Dsclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptors Sakura, but this fanfic yes.

Last chapter AND I'M FREAKING OUT! I'm so afraid that this chapter will leave you a bad impression... not that it sucks, but I really hope it won't be plain and boring. I even thought about waiting until tomorow because I'm afraid it's not really finish, but I read it twice and I don't believe I can add anything else or explain anything else.

So, here goes the last chapter. Enjoy!

The way to be free

Chapter twelve: The pendant

Once back at home, I spent my first week making up for my carefree attitude. It wasn't such a bad punishment since my parents were really relieved I was back. Of course, they were not happy at all that I went to China, but they did understand my reasons to take my father's place in the army. More than anything, my parents were very satisfied of how everything had turned out.

Moreover, I must say I was enjoying myself with the tasks they were giving me: bridal training. It was not that I was eager to marry, but I had to perfect my femininity after spending so much time with men. It wasn't so hard; Tomoyo-chan was training with me and I had not lost my education. Dance, speech, tea ceremony, music... it was all still in me.

Touya came back home two weeks after my arrival. At first, he seemed moody, but when he saw Kaho-san chubby stomach, a smile brightened his dark look. He immediately ran to embrace her. Once his form was erased from the main entrance door, I realised what had darkened my brother's mood. One of my ex-comrades was there too, a solemn look on his face.

He politely bowed to my father, but forgot my mother and Kaho-san.

"Greetings, I'm Ozura Yahiko. I'm here to request your daughter's hand." He continued his little speech with his family's lineage and properties. How romantic. None of what he said was a lie, but he forgot to say he liked sex as much as a dog in heat and had annoying little friends between his legs. I was not the one to diagnostic this and wasn't there when it had been done, thank kami-sama, but Eriol-san had warned Tomoyo-chan and myself about his little problem. I was not interested anyway. He was a good soldier though, we could give him that.

My father was smiling brightly, his eyes jumping from Ozura-san to me. I let my ex-comrade finish his boring speech, but didn't allow my father to answer to the poor guy.

"I'm very flattered by your offer Ozura-san, but I'm afraid I cannot bear the thought of sharing your bed with the little friends your hiding in your pants. I do not plan to give them a roof, I'm sorry. Now, if you will please excuse me, I have a meeting I have to attend to. Take care Ozura-san." I hugged Touya who had a proud smile splitting his face in two and exited the house.

I had not lied about me having plans; Yukito-san had been too busy to have a look at the pendant I had received from Meiling-san, but had promised me to take care of it on this shiny day.

Once I entered his shop, the fragrance of the magnificent flowers enveloped my senses; I felt like laughing after rejecting the poor guy. It was a bit mean, but it felt good to regain my old life back. It was healing me.

Yukito-san welcomed me, honestly happy to see me.

"Sakura-chan! How are you? I'm sorry I couldn't have a look at your pendant, but it seems it is the season of weddings and births. However, I had been thinking about this mystery of yours. So, what are the details of your problem?"

"No worries, Yukito-san, I perfectly understand. So about this pendant; like I told you, it was a gift from Meiling-san who helped me out in China..."

"An imperial relatives."

"Exactly. When she gave this to me, I noticed it could be opened somehow with a key, but I didn't really give it a second thought since I had not the key and she was already gone when I realised it, but once back here, I heard that something was moving inside... It makes little sounds... like metal against metal. Do you think you could open it and see if I broke it?"

He took the pendant I was showing him, took a magnifying glass and approached from the window to benefit from the sunrays. He then accomplished his expert's exam on my piece of jewellery.

He sighed and gave me an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan, but I can't open it without breaking it. You really need the key. Maybe you could ask your friend. Send her a letter or something of the sort..."

"Thank you for your time Yukito-san. Do come pay us a visit sometimes, Touya just came back home today!"

"Really? I'll make sure to pass by, then." I stayed a bit longer to talk with Yukito-san, but he had to go back to work, so I let him to his business.

However, I didn't wish to return back home; instead, I decided to see how was doing Tomoyo-chan. Since a little while, she had been sick and sadly, Eriol-san had been really busy with all those births and weddings preparations. Indeed, our doctor had to care about weddings, but not to prepare ceremonies or clothes... Each maiden have to endure a medical examination so the groom and his family can be assured of the virtue of the bride. It had been quite amusing when Eriol-san and Tomoyo-chan announced their wedding. The groom had insisted on doing the examination himself since he didn't want another man to touch his lover, while the bride was far too shy to allow him to proceed.

Tomoyo-chan never told me how the whole story had ended up, but I somehow overheard the examination never really occurred... My best friend was not the type to gather love experiences anyway... even if a lot of men were distracted by her pleasant presence.

When I arrived at her house, Tomoyo-chan was comfortably sitting in her garden. She was sewing small pieces of cloth. My friend never noticed my presence until I was right in front of her, blocking the warm sunrays.

"Sakura-chan!" I kneeled before Tomoyo-chan and delicately hugged her.

"How are you doing today? Do you feel any better?" She brightly smiled at me and showed me her work.

"Not really, but I'm willing to support it all... you can guess why..." I scrutinise what she was showing me: it was baby's clothes!

"Tomoyo-chan! When did you...? Does Eriol-san know?" I couldn't stop smiling. She had always wished to give birth to her very own children.

"Yes, yes, he knows! Yesterday night I told him about me being late since two months... I had not given the fact too much importance since I was so stressed out because of you and the war, but it's been a week now since my first morning sickness and I finally realised what it meant! So he put me through a medical examination and the result is that I'm pregnant! Sakura-chan! We are so happy! We stayed up all night talking about names for the baby, if it's a girl or a boy... Eriol-kun wanted to stay with me today, but I told him to go. It's not like I'm dying. And I'll see him tonight."

"I'm so happy for you two, Tomoyo-chan!" She took my hand in hers.

"I know you are, but are you satisfied of your life?" I chuckled.

"Do not worry about me. I'm fine. I won't be defeated by a mere heart's disaster. I'm home. My family and friends are healthy. My life is great." Tomoyo-chan smiled at me.

"And you're going to have a nephew or niece..." I threw myself into her arms.

"And I'm going to have a nephew or a niece!" I felt her stroking my back. She was concerned about me, but there was no need. Of course, I still thought about him often, but who wouldn't? I was not the first maiden to have a broken heart and I would not be the last one. Moreover, nobody ever died from it. Why would I?

I stayed until sunset to keep her company. Plus, I needed her ideas to contact Meiling-san. I didn't acknowledge where she was at the moment, so there was no way I could send a letter to her about the pendant. I would have to wait until she had time to pay me a visit.

About a week later, the momiji festival finally took place. This festival was to welcome autumn's beauty and to thank Kami-sama of Its generosity for this year's harvest. In a field, we would install a beautiful setting with colourful lanterns and beautiful decorations. Moreover, a banquet would be held for the whole citizens of Tomoeda. My family even offered some amusing stands to entertain the children.

Of course, I proposed my assistance so during three days, I helped to install the whole event and on the festival's night, I had taken in charge a fishing stand. With a round paper net on a stick, the children had to try to capture a red fish without breaking their nets. If they could succeed, they were allowed to keep the fish. A lot of kids didn't have the patience or the skills to wait for the good moment to capture their little friend, so most of them asked for an adult's help.

Approximately at eight, a six years-old little girl came to my stand. She had two high buns on both sides of her head and sweet timid eyes. I knew the little girl very well. Her style and her kind heart made her look like Meiling-san, but she was lacking the fiery temperament.

She approached the little wooden pool and looked inside. I had only one fish left.

"Do you want to try, Ai-chan? It will be bedtime soon." She raised her head and tilted it to the side.

"But Ai-chan is not good at this game..."

"Then, what about I win it for you, little girl?" I had not spoken and I instantly recognise the voice; it was Meiling-san.

"Meiling-san! You came! You came! How are you doing?" She smiled at me and Ai-chan and then petted the child's head.

"We'll chat later, now, I have a mission to accomplish, right little girl?" Ai-chan shined brightly.

"Right!"

I eyed Meiling-san and Ai-chan while they were both focusing on the fishing. My friend was as always perfectly dressed and seemed happier than when we had parted.

Once the fish was caught, Ai-chan sweetly thanked Meiling-san and ran to her mother who was searching for her to put her into bed. The chinese maiden turned to me.

"So? Meiling-san, what brings you here?" I invited her for a little walk in the fields to admire the beauty of the lanterns.

"Well, mainly your invitation and I thought the momiji festival would be the perfect time to enjoy ourselves and meet your friends you told me about." I nodded.

"Yes... well, you can meet Yukito-san tonight, but concerning Tomoyo-chan and Eriol-san, it's not the best timing. Tomoyo-chan is pregnant and those last few weeks, she had been feeling nauseous, so she preferred to stay home and rest. Still, I'm happy to see you, we are proud of our little festival. Tomoeda is full of nice people."

"Well that's a relief, because I managed to become the owner of some lands. On horseback, it would take approximately four hours to come and see you. I didn't wish to be alone here, so I thought it was a good idea to have someone I knew near me, if you don't mind."

"Not at all! I'm glad you think of me as a friend after all we went through... oh! That reminds me! Do you remember this pendant you gave me?" I removed it from my neck to show her.

"Yes, of course. Why?" We stopped to walk. No sounds from the festival could reach us. The only songs were the ones of the crickets.

"Well, I noticed it would be possible to open it with a key and it seems there is something locked in the pendant... I'm very curious, so... Do you have the key?" She sighed and gave me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry Sakura-san, but it belonged to aunty Yelan... I'm not even sure we still have the key. In fact... Well, Syaoran-kun wanted you to have it to thank you for the help you provided us. And I thought it was a good idea, so I was the one to give it to you in his place." I nodded and put the jewels back on.

"I understand. Well thank you anyway." I then finished the night introducing Meiling-san to my family and friends.

Five days later, I received a letter sent by Meiling-san who was inviting me and my friends to come over at her place to see how she had managed to transform her old house in a suitable mansion. I didn't understand what she meant, but of course, I couldn't refuse. I was thrilled to see her little home: she had fought so much to be able to establish her life so far from the capital.

She was supposed to stay near the imperial family, since she somehow had become the main ambassador of China thanks to her diplomacy and blue blood, she absolutely did not want to drown into the court's gossips, so instead she had found this nice and cozy cottage.

So after three days of incessant overprotective brother's protests and soon-to-be father's complains, Tomoyo-chan, Eriol-san and I finally left for Meiling-san's place. Normally, it would have taken us only four hours, however, the dear doctor love was so concerned about his wife and baby's safety that we took two more hours.

At four in the afternoon, we could, at last, oversee Meiling-san's home. It was situated on a high and large hill. Like in China, a fence was encircling her house and garden, similar to her last one; made in flawless white cement.

When we finally arrived at the opened gates, I noticed a colourful carpet of flowers on each side of the alley leading us to the main door. I instantly wondered if those where as tricky as the ones in China... and what effect it would have on Tomoyo-chan and her baby.

"Hum... Tomoyo-chan, maybe you should take a deep breath and hold it until we're at the door." My friend looked at me, a question mark written all over her face.

"Why?" Eriol-san was a bit puzzled too... which is rare. Luckily, I didn't need to answer since Meiling-san was already walking down the alley towards us.

"Please come, come. Welcome! I'm happy to see friendly people. I've been working on some political matter all day long. Did you have any problems on the way here? I was waiting for you since two whole hours!" She warmly embraced me and bowed to my two friends.

"Yes, sorry about that, as I told you, Tomoyo-chan is pregnant, but I forgot to tell you that Eriol-san is a little bit obsessive when it comes to his family's safety. Oh! Talking about safety, are your flowers like the ones in China. I'd like to protect her health too."

"The flowers? Oh, no, they are perfectly safe! There was no point now that war is over... even if I did believe I needed to keep a fence... but that's more against thieves than personal enemies." Meiling-san then invited us to come inside her home to get some refreshments. Afterwards, she kindly showed us her new mansion.

While leading the way, my cultivated friend explained how she had become the landlord. Those fields had belonged to a too greedy traitor from Japan. The Emperor had generously offered her this place, freely. However, Meiling-san had still given compensation to the man's wife and kids; they couldn't afford this place anymore, but atleast, they had received a nice amount of money and my friend had even found a satisfying job for the traitor's family, if necessary.

Once the whole house and garden were explored, we took place on a high and large balcony outside and a maid brought us tea. The terrace was in the backyard and we could see Meiling-san lands over the walls. There was a small lake not too far, where a small rowing boat was at shore, and an unwelcoming forest I was happy not to visit. The trees' trunks were grey and their leaves were dark brown and orange. While sipping my tea, I noticed an other opened gate leading people to the lake and forest.

Moreover, we only needed to turn our sight to the left to see the main road leading to the mansion.

"Your house is greatly situated. You can see your lands and visitors. Like this one who's coming this way... Hey! According to he's clothes, he's part of the Japan's army! Did you made any friends in it? Wait... This helmet... It's the general's... Meiling-san! What does that mean?" The chinese maiden almost choked while drinking her tea. My stomach was twisting from anxiety.

"I don't understand! He wasn't supposed to come back so soon. He was due tomorrow! We had to talk about... hum... you and ..." With each word, Meiling-san was speaking slower and slower. Eriol-san slightly coughed and we turned our gaze at him. I was already up on my feet.

"What did you do?" The doctor offered a peaceful smile.

"You two are slowpokes, so I decided to fasten things up a little, but Meiling-san has nothing to do with my scheme. I kept contact with him. I sent him a letter five days ago to be here today since we would have been there yesterday. Meiling-san would then have been able to give him some information on your mood and thoughts. That is what she was supposed to do, but only tomorrow. Isn't it right?" He looked at Meiling-san. Her gaze escaped from mine giving me the confirmation I needed. Eriol-san continued with his cocky smile.

"That adds some spices to the whole story don't you think? So if you want to escape from this situation, you better run fast because he's almost here." He began to laugh and his hilarity contaminated Tomoyo-chan and Meiling-san, while I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, heading towards the damned forest I was thrilled to do not wander into not so long ago.

As I was quitting Meiling-san's garden, I asked myself: why was I escaping from HIM? I thought I had gotten over him. I thought I was healed. Maybe I thought wrong. Maybe I just pushed every feelings into a drawer and locked them thinking I would never see him again, but now, HE was there... planning to see me sooner or later. Later was fine with me since I had just realised I had not sorted everything out in my head.

Once at the edge of the forest, I began to feel really childish and stupid, but couldn't bring myself to go back. I looked over my shoulder, at Meiling-san's house, and saw HIM running down the hill where was standing his cousin's mansion.

In haste a made my way between the trees. When I was far enough, I climbed one up and perched myself on a thick branch. I lied on my back and tried to calm down my breathing while closing my eyes.

Few seconds later, I heard an unpleasant hissing. Slowly, I opened my eyelids and instantly regretted it; a snake was tangled up to the branch a meter away from me.

I didn't scream. I didn't move. I didn't faint. I just froze. I never had been a snake lover. In fact, it was quite the opposite; I couldn't bear to see them... But the one who was facing me was definitely happy to see me.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling under me: HE had found me... with the snake.

"Sakura-san! Don't make any brusque movements. Just let yourself fall down. I'll catch you. Hurry!" I had a tough choice there: believe the snake won't bite me or believe in the man who had broken my heart. After a second or two, I logically decided that I could just believe in his strong arms and that's it, so I did what I was told. I saw the fangs of the snake closing down on nothingness while I was falling through the air.

I was caught, as promised, by strong warm arms, but I didn't dare to meet the owner.

"Thanks, now put me down please." I could sense his gaze intensely scrutinising me.

"Will you run away again, or will you listen to me?" Oh, oh! His voice was stern; that meant no place for foolish plans...

"I won't." He sighed and threw me on his shoulder.

"Hey! I said I wouldn't!"

"You have always been a bad liar." I couldn't believe it: I was the liar? If I had to choose the most honest one out of the two of us, it would certainly not be him! Moreover, I had not lied... Well, that's what I kept repeating myself to keep the little dignity I had left.

I protested and protested and protested, but he acted as if he was deaf. At last, he placed me into the little rowing boat I had overseen earlier and pushed it before jumping aboard. He began to row while I was stile avoiding his gaze. In fact, I was trying my best not to see anything of him so I focused on the water in front of us. We both had our back towards each other.

"What were you doing in this forest? Didn't Meiling-chan tell you it was infested with snakes? A month alone and you're already playing with fire." I couldn't tell if he was amused or annoyed.

"I was not aware of that... and I was perfectly fine." He emitted a sound half way between a laugh and a snort.

"How are you doing?" It was the first time I ever heard him sounds unsure of his self.

"Why are you here?" My voice was a bit hard, but not enough to feel guilty.

"I'm here to see you." Again, his honesty (in words) shook me.

"It's about time. Last time, you drugged me to prevent that from happening." Saying this, I realised I was still slightly frustrated.

We were in the middle of lake and he had turned around to face my back.

"You know you had to leave for your safety."

"You could have told me that instead of putting me to sleep! Was it that hard to tell me this? Face to face...?" I almost added: "Even if I loved you and you didn't". It could have been even more problematic if I had done so.

"Yes! Yes it was! Because I would have probably said goodbye! And I couldn't! I didn't want to! This way, I had to see you atleast one more time!" Was it despair I heard in his voice?

"So that's why you are here? Well then, goodbye general Li. Aufwiedersehen."

"Sakura-chan, look at me." I didn't react: I just didn't know what to do. I then felt the boat dancing on the calm water.

"You're such a big baby." He then wrapped me from behind in his arms. My heart was racing so rapidly in my chest that I thought it would burst out of it; I had missed his presence and warmth.

"Do you still love me?" The nerves of that guy! He knew very well I was ashamed of my actions! Why did he have to bring that back from the drawer I had so securely locked? I struggled in his arms to get free and turned around to face him.

I was planning on scolding at him and maybe insult him, but he reacted first.

Hastily he buried his hand in my hair and placed it at the base of my neck. Simultaneously, he imprisoned my lips with his into a bold, greedy and yet loving kiss. It wasn't like the last time. It was like if we were both free from any other feeling than the one we were experimenting with this kiss. And even if this feeling was in total control of my soul and body, I couldn't perfectly describe it; it was like if electricity was pulsing through my heart, mind and skin. My stomach felt empty, and yet contented. It was so good that it should have been prohibited!

Syaoran-kun broke the kiss; we were both out of breath. In the process, I had ended up sitting on the floor of the boat while he was on his knees, half on me, a hand still caressing my neck. Panting, I finally dared to look at him. His lips were swollen and his cheeks were flustered. A glint of happiness was playing in his deep hazel eyes; he was so gorgeous, it was painful to think about never seeing him again.

Slowly, he rested his forehead on mine and slowly whispered to me.

"Tell me you do not want me here, tell me you do not want to love me anymore and I'll leave with this kiss you let me steal from you." I closed my eyes, tears threatening to pour down. I couldn't say those words even if he had hurt me.

I didn't need him, but I wanted to be by his side.

I took his hand that was still resting on my neck and kissed its palm.

I suppress the shyness that was wandering within me and steadily looked into his eyes.

"You better never leave me again or all hell will break loose." Then my lips curved into a smile.

"And you better be the best lover ever if you want to be forgiven." A wolfish smirk appeared on his features.

"Anything you'd like us to practice?" Syaoran-kun lowered his head closing the distance between our lips. I put a cold object between us; he got back, puzzled and realised what I was holding. I was wearing the pendant he had made Meiling-san deliver.

"It was my mother's." I nodded.

"Anything else I should know about it? I'm curious of what is inside. Do you still have the key?" He cockily extracted a chain from under his shirt and showed me the key dancing on it.

"Show me what's inside. Please." He was now sitting in front of me, allowing the sunrays illumination his flawless skin.

"No." I got on my knees and approached him.

"Please, you owe me that much." I rested my hand on the key and he softly put his on mine.

"I will not open it until the moment has come, but I will tell you this: the day I'll open the pendant, I really hope you're answer will be "yes, I do"..."

And I did give him the answer he was hoping for. I couldn't do otherwise; not for the mystery of the pendant, but for him. Of course, my brother was no thrilled by the idea, but the rest of my friends and family were truly overjoyed.

Finally, Syaoran showed me what was inside my pendant: it was a red ribbon we use to unify the bride and the groom during wedding, and a hair garnish shaped like a cherry blossom and made with pink and clear diamonds. A hair accessory is extremely personal and private in our culture and letting him sliding it into my hair was a sign of how much close we were from each other.

Few weeks after our union, we were both on the roof of our house, admiring the clear bright full-moon rising in the dark sky. I was half lying on Syaoran, his warmth enveloping me and his thumb caressing my cheek. I slightly raised my head to look at his face. His eyes were peacefully scrutinising the moon. I raised a hand and gently massaged his earlobe.

"Since when did you stop looking at me while we're both together." It was supposed to be a joke and to make him laugh, but he remained silent and in his dreams, a smile playing on his lips. Then he looked at me, his eyes filled with the love I knew he was keeping for me only.

"I am looking at you; in the moon, I can see our future as clearly as I see you."

"And what do you see?"

He grabbed my waist, put me on him and brought me to his level to look directly in my eyes.

"Whatever we want." We shared a kiss we were both longing for.

"Wo ai ni, Ying Fa."

Das Ende

Aufwiedersehen = goodbye Wo ai ni = I love you Die Endnung = the end

I don't like saying ''I love you'' or ''Je t'aime''. It sounds weird, meaningless. People use it too casually. I can say ''we love you'', but not ''I''

That's why I used ''wo ai ni' for the end. It sounds less fake.

For the ones who still love me after this last chapter, I'm beginning a new story. I don't know how it will turn up yet, but maybe it will be a bit more rock and roll. Then again, I have limits. I'm a rocker in my soul, but I'm still a bit sensitive... like rapes: I can't support them etc...

I'd like to thank everyone for reading my story. It means a lot to me. Thanks to the people who wrote me some reviews. You helped me a lot: thanks to you I wanted to do my best! I'm sincere.

Take care!

Lune-diamant