Epilogue: Cherry Blossoms

XOXO

Sakura cringed as the step creaked loudly when she shifted her weight on it. She bit her lip, straining her ears for any changes in the silence. After a couple of seconds she took another step, treading as lightly as possible. This was repeated until she finally reached the bottom of her stairs, where a wicked grin immediately replaced her grimace. With only the moonlight streaming from the windows to guide her, she tiptoed to the sofa in her living room, where a sleeping body lay, buried beneath a sheet. Her smile grew softer as she kneeled down beside the sofa, and gently brushed the hair out of his eyes.

Instantly, a hand shot out from under the sheet and grabbed her wrist, startling Sakura who let out a stifled squeal. "Syaoran, it's just me." She breathed out, trying to slow down her racing heart.

His eyes flickered open. "Sakura, don't do that. You know I was trained for that sort of thing."

Sakura put a finger to her lips, motioning for him to lower his voice. "I'm sorry. I forgot." She whispered. "Forgive me?"

Syaoran groaned, pulling her in towards him. Smiling, she got under the covers with him.

"You know, Touya-san will kill us –no, sorry, he'll kill me- if he finds you down here." Syaoran muttered to her.

"Yes, but aren't I worth dying for?" Sakura teased him, whilst absentmindedly playing with the palm of his hand.

Syaoran grumbled something under his breath. Sakura dropped his hand. "I can go if you want." She told him nonchalantly, beginning to rise.

But he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down again. "I didn't say that." She happily picked up his hand again and began running circles along it. "It's just that, it took us this long to even get Touya-san to allow me to stay over. A stunt like this and he just may ban you from ever seeing me."

"Well, I'm turning eighteen in just…" she turned over his hand to look at his watch, "six minutes. So oni-chan can no longer get a say in my life."

"Oh, he'll find a way." Syaoran muttered.

"Hey," Sakura suddenly began indignantly, "you're supposed to give me this watch."

"Wh-what? Why would I give you my watch?" Syaoran spluttered.

Sakura sighed, "Because, when a boy courts a girl and they start going steady, the boy has to give the girl his watch." She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Syaoran snorted. "I have never heard that before. You probably just made that up, because you want to steal my watch."

"I did no such thing. 'John Tucker must die' says so." Sakura protested.

"Well, if John Tucker says so…" Syaoran drawled out sarcastically.

"Exactly. Hand it over." Sakura cupped her hands, waiting.

"No. It's stupid. If you have my watch, what will I have?"

"You can get a new one." Sakura said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Well, why don't you get a new watch, and I keep my own watch? I like this watch."

"More than you like me?" Sakura asked as she cocked an eyebrow.

"Well…"

"Syaoran!" Sakura hit him lightly on the arm, as he chuckled. "Come on, you're being a little weird about your watch."

Syaoran sighed heavily, before fumbling with his watch. Sakura held out her wrist, letting him buckle it on.

"My wrist feels naked." Syaoran said sadly.

"My god, how much does this weigh?" Sakura muttered, "No wonder your arms are so buff."

"…And don't let that go to your head." She added as an afterthought, as he grinned. Turning to face the other way so that her back was to Syaoran's front, she snuggled into a comfortable position. "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." She told him, closing one eye but keeping the other trained on the numbers counting down to twelve.

At the stroke of midnight, Syaoran leaned over her and softly kissed her cheek. "Happy birthday Sakura." He whispered into her ear.

Sakura slept with a smile on her face.

XOXO

Dimly, at the edge of her consciousness, Sakura felt a stir in the air around her, heard the pitter-patter of footsteps, smelled delicious aromas wafting in the air, before she succumbed back to her dreams.

XOXO

Sakura was vaguely aware of her peaceful slumber being rudely interrupted by a light pressure applied on her upper arm. Grumbling slightly, she tried to slip back into her sleep, but the pressure increased and started shaking her arm. She struggled to swat it away, but it was persistent. "Sakura, wake up."

With great effort, she pried her eyelids apart. She saw a blurry assortment of shapes and figures in front of her.

"SURPRISE!"

Blinking, she let her vision come into focus. Her friends and family stood before her, huddled together, wide grins stretched upon each of their faces.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA!"

Behind them, bright, colourful balloons were scattered about the room, centered around a big banner that read: 'Happy18thBirthday!' with the 18 squeezed tightly in between the 'happy' and the 'birthday'. A smile broke out along her face, as she slowly sat up, taking in every face.

Syaoran, her mom, Touya, Tomoyo-chan, Jake-kun, Yukito-san, Eriol-kun, Yang-san, Naoko-chan, Rika-chan, Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-san.

Bleary eyed, dressed in her too-small pajamas with her hair in a messy array, she stood up, letting the blanket slip to the floor. "Thank you guys. You didn't have to do this." She said graciously, and a little embarrassed.

"It was our pleasure." Tomoyo told her beaming, ambling forward and dragging Sakura up the stairs. "Now I've got to get you looking presentable for our guests."

Upon reaching Sakura's room, Tomoyo sat Sakura down on her bed and presented her with a box. "Happy 18th, Sakura-chan."

"Tomoyo-chan, you already organized this---"

"Just open it." Tomoyo insisted, pressing the box further into her hands.

Sakura pulled the lid off, and gasped. She delicately reached in and pulled out a gorgeous hand-made lacy summer dress, as white as the snow that had just left Tomoeda in the coming of spring.

"Thank you Tomoyo-chan." Sakura breathed out, leaning over to envelop her best friend in a hug.

"Now put it on. Everyone's waiting." Tomoyo ushered her to her closet. "Nice watch, by the way."

"Speaking of 'everyone', Yang-san? Really?" Sakura called out from behind her wardrobe doors.

"Well, you guys aren't enemies anymore, right?"

"But we're not exactly friends either. And notice how she only stopped harassing me when Syaoran and I started dating." Sakura pointed out.

"Yes, but you and Li-kun dating was the catalyst of practically everything. Rika-chan, Naoko-chan, Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-kun weren't friends with you up until then, but I don't see you holding a grudge against them."

"True, but then again they were never mean to me either."

"Well, Eriol-kun wanted her here, and you wanted him here, so…"

"Is Eriol-kun and Yang-san going out?" Sakura asked Tomoyo, surprised.

"No. At least… not yet." Tomoyo told her suggestively. "You've got to admit though, Yang-san toned down this year. I can actually manage to have a decent conversation with her these days. I think Eriol-kun's been good for her."

'He'd be even better for you.' Sakura thought, but didn't say aloud. She emerged from the cupboard, causing Tomoyo to squeal her approval. There was a knock on the door, before Jake popped his head in. "Everything okay in there?"

"Yes, everything's fine. We'll be down in a minute Jake-kun." Sakura informed him.

"Okay. You look lovely by the way." He paused to glance at Tomoyo. "Both of you." He added quietly, before shutting the door. Tomoyo picked up a brush and began gently combing through Sakura's disheveled hair.

"Is it still awkward between you two?" Sakura asked hesitantly after a moments silence.

"Sometimes. Although it happens less and less. I think we're finally getting back on track." Tomoyo said slowly.

"Do you think you'll ever get back together?"

Tomoyo put down the brush. "My future remains unknown. As does yours and everyone else's. We're only eighteen. We may want to think that the people we are with now, are the people that we will spend the rest of our lives with, but soon we're all heading off to college –possibly at other ends of the world- and truthfully, our lives are just beginning. School is just the start of it all, but now we're actually going into the real world, a place that doesn't care about who we were in high school. So enjoy today to its fullest. You're surrounded by all the people you love and who loves you, and one day you'll look back on today and probably remember each and every person here. Maybe not. But even if in fifty years you can't recall the names of everyone present here today, I don't believe that diminishes your love for them in any way now, or means that the bonds we share aren't powerful." She kneeled by Sakura, her eyes compassionate and gentle. "Who knows? Maybe in fifty years time, I'll be looking back on these memories with you by my side, while Jake-kun turns up his hearing aid and Li-kun is chasing after your grandkids."

Sakura laughed at the thought, tears in her eyes. She squeezed Tomoyo's hand.

"I'm hoping for the latter."

XOXO

So they went downstairs, played some games, chatted, argued, laughed, sung happy birthday, blew out candles, cut the ice cream cake (mint chocolate chip, Sakura's favourite, which Eriol gave her as her gift), ate the ice cream cake, chatted and laughed some more.

When it came to the presents, Sakura carefully unwrapped the first present –Naoko's book (what a shocker)- until everyone screamed at her to hurry it up, and she tore through the rest with wild abandon.

Yoko handed her money (how personal); Chiharu and Yamazaki gave her a gift basket full of soaps and lotions and perfumes ("what exactly are you implying?"); Yukito gave her chocolates ("they're from Belgium!"); Rika got her a really nice cherry blossom hair ornament ("I saw you eyeing it in the shop window the other day!") which Tomoyo wove elegantly into Sakura's hair; her mum gave her a silver charm bracelet which used to belong to her grandmother; Jake got her a framed photo of Sakura, Tomoyo and Jake at the formal (awww); and Tomoyo, of course, got her the dress while Eriol got her the cake.

"Whose this card from now?" Sakura inquired, holding up the envelope for everyone to see. No one claimed it. Curious, Sakura unsealed and read through it. Without saying anything, she read it again.

"Whose it from sweetie?" Nadeshiko asked.

Sakura looked up. "…Dad. Just wishing me happy birthday."

"That's nice of him." Tomoyo said quietly, breaking the silence that had ensued.

That left Touya and Syaoran.

"My present, is one that can't be wrapped." Touya told Sakura, leading her outside. Everyone's curiosity aroused, they followed him obediently.

"You got me a car?" Sakura voiced out, frozen to the pavement at the sight of the truck awaiting her outside. "You got me a CAR?!" She repeated incredulously.

"Touya!" Nadeshiko exclaimed in contained horror "How did you afford--?"

"I didn't buy it." Touya quickly reassured "Keith-sempai let me have the heaping wreck and a bunch of spare parts for free just as long as I worked a couple extra unpaid hours at the auto body shop, and was willing to fix it myself after hours, and let me tell you this baby wasn't easy to repair. Plus, you'll have to let me borrow it from time to time, and it could do with a paint job, but I hope you'll like it anyway." He ended, sheepishly looking at Sakura.

She gaped at him, looked towards her new, old truck, and then back at him. "Are you kidding me? I don't know what to say… I love it, Touya. I can't believe you'd do this for me." She embraced him tightly.

"Anything for you… kaijuu." He whispered back.

When they pulled apart, everyone turned expectantly towards Syaoran.

"It's back in the house." He revealed, and everyone immediately shuffled in, buzzing and excited.

Syaoran held back to walk with Sakura. Once inside, he spoke to Sakura as if they were the only two people in the room. "Do you remember our first date? Well, not so much a date, as it was just two people, who happen to know each other, sitting at a table, maybe eating food, and making conversation?"

"Yes." Sakura confirmed slowly.

"Well, we played ten questions. Only I never got to ask my last question, if you remember, because I said I would save it for a later day. Today is that day, and I'm going to ask it now, along with giving you a box." He smiled down at her, and Sakura felt her face heat up. Somehow, after all this time together, he still managed to make her blush.

"Hold on." He went into the kitchen and retrieved a large, wrapped, rectangular package, placing it in front of Sakura. "Open it." He told her.

Her heart pumping twice as fast than usual, she tore open the package…

… … … … … … …

… … … … …

… … …

…

"A… a s-su-suitcase?"

"Yeah, do you like it?" Syaoran asked her eagerly.

"A-a suitcase! Of… of course I do. It's a very… a very nice suitcase." Sakura stammered, trying not to let her heart plunge to her stomach.

"Now for the question." Syaoran reminded her, "Open it."

"That's not a question." Sakura pointed out nervously, fumbling with the lock.

Syaoran took a deep breath, and began "Sakura Kinomoto…"

She managed to undo the clasp…

"...would you do me the honour…"

…everyone in the room seemed to wait with baited breath as she opened up the suitcase…

"…of…"

Plane tickets. For two.

"…accompanying me on a trip around Europe this summer?"

For a moment, everyone was stunted and mute. Then the biggest smile spread over Sakura's face. "A trip?" She repeated.

"Yes." Syaoran dutifully replied.

"Around Europe?"

"Yes."

"This summer?"

"Yes."

"After graduation?"

"Yes."

"But before university?"

"Yes."

"With you?"

"…That is the general idea, yes."

Sakura paused to compose herself. "Yes, yes a thousand times YES!" Sakura squealed, as she jumped on Syaoran and planted her lips upon his. Taken by surprise, Syaoran toppled over under the sudden weight and they both went crashing to the –luckily- carpeted floor.

Everyone immediately rushed to their side, offered them a hand, asked if they were alright, sighed in relief, gave their congratulations, or –in Touya and Nadeshiko's case- their permission (although Touya's more begrudgingly), shared squeals, smiles, laughs and memories.

XOXO

A little while later, when most of the party guests had left, and the day was coming to its end, Sakura and Syaoran wandered off to a nearby park.

The cherry blossom park.

The Sakura park.

And they were in full bloom.

And so Sakura danced. She whirled and twirled and spun. She spread her arms, closed her eyes, let her hair down and moved with rebellious and uninhibited carelessness and grace. And the sakura petals danced with her. The petals floated near her, her white dress floated around her, and for a moment, Sakura herself seemed to float.

It was an unadorned, unembellished moment. But Syaoran watched Sakura dance, his eyes and heart full of love.

I take my normal route to school, absorbing my surroundings along the way. Around the corner, is my favourite site in all of Japan: the cherry blossom park.

Even when they aren't in bloom, I love them.

They're just so special, so unique, so unpredictable. They can bloom at any moment and wither just as quickly.

As I round the corner, my breath is caught in my throat. The cherry blossom trees are in full bloom!

And nothing is more beautiful than a blooming Sakura.

XOXO

"Do I love you because you're beautiful,

Or are you beautiful because I love you?"

~Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella

XOXO

THE END

Author's Note: A perfect ending for me. I couldn't be more happy. Hope you liked it too!

Any facebook-ers out there? I have set up a facebook account specifically for fanfiction-ers, where you can get to know me or communicate with me. I may be posting drabbles or one-shots on there, and maybe even additional scenes or alternate endings to some of my stories. Anyone is welcome to add me, just search the name: Bisk Elle (in two separate words). So give me an add!

Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. It meant the world to me.

Much love,

BiskElle

XOXO