Disclaimer: I don't own anything and anyone in this story, except for the ones that I make up.
Cherry Blossoms 101.8 FM
Chapter Eleven: Mission Complete
By: Enchanted Pink Jade
*~*~*~*~*
At the Festival, nighttime.
"Everything is going according to plan," Meilin mumbled to herself as she watched the festivities go on. She was wearing a red kimono with intricate lily designs. As she walked down an isle, heads turned, both male and female. She was a looker, in her own way. There were some catcalls, and whistles from the males, but she ignored them. She had a mission to fulfill. That's what she came to Japan for. And that mission was going to be complete before the day ended. She then headed for a secluded place, where no one else was around, and started preparing...
Elsewhere....
"Hey Sakura, why the long face?" Eriol asked. Sakura just looked at him weirdly. "Okay, I know, stupid question. At least try to enjoy yourself." Tomoyo rolled her eyes.
"Hey, look! It's Chiharu and the others," Tomoyo said, and pointed out at a group of people standing behind a booth, selling refreshments and snacks. They walked up to them.
"Hello, what would you like this fine evening? We have drinks and snacks here that have come from around the world! Did you know that the pizza was never really made in Italy? It actually was made in Peru. Um hm. Peru. See one day these people had these foods that they shaped into a circle, like our pizza today, but they didn't know how to divide it evenly. They tried in many ways, but then they finally settled on the triangular shape. The pepperonis and other toppings were made later on. Would yoeeouch!"
Chiharu had pinched Takashi on the arm. Everyone laughed, except for Sakura, who tried to smile at Takashi's antics, but failed.
"What are you guys doing?" Rika asked.
"We're supervisors. Making sure that everything is all right, and that the people are having a good time," Eriol said.
"That's a pretty easy job," Naoko said.
"Would you guys like anything?" Chiharu asked.
"Hey, I asked that in the beginning, but you pinched me! And then you go and ask them!"
"That was different."
"Well, I don't see what the difference is. There aren't any!"
Chiharu pats him on the back lightly. "Well, it's just between us girls, you know. Kinda like a girl thing. Don't worry Yamazaki, if you don't get it. It's something beyond the male's limit of understanding. Us girls know how you guys are dense and stupid about these things. We understand completely how it must be for you guys."
Takashi just scratched his head. "Oh, well, I.... - HEY!" He exclaimed suddenly, the meaning of his girlfriend's words finally catching up with him. The girls flew into a fit of giggles and laughter. Even Sakura managed to laugh. Eriol shook his head at his ever hopeless friend.
"What's so funny?" A voice said. It was Syaoran. He had seen his friends laughing and he decided to see why. He just didn't see Sakura, who was hidden. Everyone looked at Sakura and Syaoran expectantly.
Everyone was silent. Time just seemed to stop. The noise from other people just sort of faded out from within their hearing. Sakura and Syaoran just stared at each other. No emotions were displayed.
Syaoran admired the way she looked. Even though she wasn't moving, she still had this gracefulness about her. She was wearing a pink kimono, with simple white designs. Everything about her was perfect. The kimono hugged and fit every curve of her body. Syaoran didn't know how she did it, but she always looked beautiful, ethereal, without even trying. Everything about her was natural. Her emerald eyes, the brightest jewels in the world, were focused on him. And for just a second, Syaoran thought that he saw a flash of pain in them, pain that he had caused.
Sakura still thought that he was the handsomest male person that she has ever laid her eyes on. For just one moment, she forgot everything that had happened, and was going to run to him, telling him that she missed him... But stopped herself in time when she remembered that other girl with long black hair. She longed to be held by him once again, to be in his arms, in his embrace safe and warm. But she knew that that couldn't be, because he was already taken by someone. All the pain came rushing back to her in tidal waves.
They were brought back to reality when someone came up to them ordering two bags of cotton candy, and time resumed it's usual pace.
Syaoran took one step towards Sakura. "Sakura, I-"
"I'll see you guys later," Sakura said. And then she walked off. Tomoyo chased after her. Takashi, Chiharu, Rika and Naoko went back to serving other people. Eriol and Syaoran said that they'd meet each other later or something, and walked off in the opposite direction as Sakura had, with Tomoyo tailing along.
"So, where's Meilin?" Eriol asked.
"She's here. I don't know where. I saw her, but then I moved to spot where she couldn't see me."
"You've got a very interesting way of attracting girls."
"Shut up."
"No, I'm serious, Syaoran. Listen, what have you ever done to make Meilin like you so much that she can't wait to be your wife?"
"Nothing."
"What did you do to make Sakura so infatuated with you?"
"Nothing, and she was never infatuated with me, she was probably only being nice to me. I don't even try to impress girls or anything. I just am who I am. And look at where that got me. I wish that I wasn't a Li. And that I met Sakura under different circumstances..."
"Hm.... But you can't stop destiny and fate."
"Was it destiny for her to hate me?" Syaoran asked wearily.
"Like I said. You have an interesting way of attracting girls. I know that I don't do anything either, the girls just love my charms and good looks."
"Shut up."
"So how are you going to get Sakura back in your arms?"
"I don't know. I just have to get her to listen somehow."
*~*~*~*~*
With Sakura and Tomoyo.
"Why'd you run off like that?"
"I didn't run off, Tomoyo. I walked away, calmly and serenely."
"Can't you ever forgive him?" Tomoyo said.
"How? Tomoyo? Tell me... after all that he did. I want to, but I just can't bring myself to tell him... And he's already taken. He doesn't really love me, much less even care for me." Sakura looked down sadly.
"I don't know about that, Sakura. Syaoran still cares for you. That you can count on," Tomoyo said, recalling the conversation that she had had with Syaoran before, and the way that he spoke to Meilin when she confronted them. Of course, Tomoyo couldn't understand, but from the looks on their faces, and the way that they spoke to each other, she knew that it couldn't have been a pleasant conversation.
"Nothing between us could ever be the same again....."
"Are you sure about that, Sakura?"
"Yes, Tomoyo, I--" Sakura stopped dead on the spot. Her eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong Sakura?" Tomoyo said, as she too, stopped and looked towards her friend.
"I... I sense something." Sakura said. Then she grabbed Tomoyo's hand and led her behind the games, hidden and away from everything else. She then took out her key and chanted the words that came so naturally to her. She's said them about a million times in the past. It's been awhile since she had to call on the Star Cards, but she always kept the key and cards with her, no matter where she went. When you have magic, and magic is all around you, you never know what might happen. Unpredictable things always occur at the most unlikeliest of times.
As Sakura released the key, Tomoyo hurriedly brought out her compact video camera in her bag. She wanted to tape Sakura in her splendor beauty. But then again, she always tapes Sakura, regardless of the situation, or occasion.
Sakura twirled the staff like a baton and started running in the direction where the magic was strongest, and followed her senses. Tomoyo was right beside her.
"This couldn't be another Clow Card, right? You already caught them all!" Tomoyo shouted, as she ran.
"I don't think that this is a Clow Card. If there were any left, they would have showed themselves a long time ago. And Kero never mentioned any," Sakura said. Then she stopped running, as did Tomoyo. Right then, a furry little orange head popped out of Tomoyo's bag.
"You're right Sakura, this isn't a Clow Card. This is strong magic, but it's essence, it's feel, is different from that of a card."
"Kero! What are you doing here?" Tomoyo said, as she focused the lens of her camera on Kero.
"I came to remind Sakura to get me some snacks, but that's not so important right now."
Tomoyo then shot the camera at Sakura's direction. "What's wrong?"
"This is weird... the magic is strongest here, and yet there's nothing around..." Sakura said, as she looked around at her surroundings carefully, looking for anything unusual.
Kero too, stretched his senses, but got the same results as Sakura. "I've got a very bad feeling about this...Wait, someone with magical powers is coming our way. Sakura get ready."
And just then two figures burst out from behind the trees.
It was Syaoran and Eriol. Kero had gone back into the bag.
"What are you doing here?" Sakura said bitterly.
"I just followed my senses," he then said curtly.
"Eriol, you should get out of here." Tomoyo said to him, but all he did was shake his head and stood his ground, indicating that he wasn't going to move from where he was standing. He might find out about the Clow Cards! she thought frantically.
"People, this isn't the time for fighting now. You guys can settle this later. But right now we have a situation at hand. Kerberos, you'd be much more useful if you were out of that bag, we could use your help. There is something or someone out here with tremendous power."
Tomoyo gasped. "How do you know about Kero?" she asked, as Kero came out.
Kero looked real hard at Eriol, and felt something that he hasn't felt in years, in centuries. Could it be? Impossible...... Kero thought.
Eriol just shook his head. "I'll explain later. Now is not the time." Sakura had frozen at the spot. Who is this guy? she asked herself, as she looked at him.
Now, Eriol turned to her. "Sakura, focus all your energy into locating the source of this power."
"Why should I do--"
"No, Sakura. Do as he says. He's right. And we can trust him," Kero said. Sakura just looked at him, then nodded. If Kero said that he could be trusted, then he could be trusted. And besides, what he said made sense.
"Hold up, how do we know that you can be trusted, Eriol, if that's even your real name." Syaoran said, once he was out of the shocked stage. He had known Eriol for quite some time now. And all along he had known about the cards? And the who the Cards Mistress was? What was this guy doing here? And who is he really?
"I told you, I'll tell you later. Right now we've got to--" Eriol stopped
mid-sentence, as a twinkling laugh rang softly in the air. A circle with symbols appeared right under their feet, quite similar to the one that appears when Sakura is using the wand and cards. They were right inside of it.
"What the hell is this?" Syaoran said, to no one in particular. The person who was laughing ceased to laugh and started to chant words in what sounded like Latin. Then, a white light appeared, starting at the core of the circle and spreading, blinding them. Sakura brought her hand up to shield her eyes.
Suddenly, the light vanished, and so did the magical circle. There was a figure standing in the center, where the light had started.
It was Meilin, looking stunning in her red kimono. But something was wrong..... she was glowing.
"Meilin! What are you doing here? And how did you.......?" Syaoran was at a loss. This was highly unusual.
"As for what I'm doing here. I already told you, but you didn't let me explain to you. And as for how I can do this, well, isn't it obvious? It's magic."
"I know that!" Syaoran said in frustration. "But how? You were never born with magic. You never had any."
"And sadly, I still don't. I don't have magic, but that doesn't mean that I can't use it. This is something new. Your mother made it. Something that I can use... It's only a summoning spell, though. She told me that I should only use it, if there be no other options," Meilin said in a matter-of-factly tone.
Even though Meilin had said that it was only a summoning spell, no one let their guards down, and Tomoyo kept videotaping.
"No other options for what?" Kero wanted to know.
Meilin looked at the source of the voice that just spoke up. "What are you? An electronic flying stuffed animal?"
Kero's face puffed up with rage. "I am not an electronic flying stuffed animal!"
"Could have fooled me," Syaoran muttered.
"Hey! I heard that, you ungrateful Clow-wanna be! Be quiet or I'll Kung-fuiey your sorry butt out of here!" Kero said back.
"What's that? Oooo, it's a little toy making big threats," he said, but Kero chose to ignore him this time.
"I am Kerberos! Guardian Beast of The Seal!" he said, addressing Meilin.
"If it was your job to guard, then why did the cards manage to escape still? Wait! Enough of this. I didn't come all the way here to fight with an animated toy." Meilin turned back to Syaoran. "I came here, to bring you back home. They said that I was not to come back without you."
"I've had enough of you Meilin! Can't you get it into your head that I don't want to marry you. While you were gone, I found someone. Someone who stole my heart, and still has it. I don't want it back. It's in her hands, and so is my life. I don't love you! I don't even like you that much. After all that following you've done. I just tolerate you because you're family."
"Syaoran..." Sakura said. Does he really mean what he said?
Sakura's attention went back to Meilin. Tears were running down her cheeks.
"I thought that you cared for me... I love you so much. We grew up together, learned the arts of fighting together... I know your moves inside-out... And this is what you say to me? I care for you. I love you, Syaoran. because you're my cousin. You were aloof, back then. Always wanted solitude. But you were kind to me. And I thank you for that. But what happened between then and now that makes you hate me?" Meilin said. She fell on her knees and cried in her hands.
"Meilin! Where are you?" A voice called out. It was Jake.
Meilin lifted up her head. "Jake? Over here!" she called out.
A young man stepped out of the trees. When he saw Meilin's eyes were puffy and red from crying, he went hurrying towards her. "What's wrong?" He then helped her up and turned towards the others. "Alright what have you done to her?" Jake then fixed his gaze on Syaoran. "Let me guess. This is your fault."
"My fault! What are you talking about! She's the one who came all the way here, to where I am, to talk about a wedding. And who the hell are you?"
"My name is Jake. I used to look up to you. I've heard so much about you from your family, mother, sisters, and especially Meilin. I was sick of you even before I met you, but I knew that you were good... And this is how you treat Meilin."
"Jake, it's okay. Guess he's not coming."
"He has to be there. This was your idea. And the Elders wants him to be there And the wedding is going to take place on Christmas Day. They told you not to come back without him."
"I know...."
"Wait, so this whole crazy wedding was your fault?" Syaoran said to Meilin.
"You didn't let me explain. I wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to be happy for me. For us. But I guess that's just not so."
"How can I be happy when I'm going to be married to you by the end of next month?!?" At these words, Meilin flinched. Sakura felt a twinge of remorse. So what if this girl was Meilin, Syaoran's fiancé. No one deserves to be going through this pain. She really loves Syaoran. That's all that matters. He'll be well taken care of. He's in good hands. She really cares for him. And they've known each other for such a long time... Sakura thought. But what about you? Don't you love him, too? More than she does, and ever will? A little voice in her head said to her. She chose to ignore it.
"Syaoran, what I've tried to tell you all this time. What I came here to tell you, was that our engagement... is off."
Syaoran staggered, and almost fell. Whatever he thought Meilin was going to say, he was prepared for it, he just wasn't prepared for this. It caught him off guard. Sakura couldn't believe what she was hearing. A small gasp of surprise came from Tomoyo, who was still videotaping everything non-stop. Eriol had a satisfied grin on his face. This situation is getting wackier by the second, Kero thought.
"What did you say?" Syaoran asked in a hoarse whisper.
"I said, that the wedding is off. But I'm still going to get married. Married to someone else." Meilin looked at Jake. He smiled and nodded at her. She stepped closer to him, into his embrace. She smiled at him and continued. "Jake and I have been engaged a year now. It took a lot of convincing on my part, trying to bend The Elders' will, but I did it. And I wanted to come here to tell you myself. I knew that you didn't want to get married with me, or have me as your wife. But I found someone who does." Meilin gave Jake's hand a gentle squeeze. "I wanted to see the expression on your face when I told you about it. Just once, I wanted to see you smile because of something that I did. And I fell in love with someone else. At first, I thought it was hopeless... I know now that nothing ever is. And I wanted you to come back with us, Syaoran, to attend the wedding. I wanted you to be there. But I guess..."
"Yes, she wanted you to come because she wanted you to be the Best Man," Jake said.
Syaoran looked at Meilin, but she averted her head.
Meilin turned to Sakura now. "I apologize about that one time in the park. It must have felt like a thousand knives driving into your heart, and yet you're still living. I know how that feels, now. To find out that someone you love, didn't love and care for you back." Syaoran inwardly flinched at this. "But the difference is, is that the love is still there." All Sakura could do was nod.
"Let's go Meilin. Mission completed." They turned, and started to walk away.
"Wait!" Syaoran called out. Meilin slowly turned around.
"Yes?" Syaoran stepped forward and held out his hand to Jake. Jake took it and they shook hands. "Please take care of her. Make sure that she's happy. Something that I never was able to do." He then turned towards Meilin and step forward to hug her, and stepped back. Meilin was surprised. "I'm sorry, Meilin. I... I never meant what I said. It was just in the heat of the moment. I guess, it's my fault. I should have listened to you."
"But you were angry, so you couldn't. I know Syaoran. I understand." They just stared at each other, while Jake stood by smiling, glad that everything worked out fine between the two.
"So, does this mean, that you're gonna come?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, and for the second time that night Meilin cried. But this time, they were tears of happiness. Not of sadness. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Then I'll see you there."
"When are you going to leave Japan?" Syaoran asked.
"This coming Wednesday. I still have to do some shopping for a couple of things. I'm buying some Japanese clothes for your sister. They asked for some." Syaoran groaned. "But I won't leave until I get to do just this one more thing."
"What's that?" Jake asked. Meilin winked up at him and ran towards Sakura. She pulled Sakura towards Syaoran. "There's just these to people who were really miserable. And it's my fault. It's time to forgive and to forget."
"She's right, you know," Syaoran said. "Will you forgive me? For not being truly honest with you?"
Sakura wasted no time in hesitating. She ran to him and without words, communicated with him on a different plain. She sobbed into his shirt front. She was so happy. He wasn't taken after all, and he loves her. He loves her. This must be a dream, she thought. But the arms that were circling her waist felt so real. Tomoyo, too, was crying. Her best friend was finally out of the sea of sadness, where she was drowning, until her love rescued her. What romance! I could make a romance film! Tomoyo thought. I think I'll call it...."Cherry Blossoms 101.8 FM."
Eriol moved from where he was standing, and moved closer to Tomoyo. Everyone was happy, and with the one that they loved, except for one.
"Hey! You all forgot about me here!" Kero said, and everyone turned towards him. "So everyone's happy, yadda yadda yadda. I'm happy for you all, don't take this the wrong way. But my stomach can talk you know. And for the past minutes, it's been telling me that it wants some food. Sakura, I'm hungry." Everyone laughed at this.
"Alright Kero. What do you want? Just make it quick, okay? We've got other important thing so to do than to keep your stomach satisfied," Syaoran said.
"You be quiet. Okay. I want some sushi, some rice cakes, cookies, and ice creams, and...."
"Gonna be here awhile? Grab a Snickers bar." Eriol whispered into Tomoyo's ear, and she laughed. He pulled out a Snickers bar from his pocket and offered it to her.
"Where did you get that from?"
"I bought it." He then broke it in two, and gave the other half to Tomoyo.
"When will you explain? How you knew?"
Eriol's Snicker's bar was halfway into his mouth, but then he lowered it back. "Are you mad at me?"
All she did was shake her head, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips. "I'm just surprised, that's all."
"Would you mind, if I just told you later? I don't think that now..." Tomoyo nodded in understanding.
"Of course." She then laid her head on his shoulder, and resumed videotaping. Kero was now yelling at Syaoran because Syaoran said that he wasn't going to get everything that Kero had asked for.
"That's way too much!"
Sakura was shaking her head at the two. Meilin and Jake were standing next to each other, watching everything with their arms around each other. Eriol was still eating while watching the "entertainment" going on. And as for Tomoyo, she wondered about Eriol, and how much he knew. Who was he really? I'll think about this tomorrow. I'll find out soon. I love him. That's all that matters.
*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note: Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first series fic is finally finished! Hehehe. Sooooooo, how did you like the outcome of the story? Were you shocked? Disappointed? Satisfied? Tell me what you think. I'll have an Epilogue after this, and that ENDS this story... But, who knows. I just might make a sequel. Hehehe
E-mail: lyricalaznangel@aol.com
~Enchanted Pink Jade
