Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Cherry Blossoms Bloom Every Spring ❯ Something Old Something New ( Chapter 7 )

Cherry Blossoms Bloom Every Spring

Chapter Seven- Something old, something new

By: Sorano

For my fellow dreamers at FF.N

桜の花第7 あらゆるばねの章古
2356;何か新しい何か

空&# 33879;書かれている

私の& #21451;人のため書くかだ 428;がまた

Disclaimer: CCS belongs to the wonderful talented CLAMP, as we all know. And Kodansha. ^_^ "Arigatou was sung by Tange Sakura, lyrics composed by Nishi Naoki, composition by Yoda Kazumi (Yoda! LOL- sorry I saw Star Wars the other day), arrangement by Yamamoto Mitsuo

A/N: Hey, stick around, minna! It's the wedding chapter! ^_^ About time, ne? I'm so happy! I got the second CCS movie! For those who haven't, see it! It is so cute! I ran around screaming 'hanyaaan' the whole day I got it. LOL.

* * *

"Ohayo, Mei-ling-chan!" Sakura swung herself into the vivid nursury. "Time to get up!" It gave her great joy to walk into this room every morning and have her little daughter smile up at her, but this morning the lights were dim, instead of brightly glowing. "Nani?" Sakura stepped closer to the crib, shuddering because of the cold.

"Mei-ling?" By now the small child should've popped her head up, grinning and showing off her latest tooth. Oh, teething was such a nightmare. An odd fear was pulsing through her veins, something trying to warn her the baby wouldn't be there. "How silly," she muttered, but she breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she saw Mei-ling sleeping quietly under her yellow blankets. Oh, so quietly…Is she only sleeping?

"Mei-ling, kanojo?" A trembling hand reached out to stroke the small body. Sakura's white fingers gently gripped the blanket and pulled it away. Oh, why was it so cold in here? Much too cold for a baby, Mei-ling would freeze… And so cold she looked, with her pale face and blue lips. Sakura wanted to take her daughter out, warm her frail body, but daren't disturb the beautiful statue. Wasn't it so sweet, the way Mei-ling's tiny eyelashes brushed against round cheeks and tiny lips drew into a smile. Her wisps of chesnut hair damply clung to the silken pillow.

'She should've been mine,' the cold wind howled. She is a luscious little thing, ne? Don't you just want to devour her?'

"No!" Sakura banged her fists against the side of the cradle, closing out the hideous, yet all-too farmiliar sound. Her raspy breathing slowed, as she tried to convince herself it really was the wind she heard.

Shuddering down one more breath, Sakura lifted the light baby up…and almost dropped it again. Mei-ling drooped, her eyes swinging open, but showing no sign of reconition. "Mei-ling?" Sakura whispered her daughter's name, her breath pouring out into cold still air. The child omitted no sound, no movement.

Sakura's nose wrinkled, unable to bear the odd stench. What was it? So hard to put her finger on the pungent smell. Oh, but it did give her chills. Yes, it sunk to the bottom of her soul and reached up with long tendrils, up and up and up…until she felt like puking. It was absolutely nausating. A strong smell of decay and sanguine.

Terrified at what she might see, Sakura peered at the child held in her arms more closely. At closer examination she could see the faintest trickle of crimson on Mei-ling's neck…

**************************************************************** ******************************************************

Drenched in sweat and panting heavily, the young woman crawled out of her bed and tried to adjust her eyes to the darkness. "Mei-ling-chan…" Panic seized her body and she made her way down the long hallway to her daughter's room.

"Sakura-chan?" Kero's Osaka accent was unmistakable. He had followed her to this point and was more than a little worried, what with times being so hard lately. "Daijobu? What are you doing?"

Sakura gave him a quick, faltering smile before turning the slick doorknob. "I have to know, Kero-chan. I just want to check on Mei-ling-chan."

"Did you have a nightmare? You look so scared."

"Uh-huh. A nightmare." Sakura flicked on the lights and was filled with an odd relief to hear a loud wailing. Though she had rudely awaken her child, that meant she had nothing to worry about. "Hush, it's ok sweetie," Sakura picked up Mei-ling and rocked her, subconsiously searching the room for signs of anything out of the ordinary.

No, it was only a dream. Mei-ling's room looked no different than it had earlier that day. Everything was fine. Sakura set her daughter back in the crib and lovingly wrapped layers of blankets around her, because it was so damn cold.

"Are you sure you're okay, Sakura-chan?" Kero hovered by her ear, and winking at the infant child.

"Yeah, let's go. I…"

"Just wanted to check. I understand," the winged guardian replied. "Can't be too careful, what with her having kahoshi bloodlines."

Sakura gave him a puzzled look before flicking out the lights, giving the room an errie haunted look. "Say what? Kahoshi?"

"Never mind."

Shrugging, Sakura blew a kiss at her daughter and shut the door. A sigh of relief came out in a scream. Written on the white oak doors was scribbled in crude scarlet liquid, '

"当狼和樱桃开花成 ;为一个, 我将吞食孩子羊羔屠 6432;." She's mine.

"Hoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

* *

"Hai. Hai. She's still upset." Kero held the phone away from his tiny ear when the other voice blared. "Nani? Of course! I just mean she's woken up, that's all. Hai, please come over. No, Fujitaka-san is scrubbing it off right now. Iie, we don't know. Of course Mei-ling-chan is fine. Sakura-chan would never let harm come to her. Oi, ja!"

The heavy phone then slipped from his grasp and crashed on the new hardwood floor. Kero winced at the noise, but didn't bother to pick it up. Whirling with emotion he had never come across before, Kero flew back to his mistress. He was angry, that was certain. But other thoughts bubbled up inside him, ideas Clow never designed for him, ones that came from living amongst humans for six years.

Kero's vehemence only doubled when he saw his mistress huddled a chair by the fire rocking Mei-ling back and forth, tears slowly running down her eyes. As strong as the girl was, her heart was so very frail, too. "Ara, Sakura-chan…"

Sakura looked up, haunted eyes searching for mercy. "Kero-chan. Is…is my Syaoran-kun coming?"

"Hai. You know he will come, Sakura-chan. He loves you." Like a knight dashing to rescue his maiden from all the perils of the world, Li Syaoran would always be there for Sakura. It hurt Kero, as selfish a thought it may be, that Sakura couldn't rely on him in times of crisis. He wasn't enough comfort for her. She needed a bigger shoulder to cry on. Neverless, Kero would protect Sakura until the end of time! Aa, yes, he would. She could always rely on him.

"Arigato, Kero-chan. I don't…I don't think I could survive without you." Sakura hugged her daughter close, begging she would fall asleep. "I'm just glad Mei-ling-chan is too young to understand."

"You do realize," Kero was forced to mention. "Mei-ling-chan will not be young forever, and you can not protect her always. Something is coming for her."

"Murasaki…" Sakura's red eyes widened. "Kero-chan! Mei-ling Murasaki! What will he do to her? And who is this that wants my child? After all I went through, someone would dare take her away from me?!"

"Calm down, Sakura-chan! You're hysterical!" Kero frowned. "This atrocious chi is not a person, Okami. Not 'he' but rather 'it.' And it does not desire your offspring, so much rather as you."

"Me? Nani? Why?" Sakura held her daughter close, protectively. "You know I would die for my daughter," she stated with more gutso than she felt. Perhaps she loved her daughter even more than Syaoran, but Sakura was not the heroine she tried to be. When the time came, Kero feared she'd run and hide behind her friends.

"Ano, You ha-"

Ding-dong! Yes, an excellent onomatopoeia, the doorbell does actually ding-dong.

"That would the gaki," Kero mumbled and brushed by Sakura to the front door. "Don't get up, okay?"

As he whized through the house, he could hear Sakura chidding gently, "You know by now that Syaoran-kun is no gaki. I really wish you'd be friendlier to him, seeing as you'll be living with him soon."

"Nani!" Kero hadn't really thought of this and was a bit startled, but decided to push it aside for the moment, for pressing matters weighed over the trivial childhood quarrel. Griping the doorknob between his teeth, the effectivly pulled it open. "Ohayo, Li-san."

"Ohayo," Syaoran replied curtly, pushing past Kero and stepping into the cozy home. "Where's Sakura-chan? Is she alright? Is Mei-ling-chan alright?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? They're both fine. Scared, but alright."

Syaoran felt a gentle pressure around his neck. "Thank you for coming, Syaoran-kun." He nodded gently. "I had to."

"You don't have to do anything," Sakura released him from her tight grip and he turned to face her. "Everything we do, we have a choice in. We do it for love."

"Please don't go all gooey on me," Kero protested, only able to bear so much sweetness at a time. Apparently not even after such a scare. They really were romantic. It wasn't really their love that got to him; he actually found it quite touching. No, he was just anxious that Sakura would be torn from him, would not need him anymore. Their love was symbolic, and represented what they used to be and never would be again. It was heartwrenching. Epeically if you knew what was coming…

"Oi, Kero-chan!"

"Iie, the nuigurumi is right, Sakura-chan. Now is not the time." Grasping her hand tightly in his own, he lead the way deeper into her house. Mei-ling was still lying alone on a silken sofa, softly whimpering. Sakura cursed herself and went to tend to her.

"I need to see this myself," Syaoran told Kero, guarded eyes never leaving his two favorite girls. "Will you show me?" Syaoran had a horrible feeling something dreadful was going to happen, and he would have to confirm it himself. Running a hand through ruffled brown hair, he started up the stairs after Kero.

"Kinomoto-san?" he whispered around the bend to the hall, not wanting to disturb the shaken man. "Konnichiwa, this is Li-san, your daughter's fiancé." The house was deathly silent. There was no reply. "Dono?" Careful placing one foot in front of the other, painfully aware of Sakura's pink polkadot slippers, he stepped into the hall.

Sharp amber eyes caught sight of the nursury door, a bucket of white paint beside it. Though the words were now illegiable, dark red still smeared it's surface. The color made him feel sick. He examined the stained door. It appears Sakura' father had only washed the door and had not gotten around to painting it yet. Syaoran was sure no amount of paint would ever be able to cover that vile mess. But where was the good man?

Syaroan couldn't help but feel a little jumpy peering into the bedrooms, but this place tainted with evil. And that awful smell…He put his nose close up to the door and took a long sniff. Revolted, his nose wrinkled up. "Sheep blood." Ramtos Ge Ramos "The slaughter of lambs…How fitting. At least it isn't Mei-ling-chan's."

He gathered the confidence and courage he momentairly lost and pushed open the door to Mei-ling-chan's nursery. "It's only my koishii's sunny house. Nothing bad ever happens here." Though he tried to reassure himself, he breath was raggad and hands shaky.

The room was bright and sunny, a child's ideal room, not a thing out of place. A couple of toys even littered the floor. A soft melody was playing, coming from Mei-ling's crib carousel. Fujitaka had given it to Sakura as a baby shower gift, almost a year earlier. "It's a small world after all, it's a-"

Syaoran felt cold when the song suddenly broke off and hissed into garbled static. Something still wasn't right here. It was only childhood fear that had Syaoran check the closet, but what he found was no monster.

Though ashamed to admit it later, he let out a scream that sent his fiancée bounding up the stairs. Fujitaka's body tumbled out at his feet. The man's handsome face was white and drawn, his limbs bound so tight red welts surrouneded the crude rope. Through a nasty bruise was forming above Fujitaka's left eye, Syaoran could find no trace of blood. That relieved. Sakura didn't need to see any more blood.

As he had been taught long ago, he knelt beside the man and check breathing and pulse. As he expected, the man was alive, just knocked out cold. This worried Syaoran. How could someone do this without his knowing? What were they up against? It was a terrifying concept. That someone would want to hurt an innocent child so much…Of course, Mei-ling wasn't innocent. She had never been truly innocent, born from evil and centuries old magic. Mei-ling was no ordinairy little girl, and some monster either craved her, or the child's mother from whom the magic flows.

"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura rasped, face white with worry. "What's wrong?"

Syaoran lifted his face and met her eyes. "Nothing, Sakura-chan. Daijobu." Trying not to let her see, he gently pushed the man's body back in the closet, for the time being, and smiled softly at her. He'd have to remember to wake the man once he'd gotten Sakura set.

Sakura stepped into the room, arms wrapped tight around her child. "Silly, Syaoran-kun," she giggled nervously, unsure about the time to laugh. "You scream like a girl."

A farmilair cherise glow spread across the boy's face. "Aa, Sakura-chan. Nah…" he couldn't come up with a valid excuse for being scared, so he just smiled it off, knowing Sakura thought it to be cute. "Errr," why did he always have to look like a fool in front of Sakura?

"It's okay," Sakura grinned with relief. "You just worried me. Why did you scream?" she was calm now, but her voice was edged with unease.

"Um…Its nothing. Lets go downstairs."

"Is my father up here? I haven't seem him in a while?" She peered around the room, pushing Syaoran aside.

Syaoran took her shoulders gently and shooed her out of the room. "I haven't seen him. Anyway… everything's okay up here. You should be downstairs with Mei-ling. I don't trust her alone in that thing's care."

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura grinned and smacked him lightly. "What did I tell you?"

"It just isn't safe," Syaoran shrugged. "He would trade the kid in for a donought any day."

"That's not true. You don't really think that, do you, Syaoran-kun?"

Syaoran shrugged again, eyes on the floor. "I can't trust him. Gomen, Sakura-chan."

* * *

The phone rang early Sunday morning while it was still dark and birds were curled up in their nests and the annoying street-sweeper wasn't even out yet. More importantly, Tomoyo Daidouji was enjoying her sleep-intoxicated dreams within the warm comforts of her blanket. However, the phone did ring and no amount of fillow stuffing would make it go away.

"Moshi moshi," Tomoyo said with a yawn, hoping the caller wouldn't catch the growl on the tip of her tongue. "Dai…" yawn, "Daidouji…Tomoyo. Donata?"

"Tomoyo-chan?"

Tomoyo immdiatly sat up hearing the distress in her friend's voice. She pulled the receiver closer to her ear and wiped the sleep out of her eyes. "Sakura-chan. Daijoubu? Is something wrong?"

A shaky laugh came from the other end and Tomoyo knew Sakura was alright. "I'm sorry, Tomoyo-chan. I've woken you up in the middle of the night. You can go back to sleep. I…"

"Sakura, it's okay," Tomoyo said firmly. "I was hoping we could talk before tomorrow."

"You were?"

"Hai. Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"Hai, eeto, um…sort of. Ara, I'm so scared, Tomoyo-chan! I can't believe that its tomorrow! After all this time, Syaoran and I will be getting married! Married… What will I do? Oi, Tomoyo-chan! I don't know if I can do it… I mean, I love Syaoran-kun and all, but live with him? I really don't know if I am ready, Tomoyo-chan. Not living in my house anymore… with Otousan and Oniichan… It isn't just about Syaoran… I will be on my own. I… What if… Ara, anything can go wrong! I can't stop thinking about tomorrow. I should be excited but all I can feel is fear. We have been doing a lot of practicing and everything's arranged but… what if something happens? I don't know if I can do it!" Her voice started to trail off, leaving a silence save for her hard breathing.

"Sakura-chan, this is the sort of break-down brides wait until five minutes before the ceremony to have. You're a little early," Tomoyo teased gently. She had been listening patiently this whole time and her heart was going out to her friend. "Demo… Sakura-chan, have you talked about this with Li-kun yet?"

"Syaoran-kun?…"

Tomoyo laughed. "Sakura-chan, don't you think maybe he's going through the same things you are? If you don't feel ready then you should be telling him this. If you two can't even talk to each other…"

"Oi, Tomoyo-chan! You're right! You've always been so smart…"

"The wedding isn't all that's bothering you, is it, Sakura-chan?"

"We will be moving to Hong Kong, Tomoyo-chan. I'm sorry it's short notice but I only found out today. The elders will need Syaoran-kun for a little while at least."

Tomoyo drew her breath in sharply. "Hong Kong? Demo, Sakura-chan, that's so far away! You can't leave!"

"That's one of the things about getting married. I have to leave. Everything is going to change. Tomoyo-chan, I don't want things to change."

"Silly, Sakura-chan! Be happy! You have wonderful times ahead of you! You have the perfect man, magic and you'll get to see Hong Kong again! Poor Tomoyo-chan, thought, I'll be here all alone without my Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo gave a dramatic little sniff for good measure and then the two girls giggled. "I don't know if I can live without you, Sakura-chan."

"Of course you can! How will I survive without you? Who will design my clothes, or cheer me up, or tell me and Syaoran not to be stupid? Who will watch out for me? Who can love me like you do? There's no one I love the way I love you."

Tomoyo flushed and wished these words had come at a different time, so she could thoroughly soak them in. However, as much as she wanted to get down on her knees and beg Sakura to stay, she still had one last role to play in her friend's life. "Syaoran," she replied simply. "Let him be your be all and end all. He will take care of you."

"Tomoyo-chan! How can you be so calm? Hang on, I'm coming over to your place! I need a hug."

"Sakura-chan, it's three am!"

* * *

Sakura let out a loud yawn and flopped onto the couch. "This is way too tiring. Getting is more work than it's worth. Tomoyo-chan, can't we put it off until tommorow."

"Iie," her friend said firmly. "We went through this all last night. Which," she couldn't resist adding, "explains why you are so tired." Tomoyo had dark circles of her own rimming her starry eyes, rewards of staying up all night reassuring Sakura.

"Li-kun looks like he is going to faint," Naoko giggled, jumping onto the couch beside Sakura. " He is walking around like a robot- eyes wide, lips tight and his arm thrust out in front of him. I think the bride has it very lucky. The groom has to go around greeting all the guests. And take all "Oh, my little baby! All grown up" stuff like that."

"The guests? Hoe! Shouldn't I go down and see everyone? They must think I'm really rude."

"Iie!" All the girls said at once. "Its tradition that you are supposed to stay up here with us until the ceremony begins."

"I don't feel well," Sakura moaned. "How much longer?"

"A couple hours," Chiharu said. "It's for 1 o'clock, ne?"

Sakura nodded miserably.

"Aww, Sakura-chan…" Rika wrapped her friend in a gentle hug. "This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, remember? You've been waiting so long for all this. Where's your cheerful smile? Don't start crying on us."

Sakura sniffled and tried to grin. "Gomen, minna. I am happy, really." Rika handed her a tissue and she blew into loudly. "I'm just so scared."

"Don't be. You won't be walking down that aisle alone. Now," Tomoyo winked at her. "We have to start getting you ready."

Sakura didn't like the way her four friends were looking at her. She gulped. "Hoe?"

"You found your Okaasan's dress, ne, Sakura-chan?"

"Hai." Sakura slipped off the couch and began to rummage through her bag. "Otousan helped me look for it last week. He had it up in its special box in the attic all these years. I wonder if it will make him sad to see me wear it?" she mused, pulling out a long cardboard box, embroidered with lacy designs. "We had it dry-cleaned and it's in perfect condition."

She carefully pulled the long shimmery cloth out of the box and the girl's sqealed in delight. When Sakura held the dress up in front of her it trailed a good foot behind her. She giggled. "Okaasan was a lot taller than me. Oniichan says it's because she ate her broccoli." She made a face. "I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"Ara, Sakura-chan, its gorgeous. Absolutely goregeous." Rika fingered the soft, velvety material lovingly and Sakura knew she was thinking of her own wedding.

Sakura nodded. "I know. I'll never look as good in it as Okaasan did. I just don't have her figure."

"Hmm, we'll see." Tomoyo smiled secretly.

"Well, put it on!" Chiharu urged. "We can't really know until you put it on."

Sakura shedded her robe and Tomoyo ordered her to lift up her arms. The girl jumped up on the bed and lifted the dress over Sakura's head. Swoosh, down it went, like silken water to land gracefully around the girl's frame in an elegant puddle. "Don't even try to do it up," Tomoyo said. A traditional dress, it didn't have a zipper, but rather strings all the way up the middle. Each tiny bow had to be tied tightly so Sakura wouldn't end up in her undergarments halfway down the aisle.

"Sakura-chan, that must be the most beautiful dress I have ever seen in my life. You wear it like a princess," Naoko said wistfully.

"I feel so silly," Sakura said, twirling around. "It's so fancy. I'll probably trip over this long train and tear it in half. Or spill punch on it more likely."

"Don't say that!" Chiharu gasped. "You'll jinx it. And don't worry. Everything will be fine. As long as you're careful that is."

"Syaoran and I will make sure she stays away from the punch," Tomoyo said evilly.

"There's a mirror in the spare room…" Sakura started to say, but the girls blocked off the door, startling her.

"Not yet. You can't see yourself until we're all done with you."

"Hoe… What else is there to do?"

"Too much," Tomoyo said grimly. "They'll be taking pictures today. Forty years from now you'll be showing these pictures to your own children and you'll want to have looked like the most beautiful woman in the world. Your hair isn't even dried yet, Sakura-chan!"

"Hai, there is much to be done," Rika agreed, pulling Sakura over to the chair by the vanity. "My Okaasan used to be a hair stylist so I think I can do a pretty good job." She ran her fingers through Sakura's damp shoulder-length hair and smiled. "I have a great idea."

A few hours later, after much swearing, laughing and a huge mess, the four girls were finally satisfied with their work. "Now can I go look?" Sakura giggled a little impatiently. As excited as she was, it was difficult sitting so still for such a long time while a bunch of girls were attacking you with curling irons and make-up.

"Hai! But be careful!" the girls winced as Sakura almost fell flat on her face. They chased after her, holding up her train, as she ran down the hall and into the guest bedroom.

Sakura let out a little gasp of surprise as she soaked in her reflection. She brought one hand up to her mouth and watched as the beauty in the mirror copied her. "I… Sugoi!" she threw her arms around her pleased friends and tried to hold back the tears threatening to flow. "Arigato. You are the best," she told them and turned to the mirror once again.

She was almost unreconizable. The pure white satin dress clung tightly down to her waist where it gradually widened into puddles of cream on the floor, leaving a long trail behind her. Tiny pearls studded the modest neckline, the puffy sleeve cuffs, and around her waist. The dress was beautiful in its simplicity and Sakura wore with ease. Her hair had been loosely curled courtesy of Rika, and then pulled into an elegant bun atop her head, with soft tendrils framing her face. They had used a light powder on her face with a faint peach blush and painted her lips pink.

"Sakura-chan," Naoko called softly. "There's one more thing." She held out the veil in her hands.

Sakura smiled, getting teary-eyed, and took the silky bundle from her. It was a two- part veil, one lacy sheet to flow down her back and a shorter one to cover her face. A band of pink and white cherry blossoms held the veil together in her hair.

"Oh, Sakura-chan! You're just so cute!" Tomoyo melted into her, carefully wrapping her arms around her best friend and hugging her tight. "Please don't leave me," she whispered low enough so the others couldn't hear.

"Masaka…"

"I've never seen a more beautiful bride," Chiharu agreed.

A gentle knock came on the door and the girls were startled out of their reviere. The door opened just wide enough for Yukito to pop his head in. Syaoran had asked him to be his best man and he was already dressed in a handsome white tux. "Are you almost ready? They want to start in ten minutes. The groom is getting a little anxious…" his eyes widened, catching his first glimpse of Sakura. "Oh, Sakura-chan," he stepped fully into the room.

Sakura grinned and moved over to him, letting her dress swish around her. She was surprised to see she was only a head shorter than Yukito now. It was odd, and she felt like she was seeing him a whole new light. "Yukito-san…"

Yukito laughed gently and brought his hand up to her face, cupping it gently. "I suppose -chan isn't really appropriate anymore, ne? You are my grown-up Sakura-san now. And you are so, so beautiful. That man is very, very lucky to have you."

Sakura's smile drooped. "I don't want to be Sakura-san to you, Yukito-san. It wouldn't feel right. I've been your best friend's kid sister all my life. I don't want things to change."

"Aa, but you're a grown up woman now, Sakura." He looked like he wanted to say more, but then pulled away. "Please hurry or we may have to do the ceremony without the groom." He moved to the door. "And Sakura, he will be watching, too. He says his proud of you… He thinks you… He says you are lovely."

Sakura nodded. "Arigato."

"Now, Sakura-chan," the girls began to get frantic once Yukito had left. "We have to hurry. Blue… Blue… Blue. You need something blue!"

"Blue?"

"Hai. Its tradition. Now… what can we get you that is blue?"

Sakura giggled. "Relax. I'm wearing blue slippers. They came with Okaasan's dress. Actually, I'd better go get them."

"Chotto. Something old…" Naoko tipped the items off on her fingers. "That would be your dress. Something new…"

"The flowers," suggested Chiharu. "We just picked them today."

"Not from our tree?" Sakura asked.

"They look so much better on you, Sakura-chan. The tree had plenty to spare."

"Old, new, blue…Borrowed! That it! You need to borrow something!"

"Nani? Borrow? Borrow what?"

"I know!" Tomoyo brightened and began to fumble with her hair. A click came and her ebony hair cascaded down her back. "You can use my hair clip!"

"Um… But it's pink. Won't it look funny?"

"I don't think so. We can slip it under the flowers and no one will notice."

"So much for tradition."

"It's one o'clock, Sakura-chan. Are you ready?"

"Iie! Hoe?" Sakura glanced anxiously at her bridesmaids. "None of you are even dressed! You've been so busy trying to get me ready…" she threw her hands up in the air dramatically. "Hurry!"

"Hai!" the girls ran from the room, leaving Sakura by herself. It was so quiet now and there was so much room to think. Pale sunlight flitered in through lacy curtains, reflecting off the green leaves outside the window. Birds were singing wedding marches and far-off children were yelling. I don't want to go. I have so many memories of this place. I want to stay here forever. I'm not ready to be an adult. A tear found its way out of her eye but she quickly wiped it away. "I won't cry."

"Iie, you won't. This isn't a day for tears."

"Hoe?" Sakura looked up to see Fujitaka bending over her, a gentle smile playing upon his lips. She hadn't even heard him come in. "Otousan…"

Fujitaka sat down on the bed beside her. "Are you scared, Sakura-chan? It's okay to be scared. I was terrified on my wedding. But you know, Sakura-chan, happiness is always most important. I know this will make you happy."

Sakura smiled. "Hai. I'm not scared. Not anymore."

"Good. I have something for you."

"For me?"

"Hai. A present. Close your eyes, Sakura-chan."

Sakura complied and waited while her father fiddled with something beside her. "Here we go," she heard him say. Something smooth and cool was slipped around her neck. "Can I open my eyes now?"

"Hai." Fujitaka took her by the arm and lead her over to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. "I thought it was nice before but it is absolutely beautiful on you. And it goes so well with that dress."

Sakura gasped, bring her hand up to her neck to touch the delicate string of pearls. "Ara, Otousan… Arigato!" She twirled around to face Fujitaka and clasped his larger hands within her small ones. "How do I look, Otousan? Does my dress look pretty?"

Fujitaka's eyes might have been watering right then, but it was difficult to tell. He was not much for showing strong emotions. "Sakura-chan…" his voice caught in his throat. "Sakura-chan, you look like your dear mother more each day. She was so, so beautiful and in that dress you bear a striking resemblance to her."

"Honto? Do I really look like Okaasan?" It was hard for her to believe. She had been in total awe of her mother's beauty all her life and had despaired she could never live up to Nadeshiko's name.

"Mm hm." His eyes clouded over, mind somewhere in the past, perhaps in happier times. "Happiest day… of my life. I love you, Nadeshiko."

Sakura smiled. "Otousan, I'm Sakura. Please don't ask me to be Okaasan."

"You really are so much like her, you know that. Not just in looks, but you are every bit as sweet, loveable and cheerful as she was."

Sakura blushed. "I'm not really. She was so perfect, ne? I know she didn't make all the mistakes I did."

"I loved Nadeshiko, but she wasn't perfect. Don't try to perfect, Sakura-chan. I love you, too." His eyes drifted over to the old clock and he sighed. "Its time, Sakura-chan. Ano, we're in overtime now. I lost."

"Hoe?"

"You aren't mine anymore. My time with you is up. I've taken too much already. You belong to someone else now."

"Give me away with a smile, okay, Otousan?"

"Itsumo. Shall we go then?" Fujitaka offered his arm with a grin. "Your man awaits."

Sakura linked her am in his and allowed him to lead her down the hall. All too soon they were outside the church doors where the rest of the bridal party was assemblied. Syaoran was already walking down the aisle with Yukito.

"Ara, Sakura-chan!" Chiharu, Rika, Naoko and Tomoyo, all done up pretty in matching powder-blue bridesmaid dresses, rushed up to meet them.

"It's time, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo whispered. "Will you be okay?"

"Zettai." Sakura flashed her a smile and looked up at her father. "Ikimasho, ne?"

The doors swung open. "I'm ready."

* * *

The afternoon passed in a daze for the young couple. Sakura's worries were soon pushed aside, lost in entire bliss of their special day. She marched proudly down the aisle, all too aware of the intense stares of a few hundred people and Sonomi's sniffling, to where her husband-to-be waited, one arm slightly outstretched to catch her. She could hear soft sighs from the guests as she melted into his arms. It was all so dream-like, and just that way, she couldn't really recall the details.

They were pronounced man and wife with not one objection from the congregation. It was over all too soon and Sakura found herself throwing her sakura bouquet the air with a giggle. The once harmonious room was now full of pandemonium as fifty young girls jumped from their seats in a mad attempt to snatch the next wedding for themselves. A cry rose from the crowd to Sakura's waiting ears.

"I've got it! Me! I've got it!" A small figuring was waving the beautiful bouquet triumphantly, oblivious to both the jealous glares and puzzled looks around her.

"Naoko-chan?" Sakura whispered weakly.

"Who would've guessed?' Syaoran laughed beside her.

"I was expecting to Tomoyo-chan to get it," Sakura sighed. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for Naoko-chan…"

"You were just counting on your best friend getting it."

Sakura nodded. "It just made sense. Daidouji-sama caught the bouquet at Okaasan's wedding… and she kept it all these years, even though I can't say much for her own marriage. I just thought it would be a sort of tradition between us cousins in this family… maybe my daughter will throw it out to Tomoyo's daughter and…"

Syaoran turned her gently to face him, eyes stern. "Don't get carried away, Sakura. Do you want Daidouji-san's daughter to suffer the way she did?"

"Hoe?"

"You aren't that blind. Look at your friend out there. See how happy she is. Don't try to programme the future, Sakura."

Sakura shook her head and laughed softly. "I can't do that… yet." She pulled away from her husband and moved into the pews where her friends were waiting. "Omedetou, Naoko-chan!" she called. In truth, she had never seen her friend look more alive. "I had no idea."

"That's right!" Chiharu urged to a blushing Naoko. "Who is the lucky man? Is it someone we know?"

* * *

By Sakura's request, the reception was held in Tomoeda park. It really was a lovely spot, pink and veridian streamers were drapped over everything and the forest provided a soft, subtle backdrop with the red sun melted beneath it. The night was warm so they had all the tables and the band set up outside. Simple and childish, one may say, but Sakura's heart yearned for this recollection of childhood. This park was really a part of her. Here she had been tested by Eriol, captured so many cards, been comforted by Syaoran and just hung out.

Sakura saw many, many old faces that night. It had been so long. Not one invitation had gone unanswered and it felt all of Japan was there to help celebrate. Sakura was forever being snatched out of conversations for yet another teary reunion. All her old classmates from Tomoeda Elementary wanted to talk to her and Syaoran. Some even came from as far as Kyushu to see this unbelievable couple. Many could only remember Syaoran as a scowling, athletic transfer student who never seemed to get along with Sakura.

Even Miyuko-tachi stopped by to congratulate the couple. Seeming to forget that she had once turned up her nose at Syaoran, she couldn't stop drooling that night. Sakura couldn't hide her surprise. She hadn't sent them an invitation after that afternoon at the mall but they were friendly and courteous the whole time, relatively sober and even stopping to play with Mei-ling.

Sakura saw Terada-sensei again, who had his eyes on Rika the whole time. They had a couple good laughs together, remembering her days as his student. He spoke fondly of their play for the Nadeshiko Festival. "I had a feeling Li-kun was meant to be your prince." This set the girls into a fit of giggles. She saw Rika and Terada talking under the slide and she had a feeling they would be planning their on wedding soon. Rika was certainly at the right age now. It was a shame she wouldn't be around for such a special event.

Eriol and his guardians were there with Kaho Mizuki. Sakura was over-joyed to see her old teacher again and threw herself into the woman's arms with a cry of delight.

"It's been a long time, ne, Sakura-chan?" Kaho asked, eyes twinkling.

"Five whole years," Sakura agreed.

"And look at you. You certainly have changed. Such a beautiful young lady, such a talented magician. I'm proud of you, Sakura-chan. You've come so far. I'll need to tell your husband that, too."

"I think he's still scared of you," Sakura giggled.

"Well, I ought to try. I have the feeling he has changed." Kaho wandered off, leaving Sakura to talk with Eriol.

"Oh, you're so cute!" Nakuru yelled and glomped Sakura for a whole five minutes before she spotted Touya.

Sakura shivered under Eriol's sly smile. "You knew it all along, didn't you?"

"Nani?"

"So long ago, after your test, you said something. I can't quite remember what… but you knew all along."

"Maybe I did," a smile played on his lips. "Or are you accusing Clow Reed of matchmaking as well?" He took one of her gloved hands in his own and led her over to the designated dance floor. "I believe it was destiny. Would you care to dance, Sakura?"

* * *

The weary sun departed all too soon and Sakura used to the Glow Card to light up the beautiful lanterns. It was now time for Sakura and Syaoran's dance to celebrate their first night as a married couple. They quickly lost themselves in the slow, melodic music and the gently swaying of Sakura's white dress in the summer breeze. It felt like the happily ever after of a fairy tale.

Sakura was able to push away the nightmares, Mei-ling's safety and all the dangers that threatened to overwhelm her for just one night. However, Eriol's words kept pulsing in her mind, trying to drive her to distraction. He had been so uneasy dancing and had begged her not to go to China. The great sorcerer himself was almost hysterical.

She told all of this to her husband, as he gently twirled her around. His eyes instantly grew worried and he pulled her in close. "I don't know, Sakura. But we will have to be very careful in China. It is a dangerous land."

Far off in the night, speakers crackled and the melody sped up. Tomoyo's sweet voice soon reached their ears and Sakura smiled. "Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan." "The clouds are floating by... The wind is singing Even now, along the streets I always used to run along, white flowers are blooming and smiling.But it's unstoppable. It chokes me up inside I love the present, but it will always pass... It's just like a fragment of the dream I cried over long agoThe serenity that floats by like a fluffy white cloud And the worries that make my tears spill over are both connected to the precious future, so...Even when tomorrow comes Even when someday I become an adult I'm sure I'll always remember. that you were here with me. I'll never forget, even when I'm in the very ends of this vast world. For this moment that will never disappear, I thank you, everyone.The moon is shining down. The wind is sleeping. In the sky above that always smiles down on this town, even now shooting stars are granting wishes. But I don't understand... I don't want us to ever part for as long as time passes, but we end up being far apart It's just like the bookmark in the book I read yesterday.My longing to shine like the twinking stars And my feelings, however sad they may be, are both connected to the precious future, so...Even when the seasons pass, even if it's in some unfamiliar place somewhere I'm sure the future is unfolding. I'll never forget that you were all here with me. For what has quietly begun from this little place, I thank you, everyone.The land where we rode our dreams set forth from our memories We'll meet again. For now, please smile...Even if it's for a long long time... Even if you go off far away somewhere I definitely want you to keep in touch. Don't forget that I was here with you... no matter where you are in this vast world. For these feelings that will never disappear, I thank you, everyone. Thank you for all your tendernessThank you for all your happinessThank you for all your kindnessThank you for all your everything... Thank you for all your tenderness Thank you for all your happiness Thank you for all your kindness Thank you for all your everything..." A/N- Waffy, sap, sap, sap, sap, I know. Go brush your teeth. If you liked this sort of stuff, leave a review. If it makes you nasesous, leave a review. Are you getting the idea? Review, s.v.p! More action in the next three chapters (Carol of the Bells). A LOT. Ja mata!