The first story in My Shadowy Secrets Trilogy

This fan-fiction is set as though the second movie never happened. Li and Meilin are still in Hong Kong, but all is not well – and with Yelan out of town it's up to them to find out what the magical power Li's sensing is.

Back home in Readington, Sakura dreams an upsetting dream, then receives a disturbing phone call from Meilin. Did her dream come true?

Darkness is never as far away as you think…

Epilogue

Sakura stood on the porch, gazing out at the Showron family garden. But it wasn't the flowers that held her attention. Down on the bridge, Li stood staring at the running water. She felt her heart go out to him. It had been a week since the Evil Card had been defeated, but the boy still hadn't forgiven himself. He hadn't been eating well, and he'd taken to keeping himself even more isolated than usual. At night he often woke screaming from nightmares.

"It's a sad sight, isn't it?" Sakura started at the sound of the voice, and turned to see Julian standing there, his usual smile somewhat smaller. His arm was in a sling, but otherwise he was fine. Yue, however, wouldn't be strong enough to come forward for quite a while.

"How…how did you know I was…" His smile widening slightly, he put his hands on her shoulders and spun her around to face the bridge again.

"I can see him as well as you do. He's not coping well, is he?"

"No…and nothing Yelan or Meilin say helps. He can't forgive himself."

"What about you?" Julian asked.

"What?"

"You're just as important to him as they are. Why don't you try?"


An hour later, Sakura was still watching Li. Julian had stayed out for a time, but he'd gone back in a little while ago. But she wasn't thinking about that. She was thinking about something much more important. >Could I really help? Even if I can't, I have to try…>

"Li?" The boy jumped as Sakura gently touched his shoulder. This was worrying, as there once would have been a time when he sensed her before she even decided to move. But now…

"Sakura…"

"You missed dinner again." Li turned away, his expression troubled.

"Big deal. It doesn't really matter."

"You can't keep missing meals, Li. It's not good for you." Li studied her face for a second, touched by her concern. But then regret temporarily overcame his love for her, and he looked away again.

"So what?"

"Li…" she murmured.

"No! Just…don't. I don't deserve your kindness." Sakura stopped, her beginning to shine with tears. >How can I get through to him? Wait…>

"Li…look in the water. What do you see?" Li gazed at his reflection for a moment, then chucked a pebble in it, scattering the image.

"I see a weak, pathetic brat who can't fight his own battles!"

"But I don't."

"What?" Li asked in confusion.

"You're nothing like that! I see a strong, kind boy who puts the feelings of others first. I meant what I said the other night. I…I love you." Hesitantly, she took Li's head in her hands, and kissed him. At first he jerked back in surprise, but she held him to her, and soon he was kissing her in return.

They stood like that for a long time, just holding each other close, letting their lips do the talking for them. Then finally, they broke apart. Sakura was surprised to see that Li was almost crying.

"Li, what's wrong?" She flashed him a small smile "Am I really such a bad kisser?"

"No! Gods, no. It's just…it'll hurt me when I go."

"Go? Go where?"

"Back to Japan with you." Sakura looked at him, puzzled.

"Huh?"

"Do you think I can really stay here? After what I've done? But…I'll miss them." Smiling, Sakura drew in for another kiss.

"But you'll have me…"


Half hidden in the bushes by the porch, Madison smiled as she secretly filmed the couple.

"I always knew they'd make a good couple…oh, I love it when I'm right!" Suddenly, she jerked upright as a new thought occurred to her. Stars began to show in her eyes, as she rested her hand on her cheek and squealed.

"And they can have matching costumes now too!"