Epilogue: Heartcaptor Syaoran

absolutefluffiness says: I KEPT MY PROMISE FOR THE DATE OF UPDATE!!! If you dislike fluff, then you will hate me LOL! EXTREMELY long chapter, sorry! I don't own CCS, so don't sue!

Ming could not understand it; one moment, his spell to reverse Time was working, then suddenly he was spiraling out of control through time. There was someone clinging to him, though—someone with an iron grip.

"Who the hell are you?" he screamed at the strange blond, silver-eyed boy he'd seen before with Sakura.

"You know, deep inside, who I am and why I'm here," the boy replied calmly, taking Ming's hand, and embracing him. "And we're going to make things right."

"Let go! Let go! Goddamnit, let me go!" Ming screamed over and over, struggling uselessly in Aris' strong hold. He tried to summon magic, but nothing happened.

Aris merely smiled as he began pulling Ming into a branch that opened up in the time tunnel. "I paid too much for this chance," he said softly in Ming's ear. "Don't you want to find out who we really are?"

Ming stared into the boy's eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, the insanity brought about by the dark magic in him shunted aside for a moment.

"First, we have to get rid of the magic tainting you. Pardon the detour. And then..." Aris chuckled as his grip on Ming tightened, "let's see if someone can be born again."

Nine years later...

Li Mansion, Shanghai, China, in the month of the summer moon (July)

Ever since he had been returned to the age of eight, with all his memories of his life intact, Syaoran Li had grown up aware of who he was, and of how old he truly was. He knew he had kept his promise; he was still alive, and he still loved Sakura. But how to meet her? Almost nine years ago, he had realized, with his parents' advice, that meeting Sakura before their destined time would destroy all she had worked so hard for, and so he had waited.

Now the time had come, but he still couldn't go to her. The decision to stay away had nearly torn Syaoran apart. As a result, he was angry and frustrated at a world that had forced them to pay so much just to set right the mistakes they had not even made themselves. Only his love for her kept him strong. What made it easy was that Yelan had moved them all to Taiwan, keeping him from letting Sakura know where he was. But knowing that she was there, waiting for him, and yet unable to let her know that he was waiting too...Syaoran closed his eyes.

Nine years. It was almost the time when they had met—and he could not move to her side yet. Not until he finished paying his side of the price to set things right—to wait.

But then, life had been good to Syaoran. 'Why should I be depressed?' he thought. He was happy. He discovered that in this lifetime, Xiao Long had made amends with Yelan, and to the entire Clan's surprise, Xia Hu had come to live with the Lis. She and Yelan had become friends, and they had raised Xiao Long's sons together. Xiao Long knew the joy of having two sons who were good friends, and the love of two women—which he returned as well—and he died happy. Xia Hu died a year after Syaoran had been returned to their time, and he'd known her,if briefly, as his real mother.

Best of all, Syaoran realized that they had saved Ming. He'd been apprehensive to wake up in a world where Ming lived with him in the Li mansion, but the affection between them came as a surprise. And the eyes...Ming's eyes were completely different in this new world. They reminded Syaoran of a certain Guardian...

Ming had helped him through Xia Hu's death, and Syaoran had been grateful and happy. Their four sisters glomped the boys regularly, but together, they were able to resist the worst of it.

Though there were times he could have cheerfully strangled Ming, he loved him nonetheless. The turnaround was always a source of pride to Syaoran, now that he knew that Sakura possessed the power to change worlds with her will and strength. Ming had grown up free of the dark magic and he'd proved to be a rather strange boy, sometimes sardonic and cryptic—like Aris, Syaoran mused—and sometimes fierce and temperamental. What was consistent, though, was Ming's kind heart.

"Is that your brother? He looks like a wimp," a boy at school said, scornfully looking at a nine year-old Syaoran, who had just entered the third grade. The boy had found Syaoran drawing sakura blossoms; the act of drawing them cheered Syaoran up, but was a cause of mockery from other boys.

Ming had moved between Syaoran and the boy. "Watch your mouth," he said in a low voice. "That's my little brother you're talking about."

"Yeah? He don't look tough," the other boy sneered. "Plus, he's just the bastard, ain't he? You're the Li heir and that Show-ron brat," the boy pushed Syaoran's head roughly, "is the bastard by the whore concubine, right? And he's an orphan? He belongs in the gutter. Hah!"

Syaoran knew better than to respond to the taunts, and was preparing to walk away, but he was shocked when Ming flew at the other boy, shoved him against the wall, and yelled, "Shut up! Don't you dare talk about my brother that way!"

It was Syaoran who wound up pulling Ming off the now frightened boy.

"Big brother," Syaoran said as they walked home later, "I can take care of myself."

Ming looked at Syaoran, then placed a hand on top of his head, ruffling Syaoran's already tousled hair.

"Hey!" Syaoran tried to push Ming's hand away but the older boy used his size to keep ruffling Syaoran's hair.

"Lighten up," Ming smiled. "You're like an old man, you know?"

"I don't mean to be...but..." Syaoran began. "I have something I must do."

Ming stared at his younger brother, who often seemed so much older than him...and so much sadder.

"Syaoran," and he stopped ruffling Syaoran's hair. "Why won't you tell me what makes you suffer?" His silver eyes were dark with concern.

"...I can't." Syaoran looked away. "I...have something I must do."

Ming exploded. "You're just a little boy! Why do you act like you have to do something all the time, like you're carrying such an awful burden which you won't share? You should be playing, fighting with me...Yet you spend your time studying and practicing and...this weird obsession with sakura blossoms!"

"Please trust me," Syaoran closed his eyes wearily. "I am happy you're my brother. I really am. It's just...I can't...now is not the time." He sighed deeply. How could he tell Ming about Sakura? About what they had done to save him and so many others?

Suddenly he felt his brother's arm over his shoulders.

"A thank you will suffice," Ming said airily. "You know, for saving you from the bully. Then you can give me your dessert later."

Syaoran rolled his eyes but when Ming smiled, crinkling his eyes, Syaoran smiled back. Ming somehow understood, and decided not to pressure Syaoran.

Then Syaoran felt it: stray magic—a Clow card! But before it could attack them, it stopped short in front of Ming and transformed back into a card.

Ming picked up the card and examined it curiously, then he smiled at Syaoran.

"Let me guess. This is the 'something you must do', huh? How stereotypical of it to happen right as we were ending an awkward conversation."

"You..." Syaoran stared at Ming. "You sink magic!"

"Good thing," Ming said as he tossed the card at Syaoran, "or you would've been hurt. Now then," he said briskly, "we have to make sure we're always together so that the next time this Clow thingie attacks, I'll be here to help you."

"But..." Syaoran was thinking of so many possibilities, and the thought of Aris—had Aris somehow survived? Ming's eyes had originally been cold ice-bluish gray, and now they were clear silver, like Yue's.

But it wasn't possible; Syaoran knew that from his studies of magic. Aris was a created being without a soul, and could not have left a trace of himself behind as a result. Though he'd also wanted to strangle the new Guardian, he'd reluctantly liked him—and when the Guardian had sacrificed himself to help Syaoran and Sakura, he'd won Syaoran's admiration at last.

"But what?" Ming had stopped in front of an ice shave stand. "What flavor do you want?"

There he went again, all noncholant and acting as if...Syaoran shook his head. Ming was Ming and Aris—deserved to be remembered for who he was.

"Strawberry," Syaoran smiled.

"Give him the bill," Aris indicated Syaoran to the stall owner.

"But Ming!"

"Hey, you owe me," Ming grinned, and Syaoran finally smiled back.

It would be that way over the next nine years: Ming helped Syaoran collect the Clow cards. Ming excelled at school, and was considered a school prince. Syaoran mostly kept to himself, studying magic and the cards. Ming basked in the limelight, Syaoran avoided it. And they understood each other.

It was nice to have a big brother.

But there were times when it wasn't nice to have a big brother. And Syaoran groaned when he remembered Ming's latest stunt.

"Ming?" Syaoran called out when he got to the house late in the afternoon. It was uncharacteristically quiet, and Syaoran closed the door behind him gingerly. Where was everyone? Where were the servants, Eriol, Meilin...their mother?

He gasped; was that blood on the floor? A note was taped to the stair banister, and it read, "If you want to save your older brother, come quickly to your bedroom."

"Ming!" Syaoran yelled, and he cast a wind spell to carry himself upstairs. He crashed through his own bedroom door...

...and was soaked by a mixture of molasses and sesame seeds.

"What..."

Ming was laughing hard. "Looks like you really do love me," he choked out between snorts of laughter.

"Why you...You!" Syaoran tried to cast a spell, only to remember—yet again—that no magic worked properly on Ming. Instead he found himself forced to dodge his own water attack.

"I...I don't have time to waste on this!" Syaoran roared, his temper finally getting the better of him. Years of playful torment from Ming, who forever insisted that Syaoran needed to lighten up, had taken a toll on his temper.

"Yes, I know. The Clow cards, what you have to do, blah blah," Ming sighed and handed Syaoran a towel. "Syaoran, why can't you trust me to tell me why you're gathering the Clow cards?"

"When I turn seventeen, I can tell you. I promise," Syaoran said.

"You two ought to clean up the mess you leave behind," Meilin, who had just returned from school, was standing in the hallway. "For heaven's sake, I...snff...huh..." She started laughing.

"What?"

"Nice racoon eyes," Meilin snorted. Syaoran turned to face his mirror; the towel Ming had handed him had a spot full of charcoal.

"MING YOU STUPID AS..."

"What did you call your older brother?" a calm voice from the doorway stopped Syaoran's cry.

"Mom-aunt," he bowed. Only to see amusement in Yelan's eyes.

"Really Syaoran," she said, a smile in her voice, "you should learn to guard against your brother's silliness. That will make you a better warrior. That way, you can best protect—what is precious to you."

The way she talked—Syaoran sometimes suspected his Mom-aunt knew his secret. But she always acted oblivious when he tried to bring it up. Ming had slipped out of Syaoran's room to pursue Meilin, and now he and Yelan were alone.

"Syaoran. Your seventeenth birthday is coming up," she said quietly. "Let us talk in your father's study. I have a gift for you—from your father, your mother, and myself."

Kinomoto Household, Tomoeda-cho, Japan, in the month of the summer moon (July)

"Sakura-monster! Breakfast!" Toya yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"I am NOT a monster!" Sakura yelled back, if a bit halfheartedly.

She had spent the last nine years (having been returned to the age of eight) wondering about Syaoran. She'd done research about the Lis, and found nothing in Hong Kong save for the clan moving out mysteriously about seventeen years earlier. Her heart had leapt, and she allowed herself to hope.

But as time passed and they entered high school, no handsome amber-eyed, dark-haired boy had transferred into Seijyu High. Sakura had stopped perking up every time a new transfer student was announced; her heart would simply break a little more each time it turned out not to be Syaoran.

Tomoyo was her tower of strength. Her cousin knew better than to ask, and when Sakura occasionally needed to cry without being able to explain why, Tomoyo would help her past it until it was over. She had learned to reassure Sakura with the words, "It will be all right." They never failed.

Until this spring.

She had spent high school turning everyone who asked her out down, and so had Tomoyo. Some mean-spirited people at school had sneered and called them lesbians, but it had no effect on Sakura.

Sakura had begun taking part time jobs at the age of twelve, running errands for her dad, helping the Tomoeda storeowners. She saved her money avidly, promising herself that if Syaoran didn't arrive by the time she graduated high school, she would travel to Hong Kong and find him there.

Only Tomoyo knew about Sakura's plans, and had promised to join her when she went on her search—even though Tomoyo did not know what—or who—Sakura was searching for. Sakura loved her cousin more and more when Tomoyo, without asking questions, stayed by her side and helped her with everything.

Except for one thing. Not that it was Tomoyo's fault. The cards had not shown up.

She'd ransacked her father's basement every day when she was ten...eleven...twelve...and nothing. No Cerberus. No Yukito, in fact, and it worried Sakura that not even Mizuki-sensei had appeared for her brother Toya.

What had happened?

"Sakura-chan," Tomoyo smiled. It was that day in July again, when Sakura preferred to be alone. "I'll go home ahead of you. Take these. I made them for you."

It was a small snack of Chinese meatballs.

Sakura smiled and hugged Tomoyo, who had discovered Sakura's fondness for them. They never tasted like how Syaoran had made them...but they were nonetheless wonderful.

"Have fun on your mission today," Tomoyo said softly.

Sakura smiled, and thanked Tomoyo, wishing she could tell her that today was Syaoran's birthday.

Every year, she would quietly celebrate alone. She would go to the park outside where Syaoran's apartment had been, with a tiny cupcake and a small candle. She would face the direction of China, and blow out the candle for him.

'Oh God I still love him so much!' Sakura fought the tears, knowing it was a losing battle. If she only had a photo of him, some kind of reminder—something to hold on to.

'But I have to believe!' Sakura dried her tears. 'I believe Syaoran when he said he would come back to me.'

Li Mansion, Shanghai

Syaoran stood facing his Mom-aunt Yelan in the study. The books she, Xiao Long, and Xia Hu loved lined the shelves and made the study look more homey.

Yelan touched one book.

"Syaoran," she began. "I know you have been forced to pretend you aren't living your life all over."

Syaoran gasped. So she did know!

"But I can't bear to watch you unhappy." Yelan touched his chin and smiled, then handed him a small looped charm. "Tonight, wear this as you sleep. You may see her tonight, without risking your price. Happy birthday."

Speechless, Syaoran stared at the charm, which had a tiny emerald encased in amber.

"The time for you to return to her is coming. The Card you will capture today will help you find your way to her." Yelan smiled, and opened a safe from behind a portrait of her with Ming and Xiao Long. "I imagine you'll have need of this soon. When the time comes, do not hesitate to ask me for this."

It was her engagement ring, in a small bronze filigreed box with velvet cushioning. It had been handed down through several generations.

"Mom-aunt," Syaoran breathed. "Shouldn't this be Ming's?"

"But he won't need it when he proposes," Yelan smiled. "Because Meilin has always owned his heart. He can't even think of loving another, you know."

"What a cliché. Sheesh, his life is filled with them." Syaoran grinned, then handed the ring back to his aunt-mother, irresistibly reminded of Aris when he thought of Ming's situation. He then hugged her tight.

Yelan smiled and reached up to touch his hair. Soon she would not be able to reach his head.

"Make me proud, darling," she whispered. "Win her back."

"I will." Syaoran kissed her cheek then tensed.

"Clow card," Yelan sighed. "Go on, get it."

"Thanks!" With that, Syaoran sprinted out of the room to look for Ming.

Ming stepped out of the shadows. "Now will you explain things to me, Mom?"

"Sit down," Yelan said affectionately. "Do you see what he is going through now?"

"Sort of," Ming crooked an eyebrow. "Someone he is destined to love?"

"No. Someone he has always loved."

"Love it when you're cryptic," Ming rolled his eyes. "Mom, I want to help my little brother, and I can't do that if I don't know the whole story."

"He has always loved her," Yelan said. "But that's a story for another time."

"Then tell me tomorrow," Ming pleaded.

"All right. But remember, it's going to be a very long story," Yelan said.

"Wouldn't be worth listening to if it weren't," Ming said amiably as he trotted out to help his brother.

Several hours later, Syaoran rushed home, a bit dirty but triumphant. Ming had separated from him to go see Meilin once they were done.

'Only two Clow cards left!' Syaoran exulted. And—he clutched the charm to his chest—he would finally meet Sakura tonight.

He washed up quickly and leapt into bed; soon, he was asleep.

That night, Sakura was surprised; she didn't know where she was, but trees blossoming with sakura were all around her.

Syaoran, who found himself watching her in the dream, watched her hungrily. If it was possible, she was even more beautiful than he remembered. But he shook his head. Enough watching. Why waste the only time they could be together?

"Someday we'll live in a house with a yard full of these trees," a soft voice whispered in her ear. She felt a strong pair of arms wrap themselves around her waist, and she was gently turned around.

Syaoran.

No words were necessary; neither wanted to waste a moment together. They hugged each other tight, and then, smiling, they began to kiss gently.

"Missed me?" Syaoran asked as he looped tendrils of her auburn hair around his fingers.

Sakura began to laugh through her tears. "You have no idea! But where are we?"

"In a dream. It was the only way I can meet you." Syaoran ran a finger over her arms, reveling in her soft skin. "I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed you. I've always loved only you."

He was stopped by a finger on his lips. Green eyes stared into his.

"Please," Sakura whispered, winding her arms around his neck, "I know. And you have to know how much I've always loved you too. Let's not waste this time.

And they didn't.

Syaoran knew she would not remember he had been there when she woke up, but he was grateful for the time he had been given her.

Much later, after they had fully expressed years of pent-up longing for each other, she murmured against his neck, "Happy birthday, Syaoran."

"I love you. Believe in that, please," he whispered back. He released her from his embrace, gave her one last kiss, and watched as she faded away, back into her world.

Eight months afterwards

Syaoran stretched sleepily as he woke up, and then smiled. It was going to be a good day in Shanghai. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, his arms were blue, he'd finally caught the last two Clow Cards, and he could look forward to a good breakfast prepared by his Aunt-Mom Yelan.

And best of all, he had permission to move to Tomoeda and finish out high school there once the new school year began.

Wait. 'My arms are blue?!'

"MING!" Syaoran yelled. "What the hell did you do to me this time!"

Downstairs, in the kitchen, a handsome older version of Syaoran with silver eyes looked upwards. "Hmm. Looks like he found my White Day present to him," he said calmly.

"You really really should be ashamed of yourself," his cousin Meilin, who liked to breakfast with her cousins, said. "How many times have you taken advantage of your immunity to magic to annoy him and Eriol?"

"Not enough times," Ming grinned.

"Try it on me and you'll find yourself plastered all over the Internet in a bad way," Meilin warned, her eyes glinting.

"Don't I know it. How you removed almost all traces of us on the Internet..." Ming whistled, and Meilin smirked. Then he turned serious. "About what I asked you last week," he began.

"Ming," Meilin looked away. "Don't."

"You know how I feel about you..."

"We're cousins twice removed!" Meilin protested, but she refused to look him in the eye.

Suddenly he was next to her, gripping her shoulders, forcing her to look into his flashing silver eyes. "I need an answer, Meilin. You're eighteen! You can decide for yourself. If not...I'll take up that student teacher post in Japan."

Meilin gasped. "You...you're leaving...me?"

"Do you want me to?" Silver eyes challenged red-brown eyes.

Meilin could not answer, but she shook her head.

"I need time," she whispered.

"Dammit!" Ming let go of Meilin and turned away, breathing hard. "You know I've loved you ever since we were children. You know how I feel! What else do you need? For me to kneel, to beg? I..." and he grabbed her, holding her close to him. "I love you, don't you understand?"

"Why do you love me?" Meilin asked softly. "I don't understand!"

"Neither do I but is that a reason to turn me away?" Ming asked. "I...I wish...I...God, you frustrate me, Meilin! I..."

"...would suggest calming down right about now," Eriol, who had been watching the drama from the doorway, suggested. Meilin took advantage of the distraction to flee.

"Perfect timing," Ming said wryly. "My life is riddled with cliches," he added in an undertone.

Eriol held up his pink forearms. "Perfect hue. It does clash with my hair though so would you be so kind as to tell me what you used so I can mix something to remove it?"

Ming snorted. "Fair play. You and Syaoran used magic during the bow and arrow training with Master Tsukishiro last week."

"Did not!" Eriol retorted.

"Did too!" Ming taunted back.

"Did not!"

"Did!"

"Good morning, little boys," Yelan, looking unruffled, sailed into the large Li kitchen. "Are you done being little brats? Ming, do be a dear and please tell your younger brother how to get the blue off his arms before he screams himself hoarse. Eriol, don't forget you have a checkup today with the Elders. Where's Meilin?"

Ming kissed his elegant mother's cheek. "Ma-ma, we are such a burden to you. Heaven forfend that we cause you to develop lines on your lovely face."

"That stopped working years ago," Yelan said, but she was unable to suppress a tiny smile. As usual he'd used wit and humor to deflect her last question, which meant Meilin hadn't answered him yet. "Now go and calm Syaoran down, will you?"

Ming sighed. "Work, work, work. It's all I ever do in this house," he said dramatically. As he went off to placate an irate Syaoran, Yelan turned to Eriol.

"It's almost time," she said quietly.

"Ten years," Eriol said.

"Do you think...maybe he wants to wait a little more...stay with us," Yelan began.

"No," Eriol said, but he smiled. "But he's caught the last two cards, and so you need to let him go now," he said gently.

"Are they ready to face each other again, I wonder?" Yelan avoided the implied question of whether she was ready to let both her sons go.

Eriol smiled, and cut her some slack. "Only they can tell, dear Aunt. Now. Scrambled eggs or sunny side up?"

Upstairs, Syaoran scrubbed furiously in his bathroom. Ming...Sometimes Syaoran could swear his older brother had been born solely to torment him. The color would not come off, not even with laundry detergent, and he was sure Ming had tried some exotic dye just to piss him and Eriol off.

"You can use lanolin," said a voice from the doorway.

"Or I could just double the locks on my door and spread broken glass on the carpet, just for you," Syaoran ground out through gritted teeth.

"Me? Poor old magic-less me?" Ming raised his eyebrows. "That won't stand up in court. You and Eriol have powers, and I have none. Boo-hoo," he pretended to sob.

"Oh come off it," Syaoran groaned.

Abruptly, Ming changed gears. "Are you ready?"

Syaoran immediately knew what he meant. "Always have been. We caught the last two cards yesterday. She and I will have to catch the balancing card together though."

"I'll go with you," Ming said softly. "To Tomoeda. They have an opening for a student teacher there."

Syaoran's head shot up. "But what about..."

"I've always wanted to be a teacher," Ming said, as if he didn't hear his brother.

"But..."

"Hurry up, or breakfast will be gone," Ming smiled, and turned to leave. "Our flight leaves in three weeks. Don't forget everything you need to pack—especially Mom's ring."

"Ming..."

But his brother had turned around and was gone.

'How can I help him?' Syaoran wondered.

Tomoeda, in the month of spring leaves, three weeks later

Naoko rushed into the classroom, yelping excitedly about them getting not one but two new transfer students at the beginning of their new school year—and a student teacher.

Sakura looked out the window and sighed. Not another disappointment. She sighed.

Had she been allowed to remember that Syaoran had been with her in a dream eight months ago, she would have been more cheerful.

She rose from her desk, without looking at Tomoyo, and went to the bathroom. She locked herself into a stall and leaned against the wall, feeling unwanted tears come to her eyes. She vowed to continue saving her allowance and taking part time jobs so she could go to Hong Kong and start searching for Syaoran. 'Even if he doesn't remember me,' she thought.

But what if he had someone else? What if he didn't want her? Sakura pressed the heel of her hand against her eyes, willing her tears to stop. She had to believe she would find him again.

"It will be all right," she murmured. But this time, she felt a tiny despair shoot through her. She loved Syaoran so much that all this waiting, all this not knowing where he was...and why he was late...assuming he was coming back to her.

Ten minutes later, after splashing water on her face, she stared at herself in the mirror. "Stop crying," she told her swollen-eyed reflection in the mirror sternly, then she reluctantly made her way back to the classroom. She did not see her reflection stay in the mirror, smile, then quickly fly back to someone who was hiding the book of Clow Cards.

Sakura groaned upon seeing that class had already started, and that she was late. Oh, Terada-sensei would scold her for sure.

She opened the door and sneaked back into the classroom. She bumped into a tall boy, who smiled at her.

"Eriol?" Sakura's eyes went wide.

"Hello, Sakura," Eriol smiled.

"But that means..." Sakura looked around the classroom. He had to be there. He had to be! She saw Eriol move to stand next to Tomoyo. She saw Naoko, Chiharu, and Rika staring at the place behind her seat.

And she found him.

Syaoran's amber eyes were fixed on her, expressionless. Sakura lost her breath; she'd imagined him for so long, and now that he was here...

'He doesn't remember me,' she realized, and suppressed the urge to cry again. No, not when she had the chance again!

Then to her shock, Syaoran crossed the room and took her in his arms.

"Ten years, mei mei," he whispered, right before he lowered his head and captured her lips.

Shocked, Sakura squealed...then responded. Oh how she had missed this! And...and he remembered her! She kissed Syaoran back, wrapping her arms around him, and breathing in his scent greedily. He held her close as he kissed her, savoring her lips like a starving man. Between kisses, he whispered, over and over, "I love you, oh God Sakura I love you so much!"

Sakura laughed and cried as she kissed him back. "I love you too, Syaoran!"

When they finally pulled apart, the classroom was in chaos. Tomoyo was screaming for a camera, Naoko was laughing hysterically, Chiharu was strangling Yamazaki. Eriol, with a knowing twinkle in his eye, calmly handed Tomoyo a digital video camera. She only paused briefly to ask him why he knew her name—not why he was carrying a camera. Their other classmates were cheering.

"What's going on?" an authoritative voice boomed.

Sakura stiffened. It was Ming! He was dressed in a gray suit, and he entered the classroom...with the attendance book in his arms. But something...

His eyes! Sakura gasped. Instead of blue-gray, they were clear silver, and they sparkled with mischief. Sakura was about to ask when Ming put a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, and winked. He then looked at Sakura and Syaoran, who grinned sheepishly. Rolling his eyes, Ming dryly said, "You two can continue later. I need to conduct homeroom now."

"What..." Sakura began.

"Long story," Syaoran groaned. "he's every bit as annoying as a certain guardian we once knew...I suspect he's in there somewhere though I have no proof. But...I need to do this now." He began to search his pockets.

"You see, on my birthday last year, I had a dream in which I showed the most beautiful girl I have ever known and loved how much I loved her. We were never supposed to meet again...but somehow here I am, and here she is." He pulled out his hand, his grin triumphant. "I've wasted so much time. We've lost so much time, mei mei. And so," he knelt in front of Sakura, "marry me the moment we graduate from high school."

If the original chaos had been caused by their sudden kissing, this sudden proposal to Sakura from a very handsome boy no one had ever seen before sent the class into anarchy. Yamazaki was eagerly exchanging superstitions about first love with Naoko; Tomoyo had jumped onto Eriol's shoulders to film the tearful, joyful response. It was a scene that would attain urban legend status in Sejyo high school, and which would forever make transfer students a cause for excitement there.

Ming gave up and yelled, "Class dismissed!" drowning out Sakura's joyful cries of "Yes, oh God yes!"

At the Kinomoto household, Fujitaka and Toya were floored when two limousines pulled up in front of their tiny house. Three handsome young men—one with tousled brown hair, one with midnight blue hair, and one with gray hair—came up to their porch, each bearing brightly-wrapped boxes in gold and red.

"OI!" Toya turned red, then flew out the front door when Syaoran assisted Sakura out of the last limousine. They turned to each other and kissed tenderly, Sakura tangling her fingers in Syaoran's thick hair.

"GET OFF HER YOU STUPID BAS..."

"I wouldn't finish that word if I were you," someone drawled, and Toya began to glare at a silver-eyed version of the boy kissing his sister. The glaring contest was evenly matched, as Toya and Ming were the same height, and Tomoyo giggled as she filmed it.

"Ming, dear, please don't aggravate your future brother in law," an elegant, honeyed voice interrupted. "I assure you," the words were now aimed at Toya, "that my son has only the best intentions towards your sister."

Toya looked at the woman, who was tall, slender, and regally beautiful. She smiled, and to his surprise, she bowed.

"I am Li Yelan, and I ask that you invite us in so that I can explain," she smiled.

Toya was stunned into speechlessness, and Fujitaka took over. "Welcome to our home," he smiled warmly.

Inside, Fujitaka was quick to notice the ring—how could he not notice, given the size of the diamond—on Sakura's finger.

"I am sorry but I was not aware Sakura was even dating. You see, she's never had a boyfriend," he began.

"And that's how it should be!" Toya spat.

The visitors all looked at each other, and rose as a group: Yelan, Ming, Syaoran, Eriol, and a gray-haired young man in glasses. Sakura and Tomoyo remained seated, Tomoyo innocently cradling a tiny digicam in her lap. The Lis bowed to the Kinomotos, and Syaoran bowed deepest to Fujitaka.

"I came to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," he said solemnly.

"She's too young!" Toya's voice had gone high-pitched.

"My apologies, Kinomoto-san," Syaoran said. "But I have spent a decade waiting for this opportunity, and I cannot let her go now." The love shining in his eyes surprised Toya.

"How did you two meet?" he asked suspiciously. "Over the Internet?" To his surprise, everyone stifled laughter.

"Long ago," Sakura smiled. She looked at Eriol, who nodded. "Perhaps someday I will explain, Father, but you helped in this."

"You let her go off and date this boy?" Toya demanded.

Sakura giggled. Poor confused Toya. The gray haired young man then rose and bowed to Toya.

"I am tutor to the young gentlemen of the Li Clan and my name is Tsukishiro Yukito," he said softly. "I am also privy to the family's secrets, and so if you would follow me, perhaps we can talk in the yard? I would be honored to explain it all to you."

Fujitaka smiled as Toya was led away. Eriol smiled back at him.

"It is always strange to confront yourself in another person," Eriol said.

"So I have heard," Fujitaka smiled, quickly realizing who Eriol was.

Syaoran opened a large wooden box, and Sakura gasped. The Clow book! She gaped as the Cards gaily flew out, the ones which could talk all calling her name and dancing around her.

"How...Oh..." She hugged Mirror, who had manifested, and tickled Dash, which was purring at her.

"My wedding present to you," Syaoran said. "I'm sorry I was delayed by a year, but Light and Dark took the longest to capture." The two cards bowed and smiled. "I had to prove my love for you in so many ways before they agreed to be transformed back into cards."

"Syaoran..." Sakura was speechless. "How did you..."

"It was very hard to do it without you," he admitted, "and I started when I was nine. Ming helped me—I'll explain that later. But whenever I caught a card, it became easier when I remembered you...and how much I love you. Now all that remains is to catch the balancing card, then for all of them to be transformed into your—no, our cards."

Sakura flung her arms around Syaoran and began to cry. He held her tight, whispering, "Hush, mei mei, we'll never be apart again, I promise."

Fujitaka suddenly laughed. "I married Nadeshiko when she was sixteen, so who am I to deny you? And I assume you're eighteen," he looked at Syaoran.

"Yes, sir."

"Then you have my blessing."

"Time to eat!" a loud voice roared, and Sakura was surprised when Kero-chan flew out of one of the boxes. "See, Syaoran, I told you she'd say yes!" Then someone grabbed him.

"Do I know you?" Kero asked after Sakura smothered him in hugs.

Syaoran laughed. "That's the Card Mistress."

"Oh!" Kero eyed Sakura curiously. "Well, she's cute. Better get a move on your babies then."

"Kero-chan!" Sakura and Syaoran both yelped, blushing red, Syaoran due to a certain memory he had.

Sakura and Syaoran happily explained things to Fujitaka, who revealed that he knew. He was a bit teary at letting go of his daughter, but overjoyed to see her genuinely, finally happy in her life. Food was brought in, and the Kinomotos and the Lis shared the first of many meals together.

"I don't like her brother," Ming sniffed. "Always glaring at Syaoran!"

Tomoyo giggled; over the course of the night, Eriol had reintroduced himself, and asked her permission to court her. She was taken aback by his suave yet aggressive style, and had said yes. "Toya just wants to protect his sister."

"And I just want to protect my brother," Ming cracked his knuckles.

Eriol laughed. "Come on, let's go; we still have to take Tomoyo-san home." The attraction between them was obvious, and Ming advised them to take the second limousine.

"And all's well that ends well," Ming said to his mother as they walked back towards their limousine after the impromptu party ended.

"What about you?" Yelan asked, as they paused at the doors.

"I'll be okay," Ming smiled ruefully, knowing she meant Meilin. "Or, if my clichéd luck holds, Meilin will have followed us here and she'll say yes to marrying me." Ming rubbed his eyes wearily. "Yeah right."

"Oh you have such little faith in me, and in the cliches that run your life," a voice piped up from the shadows.

Meilin stood there, smiling at him lovingly. Ming gaped.

"You came?"

"Followed on the very next flight. And let me tell you, hacking into the Japan Air flight manifests is such a bitch," Meilin smiled. "Fortunately I 'pwn' the internet." She laughed, then cast her eyes down. "Can you forgive me for taking so long to make up my mind about you?"

"Only if you marry me as soon as you finish college," Ming said softly as he touched he chin gently.

They stood, smiling at each other. Someone cleared a throat from the porch. It was Eriol, standing with Tomoyo, who was still aiming the digicam at them.

"I believe this would be the perfect time for a really clichéd kiss," Tomoyo giggled.

"And who am I to deny the audience?" Ming grinned, crossed over to Meilin, bent her backwards, then kissed her deeply.

When they straightened up, Yelan handed Ming something. It was a lovely silver engagement ring with a ruby and a diamond.

"Why am I not surprised that you were ready?" Ming grinned at his mother.

Yelan smiled. "I just knew," and she slid into the limousine. "Oh, and Eriol has the deeds to your apartments. You each get an apartment here."

"There are four deeds," Eriol smiled, knowing what came next.

"Who says you boys are staying here alone?" Yelan grinned, and then she left.

It didn't take long for Sakura and Syaoran to fulfill her promise to the Void card, and before the school year was over, they had converted the cards to beautiful pink and green cards with their intertwined initials on the back.

When Sakura and Syaoran graduated, they were happily married a few days later in a lovely cherry-blossom filled private outdoor wedding, though only a few people understood the lovers' jokes about being "ten years older". Later they held a reception with the Cards and the Guardians in attendance. Best of all, Nadeshiko, Xiao Long, and Xia Hu were able to attend the second reception.

They discovered that alcohol and the Cards didn't mix. Sakura and Syaoran had to get Naoko to write a story to cover up the antics of the Cards that had run wild in the streets of Tomoeda.

They had fun opening their wedding presents afterwards, and Syaoran groaned when they opened Toya's: it was a familiar book labeled "Handbook for Responsible Lovers" with a note written in big bold letters, "NO BABIES UNTIL AFTER COLLEGE!"

"He doesn't give up, does he?" Syaoran moaned as he lay back in their king-size bed in their new home near the college they were going to attend. As he had promised, they had a yard with sakura trees.

"Like us," Sakura giggled, and snuggled into Syaoran's arms. "Not that we need it," she added, and they laughed.

"Finally," Syaoran sighed as he pulled her close. "Now you really are Mrs. Li."

"Syaoran?" Sakura rolled on top of him and touched her nose to his. "Do you regret anything?"

"Are you crazy?" Syaoran laughed. "Look at us, here and now. We're married. You saved me. And best of all, you love me," he said as he gently kissed her.

"Remember the library we saw in limbo? The one you said had stories about us?" Syaoran nodded. "What do you think the future holds for our story?" Sakura asked her husband. She wiggled her toes in happiness. 'He's my husband!' she squealed in her mind.

Syaoran admired her engagement and wedding rings, paired on her left hand, grateful that it was finally over and that they belonged to each other for the rest of their lives. 'Sakura is my wife. My. Wife.' he thought giddily. "God, not a sequel," he groaned. "We've already lived out two lifetimes, mei mei. I hope our future kids will never have to rewind time, have to be duplicated, or whatever."

Sakura shuddered. "No freaking way," she said. She turned to him. "Time to say I love you," she said to Syaoran.

"It's always time to say that," Syaoran said, and he used his magic to turn off the lights. "In any language possible."

In The End...

Sakura and Syaoran enjoyed a long and happy marriage, blessed with a boy and a girl who, to their parents' relief were perfectly normal. And they were rarely apart in all that time.

Ming and Meilin, however, had their hands full with twin boys...and twin girls...all four of whom were magical. When they were all sent off to magic school, it was Ming who sighed in relief. His immunity to magic was something he and his wife blessed and were grateful for on a daily basis.

Eriol courted Tomoyo the way he had learned she liked: sometimes sweet, sometimes sexy. They were the last couple to marry, and to everyone's surprise, they happily stayed childless.

Fujitaka enjoyed the company of his ghostly wife Nadeshiko until he died happy many years later.

Toya and Yukito opened the same cafe they had the first time Sakura and Syaoran met, and when Sakura tricked them into revealing their feelings for each other, became each other's lifetime companion.

And the Cards? They lived happily ever after, just like everyone else. For is there any other way to end a Cardcaptor story? After all, everything...is going to be all right.

Believe.

THE END

For Chapter 20, I'd like to thank Vampire-princesses, pyscho-pyro-shrink, , lhaine07, DN Angel and Cardcaptor Sakura, Link Fangirl01, savagexnymph, Julia and Tania, butterflyangellover, -Kori Kage Tenshi, Mrs. Radcliffe 13, winterkaguya, michiko14anime, AngelEmCuti, anigal08, rondallagurl, and xSapphirexRosesxFanx

Oh my God! My first completed story...I'm sad to see it end but next week, the new one goes up—wish me luck with the mature story. Please let me know how I did with a review? They are our lifeline, and part of the reason why we write. Thanks!

To those who have been with me since the beginning, and everyone who reviewed, read, favorited, and alerted, wow thanks! You are so kind, and here's hoping you find your own Syaorans soon!

To the ECRS team, UPDATE SOON! Love you guys, thanks!

My next story: I was shocked to see "Shadows" overtake "Slowly, Sweetly." Both have two chapters written out, so I'll wait until April 4 to see which story to put up. If you haven't voted, please do if you can!

Expect the first chapter of the next story to be put up next week, by April 5 (I LOVE not being grounded anymore!)...and I really really hope you guys can support that as well as much as you did "Heartcaptor Syaoran"! Previews are available on my profile!