Epilogue
The day was bright. The grasses were long and green and florishing. Above, the sky was bright blue and the clouds were clear white. Several butterflies fluttered in the breeze as the flowers released their fragrant scent.
But the world was no longer covered with streets, buildings and houses. Instead, it seemed that it was long before humans had ever set foot on the place. There were no elephants, no dogs, no cats, no deer. There were only squirrels, small birds, butterflies, bees, flowers and trees, rivers and lakes. Silver fish, deep blue seas, and the bright sun that seemed to be shining on a new world.
There was little movement in the tranquil place. There were no signs of industry or agriculture. Everything was natural. Nothing was magical. No cards, no hidden treasures, no temples or domes. Only the earth with its original life, land and water.
All was silent. The wind blew softly over the grasses and trees, transporting the clouds. There were no rains, but the last living organisms needed none. The soil was deep and rich. The flowers were abundant.
Several hummingbirds stooped and buzzed their pretty wings to drink the nectar along with the bees. A cardinal called for a mate. A blue jay hovered on a branch and then moved away. Several sqirrels scampered, carrying nuts in their mouths to their holes. Far away, the mountains stood, covered with mist.
There were no people. No businessmen, running late to work. No cars driving or honking at the traffic lights, for there were none either. There were no bicycles, no people walking their dogs. There were no dogs.
Yet the silence was broken by the soft playing of a cello, sometimes mixed with a violin, sometimes another cello, sometimes a piano.
The sound drifted across the plains and rode the wind. Feathers fluttered. The creatures ignored the sound, going on with their busy lives. Yet the sound came from the single house that still exists in the world. That house was once a symbol of all that was frightening and sad. This time, the cello no longer played sad music. It played pieces filled with hope and longing, with joy and happiness.
A fence surrounded the house. And for the first time, those within the house came out. A child leaped after the only dog in the world, and for the first time, the individuals were given a voice.
" Come on, Lele!" the boy laughed. " Let's go for a walk. Maybe we can say hello to Sakura. Xuyan, you coming?"
The second boy came out. " Sure." The other one said.
However, there was no Sakura. There were no other houses. The boys and the dog disappeared as soon as they reached the fence. The cello kept on playing.
Deep within the house, an white haired boy was cooking with a dark haired boy.
" Where are the kids off to, Yuki-san?" the dark haired boy asked.
" Walking the dog." Yukito answered. " Come on, To-ya. Ah! The kettle's boiling!"
From the kitchen a boy sat down on the sofa.
" Come on Eriol-kun." A dark haired girl laughed. " Don't tell me you're scared!"
" I'm not." Eriol protested. " I just don't want to. Oh, look, Syaoran-kun is back."
The door opened, and the two boys came in with a happy dog.
" What's for lunch?" Syaoran asked.
" Surprise." Yukito answered.
The dog bounded up the stairs. It wagged its tail and nosed at a door. The door opened and it went in.
This time, the dog disappeared as soon as it stepped into the room. The room was a comfortable green. The door closed, and the window was open. Outside, trees were waving their branches. The birds chirped at the window and at each other.
The cello lay in its case in the corner of the room. It was not, as may be expected, covered with dust. On the wall hung a small sword that could have been used by a young child. The table was clean, and the walls had poems written in chaligraphy. There were pictures on the table. Pictures of a large group of friends, pictures of Syaoran and another green eyed girl. There were trophies and awards all around the room, a symbol of a child's accomplishment.
There was a dark green bed, and in it lay a child of white marble, lovingly tucked in with his eyes closed and a faint smile gracing his lips. He looked exactly like Syaoran, and yet he did not, for his hair, instead of dark brown, was snowy white, and there was no color to his clothes. He lay in peaceful slumber.
In this room alone there was no sound. The voice of the cello downstairs did not interrupt the tranquility of this single room. The birds alone chirped and sang outside the window, offering a sweet lullaby to one who will rest forever.
The single house stood silent in the midst of little life. Only the memories went on,
living each day of the last three years of a young child's short life. Here, after being
disturbed by curious scholars for over a hundred years, it could finally remain in
peace. There is no one to disturb it.
The sun began to set. The world began to silence. The cello went on playing. This time, it was a farewell song, yet it was a welcome song. It was the first day that the house had spent in peace.
" I have the Ace of Spades!"
" Again? That's the third time, Syaoran-kun!"
" Hey, you can't blame me for getting the first card all the time!"
" Yes we can."
" No you can't!"
" Hai, we can!"
Laughter sounded, but only up to the fence. Beyond that, everything was quiet, still, and resting. It was dark. The moon rose up, and with it, the final memory the house had to present.
Two figures, dark against the white moon, cut across it. One had large feathered wings. The other was under the first, and it had no wings. They cut across the moon rapidly and disappeared.
The real Syaoran lay in his room in marble slumber. He ignored the laughter and tears of the memories around his room. His eyes were closed and his heart was still. He slept. Never to wake.