One: I'm taking down
my Aliens: Beware the Swarm. For those of you who have no clue what that
is, don't worry about it.
Two: I will be continuing
The 7th Warrior Trilogy, as well as beginning a new series ...well, you'll
find out.
A/N: What Happens When
Sisters Get Together is not the new series I'm referring too...and neither
is the next two parts of The 7th Warrior Trilogy, I'm referring to something
separate.
That's all for now.
Enjoy the finale to For The Sake of Love! :)
Of course, this was reality. And in reality, the mask was doing its job...a little to well unfortunately. Well, the underworld consume my soul should I let this story end this way. I mean: what kind of hero would a man be if he could not even recognize the girl he's been waiting to see for the last 4 years? An ignorant and idiotic man, that's what. And I wasn't going to let that happen to him. True, I'd taken a vow never to change a story after its been done. But, this story wasn't written in stone yet, so I could still tweak it a little bit. With this in mind, I marched up to Syaoran, not even bothering to don my mask. He recognized me immediately.
" Touya!" I was pleased to see that my appearance had surprised him. Sakura's re-emergence would be a heartstopper.
" Syaoran, it's been a long time." I said casually.
" Too long, old friend. How has life been treating you?"
" Quite well, actually. A bard's work, is the most rewarding."
" That's understandable. You work to bring joy," How ironic it was for him to say that.
" How true, how true."
" But, tell me, what brings you such distance, Touya? Last I heard, you were in..."
" Yes, yes. I went to go visit some family."
" Oh? I have a few acquaintances up there myself."
" Speaking of acquaintances," I said, changing subjects gracefully. " I brought one that you should be quite familiar with."
" Really?"
" A little someone...a girl actually."
" Really." He frowned.
" There. I think you'll be pleased. I know she will be."
I pointed in the direction of Sakura. Syaoran's eyes widened, but the next words out of his mouth were astonishing.
" Oh, no. Her..."
I shook my head. Perhaps I'd gotten something lodged in my ear...
" Beg your pardon?"
" Did YOU bring her here?" He looked absolutely pale.
" Well, yes," I was confounded. This wasn't the way things were supposed to be going.
" How could you?" He looked like I'd just stabbed him in the back.
" But, Syaoran, I thought..."
" No. I trusted you, and this is how you repay my friendship?"
" Syaoran, I don't believe we're speaking along the same lines..."
" You've ruined everything! Bringing her back could change the entire course of my life!"
" But isn't that what you wanted?" This was utterly insane.
" NO! It wasn't what I wanted! In fact, it was the last thing on my list...good day!" Syaoran stalked off.
I looked at his retreating back. This can't have been right. I thought he'd be happy to see Sakura. I thought he'd rejoice and throw his arms around her, kissing her forever...that's the way most tales had gone...then again, this wasn't like most other tales. A thought crossed my mind as he disappeared in the throng of guests - had he fallen in love with another? The thought was unbearably tragic. How would I break this to Sakura? No, I shook my head, I wouldn't say anything to her yet. Perhaps Syaoran could still be reached. I could try again...
____________________________________________________
" Syaoran what's wrong?"
" Leave me be, Eriol."
" Friend, you've been moping up here for quite some time. Pray tell, what has you so low?"
" Eriol," Syaoran muttered helplessly," Touya's here."
" He is?" Eriol arched an eyebrow," You told me only an hour before that you wished he were there. Now that he is, why are you so forlorn?"
" He brought HER."
" NO!" Eriol's eyes went wide, and he sat down. " That cannot be!"
" He confirmed it himself. I caught just a glimpse of her hair..."
" What are you going to do?"
" I'm going to avoid her the entire evening. In the mean time, I should get back to my other guests..."
" Yes. I'll keep an eye out if I see her."
" Thank you, Eriol. I'm going to put on my costume now. I'll be down shortly."
____________________________________________________
Sakura wandered the ballroom. A page approached her.
" Good evening to you, miss. May I ask you to dance with me?"
" No, thank you. I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment."
The guest nodded, then turned around to inquire of another lady. Sakura sighed. Still wearing her mask, she'd been walking about aimlessly for over 2 hours, never quite sure of exactly where she was going. Something caught her eye. There. There was no mistaking that brown hair! She followed hurriedly after, this was the best clue she'd had since the start of her night. As she hurried after the mysterious brown hair she found herself stopped most abruptly by someone standing in her path, and tumbled to the floor in a graceless heap. A hand reached down to assist her as she rose again.
" Excuse me, miss. Are you lost?"
Sakura turned to the young gentleman that addressed her. His mask was a simple red, the upper corners flaring up before his eyes covering most of his upper face. Just below his cheek, a jagged scar creased his face, but in an alluring sort of way. Straightening her cover slightly, she curtsyed in apology, smiling half-heartedly.
" Yes, I am a little overwhelmed; this place is so big. Much bigger then my home."
" Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
She inspected
her new friend quickly. He was taller then her, with brown hair cut short,
very short actually. Medium build, muscular actually, but in a lithe sort
of way...
Sakura
shook herself free of her reverie. NO! Syaoran was the one she loved. She
loved Syaoran! But, no matter how much she tried, she couldn't help glancing
at this new stranger. He smiled reassuringly, and was about to return to
talking with the others, when she interrupted him politely.
" Actually,
I'm looking for someone I know..."
" Would
you care to dance, miss?" He said suddenly.
" Pardon?"
She was only partially listening, and turned at his query.
" Well,
maybe if we step onto the dance floor, you'll have a better view of all
the guests."
" Yes,
maybe." Sakura said vaguely. Her eyes searched the room for her beloved.
He was nowhere in sight.
_______________________________________
Syaoran
looked about vaguely through his mask, as he danced with the third partner
this night. Still no sign of Sakura...
" You're
a wonderful dancer."
" Hmm?
I'm sorry, my mind has been elsewhere." Syaoran apologized to his dance
partner. He too was searching the room. Green. He craned his neck...he'd
just seen a pair of jade green...no...that was impossible...and yet...
" Pardon
me, miss, would you mind a great deal if we danced towards that direction?"
" No,
of course not. Lead the way."
They
followed the dancers around, but moved gracefully towards where Syaoran
pointed. His guest/dance partner waited to one side as he walked towards
a girl who's eyes were unmistakeably...
" Excuse
me.."
The girl
turned around as she was addressed...no it wasn't her. On closer inspection
her hair was brown, but fell in long curly waves across her shoulders,
and on the corner of of each eye a small sequin that glittered peridot
green. What a fool he was. He looked around for his partner, and found
her occupying herself by dancing with others. He huffed sadly.
____________________________________________________________________
" Another
dance, miss."
" No,
I'll be fine." Sakura smiled apologetically at the page from before. It
seemed like she'd become extra popular. He bowed and moved off to find
someone else.
" You
look worn out. Perhaps you need to step outside for some fresh air." Sakura
turned. It was her partner from before, the nice gentleman...no! This wasn't
at all what she wanted. Syaoran. Where was Syaoran? She had endured 4 years
of torture, and she wasn't going to let it all be for waste by falling
for someone else.
" No.
It's all right." She smiled apologetically.
" As,
you wish." What she could see of his mouth said otherwise...well, she might
as well be polite.
" On
second thought, maybe a little bit of night would do me some good."
Not a
word passed between them as they sat beside a splashing fountain in the
courtyard. Sakura smiled to herself - she'd met Syaoran in exactly the
same fashion. She daydreamed back to the time, when beside that fountain
he'd produced for her the little onyx rose that she'd treasured so dearly.
What had become of that rose was a mystery to her. She fingered the necklace
she did wear, frowning at its bulkiness. The silence remained, still in
the air like fog, until finally her partner spoke up.
" It's
lovely out." He leaned casually against the edge of the fountain, staring
out through the blackness.
" Yes."
She turned her face away.
" You're
lovely as well.."
This
caught her by surprise. She felt blood rush to her face, and a blush crept
across her cheeks. This wasn't happening. And yet, Sakura found herself
glancing up, only to find that he was facing her, gazing at her, almost
as if trying to see beneath her mask. Her blushed deepened, and she turned
away.
" There
are some much lovelier than I."
" If
you mean in a gaudy way, then yes, I would have to agree with you."
Sakura
strangled a laugh. No! She can't! And yet...They were silent again, until
finally the gentleman extended his arm.
" Perhaps
that is enough air for the both of us."
" Indeed.
We should rejoin the party." Relief overwhelmed her. She couldn't be unfaithful.
They
returned inside, and sat down to watch the other guests continue their
endless rounds about the ballroom, as if forever stuck waltzing. He turned
to her as she fiddled nervously with her fingers, peering into the crowds.
" You
never told me your name."
" Oh,
forgive me, that was rude its..."
" SAKURA!"
That sounded like the good bard. Thank goodness.
Sakura turned.
" Sakura?"
Her partner's face went white.
Touya
rushed up to Sakura. He pulled her up.
" Sakura,
there's something I have to tell...you..."
Touya
stopped and gaped, looking from Sakura to the masked stranger, and back
again in bewildered shock. Panic arose in her mind.
" I know
what this looks like, but really, it's not what you think..."
" Sakura..."
She turned
as the boy took off his mask...Syaoran.
" Syaoran?"
Everything
seemed to go quiet. The music faded away, and the murmuring of guests died
away. The room was deathly quiet, Sakura standing incredulously staring
at Syaoran. He'd cut his hair shorter, and the scar extended up the side
of his face, from cheek to eye, but yes, it was her Syaoran. Ever so carefully,
she took off the mask that hid her face, and looked at him. This must be
a dream. It had to have been. Their hearts seemed to beat as one, each
one pounding furiously, as they absorbed what they were seeing. His face,
her eyes, his hair, her lips...
" Sakura."
Syaoran suddenly pulled her towards him, holding her in his embrace.
" Syaoran!"
Happy tears slid down her face, which she buried in his tunic, clinging
to him weakly.
There
seemed to be a letting out of breath, as the guests backed away to let
the two reunited lovers embrace.
" I thought
I'd never see you again..." Syaoran whispered, he was crying too, for the
first time since he'd lost her.
" Shame
on you..." Her lip trembled as she smiled up at him reveling in his touch.
Suddenly,
he let her go, and for a moment Sakura was afraid that this really was
a dream, and it would all disappear. But, instead, he dropped down on one
knee, took her hand, and kissed it gently. Raising his eyes slowly, he
pushed something onto one of her fingers. A small ring.
"When
you disappeared, I thought I'd lost you forever. I thought I'd never live
another day, and that I should just end it all. But, now, as I kneel before
you, I know I made the right choice, to wait. Sakura, will you marry me?"
Sakura
felt a lightheaded feeling, and for a moment she felt ready to faint. Suddenly,
she started to giggle. That's why she'd never considered her mysterious
stranger to be Syaoran. His voice had changed over her absence. She caught
the look that flicked across his face, and it hurt her - disappointment.
He thought she was going to say no. Dropping down to her knees, and looking
at him with eyes glowing with fresh tears, she leaned close and whispered
into his ear.
" Yes."
Syaoran
grinned from ear to ear, a picture of the younger self that he'd lost,
and picked her up around the waist, twirling her around him.
" You've
just made me the happiest man." He whispered, as their lips met.
" I know."
She murmurred in reply, wrapping her arms around his neck.
The crowd
shouted their approval, applauding the two.
" Syaoran."
Touya stared in confusion from Sakura to Syaoran and back, " But, I thought..."
" What?"
He smiled in amusement at Touya's face.
" I thought
you never wanted to see her again."
Syaoran
looked horrified, as did Sakura who stumbled back a moment in shock. She
gripped Syaoran's hand, and he squeezed hers - reassuring her that it was
not true.
" Whatever
gave you that idea?" Syaoran glanced a look so tender at her, it melted
Touya's heart," The only reason I live now, is so that I would someday
see her again, to hold her..."
" But,
you told me I'd violated my friendship by inviting..."
" Cherese."
Syaoran clarified.
" Cherese?"
Bewildered, Touya put a hand to his head, " But..."
" I saw
her," Syaoran's smile turned into a frown. " I still can't believe you
brought her along."
" But,
I didn't."
" Are
you sure?"
" AN
ANNOUNCEMENT!" Eriol interrupted, silencing the crowd as he spoke. " May
I announce, that the Duke of Peonyflower has chosen his rightful bride.
And, as tradition dictates, he has now completed the requirements needed
to rise...Syaoran Li, has now publicly proclaimed himself ruler of Peonyflower
province!"
A cheer
went up among the guests, but it was short-lived. Suddenly, from among
the crowd, a shriek like that of nails across a slate echoed across the
dining hall.
" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
From
out of the blue, an infuriated Cherese stormed forth to break apart the
two reunited. The color drained from both their faces, and Sakura shut
her eyes automatically as the raging witch stormed nearer. Syaoran stood
in front of her protectively, reaching for the sword hilted at his side...
Cherese
raced across the room, but stopped dead in her tracks as a booming voice
called out.
" CHERESE! Come
here." Touya's voice echoed across the hall.
Cherese turned
for a second, and her face turned white.
" Touya?"
She barely hid the incredulity in her voice," But, I thought you were in..."
" Well, as
you can see, I am not. And, it be a good thing too." He reached over and
grabbed her shoulder, pulling her away from the couple.
" What are
you doing?!!" She shrieked, forgeting her fear.
" I've been
through a great deal of trouble, trying to get this to work," He hissed
lightly in her ear," So, do me a favor...better yet, do us all a favor,
and kindly leave. You've shredded the weave of this yarn long enough."
He pushed Cherese
towards the door, then turned with a low bow.
" I bid you
all a fond adieu, and much felicitations to the happy couple."
With that,
he was applauded out of the ballroom, as Sakura and Syaoran smiled at one
another. But, this was not the end...
" THE PROPHECY
OF ONYX ROSE HAS BEEN FULFILLED. ALL WILL BE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN."
" Where's that
voice coming from?"
" THE PROPHECY
OF ONYX ROSE HAS BEEN FULFILLED. ALL WILL BE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN."
" Who are you?"
Syaoran demanded.
" ONCE UPON
A TIME, A CURSE WAS MADE IN ERROR, AND FOR THAT SHE GAVE HER LIVE. NOW,
THE CURSE HAS BEEN BROKEN, SO ALL WILL BE AS IT ONCE WAS."
" You're sending
us back?!!!!" Sakura was the first to realize the meaning of the proclamation.
" ALL WILL
BE AS IT ONCE WAS...AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN!"
" NO! You can't!"
Sakura whimpered. " Not now! Not after all this."
Sakura clutched
onto Syaoran, crying and holding him close. He wrapped his arms tightly
around her.
" Ssssshhhhhhh..."
His head rested on hers. " Sakura..."
" So long.
Finally. After all this time. And now. Now, after we've finally found each
other. I'll have to go back. I'll have to go back to before we met. And
this, none of this will happen."
" Is that such
a bad thing?"
" Don't you
see? If Cherese had never been there, we never would have met the way we
did..."
" Sakura."
Syaoran's eyes were filled with love, and it only made Sakura's heartache
more," Sakura, no matter what time...no matter what place...I'll always
love you. And nothing, faeries, witches, or even Cherese, could change
that. Do you understand?"
" I don't want
to wait." Sakura hugged him harder.
" Ssh..." Syaoran
rocked her slowly, then smiled, " Just, think of it as falling in love
again. This time, the right way."
Sakura paused,then
let go. Painfully trying to restrain her tears, she called out to the mystical
voice.
" Take me back."
With one last
glance at her beloved, Sakura felt herself grow light headed. Her last
glance was of Syaoran disappearing as she did so as well.
" We'll meet
again. For the sake of our love, we'll meet again." She whispered.
________________________________________________________
" Sakura,"
The Prince of Chorvala smiled at his daughter," I'd like you to meet someone."
" Yes?"
Sakura looked up expectantly at her father.
" This
is The Duke of Peonyflower. And this, is his son, Syaoran."
" Pleased
to meet you." She smiled at the boy.
" And
you." He smiled back.
" Come.
Let me show you the palace!" She smiled and reached for his hand, taking
him towards the gardens.
They came to the garden, and Sakura started to babble out a stream of information about everything. Finally, she came to the fountain. As she sat down to talk, she stopped. Syaoran noticed her apprehension.
" What is it?"
She glanced down at the bottom for awhile, then shook her head.
" Nothing. Deja vu...anyway."
Something rustled in the bushes, and Sakura laughed as someone familiar parted the brush.
" Tomoyo!
You're here!"
" Yes!"
They all returned inside, sharing information about this and that, when suddenly, the sound of instruments came from the ballroom. Syaoran stopped laughing, and gave a courtly bow in Sakura's direction. Then, with hand held out, he spoke softly.
" May I have this dance?"
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, that's it! I've glad that you readers have enjoyed this story so much! There'll be a new story being uploaded soon, so if you liked this story, then the next one should be a hit as well! Until then, see ya! R&R please!
