"It was a full moon and my husband was turning out the lights, he liked to do that; it gave him time to be idle for a while. Suddenly, he burst into our room with little Orianna in his arms. He urgently told me someone had broke into the house and was after him as he handed Orianna to me. He barricaded the door with his body since we didn't have any extra furniture in the room besides our heavy bed; it took eight men to move it in. I remember cuddling my daughter in the beams of the full moon through our window as I watched my husband brace himself for the approaching footsteps.

"Finally, the man broke into our room and with a flash of light, killed my husband; inflicting holes in his chest and leaving him to bleed. He died in my arms that night, abandoning me to misery and the struggles of parenting a two year old alone. Since then, I've done my best to raise her and protect my people from suffering the same tragedy as I have."

Kurogane lifted and eyebrow. (A/N: I'm sure you can guess what he's thinking…lol!)

"Excuse me, your Majesty," Marki spoke with as much bravery as she could muster, "permission to comment?"

"Granted."

Marki swallowed hard, she could be in big trouble for what she was about to say but if it could help Syaoran and his girl, it would be worth it. "From what you've explained, I don't….think…that…..what you described…..was the attack of a wizard."

Quieted gasps were heard throughout all bodies. She heard her name whispered by Geneil to her left.

"What?"

Marki felt tears sting her eyes but she persisted, "You described the moon light shinning from your window, I think the flash of light you saw was the moon beams glinting off of a knife. That would also explain the holes in the King's chest…like you illustrated."

Heads flicker to the Queen and back to the brave Marki. All were expecting flames of furry-you never argue with the Queen or any sort of royalty. Never.

Shockingly, the Queen's eyes glossed with tears and her hand covered her mouth. She stepped quickly toward her chair and sat as the mind connected the puzzle. "It makes sense."

The Queen looked up at Syaoran again once more and smiled. "Well, I guess if it's just humans and not wizards committing crimes I suppose I don't need this feather."

She looked beautiful and much younger as she walked down the steps to stop in front of Syaoran. She reached into her clothes and pulled out the glowing feather, "I made a bargain after all. Thank you for letting my spoiled daughter have such a unique gift."

Syaoran beamed with excitement and gratitude as he knelt to the floor on one knee. Kurogane behind him set the pouting blonde on the floor next to him then tossed the heavy white coat over him. They would finally change back!

Syaoran clasped his hand gently around the warmth of the feather and all could feel the barrier zap into nothingness.

In an instant Sakura and Fai were grown and in their original clothes. The guards stirred and Marki froze. Fai was….handsome! (A/N: XD)

/\/\/\/\/\

Now they were all back at Marki's place in her backyard. Geneil had come along too; taking Marki's invitation. Now they all enjoyed a barbeque on her porch.

Syaoran couldn't hide his smile as he could now look into Sakura's eyes and see her as the real Princess she was- not as an infant. She smiled back at him as blush colored her face. "It's great to normal again, Syaoran-kun."

"I agree," He nodded, "It's all thanks to Marki."

"Yes, thank you so much for everything, Marki." Sakura clasped her hands around hers, "I really can't thank you enough."

Marki smiled back with ease; before she was wierded out about the sudden change from infant to girl, "Anytime, really it was nothing. Your man needed my advice anyways."

Sakura's face flushed, she couldn't retort to that.

"Marki," Fai came around next to her and she jumped a little, "I want to thank you too; for your hospitality and friendship. It's scary to think of what Kuro-pu would've done if you weren't there to help."

"If you want scary," Kurogane folded his arms, "try parenting a space-case mini-wizard."

Fai glanced over his shoulder at him then lifted his hand to Marki, "I must also high-five you for smacking the 'old fashioned grump' with that pillow. Way to go!"

She smiled shyly but returned the high-five anyway- ignoring Kurogane's grumbling. "I also have to comment on your dancing, that was so cute!"

"Thank you!"

"I've been really curious," Syaoran's wary voice cut the overflow of relief in the air, "what do you and Fai remember?"

Fai ruffled the side of his bangs, "Bits and pieces is all. I don't recall you cleaning me up, thank all goodness."

Sakura clasped her fingers together tightly as if she could smother the heat escalading in her face. "I remember you carrying me everywhere, Syaoran-kun…….and the funny faces you made while feeding me."

"W-w-wha-wha-What?! I-I-…*chokes*…..*sputters*…...Really?"

"Yes, I also remember when you found me in the after you searched frantically…how relieved you were, I remember what you said."

I will always protect you, Sakura.

"I recall you playing peek-a-boo with us Syaoran! I laughed so hard! Who knew you were so much fun?" Fai nudged his shoulder playfully as the brunette blushed. "Although, my clearest memories involved you, Kur."

Kurogane leaned away, his eyebrows spelling suspicion.

"I can't begin to describe how entertaining it was to cover you in baby powder! You should have seen your face, Kuro-pi!"

"Yeah? You remember that too? When you pissed on my arm?! Or how about the time you streaked naked while we were talking to the Witch?"

"What?" Fai scratched his chin with one finger, "Well, dangit I don't have any memory of it….I think."

"Do you remember kissing Marki too?" Kurogane smirked. The wizard was going to pay for all the parenting torture he had received.

Marki slumped and bowed her head to hide her face. Although, her blushing was still obvious since the part in her hair gave it away; looking like she was sunburned. Geneil was obviously shocked as he just stood there next to the poor girl.

"Hm," Fai thought dramatically for a moment, glancing at Marki. "Nope, I don't think so."

Thank you God.

(A/N: JK, he really did remember but for Marki's sake…ya know.)

"I hope you remember all those times you hit me, bit me, and belched in my face because you will get it!"

Fai laughed, "I remember those times as well!"

"I remember when we were a little older," Sakura smiled, "we went to that one place with all the colors and other children."

"You mean the park? With the playground?" Marki clarified.

"Yes!"

"I made friends there! I couldn't forget how they helped me learn the monkey bars, those were really hard."

"Yes, I remember going down that one slide and you followed after me, Syaoran-kun."

"The best part was when you fell out of it though!" Fai chuckled behind his hand.

Syaoran stared down at his shoes; red. "You saw that?"

"But what I remember most about that time," Sakura giggled one more time and softened, "was the time you saved me from that car."

Syaoran smiled back.

"You're injuries weren't bad were they?"

"Oh no, I barely feel them since they're just scabs and bruises now."

"Thank you so much." Sakura's emerald irises gleamed with building tears.

"You mean you went without me? That's how you got the-? And that's when the- and you were- Wow, it makes sense now!" Marki shook her head, "How'd you fall out of a slide?"

"Hey wizard, do you recall hiding in a fridge?"

"Yes, I do. It was the only place I could think to hide because you were going to punish me for playing in the clean laundry." Fai sighed for good things he remembered…then smiled, "you know that sad-looking bear that Yuko gave us? Did you know I named it after you, Kur?"

"I figured you did, you sick individual."

"I thought it was a nice name, Kur, for that toy. It just screamed 'you' and it fit perfectly." Fai gestured like a designer drawing out his new fashion trend.

"Shut up."

"Oh, Marki," Fai bent over to see her face, "You can keep the picture I drew of all of us. Sorry it's not much to look at, I've always been bad at drawing circles."

Marki giggled, "I don't think it's that bad, at least I know who you were trying to draw. Besides, you drew Kurogane so well- it's quite an alikeness."

"Why must you two harass me? You have no idea what it was like to play 'parent' for a spazz like you and you, being the know-it-all and trying to deal with it was a pain!"

"Rather a 'know-it-all' than a 'know-nothing-at-all'."

/\/\/\/\/\/\

After stomachs were filled with dessert and the sun had long left the center of the sky, the atmosphere became heavy with the sunset.

"We'll never forget you and your kindness, Marki." Sakura smiled and embraced the brunette girl.

"Yes, thank you so much again for everything." Syaoran smiled.

"Going to work with you was so much fun!" Mokona snuggled against her cheek.

"Thanks for taking care of me!" Fai grinned sheepishly. "And thank you for sharing the stash of cookies you have in your closet."

"Thanks." Kurogane nodded.

"You're all very welcome. I really hope to see you again." Marki wiped away a heavy tear at her tear duct.

"Me too," Geneil bowed.

"You take care of her, ya hear?" Mokona cheered before the wings sprouted.

Marki and Geneil blushed when they made eye contact and quickly looked away.

"I will," Geneil nodded.

Swirls of magic encircled them like water enchanted with pixy dust, slowly covering them up until finally absorbing them out of sight. The last images of them smiling and waving good-bye imprinted in Marki's mind. She missed them terribly and couldn't hold the tears any longer. Geneil smiled and lead her head to his shoulder and held her tightly. "Is this okay?"

"Yes, it feels good actually, thank you."

"Always."

/\/\/\

The Tsubasa fellowship flew through the tunnel of dimensions in silence….until Syaoran saw Sakura looking over at him. She didn't look away but smiled.

"What is it, Princess?"

"I remember I had this terrible dream and it startled me awake. As a little as I was I knew even in that state, you would be there to protect me. What I'm trying to tell you is that, I remember going to you for comfort and…" Sakura blushed, "you held me close all night long….protecting me from loneliness."

Syaoran's eyes widened and his heart leapt in his chest. He wanted to embrace her so much but he knew he couldn't; he smiled instead.

"Thank you so much, Syaoran."

"Anytime….Sakura."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Thank you for all your reviews! I really appreciate it!! Many, many, many, apologies that it took me for-freaking-ever to finish, udate, ect. but thanx again to the thousandth power!!! Hope you really enjoyed it!!