Chapter 12

The New Prophecy

It had been two weeks since I had woken up. My energy had slowly returned and true to his promise, Syaoran had not left my side. My power was still weak but strong enough to support Kero and Yue. Shortly after waking up I found out the harsh true about my cards when I also noticed my new cards were no longer in my possession.

Eriol told me he had taken them and sealed them until I was able to support them too and Syaoran admitted he had the Sakura Cards all this time, also sealed in his magical compass.

As much as I understood why they did it, I couldn't help the anger I felt and the sadness that overtook me at the realization that Syaoran had kept such a big secret from me. In truth I was very hurt and he knew it.

He had assured me he only did so to protect me and told me he will release the cards slowly back to me as my power recovered. I wasn't ready to forgive him yet but I couldn't stand being angry at him for long. He promised I could do anything to him in turn to make this right but I couldn't think of anything to ask of him so we agreed that I had a free pass in the future should something come to mind.

My father had arrived in Hong Kong a few weeks ago. He had already been told of my condition shortly after the battle so he came to see me and to make sure everything was fine. It was strange having everyone here but it felt good all the same, as if my family was complete if just for a short time.

With Meiling as my self-appointed helper by my side once more, I had to admit I had been able to recover more comfortably, particularly considering that at first I needed significant help with my hygiene due to my lack of strength. In a few weeks' time I was able to move by myself with ease.

At my quick recovery, Eriol and his guardians returned to England as he promised he will see me again once I was strong enough to take control of the new cards.

Things seemed to be looking up, but a particular question kept playing in my mind with each passing day until the time came that I would ask it, and such day was today.

"Thank you for meeting with me Yelan-sama" I told her as I entered her office, happy that she had made time to meet with me after all that had happened which I knew in turn kept her quite busy.

"Not a problem Sakura-chan, please take a seat, what can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if it is time for me to go home... our enemy has left and there is no more danger"

"I see... well that depends on you of course. You can always go back to Japan but you must know this is your home also and if you wish to stay, you are more than welcome to do so".

I was going to respond when Yelan continued "However, there is something else you must know before making your decision. I am afraid your brother must be the one to tell you this and we need others to hear it too"

She caught me off guard and my hopes diminished as I thought something else was wrong, perhaps I was never meant to live in peace... As these thoughts invaded my mind, Yelan stood up and had a maid outside of her door call for the others. We waited in silence until Syaoran, Touya, and my father arrived.

"Is it time yet?" Touya asked Yelan when he saw me inside the room.

"Yes, Sakura wonders if it is time to return home. I think she can as long as she knows about your vision"

"I see" Touya replied, not at all convinced with the idea.

"What's going on?" I asked in fear, really hoping the situation at hand was not as bad as I was thinking.

"Sakura. I had a new vision not long ago, about you... and the kid" He finished with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"I talked to Yelan-san about it because something didn't make sense but after discussing it we learned more about our past with the help of dad."

"I don't understand what you mean..."

"Let me speak, this is hard for me to say okay?" He paused, I nodded in understanding and waited for him to continue. "As you know mother died very young, she had grown sick way before she met father, we came to find out that such sickness was no coincidence. Now that we know she had powers we were able to deduce her problem was the magic itself. Just like you, she struggled to control it and grew to become more powerful making her body unstable. Her best years were when she became a mother and her health improved for a time as well..." Touya paused once more, as if it was painful recalling his memories of our dear mother.

Seeing how difficult this was being for Touya, Yelan took the lead once more.

"We think her lifespan was short because of her inability to control her magic but being able to share her power by giving birth to you and your brother helped extend it. Had she had ways to release her magic either through objects such as the cards or guardians she may have lived longer, or if she had had another child"

"You are showing the same problem, for what father told me around the same age mother did. We believe giving your power to Akiho Shinomoto and having as many cards as you do along with your guardians has helped and will help for a time... but that won't last forever" Touya concluded.

"Are you saying I will die young too?" I asked in fear, unable and unwilling to accept their explanation. "What did you see?" I asked him, now desperate for more answers.

"I saw you and him with your child... you still quite young" I could tell this conversation was as difficult for him as it was for me. "I think you will need to have children soon, when your power gets out of control again"

"How much time do I have?" I asked him

"A few years at most. Because your power continues to grow so rapidly it's hard to tell exactly" He replied in a whisper.

"Impossible, I am only 14 years old!" I paused, trying to hold myself together at the news "does this mean I am to have many children? will I die like mother when I no longer do?"

"Calm down Sakura-chan, I know this news are difficult for you but we think you can learn to control your magic more and perhaps gain time until we find a solution" Yelan told me, trying to calm down the overwhelming emotions that were overtaking me.

I looked to my side to see Syaoran for support, wondering if he knew too but soon realizing by his expression that this was the first time he heard of it.

"Sakura" My father called and spoke for the first time "Your mother was alone, only sharing her secret with me who didn't know much. I know this is hard to process and it pains me to see how it hurts you too but I have to have faith that with the support of the Li family and your friends we can find a solution someday."

"I just... didn't think that things would turn out this way" I confessed "How can something so beautiful be needed of me for such a selfish reason as to save myself? Why can't everything be normal?" I was in hysterics as I said this and without being able to control myself I ran away, away from that room, away from them, away from everything.

I knew it was unlike me to react that way but the emotions I was feeling mixed with the stress of the battle and my own weakness were weighting on me as of late, the added news making me a mess.

I ran without knowing where to go, heading for the gardens I found peaceful without meaning to. I stopped suddenly needing to catch my breath, my physical endurance gone after the battle. I was crying and had difficulty controlling my sobs, almost forgetting I wasn't the only one affected by this news. As if called by my own realization, Syaoran caught up to me with a worried expression on his face.

"Sakura... are you okay?"

"I don't know" I told him honestly as I dropped myself to the ground near a tree, trying to calm myself down. He took a seat next to me before speaking.

"You don't have to bear a child if you don't want to Sakura... perhaps there is another way... we just need to keep looking..."

"It's not that I don't want to be a mother eventually, it's just that it's too soon" I told him, blushing a little as I said so.

"I know... we will find a solution, we have to, I will do whatever it takes to protect you"

"What about you Syaoran? Are you okay with this?"

"I agree we are young but if that is what it takes to keep you alive I will do anything"

"Do you think there is a solution?"

"I don't know..." He answered, his eyes staring at some point in the distance as if losing himself in his own thoughts.

"If this is a vision like my dreams are to me... does it mean that this will happen regardless of what we want?" I asked him, interrupting his thoughts.

"It is possible..." He admitted "Do you dislike the idea that much?" He asked me, I could detect a hint of sadness in his voice.

"No" I admitted "It's just that I wish for things to happen with time, like it happens for others, you know... for normal people" I finished, blushing yet again as I said so.

"We are not normal so it isn't really strange for things to be quite different for us... Sakura... I love you. Whether we are meant to join our lives today or in many years to come my feelings won't change. I will respect whichever decision you make and will do my best to find a way for you to be happy and live a long happy life"

"Syaoran... I love you too" It was the first time I said it and I felt liberated by the words. He made to grab me and moved me towards him, holding me in his arms after the words left my lips. I could tell he was very happy.

We stayed like that for some time, I had completely calmed down by the time we heard them, barely able to remove myself from his grasp before they found us in a compromising position. My father and Yelan were walking towards us most likely to continue were we had left of. Syaoran held my hand in support as we braced ourselves for what was to come.

"Sakura. I completely understand how difficult it is to come to terms with what you been told but we still have a matter to address" Yelan told me, her face serious.

"Now that you know everything, it may be wise to give you some time to think about your decision. Your father has given his permission for you to continue living here if you wish to do so or you may return with him to Japan. However, I think it would be best to keep in mind what you were told. If you decide to stay we will do things right so that the Clan supports what is sure to come. If you stay an official engagement is to take place."

"I of course give my blessing if you decide to do that Sakura" my father interjected "But as your father I will never force you to do anything you don't want to do, so if you want to come home with me we will do so... but as your father, I fear what could happen to you if you did..."

"Don't you think I am too young... to get married... to be a mother?" I asked him, still embarrassed by the conversation.

"I do admit you are young and I would have hoped that if this was to take place, you at least would be much older... however, your mother was also young when she married me. She was 16 years old then so I would never be opposed to this"

"I... I don't know what to do..." I told him, still confused with the situation.

"Why don't you both think about it since it affects the both of you? I will be here for another week before I have to return to work. You can tell me of your decision before then" My father told us and he and Syaoran's mother left.

Even though we didn't talk about it again for the rest of that day, I couldn't help but think about it the whole time. I could see myself living in China and having somewhat of a normal life with Syaoran. Perhaps we could return to school and do whatever it was teenagers do in their free time. Touya had said we had a few years of peace so maybe we could enjoy each other for a time before having to join our lives in that way. I was sure once I had a child I would no longer have the same freedoms so I was scared at the prospect. Was I ready? I wasn't too sure.

The next day I had woken up early, I really didn't get much sleep that night and could not relax with the many thoughts invading my mind. As I was leaving my room intent of going downstairs to get a bite to eat I almost jumped in surprise when I saw the face of my guardian looking back at me, impassive as usual with his aloof expression and arms crossed in front of him.

"Yue!" I chided "you scared me, where you waiting for me?"

"Yes, I wanted to talk to you mistress, is that okay?"

"Of course" I told him "Let's go outside and take a walk, I don't want to wake anyone up. He nodded in agreement and we made our way to the courtyard which had been renovated while I was unconscious. There was no longer any trace of the battle we had fought just over a month ago.

"What is it?" I asked him finally breaking the silence "Is something bothering you?"

"I can sense your emotions, I was worried"

"Ahh" I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I wasn't planning to share anything with anyone but I felt as if this was the right thing to do now that the opportunity presented itself, perhaps it could do me good to talk about it.

"I assume you know" I said.

"Yes, your brother told Yukito... I just don't understand why you are so worried"

"It's not an easy decision to make" I told him.

"Don you love him?" He asked bluntly.

"Yes... but..."

"Then I don't understand. If you are destined to be with him and you love him, why can't you marry? That is sure to not only bring you happiness but also save you."

"Yes, you are right... but if I do have a child and we don't find a solution then will I leave Syaoran, my child. and all of you behind?"

There, I had finally said it, the biggest fear of all, that even in doing what made sense my end was imminent and I will leave behind others just as my mother had done, just like she left me with a loneliness I will never get passed.

"I believe we will find a solution before your time is up" He told me "You have beat the odds time and time again, it is quite possible we will figure this out too, even if it takes us some time"

His words were comforting, it was true I needed to have more confidence in all of us including myself, perhaps the future didn't have to be that grim.

"Thank you Yue" He didn't say anything else but I knew he heard me. He left me in silence while I continued to think of his words.

Nobody pressed the issue with me that day either for what I was thankful. I was sure Kero and Syaoran's sisters did not know, otherwise I was sure they would have come to me already. By night I knew what to do and so I gathered my courage and went to him.

I knew he was giving me space as to not pressure me but I had missed him immensely. I knocked in his door softly, hoping he was awake and that no one else had heard me. He opened the door a few second later in alarm.

"Sakura?... are you okay?"

"Yes" I told him with a smile I knew he could not resist "Can I come in?" I asked as I looked both ways in the hall, making sure nobody saw me.

"Yes, of course" he said as he opened the door fully to let me in. I had never been in his room before but even if I had not known where it was, I could tell it was his as soon as I stepped inside. I could smell him all over the place, it was tidy and full of interesting objects that looked quite old, the green tones in the walls reminding me it was his favorite color. I sat on his bed and waited for him to join me.

"Syaoran, I am sorry... for reacting the way I did the other day, you know it isn't that I don't want to be with you... I just have so many fears"

"I know" he told me, trying to be understanding.

"You must have fears of your own too yet I only thought of me..." I continued "I have given it a lot of thought and well... I have decided... that if you will have me... I will be happy to be with you" I concluded in a whisper, my embarrassment showing. I was looking down afraid to look directly into his eyes, afraid of what he thought we should do and how my words may affect him. I didn't hear anything for some time which forced me to finally look at him and when I did he finally spoke.

"I wanted you to make your choice without me weighting on it, but to tell you the truth I was the one dying to say this" He opened a drawer from the table next to his bed and reached for a small box he presented to me before speaking once more.

"Sakura, I love you more than life itself, if you are okay with me, please allow me to be your husband, to devote myself to you forever and in return I promise I will try my best to make you happy each day of our lives together"

He said this as he opened the box revealing a beautiful golden ring with a diamond in the middle. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He asked, already on one knee in front of me. His eyes sparkling with hope.

I froze for a moment not believing this had happened "Yes" I told him, barely getting the word out in my excitement. He removed the ring from the box and placed it on my finger while lifting me from the bed and kissing me with such passion it made me dizzy. Our bodies so close I started to feel light headed, not wanting to let go. We were kissing each other so fervently, we only stopped for a second to catch our breaths and as we did so, Syaoran removed himself slowly from my body in embarrassment and turned away before apologizing "I am sorry" he told me "I didn't mean to act like a beast"

I approached him from behind and hugged him, my heart still beating very fast "No, it was definitely my fault too" I laughed "So... how long has this ring been there?" I asked him, unable to hold back a giggle.

"A while" he admitted, blushing.

I held his hand and led him back to his bed, not wanting to be away from him for one minute, consumed in my own happiness.

"Sakura... I don't think this is a good idea" He told me, I could tell he was very embarrassed too.

"I will be good, I promise... it's just that tonight is a special day and I want to be with you for as long as possible" He understood then, what I wanted, so we laid in bed for many more hours talking and laughing, holding each other until my lack of sleep claimed me. It had been a long time since I had a happy dream but that night I dreamed of our future, a future where we were happy.

...

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading my story up to this point. This is essentially the end; however, I have another chapter in the works with an epilogue.

I did want to take a moment to clarify a few things. As you know I deviated somewhat from the manga and the reason for that is that the complexity of the plot CLAMP laid for us was too much for me. For example, I didn't include Nadeshiko's key which I am sure will be paramount to the development of the plot. I also found it challenging to include more dialogue and for the other characters to have more involvement. I never realized how difficult it was to include everyone so I am sorry for falling short on this aspect. Lastly, I hope my reasoning behind all the events that took place made sense and that all the loose ends were addressed, I did my best despite the challenge.

Now... I know you may be wondering why there is something else wrong happening to Sakura when we are nearing the end. I decided to include it because I wanted to explore the fact that the manga clearly states that powerful sorcerers are followed by calamity and it made sense to include her mother's death as a warning to that end. The epilogue will explore a bit more of this but will not necessarily include a whole new battle per say so this can be left open-ended for your imagination or perhaps a new adventure in the future.

With that said I hope my story didn't disappoint. Please leave me a review with your thoughts and opinions and a big thanks to all of you who took the time to review, follow the story or made it your favorite.