Black Wolf Chic 2 - Hi guys! Sorry this has taken so long, but can you blame me for holding back? Making a little more suspense? :) I know it's cruel, but hey, what can I say? Absense makes the heart grow fonder! Here it is, the conclusion to Shielder. Enjoy! ( And let me know by reviewing!! He he )

In was hot and stuffy in the med room despite the air filter. Li tried to ignore the suffering body of Sakura lying on the lab table, trying to concentrate on the medicine he held up to the light, but his gaze kept wondering back to her. She was breathing heavily in her unconcious state and she muttering incoherent words. She trembled slightly, but Li knew that she was entering the final stages of Orana. Soon, if he didn't hurry, she would be another victum of the Controller's vicious ways.
It all made sense now. Why she had said things that sometimes he hadn't quiete understood. Why she had been so dammed determined to get to Sonoma, and fool he had been, had kept her away. How she must have hated him. He studied the medicine in the needle and swung away from Sakura's tormented form, and injected some of the medicine onto a glass slide that contained Sakura's blood.
It wouldn't be much longer . . .

Later that night . . .

Eriol sat starring out of the Sonama treatment facility window, starring out into the night life of Sonoma. He watched as they bustled about and felt detached from it all, as if he was on the outside looking in. It was funny how these things turned out, he thought.
He looked up and turned to look down the corridor where Li had disappeared with Sakura a half an hour ago. He wasn't exactly certain why Li had brought her here, he hadn't said anything to him, he hadn't expected him to. Once Li was occupied with something, he usually didn't let anything tear him away from it.
After all - he still had time . . .

The night flowed into the medical room, ruffling the white curtains and stirring the bangs of the figure lying in the bed asleep. Li looked down at the shadowed figure and sighed once again and ran a hand through his messy bangs; turning away from the sight he had seen for many hours now.
When he turned back again his eyes widened at the sight of the empty bed. He ran over and searched the bed, but there was no sign of her. He looked around frantically but she was gone.
The curtains fluttered in the breeze and he felt the quietness of the room weigh heavily down on him. How could he have lost her?

' Who you lookin' for? ' came a familar female voice. Li whipped around and gasped.
" Meilin . . ? " he asked in stunned belief.
She shot him a smirk, her long, ebony hair hung down her back catching the faint light from outside the room coming from the room down the corridor.
" You've grown . . " Li managed to choke out as he looked her up and down.
She smirked even more and he noticed the familar gleam in her eyes that she had had whenever she had talked with him. It was happiness and . . amusement?
' You could say that Xiao Lang.' she smirked and moved closer to him. ' Maybe a little admiration too. '
Li blinked and looked away from her to the window and then back to her. " You read my mind? Is that possible? "
She snorted and rolled her eyes. ' You were always an open book Syoaran. No one could read you like I could. Aunty Yelan said so on many occasions. '
Li took a step back. " Was that before or after she and your mother had tried to match us? "
She laughed and Li noticed again how much she had changed and grown. She was a woman now.
' I'm glad you approve. ' her smile was bright as she blushed. ' But that's not why I am here. '
" I'm dreaming aren't I? " Li asked watching her. " It's because I've been thinking of my failure to you and the others that I'm dreaming what it would be like aren't I? "
Meilin brought her fingers up to his forehead and flicked him . . hard.
" Ouch. " Li said glarring at her. " What was that for? "
' Baka. ' she said in Japanese. ' No matter how hard you could dream of me you idiot; you wouldn't be able to imagine me for my beauty is far too great for you to imagine or dream. '
" Vanity isn't one of your strong points is it Meilin? "
She cocked her eyebrow and shot him a sideways glance. ' Are you saying I'm not pretty? '
" No. " Li said realising he had to tread carefully. " You know how I feel. "
' True. ' she smirked facing him again. ' You wouldn't be able to lie. ' she tapped her nose and winked. ' I know all! ' she burst out laughing.
Li looked around guilty. " You'll wake someone Meilin. "
' Pah! ' she waved his concern away. ' No one can hear us. ' Then her smile faded and she turned serious.
' Your worried about her aren't you? '
" Huh? Wha- ? " Li met her gaze confused.
' Her . . ' she indicated the bed behind him.
Li turned around and watched as Sakura's form materialised right where he had left it. His eyes widened and turned back to Meilin confused.
' I wanted to spend some time with you alone for a little, but time's running out. I'm here for a reason Xiao Lang'
" That's not surprising. You were always with me for some reason or another - ouch! "
She shot him a glare. ' Don't push it. Listen, ' she cupped his face and made him look at her. ' Look how happy I am. See the real me Xiao Lang. I couldn't be happier. You MUST understand that. '
" Meilin - I don't - "
' Listen to me! ' she barked softly. ' See the real me standing before you. Forget what you saw all those years ago and see me for what I have become. I am happy. " she stressed. ' I thank you Xiao Lang. I know how hard you tried'
She paused. ' And in case you ever look back and wonder why it took me this long to come see you, ' she stepped back and twirled around. ' Let's just say I was waiting for a few more curves to fill out before I made my grand entrance. ' she winked and smiled brightly.
Li gave her a small smile before his attention wavered back to the sleeping form in the bed. Meilin came to stand beside him, her face sad.
' You really care about her don't you'
Li nodded, transfixed by the wounded soul lying in the bed. Meilin watched his face and searched very hard for the answers she seeked. She must have found them because she smiled brightly and stood in front of Li.
' You love her very much, I can see; there is no reason to hide it from me. Don't deny it, and don't be a baka and make her wait until it's too late to find out how much you really do love her. '
Li looked at her startled. " Meilin - I - "
' Xiao Lang I loved you very much, but I had no idea how you felt for me - '
" I - "
' Don't interrupt!' she glarred, but she softened it as she continued. ' How could I when you would glare at me and treat me so coldly? I knew you cared deep down, but how much I could never guess. That's why I never gave up. But it doesn't matter now - I've lost you, but you have a chance to really give your attentions and affection to someone'
She smiled and brushed his bangs away. ' Love her Syoaran. Love her everyday, care for her, don't smother her and she will always come back to you, just like I will always too. '
" Meilin - " Li choked out.
A tear streaked down her cheek and she smiled. ' You have a great talent. Do not be afraid to use it. Don't let one major set back ruin it for you for the rest of your life. Many depend on you. Heal Li. Heal and save. Never feel guilty. Some things are always meant to be no matter how hard you may try to change them. '
" Meilin - "
' I love you. ' she whispered and reached up, but stopped her mouth a few milimetres from his. ' Oh and by the way - ' she tugged a strand of his long bangs. ' Get a haircut. ' her mouth closed over his.

Li woke with a start and starred at Sakura's sleeping form. He looked around the darkened room, but there was no one else around. " It was a dream . . " he whispered starring at Sakura.
There was a soft knock and he whipped around to find Eriol standing in the doorway. He was carrying a bag.
" I thought I'd bring your stuff up from the ship. Had to bloody smuggle it in. If that lot caught me with it, we'd all be thrown out. " he indicated the scientists and healers in the corridor.
Li stood up. " Did you see anyone leave this room before you came? "
Eriol shook his head and then smirked. " Going mad old man? I've been expecting it for some time . . " he sighed.
" Shut the hell up Hirragizawa and make yourself useful. Give me that bag. "
Eriol smirked. " Gladly. "

Epilogue . . .

The sun's rayes filtered down warm and bright. The sky was blue and the breeze blew past, feeling cool on the skin. It was a perfect day. A perfect day for a reunion.

Li stood silently to the side as he looked ahead of him towards the small group of people gathered watching them. Beside him stood a very beautiful young woman. She was tall, had emerald green eyes that reflected the sunlight, long honey brown hair and most of all - she had no injured or badly scarred leg.
She turned her head and emerald met amber. She was afraid. He smiled warmly and stepped closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
" Everything will be fine. They're waiting for you; we've come all this way, don't let yourself down. " he whispered and kissed her on the left temple. " I'll be right behind you . . Sakura. "
Sakura nodded and walked towards her people. No stumbling gait, no awkward movements, no more pain. Li had cured it all. She smiled inwardly as she thought about the day she had awoken alive and feeling better than she had ever felt. She had starred up at him and the rest was a jumble of blurred memories that all clashed together,but she did know this: She was happy. And she loved Li and he, in return, loved her.

She stopped before the two people in front of her and bowed. " Ohayo Tou-san, Kaa-san. " She looked up expecting to see the normal cold, expressionless features on her parents faces, but none of that was there.
" Ohayo Sakura-chan. " they replied, bowing in union.
Sakura blinked and starred at them in confusion. " Welcome home. " Natasha said and gave her a small smile.
" I- T-Thank you. " Sakura replied bowing again. Behind her, Li met the gaze of Aiden and nodded his head in approval. Aiden nodded slightly before returning his gaze to Sakura.
" We thank you Sakura-chan. You and your husband. " he looked at Li. " Without the two of you, the Controller's might have succeeded in wiping out the last of our clan. And because you were brave enough to go against all odds, you have saved us all. You have a mother and father's gratitude and also that of an entire civilistaion. "
Sakura blushed crimson and lowered her eyes.
" You were the one who had some trust in me to let me go in first place, even though I was a useless case. " she looked up at Li. " I couldn't have done it without that chance. If it hadn't been for you, Tori and Li - Eriol too - I might not have come as far as I have. "
Li smiled at her lovingly and grabbed her hand.
Natasha nodded looking at Li. " In the end all is safe once again. So; if I may husband, shall I invite our guests inside for the dinner we prepared? " she asked turning to Aiden.
He nodded and turned back to Sakura. " But first I think there is someone who wishes to pay his respects. "

Sakura frowned and then her face split into a huge smile as she leapt up into Tori's waiting arms and hugged him tightly as he swung her around.
" Oh Tori you're ok!! " she cried pulling back to stare at him. " I felt so terrible seeing you in that cell! They had no right! "
" Shh imouta. It's over and I've put it behind me. " he shot Li a glare. " But I think you'd better come inside and introduce me to your husband. "
She smiled and nodded and turned towards Li. " Shall we? " Li smiled and reached out to take her hand, but before he could he was swamped with soft, little furry things. He cried out in pure frustration and glarred at Sakura who hid her smile and tried to look sheepish.
" You just had to put that damn Lanrax of yours in with that other one didn't you? " he growled as the tiny Kero's crawled all over him.

Sakura bit her lip and refused to meet his glare. " I, umm, didn't think one night would have made all that big of a difference. " she met his furious glare as he tried to pry them off him. He sneezed and glarred at her.
Sakura turned to Tori and placed her finger on her cheek thoughtfully. " Though I suppose I should have thought of it earlier. I couldn't think what I had given Kero's mate to make her so fat. Guess I know now. "
Tori smirked and Sakura couldn't help but giggle as she went over to help him.
" Poor Li. " she sighed and burst out laughing at his furious glare as he tried not to sneeze again.

The End.

BW2 -So what do you all think? Is it a good ending? I liked it, though it wasn't the same as in the book, but I wouldn't remember because my kaa-san had to throw the book out on me didn't she; even after I -

Li - Listen to her ramble! You'd think some massive crime had been committed.

Bw2 Well for your information! It has!! I wanted to keep that book! sob sob

Masdison - Maybe you'll come across it again some day?

BW2 Yeah maybe. I hope. . . .

Sakura - Cheer up! It was a great story! I liked it very much. It was a whole different side to you that we; and our fans have never seen before.

BW2 Yeah well I needed something new, I guess with a little help, I got there in the end. I can't seem though to get myself away from the same old storylines. Probably that damn writer's block I mentioned in my other story. Hey, while I think of it, if any of you guys out there want to contribute some ideas that they'd like me to turn into a story, review and tell me! I'd greatly appriciate it! I think I need some outside influence to get me started again.

Li - Rambling again.

BW2 Thank you Mr. Input! I can do without your snide remarks thank you very much.

Li - Just sayin'.

Sakura - Leave her alone you meanie. How if I start picking on you?

Li - Sorry Ying Fa but you don't have the heart. I know you too well.

Sakura - You think so huh? Well we'll see.

Tori - Don't make the Kaiju angry Chinese brat. Trust me that is dangerous territory. You haven't lived with the dinosaur for most of your life.

Sakura - I am not a dinosaur!!

Tori - sure 'bout that? If it isn't you stomping around every morning, then what have you got hidden away up in your room?

Sakura - mumbling and shooting Li and Tori death glares as she storms out of the room

BW2 I think you made her mad.

Li - I think we can see that Miss Know-it-all.

Bw2 Li?

Li- What?

Bw2 sweetly Do you want a part in my next fanfic?

Li - wary Yeah.

BW2 Glarring Then cut the name calling baka!

Li - who's name calling now huh?

Madison - Oh both of you stop being so childish for heaven's sake. You're wasting people's precious time.

Li & BW2 both glarring.

BW2 He started it.

Li- Did not!

BW2 Did too!

Li Did not!

BW2 Did too times affinity!

Li - oh that's real mature.

Bw2 Oh and you are?

Eriol - As much as I'm enjoying watching this yelling in the background heard I think we'd better close this once and for all with what little dignity we have left.

Madison - sigh I agree.

Bw2 Has Li in a headlock Umm sorry about going off the track a little there, but thank you for reading my story and I hoped you enjoyed it. Please review and tell me what you think. No Flames please! smothering Li Bye!!