So here it is! The rewrite of TMM! Thanks to the people who put this story on alert and who reviewed!

Summary: Six years ago, Sakura and Syaoran fought side by side against Clow in the final battle to gain the right over the cards while masking their true identities. Now, Sakura is getting married and Syaoran is desperately trying to find out who she is. Can he make it in time? What new challenges await them now?

Enjoy the story! (:

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura or any of its characters, but I do own the plot of this story and any new characters (:

C H A P T E R O N E

Separated

T H E M A S K E D M I S T R E S S

Roses of all shapes and sizes could be seen surrounding an angelic figure. She looked comfortable despite the fact that flashing lights and a crazy photographer surrounded her.

"Alright Sakura, so I want you to stand right in the middle of the arc with your back to me, but look at the camera. Now smile!" said Kazuki, the photographer.

The sun was high in downtown Tomoeda in a rose garden, popular for weddings. There was an arc that stood tall and elegant with all the shades of pink flowers imaginable. In the middle stood a famous model, known throughout Japan, and possibly the world, for her beauty and elegance. She had on a pearl white wedding dress that fanned out from her legs with light pink diamonds adorning the bottom. From her waist up, the dress fitted her form perfectly and fashioned a halter-top dipped from the back, revealing her slim shoulder blades. The top was encrusted with intricate beadwork and tied together with a light pink bow on her left hip. Her hands were covered with stylish pink elbow-length gloves and she held a bouquet of pink roses that had diamonds and lace sticking out of it elegantly. Her short hair was curled at the edges while a cherry blossom was placed in her hair. Her face had a natural glow to it, which is why she only had light makeup on.

She stood in the middle of the arc with her back to the camera, but her emerald eyes looked straight at the camera.

"All right Sakura, now just play around with your surroundings, act as if this is your wedding, play the role of the bride and just have fun with it," said Kazuki, as he looked over the taken pictures.

Sakura, for the final pose, leaned against the arc and looked straight at the camera with a soft smile playing her lips. Her head was tilting slightly away from the arc, giving her a childish look, which could have anyone's heart beating faster.

"Excellent Sakura!" said Kazuki as he desperately clicked away on his camera. Small cherry blossom petals started to fall from the trees softly, adding a dramatic affect. "Okay Sakura, you're done."

Sakura immediately jumped up and ran towards her trailer to dress back into her regular clothes.

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"Seasons change just like the passing of Time. We all have our destiny's and then we must move on. That`s the way it has always been..."

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A raven-haired beauty sat near the photo shoot, quietly observing her friend. Her pale complexion released obvious concern while her amethyst eyes never failed to follow the model's every move.

Sakura, what the hell happened to you?

Even though she looked gorgeous in her gown, she couldn't help but notice her smiles were too forced. As the model's best friend, manager, and spokesperson, she had every right to be concerned over her wellbeing. She quickly took her phone out and dialed a very familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Hey! How's it going in Hong Kong?" she asked into her phone.

"It's coming along here. I'm about meet up with an old friend," replied a tranquil male voice.

"Does that mean you're meeting with-?"

"Sorry cupcake, but I already told you and Sakura I won't be saying anything on that particular subject. Please accept my deepest apologies."

"Come on! If she knew who he really was, then her life wouldn't have turned into this whole mess! And I know you care for her too, and you don't want to see her broken." The girl unconsciously shot daggers into her phone, as if the other end could feel her glares.

"Stop looking at your phone like that," Well whaddya know? "And have more faith. Whatever is meant to happen will happen."

"What if… what if it's too late?" she hesitated.

"It's never too late," he assured. "Are you doubting the words of the great Eriol-sama?" he teased.

"I appreciate your attempt in lightening up the mood Eriol, but I'm still scared. You're not the one watching Sakura all the time. She's clearly breaking apart."

"Now I never said the road would be smooth," said Eriol. "Sakura's tough, she'll just put her pieces back together again. At least show you believe in her a little, Tomoyo."

"But she's losing it, Eriol!" Tomoyo yelled. "She's getting married next week!"

There was a momentary pause, when Tomoyo heard Eriol chuckle.

"Then that just means he is going to have to go there."

"Huh- wha… Will you stop talking in riddles and speak English?"

"… I'll be there next week, Tomoyo. And remember, anyone who can stand up against Clow is strong enough to handle a love problem." And with that, the conversation ended.

Tomoyo was left dumbstruck. What the hell—he's coming here?

Then, the photo shoot ended, and she saw her best friend run to her trailer. She stood up from her chair and walked after her.

Whether you want to or not, you're going to listen to me Sakura.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Tomoyo.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" answered the model. She was just about to unzip her dress when her best friend walked in.

"Because you went throughout the whole shoot without saying a single word. You're usually gushing over the scenery or the outfit or something. So spill," she said.

"There's nothing wrong Tomoyo, I'm just nervous. That's all," she answered.

Tomoyo looked down to her feet as she looked for the right words to say. Meanwhile, Sakura took the opportunity to slip into the bathroom to change.

"About that," started Tomoyo. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that."

Sakura knew this was coming. Who wouldn't have? After six years of waiting for a guy… and now this.

"I think you're rushing things a bit too much."

"With what?" asked Sakura, trying to act oblivious to it all.

"The wedding! It's in a week Sakura! He proposed to you yesterday! I think that says something," yelled Tomoyo. From the window, the two could see people looking their direction, but they didn't care.

"Well maybe we really love each other," whispered Sakura.

"Oh, cut the crap Sakura! You can fool everyone else, but both of us know very well that you don't love Shiro-san! You're just doing it because-"

"How could you say something like that?" asked Sakura, clearly hurt. "If I didn't love Shiro, then I wouldn't have said agreed to marry him in the first place!"

Tomoyo knew she was going too far, but she had to make her best friend see the truth, one way or another.

"For God's sake Sakura! You're just marrying Shiro to forget *him*!"

Sakura was about to retaliate, but she knew she couldn't, not when he was involved.

"Sakura, please, tell me what's wrong."

"… Today marks six years. The longest years of my life, Tomoyo," Sakura said, her voice breaking.

Tomoyo walked over to Sakura and took her into her arms. She could feel Sakura start to tremble as her head fell onto Tomoyo's shoulder.

"I- I thought I could forget Tomoyo, I really did," said Sakura. "But there was a part of me that always waited, and he never came back." The last part was barely a whisper as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"But Sakura, you can't expect him to come running back to your side. There are a lot of reasons as to why he can't come back," said Tomoyo, as she ran her hand through her hair.

"Why does life suck so much?" asked Sakura. It took all of Tomoyo's strength to not chuckle at her childish response.

"Because life is always hardest to the ones that least deserve it."

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"The greatest happiness is seeing someone you like stay happy. "

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A blue-haired man stood in front of an office door in a large corporation building owned by Li Corps.

Eriol looked at his phone as he hung up, a permanent smirk etched on his face. He was still unable to believe the news. Kinomoto Sakura is getting married? he thought. This should be interesting.

Pocketing his phone, Eriol entered the office that belonged to his best friend, descendant, and most importantly, his boss.

"You wanted to see me boss?" asked Eriol.

"This has been going on every day for the past six years Eriol, you should know what this is about," answered the man. He was sitting in a chair, his back facing Eriol as he looked into the Hong Kong scenery through the wall-length glass windows. The office held huge bookshelves that were adorned with frames and thick books on the left and right side of the room.

"Ahh, that. Well you know, friend dearest, if interrogating me in your office for the past six years hasn't worked out, then maybe you should try a new method?" said Eriol as he sat in the chair that was stationed on his side of the desk.

"And what do you suggest smart one?" asked the man as he turned his chair to face Eriol. His amber eyes were weary, but still held a high sense of determination. His chestnut hair was wild yet sexy, and his body was adorned with a suit that held a nametag with the title CEO printed on it.

"Well first, you have to get off your lazy ass and actually try to look, Syaoran," said Eriol. "Here is what you do..."

Eriol slowly walked up to Syaoran's side of the desk and stood in front of his windows. "You go back to Japan, find her, confess your love for her, and..." Eriol paused and suddenly, "BOOM! Your happily ever after starts there."

"Okay, first: don't yell again unless you want me to die from a heart attack. And two: I don't even know who she is or even if she's with someone. I can't intervene if she's with someone already."

Eriol raised his eyebrow when he heard this. "So you would really stop if she is with someone else?"

Syaoran shrugged. "I mean, I guess."

"Even if she's getting, oh I don't know… married?"

Syaoran did a double take and narrowed his eyes at his blue-haired companion. "You know something I don't."

"She's getting married. Next week. And if I were you, I'd get my ass back to Japan and beat this Shiro guys ass up for taking her from you."

But by then, Syaoran wasn't listening to Eriol's rant. "Hey, Akane," Syaoran said into his phone to his secretary. "Yes, this is Syaoran. Please book a flight to Japan for today and cancel all meetings for next week."

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"Your destinies have already been determined."

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"Sakura? Are you in here?" A tall man with charcoal black hair and blueish-gray eyes entered the trailer to find his fiancé crying on Tomoyo's shoulder. "Aw baby, what's wrong?"

"Oh, she's just nervous, that's all. It's in a week and there is still a lot left to do," answered Tomoyo.

Sakura removed her head from Tomoyo's shoulder and wiped her tears. "Yeah, I'm fine Shiro," she said. "I can't believe it's all coming together so fast, and Tomoyo has been helping me make everything look perfect for the day."

"Speaking of perfect, Kazuki let me see the pictures of you for the Japanese Brides next issue. You looked stunning," said Shiro as he took Sakura into his arms. Sakura frowned slightly at the abrupt show of affection, but didn't move out of the embrace. "He said that you were going to be the cover girl for the issue, though I must say I'm not surprised. You looked gorgeous, especially in that last picture."

Even though Shiro was showering Sakura with compliments, Sakura showed no emotion whatsoever, except for discomfort. She knew Shiro was in love with her, and Sakura cared a lot for Shiro.

But what she felt for him wasn't there for Shiro.

"Thanks," answered Sakura while forcing herself to smile. "Kazuki-san said he wanted the issue to be released before our- our wedding. So it's going to be out in two days."

"That's really great! Now all we need are the dresses, since it's going to be here and the flowers are attraction enough for the people," said Tomoyo. "All we need is a little bit of decorating and voila! You've got yourselves a wedding."

"Great! So, I have to go now honey, I have to make sure the caterers are going to be there for the reception afterwards. I'll see you this afternoon?" asked Shiro.

"Definitely," answered Sakura. Shiro gave Sakura a little peak on the cheek before leaving the trailer.

"Tomoyo, do you mind if I go ahead to my place? I need some time alone," said Sakura once Shiro had left.

"Sure, go ahead." Sakura was about to head out when, "But Sakura," Tomoyo called out, "I- I want you to think about what I told you. Can you really get married with someone you don't love?"

Sakura didn't waste anymore time and left the trailer.

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"You will have all the strength you will need inside. And you have a future only you can create."

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Life sucks. It's as simple as that.

I crawled right into my bed and hid myself under my covers. The wedding is in exactly a week from today, but that wasn't what was on my mind.

What was on my mind was today.

Today, a Saturday, marks six years. Six long years since I've seen him.

You don't know what I'm talking about? Well I'm going to tell you the story, from beginning to end, because this is the story of how I let the love of my life escape right through my fingers.

And I will regret it for the rest of my life.

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So was it any better than the original? I hope so! .

Do you guys think Sakura will be able to pull off a (loveless?) marriage? Or will Syaoran make it in time? Tell me what you guys think in a review! (:

The real action starts NEXT CHAPTER :D

PS: can anyone say who the quotes from above are from? ;)

-Ja!
~SKDiaz