A/N: Well, here's the last chapter. *cries* Aww, I've really enjoyed writing this story, and I'm so thankful for all the feedback I've gotten for it, the most I've gotten for ANY of my fanfics so far. *hugglez you all* Thankiez SOOO much! :D I'm updating early as a present for all of you. :) You guys deserve it. Rock on, k? Many thanks to my wonderful reviewers.

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura, so don't sue me.

Dear Friend,

This is the last letter I'll write before we meet, and I feel myself trembling. Isn't that strange? I don't think I've ever felt so nervous or scared before.

What is it that you have to show me? You know, you're the biggest mystery in my life. Isn't that funny? When I'm old and gray, I'll tell my grandchildren about how I fell in love with an anonymous penpal, and how he changed my entire life. Good story material, huh? ^_~ (A/N: *sweatdrop*)

I think I'll get over Syaoran. It's just a little childish crush, after all. I'll make myself get over him. So don't worry.

When I come to the mailbox, I'll be holding a bouquet of yellow roses.

Love,

Sakura

* * *

Dear Sakura,

I'll be waiting.

Your Friend

* * *

"Sakura!"

Sakura turned slowly, her tiny body shaking. She knew that voice.

Grinning ever so slightly, Syaoran hurried over to her.

"How are you doing?" he asked, casually sticking his hands in his jeans pockets.

"F - Fine," Sakura whispered, staring down at the ground.

"How's school?"

"G - Good."

"Where are you headed?"

"H - Home."

"Is it possible for you to say anything with more than one syllable?" Syaoran asked in despair. Sakura laughed, quite involuntarily, and the grin on Syaoran's face widened.

"I think so," she admitted, smiling up at him.

"So, can I walk you home?" Syaoran asked with his usual sudden bluntness. Sakura coloured, and looked down again.

"N - o - o - o..."

Syaoran's eyebrows shot up.

"No? Why not?"

"I...I..." Sakura struggled for a moment, looking very uncomfortable indeed. Then she took a deep breath, looked up, and said softly: "I have a boyfriend."

There was a long silence, during which Sakura suffered years of torture. Then, quite unexpectedly, Syaoran let out a low, almost devilish chuckle. Sakura looked at him in surprise mingled with confusion.

"It was good of you to tell me that," he said, his eyes somehow very warm as he looked at her. "Very good indeed..."

The pink in Sakura's cheeks deepened to maroon. Syaoran tossed back his head and looked up at the deep, deep sky with unfathomable amber eyes.

"Nice day," he said softly, the smile gone from his lips. Sakura trembled inside.

"Well..." Syaoran looked back down at her, and gave her a polite nod. "See you later."

And he walked away.

As soon as he was out of sight, Sakura slowly sat down in the street and put a hand to her heart.

"Why am I hurting so much?" she wondered out loud.

* * *

Sakura awoke one morning to a bright and beautiful day. But this was not an ordinary day. This was the day everything would be decided. This was the day she would meet her mysterious love. In short, this day was the end of all days...and also the beginning.

Somehow, she managed to wash, get dressed, and have breakfast without much incident. She even managed to do a little of her homework after breakfast. But there, in the back of her mind, it lingered...an ever-present reminder, something that whispered, over and over again: Today...today...today...

The hours passed...somehow. One o'clock rolled by, and Sakura was putting on the outfit Tomoyo had chosen for her (a cute pale rose dress that went down to her knees, with a smart little belt, complete with simple white heels, and a yellow rose for her hair), a dazed look on her pale face. It was as though she were living in a dream...this hazy, faraway world couldn't be the place she'd lived on all her life...it simply couldn't.

Yet somehow, she managed to leave the house at a quarter to two, and make her way down the street in the direction of Maple Street, a bouquet of yellow roses clutched tightly in her hands.

* * *

Tomoyo checked the clock. Ten to two.

"Calm down," Meiling told her, as she chewed nervously on a nail.

"I'm calm," Tomoyo replied, and then she looked at the clock again. Still ten to two.

"He'll be waiting now," Eriol said with a chuckle that was supposed to sound casual, but was really quite high-pitched.

"She'll have left her house," Meiling added, still chewing stubbornly on the nail.

"They'll meet - see each other - in ten minutes!" Tomoyo's voice was scarcely more than a breath, but it was highly audible nonetheless.

"I can't stand this!" Meiling cried quite suddenly, and she leapt to her feet and ran out of the room.

"Where's she going?" Tomoyo asked.

"The washroom," Eriol replied with a slight smile. "She likes to wash her face when she gets nervous."

Tomoyo giggled. But it really wasn't a giggle at all.

"You must be feeling jealous," Eriol said suddenly. Tomoyo looked at him, curiosity in her eyes.

"Why?"

"Because she'll be with the person she loves most in the entire world in just a few moments, and she's sure of his affection for her. But you...you're here, 'entertaining' myself and Meiling in your parlour, without even the comfort of having requited love."

Tomoyo smiled slightly, and her eyes met Eriol's. His heart leapt with sudden emotion.

"I'm not jealous," she said softly, "Because I have no need to be jealous. I...I should tell you that...perhaps I am with the person I love right now."

There was a strange, ringing silence. Tomoyo held her breath.

And Eriol smiled.

* * *

A single petal tumbled from one of the roses in Sakura's bouquet. Her hands were shaking.

Sakura stood at the bend in the road. If she went 'round that bend, she would be able to see the House of Cherry Blossoms. The house where he lived.

And she wasn't quite ready to see who her mysterious "friend" was. In fact, she wasn't ready for anything.

The sky was falling down on her, the houses were closing in on her, the earth was swallowing her up...Sakura felt suffocated, trapped. She wanted to move on so desperately...and yet she wanted to stay where she was just as desperately.

So it came down to a simple choice. She could turn back now, run away, never have to meet him...or she could do the brave thing, go 'round the bend, and know. Just know.

Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. The warm summer air pervaded through her being, and gave her courage.

She opened her eyes, and walked on.

And yet she kept her eyes on the ground, walking steadily more quickly, yet forever keeping those eyes on the ground. Faster, ever faster she walked, her breath coming more quickly now, her steps a staccato on the pavement.

Then she saw a black pair of shoes, and she stopped.

The whole world seemed to go silent, holding its breath, waiting for the revelation that would surely come. For a moment, Sakura dared not lift her eyes. Then, slowly, agonizingly slowly, she lifted them, up...up...up...

And they landed on a face, a face inset with twinkling amber eyes.

The world exploded.

Silently, he held out a single, blood-red rose. Attached to the stem was a small card. Sakura took the rose and - somehow - read the words written in the card.

Congratulations.

Your Friend

A tear fell, glistening in the air, and landed on the rose. A hand reached out and gently wiped her cheek.

"Don't cry," said Syaoran. "Don't cry."

His fingers lingered on her skin. Sakura's face shone, but with something other than tears.

It was a smile.

The cherry blossom trees behind them, now devoid of blossoms, but thriving with rich greenery, swayed in the gentle, fragrant breeze, singing its praises up to the clear, azure sky, to the golden sun that gave them nourishment.

Looking small, almost insignificant beside the glory of nature, Sakura and Syaoran's hands found each other, and the two of them walked side by side, down the street, and out of sight.

THE END

Well, that's it. I sincerely hope you all liked it. :) I'd just like to take the opportunity now to thank everyone who's read this story. It really means a lot to me. You guys ROCK! :D Oh, and those of you who'd like to know when I post my new CCS story, just give me your e-mail through a review or through an e-mail itself, and let me know, k? :)

And last, but not least...this story is dedicated to all you romantics out there. :)

This is Dahee Fanel, signing out.

Sayonara.