Author's Note:

Wow…it's been a REALLY long time…Yes, now that I'm taking finals, I have the time to upload…Oh the irony. Actually, I've forgotten about for quite some time until I was going through some computer files and found some of these. Still no guarantees that I can complete everything, but I'll try my best!

Forever It Will Stay

Chapter 6: Final Mission

The sun barely climbed over the horizon, bringing the colored life back to the world as its rays revived everything it touched. The moon was chased away, and the stars disappeared. The birds finally awoke from their sleep as they chirped a good morning song to the sun and their loved ones.

The Li manor was up and running within a few minutes since the sun's rays hit the house. With every ray that peeked through the window, every bed held awaking people, all except for Syaoran's room. Covers were already peeled back and there was no one to be found.

Whish! A sword gleamed as its owner slashed at an invisible opponent. Perspiration dripping from his forehead, Syaoran continued on in his training. His few days in Japan at the "no swords allowed" hotel residence got him out of shape already. Syaoran clutched his sword before doing a simple butterfly-kick in the air. While he was still suspended, Syaoran kicked a nearby tree trunk to propel himself backwards. While doing a backward flip, Syaoran slashed and kicked one more before landing on his feet. With a mediocre battle cry, he lunged forward with his sword and pointed it in a single direction.

"Glad to know someone is working around the house."

Syaoran stopped his sword lunge just in time to avoid stabbing the face of his own mother, Yelan Ling. Syaoran gasped slightly as more sweat trickled down his panting figure. Surprisingly, Yelan didn't even flinch as though she had trusted Syaoran with her life, even though he was already in an intense state of concentration. Syaoran quickly sheathed his sword.

"Wash up for breakfast. The elders are waiting for you."

Syaoran nodded and ran off with his sword. Yelan continued to follow the path through the small collection of tall trees that led her to a mini shrine. She took off her shoes and kneeled before the tiny hut to pay her respects.

'Please let everything run smoothly.'

"Xiao-lang!"

"Little brother!"

"Li clan leader!"

"Xiao-lang Ling!"

All four sisters peeked inside only to realize that their little brother was nowhere to be found. Puzzled, Fuutie, Fahren, Feimei, and Xiefa all left the room to search for their youngest sibling elsewhere. This was going to take a while, considering how huge the Li manor was…

"Looking for me?"

…Or maybe not...

The four older sisters of Syaoran all whirled around to find their search over. They squealed and ran to hug their brother but stopped inches away from him when a familiar yet unwelcome scent reached their sensitive noses: he had been sweating.

"Eww!"

"Our little brother needs a bath!"

Syaoran took a stride toward his room.

"Yes, yes, I know. Now will you let me wash up in peace or will you follow me all the way to the bathroom?"

The three girls pondered over it for a long time (not!) and scampered off to the breakfast table. Syaoran shook his head. Sometimes, having four older sisters was a pain in the bottom. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Syaoran headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Xiao-lang!"

The room immediately fell silent, leaving only the echoes of the name floating around the room. Two attendants pulled the heavy doors open, shedding in the blinding light from outside. A darkened figure was left standing in the rays of the merciless sun as the few family members who were allowed to watch craned their necks to see him.

Syaoran paused before entering the colossal chamber that continued to glow a golden color. The wood drew in the light and placed a golden hue about the private conference chamber of the elders. The warrior walked gingerly down the imaginary line that separated the room in half. Once he reached the very center of the room, he turned to the four elders who each sat on a cushion before him, the main elder on a higher step and the other three on the lower step that was on an equal level to Syaoran's floor.

Syaoran peeked down to see where his cushion was. Syaoran bit his lip when he remembered what had happened last time. As a child, he had to come to accept the offer as a potential candidate for the head of the Li clan. Instead of bowing properly and sitting on the cushion, he bowed and then tripped over the cushion and landed into an elder's lap.

Syaoran then bowed his head reverently, signaling the family members to take their positions as Syaoran led the privileged members in a uniform bow. As the others got up after five seconds, Syaoran kept his position, forehead to the ground.

"Xiao-lang, you may sit," commanded the eldest of the elders who sat on the highest step.

Syaoran stood up from his bowing position, bowed slightly, and kneeled on the cushion in front of him. Syaoran's knees barely touched the cushion when the other elders began barking out their questions.

"Have you fixed the problem with the Card Mistress yet?"

"What has become of the situation?"

"Have you thought up a solution?"

Countless questions continued to arise from the three elders who then turned to bickering amongst themselves. Syaoran continued to stay silent, kneeling on the floor, keeping his eyes downward almost to the point of closing.

"Silence!" rang out a crisp voice that echoed throughout the chamber.

The three elders suddenly ceased their bickering and returned to their poised state. The eldest shook his head before continuing on.

"Xiao-lang Ling, you have returned to Hong Kong from your mission. Have you succeeded in reverting the Card Mistress's negativity toward you?"

Although he looked old and worn away from age, the eldest of the elders had an uncanny sense of power around him. His aura, a bright gold, demanded respect from all those who surrounded him, and his voice was as powerful as any orator could be with a microphone. Syaoran continued to cast down his glance from the eldest but raised his eye level to that of the three elders.

"I have succeeded in achieving forgiveness from Card Mistress Sakura Kinomoto."

Her name rolled off his tongue beautifully. No one could accentuate it more. The eldest scrutinized Syaoran. Could it possibly be...? The elders quietly began whispering amongst themselves as the eldest listened to their points before adding in a few details as well. After a brief moment of conversation, the eldest lifted his hand.

"Arise, Xiao-lang Ling, future leader of the clan."

Syaoran knew what to do. He stood up from his position and slowly let his glance move toward the eldest's face. Now was the time to hear the final decision of the elders. This was to be his destiny.

"You are to be sent on a final quest."

The audience shifted in their seats as they leaned forward with anticipation of the elders' announcements. What was to happen of their future clan leader? What was to be done about the Card Mistress? The eldest smiled at the anticipation that was all too clearly etched onto their faces, but immediately twisted it into a frown when he realized what he had to do.

"Xiao-lang, your final quest..."

Syaoran clenched his fists, hoping that all would turn out for the best. He struggled to block away the nagging, ominous feeling. Things would turn out for the best, wouldn't it? Syaoran listened for the news as his eyes latched themselves onto the eldest's eyes.

"...is to take the amorsicophinac and treat the Card Mistress with it."

Syaoran's eyes dimmed out as the family members who were present gasped in shock. The amorsicophinac was a device used to separate the soul from the body and place the soul in a type of dream world where the soul would reside in happiness forever. The warrior felt himself trembling. Syaoran swallowed the lump in his throat.

"But, Eldest, that would mean Sakura's-"

"Death? Unfortunately, yes."

Syaoran shook visibly now. As soon as Sakura's soul left her body, she would technically be dead. Sure, her soul would live on in another dream world dimension where all her dreams would come true, but...

The Eldest gazed at Syaoran. Never in his lifetime had the future leader ever trembled so much. Also, he had addressed the Card Mistress by her first name. Could this just prove his last thought? The Eldest shook his head. If that were the case, this was a very sorry sight.

"Xiao-lang, take this," the Eldest spoke in a softened voice.

His hand began to glow a golden hue as a ball of light floated just above his palm. Slowly but surely, a vase-like figure formed in the Eldest's hands. When the summoning was finished, it was a lot easier to see it. The amorsicophinac looked like a clear, ordinary vase. The Eldest passed the amorsicophinac to Syaoran.

"You must use this on the Card Mistress and take her place of the duty of balancing the powers of the earth," one of the three elders replied.

"You will stay here in Hong Kong for a year and train yourself for the upcoming battle in case the Mistress of the Cards has the will to fight you," replied another elder.

"After you have treated her, you will take the place as the next mage who will watch over the balance of the energies of the world. The Li family will continue to support you, and you may do as you wish as long as you support the existing energy balance," finished the last elder.

Syaoran could only gaze silently at his soon-to-be tainted hands…

(1 year later...)

Light blue bricks made up the sturdy building. Glass windows and specially designed doors decorated the building as white pillars supported the white brick roof. A white staircase led to the front door. The parking lot wasn't huge, but it would suffice for its purpose. It was only a post office, after all. A young lady walked up the stairs and reached one of the bins nearby.

"Sakura!"

Emerald eyes sought out the owner of the voice. Sakura greeted Tomoyo with a wave and a smile. Tomoyo ran up to her.

"What were you mailing?" Tomoyo asked.

Sakura smiled. She originally planned on telling Tomoyo tonight, but it wouldn't hurt to let her know right now.

"Just a little something for Syaoran."

Sakura winked at Tomoyo who smiled hesitantly. Something had happened just before Syaoran left. That something had brought the two together on friendly terms again.

'And that was the special something that I didn't get to film!' Tomoyo thought.

Tomoyo continued to stare at the white, decorative envelope Sakura was holding. Whatever it was, it must have been important. Even with a quick peek, Tomoyo noticed that Sakura had written in her neatest handwriting, which usually means it was something very, VERY important.

"What is it?" Tomoyo asked her best friend.

Sakura smiled and passed the letter to her friend. Tomoyo quickly looked it over before her eyes widened. Tomoyo squealed for joy as she jumped around. People coming out from the post office stared at the two before walking off. Sakura blushed and smiled shyly as she noticed the people staring at her. Once she finally calmed down, Tomoyo asked another question.

"Do you think he could come? I remember he said he was busy with Li family business once."

Sakura pondered thoughtfully before answering.

"I think it will be all right," she answered coolly as she slipped the wedding invitation into the mail bin.