A/N: Hiya all! No more reviewers section from now on due to the new rules! Sorry to the anonymous reviewers. I can't reply if you're not registered. Hope you'll like this chapter! I know I will!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura, and I'm sure you don't too!

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Chapter 23: Wedding

Dawn finally came and the kingdom arose from slumber. Today was the big day! The day of their prince's wedding and of course, his cousin's too.

The villagers in town were excited and each hoped to catch a glimpse of the royal carriage as the newest couples as they pass the town to a smaller castle outside the town for their honeymoon.

However, they had no idea what was really happening behind the scenes except for a few selected from the farmlands.

Among of the few selected, two of them were the ones truly disheartened by the "auspicious" situation but did nothing to stop it.

These two were the ones that the princes purely adore and the question is: Will they do anything to stop it?

Palace...

Rei and Luna were in the dressing room, allowing their servants to place finishing touches of make up on their faces.

Luna sighed happily and said, "Isn't this the greatest Rei? We're finally getting married!"

Rei rolled her eyes and smirked, "Yes Luna. It's is the greatest..." "Since I've got huge blackmail on you..."

"Nothing is going to go wrong, I'm sure of it!" Luna chirped happily.

Rei looked at her cousin from the corner of her black eyes, "You'll never know Luna, expect the unexpected!"

Luna frowned at that statement, "What ever do you mean dearest cousin?"

Luna just smiled at Luna's reflection in the mirror, whose head was turned around, not caring that the servants now have difficulty in putting the finishing touches on Luna's make up.

"Nothing Luna. Absolutely nothing at all..."

Luna's sliver orbs held doubt but let it slip by.

"It's time for your dresses your highnesses."

"Sure." They said in unison.

Luna decided to continue her conversation, "Don't you find these services so poor Rei? They're soooo slow. I think I will ask Daddy to replace them before another wedding happens here."

The servants visibly stiffen at that statement. They can't afford to lose their jobs!

The old Rei would probably agree with her cousin's statement...but this new Rei...

"I don't know Luna. They seem perfectly fine to me. Why, this is one of the fastest groups of servants I've seen!"

The servants relaxed at Rei's statement as Luna scowled at her cousin, "Have you gone crazy? What happened to you these past few weeks? You've changed too much for my liking Rei!"

Rei didn't seem fazed at her once-best-friend's comment; instead, "I've made a mistake in the past Luna... And I'm not repeating it again."

Luna huffed and turned away, "Whatever. Let's get this over with..."

She snapped her fingers and all the servants at both princesses side step away.

"Knock! Knock!"

Rei said, "Who is it?"

"King Kinoshi and King Deshi are here your highnesses. They're waiting to see you."

Luna squealed and practically yelled, "What are you waiting for? Let him in! Let him in!"

Her personal bodyguard opened the door and allowed her father and uncle to step in.

"Daddy!"

"Hi there Pumpkin! I can't believe you're finally getting married!" (A/N: Insert hysterical laughter...)

Rei stepped forward to hug her father, "It's nice to see you Daddy." She said in a bored tone.

It was obvious she hadn't gotten over the little father and daughter dispute a few weeks ago.

Rei's father immediately noticed the hostility, "Now Rei, I only want the best for you. And this is the best for you."

Rei's feelings were unreadable ass she masked her feelings then very well, "It's time to go Daddy."

King Kinoshi could only wonder what his daughter was thinking of then, "Yes...Yes... we must get going..."

Palace throne room...

Exited whispers and murmurs filled the air. The crowd seemed quite excited by the auspicious event.

The two grooms await their brides at the throne where a priest stood carrying his book.

However, neither seemed thrilled by the event which would end their bachelorhood.

No one noticed this except for the Li family. Yelan was strangely quiet at this point and so were the Li sisters who were casting glances at Syaoran and Eriol several times.

Syaoran and Eriol were wearing white royal robes. Syaoran's had gold linings while Eriol had sliver linings around his coat. Both looked devilishly handsome in their wedding suit but none noticed the flirtatious glances that were cast their way by the female population in the room.

Eriol whispered to Syaoran, "Never thought this day would finally arrive..."

Syaoran glanced at his cousin from the corner of his eyes, his emotions well-hidden, "I haven't made my decision yet."

Eriol didn't seem suprised at Syaoran's confession, "Me neither."

Suddenly, music filled the air as whispers died. The pianist's music flowed through the atmosphere as the huge oak doors creaked open.

Two brides and their father at their side strode in.

The wedding gowns were beautiful. Luna's had a tinge of purple while Rei's had a tinge of red.

The crowd awed at the splendor of the brides. Luna smiled at the crowd and grasped onto her father's arm tighter.

Rei smiled to the crowd too, however, Syaoran queerly noticed, the smile was more of a smirk.

With each step and each second pass by, Eriol and Syaoran's heart grew heavier. Nothing would seem to stop this wedding. Was it really over?

Rei and Luna stopped and their fathers slipped away. Syaoran smiled slightly at Rei who smiled back. However, a glimmer of mischief was seen.

As the priest began his words, his voice was soon blurred out by Syaoran.

Sorrow filled his heart as he imagined Sakura's emerald orbs looking cheerfully at him...

Her smile...

Her laugh...

Her personality...

He remembered the time when he first saw her. It was so unexpected and he knew that the moment he saw her, she was the one, the only one who was perfect for him.

The more he fell for her, the more he felt less worthy of ever hoping she would ever feel the same.

When he finally confessed his heart's want, he felt bliss when she returned his feelings. He was afraid...yes... afraid that she would turn away from him if he were to bring up his engagement.

When she found out, he was almost ready to hate his mother. But... he knew what Yelan had done wasn't her fault.

(A/N: I have no idea what happens in a wedding ceremony like this...bear with me!")

"Will you, Prince Li Syaoran take Princess Rei Kinoshi as your lawfully wedded wife?"

Heartbeats pounded in Syaoran ears, he tried to will himself to say the right words.

But...

"I-...I can't"

Murmurs immediately broke out. Yelan stood up, her eyes held remorse and shock.

Since the time Syaoran was small, he had never disrespect her wishes, let alone defy them.

Yelan then knew, Sakura was the only one that can make Syaoran change his decisions. He would always put her in first place. Everything else came second.

Syaoran hung his head low, "I'm sorry..."

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" King Kinoshi roared.

Syaoran lifted his head and firmly said, "I can't marry Rei because I don't love her."

The crowd gasped in shock and the whispers became louder.

Suddenly someone's voice caused the room to once again become silent, "Yes. He doesn't love me. And I don't love him."

Rei lifted her veil and politely ask the priest to step away from his stand and took her place.

Eriol and Luna could only watch the scene in silence.

"My friend here love someone else, someone else who I am proud to say is my friend. She was the one who showed me true friendship and I want to repay her. It doesn't matter if she isn't royal or noble. She's just like everyone who of us, a person. We are all one and the same. There's no difference between a royal and a commoner."

Rei's black eyes laughed at Syaoran's gaping mouth, "And don't you think it's high time you go after her? It's never too late Syaoran."

Luna's voice suddenly broke Rei's speech, "Don't be ridiculous Rei! Of course there's a difference between a royal and commoner. We are people of high status. Commoners are just servants who wait under us!"

Rei's black eyes turn icy, "I would advice to keep your lips sealed if I were you dearest cousin. If not, your little meeting last night will go public."

Luna's body stiffened and immediately let go of Eriol's arm.

The two princes looked at each other and nodded. Immediately, both rushed out of the open doors and to the stables.

Rei stepped down of the podium and was immediately meet by the fury of her father, "Rei! What is the world is going on here?"

Rei smiled at her furious father, "I told you Daddy. I don't love Syaoran. Therefore, I'm not marrying him."

Yelan stepped in this time, "I have a proposition King Kinoshi. We don't need a marriage merge to become allies. It was wrong for me to force my son into marriage. It's time for him to decide for himself."

King Kinoshi restrained himself from shouting at his daughter in front of a huge crowd, "I will talk to you later Rei... and don't think I'll let you off easy for embarrassing us!"

Fanran then voiced out to Rei's father, "Quite the contrary King Kinoshi... What Rei had done is certain to impress other kingdoms." King Kinoshi raised an eyebrow as Fanran continued, "She has enlightened us that everyone, including royal and commoners, is one and the same. There shouldn't be any barrier between us and our people. If we are able to work together harmoniously with our people, our kingdoms would grow and expand."

King Kinoshi sank in Fanran's words. Expanding one's kingdom? That seemed pretty good to him.

"Err...right. I am terribly sorry for the whole situation Queen Yelan. I didn't expect this to happen."

Queen Yelan smiled and said, "It's quite alright King Kinoshi. I didn't expect this to happen as well... But I can't say I'm not happy about it!"

The Li sisters giggled at their mother.

Rei smiled and turned towards the dressing room, "It high time I get out of these clothes! God it itches!"

Luna and her father King Deshi could only stand there dumbly as their guards tried to get the situation of the crowd under control.

"Pumpkin... may I know of your little meeting?"

Luna laughed nervously as she turned to her father, "Erm... Daddy? Remember how much you love me?"

Eriol and Syaoran rushed through the town on their steeds. The villagers were shocked to see their princes rush by on horse dressed in their wedding suits.

However neither of them cared what the villagers think of them now. Only one thing was on their mind, their true loves.

Soon enough, Syaoran reached Sakura's farm. He jumped off his horse and headed for the door.

"Sakura! It's me! Open up!"

The door creaked open and Tomoyo's face came into view.

Her eyes widened in surprise, "Prince Syaoran?"

She then saw the person behind Syaoran, "ERIOL?"

Eriol smiled at the shocked dragon breeder, "Hello Tomoyo. May I have a word with you?"

"Bu- bu-bu-but!"

Eriol pulled Tomoyo from the door and led her to the front yard of the cottage, leaving Syaoran to go inside to look for Sakura.

He searched and searched but to no avail. Sakura wasn't in the cottage.

Then, he heard a neigh and immediately knew where Sakura was.

"The field..."

Syaoran hurried out the back door and saw her.

"Sakura..."

Sakura was feeding Chocolate when the unicorn noticed Syaoran. He neighed happily and galloped towards the prince, leaving Sakura standing there, completely astonished.

"Syaoran..."

Chocolate licked Syaoran's face and allowed him to go towards his mistress, who was still standing rigidly in the middle of the snow covered field.

Syaoran approached Sakura, "Sakura..."

"Syaoran... What are you doing here? Isn't today your wedding?"

Syaoran didn't answer her question; instead, he wrapped his arms around Sakura's waist and buried his head in her auburn locks.

When Sakura finally came to her senses, she tried to push Syaoran away by beating his chest.

"Syaoran what ar-"

Syaoran stopped Sakura's sentence with a kiss. Sakura's arms tried relentlessly to push him away but she started to weaken. His warm lips devoured her own. Sakura began to wrap her arms around Syaoran's neck and was amazed by Syaoran's hard body pressed against her. Syaoran tightened his hold on Sakura's waist as he deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into Sakura's mouth. Sakura's hand began to wander and ran through Syaoran's messy chocolate hair. Syaoran couldn't get enough of Sakura's strawberry lips and tried to push closer towards Sakura's body. Pleasure coursed through both of them as Syaoran let out a moan.

If oxygen wasn't required for human life, the kiss would have gone on forever.

Sakura broke the kiss, breathless and lips swollen from kissing, "Syaoran... what?"

Syaoran shushed her with his finger, "Let me speak Sakura... please."

She became silent, her emerald orbs looking for answers in Syaoran's blithe ember pools.

"I realized that I couldn't forget you. No matter what happens. I couldn't get married to Rei because I love you. I know that this may seem selfish but I couldn't bear to give you up for the sake of my kingdom. In the letter, you mentioned obstacles; But... I know that, in my heart, you were wrong. All those obstacles were tests along the journey that were meant to prove our love. And I know this is the end of our journey... Sakura I love you and only you. Besides, today is the last day I'm suppose to work for you. After today, I can marry you right?"

Neither seem to realize that crystal tears began to cascade down Sakura's rosy cheeks, "Syaoran..."

"I will never marry someone else besides you Sakura...no matter the circumstances and consequences. My love for you will be pure till the day I die. I will never leave your side Sakura... Never."

Sakura's eyes lit up with joy for the first time in several days.

"But Syaoran... what about the kingdom and the wedding?"

Syaoran smirked, "Rei had a little speech after I refused to say the two words. The two kingdoms will still be allied not by marriage but by mostly contract. She also had a little piece of blackmail of Luna, making her let go of Eriol."

Sakura laughed and buried her head in Syaoran's chest, "I love you Syaoran..."

"I love you too Sakura..."

Suddenly, a shriek of happiness came from in front of the cottage which was unmistakably Tomoyo's.

Sakura and Syaoran looked at each other and laughed even harder.

The obstacles of love were finally over. Two couples reunited under the winter sun.

Heaven smiled upon them as he witnessed the pure love of the oncetwo forbidden couples.

The journey was finally over and they have reached its end.

Things have never been better

Days left: 0

To be continued...

A/N: Alrighty! One chapter left. The epilogue! I had a little trouble with the ending. I hope no one's disappointed! Review please! I think adding Eriol and Tomoyo's conversation would most likely ruin the chapter.