Misconceptions

Author's Notes: This is it, the final chapter! Things are explained here and concluded…but remember to click to the next chapter for a preview of my next Card Captor Sakura fiction!

Summary: It is the final day…will love conquer all?

Chapter Twelve: Misconceptions

"Excuse me?" asked the girl who he had thought to be Sakura. He felt a blush on his cheeks, and said nothing more. Any hope that had sprouted was crushed cruelly beneath Imagination's shoe.

Meilin felt sorry for the two; was Syaoran this unhappy to be with her? Somehow she sensed that things weren't right at all: including the wedding itself. After all, it was only to her whim that the engagement had ever been redone anyway. Catching her self-doubt she turned back to merrier thoughts.

( Sakura )

I can't turn back now.

A flight attendant was nothing more than an obstacle as she was pushed to the side by a certain passenger. The aforementioned girl was scurrying like a frantic mouse to the pilot's area, ignoring the scolding of both travelers and crew.

She was aware of the jet's movement, and knew that time was running out. Sakura barely dodged a tray of wines as she made it to the captain's seat.

"Please, sir, stop the plane." she begged in enough Chinese, pleading like she would for life.

The surprised man could do nothing but shake his head, and turned slowly back to his controls. Sakura saw that he wasn't deserving of being fired because of her actions, and turned back.

This time, she went in the direction of the door, flinging her exit and escape to the side as if it was no more substantial than a Clow Card. Spotting the tarmac moving steadily away she mustered her little bit of courage and…

( Syaoran )

…jumped.

That was the best way to describe the unidentifiable shadow that had flung itself across the air about 50 yards from his own airplane window. But at that point, Li Syaoran didn't care.

Amber eyes remained closed, afraid that if they open their cover in the slightest the tears that threatened to rain upon his lap would unleash themselves. Faintly shaking arms set themselves crossed on his chest.

Meilin had a glance at her lonely cousin, who had chosen to sit a considerable distance away from the rest of the family. There was an uncomfortable lurch in her heart that told her that the wedding bells wouldn't sound right.

(Somewhere in heaven, a small chibi Angel Meilin reported to her superiors that she had conquered her warm-colored counterpart.

Somewhere down below, a small chibi Devil Meilin reported otherwise.)

( Sakura )

Ignoring the sudden rush of pain through the body she limped down the way, directing herself accurately to the gate of the Hong Kong flight. It was departing. She ran down an Authorized Only hallway to what she correctly knew to be the wide landing area.

She was comparable to the Dash Card as her shadow could have been left trying to catch up with her. At the foot of the tarmac she ran up the boarding stairs and jumped aboard just as the door began to close.

The plane swerved the left as the attendees came rushing over to the automatically moving entrance. In front of it was a seemingly tussled-up girl. In her hand was a genuine ticket for the flight.

There were no complaints as she stepped forward and took an empty seat.

As the plane touched down on Hong Kong territory Sakura stood hurriedly up. During the whole flight she had looked up, down, left, right, sideways, forward, backward and all around for Syaoran. There was no sign of him at all except for the fact that others of his family were present.

She was the first out the door, observing each passenger as the travel mates separated to their own ways and lives. Sakura thought she saw San Yu somewhere in the mass of unknown faces but before she could wonder there was a command from the security to stop blocking the passage.

Instead, she resorted to doing the same in the wide, open receiving area for immigrants. This time though, the receptionist requested that she proceed outside if her documents were finished processing.

Now she was left nowhere but the luggage area. Sakura had left her baggage with her great-aunt Chiisana, and had (in reality) no business in that particular room. Yet no one noticed that she wasn't even looking unto the conveyor belt for her own materials.

The Card Captor felt very sure she was going to see Syaoran himself there, but it turned out that the servants of the clan tagged along too. A familiar person; Wei - led them to pick the correct belongings of their employers. Through all this fuss and managing, he did notice Sakura.

"Oh, Sakura Kinomoto! What a pleasant surprise: fancy meeting you here at Hong Kong! We thought you were not going to be able to make it." he greeted warmly, the same manner placed.

"Same to you…" was the only polite effort Sakura made until she blurted out, "Where are Syaoran and the others?"

Wei didn't look appalled at her sudden burst - his face was calm and understanding as he pointed out the direction in which he last saw the family.

There was a friendly man who lent her a bicycle for free and she somehow (more of miraculously) managed to pedal it fast enough to catch up with a fast car. Faster…faster and even more so the two speeding parties went, but Sakura was inevitably dragging behind.

Along the way she began to feel the edges of pre-fatigue, and couldn't control herself as she fell from the bike. Sakura was very shocked to not have the shattering impact she thought would occur; what had happened?

Eriol.

Behind him was Tomoyo.

Again.

The only words that were exchanged were the directions of which car to follow, as the three piled into the limo the Daidoujis hired for their daughter and possible son-in-law to use in their vacation in Hong Kong. Tomoyo had been her best friend for so long that she could read her face and find out what she wanted to know; Eriol was about the same even from their very first meeting back in Japan. There was no need…or time…for talking.

( Syaoran and Meilin )

When her eyes set upon her soon-to-be-husband, her heart fell. His face was drawn with what was certainly not happiness; hands cold and unmoving even on the bouncy tram. There was no indication to Meilin that he wanted this event and day at all.

'This was how he was like during the past week. Why didn't he tell me in the first place? To prevent this all? I thought he had fallen back in love with me…' Meilin miserably thought. When her grandmother looked at her she erased her frown with a false smile.

San Yu didn't notice the forced changed as she advised "Go and get your dress ready, dear. We're close to Victoria Peak already."

(Even by this time the whole Li Family - including stoic Syaoran - were taken aback at the fact that San Yu managed to set up the wedding and reserve such a large space in the beautiful gardens. She even requested that they use the main Peak Tram for a private trip to the destination and succeeded.)

The large vehicle slowed to a stop and all of them piled up. Syaoran stood up and followed his relatives into the clear and fresh area. The air smelled of sweet flowers and birds were singing their everyday melodies.

Everything was flawless, meant to resemble any Traditional Chinese wedding without the normal two-family conditions. Also, most of the colors that they used were red and gold; somehow they still appeared exquisite against the natural green background. Over the hill was an open-air room where the ceremony and banquet would be conducted.

Meilin was getting lost in it all when Syaoran whispered behind her, "I suppose we should go now, huh Meilin?" in a strange, unreadable tone. When she turned back to glance at his expression there was a peculiar but incredibly lonely and defeated smile on his features.

She was left speechless. She was sure he didn't want this.

"Syaoran, I don't think we-" the black-haired girl began, but was cut off by some of the women calling her name. Before anything else a particularly enthusiastic skinny relative dragged her to the dressing room.

Syaoran remained silent.

( Sakura and Eriol & Tomoyo )

There were no Clow Cards to use at the moment.

To reveal their magic would create chaos in such a crowded place.

This meant that they had to wait then take the public transportation to the general Peak, then journey to the heart of the Gardens where the wedding would take place. Sakura felt a spark of hope in the coincidence that she heard some of the clan talking on the airplane.

Double crowding had occurred because of the Lis' drastic appeal for privacy and the trio were not fortunate enough to get on the arriving trip. They kept a strong grip on their passes and anticipated as patiently as possible for yet another fifteen. Time was going out fast as a candle running out of oxygen. The wedding would start in about the same.

( Meilin )

The outfit she wore was what could be described as 'lavish'. Truly, it was quite much decorated. She could count at least eleven beads, eight shades of red, the same for gold and twenty-four other decorations on the thing. The layers of smooth and aristocratic silk numbered three.

As she slipped into more fanciful, never-used shoes she thought again. She didn't feel right at this moment, and hadn't been for the last two weeks.

The bridesmaids were hovering about her, the ladies slathering on much make-up on her already pretty face. Her still smart pigtails were let down to be combed continuously by two of the younger girls. An ornate hair pin was shining on the table just begging for attention.

There were earrings dangling heavily on her ears, and two identical necklaces hung on her slender, powdered skin. Jade bracelets with neat strings adorned both of her hands as well as ankles.

But she still didn't feel right.

( Syaoran )

It took much faster for him to get prepared for what they had described to be 'the greatest day of his life'. What he was currently wearing was a long gown, a cap with cypress leaves for decoration, a silk sash and red new shoes that he had picked himself before he knew that he would meet Sakura once more.

-- Flashback Five Months Ago --

"Syaoran…I can't believe it." Meilin said breathlessly when Syaoran had brought up the situation. "Do you mean it?" she inquired shyly. He nodded with a flashy smile on his face.

San Yu made herself a place as main coordinator of the event and couple as an effect of the cancellation years ago; she did not intend to remain in the distance this time and let that disaster repeat itself.

After the completion of the Sakura Cards there was nothing else to be remarked on. Eriol chose to remain in Japan with Tomoyo, Syaoran toured around Japan with a portion of the Li Clan's fund and the two Guardians resumed their now tightened duties with Sakura's help and cooperation. The latter's magic still grew everyday…but powers weren't the only things that were growing…distance was too.

Somehow, in the course of eleven years Syaoran and Sakura drifted away. They never thought it was possible, but it did happen. Syaoran didn't feel his adoration for the girl to subside, but it wasn't present as it used to be. Sakura suddenly just detected that they were not as close as before. Meilin saw the revitalization of her relations with her cousin.

Things changed quickly, and by the age of twenty they officially never saw each other in five years. In the same pace they fell from each other's daily thoughts but stayed in their true sub conscience, especially for loyal Sakura.

Syaoran didn't have a life with Sakura planned in his head when he approached a still-head-over-heels Meilin that day. She was elated at his proposal, and they decided that they would reside in Tomoeda away from the rest of their kin to get used to the married couple scenario.

For two months they stayed like regular fiancé and fiancée; mornings spent playing relaxing sports after a sunrise breakfast, afternoons sailing in the water or traveling around Tomoeda and evenings saved for romantic candlelight dinners and light conversations. At the end of February Meilin was called back to Hong Kong for some short additional martial arts training.

Syaoran was just venturing around the place passing off the days before his to-be-partner's return when he recognized green eyes. Green, sad, waiting eyes.

--End Flashback--

"Right Syaoran?" came a shrill, demanding voice that snapped him back to reality. San Yu was asking him if he was ready for a married life, like all grandmothers made sure of.

He pondered on her seemingly simple inquiry, delving into a married life alright; but with Sakura instead. When he was questioned again with a raised tone he had no other choice but to nod his downcast head.

San Yu didn't bother to have the traditional journey-to-retrieve-the-bride and all those other long and time-consuming rituals. She wasn't a very patient woman, and wanted to get things sealed before any trouble. (Meilin was a little relieved that she underwent the soothing ritual grapefruit bath the night before at the hotel.)

The elder had requested that some of the ancestral stones be sent to the place to eliminate the need to go all the way around Hong Kong to the original altar. 'Simply for the reason that we would always feel guided by our forefathers' stars and light.' she thought philosophically.

Meilin entered the room with a veil upon her face. Through the beads she could she Syaoran's uncomfortable expression and the mixed ones on her family members' faces. She stepped forward thrice when-

"Syaoran!"

There was a voice at the door and three silhouettes. Gasps ran through the attendees as they recognized the countenance of the Clow Cards' new master;

Sakura Kinomoto.

There was also the wonderful best friend and documentary manager as well as costume designer beside her;

Tomoyo Daidouji.

At the first's other side stood the reincarnation of Clow Reed himself, a powerful magician yet caring man;

Eriol Hiiragizawa.

At this point San Yu had taken advantage of the momentary reprise of the now common 'speechless-with-shock' syndrome and ordered five of the more magically-gifted members to subdue the newcomers.

It took two of them for each of the Card Masters, but only one for Tomoyo. Sakura and Eriol were more powerful than them though, and pushed five of them off to the side as gently yet effectively as possible. They both proceeded forward, but were blocked this time by eight more.

They stopped Tomoyo with not much difficulty then divided to both of the wizards. Eriol was pinned down with a clan staff and Sakura was bound by enchanted ropes. There were some Li's that could really do such enchantments, especially in coordination.

Syaoran protested, seeing his three most loved friends being held back like that, but San Yu persisted. "Come on, Meilin, all we have to do now is complete this simple ritual and it'll be finished."

"No."

If they were surprised before, they were more so now.

"No."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Meilin, if you want to go on with it then I can not object…I simply promised to come…" she reasoned, unmistakable concern in her gaze.

Syaoran was practically gaping with both shock and gratitude. Meilin removed the bridal accessory and threw it to the wall.

"None of us involved wants this marriage anymore. Sakura loves Syaoran and Syaoran loves me, but they love each other most of all."

San Yu was enraged. "How dare you cut such a perfect union? Kill her, that Sakura! She is the cause of all of the mess!" she commanded, and was in dark hysterics.

One of the ones who had halted Sakura made a move to tighten the invisible bindings, crushing the girl's consciousness out. Her eyes dropped closed. The same happened to Eriol to prevent anything from him.

This time Syaoran melted from his frozen position at the center of the large hall. "No!" he shouted, but he was too far to save Sakura Kinomoto.

He was too far, but someone else wasn't.

Eight figures dropped to the floor alongside Eriol and Sakura with one blurry swipe of a metal video camera.

"Tomoyo!" the clan heir yelled in thanks and recognition.

Tomoyo was chuckling at what she had done to save the day.

Suddenly there was a bolt of blue light that struck across the room, engulfing San Yu in an aura of darkness. When the haze subsided she was asleep on the floor. Everyone looked at Tomoyo out of reflex, but surely it wasn't her. Their glances averted to Eriol.

He gave one exhausted smile before he fainted again.

Syaoran dropped the double-happiness character he was holding used in Chinese marriages to symbolize a couple's joy and walked slowly to Sakura. He dropped to his knees beside her and moved her head to his lap.

At this movement her green eyes flew open.

There was a hush of silence in the place.

It seemed like it was just the two of them there. There was no open-air room, no family members, not even Meilin or Eriol or Tomoyo. Just the dark shadows around them and the spotlight of the silver moon upon them.

Syaoran's eyes were sparkling with unshed tears as he looked down on his beloved. "Oh Sakura…how I've dreamed so much of such a happy ending…"

Even through her stress and fatigue, Sakura Kinomoto managed to reply;

"That is a misconception, Syaoran Li. This is just a happy beginning."