Falling Petals

Chapter 15

By Neko the Hanyou

A/N: okay, okay. You're more than welcome to yell at me all you want. I know, I'm very very late in writing this, and I do apologize. It seems my brain had a melt down and shut down on thinking on what to write for this story. I've also not been paying much attention to what I've been writing... *sigh* anyway, I'll try to make this really good, so please yell at me if you wish.

Disclaimer- Uh, I don't own CCS, nor it's characters. I simply 'borrowed' them to write this story. The plot, Tina, Thomas, and any other weird creations are mine. Please do not sue me. *Bows*

*~*~*~

"Wah! This is going to be so exciting!" Sakura exclaimed, waving her arms around.

"Yeah, Sakura, and I made you a new costume!" Tomoyo said, becoming starry-eyed.

"Hoee..."

A short while later, they reached the Li beach house. Syaoran walked up and unlocked the door, letting them all inside. Sakura skipped in, looking around at the entire decor. Eriol sat down in a large chair, observing. Tomoyo began doing her favorite activity- recording Sakura.

"So, your mother is actually letting us use the house?"

"Yea." Syaoran plopped down on the huge coach, closing his eyes. "Mom figured we were old enough to know what we're allowed and not allowed to do. Though, my sisters might stop by for a little while."

Sakura's eyes widened in remembrance of his sisters. "Oh no..."

"I agree with you Sakura." Tomoyo said, also remembering the first time they met his sisters.

"Heh. They'll come for a little while, but they can't stay. Mom said they have a ton of parties to attend. Don't ask me."

"Well, I'm amazed that your mother is permitting his, descendant." Eriol commented.

Syaoran glared at him. " I thought I told you not to call me that."

Eriol shrugged. "It suits you."

"Oh, thanks." Syaoran said sarcastically. "Ok, I'll give you the quick tour, so you'll know where everything is." He headed up the stairs. "Girl's rooms are on the right, guys on the left. The bathrooms are in-between each set of rooms." Walking back downstairs, he stopped in the kitchen. "You have the kitchen here, the dining room through that door, and the living room in the front. Outside is obviously, the beach. For dinner tonight, mother ordered me to make you all stir-fry, my way."

Eriol groaned. "Your way?"

"Yep. Just wait til you taste it. But as for now, who wants to go to the beach?"

"I do I do!" Sakura exclaimed, jumping up and down. Everyone laughed and headed to get changed.

"Sakura, here's your bathing suit, I made it just for you." Tomoyo said, handing her friend a small pink box. "You'll love it."

"Wow! Thanks Tomoyo! I can't wait!"

*~*~*~

Syaoran sat on the beach, over looking the waves while dusting off his board. It had been in the garage for years.

Eriol had jumped in the water right away and was swimming through the waves at the current moment. Tomoyo came out, followed by Sakura. She was grinning like the cat that just ate the canary.

"What's up with you?" Syaoran questioned.

"Oh, just my new master piece that Sakura has on."

"Eh?" Syaoran turned around to see Sakura and he felt his mouth drop. Sakura had on a pastel- glitter tankini; her hair pulled up in a ponytail. She was carrying a body board of her own.

"Hey, Syaoran! Are you coming in the water too?"

"Eh? Oh, yea, of course." He stood up and picked up the board, sending a glare at Tomoyo, who just gave him an innocent smile.

"All right! Last one in the water is a rotten egg!" Sakura called, running to the water.

"Hey! You cheat!" Syaoran ran after her. Tomoyo giggled and walked over to were Eriol came out.

"Aren't they cute?"

Eriol looked at the couple for a moment. "I suppose, but you're much cuter."

"Aw, why thank you!" Tomoyo said, giving him a peck on the cheek. Eriol scooped her up and threw her in the water, splashing in after her. It was time to have some fun.

*~*~*~

"*Yawn* Man, the sea felt great! I can't wait til tomorrow so I can go back in!" Sakura commented, walking towards the beach house.

"Yea, the water was great. I'll have to remember my board tomorrow." Tomoyo said, glancing at Eriol.

Syaoran had gone ahead of them to cook dinner. Skipping to the door, Sakura noticed a car in the driveway.

"Hey, who's car in that?"

Tomoyo blinked. "I don't know."

"Then let's go find out!" Sakura opened the door and slid inside. They could hear Syoaran's voice and a female voice.

"Xiao-lonnngg! Which dress should I wear to the party? My red strapless one or this new one I bought off mummy's credit card?"

Syaoran sat down in a chair, studying his sister for a moment. "I think you should wear.... The blue dress you just bought, with your sapphire necklace and earring set. Do your hair up in the braid and twist, and to top it off, use a white or iridescent shawl."

Lin grinned. "Great! Do you think it will impress the guys?"

"Knowing you, yes."

"Thanks soooo much Xiao-long! I'll tell you how it went, okay?" Lin said, embracing her brother.

"Yea, yea. Just don't get drunk and I want to meet whoever you decide on, understand?" Syaoran said, crossing his arms.

Lin giggled. "Oh, Xiao-long, I will. Bye!"

After the door shut, Syaoran turned around to see three pairs of eyes looking at him strangely.

"What?! I grew up with 5 women who always came to me for fashion questions!"

Eriol grinned. "Oh, so my cute little descendant is also a fashion expert? How quaint."

"Don't get me started, ancestor."

Tomoyo and Sakura looked at each other and shrugged, deciding it was best to stay out of it.

*~*~

The night was peacefully calm; the ocean's waves lullaby sending everyone into pleasant dreams. Tina stood before the waves, watching them break, planning every moment of the battle, where she would be the glorious victor.

"We'll destroy their happiness, their lives, and the world will be ours, isn't that right, dear?"

"Hai." Answered Thomas, a dull look to his eyes.

*~*~*~*~**~

The next day, everyone was out in the water. Whether it was boarding, swimming or just messing around, there was laughter. Lying on the towels to dry, they chatted about simple things. Later in the evening, Syaoran and Eriol built a small fire, and they roasted marshmallows. Amidst their chattering and laughter, an arrow whizzed through the air and struck the tree nearby. Sakura got up and approached it cautiously. Tied around the arrow was a note. Taking the arrow out of the tree, Sakura read.

"Cherry Blossom and Wolf,

Join us for an entertaining evening by the sea, full of fire, fights and feasts. Bring everyone, if anyone, if you dare. Oh, and do be dressed semi-formal, yet causal. Wouldn't want to give you the disadvantage, now would we? The fun begins at 12 o'clock sharp, so don't be late!

We will settle this once and for all, my dears. Winner takes all.

Sincerely, with love,

Tina and Thomas."

Syaoran looked grim, Eriol in deep though, Tomoyo was distressed, and oddly, Sakura was calm.

"Tomoyo, could you get something together for me to wear in under an hour?"

"Huh? Of course Sakura."

"Eriol, Leave Ruby Moon and Spinel out of this. I'm not sending for Kero or Yue."

Eriol nodded.

"Syaoran, I'll need you too. You most of all. We must defeat them. No matter what." Sakura sounded strong and in command. He nodded. There was no use arguing at this pint. Their destiny, their future, their everything depended on this fight.

"Good. Let's get ready."

*~*~*~

Tomoyo put together simple pieces for the outfit, using little sewing or fabric. Sakura took the outfit and put in on when it was completed. A plain pastel tank top with a pair of biker shorts. Over the shorts was a wrap-skirt. Sakura put on a silver belly chain, a silver anklet and bracelet.

Syaoran was fitted with black pants and a white tank, and wristbands. Eriol wore his normal robe. Tomoyo dressed in a light purple tank and black shorts, holding her camcorder. Sakura picked up her mother's staff.

"Let's go."

*~*~*~*

Sakura and the 'gang' arrived early. Tina smiled.

"So very glad you could make it."

Sakura simply glared at her. "Can we get this over with already?"

Tina raised an eyebrow. "Why, certainly. I would have thought you wanted to have some fun first."

"No. I want this done and over with. I'm sick of you trying to hurt people just to get to me. It's not right, damnit."

Tina rose into the air, looking down at them with red eyes. "This is between you and I, Chosen Mistress."

Sakura concentrated hard. She wouldn't let her dream become a reality. Never.


(A/N- The dream, incase you forgot- It was deathly dark out where they were. Lightening struck anything in sight, as if on purpose. Sakura kneeled on the ground, as Syaoran lay in her arms, bleeding, looking at her in pain and pleading for her to go before she, too, would be hurt. Yue lie crumpled up next to a dead Keroberos, matted with dried and fresh blood. Tomoyo peeked out from behind a bush, eyes wide and frightened, afraid to come out for fear of her life. Eriol lay a few feet away, coughing up blood, staff fallen at his side. Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun bowed their heads, wings torn, bodies bloody, and an arrow beam through their backs. Two shadows stood above them, their eyes dark and threatening. Their laugh was cold and heartless, smirking. The girlish figure reached out her hand with an evil grin and.........)

Tina scanned the others. "We do not need to fight them. Thomas! Come out, you have some playmates!"

Thomas stepped out from the shadows, eyes dull and black, There was no sign of the real Thomas inside of him. Stepping up to Tina, he looked at her.

"I want you to go 'play' with the little wolf and the clow."

Nodding, he walked towards Syaoran and Eriol, who went into defensive poses. Tomoyo skittered off to a safer place. She wasn't a target, since she didn't have magic.

Sakura and Tina stared at each other, sizing one another up. Tina smirked, ready to make the first move. Raising her arm, she created a small red ball, about the size of softball, and sent it towards Sakura, Sakura looked at it, and summoned a card.

"Shield!" Instantly, Shield covered the area around Sakura and rebounded the fire.

"Fly!" Wings sprouted from her back, letting Sakura fly up t o Tina's height.

"I don't understand why you want me gone! Tell me!"

Tina looked at her with blood red eyes. "Why? You dare ask me why?!"

Sending a blast of power out, Sakura was shot down. Gasping. She got back up.

"Answer me! What did I ever do to you?!"

Tina looked down at her. "Why are you so persistent, girl? Can you not take no for an answer?"

Sakura glared at her defiantly. "No, I can't."

This angered Tina, and she shot down more of her energy in spades. "Die Card Mistress!"

Syaoran and Eriol were having just as bad a time with Thomas. He was quicker and more agile than they were combined. Panting, Eriol summoned a shield.

"I don't think we'll be able to beat him."

Syaoran looked at him, a dull gleam in his eyes. "We have to. We do or we die."

With a swipe of his sword, he was off in the fog surrounding Thomas. Eriol sent a shield to Tomoyo, to keep her safe. Taking a deep breath, he went in after Syaoran.

*~*~*~

Thomas stood in the dark deadly fog, waiting for their attack. Inside his body, there was a battle-taking place. Thomas, the real soul, was trying valiantly to fight off the curse put on him from Tina. He didn't want to fight them. They were his friends. Why did he choose to go with Tina in the first place? Attraction? Or had it been a spell? Tina had always been a troublemaker, no matter where she went. His soul cried out for release. He wanted revenge on the girl who caused him so much pain.

Thomas, on the outside, doubled over just as Eriol and Syaoran burst through the fog. They looked at him momentarily in surprise. Eriol quickly scanned the fallen figure's mental and spiritual problems.

"Syaoran! Thomas is still in there! He's under a spell by Tina! If we get him out, he'll be able to help us!"

Syaoran looked at Thomas for a moment then nodded. Summoning all his power to his sword, he stepped forward. Eriol did the same, sending his power to his staff. Thomas bared his teeth at them, but they paid him no heed. Sending out their powers, they helped Thomas win the internal battle. Thomas collapsed on the ground with a sullen thud. Syaoran and Eriol slumped against their weapons. Now all that was left was Tina.

*~*

Sakura expertly dodged all of Tina's attacks, without even breaking a sweat. Shaking her head, she called forth Blizzard.

"Blizzard! Block her attacks!"

The card appeared and sent out a gust of ice crystals. Tina screamed when they hit her and tore her robe.

"How dare you! You dare defy your own creator?!"

Blizzard nodded. Sakura smirked. "See, Tina, you don't seem to understand. The cards and creations don't want to obey someone who hurts them. They want someone who will care for them and be there for them. You obviously didn't do so."

With a growl, Tina swept her hand to the side. "You dare tell me how to live my life and treat my creations?! They belong to me and I shall do whatever I want to them!"

"You're wrong. You can't do what you want to them." Sakura said quietly, sending out the rest of Tina's creations.

"Show her what it means to be mistreated."

All of the creations went after Tina, who screamed and swatted them away like they were flies.

*~*~*

Thomas got up slowly and painfully, and began to walk towards Sakura and Tina.

"How dare you.....Do this.... To me..." Was what the two boys heard. Syaoran stood and walked behind him. Eriol followed. Sakura reached out for Thomas's hand.

"Help me finish this."

Thomas nodded his eyes on Tina. He grabbed Sakura's hand and held it tightly.

"Tina!"

The woman whipped around to face them, her eyes widening in shock when she saw he escaped from her spell.

"Thomas.. What... why..."

"Tina! You betrayed me, you betrayed our clan, and you betrayed our family! I loved you, and this is what you do to me?! I'm sorry, Tina...put your time has come to an end."

Tina stared, actually becoming afraid. Sakura looked at her sadly.

"I offered you a chance at a new life Tina...but you blew it...I..I'm sorry."

Linking hands with Syaoran, his father's sword and her mother's staff floated before them. Thomas's necklace, his last thing from Tina, hung above the two weapons.

"With the power of my Star..."

"With the power of the moon...."

"With the power of the planet...."

"We seal you away!"

A vicious blinding light came flying up at Tina. She hung her head as it hit her, evaporating with shimmering dust. Her necklace, matching Thomas's, fell to the ground and broke. A dark mist curled out from it, and was evaporated by the remaining light.

Sakura let go of Syaoran's hand and turned to Thomas.

"Are you okay?"

Thomas looked at her and smiled. "Better than I have been in a long, long time."

Tomoyo ran out of her hiding place and embraced Sakura in a hug. Soon, they all had a group hug, laughing. They had won, and it was all right. The morning dawned to another day, like it always does.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*END*

You kidding me? Here's the epilogue...

*~**~*

Bells rang and Sakura and Syaoran ran out of the church, under the flying rice and confetti. Everyone was clapping. Thomas stood to the side, smiling happily, holding Meling's hand.

Sakura turned around to face Syaoran, a smile bright on her face.

"Syaoran, we'll protect this place forever, right?"

Syaoran smiled at his newly wedded wife. "Yes, Sakura. We'll always protect it."

Sakura hugged him tightly and kissed him. Whistles and claps went up like wild. Tomoyo and Eriol grinned, lightly touching Tomoyo's stomach. Just wait til they heard the news....

But for now, This story ends..Of course....

Happily ever after...

For everyone.

*~*End*~*

A/N- was it good? Or did I totally loose my touch? I'll be working on my Tomoyo/Eriol story next. Please review!