Here is the epilogue - dedicated the Mrs. Radcliffe 13 who sort of requested it in a way. As you will see, when I get myself a hook/theme or whatever you want to call it, I'm dedicated to it and hold onto it right to the end.

I suspect that the love story here wasn't as developed as most of you (and I include myself in those disappointed) would have liked it to be, and I'm sorry about that (if you want to see me do the whole fall in love thing properly go read Sakura: More Than You Think You Are). One thing I must stay is that the main part of the story was in fact the THINGEE's rather than the love story which is kind of a strange thing for it to be. Thanks to everyone who kept reading in spite of this fact - thanks for keeping me writing!

I think this chapter was probably more necessary than I initially realized and brings things round full circle. Sorry if it's not very good.

DISCLAIMER: Virgo Writer does not own CCS. That's all . . . not feeling all that witty today . . . final chapters make me sad . . .

Not What You Think

Epilogue: SERENDIPITY REVEALED

Tomoyo looked anxiously at the door, then the clock, and then back to the door once again. Sakura should have been here by now and it made her very, very nervous that she was nowhere to be found.

"Calm down," Eriol told her softly, looking somewhat perturbed. "I'm sure she's fine."

"How can you be sure?" Tomoyo replied, on the verge of some sort of panic attack. "Sakura isn't here and I don't know what that means," she stressed painfully. Tomoyo was not one to reconcile with uncertainty in the best of times.

"I don't know if her not being here is a good thing or a bad thing," she explained, pacing before Eriol. "I mean, is she late because things are going well or is she late because everything has gone wrong and she's somewhere wallowing in three gallons of triple fudge ripple somewhere on the other side of town?

"And I've called her seventeen times!" Tomoyo continued, panic rising in her voice. "And all I keep getting is her stupid voicemail. 'Hey it's Sakura; if you're listening to this message then I guess I can't get to the phone right now . . . or I'm sleeping' yada yada yada. And dammit, I'm pretty sure she is not sleeping right now and if she is sleeping then I definitely need an update pronto because I already sent Touya to check her house and she's not sleeping there!"

"Breathe," Eriol said calmly, the very antithesis of Tomoyo. "I'm sure that she's ok and I'm sure she's on her way to give you your update."

Tomoyo did as she was told and began to look slightly less flustered. "You know I'd feel a little better if you didn't look so damn worried yourself," she told Eriol as she gave him a playful glare.

"Oh sorry," Eriol replied sheepishly, "it's not for Sakura. I'm looking for Syaoran – he said he'd be here and Mei's been here for like an hour, but he's nowhere in sight."

"Maybe he's late," Tomoyo offered helpfully.

"No," he replied looking more perturbed. "Syaoran's the most punctual guy I know. Hmmm . . . maybe he's still mad about the candle thing."

"Is there anyone you haven't tried to pull that stunt on?" Tomoyo sighed as she lowered herself into a seat.

Eriol chuckled. "A few."

"You know it's strange," he said distracted as he sat down next to Tomoyo, "me and Meilin have been trying to get those two together in the same place for years and now that we finally have, it's all in vain."

"Why?" Tomoyo asked, a slight slyness to her voice. She knew how much Eriol hated her to know what a hopeless romantic he was.

"Well, it was really Meilin who came up with it all, but when I thought about it I knew she was right," Eriol said cryptically. "Sakura is pretty much perfect for Syaoran in every possible way, and it would only take him a second with her to realise that, which is pretty much all that Meilin's plan consisted of . . ."

"But you and Meilin are always complaining about Syaoran being grouchy and mean," Tomoyo asked, "how is that perfect for Sakura?"

"Well, he's not really grouchy or mean," Eriol said, but changed his mind as Tomoyo gave him a sceptical look. "Well, he's a little grouchy, but Sakura could change that. And it would be all cool and romantic because Xiao Lang is my best friend, and Sakura is . . ."

"What did you just say?" Tomoyo asked, cutting Eriol off midsentence.

"What did I just say when?" Eriol replied, not catching on at all (which was of course understandable because he had not been made privy to many of the key details of the plot).

"That thing you said just after you said it would be 'cool and romantic'," she replied, the urgency evident in her voice.

"That Syaoran's my best friend?" Eriol asked, looking at her suspiciously. He really could not understand it when Tomoyo got like this sometimes.

"Only you didn't say Syaoran . . ." Tomoyo said tightly, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Oh, sorry I must have let it slip," Eriol said, brushing it off as if that small slip was not incredibly vital to everything they had been talking about before Eriol took them off on some weird tangent. "When I said Xiao Lang I mean Syaoran, it's nothing to worry about."

"Eriol you are infuriating," she sighed as she quickly got up and walked away. "I have to talk to Meilin."

"Meilin, where's your cousin?" Tomoyo asked cautiously, as she found her dark haired friend.

"Not really sure," Meilin said slowly, not meeting Tomoyo's eye. She desperately tried to look for something to get her away from the violet haired girl, sure that if she stayed too long she would find herself revealing everything. And as much as she wanted to be the first to spread the good news, it was not hers to reveal.

"Why do you ask?" Meilin added, suspiciously.

"No reason," Tomoyo added, her own voice suspicious. "Just wondering what was keeping him. Eriol's getting worried," she added to make her story more believable.

"Oh, well, guess he's running late," Meilin replied, looking up to meet Tomoyo's eye.

The two stood for a moment in a stalemate, eyeing one another up and down. Each of them was waiting for the other to break.

"You know, don't you?" Meilin asked, watching Tomoyo carefully.

"Maybe," Tomoyo replied, not giving anything away. "What do you know?"

"I know that I probably shouldn't say anything unless you really do know," Meilin replied, she too playing her cards close to her chest.

"Well, I know . . ." Tomoyo began but just sighed, shaking her head. "Simple yes or no question," she said determinedly. "Is your cousin Sakura's mystery man?"

"Yes!" Meilin replied excitedly taking Tomoyo's hands in her own. The two jumped up and down excitedly and they screamed loudly at the top of their lungs: "KAWAII!!!!"

~*©*~

Sakura sighed as she stood outside the building that encased all her closest friends and family. Her grip on Syaoran's hand tightened as she tried to take deep calming breaths.

"Do we really have to go in there?" she asked pleadingly, turning her hopeful emerald eyes on Syaoran. "We could just go back to the garden."

Syaoran silently shook his head and Sakura sighed again. "But what do we say?" Sakura fretted. "How do we explain this? And what about Meilin? Do you think she's mad about earlier? And don't even get me started on Tomoyo. And Touya? He's going to kill you."

Syaoran smiled softly at her fretting, kindly holding in any laugh like emissions. Instead he just took her hand in both of his and kissed it lightly in a simple gesture that calmed her immensely.

"Don't worry about them," he said assuredly, dealing with one question at a time, "we don't have to explain anything to anyone – not even Touya. And Meilin is not mad. She's actually feeling quite happy with herself for being the one to work everything out. And Tomoyo – that's Eriol's girlfriend, right?"

"Fiancée," Sakura corrected.

"Right, well, I've always found her to be very observant, so she's probably well ahead of the game.

"Don't you find it weird that we have so many friends in common but this is the first time we've met," he asked suddenly as the thought occurred to him.

Sakura shrugged in response. "I just figure that the universe was keeping us apart until just the right moment."

Syaoran smiled, about to respond, when a loud scream from inside the building interrupted them.

"KAWAII!!!!!!"

"I guess she knows," Sakura said with a wry smile.

"She doesn't know everything," Syaoran said, kissing her cheek and leading her into the building.

~*©*~

"Tomoyo! Meilin! What on earth are you two carrying on about?" Eriol asked as the two girls screamed at each other in the centre of the room.

"Only the greatest news EVER!" Tomoyo cried. "It's exactly like you said – they're perfect for one another. Sakura and . . ."

"Syaoran?" Eriol said, cutting her off.

"What? How'd you find out?" Meilin asked, feeling slightly put out by Eriol being up to date. She couldn't believe that Syaoran had told Eriol everything, when she had to practically drag every detail out of him.

Eriol sighed, directing their attention to the entrance where their eyes alighted upon Syaoran and Sakura, arms wrapped comfortably around one another as they searched the room for Tomoyo and Eriol. Sakura spotted them first, and tugged Syaoran towards them to which he happily obliged.

"You two have some explaining to do?" Tomoyo said sternly, although it was completely subverted by the brilliant smile on her face.

"Well," Sakura began softly. "It was like fate, but not so simple. It was almost serendipitous, but not as funny. It was a chance encounter, but not the way you think. And with a simple slip of the mouse," Sakura said with a smile as she caught Syaoran's eye, "my life was changed forever . . ."

~ 10 Years Later ~

My god! I can't believe we're sending around one of these things again. My first thought was to just ignore it completely, but seeing as one of these THINGEE's was responsible for so much of my subsequent happiness it seemed only reasonable to do as it said.

TELL US ABOUT YOU

What time is it? 12:10pm. I can't believe I'm using my lunch break for such trivial things. Although somebody did just cancel our lunch date so lets blame him.

*Name*: Sakura Li

*Nicknames*: Ying Fa, but of course only one person could ever and would ever call me that. Luckily Saku died a death; it really was the worst nickname ever.

*Parent's names*: Fujitaka and Nadeshiko

*Siblings*: Just Touya.

*Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake*: 31 – yes I'm over the hump, but seeing as 31 is apparently not as important as 30 there are no single candles shaped like a '31' and so I did in fact have 31 candles. Apparently some people never change – Eriol you are not invited to my next birthday, and if I do change my mind and invite you, you are not allowed anywhere near my cake!

*Date that you regularly blow them out (birthday):* April 1st.

*Pets*: Kero-chan died recently so we are currently in the market for a new pet. I've been looking into the greyhound adoption service – I've been told that ex-race dogs are the most loyal and gentle dogs you could ever get in spite of whatever cruelty they endured in the past. I like the idea of giving them a second chance at happiness.

*Height*: 5'5 and a half - yes I am still a 5'6" try hard and I don't care if you're taller than me Tomoyo so :P.

*Eye colour*: Tomoyo says emerald. Xiao Lang says they are the colour of the deepest oceans and as much as I love you Tomoyo-chan, I'm going to have to go with Xiao Lang on this one just because it's so much more poetic.

*Piercing*: Just my ears, and I am very grateful these days that I didn't get anything else done. Thirty year olds with eyebrow piercing and tongue studs are not sexy.

HAVE YOU EVER...?

*Had the drink Calypso Breeze*? Still no. Eriol tried to make me get one once for some unfathomable reason but I think he was just trying to get me to order it for him so that the barman didn't think he was a pussy.

*Been in love*? Yes, and he is very much aware of it, even though I'm very much annoyed at him for cancelling our lunch date Xiao-kun.

*Been toilet-papering*? My answer was no when I was 21 and that has not changed.

THE FUTURE:

*School*: I guess that's kind of relevant. I'm currently looking into a teaching position at University of Hong Kong – well they suggested it and I'm sort of just weighing up the pro's and con's of possibly lecturing in front of hundreds of people.

*Where you want to live*: Anywhere as long as I'm with my family and friends. One day I hope to move back to Tomodea, to grow old there, but I think I'll miss the city too much if I left now.

*How Many Kids You Want*: Maybe one or two more. Xiao Lang still hasn't got his heir, so I doubt he'll give me any rest until he gets it.

*girl names*: Kimika, what with Kasumi, Ayame and Nadeshiko already being taken.

*boy names*: Xioa Hu. If we have a boy we will definitely call him Xiao Hu. I think I'm almost as anxious as he is for a little boy to bounce around and play with. Not that I don't love the girls, but there's just something special about boys.

*What Kind Of Job you want*: well like I said earlier I'm sort of thinking about that right now. Xiao Lang thinks that I should come work for him, but I think if I did we'd both get very little work done. Although I do a little work for him on the side – it keeps his lawyers on their toes.

*You Want To Get Married*: redundant much?

WHO:

*Makes you laugh The Most*: Ayame – she's so like Xiao Lang it makes me laugh. They make the exact same face whenever they're trying to get their way.

*Do You Go To For Advice or to talk About Things*: Tomoyo and Meilin still, and I have to admit that when I do need their help they still give the best advice.

*Who Do You Hate*: nobody worth mentioning. It'll pass.

*Knows the Most about You*: Xiao Lang.

*Is Your Best Friend*: Tomoyo.

*Has It Easier, Guys or Girls*: In spite of childbirth I still maintain that girls have it easier – that is clearly just something we much endure in order to even things out a little.

WHICH ONE?

*Croutons or Bacon Bits*: Croutons. I don't care if the questions referring to soup, it still doesn't make sense to me to put bacon bits in anything.

*2 doors or 4 (on a car)*: My car has four so I guess that's the answer.

*Mr. Pibb or Dr. Pepper*: what's wrong with plain old coca-cola these days?

*Coffee or Ice-cream*: It's the middle of winter, so right now the thought of ice-cream is completely unappealing, where as coffee is seeming more appealing by the second.

*Shampoo or Conditioner*: who only uses one?

*Bridges or Tunnels*: I still don't like tunnels. I don't know why, I just don't.

*One pillow or two*: two and a half

*Adidas or Nike*: Adidas I guess.

*Nike or Reebok*: Nike

*Adidas or Reebok*: What is with these questions?

WORD ASSOCIATION (FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND)

*Rock*: a-by-baby. Guess it's mummy brain or something.

*Green*: Xiao Lang. I don't know what it is about him, but whenever I think green it always makes me think of him.

*Wet*: Tears but in a good way. Like crying when you're happy, or the first cry of my daughters. A reassuring sort of cry.

*Cry*: See above.

*Peanut Butter*: It makes me think of this THINGE and that word for having peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth and of course a certain little wolf, but what doesn't bring him to mind?

FAVORITES:

*Salad Dressing*: French dressing

*Colour of socks*: white because they go with anything

*Memory*: my wedding day. I was late as usual, but I think everyone was expecting that, and Xiao Lang always maintained that I was well worth the wait.

*Toothpaste*: the multicoloured kind.

*Food*: dim sum and Lou mein

*Song at the moment*: 'No Air' by Chris Brown and Jordan Sparks (do you remember her? I think she won an idol or something). It was on the radio today and I was totally reminded of how much I love that song.

*TV show*: right now it's Sesame Street because I just watch what the kids watch. I can't believe that that show is still on, although there are quite a few characters that I don't remember from when we were kids.

*Toothbrush*: the electric, sonic kind.

*Subject in School*: I used to love foreign languages, which I guess worked out quite handily. I'm fluent in Japanese, Cantonese (of course) and French (which is the international language for some reason that I never understood) and semi-fluent in English.

*Flower*: Ayame (Iris) and Nadeshiko (Pink carnation) – they are my favourite little flowers.

*Colour*: Amber (she says ever so coyly)

*NON-ALOHOLIC DRINK*: Traffic Light – just because it doesn't have alcohol in it doesn't mean it can't be fun. I've even gotten very good at making them myself in spite of some initial set backs.

*Sport to Watch*: Martial arts – clearly someone has been influencing me.

*Country Song*: Japan's if it means 'country' country. "Last Kiss" if it means 'country and western' country.

*Sesame Street Character*: Cookie Monster – although he seems to be dumped from modern Sesame Street. First they took away his cookies, and I guess a monster going through cookie withdrawal just doesn't make good television.

*Disney Character*: Daisy Duck.

*Warner Brothers*: Tweety and Roadrunner

RANDOM QUESTIONS

*When was your last hospital check in*: I do try to avoid hospitals, but my husband makes sure I get regular hospital checks considering my mothers condition. My last one was round my birthday, which means I'm not due another until next year.

*Do you drink*: Yes, but only if it doesn't taste like alcohol. So pretty much desert wine and alco-pops. I do like vodka mudshakes, they taste just like chocolate milk and I love chocolate milk.

*How many times did you fail your permit and Drivers License Test?*: I got it eventually, isn't that enough? Xiao Lang used to insist that the reason I didn't get it was a sign that I just wasn't supposed to drive, but I showed him. Although I so rarely drive so maybe he was right.

*Where do you see your self in 10 years?*: Maybe as a judge – although I guess I'd probably be a little young to be a judge at 41 years, but it's worth a shot. I just realized that in 10 years time I will have three teenage daughters – that is a somewhat scary thought. I sense that the twins are going to be a handful. I think I'll be safe with Kasumi, because she's like me, but the twins are too like Xiao Lang sometimes and that seems somewhat discouraging.

*Who is the last person that you got mail from before this one*? Tomoyo complaining that I don't come to see her often enough and threatening to kidnap me if I don't give in to her demands.

*Have you ever been convicted of a crime*? Technically but it doesn't really count (at least not in the way the question is asking) because it was a march against human rights violations which turned a bit ugly (there was tear gas involved) and due to some business to do with the UN nobody ended up getting prosecuted. It was very complicated.

*Which single store would you choose to max your credit card*? I would and often do max my credit card at the antique store round the corner from Xiao Lang's office. I can't help myself – I go by and I see something I know he'd like and I can't help myself; or they have these gorgeous little porcelain dolls that the girls would just adore and of course I have to get three of them (one each) so I have to get them specially ordered and in no time I'm spending almost 7,000 (US$900) on porcelain dolls or Chinese swords. I spoil them all too much.

*What type of car you drive now*? a very sensible prius sedan – it's a hybrid.

*What do you do most often when you are bored*? Bake. I told you I spoil my lot.

*Name the person that you are friends with that lives the farthest away from you*: We're all now at the age where we are settling down for good. Tomoyo and Eriol I guess – I can't believe you guys moved to England permanently! I never thought Tomoyo would be able to stand leaving Japan for good, but then I guess I never thought I would either.

*Are You in A Gang or Club*: does the law society count, because we are soooo hard.

*What Is Your Favourite Kind Of Clothes*: pyjama's. I love pyjama's. And little tiny baby shoes.

*Are you Close Minded*: nope

*Are You Open Minded*: Of course.

*Are You a Player*: Really?

*Can u be in love with 2 people at the same time*? No.

*Humiliating Moment*: Probably the same as my favourite memory – being late for your own wedding is rather humiliating.

*Who do you think will respond to this fastest*? No one. I suspect most of you will have similar thoughts to me in seeing this. Alternatively, Tomoyo. She is very punctual in replying to emails.

*Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to send back*? Most of you.

*what time is it now*: 12:45. Still have 15 minutes more lunch to go. Ne, Xiao-kun now I'm all lonely with nothing to do.

*who's most likely not going to read this*: Again, I suspect most of you.

*goals for this year*: to make up my mind.