Daphne: "Hi! I just want to warn you that…this is the last chapter! It may
be long, but I am not sure. I do hope that you will like it!"
Kero: *Sob* "You mean…that we won't be…writing anymore?"
Daphne: "Of course we are, silly! I have a lot more ideas and I plan on writing them all down! Including one that has *me* as the star!
Kero: "YOU?! What about me?!"
Daphne: "Oh, it will have you in it too! And Eli has promised to help me write it! Hmm, I wonder how that will turn out?"
Kero: "I hope Eli dies a horrible death, and then you live the rest of your life as a spinster!"
Daphne: "KERO! HOW DARE YOU! Sorry folks! We are just going to go right into the story because Kero and I are going to have a little talk!" I move away from the computer and start to chase Kero "Get back here you…"
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 11.
Sakura emerged into the light, and stifled a gasp. So many people were here, staring up at her and smiling! Sakura put her hand on the stair- railing for support, and then started down the stairs. She caught sight of Meiling, Tomoyo, Touya, and Eriol all standing in a group near the thrones. Touya threw her a small wave, and Tomoyo smiled at her. Her father stood just behind them, smiling proudly up at his daughter. When Sakura saw this, she unconsciously smiled one of her innocent and charming smiles, making many of the maidens in the room, jealous. Then Sakura's eyes flicked down to the bottom of the staircase, and she caught her breath sharply. Syaoran stood there in his red tailed-coat and white pants, looking up at her with an impassive face, but as she reached to bottom of the stairs, she paused for a moment, and noticed that his eyes held a surprisingly warm light in them. He bowed to her, and she in turn, curtseyed. Then she took his outstretched hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor. As she passed, she could hear people's comments about her and Syaoran.
"She is a beautiful little thing! Eighteen, is she?"
"Yes! Oh, the poor dear! Forced to dance with that heartless thing! You know, I heard that he is even indifferent to his own mother!"
"I do pity her! The darling! He cannot possibly be human! If I had her on my arm, I would be smiling right and left, but look at him! Not a flinch!" At these words, Sakura blushed from anger. She looked at Syaoran out of the corner of her eye and sighed softly. Syaoran stopped and then gently put his arm around her waist, leading her into the dance. She smiled warmly up at him, and then looked around the dance floor. Touya and Meiling were dancing together, and so were Tomoyo and Eriol.
"They do make a good couple, don't they." Came Syaoran's voice. Sakura looked up at him in confusion.
"Who do?"
"Tomoyo and Eriol." He answered. She giggled.
"Yes, they do! I think it is lovely! Loving someone and having them love you in return, is one of the greatest gifts you can have." Sakura sighed. Syaoran frowned.
"You are loved as well, by your father and your brother." He said softly. She gave him a wistful smile.
"Yes, but I mean…Oh, I don't really know what I mean!" She sighed.
"I think I do. You want to be loved by someone other than…" He was cut off by a polite clapping as the song ended. Many of the people looked expectantly at Sakura, obviously hoping that Syaoran would leave her to dance with another partner. The Prince led her back to her seat and then quietly sat down in his own.
~*~*~*~
"Ugh! Remind me never to dance every dance for two hours straight!" Meiling groaned, as she sank into her seat next to Sakura. Sakura smiled.
"Then do as I do and refuse! It is not that hard. I don't plan on dancing another dance, unless…"
"May I have this dance?" Sakura looked up in shock, to see Syaoran standing over her. Her heart gave a leap of joy as she took his outstretched hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
"I thought she said she wasn't going to dance anymore!" Meiling giggled to Touya, who sat on her other side. He smiled.
"I think…I think that she was willing to make an exception for him." Touya answered grudgingly, knowing what he said was true, but wishing it were not.
~*~*~*~
Sakura's heart beat happily as Syaoran swung her through the dance. She let her mind wander back to the comments she had heard earlier that night.
"They were wrong, you know." She commented thoughtfully. Syaoran looked at her in confusion.
"Who were?" He asked. She looked up in surprise and then blushed a bit.
"Oh, I am sorry! I was just thinking about what those people said earlier, about you being heartless. You aren't! I…" She suddenly stopped, and turned pale. "Syaoran…"
"I feel it too! It is the Hun! He may be right outside our walls! Hurry! Let's sneak outside and warn one of the guards guarding the back wall. He will probably try to come through that way." Syaoran whispered, leading her discreetly outside onto a balcony. "All right. I will go this way, and warn the guards over here. You go over that way!" Syaoran said, hurrying off. Sakura did as he said, but got the distinct feeling that something bad was about to happen.
"You can't escape me now, Princess! Your little lover is gone!" Hissed a voice as Sakura felt a hand cover her mouth and another capture her hands behind her back. Sakura tried to scream, but the hand did not budge!
'Syaoran! Please help me!' Sakura silently cried, tears running down her face. She felt herself being dragged over the back wall, and she knew that it was too late.
'Goodbye, my Syaoran!' She thought, just as everything turned black.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran hurried to the side wall.
"Captain Berk! Hun sighting! Have all men alerted at once and…" Suddenly, Syaoran stopped, as an immense wave of dread washed over him.
'Syaoran! Please help me!' Came a voice in his mind.
'Sakura!' He thought in a panic, running in the direction that she had gone, but she was gone! He felt for her aura, and found it very faint, leading over the back wall. Syaoran quickly scaled the wall and then rushed into the forest, after the aura. The forest was dark, and howls of wolves filled the gloomy night. Syaoran went on, not fearing the wolves, only thinking about the one thing that he did fear for. Sakura. He felt the aura just ahead, and quickly sprinted towards it. He rushed into a clearing, and came face to face with…the Hun! But the other man did nothing to escape. In fact, the Hun's face was registering panic, and Syaoran knew why. They had just ran into a clearing filled with wolves! The large animals gleaming eyes turned towards them with fearless curiosity, but then one of them crouched, getting ready to spring. The Hun let out a scream and dropped his helpless burden, as another wolf pulled him to the ground. Syaoran quickly went over and picked up Sakura, refusing to watch as the animals killed the man. Then the Prince hurried out of the clearing. He knew for a fact that the wolves wouldn't hurt him or Sakura, because they were his childhood friends; but as for the Hun…well, wolves do get hungry.
~*~*~*~
Sakura gave a moan and opened her eyes. Auburn colored eyes stared back, just above her.
"Syaoran! You did come! Wha…what happened? How long have I been asleep?" Sakura asked, sitting up.
"You fainted, and about fifteen minutes."
"The Ball…"
"They do not know, and I would prefer it stayed that way." Syaoran answered. Sakura smiled, got out of her bed, and walked out onto the balcony.
"Then tonight is a good night!" She stated, smiling up at the sky. The moon shone on her hair, making her look so much like an angel that Syaoran caught his breath in wonder.
"Syaoran…why do you act like this?" Sakura asked suddenly, turning to him. Sweet emerald eyes met intense amber eyes. He shivered slightly, understanding what she meant, but said nothing.
"You were being so nice to me, and then you suddenly stopped. I want to know why. Why the sudden change?" She asked, looking up at his face and putting her hand on his arm. Little did she know just what that touch was doing to him.
*Syaoran's POV*
'You have to tell her!'
~ NO! I'd rather die than have her reject me! ~
'You should at least try! Look at her! Do you really want to lie to that innocent little thing?'
~ Please don't! ~
'Just do it, you baka!'
~*~*~*~
*Sakura's POV*
'What is going through his head right now? He looks so sad.'
~ He wants to tell me something, but I can see that but what…~
'I love him so much! I just can't stand to see him so sad!'
~ Then tell him how you feel! ~
'No! I don't want to hurt him further!'
~ It is better that hiding it and lying to him! ~
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
Sakura looked up at Syaoran shyly.
"Syaoran…why don't you ever smile?" She asked, asking a question that had been on her mind for a while. He frowned.
"I suppose I never saw a reason to." He said, leaning against the railing and looking at her.
"Why are you always happy?" He asked jokingly. She looked at him in surprise, but then a smile came to her lips.
"I suppose that it is because I cover up a lot of things that way. Being happy is a lot more fun than being gloomy when you are upset!" She answered, twirling around like a little girl and giggling. When she finally stopped, she turned to him and made a discovery.
"You…you are smiling!" She gasped. His smile widened into a handsome grin.
"Maybe that is because I have something to smile about!" He chuckled. "I suppose, that I have always smiled on the inside, and that is why I didn't have to do it on the outside, even when I wanted to." He commented thoughtfully. Sakura giggled.
"Now you can do it both ways!" She said, twirling around again, this time to the music that was drifting up from the Ballroom. He bowed.
"A lady should not dance alone!" With that he gently put his hand on her waist and led her into the waltz. He looked down at her and smiled lovingly. He led her into a twirl, and then back into the dance.
"You see! I was right! You are not heartless, and you do care about people!" Sakura said softly, looking up shyly into his eyes. He blushed.
"I do?"
"Yes! You care about me…" Sakura realized what she had just said and blushed. "I mean, enough to save me from that horrible man!" She quickly added. Syaoran's time had come.
"I care much more than that, Sakura. I would give my life to keep you with me." HE answered huskily. Sakura looked up, startled, and then she stopped dancing.
"You…you do?" She asked. He smiled.
"Yes, I do. I don't know how I ever lived before you came here. You turned my whole world upside down, and you saw right through my exterior, to the person inside. Then you set that person free. I love you, my Cherry Blossom." He whispered, putting his arms around her waist and drawing her closer. She willingly went, and then looked up into his eyes.
"You love me?!" She whispered. Then tears began to run down her face. "Oh, Syaoran! My Syaoran! I have loved you for so long, and I have been so afraid that…" She gave a shudder, refusing to finish the sentence. He reached out and gently lifted her chin. Then, before she really realized what was happening, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She stood for a moment, in shock, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. The kiss, timid at first, quickly became more passionate. The whole world was spinning, all the colors mixing together and floating off into the dark. Then it all came to an end as they both broke away, panting for air. He lost no time in securing her mouth again, but this time, she pulled away, laughing happily.
"Syaoran, we mustn't! The Ball!" Sakura reminded him. He groaned.
"I'd much rather stay right here." He whined, burying his face in her neck and gently kissing the soft skin at the base of her ear. She sighed and gently pushed him away.
"How are we going to tell everyone?" She asked softly. He grinned.
"How about this?" He quickly leaned over and whispered in her ear. She gave a delighted gasp.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare!" She whispered. He chuckled.
"Then let me lead!"
~*~*~*~
"I wonder where Syaoran and Sakura are. The should have been back a while ago!" Tomoyo said to Eriol. He simply smiled.
"Look! There Sakura is! Oh, she looks sad…" Meiling trailed off hesitantly.
"There is Syaoran, over there! He…looks the same as always." Eriol said, his face going from expectant to confused. "Maybe it didn't work…" King Fujitaka, and Queen Yelan, who had been informed of the plot to get Syaoran and Sakura together, both looked disappointed. Just then, Syaoran walked over to Sakura and tapped her on the shoulder. She nodded and they walked to the dance floor. For a while, they simply talked and danced but then, just as the dance ended, the unthinkable happened!
~*~*~*~
"What are they doing now?" Sakura asked Syaoran. His mouth quivered from amusement.
"They are looking disappointed…they think that their plan has failed!" He whispered delightedly. Sakura tried hard not to smile.
"So…the flowers are lovely this time of year…" She started.
"Yes, especially the Cherry Blossoms!" Syaoran said slyly.
"You are getting cocky!"
"I am not! I was just complimenting you!"
"Oh, thank you! And the peonies are lovely as well!" She commented, managing to keep a straight face. "The song is ending!"
"And we are in position, right in front of the Thrones…May I start?" He asked slyly.
"You may, my love!" She replied, a happy smile brightening her face. Syaoran broke into a delighted chuckle, and then lifted Sakura off the ground, spinning her around in the air. Sakura gave a happy giggle, just before he lowered her down and kissed her full on the lips, right there, in front of their families and the whole court! The room went silent, shock and wonder filling every person. Syaoran broke away and grinned down at Sakura.
"That was fun! Can we do it again?!" Syaoran asked. With that, Syaoran took Sakura's hand, and led her quickly out of the room, leaving everyone to stare after them with a mixture of shock and wonder. Prince Syaoran had smiled! Laughed! And…kissed in public! And the Princess had enjoyed it all!
~*~*~*~
"But how did it happen?!" Meiling stuttered out a few hours later. Sakura and Syaoran grinned at each other.
"Well, your little Hun trick started it…but we finished!" Syaoran laughed, slipping his arm around Sakura's waist. She smiled up at him.
"By the way, Tomoyo, was that you I saw kissing someone behind the rose bush this evening?" Sakura asked slyly, her eyes sparkling. Tomoyo and Eriol both blushed a bright red. Sakura giggled delightedly and hugged her cousin.
"Hiiragizawa, you are one sly fox!" Syaoran teased, a sly grin filling his face. Eriol blushed even more, but Touya and Meiling laughed.
"What a coincidence! We are in the same position!" Touya announced, holding out Meiling's hand and showing off the beautiful diamond ring. Sakura gave a shriek and hugged Meiling.
"We are going to be sisters now!" At these words, Meiling grinned. King Fujitaka looked at Queen Yelan and smiled.
"I think that we have some weddings to plan." Yelan announced.
"A triple wedding!" The three girls cried. The three husbands-to-be gave somotanious groans, but grinned at each other.
~*~*~*~
*Nine months later*
"Darling! They're here!" Syaoran called, sticking his head into the bedchamber. Sakura looked up and smiled.
"Perfect timing! Roselle just woke up!" Sakura announced, holding up her two week old daughter. Syaoran smiled down at the tiny bundle, and then took the baby from his wife.
"We are going downstairs to see some of our old friends, Rose!" He announced, carrying the child out of the room. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they heard voices coming from the library.
"Tomoyo! Meiling! It is so wonderful to see you!" Sakura cried, rushing up to Tomoyo and hugging her. Tomoyo laughed.
"Likewise! Sakura, I would like you to meet our son, Aaron." She announced. Eriol stepped forward and proudly showed off his three week old son. Sakura cooed over the baby and then turned to Meiling. She carefully hugged her sister-in-law, being extra careful to miss Meiling's bulging stomach.
"And how is my to-be niece or nephew doing?" Sakura asked, her eyes sparkling. Meiling smiled.
"Very well, thank you!" She patted her stomach and smiled. Then the adults went to the other side of the room to talk. The two fathers placed their little bundles into a large cradle at one end of the room and then went over to talk with their old friends.
~*~*~*~
'So…you're Roselle, right?'
~ Yes, and you're Aaron. ~
'What do you think they are talking about over there?'
~ Maybe, they are commenting about how cute we are, just like they always do! ~
'So, are you hungry?'
~ Oh, yes! But, should we really interrupt them? ~
'I don't see why not! I am really hungry!'
~ OK. ~
'Fine on the count of three…two…one!"
*WAH! WAH!*
~*~*~*~
"Oh no! Roselle is hungry!"
"Aaron too! Please excuse us!" Tomoyo added, rushing over to the cradle.
"It's all right, Aaron! Mommy is right here!
~*~*~*~
~ That was fun! ~
'Nice meeting you! We should get together more often, perhaps over milk?'
~ That sounds nice! Goodbye! ~
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: I'M FINISHED! Yes! If you didn't really understand the last part, it was Sakura's daughter and Tomoyo's son talking. They didn't talk like us, because of course, they were only a few weeks old, but they were communicating through telepathy! Kind of cool, huh? Sorry! I just wanted to end this story with a little humor! Well, I really hope that you liked this, and I just want to let you know that I am starting on another story, Cardcaptors, of course! Here is a little about it…
Kero: "You are actually going to tell them?"
Daphne: "Sure! Anyway, the next story is set just two months after the 2nd movie! Syaoran is suddenly called home, and he forgets to tell Sakura goodbye. (For a good reason, but you will have to read it to find out what that is.) Anyway, Sakura's class wins a trip to Hong Kong, (long story! It will explain!) and when they get there, they end up staying in a spooky castle. There, Touya (he is along as a escort) will have to call on his powers again, and Sakura will have to dust up her skills with the Sakura Cards. And where is Syaoran? Well, that is a surprise! Oh yeah! Some other people find out about the Sakura cards. But are they friends or foes?"
Kero: "I like it already!"
Daphne: "I hope that you will read the new story and review it! Well, goodbye!"
Kero: *Sob* "You mean…that we won't be…writing anymore?"
Daphne: "Of course we are, silly! I have a lot more ideas and I plan on writing them all down! Including one that has *me* as the star!
Kero: "YOU?! What about me?!"
Daphne: "Oh, it will have you in it too! And Eli has promised to help me write it! Hmm, I wonder how that will turn out?"
Kero: "I hope Eli dies a horrible death, and then you live the rest of your life as a spinster!"
Daphne: "KERO! HOW DARE YOU! Sorry folks! We are just going to go right into the story because Kero and I are going to have a little talk!" I move away from the computer and start to chase Kero "Get back here you…"
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 11.
Sakura emerged into the light, and stifled a gasp. So many people were here, staring up at her and smiling! Sakura put her hand on the stair- railing for support, and then started down the stairs. She caught sight of Meiling, Tomoyo, Touya, and Eriol all standing in a group near the thrones. Touya threw her a small wave, and Tomoyo smiled at her. Her father stood just behind them, smiling proudly up at his daughter. When Sakura saw this, she unconsciously smiled one of her innocent and charming smiles, making many of the maidens in the room, jealous. Then Sakura's eyes flicked down to the bottom of the staircase, and she caught her breath sharply. Syaoran stood there in his red tailed-coat and white pants, looking up at her with an impassive face, but as she reached to bottom of the stairs, she paused for a moment, and noticed that his eyes held a surprisingly warm light in them. He bowed to her, and she in turn, curtseyed. Then she took his outstretched hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor. As she passed, she could hear people's comments about her and Syaoran.
"She is a beautiful little thing! Eighteen, is she?"
"Yes! Oh, the poor dear! Forced to dance with that heartless thing! You know, I heard that he is even indifferent to his own mother!"
"I do pity her! The darling! He cannot possibly be human! If I had her on my arm, I would be smiling right and left, but look at him! Not a flinch!" At these words, Sakura blushed from anger. She looked at Syaoran out of the corner of her eye and sighed softly. Syaoran stopped and then gently put his arm around her waist, leading her into the dance. She smiled warmly up at him, and then looked around the dance floor. Touya and Meiling were dancing together, and so were Tomoyo and Eriol.
"They do make a good couple, don't they." Came Syaoran's voice. Sakura looked up at him in confusion.
"Who do?"
"Tomoyo and Eriol." He answered. She giggled.
"Yes, they do! I think it is lovely! Loving someone and having them love you in return, is one of the greatest gifts you can have." Sakura sighed. Syaoran frowned.
"You are loved as well, by your father and your brother." He said softly. She gave him a wistful smile.
"Yes, but I mean…Oh, I don't really know what I mean!" She sighed.
"I think I do. You want to be loved by someone other than…" He was cut off by a polite clapping as the song ended. Many of the people looked expectantly at Sakura, obviously hoping that Syaoran would leave her to dance with another partner. The Prince led her back to her seat and then quietly sat down in his own.
~*~*~*~
"Ugh! Remind me never to dance every dance for two hours straight!" Meiling groaned, as she sank into her seat next to Sakura. Sakura smiled.
"Then do as I do and refuse! It is not that hard. I don't plan on dancing another dance, unless…"
"May I have this dance?" Sakura looked up in shock, to see Syaoran standing over her. Her heart gave a leap of joy as she took his outstretched hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
"I thought she said she wasn't going to dance anymore!" Meiling giggled to Touya, who sat on her other side. He smiled.
"I think…I think that she was willing to make an exception for him." Touya answered grudgingly, knowing what he said was true, but wishing it were not.
~*~*~*~
Sakura's heart beat happily as Syaoran swung her through the dance. She let her mind wander back to the comments she had heard earlier that night.
"They were wrong, you know." She commented thoughtfully. Syaoran looked at her in confusion.
"Who were?" He asked. She looked up in surprise and then blushed a bit.
"Oh, I am sorry! I was just thinking about what those people said earlier, about you being heartless. You aren't! I…" She suddenly stopped, and turned pale. "Syaoran…"
"I feel it too! It is the Hun! He may be right outside our walls! Hurry! Let's sneak outside and warn one of the guards guarding the back wall. He will probably try to come through that way." Syaoran whispered, leading her discreetly outside onto a balcony. "All right. I will go this way, and warn the guards over here. You go over that way!" Syaoran said, hurrying off. Sakura did as he said, but got the distinct feeling that something bad was about to happen.
"You can't escape me now, Princess! Your little lover is gone!" Hissed a voice as Sakura felt a hand cover her mouth and another capture her hands behind her back. Sakura tried to scream, but the hand did not budge!
'Syaoran! Please help me!' Sakura silently cried, tears running down her face. She felt herself being dragged over the back wall, and she knew that it was too late.
'Goodbye, my Syaoran!' She thought, just as everything turned black.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran hurried to the side wall.
"Captain Berk! Hun sighting! Have all men alerted at once and…" Suddenly, Syaoran stopped, as an immense wave of dread washed over him.
'Syaoran! Please help me!' Came a voice in his mind.
'Sakura!' He thought in a panic, running in the direction that she had gone, but she was gone! He felt for her aura, and found it very faint, leading over the back wall. Syaoran quickly scaled the wall and then rushed into the forest, after the aura. The forest was dark, and howls of wolves filled the gloomy night. Syaoran went on, not fearing the wolves, only thinking about the one thing that he did fear for. Sakura. He felt the aura just ahead, and quickly sprinted towards it. He rushed into a clearing, and came face to face with…the Hun! But the other man did nothing to escape. In fact, the Hun's face was registering panic, and Syaoran knew why. They had just ran into a clearing filled with wolves! The large animals gleaming eyes turned towards them with fearless curiosity, but then one of them crouched, getting ready to spring. The Hun let out a scream and dropped his helpless burden, as another wolf pulled him to the ground. Syaoran quickly went over and picked up Sakura, refusing to watch as the animals killed the man. Then the Prince hurried out of the clearing. He knew for a fact that the wolves wouldn't hurt him or Sakura, because they were his childhood friends; but as for the Hun…well, wolves do get hungry.
~*~*~*~
Sakura gave a moan and opened her eyes. Auburn colored eyes stared back, just above her.
"Syaoran! You did come! Wha…what happened? How long have I been asleep?" Sakura asked, sitting up.
"You fainted, and about fifteen minutes."
"The Ball…"
"They do not know, and I would prefer it stayed that way." Syaoran answered. Sakura smiled, got out of her bed, and walked out onto the balcony.
"Then tonight is a good night!" She stated, smiling up at the sky. The moon shone on her hair, making her look so much like an angel that Syaoran caught his breath in wonder.
"Syaoran…why do you act like this?" Sakura asked suddenly, turning to him. Sweet emerald eyes met intense amber eyes. He shivered slightly, understanding what she meant, but said nothing.
"You were being so nice to me, and then you suddenly stopped. I want to know why. Why the sudden change?" She asked, looking up at his face and putting her hand on his arm. Little did she know just what that touch was doing to him.
*Syaoran's POV*
'You have to tell her!'
~ NO! I'd rather die than have her reject me! ~
'You should at least try! Look at her! Do you really want to lie to that innocent little thing?'
~ Please don't! ~
'Just do it, you baka!'
~*~*~*~
*Sakura's POV*
'What is going through his head right now? He looks so sad.'
~ He wants to tell me something, but I can see that but what…~
'I love him so much! I just can't stand to see him so sad!'
~ Then tell him how you feel! ~
'No! I don't want to hurt him further!'
~ It is better that hiding it and lying to him! ~
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
Sakura looked up at Syaoran shyly.
"Syaoran…why don't you ever smile?" She asked, asking a question that had been on her mind for a while. He frowned.
"I suppose I never saw a reason to." He said, leaning against the railing and looking at her.
"Why are you always happy?" He asked jokingly. She looked at him in surprise, but then a smile came to her lips.
"I suppose that it is because I cover up a lot of things that way. Being happy is a lot more fun than being gloomy when you are upset!" She answered, twirling around like a little girl and giggling. When she finally stopped, she turned to him and made a discovery.
"You…you are smiling!" She gasped. His smile widened into a handsome grin.
"Maybe that is because I have something to smile about!" He chuckled. "I suppose, that I have always smiled on the inside, and that is why I didn't have to do it on the outside, even when I wanted to." He commented thoughtfully. Sakura giggled.
"Now you can do it both ways!" She said, twirling around again, this time to the music that was drifting up from the Ballroom. He bowed.
"A lady should not dance alone!" With that he gently put his hand on her waist and led her into the waltz. He looked down at her and smiled lovingly. He led her into a twirl, and then back into the dance.
"You see! I was right! You are not heartless, and you do care about people!" Sakura said softly, looking up shyly into his eyes. He blushed.
"I do?"
"Yes! You care about me…" Sakura realized what she had just said and blushed. "I mean, enough to save me from that horrible man!" She quickly added. Syaoran's time had come.
"I care much more than that, Sakura. I would give my life to keep you with me." HE answered huskily. Sakura looked up, startled, and then she stopped dancing.
"You…you do?" She asked. He smiled.
"Yes, I do. I don't know how I ever lived before you came here. You turned my whole world upside down, and you saw right through my exterior, to the person inside. Then you set that person free. I love you, my Cherry Blossom." He whispered, putting his arms around her waist and drawing her closer. She willingly went, and then looked up into his eyes.
"You love me?!" She whispered. Then tears began to run down her face. "Oh, Syaoran! My Syaoran! I have loved you for so long, and I have been so afraid that…" She gave a shudder, refusing to finish the sentence. He reached out and gently lifted her chin. Then, before she really realized what was happening, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She stood for a moment, in shock, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. The kiss, timid at first, quickly became more passionate. The whole world was spinning, all the colors mixing together and floating off into the dark. Then it all came to an end as they both broke away, panting for air. He lost no time in securing her mouth again, but this time, she pulled away, laughing happily.
"Syaoran, we mustn't! The Ball!" Sakura reminded him. He groaned.
"I'd much rather stay right here." He whined, burying his face in her neck and gently kissing the soft skin at the base of her ear. She sighed and gently pushed him away.
"How are we going to tell everyone?" She asked softly. He grinned.
"How about this?" He quickly leaned over and whispered in her ear. She gave a delighted gasp.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare!" She whispered. He chuckled.
"Then let me lead!"
~*~*~*~
"I wonder where Syaoran and Sakura are. The should have been back a while ago!" Tomoyo said to Eriol. He simply smiled.
"Look! There Sakura is! Oh, she looks sad…" Meiling trailed off hesitantly.
"There is Syaoran, over there! He…looks the same as always." Eriol said, his face going from expectant to confused. "Maybe it didn't work…" King Fujitaka, and Queen Yelan, who had been informed of the plot to get Syaoran and Sakura together, both looked disappointed. Just then, Syaoran walked over to Sakura and tapped her on the shoulder. She nodded and they walked to the dance floor. For a while, they simply talked and danced but then, just as the dance ended, the unthinkable happened!
~*~*~*~
"What are they doing now?" Sakura asked Syaoran. His mouth quivered from amusement.
"They are looking disappointed…they think that their plan has failed!" He whispered delightedly. Sakura tried hard not to smile.
"So…the flowers are lovely this time of year…" She started.
"Yes, especially the Cherry Blossoms!" Syaoran said slyly.
"You are getting cocky!"
"I am not! I was just complimenting you!"
"Oh, thank you! And the peonies are lovely as well!" She commented, managing to keep a straight face. "The song is ending!"
"And we are in position, right in front of the Thrones…May I start?" He asked slyly.
"You may, my love!" She replied, a happy smile brightening her face. Syaoran broke into a delighted chuckle, and then lifted Sakura off the ground, spinning her around in the air. Sakura gave a happy giggle, just before he lowered her down and kissed her full on the lips, right there, in front of their families and the whole court! The room went silent, shock and wonder filling every person. Syaoran broke away and grinned down at Sakura.
"That was fun! Can we do it again?!" Syaoran asked. With that, Syaoran took Sakura's hand, and led her quickly out of the room, leaving everyone to stare after them with a mixture of shock and wonder. Prince Syaoran had smiled! Laughed! And…kissed in public! And the Princess had enjoyed it all!
~*~*~*~
"But how did it happen?!" Meiling stuttered out a few hours later. Sakura and Syaoran grinned at each other.
"Well, your little Hun trick started it…but we finished!" Syaoran laughed, slipping his arm around Sakura's waist. She smiled up at him.
"By the way, Tomoyo, was that you I saw kissing someone behind the rose bush this evening?" Sakura asked slyly, her eyes sparkling. Tomoyo and Eriol both blushed a bright red. Sakura giggled delightedly and hugged her cousin.
"Hiiragizawa, you are one sly fox!" Syaoran teased, a sly grin filling his face. Eriol blushed even more, but Touya and Meiling laughed.
"What a coincidence! We are in the same position!" Touya announced, holding out Meiling's hand and showing off the beautiful diamond ring. Sakura gave a shriek and hugged Meiling.
"We are going to be sisters now!" At these words, Meiling grinned. King Fujitaka looked at Queen Yelan and smiled.
"I think that we have some weddings to plan." Yelan announced.
"A triple wedding!" The three girls cried. The three husbands-to-be gave somotanious groans, but grinned at each other.
~*~*~*~
*Nine months later*
"Darling! They're here!" Syaoran called, sticking his head into the bedchamber. Sakura looked up and smiled.
"Perfect timing! Roselle just woke up!" Sakura announced, holding up her two week old daughter. Syaoran smiled down at the tiny bundle, and then took the baby from his wife.
"We are going downstairs to see some of our old friends, Rose!" He announced, carrying the child out of the room. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they heard voices coming from the library.
"Tomoyo! Meiling! It is so wonderful to see you!" Sakura cried, rushing up to Tomoyo and hugging her. Tomoyo laughed.
"Likewise! Sakura, I would like you to meet our son, Aaron." She announced. Eriol stepped forward and proudly showed off his three week old son. Sakura cooed over the baby and then turned to Meiling. She carefully hugged her sister-in-law, being extra careful to miss Meiling's bulging stomach.
"And how is my to-be niece or nephew doing?" Sakura asked, her eyes sparkling. Meiling smiled.
"Very well, thank you!" She patted her stomach and smiled. Then the adults went to the other side of the room to talk. The two fathers placed their little bundles into a large cradle at one end of the room and then went over to talk with their old friends.
~*~*~*~
'So…you're Roselle, right?'
~ Yes, and you're Aaron. ~
'What do you think they are talking about over there?'
~ Maybe, they are commenting about how cute we are, just like they always do! ~
'So, are you hungry?'
~ Oh, yes! But, should we really interrupt them? ~
'I don't see why not! I am really hungry!'
~ OK. ~
'Fine on the count of three…two…one!"
*WAH! WAH!*
~*~*~*~
"Oh no! Roselle is hungry!"
"Aaron too! Please excuse us!" Tomoyo added, rushing over to the cradle.
"It's all right, Aaron! Mommy is right here!
~*~*~*~
~ That was fun! ~
'Nice meeting you! We should get together more often, perhaps over milk?'
~ That sounds nice! Goodbye! ~
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: I'M FINISHED! Yes! If you didn't really understand the last part, it was Sakura's daughter and Tomoyo's son talking. They didn't talk like us, because of course, they were only a few weeks old, but they were communicating through telepathy! Kind of cool, huh? Sorry! I just wanted to end this story with a little humor! Well, I really hope that you liked this, and I just want to let you know that I am starting on another story, Cardcaptors, of course! Here is a little about it…
Kero: "You are actually going to tell them?"
Daphne: "Sure! Anyway, the next story is set just two months after the 2nd movie! Syaoran is suddenly called home, and he forgets to tell Sakura goodbye. (For a good reason, but you will have to read it to find out what that is.) Anyway, Sakura's class wins a trip to Hong Kong, (long story! It will explain!) and when they get there, they end up staying in a spooky castle. There, Touya (he is along as a escort) will have to call on his powers again, and Sakura will have to dust up her skills with the Sakura Cards. And where is Syaoran? Well, that is a surprise! Oh yeah! Some other people find out about the Sakura cards. But are they friends or foes?"
Kero: "I like it already!"
Daphne: "I hope that you will read the new story and review it! Well, goodbye!"