as if half doubting the decision that he had made earlier. How could he possibly form a bond with Sakura when she was outside the magical storm at this very moment?
"She isn't outside the magical storm, and neither are you inside the magical storm. Instead, the both of you are now in this world where only the two of you thrive. Time is running out, though- you can return to that magical storm within no time."
He nodded, understanding the seriousness of the seriousness of the situation. If he were to run out of time, the magical storm would envelop him and certainly banish him from this world. Still, was Sakura willing to form that bond with him?
"You don't have to worry about that. It's up to the both of you to form a bond that's strong enough to withstand the spell. Or else, all will be lost."
It was a risk that was worth to take, he decided silently as he looked down, squeezing his eyes shut. With any hope, he could see the girl that he loved for at least one last time.
The pain tore at his heart as he recalled the many memories that he shared with the girl while they had been capturing Clow cards and battling Eriol. There had been many special times between the both of them, he admitted. He would never forget those priceless moments that he had shared together with her.
She was also the kindest and most gentle person he knew. Even when Meilin was forced to return to Hong Kong just before the final judgment, she had treated his cousin kindly although Meilin had never been good friends with her.
Besides, she couldn't bear to watch innocent people get injured by the Clow cards, for she knew that it was her job. Even when The Fire attacked the fair when he was still in Tomoeda, she had begged him to use The Time just to let her put everyone to sleep so that no one would be endangered.
Looking back, he finally realized that he had been wasting time all this time. However old he was, his feelings towards Sakura would never change, no matter what happened. He would never let her be harmed by any other person, neither could he bear to see her hurt.
His love for her had changed him to, he reflected. He had came to Tomoeda as a bitter person, having the heavy responsibility of the Li clan on his shoulders. It was from her that he had learnt to gradually trust in people and let his guard down.
He now knew why Sakura had brought such a change to his life. It wasn't because she had the Clow cards, or rather Sakura cards, but actually because of how he loved her. He had always loved her, and would never stop until the end of his life.
"Ai shiteru, watashi no hime, Sakura-chan…"
-------
Sakura looked down, her green eyes filling with tears as she tried to imagine a life without the brown haired boy that she knew so well. Her entire had practically evolved around him, but if he were to never exist…
"If he never existed, you wouldn't be here at this moment. Instead, you'd be in that magical storm, or even dead being attacked by the Clow cards."
She looked up at the boy who was still smiling gently at her. His amber eyes shone softly at her, as if trying to tell her something. She then realized that in its depths held all of her most precious moments with Li.
"He's always been there for you, Sakura-chan. You had never understood why he was so willing to save you the time you were caught in The Return, but you discovered the answer only ten years ago at the airport. Are you willing to let him go forever?"
A lone tear trickled out of the corner of her eye as she shook her head numbly. "I would much rather be in his position now," she whispered softly, looking up at the boy who was standing a few meters away from her. "I'd rather be the person who vanishes from this planet than Li…"
"Either way, someone will be hurt. Li-kun knows that, and he's made the decision to let you live in this world because he knows that you have a long life more ahead of you. He's willing to take this- because of you."
It was those words that brought a stream of fresh tears into Sakura's eyes. She had never realized why Li had been so anxious to take her place as the person that would have to undergo the prophecy until now. Why had he sacrificed himself just for her?
"Li-kun will never forget you although you may forget him, Sakura-chan. Is that the way you want things to be? No Li-kun?"
"Iie!"
Sakura could feel a strange emotion running through her as she looked up defiantly. She couldn't understand what it was, yet she could feel sorrow, anger and love towards the boy that she had been waiting for all these ten years. "No one is going to disappear from this world!"
The boy smiled at her, as if in a dream and spoke.
"Then, you must form a bond with him. Only the love from the both of you can overcome this barricade between the both of you, and only the both of you have the power to create this bond. It all depends on how strong you love is."
She turned slightly red, but frowned. "How am I going to form this 'bond' with Li-kun?" she inquired. "I don't know where he is, neither do I know where I am. How am I ever going to find him?"
"Use your heart, Sakura-chan. Only love can bring you together forever."
She looked up stunned, only to see the boy evaporate into the air just after giving her a final smile. It was tinged slightly with sorrow- and hope. Hope that she could fulfill what he had asked her to do: to save Li and all of Tomoeda's with him.
"Arigato, Sakura-chan…"
-------
Eriol was silent as he watched the magical storm spin around Li. He was a ware what was going on between Li and Sakura at this moment, and he prayed silently that they would be in time to save his descendant.
There was a reason that Li could be spared from this prophecy, he knew. It was his love for Sakura that had dwelled so long in his heart, never being able to be said to the girl that he loved so much. This was the reason why Li hadn't disappeared yet. His love for Sakura was protecting him.
Praying silently that they would be successful, he gazed at Tomoyo who was practically oblivious of Sakura's disappearance. He could see how heartbroken she was over the entire subject, for Li and Sakura had been tow of her closest friends.
"Tomoyo-chan…"
She turned, hastily wiping of the telltale signs of tears from her face, forcing a smile onto her face as she spoke. "Nanda, Eriol-kun? Where's Sakura-chan?"
He smiled wistfully at her, wishing for a moment that he could just reach out for a moment to comfort her, to tell her not to cry. In fact, he wished that he could assure that everything was going to be all right.
"Li-kun and Sakura-chan will be together again, Tomoyo-chan," he spoke softly, wiping of the last signs of tears from her pale cheeks as he spoke. "They'll never part from each other. Trust in them."
She seemed to hold him in her blue gaze for a long time before finally looking down. "I hope what you say might come true, Eriol-kun," she replied as a tear dropped of her cheek and splashed to the concrete floor of the roof.
It was so hard for her to say those words. She couldn't help remembering how happy Li and Sakura's life had been ten years ago, when they were still cardcaptors. They had always worked together, and slowly, love had begun to blossom between the both of them.
Eriol sighed, slipping a comforting arm around her. He wasn't so sure of the outcome of the entire thing, yet something in him told him that Sakura would be successful. Li was going to live- in this world.
Still, a small doubt still resided in his heart if Sakura could find Li in time. Perhaps he did worry too much, but the risk of that coming true was too big to take. They had to hurry.
Or else they might never see Li Syaoran ever again.
-------
Li looked up, suddenly realizing that the girl that had claimed to be his memories of Sakura had disappeared. The fog-like mist around him seemed thicker, and he squinted, trying to see through the mist.
"Find Sakura-chan and the prophecy will be reversed, Li-kun…"
He spun around at the sound of the voice, only to be faced with thin air. He blinked, unable to grasp the meaning of her words as he gazed at the spot where the girl had previously been standing. Find Sakura? But where was she?
"Use your heart. Only both your love and Sakura's love can draw the both of you back together."
He nodded, understanding now what she meant. He had to find her with what love he had in his heart for the brown haired girl that he had met in fourth grade. But was it enough to bring the both of them together?
"Trust in yourself," Sakura had once told him.
Closing his eyes, he began to focus. He had never imagined that he would be together with Sakura the first time he met her, he reflected with a grim smile. In fact, he had wished that she hadn't released the Clow cards in the first place.
But now, things had led to one another. After all the Clow cards had been captured, they had to undergo the final judgment by Yue. She had almost been defeated by the moon guardian of the Clow cards just like him but was spared by the guardian due to Kaho's pleas.
Then, she became the rightful owner of the Sakura cards. If he hadn't fallen in love with her while they were capturing the Clow cards, he wouldn't have stayed in Tomoeda longer. In fact, his original plan was to take the Clow cards away from her and become their owner.
He paused, sighing softly as he opened his amber eyes. They burnt a deep fire in them, reflecting how bitter he felt when he was forced to leave Sakura and Tomoeda for the second time.
His mother had forced him to return to Hong Kong to take on his rightful place as the leader of the Li clan. He had much more training to undergo from her, and had no other choice but to follow her order.
Yet, she had noticed that something was amiss when he had returned home with an aura full of sorrow and sadness around him. He hadn't realized it at first, but she did know that he harboured feelings for the girl, and finally after ten years, sent him back to Japan.
His entire life was like a dream. He would never have expected that a girl that he had fallen in love with when he was only eleven years old would slowly become the person that he cared the most for. It was ironic how things worked itself out in life. But now…
"Li-kun!"
His eyes shot open at the sound of the familiar voice. Could it be who he thought it was…?
-------
Kaho sighed, feeling slightly sympathetic towards Li and Sakura's plight. It had taken them ten long years to meet again, and fate was once again set on pulling them apart. Would they succeed to be together this time?
She didn't understand why fate had been so cruel and unpredictable towards them The first time they split up was when Li has o return to Hong Kong after Eriol had returned to England. Then, he had returned once again to help Sakura to capture The Void.
He had stayed long enough for Sakura to confess her true feelings towards him, yet for some odd reason, she didn't say anything. The, heartbroken, Li returned to Hong Kong, wondering if he could ever forget the girl he loved.
Their lives had been made difficult with many twists and turns, she reflected silently, recalling Li's dedication to Sakura all these years. As leader of the Li clan, there were many potential girls in Hong Kong that were worthy of being his fiancée just like Meilin, but none had ever gotten a place so deep in his heart like Sakura.
Fate had then made their paths entwine once again, and Li had returned to Tomoeda after ten long years. All this time had certainly made Sakura reflect on what she had done, Kaho thought as she smiled sorrowfully. Yet, could they truly be together as a pair?
She smiled, wondering if her question could ever be answered. Only the gods knew, she thought as she gazed up at the millions of stars in the heavens. They seemed to twinkle down at her, telling her that everything would turn out fine. Nothing could go wrong between the two of them.
She certainly hoped so, she sighed as she closed her eyes. Li and Sakura did deserve to be together- not apart. They had gone through so many things, only to be separated once again. What game was the gods playing on them?
A lone tear slipped down her cheek as she prayed silently for the couple. She certainly did feel that Li and Sakura belonged together forever, and she knew that their bond was stronger than anything else in the world. Their love could go through anything.
Yet, they hadn't realized the true strength of their love, she recalled as she wiped the tear from her pale cheek. Not only fate could keep them apart. In fact, nothing could, but they didn't know it.
Nothing could break the bond that they had.
Nothing.
-------
Sakura trembled, watching as the mist around her seemed to grow thicker by each minute. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, all sorts of things running through her head despite her many attempts to be calm.
The fear of ghosts still hadn't left her since she was in fourth grade; she was still as afraid of such places, especially when it was just as dark and misty as this. I fact, this looked like the forest whom she had caught The Illusion in. It seemed so…frightening.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. Retrieving a Sakura card from her pocket, she closed her eyes, raising her wand. "Light card! Light up this entire place! Light! Release and dispel!"
There was a flash, and Sakura squinted, trying to see through the bright white light that had suddenly flashed from nowhere. The blinding white light seemed to blind her for a split second, before mellowing into a soft gentle white glow, casting off enough rays to light up the entire place.
There was a sharp intake of breath from the green eyed girl at the sight of the misty place. There was no way The Light could shine through the mists, yet if she were to take a step forward, the mists in front of her seemed to give way. Why?
She shook her head in confusion, not understanding what was happening. Things just seemed to be getting more and more odd, yet she only knew one thing: it would all lead up to Li sooner or later. All she needed to do was to 'form a bond' with him. But what kind of 'bond' was the girl talking about?
Besides, this place was so vast. Searching for Li seemed almost impossible, but Sakura knew that she had to try. Perhaps flying could help?
"Fly card! Bond your power with my own! Fly! Release and dispel!"
Two wings seemed to suddenly sprout on her shoulders as she slowly opened her eyes. Flying up, she looked around, only to be taken aback when she realized that the mists were also growing at the same height that she was flying, thus preventing her from seeing the entire landscape.
She sighed in defeat as she landed on the ground once again, the two wings disappearing from her shoulders. She had to search for that amber eyes boy from the ground; there was no sign of the boy from above in the thick mists.
Praying silently that she wouldn't be too late, she took a step forward, hoping against hope that he might be able to be saved from the evil curse of the prophecy.
-------
Li frowned, listening to the snippets of the voice that seemed to echo around him. It seemed so familiar, and for some reason, it made his heart ache. It was the loneliness that he felt deep inside, he realized silently as he gazed warily at his surroundings.
He had always been lonely, until he had met Sakura, he reflected, looking down at his sword. Being the future heir of the Li clan, he had been trained since young to take on the heavy responsibility of ensuring that the clan was in good condition. Besides that, he had also been trained in the sorcery and martial arts that had made his Li family so famous.
It was not until Sakura Kinomoto had come into his life before he realized that he was lonely. She had shed some light into his lonely heart when he thought only his sorcery mattered. He never once thought that he would be attracted to exactly the same girl that he had hated the very first day he had seen her.
It seemed all so ironic now, that he wanted to see her more than anything else in the world. Yet, he couldn't deny that he could never forget her, no matter how hard he tried to. She seemed to have taken a permanent residence in his heart.
A grim smile touched the corners of his lips as a he chuckled softly. He couldn't believe how all this was turning out. After all these years, he had finally got to see her, but they were going to part again- this time forever. Why was fate so cruel to them?
He wouldn't give up, not till he had chance to see the girl who had waited for him all these ten years. He wanted to see her, to look and keep her in his gaze was the last time until her memory of him became a fleeting shadow that would disappear into the darkness of the universe.
"Sakura-chan…" he whispered, looking straight ahead as he took yet another step to the front. The mists in front of him parted as before, enough for him to step forward, but insufficient for him to tell what were behind them. They obstructed his view, yet he could feel somehow that Sakura was somewhere hear him at this moment.
It was then that he noticed that his lasin board was emitting a strange blue light, as if he had just used it to detect something. He hadn't used it at all, not since the last hour, he frowned, as he lifted it out of his pocket. What could it mean?
He shrugged, wondering what would happen if he were to use the chant for the lasin board. Would it reveal the position of this 'magical object' that it had detected? Well, it was worth a try.
"Force of light with ancient spin, send forth the power within; Force know my plight, release the light!"
There was a flash of blue light as a bright stream of blue light suddenly shot out of the board, splitting through the thick mists. It seemed to stretch on for miles, but Li could sense that something was at the end of this line. Yet, what could it be?
Could it be Sakura?
-------
Sakura sighed, looking around her. She could see practically nothing now that the mists was blocking everything from her sight. Looking down, she gripped her wand tighter, determined not to give up until the last minute. Li had to be found!
Li had never displayed his emotions in the open, she knew. He was more of a reserved and private person, but Sakura knew that deep inside, he was the most emotional and caring boy that she had ever known in her entire life. He had the kindest heart that she had ever seen, but was merely to shy to show it.
Besides, he was merely misunderstood by his usually serious expression. Being the heir of the Li clan, he had undergone much difficult training before coming to Tomoeda This had caused him to be much more mature than the other students of his age, and she knew that, as she had met his mother before.
"Li-kun…where are you?" she whispered, walking to the front, watching the mists part before her. Her voice was soft as she slowly walked forward, keeping an eye out for any possible signs of the familiar amber eyes that she knew so well.
There was no reply as the mists parted beneath her feet once more. She stopped, looking around. She could feel something strange; as if something was following her all this while. Turning around slowly, she looked down, only to find…
She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a light blue line touching the very soles of her feet. A small smile touched the corners of her lips, before she frowned. There was something familiar about that line, yet she couldn't pinpoint it. It was as if she had seen it somewhere.
Suddenly, there was a sound of pounding footsteps, as if someone was running behind her. Sakura froze, unable to move as listened to the footsteps come closer. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead as her grip on her wand tightened. Who could be running around in this place? Wasn't she supposed to be alone?
It was as if she had been frozen into place at that moment. Every nerve in her tingled in anticipation, begging her to move, yet she could only stay rooted at the spot as the footsteps came closer each second. It was then that the mists parted, revealing…
A low gasp escaped her lips as she viewed the figure that appeared from beneath the mist. He too, could only stare at her helplessly while he stood rooted on the spot. Amber eyes met leaf green eyes, making a red blush appear on both their faces.
It was Li.
There was a sudden silence, as if time itself had stopped. Li and Sakura's eyes met, each gazing intently at each other, wondering what to do next. Li's hands were trebling as he held his lasin board tighter. Sakura, on the other hand, held her death grip on her wand.
It was Sakura who finally broke the spell of silence between the both of them. She laughed nervously, turning into a deeper shade of red. There was no words exchanged between the pair; each understood what the other felt inside. It was as if a bond had been formed between the two of them.
Sakura couldn't bear the distance between the two of them anymore. She had been separated from him for ten years already, and for once, she knew what her heart truly wanted at this very moment. It was undeniable that Li had the same thought, judging by the conflicting emotions that was reflecting in his dark amber eyes.
"Li-kun!"
Suddenly, she ran, diving into his arms before he could blink. He smiled gently, unable to hold back his emotions any longer as he watched the girl that he loved so much sob in his arms. He had always loved her, and he knew that he always would. She was the only person that he had feelings for!
There was a sudden flash of bright light, and they found themselves standing on the high roof of Tomoeda Elementary School. Tomoyo and Eriol stood in one corner, smiling as they watched Li and Sakura turn red in unison. Kaho, on the other hand could only nod proudly at the two cardcaptors.
Three flat objects floated from the sky into her hands, and she looked down. Recognizing the familiar faces of the three yin Clow cards, she smiled gratefully. It was them that had brought her and Li together, and she knew that her gratitude towards them would never end.
Tomoyo was the first to break the silence. Her blue eyes seemed to shine in both pride and happiness as she threw her arms around Sakura.
"I thought we would never see you and Li-kun again, Sakura-chan!" she spoke as tears of happiness streamed down her pale cheeks. Eriol, who stood watching the both of them could only smile at Li before nodding at him. "Congratulations, Li-kun," he spoke, his voice now full of pride for the boy that he knew had already grown up from the young, fifth grader that he had known ten years ago.
Li, in turn, nodded at the reincarnation of his ancestor. "Arigato," he spoke in one word before smiling back at Eriol. It was all fate, he thought silently as he looked up at the many stars in the sky. They seemed to twinkle back at him, telling now that his mission in Tomoeda was already complete, and he could be together with Sakura now.
He turned his amber gaze upon the three yin Clow cards. It was as if their prophecy had brought them together, and he couldn't express his gratitude towards them for what they had given him: Sakura. They had made his dreams come true, and he knew at this moment, no one could feel happier than he was.
Sakura turned to gaze at Li before nodding at him. Both of them shared a mutual understanding now that they had been doing the wrong thing all these years by keeping quiet. It was only if they were to show that they truly card for each other if they used their hearts.
Kaho smiled at Li and Sakura before turning her gently gaze upon Eriol and Tomoyo. Those were another pair that belonged together, she noted silently, smiling. It was then that her eyes caught sight of Meilin who was smiling wistfully at Li and Sakura.
The girl's eyes filled with tears as she watched her cousin smile at Sakura. She had accomplished what she should have done ten years ago. Now, she had no business here.
"Meilin-chan."
She turned at the gently sound of Li's voice, and came eye to eye with a pair of amber eyes. He smiled ever so gently at her as he spoke.
"Thank you for bringing me and Sakura-chan together," he spoke as the cool night breeze blew his brown hair back. She gazed wonderingly at him, before a slow smile formed on her lips , and she nodded.
Laughing slightly, she looked up at the stars. "The stars have an odd way of conveying what they really mean, Li-kun," she replied, her eyes shining at her cousin. She had never seen him so happy since the time he had left Tomoeda ten years ago. "Perhaps I was destined to bring the people that I almost separated when we were in fifth grade, ne?"
A confused gaze crossed his eyes for a minute, before he smiled, understanding the true meaning of her words. "Perhaps, Meilin-chan. Your time in Hong Kong has taught you well."
She nodded, bowing to him as she watched Sakura throw a surprised glance at the both of them. Chuckling slightly, she turned around. "I wish you and Sakura--chan happiness, Li-kun," she spoke before walking off.
If only he had seen her face at that moment, he would have noticed the tears of happiness that were flooding her eyes at that moment. Never had she felt so happy, especially when the person that she had once loved had finally found the one that he truly cared for.
"I wish you and Sakura-chan happiness forever, Li-kun," she whispered, feeling as the cool night breeze sifted through her dark black hair. The stars above seemed to shine down on her as she slowly made her way out of the rooftop of Tomoeda Elementary School.
Li gazed at Meilin's retreating back, smiling in wonder. He would never understand her; yet he had never felt so thankful to her. He had been guilty of liking Sakura in the first place, but she, to his surprise, had calmly accepted his decision and retreated to leave both him and Sakura alone.
He then turned towards Sakura, and smiled, looking at his watch. It was almost dawn already, he noted silently, smiling. It had definitely been a long night, but it was worth it., he thought as he kept an eve gaze on Sakura. It had brought him and Sakura together in the end, after all.
It was evident; their wait all these years had not gone to waste. Taking her in his arms once more, he whispered ever so softly into his ear.
"Ai shiteru, Sakura-chan…"
Eriol smiled at Li and Sakura, for once feeling that his work was done. Turning around, he smiled, gazing as the first rays of dawn shone softly in the horizon. It was worth his return from England, just to watch the success of the two people that he knew so well. Besides, he had Tomoyo at his side now.
He smiled, feeling the morning breeze sift through his hair as he gazed down at a smiling Tomoyo.
"Welcome back, Li…"
Author's note:
Well, I kept my promise, didn't I? This is the finale of Li's Return, and I hoped minna-san has enjoyed the story! Li and Sakura are together in the end, just like all S+S fans like it! Beside, you know me, I can't stand not writing a good ending ^-^! I hope to wrote another fanfic soon, so keep your fingers crossed. Until then, sayonara, minna-san! \^o^/
Japanese words:
Matte- Wait
Arigato- Thank you
Ne- Depends on how it's used. If it's used like here, where Sakura says, "Ne…Li-kun…" it means hey. Then, when Sakura smiled at Syaoran and Chiharu and said "Ne?" She means "right?" At least I think so. Dictionary says it means "is it so," so I guess that's the right meaning…and is it spelled "ne" or "nee"?! So many different spellings for kanji…0.0; Oh, whatever. I'll just use "ne"
Hai- Yes
Nanda- something similar to "what," I'm not too sure…I think it means "What is it"
Demo- but
Kinomoto Sakura to Li Syaoran- Kinomoto Sakura and Li Syaoran. By the way, Sakura means "cherry blossoms" (for several references throughout the story) in Japanese, and Syaoran means "little wolf" in Chinese…not that it really matters now. ^^
Nani- what
Iie- no
Minna- everybody or everyone
Watashi no hime- I think it means something like "my princess." Correct me if I'm wrong!
Ai shiteru- I love you
Chan - Honorific for someone of status lower to yourself, and term of endearment for family and friends. Used mostly for females and is very informal. Is to be add at the end of the name
Kun - Mr (junior), master, boy. Similar to chan, but mostly applied to males. Is to be add at the end of the name.
Issho- Together
Wakata- Understand