The Ward
Sunel
Disclaimer: insert everything from past chapters here
The Epilogue! Thanks to everyone who's read everything up till this point, and to those who reviewed this story and kept it going. :)
This chapter is dedicated to everyone who reviewed - Thank you:)
sweet-captor, WezL, Pnut, Tsuki no Tenshi, vnrose04, someone, Sweet-Chocolate-Angel, Fylleth, feral-halliwell, Michael Bulaich, Reluctant Dragon, dbzgtfan2004, Chessrook44, bookyalex, Moonlite Sapphire, Marigold Sunlight, cherryberry-chan, maria, Avelyn Lauren, simplicity, zero fighter, stargrl678, AlterEthereal, Nhoj Nozuy, Laura Petri, Rosie, Amalyetta, Fntasy Kt, lilqtazn, Kawaii-Querida-chan, angel-eyez713, Nozomi-chan, Ciuline Ihmenjo, animelvr4evr, cursed-mind, Icy Wings, tchan-kawaii, magiabruxa, Enigma-Hopkins, miko no tsuki, snslover, YingFa-lilWolf-Lover, Kawaii – Syaoran, kit kat, unknown, Kae-she Katsumi, Nina Wyndia, dawn of midnight, FlowerLover, Kynx, kriztalstar91, Rebecca, ayla3baby, blacksaku, crazyanimefan101, yukyungtang, kindflam3xhaust3d, Neko-Yuff16, Rominastar.
Thanks so much!
I heard I'm not supposed to make these lists… XD but I really wanted to! Some names might have repeats… I tried to make sure there weren't any. If I left anyone out, I'm very sorry! Let me know and I'll change it right away.
I bet most of you saw the contents of this epilogue coming! So, on with the story:
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Epilogue
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Sakura woke up, blinking and staring at her surroundings. This looked very much like… no, it couldn't be. She shook her head and squinted… was it something that Bane and Arannsen had given her?
"Good Morning, Sakura-chan."
She whirled around upon hearing the familiar, long-awaited voice. "Syaoran-kun! How – what – what am I doing here!" she asked, nearly weeping from joy and surprise.
He wordlessly walked over to her bed and placed his arms around her, holding her close. She clung back to him tightly, happy tears spilling onto his shirt. "Oh Syaoran-kun, I missed you so much! Don't let them take me away again, Syaoran," she said, her lower lip turning into a quivering pout.
His heart nearly broke to see her look so scared and alone, even now. "Never again, Sakura-chan. You're mine now, all mine, and I'll never leave your side" he said softly, bringing her closer and leaning in for a kiss. Sakura put her arms around him and kissed him back hard, their lips clinging to each other.
"You promise, Syaoran-kun?" she asked, staring at him with her head tilted to one side.
"I promise, Sakura-chan. Remember, you aren't alone anymore," he said, sneaking in another kiss.
She hugged him tightly. "I love you!"
"And I love you," he said, holding her close.
Just then, Tomoyo barged into the room. Syaoran blushed, but continued to hold onto Sakura. "SAKURA-CHAN!" she shouted, hopping into the bed next to them.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura squealed back. "I missed you, Tomoyo! But I'm back now, and Syaoran said he won't let me leave," she said, smiling proudly.
"It's good to have you back, Sakura. Why don't we get you out of bed, so you can greet everyone? Your brother, Kero, and Yue are here too!"
Sakura blinked and stared down at herself. She was still in the white gown that she had worn in the FBI facilities. "I don't… I don't wanna go greet them looking like this… it'll only make me look sickly," she said, blushing sadly.
"No worries! I got you some pretty clothing before I came!" Tomoyo said, pointing to about 10 shopping bags at the corner of the room.
"Thank you, Tomoyo-chan," she said gratefully, sighing in relief. It was time to put away her past, and start a new life. She turned to Syaoran. "You can't watch me change!"
"Aw, but I thought I'd be allowed to stay by your side forever?" he asked teasingly.
Sakura blinked and thought it through. "Um, how about we exclude times like changing, showering, bathroom-ing…"
Syaoran laughed and kissed the tip of her nose, feeling the love overflowing inside him. "Alright, I'll be waiting outside."
It was good to have her back.
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…2 years later…
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"I'm nervous, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said, her hands clasped together and her pale face plastered with worry.
"It's only natural, Sakura-chan. Just think of Syaoran," Tomoyo replied, giving the girl a smile.
Sakura nodded slowly, and turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her long, white gown cascaded down to her feet, hiding the strapped, fairy-like heeled shoes she wore. There was a ruffled hint of sleeves at the shoulder, which created a soft, ruffled neckline that went down to her bosom. She had let her short, unruly hair grow out, and it now rested on top of her head in a bun that became a ponytail and rested over her left shoulder. Two wispy curls on either side of her face flowed to give her a soft look.
She thought of Syaoran, sweet Syaoran… who had done everything for her, and more. He would be getting ready right now, and he would be thinking of her as well… and that was enough for her. She remembered the way he had proposed, and it brought a smile to her face.
'Sakura-chan, please keep your eyes closed.'
'I told you I would,' she said, giggling and opening one eye. She nearly gasped when she saw what he had prepared. The lights were off, and the entire room was lit by candles. A fancy table setting full of gourmet food stood in front of them. 'It's beautiful Syaoran-kun! And I'm starving, so let's eat,' she said, grinning.
He blinked. 'You weren't supposed to look! And… no wait! We can't eat yet! I – I have to ask you something!'
She stared at him in response. A low grumble filled the silent room, and she blushed. 'Hehe… um. My stomach's hungry!'
'Marry me!'
'Wha – what?'
He got onto one knee, took out a beautiful ring, and whispered as he took her hand… 'marry me, Sakura-chan. Make me the happiest man alive.'
Sakura smiled at the memory, and felt herself relaxing a little. "Were you this nervous when you got married, Tomoyo-chan? I recall you were a lot calmer," she said.
Tomoyo smiled. "I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Eriol-kun… and nothing could stand in the way of that. Not even those little butterflies in my stomach."
"You're right, Tomoyo. There's nothing more I want than to spend the rest of my life with Syaoran. I can't wait to be married," she said, her eyes gleaming with happiness and pride. "Is Touya ready to go? I'll kill him if he makes me wait! He's supposed to walk me down the aisle!"
"Don't worry about it, he's ready," she assured. "So… Are you excited about later tonight, Sakura-chan?" she asked mischievously, her eyes twinkling.
Sakura blushed furiously, her cheeks turning an apple red color. "I – I hadn't given it much thought…" she lied.
"Liar!" Tomoyo shouted, bursting into a fit of evil giggles. "Just try not to get one of these too soon," she said, rubbing her belly fondly. She was 2 months pregnant.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Tomoyo asked suspiciously.
"Fujitaka," the voice replied.
Sakura gasped and flung the door open. "Daddy! You came!"
Her father smiled his gentle smile, and embraced her. "Of course, Sakura-chan. Did you think I could miss your own wedding?"
"I thought you had an excavation to take care of."
"I had someone 'cover' for me, in a sense," he replied, smiling.
"Oh, this is great! Now you and Touya can walk me down the aisle together," she said, grinning happily. This really was the best day ever.
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The organs played Canon in D traditional, and Sakura waited as her bridesmaids trailed in front of her and took their places. Tomoyo and Eriol led the way, as Maid of Honor and Best Man, then Meilin followed with Kieren, then Niyara with her new renegade boyfriend Darin, a boy with spikey hair, tattoos, and an irrevocably good heart.
Sakura took in a deep breath. Now it was her turn. Fujitaka gave her shoulder a soft squeeze, and Touya gave her a wink.
"I love you, Kaijuu, even if you are marrying that darned gaki… you guys will be great together," Touya said in a low, gruff voice.
Sakura eyes brimmed with tears, and she gave her brother a hug. "Thank you Touya, that means a lot. Alright, I'm ready."
The traditional wedding theme took its place as Sakura stepped out onto the aisle, with her father and Touya by her side. In the distance, she could see Syaoran, looking as handsome as ever. He had on a black suit to keep things traditional. She stifled a giggle, remembering that he'd told her he would wear green underwear, to keep things 'interesting.'
Syaoran's eyes nearly bulged as he saw Sakura. She was, to say the least, drop-dead beautiful. And he wanted her. Right now. He cleared his throat and blushed. This was really happening… she was going to be his wife, forever.
I can't remember for the life of me if they exchange the rings before or after the vows… or is it during?
He took her hands as she approached him, and Fujitaka and Touya took their places. He longed to unveil her and kiss her right away, but instead he smiled and stared into her eyes.
The priest began to speak. "We are gathered here today…"
Syaoran and Sakura continued to stare at each other, both longing for so much more, reveling in all they had.
"Do you, Syaoran Li, take this woman, Sakura Kinimoto, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death do you part?"
"I do," Syaoran whispered softly. There. He had said it – and it was wonderful.
"And do you, Sakura Kinimoto, take this man, Syaoran Li, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death do you part?"
"I do," she said happily, smiling.
They exchanged their rings, and waited for the Priest to say it:
"Then you may now kiss the bride."
Syaoran drew her closer and lifted the veil away from her face, and kissed her deeply and passionately. Sakura put her arms around him and returned it, hearing everyone cheering, clapping and whistling. Sakura laughed and shouted, "I'm married!"
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Yay, now they're married! That was my whole plan from the beginning, but I wasn't sure if I should just skip the scene where she wakes up and finds herself escape-afied and such… so I just added it in anyway. Thanks to all for reading, hope you enjoyed!
I'm deciding between two plots for my next story, so if you're reading this, just tell me which sounds better!
1) A story in which Sakura is the overshadowed younger sister, and Tomoyo is the Cardcaptor who has everything… the looks, the grades, the boys… including Syaoran.
2) Basically the same thing, except without making Tomoyo the original Cardcaptor.
Till next time!