Disclaimer: I do not own CCS

Okay, so this week really sucked. Sorry but it is true. Yesterday, I could have killed someone while crying. Great, don't you think? Anyway. Moving on...

I finished the last chapter and I must say I'm not pleased with it. Than again, I really liked wrting this story so it's like my little baby; maybe it's why I feel the end will never be good enough. I have the impression it's like half last chapter, half epilogue.

This last chapter is longer than the other. My last gift to you, my dear readers!

Enough with my boring talking: READ and review!

Destiny against Choice

Chapter sixteen: I choose destiny

Current era: Japan

Mind and heart illuminated by the blissful feeling of communion, I opened my eyelids only to set my eyes on Syaoran-kun's peaceful and handsome face. In a few seconds, we were going to die. In a few seconds, everything would be over.

And I wanted to see him one last time; to engrave his manly beauty into my soul.

He was gazing at me, as if seeing me for the first time. I knew a smile was playing on my lips. We were in our World.

We didn't even look my cousin's way when we heard the gunshot; we were all we needed to see.

But the pain never came. For a moment, I thought it was because I couldn't feel anything else than this heavenly sensation of warmth and unity.

However, Syaoran-kun and I quickly realised something was wrong; darkness was not surrounding us... We stayed this way, staring at each other for seconds that seemed to last hours, wondering if we could dare to look at something else than each other.

Finally, we tore our eyes from each other and turned them towards my dreadful cousin.

What we saw left me speechless: My cousin was still lying on the street, on his stomach, but his arm that had been holding the weapon was now weirdly bent in front of him and stuck under the neat shoe of a friend's foot... Eriol-kun! He was condescendingly smiling at him even if blood was running down from his left thigh. I had never seen him like that; he looked more than ever like a fox!

"Now, now. You are not playing fair... What would your mother say? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Bad boy. You lost; now leave the two lovebirds alone, will you?" I could almost hear my cousin gritting his teeth in pain and rage.

"Go to hell bastard!" Eriol-kun's gaze turned hard and he looked even more like a beast.

"Fine. Don't come whining back to me because I didn't warn you." He bent down over my cousin and applied his hand on his forehead; my cousin, being generally hurt and disabled, didn't put much of a fight. I couldn't see what happened next because Eriol-kun's body was blocking my sight, but few seconds later, he stood tall once again and his carefree expression had crept back onto his face, smiling once again.

Calmly, he stepped back from my cousin's form. I was afraid to ask what he had done to him, but I couldn't help, but do so, morbid curiosity taking the best of me.

"What... What did you do to him?" My voice was uneven and hoarse as if I had not spoken since ages. I was afraid of the answer; I didn't want Eriol-kun to be guilty of murder. Since childhood, he had dreamt of defending innocent people and help them; it would be awfully cruel of the fox spirit to make Eriol-kun to kill someone, even if perfectly derange and dangerous, when all my friend had dreamt of since he was a kid was to erase suffering.

Focusing of Syaoran-kun and I, Eriol-kun's features softened and his smile became sincere.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan. Your malevolent cousin is not dead. He is dreaming and he will be held captive into his illusions until he is ready to find in him the sanity to be human. He'll be taking care of." The tension that had been building up inside my chest vanished with a heavy sight I exhaled while my head dropped down, suddenly too heavy to hold high anymore.

Syaoran-kun who's head was still lying on my laps, motionless until then, carefully sat up, trying not to move his wounded leg, and enveloped my sagged shoulders with one arm; I rested my head on his hard muscles. I couldn't do anything anymore; I was too exhausted, too stressed out that I couldn't even celebrated the fact that Syaoran-kun and I were both still alive.

My lover understood my untold thoughts and took the lead.

"Are we safe? Is it over now?" Eriol-kun cocked his head to the side.

"Over? No. Not all. Life is yours now. It's a beginning for you two. Not an end."

"What about my grandfather." My friend genuine smile didn't falter.

"I'm sorry to announce that your grandfather died of his wounds in his car." Somehow, I wasn't sure if it really was the truth. I had the feeling the spirits had something to do with his death, but I knew that eventually, he would have die anyway because his core was deeply rotten, stained by the thirst of power for centuries. Even so, I couldn't help, but feel sad about the horror's presence in men's heart. Atleast, now I knew that without it, we couldn't even know what good was. I knew; Ying and Yang. I knew; Balance.

I felt Syaoran-kun's embrace tighten around my shoulder as if feeling my discomfort.

"Why is everyone so still and unaware of us?" It was true; I had not noticed it before. Around us, people were like in a dream, moving extremely slowly; getting up and looking around them, but blind to everything. They seemed surprised and puzzled. But most of all, so slow!

"Kitsune kami-sama, remember? Illusion is my gift; for them, time seems to flow normally. I'll wake them up soon, but first, it's business time!" Syaoran-kun and I both stayed silent, holding each other. The feeling of blissfulness was long gone and we were even more dead tired, envious to both get some rest.

"Don't worry; what I have to tell you won't take too much of your energy." I wondered if he had emphasized the "I" or if it was only my imagination.

"In the name of all the kami-samas, I'd like to thank and congratulate you both for your union. It took you long enough to figure out what it was all about, but I must say we and your pursuers didn't really help." I knew Syaoran-kun had a murderous blaze burning in the depth of his eyes.

"Oh brother! Don't look at me like that, I'm kidding. Still, we couldn't say anything about your unification not necessarily implying sex because you had to find this on your own. I know Sakura-chan that you were troubled by this task and it pained you, but this experience made you stronger and you both grew from this situation." I heard Syaoran-kun grumbled about Eriol-kun being a "damn cheap rubbish psychologist" and I nudged him; I wasn't sorry of this series of tests we had been forced to pass, because Eriol-kun was right. It was thanks to them that I had been able to realise what loving someone and being loved really meant. No regret.

Syaoran-kun relaxed a bit and allowed Eriol-kun to continue his little speech.

"The human spirit will be taken care of; he was jumping from one human form to the other to hide from us for millennium now, but he won't cause any more trouble. No human will ever remember his previous life again." I was startled by this revelation; I didn't know how to react.

"What does that mean?"

"It means your friends and family will never remember their past life... and we decided to give you a gift... It will be harder for Ying and Yang to unite, but we thought your souls have suffered enough. Therefore, you won't gain back your memories either. You won't have to remember your family's death or suffering. It's the best we can do for you two."

"I don't want that!" It had escaped my lips without me knowing it and I instantly regretted my outburst; I had no right to say that without asking Syaoran-kun what he thought of it. Maybe he did want to forget everything; to start anew.

However, I felt his warm lips on the top of my head before his voice vibrated into the suspended air.

"Our memories, our pain, our guilt make us what we are; we accept it." I stared at Eriol-kun, watching his reaction. His smiled widened and he chuckled.

"Ying and Yang really chose wisely their receptacle. Alright. You'll remember everything. Most of all remember this: you two gave time to mankind, but Earth won't wait eternally. Syaoran-san, you have power and money; spread the word. Just a little push into the right direction and everything will get in movement." Eriol-kun stopped and seemed to listen to something for a moment.

"Alright, so I think I said everything I needed to, now is time to gather your strength because I won't be of much help." Suddenly, the fox-like features vanished from Eriol-san's face and body, merely a second before I heard a recognisable scream into the buzzing air.

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo-chan appeared from somewhere in the crowd of dreamers and rushed towards us, but as soon as she saw Eriol-kun, she stopped dead in her track.

"Eriol?! What are you doing here? How did I get here? We'll see that later. Sakura-chan what's happening?! I don't understand! And get away from him; it will only bring you pain and despair!" Eriol-kun quietly and calmly walked to his lover and wrapped her trembling body into his arms while I managed to stand up.

"As for Eriol-kun, I'll let him explain some other time, but concerning Syaoran-kun and me, we won't be able to be broken apart Tomoyo-chan. We are destined to be with each other and what was dreading our ancestors already happened and it wasn't destruction as they thought but renaissance! Earth was dying Tomoyo-chan! Syaoran-kun and I were the only one who were able to do something about it. I know it's crazy, but..." While talking, I could see Eriol-kun whispering something to my best friend; her eyes were focused on me and she was listening to me, but I knew she was processing what was Eriol-kun saying. After a while, he stopped and she slowly looked at him.

"I understand. We'll talk about this later. This place isn't safe and Li-san needs to see a doctor." I was puzzled, but glad I didn't have to explain anything else for the moment.

Suddenly, two forms appeared the same way Tomoyo-chan had. Distractively, I heard Eriol-kun amusingly praising the fox spirit for his taste for drama. I understood Tomoyo-chan's appearance was his doing and I didn't mind it much because she had always tried to protect me with the most soft and caring way, but those two... Touya and Li-san.

At first, all they saw was each other and like dogs, they began to growl; these two had a huge problem... but mine was even bigger: Syaoran-kun was hurt and therefore not much in shape to escape from my brother's wrath. I instantly stood in front of my lover, each foot on each side of his legs and my back turned to him. I pleadingly looked at Tomoyo-chan, quietly begging for her help to mask Syaoran-kun. Quickly, she and Eriol-kun ran to our side and positioned themselves a bit behind my lover while he tried to brush me off not wanting me to protect him. I didn't listen and ignored his arms, pushing them away; he had always protected me, now it was my turn... even if it meant facing Li-san too. All this took only seconds.

And then, they saw us.

Touya's furious frown grew deeper and he instantly rushed towards my little group. Li-san showed more fright for her cousin than rage though; she knew something had been done.

My brother reached for my arm and tried to yank me away from Syaoran-kun, but I pulled my weight backwards to resist his iron steel grip.

"Stop it! Touya, stop!"

"Stop? You want me to stop?" He almost laughed. "You're asking me to stop protecting you? To stop caring for you? No way Sakura! Over my dead body! I won't let you destroy your life for a man! I swear I'll kill him right now if you don't go with me this instant." My lips parted to free a scream of protest, but Li-san beat me to it.

"One only move towards Syaoran and you're both dead Kinomoto!" I saw her getting out the gun I had already seen too much to be healthy. My brother grunted.

"Oh, don't worry, we're leaving this instant. Tomoyo-chan, I'd like to knock some sense in your head too when this mess is under control." On those words, he harshly took my right arms over his head while putting his shoulder under my stomach to then get back straight up with me trapped in his grip. I heard Syaoran-kun protesting and then wincing in pain; he couldn't do much with his leg broken.

I saw Eriol-kun sneaking behind Li-san while she was aiming at my brother and me with her weapon. She was far too focused on us to care about the outside world. He rapidly slid his arms under Li-san's armpits and then placed his forearms behind her neck. Her arms were stuck upwards while she couldn't even move a muscle for it would cause her pain.

"Tomoyo, my love, if you could just take her gun please." I couldn't believe how calm and poised Eriol-kun was at this weird and edgy moment. But I took this as my cue to free myself; not with struggling, I had tried and it was useless, but with words.

"Touya, let me go this instant! It's over! Don't you see?! It's over; Syaoran-kun and I did it!" My brother stopped dead in his track. For a moment, I thought it was because he was considering the matter, but I soon realised my mistake. Touya almost threw me down and strode back, too angry to even run, to my lover while yelling his head off.

"You slept with my little sister! You asshole! You're gonna pay that, I assure you!" I immediately ran between him and Syaoran-kun, blocking his way as efficiently as a huge boulder; passion giving me strength.

"Touya, that is enough! We didn't do anything of the sort! We didn't need to! And even if it was the case, it wouldn't be any of your business! But you don't get the point here; it's over! We don't have to run anymore! I can be with him! There's nothing…" My brother stopped me from saying anything else.

"It never will be over Sakura! Over and over again, you'll have to come back on Earth and suffer this whole masquerade. You won't have any choice! And the people who want you two dead are still there." Tears appeared in my eyes and rolled down on my cheeks.

"You had the choice to live a life less complicate with a woman, but you chose Yukito-kun. Would you change everything? Would you accept to be taken away from him even if your life depended on it?"

"I would if it was to save him." Syaoran-kun dared to talk back to my brother.

"We don't want to be saved; we want to love each other because it is the only way for us to truly live."

"And you don't have to fear Earth's enemies now; they'll quickly disappear." My brother began to breathe more deeply.

"What do you mean Eriol-san?" Eriol-kun smiled; a pale shadow of how the fox spirits had used his lips.

"Exactly what I just said. The spirits are taking care of those remaining problem." Touya frowned and almost growled.

"Why now? Why taking so much time and letting my sister and my family suffer for so many centuries, but help now?" Eriol-kun looked away, as if he was responsible for all those years of inactivity.

"The kami-samas were gathering their strength to be able to take action into the material world. They are not almighty. They did what they could… and now it is time to forget and let those two live in peace. They deserve it." Touya grunted and I noticed Li-san's muscles relaxed a bit. Eriol-kun released her.

"Syaoran-kun, is it really what you want?" She was still hoping… after all that time, she was still hoping and I felt sorry for her; Li-san had lost so much time for someone who wouldn't return her feelings. Syaoran-kun loved her, yes, but not like she wanted him to.

He answered her by a nod and she sighed, finally defeated and letting go all hope. I guessed she needed this to forget him; Li-san needed to know there was no more hope for him to do not be with me. She had always thought he just couldn't be with me for his own good, but now, she knew it wasn't the case. She was too tired to fight for him anymore.

My brother though was more reluctant to let go the grudge.

"I swear, brat, if you ever make her suffer, you'll deeply regret it!" I joyfully sighed, glad I could at last relax a bit and not be afraid of either Syaoran-kun or I getting killed.

"Let's go home."

The World got back to normal.

Current era: Japan

It had taken some time for Eriol-kun to explain his whole situation with Tomoyo-chan, but she had eventually forgiven him and they both were still the perfect little couple; they were even planning to get married soon.

We all had been in obligation to explain each others. I had to know what had done Touya for me, what had done Li-san and what knew Tomoyo-chan and they wanted to know the whole story of course of Syaoran-kun and me.

After a week or so, Li-san got back to China to explain the situation to the remaining of her family; a lot had somehow disappeared or died. She was positive Syaoran-kun and I would be safe and unharmed by his family. Except if we didn't went to see my lover's mother after he was healed; she had lost a husband and she had certainly not be willing to agree to his purchase even if she had tried to keep him under her guard when he was still in Hong Kong.

Life took back its normal course; I went back to studying psychology and Syaoran-kun got back to leading his business.

My brother made sure to pass by my and my friend's apartment as many time as he could to stop me to always be at Syaoran-kun's place. Of course, he was often deceived to see that I was, in fact, absent. My lover had his leg in plaster and I surely wasn't going to leave him alone in his big apartment. Contrarily to my brother, Syaoran-kun didn't complain at all; he was glad to have me all to his self. Neither he nor I had told to Touya where he was living.

About a month after the final fight, as they would say in epic novels, we all gathered, except for Li-san since she was still in China taking care of family matter, into my lover's apartment to celebrate the withdrawal of his plaster (and to the relief of Touya, we at last, told him where Syaoran-kun was living). Even my brother was there with Yukito-san, but Touya's presence mostly meant he wanted to keep an eye on Syaoran-kun. I was so glad Yukito-san was there to reduce my brother's vehemence. Tomoyo-chan would think this word was a bit too strong, but I must say I was a bit frustrated to do not be able to even sit by Syaoran-kun's side, my brother make sure of that.

Atleast, the evening's atmosphere was eased by the discussion over the planning of the upcoming wedding of Tomoyo-chan and Eriol-san. The night was… let's say funny to watch.

At the end of the evening, I noticed a change in Eriol-kun's features and Tomyo-chan noticed it too; he somehow looked more like a fox…

Seeing he had been caught, Eriol-kun decided to explain his appearance.

"Sorry to crash into your little party, but I had something to share with our two lovebirds." He playfully smiled, and kept silent for a while to imprint some dramatic effect in the air.

"What is it?" My brother wasn't impressed at all, but Yukito-san was wondering what was happening even if Touya had told him the whole story.

"I came to tell you that eventually your two souls won't be necessarily needed anymore for balance." Syaoran-kun frowned, not understanding.

"What do you mean?"

"It means a new soul will appear on Earth thanks to you two and it will reunite both Ying and Yang. His death in future life will not mean the advancement of humankind, but the refreshment of Earth, so he'll be protect of any harm coming from power lusting people. But don't worry, your wish you told me before will still be granted; we owe you this much." I still couldn't understand what he was implying.

However, Tomoyo-chan burst into a happy scream and jumped on me, wrapping my shoulders with her arms.

"Your baby! Your baby will be the symbol of balance of this world." Realisation petrified me; there was absolutely no way I could be pregnant! And by no way, I mean no way.

My brother didn't know that though; all he knew was that I was often at my boyfriend's apartment; he saw red.

"You're dead man!" I jumped in front of him and pushed him back on the couch.

"I'm absolutely not pregnant Touya! Eriol-kun said "eventually" and what I do with Syaoran-kun is my business! I'm twenty, for Kami-sama's sake!"

Yukito-kun started to laughed and patted Touya shoulder while my brother continued to huff and grunt.

The moment to say goodbye came a few hours later and my brother was still a bit fuming to Yukito-kun's amusement. Tomoyo-chan and Eriol-kun were the first to bid their farewell before heading home. I saw my best friend's boyfriend murmuring something to my lover, but couldn't catch what was said; I would have to ask him later. Then, I led my brother and Yukito-kun outside the apartment, telling them goodbye before quickly getting back into Syaoran-kun's place and closing the door. I heard my brother's muffled protests going on during five minutes before he actually gave up.

I giggled and turned towards my boyfriend who was now sitting on the back of the couch, facing me and intensely eying me. I paused and tilted my head to the side.

"What is it? You look just like the first day we talk to each other, when you were waiting for me, leaning on your car." He smirked and slowly walked towards me until he was too close for me to go anywhere, his arms extended and his hands resting on the door, on each side of my head while my back was to the door.

"Maybe it's because I'm about to do what I did back then." The sweat sensation of his presence filled my senses, soothing any normal stress due to our little family reunion I had been victim of... if I can put it this way.

I knew Syaoran-kun felt like playing; he had that look in his eyes and after all this time passed together, I had finally managed to resist, even if only a bit, his disarming charm. I had found a trick: show no weakness.

Therefore, I quickly got onto the tip of my toes and reach for his lips, allowing him to give me a kiss for only a second or two. Then, I escaped from his trap by rushing under his arms and quickly walked towards the living room to get clean the remaining of our little party.

"Now that we've kissed, you should go to bed; you have work tomorrow and you should rest. After all, they only remove your plaster today." I threw a glance at my lover whose hands were still on the door, his head low and heavily sighing. He suddenly chuckled.

"Do you remember what you told me about the reason you went to your apartment on the day of the accident? Wasn't it because you didn't want me to act like your father? Well the same goes for me; don't act like my mother, you're my lover." I turned towards him after putting the dishes into the sink, smiling.

"But doesn't a lover help her boyfriend? Oh! I was wondering... What did Eriol-kun tell you before leaving?" Syaoran-kun smirked while walking to the kitchen to join me.

"I don't know if you need to know that..." I pouted, putting my hands on my hips; I hate secret when they're told right under my nose.

Once by my side, Syaoran-kun unexpectedly put his hands on my waist and lifted me to make me sit on the kitchen's counter.

"Syaoran-kun, your leg! Be careful!" He silenced me with a kiss more to his liking; breath taking, intense and barely concealed passion. His touch was making me feel dizzy and lightheaded. When his lips released mine, I realised my hands had found their way towards his collar and were playing with it, keeping him close to me. His voice came soft and deep into my ears.

"What did you think about what the fox spirit told us?" I rested my forehead on his shoulder.

"I thought...It doesn't change a thing for me. I love you, Ying Yang or not. I believe in us... and I'm not surprise to learn I'll have a child with you one day. I wouldn't want it any other way... I just don't want one right now... What about you?"

"I'm all yours. I'll take everything you give me." I nodded, rising my head to meet his intense eyes.

"Now, will you tell me what Eriol-kun said to you?" Syaoran-kun smirked once again, recognising my attempt to take advantage of this moment of intimacy. Then, he took me into his arms before closing the lights and carefully crossing the huge room while I was furiously protesting for the well-being of his leg. I soon realised it was absolutely no use to complain and stopped. In the dark, I couldn't see his face, but I could hear in his voice a very slight hesitation.

"He wished us fun tonight." My cheeks instantly burnt up while my heart skipped a beat. Syaoran-kun gently put me down onto the bed and slowly began to stand up straight, but I hastily grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him back to me before kissing him. Breaking the kiss once I was deeply out of breath, I released him and stared at his shadowed face.

"Close the curtains." Syaoran-kun executed my orders and came back to me. I left the bed to stand up in front of my boyfriend and rested my fingers on the collar of his shirt, playing with it and desperately trying to remember the correct words.

"Je vous aime monsieur." He sighed, lowered his head and smiled against my lips.

I had already given him my soul; now I was ready to offer my whole self. For the good reason.

Syaroan-kun was the one for me.

And I was his. For all eternity.

THE END

So? Did you like it? Okay, now I'm stressed...

To those who send reviews, I'll be answering all of them as I always do (though I think I didn't answer some last chapter...I'm not sure I have a bad memory).

I don't know when I'll be posting a new story. I have an idea in mind, but it's really foggy and unclear and I don't know if you'll like it... So you might not hear from me for months.

That is why I thank you now all very sincerely for reading my story. I thank all the readers as well as the reviewers (if the word even exists)! You have been so great with me and so patient! Knowing my story was appreciated was a great help to write it and come with ideas.

Merci beaucoup!

Prenez soin de vous! (Take a guess, I often say that: Take care)

Lune-diamant