WOW it's been nearly two years since I've updated anything, and I'm so sorry about this extremely belated post. Honestly, I don't know why, but somehow I've managed to keep a few fans who reviewed even until now. Thank you, because you really throw that guilt thing in the works :P. Please expect more to come. In honor of Princess Sakura's birthday (April 1, and btw, happy April Fool's everybody, although this is really no joke), I'm finally embarking on actually completing my three series, starting with this one. Sidebar, I have no idea why I didn't complete this one before. It was practically done a long time ago. Please enjoy this chapter of Sakura no Hanazakari.

.oOo.

"Impressive," Eriol remarked as Sakura marked a region of the map of the Mei Kingdom with another green flag. "In only a few short weeks, we have already managed to reclaim most of the original Clow lands. I daresay that the final battle at the castle is coming up soon."

Syaoran nodded in agreement. "The Daidouji financing a bulk of the war allowed us to upgrade our weapons, and made it easier to defeat the Mei soldiers with minimal loss. We plan to attack the castle next week."

Sakura and Tomoyo exchanged glances and reached for the other's hand. Tomoyo gave Sakura a reassuring squeeze. "Just one more week until you resume your rightful place… Princess Sakura," Tomoyo smiled.

"It still makes me nervous. Will you be there yourself for this battle, Syaoran?" Sakura worried. "Xiao-Mei may not possess Clow magic, but she is still a fearsome opponent and has her own brand of spells. Perhaps you shouldn't be there, at least just for this one."

"I can't have that," Syaoran grunted as he pored over several other maps with topographical landmarks and strategized. "I may be the prince, and that is more than a mere title. It means that I am the living embodiment of the people I serve and represent. If they are at the battle, willing to die under my orders, I must be on equal footing and be prepared to die for my people."

"To die for your own people…" Sakura echoed in a soft murmur. "How noble."

And to that, no one could argue.

.oOo.

"I am very sorry to report such grievous news, Your Majesty," the messenger bowed, trembling with fear and pressing his forehead tightly to the glassy marble floor. "I was told that it happened very painlessly, despite the circumstances, and please take comfort that he did not suf—"

"Enough," Xiao-Mei whispered, her grip tightening on the carved armrest of her throne. She shut her eyes tightly, almost able to feel the thunderous beat of hooves, weighted down with armor and artillery, shaking the castle as they approached the main part of the city. Her dream of a perfect kingdom under her rule was crumbling much too quickly as she felt her defeat approaching. Three weeks ago, she had learned of the death of her traitorous daughter, Meilin. Still, it did not compare to the hard-hitting blow that the messenger delivered now, for her only heir, the child she had with her true love, her son, Meizuo died. Not only was he branded as a coward shortly after the start of the war as the word spread that he went into hiding to avoid fighting, but he was slain by the rebelling citizens of the kingdom who discovered him lying in a pig sty, covered in mud, hungry, miserable, and pathetic. After a period of silence, the quivering messenger dared peek up out of the corner of his eyes to see the back of the regal queen, her towering silhouette illuminated by the moonlight.

"Prepare my den," she finally spoke to her servants before briskly heading off to the library to research the Clow lineage and powers. "I will be residing there for the next few days to experiment with new magic."

"Mother will avenge your death, my dear Meizuo," she whispered as she tore down hundreds of books from the shelves, ransacking through it for anything that would help her build the ultimate weapon against Syaoran and Sakura, heir to the Clow throne.

.oOo.

This is really just a brief update to regain some regular readers. Next update should be the last for this series. Final battle between Xiao-Mei and S+S, T+E (gee, it's like 3 kingdoms vs 1, isn't it? Hmm, I almost feel bad for Xiao-Mei now...) Who will be first to find victory? Will Xiao-Mei find her ultimate weapon before Syaoran completes his chokehold on her armies? More lovey-dovey by next week.