YAY! Final chapter! I POST! Only forever after I promised to. For this I
deeeeeeply apologize. But, bad stuff happens. The epilogue shall be up
shortly and after that will be an extensive Authors notes on names and
little things I added in there to see if anyone would notice. But this will
take longer since I have to go through my notes and go back and find the
things I added in to see if anyone would notice.
Cuz it's been awhile.
Reviews: I'm glad people liked the different heart to heart moments of last chapter. I worked hard on them. I also wanted to give everyone's perspective about what was going on and the changes that people were going through. I also hope that this chapter will be everything you hoped it would be. It didn't come out QUITE like I wanted it to, but very close to it. I may go back and rewrite it eventually, but I think whatever I didn't like I can fix up in the epilogue.
Anyway, here you go. The Last Chapter! Yay
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. But at the end of this chapter I have 200 pages in Word. Pretty impressive ne? That's longer by almost twice as much than the actual book I wrote. Anyway....read!
Chapter Twenty-Two: Now and Forever
The morning had just begun on a technicality. Sakura lay on her side looking at the stars through her window, much as she had all those months ago. The only difference now was the warm body holding her so protectively in its calm sleep. But sleep did not come for her. She didn't know at all what the next night fall would bring. A silent pain of anxiousness lodged itself in her chest, keeping her firmly settled in the state of wakefulness.
For in a few hours there may well be only one figure in the shared bed.
Now more than ever she wanted to cry out. She wanted to weep and be noisy, let everyone know how upset she was, to release the tension that was built up inside her. She wanted to bury herself in Syaoran's chest She wanted to let out all the horrible fear and sadness that overwhelmed her. But it was Syaoran himself that so frequently advised her from tears. She would not disappoint him now when tears would be at their least use.
Carefully, Sakura turned in his arms. She watched his face intently. It was a face that, were sleep to finally overtake her, would appear to her, cold and lifeless, echoing through her horrible dreams. The warm features and contours she held so dear. Gently, she caressed his cheek, causing him to shift slightly in his sleep and let out a pleasured sigh. Sakura watched his smile grow a little and felt how his arms tightened around her a little. A new thought then sprung into her mind.
One of them could very well die that day and they would go without ever showing physical confirmation of their adoration for each other.
Her breath quickened. That was the last thing she wanted if they were to be separated. She wanted to at least have that for him to remember her by if she were the one to leave. She wanted him to have that one sharp, clear memory of joy if she had to leave him behind. And for a moment, as Sakura contemplated that thought, she almost reached forward to wake him. But her original reason for having withheld so long came to her mind and she stopped.
No.
Despite the comfort it would bring to him if she were to go and the comfort it would bring to her if he were to succumb to the fate her dreams kept showing her, there was one other thing to take into consideration. A child. Instinct and intuition told her that a child would come of it. A child that could survive it's father perhaps and be the light of her life and assurance she would never have to marry again. But she would not put such a child to death if her own life were taken.
So instead, Sakura tucked her head under his chin and surrendered herself to sleep at last. Before it finally drowned her wakefulness, she prayed that her dreams would be sweet and peaceful.
*Light shines down on a bright field. In the distance a palace could be seen, born into ruins from centuries of wear from the powers of nature. There is laughter on the wind that plays with the flowers, nourishing them. A young girl, no more than nine, twirls in tight circles, her caramel hair glimmering like silk in the sun, her jade eyes twinkling.
Suddenly, she loses her balance and falls, her laughter echoing over the field and flying into the hills in the distance. She sits up and sees a boy in the distance, staring at her intently. He frowns at her, his brandy coloured eyes glaring at her beneath unkempt chocolate hair...*
The felt of warm breath on her face woke Sakura up to the bright morning sun. her eyes fluttered open and a smile grew over her lips as she looked up at Syaoran, positioned on his hands and knees over her. His smile was soft as he stared down at her with adoration but even as tired as she was, she could not mistake the sadness that echoed in his eyes.
"Good morning, Syaoran," she grinned, reaching her hand up to caress his cheek.
"Good morning, Sakura," he returned, leaning down to kiss her. Immediately, she drew her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His fingers entwined in her hair and his free arm crept around her waist as the kiss deepened.
The embrace lasted for sometime and might have lasted a good deal longer if not for the sudden arrival of a chipper Tomoyo. The raven haired girl burst into the room, ready to wake her friend, only to find her otherwise occupied in what appeared to be a very pleasurable manner.
For a full minute, she and the couple, startled out of their ministrations, stared at each other. Neither party moved during this time as each tried to gain their bearings in the somewhat awkward situation. But it didn't last longer than a minute when Tomoyo's amethyst eyes lit up in excitement. She squealed with delight and raced for the room.
"SO CUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute...," she yelled, her voice fading down the long hallway.
Syaoran and Sakura exchanged a look between the two of them before bursting into hysterical laughter. It overcame them with such force that it was some five minutes before either could even speak.
"She'll have the picture done before lunch, I swear," Syaoran sighed.
"More than one copy," Sakura giggled. "You better go before my brother investigates what is so cute. Though by now he may be smart enough not to. Still, better safe than sorry. She's going to be playing dress up with me for hours anyway."
Kissing her briefly, Syaoran rolled off the bed with a reluctant sigh. At the door he turned and gave her a look that sent excited chills up and down Sakura's spine. "Next time I have you in that position I won't be letting go," he promised fervently with a grin of male satisfaction. Giving a slight wink he shut the door behind him.
At that point, if it were possible, steam would have come out of Sakura's ears.
"You look absolutely wonderful, Sakura."
Sakura turned to smile at Tomoyo before returning to look at her reflection. The dress her friend had spent so much time on was indeed a masterpiece. Made of midnight blue satin, Tomoyo had left the front almost completely plain aside of a sheer overskirt. Instead she had embroidered a sun on the right and moon on the left strips of fabric that circled Sakura's upper arms. They were simple bands that circled ones before continuing to flutter down until they almost touched the floor. Most beautiful of all however was the train which fell from her shoulders.
Tomoyo had so carefully sewn the Star onto the train. Sakura's Star.
With one last look at the pale and tired face above the beautiful dress, Sakura turned and hugged her dear friend. When the normal moment had passed, she couldn't bring herself to let go. Fear overwhelmed her and more than anything she just wanted to be safe in her friend's arms. Tomoyo, sensing her dear friend's distress, reached up and began to pet Sakura's hair in a soothing manner.
"It will be absolutely all right, Sakura. I believe it will."
Sakura pulled away and looked at her friend. "I'm not so sure anymore, Tomoyo. I'm so scared."
The raven haired girl smiled at her friend. "Remember when my mother died, Sakura? And I was inconsolable. You promised me then that everything would absolutely be all right. Just as you have always promised."
Sakura nodded, remembering how bad it had been for that time.
"And every time you promised that, it always has been. Now, it's my turn to promise you, Sakura. Everything will absolutely be all right."
The honey haired girl smiled before throwing her arms around her dearest friend once more. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Tomoyo."
"Me neither. So make sure that I don't have to. Promise?"
"Promise."
The nooning hour was upon them. The ceremony was set to start at exactly half past twelve. Already, the sounds of the country's people could be heard as they gathered in the great courtyard where the ceremony was taking place. As if in accordance with the great day, not the slightest hint of rain had come and it was beautiful. The day seemed as beautiful and wonderful to anyone present and for all those who didn't know the tension behind the celebration, it was the best day that anyone could remember.
Sakura looked out the window nervously. The crowd was enormous and she was willing to believe that half the kingdom had shown itself as Yamazaki was trying to convince everyone. As if having someone after her life weren't enough to worry about, having to face all those people amplified the matter.
"Hoeee...," she sighed. Even if everything her instincts were telling her was wrong, it was still going to be a long and tiring day.
"You make the weirdest noises sometimes, Sakura."
She giggled as she turned her head over her shoulder. "People tell me that a lot. I don't know why even. I just do."
"Part of your charm," Syaoran laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and looked at the scenery through the window. "It IS going to be a long day, Sakura. But, just think, when it's all over, we can tell everyone. You will be official and won't have anything to worry about aside of whether or not Hiiragizawa will try to kill us all off so he can rule the kingdom."
"I don't think Eriol has it in him to kill everyone. It would get his hands messy," Sakura laughed, surprising Syaoran who had expected an out and out defense of her friend.
"I heard that, Sakura. I am offended. It's my clothes that I mind getting dirty. Not my hands."
Even Syaoran laughed at his eternal foe. He smiled in appreciation at how the sourcerer managed to break up the tense atmosphere. It was going to be a long and trying day for all of them. No one knew what would happen at the end and no one really wanted to. But it felt good to laugh. The three chatted briefly before Hiiragizawa left to find Kaho and the others before the ceremony.
"I love you, Sakura," Syaoran whispered into her ear as he gave her another long hug. "I always will. So don't forget that."
"I love you too, Syaoran. Now and forever. I'm just scared."
"Don't be scared. Be Sakura. That will get you through anything, I promise you."
She nodded and gave him a brief kiss before obeying her summons to the back of the castle where she would wait until time came. As she walked away, Syaoran's eyes trained carefully on her back, a single thought filled both their heads. Neither knew what the day would bring. Neither knew if they would ever hold the one they loved most again.
And only that disastrous day would tell.
She stood nervously just behind the doors that led out onto the walkway. Everyone had already left her, taking their places under the covered plaza as had been planned. At the stroke of the hour, the doors would open majestically before her and she would walk down the decorative path, a hundred meters long. It would be her introduction to her people as their ruler. From the time the doors opened to the time the crown was placed on her head would be precisely an hour.
"The longest hour of my life," Sakura sighed.
Suddenly the clock began to chime, startling her out of her reverie. She drew her breath and straightened her shoulders but before she could take a step forward, something stopped her.
The sounds of screaming.
Immediately, Sakura rushed forward and threw the doors open. Looking forward, she saw a bright flash of light above the plaza and the people on either side of the path were panicked. Instinct took over in that moment as Sakura without thought yanked the key from her neck and summoned her staff.
"RELEASE!"
"DARK!" Throwing the Card into the air, Sakura sent her Power to it. The Card instantly materialized and dropped a world of dark around the path. Those without Power, and able to fend for themselves, were now protected from the horror that was now ensuing. She protected her people.
After that, she set off at a dead run. And if therew as anything Sakura could say she was the best at without any help of magic whatsoever, it was her speed. Pulling up the long cloth of her skirts, she ran towards the plaza. It was only a matter of seconds before she came to a sudden halt a few yards away from the steps that led up to where the ceremony would have been held.
A feeling of foreboding washed over her as she saw red staining the pristine white marble stairs. It was a scene she knew well. A scene she had dreamt of a hundred times or more in the past months. A scene she would have given anything, her very life and soul to prevent ever having seen come true.
"SYAORAN!"
His name burst from her lips without conscious thought as she ran forward once more. Her feet slid a little on the trickles of blood as she climbed the stairs quickly. The picture laid before her would haunt her forever after as it never had before. Just as she knew he would be, Syaoran lay wounded, bleeding heavily, curled on one side. A position he would never take easily.
His eyes locked onto hers and he attempted a smile. Reaching out a little with one hand he tried to whisper. But in moments, his head and hand dropped in unison emitting a sickening thud. Without any thought to the danger or anything else in the world, which had already disappeared from her completely, Sakura rushed forward. Sinking to her knees beside him, she could only stare.
The tears began to form in her eyes as she looked at his still form. Her mind was void of thought and feeling as her tears trekked coldly down her cheeks. She could think of nothing but the pain. And she might have stayed there crying for some time if she hadn't heard something all to familiar. It was a sound that shook her from her engulfing sadness and sent chills up her spine. A laugh, deep and tinged with the insanity of someone who could kill so easily, washed over her, crashing into her small world like a tidal wave.
Slowly, Sakura rose to stand once more. Gaining her senses as well as her feet, she finally became aware of Keroberos and Yue standing protectively on either side of Syaoran's still form. She also heard the soft whimpers of worry that were flowing from the section of the plaza where everyone else she held dear would be standing. Everyone was there to watch as she slowly turned to conform the laughter rand the man who struck her love down. Everyone but the person she needed most.
A gasp escaped her mouth as her eyes lit on the figure before her. "You! You are the man who I have been so anxiously fearing? Who has haunted my dreams? You are my father's murderer?" Sakura was almost at the point of tears as she looked at the familiar man. "But you were mourning for him. You were so kind! How could you?!"
Damian laughed. "Did you expect me to tell you who I was so easily? Be the clever girl I know you are, my sweet Sakura. You knew all along that there was something wrong with me. From the first time we met."
She bit her lip. He was right. She had immediately noticed the odd way his aura had been acting. She should have guessed then that he was someone to be questioned. But he had seemed so sincere. To find out that it was a fraud hurt her more than if it had been a complete stranger. He had given her comfort that day. Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"How did you know I would be there that day?"
"Why look to your dear friend. Naoko has been very informative about your doings to me. I think she looked at me as a beau."
Sakura glanced over and saw Naoko sobbing softly into Chiharu's shoulder. Sakura had heard much of her friends new man and how much she adored him. Now she was suffering. She was suffering because of Sakura. The Card Mistress wondered just how many people would suffer because of her before the end.
"You hurt my friend!" she stated with a steady voice. "You are horrible."
"I'm sure you don't really think that. No, my beautiful Card Mistress, you are too innocent and loving to think badly of someone. Which is why I'm sure you will have no problem listening to my demands."
For a moment, Sakura thought this over, trying desperately to figure these things for herself. She didn't want to do this alone. But she had to. Straightening, Sakura gripped her staff fiercely and nodded. "Fine. Tell me."
"How delightful. My proposal is just that. You shall become my bride."
This simple statement threw the young queen off completely. "You want to marry me? Why?"
Damian's sickening laughter flowed over everyone present again. "Such a silly question. First, you are a beautiful woman, almost perfect. Second, you are talented in so many ways which make you even more appealing. Third, you have the greatest Power in the kingdom if not the world. Myself excluded of course," he added with an oily smile. "And not least of all, you are queen of all Tomoeda. If I were to marry you, I would then become King. Something I have been desiring for some time."
"You wish to be king?" she repeated slowly, realizations sinking in.
"Why else would I murder your father but to make you queen and marry you? I knew that your brother would refuse the title since he is such a freak of nature and decided to prefer his own gender. Mind, when I become king, this will be punished. Admittedly, I wished to have you as a bride from the moment I first laid eyes on you, but becoming the reigning monarch was the major goal here."
Sakura could only stare at him in disgust. For the first time, she really felt truly disgusted by someone. In a small way, her innocence was further shattered by feeling true dislike for someone for the first time. She was no longer the young girl who loved everyone. She was now capable of hatred. Still, she did not go that far.
"I can't marry you."
Damian frowned, obviously startled at such a rejection. "Why ever not? We are perfectly suitable."
"I am already married," she answered plainly.
Damian was not the only surprised figure in the plaza at this point, nor the most vocal. That prize went to Tomoyo who nearly screamed in horror, louder than she had when the demonic figure had first arrived. However, she was quickly overpassed by the raw fury Damian showed the instant the truth settled in.
"Who had the audacity to marry you? I was watching. There is no one that close to you."
"My husband is behind me. Li Syaoran, King of Tomoeda," Sakura said with perfect calm and pride in her voice. "And I know he isn't dead. Our marriage still exists."
For a moment, Damian seemed dumbfounded. This quickly passed however and a demonic smile lit over his mouth bringing unease back into Sakura's heart. She did not know what this man was thinking nor what he was capable of but she did know that she didn't want to see any of it. She had to resist all urges to step back from the evil look on his face and concede Power. She was too stubborn anyway.
"So he is your husband. Trecherous little body guard. Perhaps I should have applied for the job and you would have loved me instead. No? Well, I don't mind. You were not married by your own kingdom's laws so it is not perfectly binding. It won't be until you marry here."
"We WILL marry here!" Sakura screamed. "I love him! And he loves me! We are married and will stay married!"
"Oh? And what if you didn't love him anymore? What if he didn't love you?"
"IT is impossible that I didn't love him! And it's impossible that he wouldn't love me! He swore he would never stop loving me!" she swore fiercely.
"And what if he did?" Damian stubbornly pursued, causing Sakura to grow even more uneasy.
"I suppose I would let him be free. I do not want to keep him where he doesn't want to be."
"Well then, by your own words, you will be unmarried then! Perhaps I shall just see to making sure he doesn't love you anymore."
"Impossible! He swore he would always love me! You can't just make him stop," Sakura yelled, beginning to be afraid. He had such confidence. It was his confidence more than his words that scared her. He was smiling like Eriol so often did when he knew a secret no one else knew.
"My dear Card Mistress, let me tell you a story, one that your dear reincarnation," he uttered with a twinge of sarcasm as he glanced at Eriol, "neglected to tell you. Or perhaps he forgot. Pity. What good is the second edition if he isn't as good as the first?" When Eriol's hand tightened on his staff, Damian merely laughed louder and then turned back to Sakura, a sick smile plastered over his mouth.
"The Chinese people have all sorts of weird beliefs, as I'm sure you know by now, my dear. One of them is all about balance. Everything must have it's equal opposite or bad things happen. Clow Reed believed this as well and so he created something to balance things. A Card that he hid away and forgot to include when he left yours to you. A Card I found and mastered through the years of my life. And it is a Card that is equal to all of your Cards."
Sakura's eyes widened as he spoke and she glanced over to Eriol. The blue sourcerer's face grew darker and more murderous with each word. Though some of the irritation seemed directed at himself, he looked as if he would pounce upon the horrible creature at any moment. Sakura was about to speak to him when Kaho reached out and grabbed his shoulder, causing him to relax a little.
Turning her eyes back to Damian, she watched as he reached into his robes and pulled out a single Card. It looked different from her own in many ways, both in colouring and in the design on the back, but it was unmistakably the same thing. He held a Clow Card in his hand. The Power emanating from it felt as if he held her whole deck in his hand. It frightened her.
"Do you wish to know this Card's name? It has a very special name and a very special purpose." As he spoke he turned the Card so that Sakura could see the spirit faced side. On it was a beautiful but sad looking girl and at the bottom two words were written. "The Void. That is this wonderful Card's name. Do you know what it does?"
Silently, Sakura nodded, swallowing hard.
"This Card is capable of deleting anything. It will make a void in life where something once was. I can destroy your whole life, my queen, with this single Card. Your friends, your family, everyone you hold dear...gone in an instant. Or, you can agree to my terms."
"What are your terms?" she asked in a soft whisper, ignoring Kero and Yue as the immediately shouted for her to stop.
"What a nice lady. My terms are these: you marry me and in return I only take away two things. First, the love your wonderful husband holds for you. You can even keep him as a friend if you so desire. Though not too close mind you. I'm the jealous sort. And as a courtesy, to make sure you do not bemoan life pitiably for the rest of yours, your own love for him will be gone as well. One husband for another. I'm sure you can come to love and cherish me as you did your body guard."
Sakura closed her eyes at the impossible bargain. For a moment she almost considered accepting it. But, she realized it was impossible. She would never love this man. She could never willingly give up her love for Syaoran, her other half.
"NEVER!" she screamed. Quickly, she pulled out Firey and summoned the elemental against him.
Surprised, it took a moment for Damian to realize her refusal as absolute and he hesitated before blocking. For a moment, as the spirit hit him full on over his crossed arms, Sakura thought she had been successful. But it passed quickly as she saw him throw his arms out and force the Power back on her. Firey dissipated so not to hurt its Mistress but the raw force was still left behind. It hit her full on and threw her to the ground with a great deal of force. For nearly a full minute, she couldn't move as the pain engulfed her.
As Sakura lay on her side, her vision blurred, she felt someone grab hold of her arm and pull her to her feet. Another hand joined it and held her in front of the figure. Looking over her shoulder, Sakura's fuzzy eyes recognized her Moon Guardian. She looked over to see where Kero was only to find him attacking Damian in her stead.
"Thank you, Yue. I'm fine."
"Mistress..." he began before she cut him off.
"Don't worry, everything will absolutely be all right, Yue," she smiled before turning back to Damian who had forced Keroberos off. The Sun Guardian panted under the force of the counter attack but was otherwise unharmed.
While her foe was distracted, Sakura tried to send both Firey and Watery at him simultaneously. Again, it looked as if she had been successful when the Power behind them was once more reflected. Twice as bad as before, Sakura was thrown back and only escaped death by Kero's quick movements.
"Thank you Kero," she sighed. Her hand was stinging where it had been cut on the pillar she had nearly been thrown into. "Please set me down now."
"Sakura! You will be killed if you try that again!" he growled anxiously.
"It will be all right. I promise," she smiled weakly as he set her to the ground again.
"Will it?" Damian yelled, furious now. He had never expected such hatred. "I think you deserve to be punished now, Sakura dearest. Destroy that woman's husband, I summon you. Void!"
"NOO!" Sakura screamed as the Card began to take shape into the figure of a beautiful girl. She turned quickly to face her beloved, praying to protect him. As she turned, a drop of blood that had sprung from the cut on her hand fell and mingled with Syaoran's.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed. The Seal once again appeared under Sakura's feet and light sprang into life around her. The Void, which had been charging Syaoran, mixed into the light and disappeared. Everyone watched in amazement as the beautiful young girl stood in a pillar of light, the center of a whirlwind of Power.
In the midst of the blinding light, Sakura looked down at her hand as a new Card began to materialize in it. The Card was blank of name and only held one thing: a winged heart. Then, with a flash, the light grew brighter and seemed to consumer her whole. Finally, with the suddenness with which it came, the light disappeared. Or, almost.
In it's place, Sakura stood, bathed in a new luminescence. Her dress was even transformed, now a confection of white so brilliant it seemed to be composed of light itself. But most awing was the smile that had been placed on her face and the Card she now held in her hand.
Damian stood still in shock for a moment before stepping forward to look at the Card she held. It was pink as all Sakura Cards were, but it also held the figure from The Void. For a moment, Damian tried to grasp how she had managed to transform the Card into her own before he realized that she had done much more than that. The Card she held now was no longer The Void. It held a whole new name.
"I think that you are really a fine person, Damian. You just need guidance," Sakura said softly with a smile. Reaching into her deck she pulled out a Card. "Shine into the darkness of his heart and bring only brilliance, Light!" she cried out, summoning the beautiful spirit. As it formed, the evil man was washed in a pillar of light.
"And now, heal him and make him realize the good he can possess, Hope!" she cried out, startling everyone who had not seen the change in the Card. And a new spirit crept free of her Card. She looked the same as The Void had, except in her hands she held a winged heart.
And she wore a smile.
Damian screamed out loudly as the two Cards did their work before collapsing onto the floor, unconscious. Sakura watched him serenely before looking over at Naoko who looked worried and yet still betrayed.
"Perhaps if you help him, Naoko, he can become a really good man," she said softly causing her long time friend to nod before rushing over to the inert body of the one she so sorrily loved.
It was then that the last of Sakura's energy escaped her and she fell to her knees beside the man she loved. Everyone gasped and rushed to her aid. Eriol was quick to perform healing spells on Syaoran as Tomoyo wrapped her arms around her friend. The mothers of the prospective children immediately began to fuss over their injured and tired babies. The sight of seeing Yelan fuss over anyone caused a lot of laughter which was precisely the sound that Syaoran woke to.
Sakura watched with great joy as his eyes flitted open. For a moment, the amber orbs were unfocused before turning to lock with her emerald ones. The two just enterchanged a long look for a minute before Sakura began to cry in relief. Immediately, Syaoran sat up and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her slight form into his lap as he comforted her.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you in the end. But it's over now, Sakura. It's all over."
Sakura pulled away and smiled at him. "But you did help me."
"How?" Syaoran asked in confusion, voicing what everyone else was curious to know as well. Even having witnessed the events, no one was quite sure what had happened.
"Do you have your dagger, Syaoran? The one I used to cut my hair?"
"Uh, yeah," he muttered, pulling it from his boot.
He watched as she carefully grabbed onto it and studied it for a moment. Then he gasped as she raked it over her hand, causing a thin line of blood to seep out. He was no less surprised when she did the same to him. But before he could question she placed her hand in his. The two cuts lined up perfectly and the blood mingled as it had before.
"Because, as your blood is my blood, together we create beautiful things," she answered solemnly. It was as much a vow of love as had been exchanged so many times before.
Syaoran stared at her for a long moment, not really understanding all of it but comprehending the deeper meaning. Then he smiled and leaned forward to give her a kiss.
"Get your hands off my sister! And what's this with you being married?!" Touya growled as he forcefully pulled them apart.
Sakura and Syaoran exchanged a nervous glance as she giggled a little.
"You were just lying weren't you, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked. "You were just trying to throw him off so he didn't hurt you, right?" the raven hair girl suggested hopefully. "You wouldn't really have excluded me as being your Maid of Honour would you have?"
Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "No, it wasn't a lie. We've been married almost two months now."
"WHAT?!?!" everyone cried out at once. That is everyone but three people. Sakura, Syaoran...
And Elder Long.
The fact that he was the only other person not to react did not go unnoticed. Especially by the other Elders and Yelan.
"You!" they all cried in unison. "You married them! How could you?!"
And thus a long discussion began. Everyone was screaming and yelling at the same time with very little that was understandable said. Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other and had to suppress laughter at the way their friends and relatives were acting.
"What do you say we ditch them?" Syaoran whispered into her ear as they were growing louder. "I don't think they'll miss us for awhile at least. And if we wait for them to finish, it will be night fall."
Sakura considered this for a moment, feeling a little bad at having kept such an imporatn secret for such a long time. But the desire to be alone with her beloved, her husband and king, was overwhelming. Finally she nodded and the two snuck out of the plaza.
"You should probably summon Light so that your people can be freed again."
"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, reaching for the Card. "I completely forgot."
"You do realize there is one downside to all this."
"What?" she asked before summoning Light and watching daylight fill the sky once more. The battle had taken more time than it had seemed and late afternoon was already upon them. Or was the night creeping in early just for them.
"You'll have to go through the whole ceremony all over again."
"Hooeee," Sakura sighed before being abruptly swept off her feet.
"Now, however-"he began before being interrupted by Tomoyo who had trailed after them with Meiling, Xi Wang and Zhi Ye in tow.
"Where do you think you are going?" Tomoyo asked.
"You caused all that mess, you should stick around to cleaning it up," Meiling added.
Syaoran turned to his cousin and three new friends and looked at them steadily before replying. "I have been married for two months. I am long overdue for a honeymoon. Do not even think about stopping me." With that said, he turned on his heel and continued to carry Sakura down the long path, in plain sight of all the remaining people who had come to see the coronation and who would be spreading rumours about their new queen and the man who had claimed to be her husband.
Tomoyo and Meiling looked at each other a moment before turning beat red and glancing at their two male companions. Xi Wang and Zhi Ye on the other hand were giving their hero catcalls and applause as he carried his lady love away.
"The man has earned even more of my respect," Zhi Ye commented as he turned back to look at the rest of the Li's, Kinomoto's and all the sort argue about two members who weren't even there.
"He definitely has the right idea about a number of things," Xi Wang agreed with a grin.
Syaoran laid Sakura on her bed tenderly and stared down at her for a moment. She reached up and threaded her fingers through his hair. They were both ready and they knew it. It was time.
"I love you, Li Syaoran. Now and forever. Nothing can stop it."
"Now and forever, I love you, my other half. Li Sakura."
She grinned at hearing her married name before drawing him down into a long and passionate kiss.
(A/N: I'm sure some people think that was kind of a cop out ending with Damian, but it's not poof all better I assure you. Others are just wondering what happened after Naoko rushed to his side. This will be addressed in the Epilogue. It will be further addressed in the Sequel. Yeah, I caved in to pressure. There will be a short sequel. I will address it in the epilogue. Now, go review! Tell me what you think and if I really should go back and rewrite. LOVE YOU! REVIEW! JA!)
Cuz it's been awhile.
Reviews: I'm glad people liked the different heart to heart moments of last chapter. I worked hard on them. I also wanted to give everyone's perspective about what was going on and the changes that people were going through. I also hope that this chapter will be everything you hoped it would be. It didn't come out QUITE like I wanted it to, but very close to it. I may go back and rewrite it eventually, but I think whatever I didn't like I can fix up in the epilogue.
Anyway, here you go. The Last Chapter! Yay
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. But at the end of this chapter I have 200 pages in Word. Pretty impressive ne? That's longer by almost twice as much than the actual book I wrote. Anyway....read!
Chapter Twenty-Two: Now and Forever
The morning had just begun on a technicality. Sakura lay on her side looking at the stars through her window, much as she had all those months ago. The only difference now was the warm body holding her so protectively in its calm sleep. But sleep did not come for her. She didn't know at all what the next night fall would bring. A silent pain of anxiousness lodged itself in her chest, keeping her firmly settled in the state of wakefulness.
For in a few hours there may well be only one figure in the shared bed.
Now more than ever she wanted to cry out. She wanted to weep and be noisy, let everyone know how upset she was, to release the tension that was built up inside her. She wanted to bury herself in Syaoran's chest She wanted to let out all the horrible fear and sadness that overwhelmed her. But it was Syaoran himself that so frequently advised her from tears. She would not disappoint him now when tears would be at their least use.
Carefully, Sakura turned in his arms. She watched his face intently. It was a face that, were sleep to finally overtake her, would appear to her, cold and lifeless, echoing through her horrible dreams. The warm features and contours she held so dear. Gently, she caressed his cheek, causing him to shift slightly in his sleep and let out a pleasured sigh. Sakura watched his smile grow a little and felt how his arms tightened around her a little. A new thought then sprung into her mind.
One of them could very well die that day and they would go without ever showing physical confirmation of their adoration for each other.
Her breath quickened. That was the last thing she wanted if they were to be separated. She wanted to at least have that for him to remember her by if she were the one to leave. She wanted him to have that one sharp, clear memory of joy if she had to leave him behind. And for a moment, as Sakura contemplated that thought, she almost reached forward to wake him. But her original reason for having withheld so long came to her mind and she stopped.
No.
Despite the comfort it would bring to him if she were to go and the comfort it would bring to her if he were to succumb to the fate her dreams kept showing her, there was one other thing to take into consideration. A child. Instinct and intuition told her that a child would come of it. A child that could survive it's father perhaps and be the light of her life and assurance she would never have to marry again. But she would not put such a child to death if her own life were taken.
So instead, Sakura tucked her head under his chin and surrendered herself to sleep at last. Before it finally drowned her wakefulness, she prayed that her dreams would be sweet and peaceful.
*Light shines down on a bright field. In the distance a palace could be seen, born into ruins from centuries of wear from the powers of nature. There is laughter on the wind that plays with the flowers, nourishing them. A young girl, no more than nine, twirls in tight circles, her caramel hair glimmering like silk in the sun, her jade eyes twinkling.
Suddenly, she loses her balance and falls, her laughter echoing over the field and flying into the hills in the distance. She sits up and sees a boy in the distance, staring at her intently. He frowns at her, his brandy coloured eyes glaring at her beneath unkempt chocolate hair...*
The felt of warm breath on her face woke Sakura up to the bright morning sun. her eyes fluttered open and a smile grew over her lips as she looked up at Syaoran, positioned on his hands and knees over her. His smile was soft as he stared down at her with adoration but even as tired as she was, she could not mistake the sadness that echoed in his eyes.
"Good morning, Syaoran," she grinned, reaching her hand up to caress his cheek.
"Good morning, Sakura," he returned, leaning down to kiss her. Immediately, she drew her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His fingers entwined in her hair and his free arm crept around her waist as the kiss deepened.
The embrace lasted for sometime and might have lasted a good deal longer if not for the sudden arrival of a chipper Tomoyo. The raven haired girl burst into the room, ready to wake her friend, only to find her otherwise occupied in what appeared to be a very pleasurable manner.
For a full minute, she and the couple, startled out of their ministrations, stared at each other. Neither party moved during this time as each tried to gain their bearings in the somewhat awkward situation. But it didn't last longer than a minute when Tomoyo's amethyst eyes lit up in excitement. She squealed with delight and raced for the room.
"SO CUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute...," she yelled, her voice fading down the long hallway.
Syaoran and Sakura exchanged a look between the two of them before bursting into hysterical laughter. It overcame them with such force that it was some five minutes before either could even speak.
"She'll have the picture done before lunch, I swear," Syaoran sighed.
"More than one copy," Sakura giggled. "You better go before my brother investigates what is so cute. Though by now he may be smart enough not to. Still, better safe than sorry. She's going to be playing dress up with me for hours anyway."
Kissing her briefly, Syaoran rolled off the bed with a reluctant sigh. At the door he turned and gave her a look that sent excited chills up and down Sakura's spine. "Next time I have you in that position I won't be letting go," he promised fervently with a grin of male satisfaction. Giving a slight wink he shut the door behind him.
At that point, if it were possible, steam would have come out of Sakura's ears.
"You look absolutely wonderful, Sakura."
Sakura turned to smile at Tomoyo before returning to look at her reflection. The dress her friend had spent so much time on was indeed a masterpiece. Made of midnight blue satin, Tomoyo had left the front almost completely plain aside of a sheer overskirt. Instead she had embroidered a sun on the right and moon on the left strips of fabric that circled Sakura's upper arms. They were simple bands that circled ones before continuing to flutter down until they almost touched the floor. Most beautiful of all however was the train which fell from her shoulders.
Tomoyo had so carefully sewn the Star onto the train. Sakura's Star.
With one last look at the pale and tired face above the beautiful dress, Sakura turned and hugged her dear friend. When the normal moment had passed, she couldn't bring herself to let go. Fear overwhelmed her and more than anything she just wanted to be safe in her friend's arms. Tomoyo, sensing her dear friend's distress, reached up and began to pet Sakura's hair in a soothing manner.
"It will be absolutely all right, Sakura. I believe it will."
Sakura pulled away and looked at her friend. "I'm not so sure anymore, Tomoyo. I'm so scared."
The raven haired girl smiled at her friend. "Remember when my mother died, Sakura? And I was inconsolable. You promised me then that everything would absolutely be all right. Just as you have always promised."
Sakura nodded, remembering how bad it had been for that time.
"And every time you promised that, it always has been. Now, it's my turn to promise you, Sakura. Everything will absolutely be all right."
The honey haired girl smiled before throwing her arms around her dearest friend once more. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Tomoyo."
"Me neither. So make sure that I don't have to. Promise?"
"Promise."
The nooning hour was upon them. The ceremony was set to start at exactly half past twelve. Already, the sounds of the country's people could be heard as they gathered in the great courtyard where the ceremony was taking place. As if in accordance with the great day, not the slightest hint of rain had come and it was beautiful. The day seemed as beautiful and wonderful to anyone present and for all those who didn't know the tension behind the celebration, it was the best day that anyone could remember.
Sakura looked out the window nervously. The crowd was enormous and she was willing to believe that half the kingdom had shown itself as Yamazaki was trying to convince everyone. As if having someone after her life weren't enough to worry about, having to face all those people amplified the matter.
"Hoeee...," she sighed. Even if everything her instincts were telling her was wrong, it was still going to be a long and tiring day.
"You make the weirdest noises sometimes, Sakura."
She giggled as she turned her head over her shoulder. "People tell me that a lot. I don't know why even. I just do."
"Part of your charm," Syaoran laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and looked at the scenery through the window. "It IS going to be a long day, Sakura. But, just think, when it's all over, we can tell everyone. You will be official and won't have anything to worry about aside of whether or not Hiiragizawa will try to kill us all off so he can rule the kingdom."
"I don't think Eriol has it in him to kill everyone. It would get his hands messy," Sakura laughed, surprising Syaoran who had expected an out and out defense of her friend.
"I heard that, Sakura. I am offended. It's my clothes that I mind getting dirty. Not my hands."
Even Syaoran laughed at his eternal foe. He smiled in appreciation at how the sourcerer managed to break up the tense atmosphere. It was going to be a long and trying day for all of them. No one knew what would happen at the end and no one really wanted to. But it felt good to laugh. The three chatted briefly before Hiiragizawa left to find Kaho and the others before the ceremony.
"I love you, Sakura," Syaoran whispered into her ear as he gave her another long hug. "I always will. So don't forget that."
"I love you too, Syaoran. Now and forever. I'm just scared."
"Don't be scared. Be Sakura. That will get you through anything, I promise you."
She nodded and gave him a brief kiss before obeying her summons to the back of the castle where she would wait until time came. As she walked away, Syaoran's eyes trained carefully on her back, a single thought filled both their heads. Neither knew what the day would bring. Neither knew if they would ever hold the one they loved most again.
And only that disastrous day would tell.
She stood nervously just behind the doors that led out onto the walkway. Everyone had already left her, taking their places under the covered plaza as had been planned. At the stroke of the hour, the doors would open majestically before her and she would walk down the decorative path, a hundred meters long. It would be her introduction to her people as their ruler. From the time the doors opened to the time the crown was placed on her head would be precisely an hour.
"The longest hour of my life," Sakura sighed.
Suddenly the clock began to chime, startling her out of her reverie. She drew her breath and straightened her shoulders but before she could take a step forward, something stopped her.
The sounds of screaming.
Immediately, Sakura rushed forward and threw the doors open. Looking forward, she saw a bright flash of light above the plaza and the people on either side of the path were panicked. Instinct took over in that moment as Sakura without thought yanked the key from her neck and summoned her staff.
"RELEASE!"
"DARK!" Throwing the Card into the air, Sakura sent her Power to it. The Card instantly materialized and dropped a world of dark around the path. Those without Power, and able to fend for themselves, were now protected from the horror that was now ensuing. She protected her people.
After that, she set off at a dead run. And if therew as anything Sakura could say she was the best at without any help of magic whatsoever, it was her speed. Pulling up the long cloth of her skirts, she ran towards the plaza. It was only a matter of seconds before she came to a sudden halt a few yards away from the steps that led up to where the ceremony would have been held.
A feeling of foreboding washed over her as she saw red staining the pristine white marble stairs. It was a scene she knew well. A scene she had dreamt of a hundred times or more in the past months. A scene she would have given anything, her very life and soul to prevent ever having seen come true.
"SYAORAN!"
His name burst from her lips without conscious thought as she ran forward once more. Her feet slid a little on the trickles of blood as she climbed the stairs quickly. The picture laid before her would haunt her forever after as it never had before. Just as she knew he would be, Syaoran lay wounded, bleeding heavily, curled on one side. A position he would never take easily.
His eyes locked onto hers and he attempted a smile. Reaching out a little with one hand he tried to whisper. But in moments, his head and hand dropped in unison emitting a sickening thud. Without any thought to the danger or anything else in the world, which had already disappeared from her completely, Sakura rushed forward. Sinking to her knees beside him, she could only stare.
The tears began to form in her eyes as she looked at his still form. Her mind was void of thought and feeling as her tears trekked coldly down her cheeks. She could think of nothing but the pain. And she might have stayed there crying for some time if she hadn't heard something all to familiar. It was a sound that shook her from her engulfing sadness and sent chills up her spine. A laugh, deep and tinged with the insanity of someone who could kill so easily, washed over her, crashing into her small world like a tidal wave.
Slowly, Sakura rose to stand once more. Gaining her senses as well as her feet, she finally became aware of Keroberos and Yue standing protectively on either side of Syaoran's still form. She also heard the soft whimpers of worry that were flowing from the section of the plaza where everyone else she held dear would be standing. Everyone was there to watch as she slowly turned to conform the laughter rand the man who struck her love down. Everyone but the person she needed most.
A gasp escaped her mouth as her eyes lit on the figure before her. "You! You are the man who I have been so anxiously fearing? Who has haunted my dreams? You are my father's murderer?" Sakura was almost at the point of tears as she looked at the familiar man. "But you were mourning for him. You were so kind! How could you?!"
Damian laughed. "Did you expect me to tell you who I was so easily? Be the clever girl I know you are, my sweet Sakura. You knew all along that there was something wrong with me. From the first time we met."
She bit her lip. He was right. She had immediately noticed the odd way his aura had been acting. She should have guessed then that he was someone to be questioned. But he had seemed so sincere. To find out that it was a fraud hurt her more than if it had been a complete stranger. He had given her comfort that day. Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"How did you know I would be there that day?"
"Why look to your dear friend. Naoko has been very informative about your doings to me. I think she looked at me as a beau."
Sakura glanced over and saw Naoko sobbing softly into Chiharu's shoulder. Sakura had heard much of her friends new man and how much she adored him. Now she was suffering. She was suffering because of Sakura. The Card Mistress wondered just how many people would suffer because of her before the end.
"You hurt my friend!" she stated with a steady voice. "You are horrible."
"I'm sure you don't really think that. No, my beautiful Card Mistress, you are too innocent and loving to think badly of someone. Which is why I'm sure you will have no problem listening to my demands."
For a moment, Sakura thought this over, trying desperately to figure these things for herself. She didn't want to do this alone. But she had to. Straightening, Sakura gripped her staff fiercely and nodded. "Fine. Tell me."
"How delightful. My proposal is just that. You shall become my bride."
This simple statement threw the young queen off completely. "You want to marry me? Why?"
Damian's sickening laughter flowed over everyone present again. "Such a silly question. First, you are a beautiful woman, almost perfect. Second, you are talented in so many ways which make you even more appealing. Third, you have the greatest Power in the kingdom if not the world. Myself excluded of course," he added with an oily smile. "And not least of all, you are queen of all Tomoeda. If I were to marry you, I would then become King. Something I have been desiring for some time."
"You wish to be king?" she repeated slowly, realizations sinking in.
"Why else would I murder your father but to make you queen and marry you? I knew that your brother would refuse the title since he is such a freak of nature and decided to prefer his own gender. Mind, when I become king, this will be punished. Admittedly, I wished to have you as a bride from the moment I first laid eyes on you, but becoming the reigning monarch was the major goal here."
Sakura could only stare at him in disgust. For the first time, she really felt truly disgusted by someone. In a small way, her innocence was further shattered by feeling true dislike for someone for the first time. She was no longer the young girl who loved everyone. She was now capable of hatred. Still, she did not go that far.
"I can't marry you."
Damian frowned, obviously startled at such a rejection. "Why ever not? We are perfectly suitable."
"I am already married," she answered plainly.
Damian was not the only surprised figure in the plaza at this point, nor the most vocal. That prize went to Tomoyo who nearly screamed in horror, louder than she had when the demonic figure had first arrived. However, she was quickly overpassed by the raw fury Damian showed the instant the truth settled in.
"Who had the audacity to marry you? I was watching. There is no one that close to you."
"My husband is behind me. Li Syaoran, King of Tomoeda," Sakura said with perfect calm and pride in her voice. "And I know he isn't dead. Our marriage still exists."
For a moment, Damian seemed dumbfounded. This quickly passed however and a demonic smile lit over his mouth bringing unease back into Sakura's heart. She did not know what this man was thinking nor what he was capable of but she did know that she didn't want to see any of it. She had to resist all urges to step back from the evil look on his face and concede Power. She was too stubborn anyway.
"So he is your husband. Trecherous little body guard. Perhaps I should have applied for the job and you would have loved me instead. No? Well, I don't mind. You were not married by your own kingdom's laws so it is not perfectly binding. It won't be until you marry here."
"We WILL marry here!" Sakura screamed. "I love him! And he loves me! We are married and will stay married!"
"Oh? And what if you didn't love him anymore? What if he didn't love you?"
"IT is impossible that I didn't love him! And it's impossible that he wouldn't love me! He swore he would never stop loving me!" she swore fiercely.
"And what if he did?" Damian stubbornly pursued, causing Sakura to grow even more uneasy.
"I suppose I would let him be free. I do not want to keep him where he doesn't want to be."
"Well then, by your own words, you will be unmarried then! Perhaps I shall just see to making sure he doesn't love you anymore."
"Impossible! He swore he would always love me! You can't just make him stop," Sakura yelled, beginning to be afraid. He had such confidence. It was his confidence more than his words that scared her. He was smiling like Eriol so often did when he knew a secret no one else knew.
"My dear Card Mistress, let me tell you a story, one that your dear reincarnation," he uttered with a twinge of sarcasm as he glanced at Eriol, "neglected to tell you. Or perhaps he forgot. Pity. What good is the second edition if he isn't as good as the first?" When Eriol's hand tightened on his staff, Damian merely laughed louder and then turned back to Sakura, a sick smile plastered over his mouth.
"The Chinese people have all sorts of weird beliefs, as I'm sure you know by now, my dear. One of them is all about balance. Everything must have it's equal opposite or bad things happen. Clow Reed believed this as well and so he created something to balance things. A Card that he hid away and forgot to include when he left yours to you. A Card I found and mastered through the years of my life. And it is a Card that is equal to all of your Cards."
Sakura's eyes widened as he spoke and she glanced over to Eriol. The blue sourcerer's face grew darker and more murderous with each word. Though some of the irritation seemed directed at himself, he looked as if he would pounce upon the horrible creature at any moment. Sakura was about to speak to him when Kaho reached out and grabbed his shoulder, causing him to relax a little.
Turning her eyes back to Damian, she watched as he reached into his robes and pulled out a single Card. It looked different from her own in many ways, both in colouring and in the design on the back, but it was unmistakably the same thing. He held a Clow Card in his hand. The Power emanating from it felt as if he held her whole deck in his hand. It frightened her.
"Do you wish to know this Card's name? It has a very special name and a very special purpose." As he spoke he turned the Card so that Sakura could see the spirit faced side. On it was a beautiful but sad looking girl and at the bottom two words were written. "The Void. That is this wonderful Card's name. Do you know what it does?"
Silently, Sakura nodded, swallowing hard.
"This Card is capable of deleting anything. It will make a void in life where something once was. I can destroy your whole life, my queen, with this single Card. Your friends, your family, everyone you hold dear...gone in an instant. Or, you can agree to my terms."
"What are your terms?" she asked in a soft whisper, ignoring Kero and Yue as the immediately shouted for her to stop.
"What a nice lady. My terms are these: you marry me and in return I only take away two things. First, the love your wonderful husband holds for you. You can even keep him as a friend if you so desire. Though not too close mind you. I'm the jealous sort. And as a courtesy, to make sure you do not bemoan life pitiably for the rest of yours, your own love for him will be gone as well. One husband for another. I'm sure you can come to love and cherish me as you did your body guard."
Sakura closed her eyes at the impossible bargain. For a moment she almost considered accepting it. But, she realized it was impossible. She would never love this man. She could never willingly give up her love for Syaoran, her other half.
"NEVER!" she screamed. Quickly, she pulled out Firey and summoned the elemental against him.
Surprised, it took a moment for Damian to realize her refusal as absolute and he hesitated before blocking. For a moment, as the spirit hit him full on over his crossed arms, Sakura thought she had been successful. But it passed quickly as she saw him throw his arms out and force the Power back on her. Firey dissipated so not to hurt its Mistress but the raw force was still left behind. It hit her full on and threw her to the ground with a great deal of force. For nearly a full minute, she couldn't move as the pain engulfed her.
As Sakura lay on her side, her vision blurred, she felt someone grab hold of her arm and pull her to her feet. Another hand joined it and held her in front of the figure. Looking over her shoulder, Sakura's fuzzy eyes recognized her Moon Guardian. She looked over to see where Kero was only to find him attacking Damian in her stead.
"Thank you, Yue. I'm fine."
"Mistress..." he began before she cut him off.
"Don't worry, everything will absolutely be all right, Yue," she smiled before turning back to Damian who had forced Keroberos off. The Sun Guardian panted under the force of the counter attack but was otherwise unharmed.
While her foe was distracted, Sakura tried to send both Firey and Watery at him simultaneously. Again, it looked as if she had been successful when the Power behind them was once more reflected. Twice as bad as before, Sakura was thrown back and only escaped death by Kero's quick movements.
"Thank you Kero," she sighed. Her hand was stinging where it had been cut on the pillar she had nearly been thrown into. "Please set me down now."
"Sakura! You will be killed if you try that again!" he growled anxiously.
"It will be all right. I promise," she smiled weakly as he set her to the ground again.
"Will it?" Damian yelled, furious now. He had never expected such hatred. "I think you deserve to be punished now, Sakura dearest. Destroy that woman's husband, I summon you. Void!"
"NOO!" Sakura screamed as the Card began to take shape into the figure of a beautiful girl. She turned quickly to face her beloved, praying to protect him. As she turned, a drop of blood that had sprung from the cut on her hand fell and mingled with Syaoran's.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed. The Seal once again appeared under Sakura's feet and light sprang into life around her. The Void, which had been charging Syaoran, mixed into the light and disappeared. Everyone watched in amazement as the beautiful young girl stood in a pillar of light, the center of a whirlwind of Power.
In the midst of the blinding light, Sakura looked down at her hand as a new Card began to materialize in it. The Card was blank of name and only held one thing: a winged heart. Then, with a flash, the light grew brighter and seemed to consumer her whole. Finally, with the suddenness with which it came, the light disappeared. Or, almost.
In it's place, Sakura stood, bathed in a new luminescence. Her dress was even transformed, now a confection of white so brilliant it seemed to be composed of light itself. But most awing was the smile that had been placed on her face and the Card she now held in her hand.
Damian stood still in shock for a moment before stepping forward to look at the Card she held. It was pink as all Sakura Cards were, but it also held the figure from The Void. For a moment, Damian tried to grasp how she had managed to transform the Card into her own before he realized that she had done much more than that. The Card she held now was no longer The Void. It held a whole new name.
"I think that you are really a fine person, Damian. You just need guidance," Sakura said softly with a smile. Reaching into her deck she pulled out a Card. "Shine into the darkness of his heart and bring only brilliance, Light!" she cried out, summoning the beautiful spirit. As it formed, the evil man was washed in a pillar of light.
"And now, heal him and make him realize the good he can possess, Hope!" she cried out, startling everyone who had not seen the change in the Card. And a new spirit crept free of her Card. She looked the same as The Void had, except in her hands she held a winged heart.
And she wore a smile.
Damian screamed out loudly as the two Cards did their work before collapsing onto the floor, unconscious. Sakura watched him serenely before looking over at Naoko who looked worried and yet still betrayed.
"Perhaps if you help him, Naoko, he can become a really good man," she said softly causing her long time friend to nod before rushing over to the inert body of the one she so sorrily loved.
It was then that the last of Sakura's energy escaped her and she fell to her knees beside the man she loved. Everyone gasped and rushed to her aid. Eriol was quick to perform healing spells on Syaoran as Tomoyo wrapped her arms around her friend. The mothers of the prospective children immediately began to fuss over their injured and tired babies. The sight of seeing Yelan fuss over anyone caused a lot of laughter which was precisely the sound that Syaoran woke to.
Sakura watched with great joy as his eyes flitted open. For a moment, the amber orbs were unfocused before turning to lock with her emerald ones. The two just enterchanged a long look for a minute before Sakura began to cry in relief. Immediately, Syaoran sat up and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her slight form into his lap as he comforted her.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you in the end. But it's over now, Sakura. It's all over."
Sakura pulled away and smiled at him. "But you did help me."
"How?" Syaoran asked in confusion, voicing what everyone else was curious to know as well. Even having witnessed the events, no one was quite sure what had happened.
"Do you have your dagger, Syaoran? The one I used to cut my hair?"
"Uh, yeah," he muttered, pulling it from his boot.
He watched as she carefully grabbed onto it and studied it for a moment. Then he gasped as she raked it over her hand, causing a thin line of blood to seep out. He was no less surprised when she did the same to him. But before he could question she placed her hand in his. The two cuts lined up perfectly and the blood mingled as it had before.
"Because, as your blood is my blood, together we create beautiful things," she answered solemnly. It was as much a vow of love as had been exchanged so many times before.
Syaoran stared at her for a long moment, not really understanding all of it but comprehending the deeper meaning. Then he smiled and leaned forward to give her a kiss.
"Get your hands off my sister! And what's this with you being married?!" Touya growled as he forcefully pulled them apart.
Sakura and Syaoran exchanged a nervous glance as she giggled a little.
"You were just lying weren't you, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked. "You were just trying to throw him off so he didn't hurt you, right?" the raven hair girl suggested hopefully. "You wouldn't really have excluded me as being your Maid of Honour would you have?"
Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "No, it wasn't a lie. We've been married almost two months now."
"WHAT?!?!" everyone cried out at once. That is everyone but three people. Sakura, Syaoran...
And Elder Long.
The fact that he was the only other person not to react did not go unnoticed. Especially by the other Elders and Yelan.
"You!" they all cried in unison. "You married them! How could you?!"
And thus a long discussion began. Everyone was screaming and yelling at the same time with very little that was understandable said. Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other and had to suppress laughter at the way their friends and relatives were acting.
"What do you say we ditch them?" Syaoran whispered into her ear as they were growing louder. "I don't think they'll miss us for awhile at least. And if we wait for them to finish, it will be night fall."
Sakura considered this for a moment, feeling a little bad at having kept such an imporatn secret for such a long time. But the desire to be alone with her beloved, her husband and king, was overwhelming. Finally she nodded and the two snuck out of the plaza.
"You should probably summon Light so that your people can be freed again."
"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, reaching for the Card. "I completely forgot."
"You do realize there is one downside to all this."
"What?" she asked before summoning Light and watching daylight fill the sky once more. The battle had taken more time than it had seemed and late afternoon was already upon them. Or was the night creeping in early just for them.
"You'll have to go through the whole ceremony all over again."
"Hooeee," Sakura sighed before being abruptly swept off her feet.
"Now, however-"he began before being interrupted by Tomoyo who had trailed after them with Meiling, Xi Wang and Zhi Ye in tow.
"Where do you think you are going?" Tomoyo asked.
"You caused all that mess, you should stick around to cleaning it up," Meiling added.
Syaoran turned to his cousin and three new friends and looked at them steadily before replying. "I have been married for two months. I am long overdue for a honeymoon. Do not even think about stopping me." With that said, he turned on his heel and continued to carry Sakura down the long path, in plain sight of all the remaining people who had come to see the coronation and who would be spreading rumours about their new queen and the man who had claimed to be her husband.
Tomoyo and Meiling looked at each other a moment before turning beat red and glancing at their two male companions. Xi Wang and Zhi Ye on the other hand were giving their hero catcalls and applause as he carried his lady love away.
"The man has earned even more of my respect," Zhi Ye commented as he turned back to look at the rest of the Li's, Kinomoto's and all the sort argue about two members who weren't even there.
"He definitely has the right idea about a number of things," Xi Wang agreed with a grin.
Syaoran laid Sakura on her bed tenderly and stared down at her for a moment. She reached up and threaded her fingers through his hair. They were both ready and they knew it. It was time.
"I love you, Li Syaoran. Now and forever. Nothing can stop it."
"Now and forever, I love you, my other half. Li Sakura."
She grinned at hearing her married name before drawing him down into a long and passionate kiss.
(A/N: I'm sure some people think that was kind of a cop out ending with Damian, but it's not poof all better I assure you. Others are just wondering what happened after Naoko rushed to his side. This will be addressed in the Epilogue. It will be further addressed in the Sequel. Yeah, I caved in to pressure. There will be a short sequel. I will address it in the epilogue. Now, go review! Tell me what you think and if I really should go back and rewrite. LOVE YOU! REVIEW! JA!)