AN: See? I didn't kill Melinda off just because I wanted to. She helped Syaoran get to Sakura before Amanda shot her (I should have written this, but Amanda was going to shoot her in the head, killing Sakura instantly). Without Melinda, it would have taken forever for Syaoran to even find Sakura at all. And a few of you were wondering about Kita's role in the story, and just in case you didn't see it, Kita saved Sakura the day Kita died. If Kita hadn't been there, then Amanda would have simply left, and returned later in order to kill Sakura. But because Kita was there, Amanda killed her instead and realized that killing Sakura would have rose suspicion, so she decided not to kill Sakura after all. In a way, Kita's murder bought Sakura time to meet Syaoran, and learn how to trust men again, and to fall in love again. Kita's death saved Sakura in more ways then one.
Now, since I am done explaining . . . *Drops down and cries* I can't believe this is going to end and I can't believe it reached almost five hundred reviews! This is the final chapter for Murdering Angel (there will be no sequel) and I am hoping that this long, final chapter was satisfactory for all of you!
Things you should know:
"Someone talking"
Someone's thoughts
~*~*~ Changing to someone else's Point of View (You will be told whose point of view). When I am changing the setting of the story and that doesn't appear, it means it is still the same point of view from the previous setting.
[Author's Notes]
Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Clamp but the plot is mine and any new characters are mine
Murdering Angel
Chapter Seventeen
(Third Person P.O.V)
The wind blew through Syaoran's chestnut hair, leaves falling around his crouched body. Amber eyes that were stripped of barriers, vulnerable for the world to see his emotions, stared at the words of his beloved.
Kinomoto Sakura.
Beloved friend, Beloved PI, Beloved person.
The words glared at him from the tombstone, screaming at him that she was gone, and that she would never return. He cried his sorrow, he screamed his rage, he asked questions of wonderment, which he didn't receive an answer to, and now there was only one more thing for him to do.
He had to say good-bye.
Slowly, his hand rose, and his fingers brushed the gold letters. He never thought he would say good-bye to Sakura. It was torture to accept Melinda's death, but it was impossible to even imagine Sakura's. She made a dent in his life, opened a door of happiness and mystery.
And love.
Can he say good-bye to her laughter, to her wild and active personality, to her soft heart?
He hated her for leaving. He hated her for going off on her own, even though she shouldn't have. He hated her for how she easily went to Kiyo's rescue, even though it was nothing more than a trap. He hated her for being so naïve. He hated her.
But he also loved her, and that love overcame the hatred.
He lifted his other arm and looked at the single white rose in his hand. It was beautiful, blooming with life. Just like Sakura had. His Sakura. His one and only.
A single drop falls on the rose, and he blinked at it. Looking up, he saw no clouds in sight. It was a clear, blue sky; a contrast to the thunderstorm raging within him. He looked back to the rose, and another drop fell on it. He took away his hand from the tombstone and lifted it to his cheek.
Bitterly, he realized that tears were falling from his eyes. He thought he had cried enough, but he should have known that until he got over the grieving process, no amount of crying would be enough.
He placed the rose on the fresh dirt that loomed over her casket, like a door shutting her from the rest of the world forever.
Then he felt a caress. It was sweet, and reassuring. It was wiping his tears. He knew who it was. It was Sakura, telling him everything would be okay. But so long as he lived without her, it would never be okay. They were one, and one couldn't be complete without the other.
He couldn't join her, though. He couldn't leave this pathetic, dull life in order to be with her. She said she didn't want him to, she wouldn't like for him to die just because he wanted to be with her; she wouldn't stand the thought of him dying just because of her. He knew what she would be thinking: she wasn't worth it. But she was. She was worth everything.
But if she wants him to, he'll live. Just for her, and no one else. Forget marriage with anybody else; forget having kids with anyone else. If he can't have a family with Sakura, then he won't have a family at all.
He stood up, staring at the rose. When he bought that rose, it reminded him of Sakura so much he bought it so he can have one thing to remind him of the love he shared with her. It represented the memories, the laughs, and the love. But once he leaves that rose, he leaves the only thread that connected him to Sakura. He was going to close this chapter of his life.
It was for the best.
Good-bye, my love.
He turned away from the grave and closed his eyes.
He opened them and blinked with confusion when he saw a chair in front of him. It was one of those chairs found in airplanes.
The caress was still being done on his cheek, and with a smile he turned into the hand.
"Nothing but a dream" he whispered as he looked into emerald orbs.
"This is the third time you cried in your sleep" Sakura said softly as she continued to wipe away his tears. "What are you dreaming about?"
"What I thought would happen while you were in that coma" he stated as he took her hand within his own. He stared at her hand, which looked so frail compared to his muscular, manly one. "Almost every night, as I sat on the chair watching you breathe weakly, I would fall asleep, and then I would always dream of me standing in front of your tombstone, saying good-bye. I thought they would stop after you woke up."
"Syaoran, those dreams are probably telling you what could have happened if you hadn't done CPR on me. As you told me, it took five minutes to bring me back."
"I would have sat there all night just to get your heart going. Something inside me told me that it wasn't too late, even though you had been dead already for a few minutes." He kissed her knuckles. "I wasn't going to let you go. To lose you after barely finding out I had your heart was not going to happen."
"But you didn't lose me" Sakura stated with a sad smile.
"Yeah, I did. But then I got you back."
Syaoran kissed her knuckles again and left them close to his mouth as he closed his eyes, remembering the torture he had gone through two months ago. After he had stopped singing, he immediately had begun to give her CPR, a voice telling him to try and bring her back.
And he had. It was the biggest miracle he could ever have gotten, to get the love of his life back from death. His relief was so huge that he almost collapsed when she took a deep breathe and began to breath again. But she hadn't opened her eyes. His happiness that she was alive was cut short when the doctor had told him after they arrived at the hospital that she was in a coma, and he had not a single clue of when she would wake up. Everyday Syaoran was next to her at the hospital, watching her chest rise and fall, praying for her to wake up.
It wasn't until a month later that his prayers were answered. He had been asleep, but he woke up at the same time Sakura had, their eyes opening and then clashing with one another simultaneously.
She wasn't released from the hospital until two weeks later. During that time, her arm had healed (which, luckily, had only been sprained), and several times he showered her with words of encouragement and words filled with love.
When they got home, though, was when he was able to show her his love by making love to her for the past two weeks.
"It's a good thing I hadn't taken out the wood until we were at the hospital" he spoke finally as he shifted his gaze to her face. "If I had, all chance of getting you back would have been gone."
And it was true. The wood that had entered her hadn't gone deep, but if he had taken it out she would have certainly bled to death.
Sakura knew that, but secretly one of the reasons why she gave up fighting for life was because the stick was still in her. It not only pierced her flesh, it pierced her soul. It was like a white flag, screaming her surrender. She couldn't stand the thought of her being defeated any longer. Not to mention that she was exhausted. It had been war to keep her eyes open. The strength had been sucked out of her, and she had been weakening more and more by the second. She knew that she wouldn't be able to last any longer, and that she would die. And she did. Until Syaoran saved her, at least.
It was weird for her, though. When she died, she had no clue where she was. She suspected it had been limbo, but she was giving no time to analyze because a voice began calling her, telling her to hold on. Sakura told Syaoran about it, but all Syaoran said was that he was grateful she paid attention to the voice.
He had also lectured her for going to 'rescue' Kiyo on her own. He was pissed at the fact that Amanda had lied when saying that she had barely gotten together with Kiyo a week before she had gone to Lin's funeral. They now knew that was just a lie so they wouldn't suspect that Amanda and Kiyo knew each other for much longer and that Kiyo was helping her kill people. Sakura let him lecture for a full five minutes before shutting him up by kissing him. She really did not want to hear about her mistake of going to Kiyo ever again.
They both looked forward when someone spoke on the intercom.
"Ladies and gentleman, please remain seated as we enter Hong Kong Airport. Please buckle your seat belt and do not stand up until the plane has come to a complete stop. Thank you."
"Nervous?" Sakura asked as she looked back to Syaoran.
"A little. But not as nervous as I was when I asked you to come with me a few days ago."
"I don't see why. I said yes, didn't I?"
"How was I supposed to know?" He murmured as he kissed her.
When the plane stopped, they both got up and reached for their bags. Before Sakura could grab hers, Syaoran took it.
"No weight on your arm, remember?" He said. Sakura reached for her bag.
"My arm is fully healed and the doctor said that it was alright to carry things with my arm that aren't that heavy."
"Well, for my peace of mind, until we are completely sure your arm is okay, let me carry it, okay?"
Sakura sighed, but let him carry the bags. They left the plane and entered the terminal, walking through crowds of people until they reached the baggage claim.
"So how are we getting to your house?" Sakura asked as they waited for the rest of the luggage.
"My mother said that there would be a limo waiting for us outside."
"Rich boy" Sakura said playfully.
"Rich boy's girlfriend" Syaoran shot back, and with a chuckle he grabbed her hand as Sakura used her good hand to get the suitcase. Luckily, this suitcase had wheels on the bottom so Sakura could just pull it as they walked away.
The limo wasn't hard to spot; it was the only one there. Man, being rich rocked!
"Mr. Li, Ms. Kinomoto" the driver said as a greeting as he held the door open for them.
"Your mother has prepared rooms for you two, Mr. Li" the driver said after he got behind the wheel and began driving. "They are at the east wing of the estate, sir."
"Thank you" Syaoran said, but he knew that he and Sakura would only share one room. He never wanted to be separated from her by a wall again.
"Your mother also wanted me to tell you that she would be waiting for you at her study. She seemed rather anxious that you go there as soon as you get home."
"Did my mother say anything as to why she wanted me to bring Sakura along?" Syaoran asked, hoping that the driver would know.
No such luck.
"Sorry, Mr. Li. Mrs. Li hasn't mentioned a word about her reasons."
Syaoran sighed and looked at Sakura. "I hope it isn't anything bad" he said.
"Me too."
They were quiet, enjoying the presence of the other sitting next to them. Syaoran was eternally gratefully that she was alive and with him. Every time he thought about how she would be dead if he hadn't done CPR gave him chills. If only she didn't get the case in the first place, then she wouldn't have gone through all this torture.
Then he remembered the question he had wanted to ask her when he had been reading over the John Doe files on his first day.
"Sakura, how did you get the John Doe case?" He asked as he looked at her.
Sakura gave him a small smile. "Originally, it was Bennett's, but as people were being killed and Bennett still hadn't caught him, I began working on the case as well. It was stupid, but I was growing worried and was becoming exhausted as I pushed myself to the limit almost everyday. Irritated, I went to Bennett's office and began yelling at him how he wasn't working hard enough and that I should have the case because I would work harder on it and solve it faster." She sighed. "The mayor was in the office at the time, but I didn't notice. The mayor was getting worried about his little town being in fear everyday by a killer who still wasn't caught. He had been in the office telling Bennett to work harder when I entered. Hearing me say that I would solve it faster and work harder on it convinced the mayor to give me the case." She shrugged. "Bennett hadn't been all too happy with me at first. But eventually he got over it."
Syaoran smiled. "You are one interesting woman. And I love you."
"Love you too."
He kissed her briefly on the lips before sitting back and looking out his window. But he grasped her hand and held it for the rest of the ride.
It took nearly half an hour, but Sakura gasped as they reached the Li grounds. My God, the mansion was huge! It was almost like a castle, only there were no towers.
"You grew up here?" Sakura questioned as the limo passed the gates before stopping in front of the mansion.
"Yep. It's easy for a person to get lost here, unless you know the place inside out."
The door of the limo opened and Syaoran stepped out before helping Sakura out.
"Ready?" Syaoran asked as Sakura stared at the place that looked as if it touched the sky.
"I guess so" was her answer and together they walked towards the front door of the Li mansion.
**
Yelan was sitting behind her desk, elbows on the desk as her fingertips touched. She was gazing at the two pieces of paper she had extracted from the safe, and she was gazing at the little gray box next to the papers. She was confident of what she was about to say. She was someone who had the blood of a leader, knowing how to make even the strongest men bow down to her.
But she never did that. In fact, even though her aura shows power, she was one of the gentlest people who had ever lived. She never took her money for granted, and preferred not to be on the center of news in Hong Kong. She didn't force people to do as she pleases, and paid her employees a reasonable salary.
But she believed that she would be forced to use her power after she tells Syaoran about what she wants him to do. She had allowed a promise to be broken when he married Ling, and look how that turned out. Ling had destroyed Syaoran's happiness, and his baby. Her grandchild, for God's sake! Yelan would not allow that to happen again.
She looked up when the door to her study opened, and a smile appeared on her face.
"Xiao-Lang" she said softly as she stood up and walked around her desk before approaching him. She hugged him tightly, glad that he was home, safe and sound. "How was your flight, dear?" She asked him as she stepped back.
"It was all right. A little tiring though."
Yelan glanced over his shoulder and saw the person whom she believed was Sakura.
"Kinomoto Sakura?" She questioned just to make sure. The emerald-eyed girl nodded her head. "Oh, just lovely. You are simply beautiful."
"Thank you, Mrs. Li."
"Oh, child, please. Do call me Yelan. Mrs. Li makes me sound so old!" She nodded towards the couch in the study. "Please, the both of you sit down." She sighed; her face that was filled with happiness became business and serious. She was never one to drag out what she had to say. "With what I am going to say, you need to sit down."
All three sat down, Sakura and Syaoran more slowly than his mother.
Yelan began speaking almost immediately. "In order to ask what I want done, I must tell you a bit of my past." She looked down at her clasped hands. "These memories I treasure, because that is all I have left . . ." She looked up to Sakura ". . . of Fujitaka."
Sakura's eyes widened, filled with shock. Yelan gave a little smile as she began her story. "I was eighteen. My parents were people of strict rules, very strict. As their only daughter, they protected me with their lives. If they could, they would have kept me an innocent child until twenty-one. As most kids, I learn the darkest side of the world during my teens. You know, about drugs, gangs, and sex out of wedlock. My parents especially feared the sex part. They didn't want me to get pregnant while I was still too young to take care of a baby. I must admit that I, too, don't want anyone to have sex out of wedlock. Chances of pregnancy are high."
With confusion, she saw Sakura and Syaoran glance at each other before Sakura looked down. Syaoran had adverted his gaze to the window. They both looked as if they were . . . ashamed. Suspicion rose, but she continued with her story. "They decided that the only way for me to be free of that would be to marry. My future husband would be of their choosing." She cleared her throat and placed her hand over her throat, where her gold heart locket rested. She fingered it. "Kinomoto Fujitaka was handsome, and kind and sweet, but he wasn't for me. We became quick friends and ignored the part about us being engaged. We loved each other, but like brother and sister. We realized that we could never be husband and wife if sibling love was between us. I, eventually, fell in love for real with Syaoran's father. Fujitaka was glad, but protective. I was protective too when finding out he fell in love with Nadeshiko."
"My mother" Sakura whispered softly.
"Yes. For once, I stood up to my parents and told them that the engagement must be broken. They refused, but when I said that I would marry the man I loved as soon as I was no longer promised to another, they agreed. With the engagement broken, Fujitaka was free to be with his love, and I was free to be with mine."
She sighed. "Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy. They revealed that for years the Li's longed to become one with the Kinomoto's. My grandfather said that the Kinomoto's were a strong family and that the Li and Kinomoto families would become one powerful family if a child from the Kinomoto side would marry a Li. So then Fujitaka and I agreed, made a promise, that one day, when we have our own children, my son will be betrothed to his daughter."
She stopped talking and waited for their reactions. They wore similar expression: Shock.
"So you were going to marry Sakura's father before you married my father?" Syaoran asked.
"Yes."
Yelan looked at Sakura, but the young girl remained silent. Yelan didn't take that as a good or a bad sign. She just continued. "We kept in contact, and when you two were born, we made sure to inform each other." She sighed. "However, when Syaoran ended up falling in love at eighteen, and marrying Numi, I knew I couldn't keep the promise. It would have been different if Syaoran had given us a sign that he was actually in love before going off and getting married."
Syaoran coughed nervously and gave a nervous chuckle when Sakura turned to look at him. "Well, I wasn't all that open to my family. I kept my emotions to myself. The day my family found out I was in love was the day they found out I was now married to Ling."
Yelan gave a nod to confirm it. "He seemed happy, and I couldn't destroy that. I called Fujitaka, and told him the news. He, in turn, had news for me as well and told me that his daughter was dating someone and that it looked serious." She adverted her gaze to the window. "We knew we couldn't keep our promise to each other. Our children were committed to other people, and we didn't want to ruin your happiness. And when Fujitaka died . . ." She looked at them. "I thought the Kinomoto family would forever be lost to me."
"But then me and Numi began having problems, and then I announced the divorce" Syaoran spoke up. "That didn't give you much hope, but the hope grew when you realized that I was going to go to Tomoeda."
"It was like a sign, Xiao-Lang. You were going to where Sakura lives. I knew she was single: I saw the report about Tsuchida and his crime." She gave Sakura a reassuring look, which Sakura returned with a smile. "But that sign grew bigger when I learned you were a PI under Bennett. During one of our conversations, a few years after you were born, Xiao-Lang, Fujitaka had told me he was now a PI working for Bennett Henry. After Fujitaka was murdered I called Bennett and asked him how Sakura was doing. He told me he was planning on hiring her, because she wanted to be like her father."
"And when I became a PI, you made him make Sakura my first partner" Syaoran said.
"And when Bennett told me you were living together, I knew I could keep my promise. I had to. This was my only chance."
Syaoran looked at his mother, now knowing why the name Kinomoto had sounded familiar to him the first time he met Sakura. He must have passed by the study when his mother was on the phone asking Bennett how Sakura was doing and must have heard her say Kinomoto.
"I don't know what to say about this, mother" he spoke. "I have a hunch on what you will ask me- us- to do. I think I now know why you wanted us to come here."
"I made the mistake of letting you marry Numi. I will not allow that to happen again. Standards of the Li family are high for whom your wife shall be, and Ling had never passed them. However" Yelan took hold of Sakura's hands, and her emerald eyes blinked with surprise and confusion "this one right here had surpassed the Li family's standards, and my own. Xiao-Lang, you should have married Sakura. Bennett told me the type of person you are, the losses you had. He described your personality, tough on the outside, but sweet and loving on the inside. You remind me very much of someone, child."
"Who?" Sakura asked, a little curious.
"Me" Yelan answered and gave her a sweet, motherly smile.
Sakura was speechless, and touched. To know that she was accepted by Syaoran's mother, to know that the Li family would accept her, made her heart glow.
"I ask one request" Yelan stated. She stood up and quickly walked over to her desk. She picked up the two pieces of paper and the little box. "I ask for you two to make sure that my and Fujitaka's promise be kept" she said as she sat back down on the couch. She handed them the two pieces of paper.
"Contracts?" Syaoran asked as he looked at the signatures on the papers. Sakura was fingering her own father's signature and tears singed her eyes, knowing that he will never write his name again. But she was able to control them, knowing that his death was now justified.
"My parents wanted to ensure that we would not forget our promise, so they made us make contracts" Yelan stated. "Now, there is no pressure, and I don't want you guys to do this just because I asked you to. I want you guys to decide not because of me or Fujitaka, but because of what you hearts tell you."
She decided to remain quiet from there. She said what needed to be said, and stood up. She placed the little box on the couch next to them. She walked towards the door but before leaving, she decided to say just one more thing. "If you decide yes, then I suggest you put this to use, darling" she said to her son, indicating the little box, before exiting.
"I could barely believe you loved me" Sakura said looking at her boyfriend. "But marriage?"
Syaoran only smiled.
"How do you feel about it?" She asked him.
"Honestly, sweetie, ever since the day I realized you were the woman I loved, the idea of you being my wife made my heart flutter. I told myself one day you will be my wife, and you will. But if you don't want it this soon, then I'll wait."
Sakura looked down at the hand he took hold of. "So it's up to me?"
Syaoran nodded.
Sakura didn't know what to do. Being married to Syaoran would be wonderful, but it was also a scary thought. For the past six years, she was her own woman. She didn't need to depend on anyone and was able to handle things on her own.
Well, most things, she thought, remembering how Syaoran had saved her from death. Having to sometimes depend on Syaoran didn't scare her. It was the thought of being committed to someone permanently. She feared that once she took that big step, it would all be for nothing. She lost her family, and she feared that once she married Syaoran, she would lose him too. She had no one to worry about since Kita died, no worries about being alone, because she already was. She made the mistake of loving Melinda, and she lost that little girl too. She had bad luck with getting attached to people. They always wound up dead. It was dangerous to be involved with Syaoran, but to marry him would be past dangerous. It would be downright risky.
But she couldn't just cut all ties. Syaoran has been with her for the past eight months, and he was still here. Alive and breathing. He was a stubborn man, and she knew he would never leave her alone. He loved her, and he would never hurt her. And she loved him. Marriage sounded beautiful. It sounded wonderful. It sounded . . . right.
"Sakura?" She looked at him, and he began to wipe her eyes, which were brimming with unshed tears.
"Where will we live?" She managed to say, even though her throat was dry.
Syaoran stopped what he was doing and took hold of her face. "Is this a yes?" He asked. Sakura nodded and Syaoran's heart burst with happiness. He kissed her, with love and passion that showed just how truly happy he was.
"We'll live anywhere you want" he said when he stopped the kiss. "Anywhere, I don't care. So long as I'm with you." He glanced at the little box on the cushion. He grabbed it and opened it.
It was an engagement ring. He saw Sakura move to look at it, but Syaoran told her to stay put.
"I want to do this right." He got off the couch and, with a little smile, kneeled on one knee. "I don't have the speech prepared, but I think I would have forgotten my lines even if I had a speech."
Sakura chuckled and sniffled as she began to cry. Darn those tears, but she could care less. She deserved to cry happy tears for once. She was sick and tired of crying tears filled with sadness.
Syaoran took a deep breathe and began his proposal. "Sakura, you are a one of a kind woman. We met just five months ago, but even in that short time, it took me by surprise to know that I had been falling in love you. I tried to deny it, tried everything in my power to avoid what my heart was trying to tell me: that you are the only woman for me. All my life, I was told there was someone out there just for me, only for me. Someone who I can love, protect, pamper, have children with, and someone who can love me in return. You are that someone. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to take care of you and our future kids. If you let me, I'll always be there for you."
Syaoran finally showed her the ring, and she gasped. It was gorgeous! It was gold, and it had a square cut diamond, and there were tiny emeralds carved all around the ring. It was perfect.
"So, will you marry me, Ms. Kinomoto Sakura?"
Sakura didn't hesitate. "Yes" she said strongly, firmly. Tears were now falling from her eyes as he slipped the ring on her ring finger. She slid off the couch to kneel in front of him and she hugged him.
"I love you so much" she whispered.
"And I'll love you always."
**
Yelan couldn't help the little smile that appeared on her lips. She wasn't above overhearing their conversation. Hell, if there was a hole on the wall she would be spying on them.
Oh, how happy she was! Her son was going to marry someone who would truly bring him the happiness he deserved.
"Ma'am?"
Yelan jumped and spun around to face Wei. Color rose to her cheekbones at being caught.
"I was just- um, well there had to be- oh dear" Yelan sighed as she crossed her arms.
"Are you listening in on your son's conversation, ma'am?"
Yelan nodded her head guiltily.
"Well? Will they marry?"
Yelan smiled. "Oh, yes. Call all the butlers and maids. We are going to have a big engagement party.
"Of course." Wei walked away and Yelan clasped her hands together.
"And soon, we will have a big wedding."
** (Three days later)
Sakura and Syaoran happily entered their room.
"God, that was tiring" Sakura murmured after Syaoran locked the door and drew her into his arms.
"But it was worth seeing you jealous."
Sakura shot him a look filled with denial. "Jealous?"
Syaoran smiled. "Don't think you can hide it from me, Ms. Sakura. You didn't like the way all those women threw themselves at me. If people weren't around, you would have put each and every one of them in her place."
Sakura pouted. "Too bad I couldn't" she spoke as she pulled away from him and walked over to the vanity. "Jeez, that was one of the biggest parties I have ever gone to, even if it was thrown for us."
"My mother has waited to throw me an engagement party, and now she has."
And Yelan spent all the money she could to make that night as glamorous and joyous as possible. Hundreds of people had been gathered at the Ball room, either dancing or eating. An orchestra had been hired and played until people started to leave. People made toasts on the newly engaged couple, and everyone had a wonderful time.
But being up until one in the morning was taking its toll on Sakura. She had tried her hardest to keep her eyes open, smile when people came up to her and congratulated her. But when it hit midnight, her eyes had started to droop, and it was a challenge to stay awake without falling asleep on top of her food.
As she took of her jewelry, she was till amazed at the fact that she hadn't touched her food. She tried taking a bite, but once that little piece of meat entered her belly, she felt like throwing up. She tried eating another, but one look at it made her feel nauseated. Syaoran hadn't noticed, but Tomoyo, who had come with Eriol for the party after Sakura invited her, had noticed.
After talking to her, Sakura convinced her best friend not to say a word about it to Syaoran. Although Tomoyo did have a look as if saying that she will tell Syaoran if this continued.
Sakura doubted it. Her stomach just didn't like that type of meat.
Sakura glanced back when she heard Syaoran enter the attached bathroom, and she stood up fully prepared to take off her gown. She stepped forward and jumped back a bit when her barefoot touched something. Crouching, Sakura frowned when she saw that it was piece of paper.
A drawing was on it, and it was her and Syaoran holding hands.
The neatness and precise image reminded her of-
Melinda!
Shocked, she read the little name on the corner over and over again, making sure that what she was reading wasn't just her eyes making her see things. Blinking several times, she realized that Melinda's signature really was there. It wasn't just her eyes playing tricks on her.
A shiver ran through her, suddenly feeling how cold the room was. It wasn't this cold when they entered the room. It had been considerably warm, almost hot, even.
Looking forward, she almost screamed. She fell back on her butt and stared at the figure now sitting in front of her.
"Hi, Sakura!"
Sakura's breathing was labored, her eyes were blinking furiously, and her throat had constricted on her. She couldn't say a word as she looked at Melinda who had been killed over two months ago. But she was here, smiling that little smile. Staring at her with her innocent eyes.
But she was transparent.
She was a ghost!
Sakura has always hated ghosts, feared them, actually, and the thought that there was one here now made her throat unclog.
"S-Syaoran!" She yelled, or at least she thought she did. Her voice had actually come out as a squeak.
The ghost looked hurt. "Sakura, don't you remember me? Don't tell me you forgotten me already."
Sakura didn't know how to reply. It looked like Melinda, it sounded like her, but she couldn't get past the fact that it was a ghost. She was freaking out and wanted to run to her bed and hide under the covers. She was someone who didn't fear a thing, but seeing a ghost could make even the strongest person whimper. To see a person talk and look at you who had been dead for awhile was just unnatural. It was scary.
"I didn't forget you" she finally said; mentally, she was urging Syaoran to hurry whatever it was he was doing in the bathroom and to come out here where she was literally frozen to the floor.
The ghost -Melinda- smiled her little I'm-a-cutie-pie smile.
"Good." Then her eyes lost all happiness. "You're scared of me."
"N-no I'm not."
"Yes, you are." She sighed. "Lin told me you would be. She told me you fear ghosts, no matter who it was."
"Lin?" Sakura immediately sat up right. "Tokumatsu Lin?"
Melinda nodded, pleased that she got her attention.
"She's my mentor."
"Sakura, do you-"
Sakura looked to where the entrance to the bathroom was. Syaoran was there, frozen to his spot. He was staring at the little ghost.
"M-Melinda?" He stuttered.
Melinda nodded. "Hi, Syaoran."
Syaoran looked at his fiancée, and immediately rushed forward and kneeled next to her.
"You're pale" he stated. Trust him to ignore everything else (even supernatural things) when the love of his life was concerned.
"You can see her, right?" She asked softly, shifting her gaze back to Melinda.
"Oh, yeah. Have we both lost our minds?"
"I don't know."
"No you have not!" Melinda exclaimed, indignantly. "Here I come, disobeying Lin, and you two think that you have gone crazy!" She looked at them with sad eyes. "Do you really think that I am not here?"
Sakura and Syaoran both stared at her. They were both thinking the same thing: Is she really there? They had grieved, they had moved on, and they accepted that she would never return.
But she was here in front of them. This couldn't be a trick their eyes were playing on them.
"Oh, God" Sakura whispered, her eyes getting moist. "Melinda we missed you so much."
"Hey, don't cry" Melinda said softly.
"How can I not? Melinda you were killed. You were taken from me before I even knew you had stayed in Japan." Sakura finally asked the question that had haunted her weeks ago. "Why did you open the door?
Melinda clenched her hands. "I'm sorry. John- I mean, Lang had come, knocked on the door. She said she needed to talk to Eriol about you guys. I grew panicky, and worried that both of you were dead or something. I opened the door, and then she took me. Because I recognized her from the hospital, I thought I was safe. Lin tried to warn Tomoyo and Eriol about it, she's able to see things ahead of time up there-"
"Is Lin an Angel?" she asked, emotions choking her up.
Melinda nodded. "Yes, she is."
The guilt that she had misjudged her and treated her harshly took over. Lin was a good person if she is up there in heaven.
"How's heaven?" Syaoran asked, trying to remain calm and compatible instead of breaking down and cry.
"Beautiful. It's different than what people say it is. I can't describe it because there are just no words to describe it." She smiled. "I saw my mommy and daddy."
Sakura smiled at her. "That's wonderful."
"They welcomed me with open arms and said how they wished I had lived longer." She looked at Sakura. "I knew you had to live longer when you were almost at heaven."
Sakura's eyes widened and she knew right away that Melinda was the one who told her to hang on. Sakura asked her just to make sure. "Were you the one who told me to hang on?"
Melinda confirmed it with a nod. "It took a lot of energy, especially since I am a newbie, but you couldn't die. You found happiness with Syaoran, and I didn't want you to die without having that happiness you deserve."
"You screamed in my head" Syaoran pointed out, remembering the pain he felt when the scream tore through his head.
Melinda giggled nervously. "I was getting frustrated because I needed to warn you about where Sakura was. I screamed in frustration. When I finally broke through, I couldn't go and say you have to help Sakura. Some weird rule up there that I don't understand prevented me from giving you direct information. I had to sing the muffin man song and hope you understood my message."
Syaoran clenched Sakura's hand, watching the little girl talk. Her voice sounded like an eight year old, but she spoke like an adult, a mature one at that.
"We love you, you know that, right?"
Melinda nodded. "Yeah. My parents said that if I hadn't died, you would have made the perfect parents for me, because you were perfect for each other." She looked at the picture. "When I first drew that, I couldn't draw you close enough to hold hands. But when you guys finally revealed your love, somehow the drawing shifted so you two could be holding hands."
"It wasn't time for us to be holding hands, because we weren't fully connected" Sakura murmured. Sure, they had made love and that's the ultimate connection, but only physically. They still weren't emotionally connected because they still hadn't told how they feel. "Now we are."
Melinda looked up towards the ceiling. "Uh-oh, Lin is calling me. I guess she found out what I did. I love having her as a mentor, but she is no fun!" She stood up. "I love you guys, too. Thanks for being there for me. And tell Eriol to stop being guilty. He had to take showers; he couldn't just stop." She sighed sadly, not wanting to leave. "Don't forget me, okay?"
Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Melinda, you have a special place in our hearts. We will never forget you."
Melinda smiled that cute smile that had melted Sakura's heart. "That picture is for you to remember that you are now always connected. No matter what."
She began to disappear, but before she was gone completely, she winked. "Always connected, by the flesh. Name one Melinda."
Before they can ask her what she meant, she disappeared completely.
"Always connected, by the flesh?" Sakura looked at Syaoran. "What did she mean by that? And what did she mean by name one Melinda."
Syaoran merely shook his head, indicating he had no clue. "I guess time will tell."
They looked at each other before Syaoran wrapped her in his arms. "I love you, you know that, right?"
Sakura smiled. "Oh yeah. I do know. You prove it to me almost every night."
"And I'm going to prove it again tonight" he growled playfully and stood up, lifting her in his arms.
"Syaoran" Sakura laughed. "Put me down!"
"Don't worry, I'm not going to throw you into the tub."
Sakura burst with laughter, remembering how he threw her into the tub before they shared their very first kiss.
"I'm not worried."
"Good. Now shut up and let me prove how much I love you."
And he had.
{AN: Technically, this is where the chapter ends, but I decided to write a little bit more just for you.}
**** (Seventeen years later)
"Idiot!"
Xiao-Lang winced as he looked at the sixteen year old girl seething at him. He was standing in the living room, his emerald eyes winking with mischief.
"Calm down" he said as he raised his hand up and began to walk back. He held in his laughter when she held up her torn bra.
"This isn't for you to use as a sling-shot, Xiao-Lang! Look what you did to it?! This wasn't cheap! It cost money!"
Xiao-Lang looked at his twin sister with no regrets. "Melinda, please. Must you show that in the living room? That is totally inappropriate."
Melinda shook with rage. "Inappropriate?!" She clenched her hands. "You may be two minutes earlier than me, Xiao-Lang, but apparently you don't know what inappropriate means" she spoke through clenched teeth. "Using my bra to sling water balloons at the neighbors is inappropriate. Using my underwear as hats is inappropriate. Sneaking into my room and reading my journal is inappropriate!"
"I say it is."
Both sixteen-year-olds blinked their emerald eyes and looked at the doorway of the living room. Xiao-Lang's eyes widened as Melinda put on a smug smile.
"Xiao-Lang, did what Melinda say is true?" Sakura scolded with her arms crossed.
Xiao-Lang couldn't do anything but stay quiet. He was caught.
"I guess that's as good a confession as any" Syaoran said as he looked at his twin kids.
"Mom, Dad, I want you to punish him! Look how he treats me? This is torture, having him as a brother!" Melinda complained as she glared at her brother, who merely glared back.
"Xiao-Lang, you're grounded" Syaoran said.
Xiao-Lang's mouth dropped open. "What? Why?"
"Must you ask, son?" Sakura said wryly.
Xiao-Lang growled. "This isn't fair!"
"I'd say it isn't." Sakura looked at her daughter. "Melinda, you're grounded too."
Now it was Melinda's turn to let her jaw drop. "What? Why? What did I do?!"
Syaoran cleared his throat. "We just got a call from your school- you're grades are dropping."
Melinda blinked before twirling her finger around a strand of her chestnut hair, indicating that she was nervous. "Oh, well, I didn't think the teacher would follow through with her threat and actually call . . ."
Xiao-Lang looked at his sister. "That's what you get for spending so much time with your boyfriend."
Melinda's eyes widened before glaring at her brother. "Blabbermouth!"
"Boyfriend?!" Her parents exclaimed.
Melinda winced before looking at her parents. "Well, he's not actually a boyfriend . . ."
Xiao-Lang snorted. "I caught you and him making out more than once."
"Melinda!"
"All right, all right! He is my boyfriend!" Melinda finally admitted.
"How long has this been going on?" Syaoran demanded, his first and only instinct to beat the guy who was dating his baby girl. When she had hit her teens, he had become highly protective of her, knowing exactly what went through the minds of teenage boys.
"A month or so . . ."
Sakura gaped at her. "A month!?"
"Melinda, Xiao-Lang, go to your rooms" Syaoran ordered. The siblings glared at each other one more time before leaving the living room.
"My little girl has a boyfriend?" Sakura said meekly as she sat on the couch in the house they had lived in when they pretended to be husband and wife. They ended up buying it, and this time they truly were husband and wife.
"I thought my warnings were enough for her to not get a boyfriend" Syaoran muttered as he sat down beside her. "But the only thing I got was a rebel."
"And now Xiao-Lang is probably having secret crushes and one day Melinda will come to tell me he has a girlfriend."
They were silent, before looking at each other and sighing with happiness. This was the life they had, and they wouldn't give it up for anything. This was one of their moments when they looked back to the past, and thought about what they had gone through. Seventeen years would never dull the memories of when they first met, the near loses they had, and the deaths they encountered, and the death of the notorious John Doe. Those types of risks had convinced them to quit the PI business, knowing that one, if not both, might never return home. They wanted their kids to have both parents alive.
But they wouldn't forget the good things that happened, such as Tomoyo and Eriol getting together (who are now married with three kids, and a fourth one on the way!).
But the clearest memory of all was the return of little Melinda after she had been killed.
"Remember" Sakura started, knowing he was remembering too, "the way Melinda hinted of me being pregnant?"
"Yeah. 'Always connected, by the flesh'. We should have known she meant that we were connected by you carrying my kids. Our flesh and blood combined into one- actually two. At least we did what Melinda asked and named one after her."
"Well it was quite obvious which one would have been named Melinda." She looked at him slyly. "Want another baby?" Sakura asked playfully.
Syaoran groaned. "No offense, babe, but I can barely handle the twins. I think we'll be okay with just those two."
Sakura laughed. "God, I love my life. Even if we had to retire from the PI business and all the risks so our kids could have two parents who are alive and breathing." She gave him a loving look. "When I had died, Syaoran, everything was so hazy. Dark, actually. No light, no sound, no nothing. I knew it wasn't heaven, but I wasn't sure if it was hell. I had always imagined hell to be lava and fire, and people in chains. But then I started thinking that maybe that dark place was my personal hell." She shook her head. "Melinda told me to hang on, and I did. I had gotten a second chance at finding happiness; with you."
"I got a second chance too. I was close to giving up love altogether, then you entered my life, and all thoughts of giving up on love left. You are like my shining star. You're an angel."
"Not a murdering one?" Sakura asked, remembering what Lang told her years before and when Sakura had told Syaoran.
"Definitely not a murdering angel. A stubborn angel, but not a murdering one." He grasped her hand and kissed her knuckles, slightly chuckling at the look she gave him. "But most importantly, you're my stubborn angel."
"Always" she whispered and leaned forward to kiss him.
But before their lips met, they heard their daughter yell. "Mom, Dad! Xiao-Lang has a girlfriend! He writes about her in his folder!"
"No I do not! Quit telling lies, Melinda!"
Sakura and Syaoran looked at each before laughing. Oh yes, this was their life, trying to control two teenage siblings who always found a way to torture each other or their parents.
It was their second chance at life, love, and happiness.
An angel must truly be watching over them.
AN: *crying* That's it. This is all for Murdering Angel. God, I can't believe this story is done. I spent eight months on this story, and I am so happy you guys loved it. Hopefully this chapter made you all happy and drove all thoughts of killing me away from your heads. Please review!
Oh, before I forget: Murdering Angel may be done, but be on the look out for two new stories written by me. One is called "Affairs of the Heart" and the other is called "Mystical Star". Both are PG-13 and are coming soon to a computer near you! (Summaries are going to be in my bio for both stories). ^_^