The Guiding Star

Surprise Visitor: Chapter Seventeen

By: Sakura

The day dawned to a beautiful morning, with the sun shining high above the clouds in the light blue sky. Birds chirped at the arrival of this brand new day, and a princess awoke from her peaceful slumber. It was the first time in a long time that she had able to sleep without dreaming. Although dreams could be either good or bad, Sakura would rather have no dreams at all if she were to get nightmares like the one before.

The doors to her room opened and Wing Kay stepped in, carrying a tray that held her breakfast and placed it down on the table. “How are you feeling this morning?” she asked Sakura, after they had shared their morning greetings.

“I’m all right now,” Sakura replied, smiling faintly. Wing Kay was really nice and everything but Sakura just never knew what to say in her presence. Still, she wanted to be friends with her, above all else. Wing Kay returned the smile warmly.

“After you finish your breakfast, Xiao Lang wants to see you,” the older woman said, scooping soup out of the small container and transferring it to a bowl. “He’s been really worried about you,” she added softly, giving Sakura the bowl. Silence followed as neither could think of what to say to the other. “Well,” Wing Kay said finally, getting up again, “I have to go help the doctor. If you need anything, just call for me.” When she reached the door, Sakura’s voice stopped her.

“Wing Kay?” The older woman turned around and faced her questioningly. “I…” Sakura said, trying to find the words, “I hope things can work out between you and Xiao Lang.” She smiled brightly, ignoring the crushing pain in her heart. “I know he still really loves you, Wing Kay.”

Wing Kay was taken aback by her words. It wasn’t what she had expected to hear from the princess at all, since she believed that Sakura harboured some sort of feelings of love for the prince. Smiling at the princess again, she replied, “Thank you, Sakura. I hope so, too.” When she had left the room, closing the doors behind her, Sakura stared down at her soup, dully turning the spoon round and round in the bowl. Love would never come to her ever again. She had to let go of her feelings for Xiao Lang, since they would never be returned. Just as she had let go of her feelings of Tsukishiro Yukito, when he never came back to her, even if she still wore his ring on the fourth finger of her right hand. But, in this case, knowing Xiao Lang was alive and well and, most importantly, happy with Wing Kay, was good enough for her. She would be happy if the one she loved was happy…

Taking a deep breath, she released it all at once, and realized that that conclusion was really just enough for her. It was all she needed right now. And yet, it still felt so terribly lonely…

~*~*~*~*~*~

Xiao Lang, still in his inner white buttoned-down shirt and pants, had been working on his morning exercises in his room, with the center table and chairs pushed to one side of the room, when Sakura entered and took a seat on the side. He stopped when she settled in and granted her a gentle smile. She had already told him everything that had happened between her and Chi Yuen the night before and the prince had been absolutely livid at all the lies the latter had tricked Sakura with. He had also filled her in on his own encounter with the man and how he had ended up in the condition she had first seen him in.

“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what you said yesterday,” Xiao Lang said, taking the seat next to her, his brow furrowed in thought. “Could that cloaked person be Tan Shi Kuang? It couldn’t be Yiu San Kong, since his voice isn’t deep at all. And Shi Kuang’s also never stopped reminding us every time we meet of how he’s going to take you away when the time comes. Could he have paired up with Chi Yuen to try to separate the two of us and use that opportunity to get you? I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like that,” he added in a low mutter. Sakura didn’t answer him. For some reason, she just didn’t want to believe that Shi Kuang could - and would - do such a thing. She had always seen him as a good person…why else would he have rescued her so many times? But, stealing a glance at Xiao Lang, she knew he would immediately say it was to make her think he wasn’t bad at all, just as Chi Yuen had once done.

“And I wonder why Chi Yuen wants the rings so much,” continued the prince. “We don’t know what their importance is yet, since the Elders refuse to tell us anything, but Chi Yuen seems to know it. Not to mention that he even has the brother sword to my own dragon sword.” Holding his head in his left hand, Xiao Lang cursed silently in frustration. There were so many pieces to this puzzle but none of them fit anywhere or had a connection to anything else!

“Are you going to go back to the Elders to heal your arm?” asked Sakura finally. “Perhaps they will give us more information this time, especially now since someone else has possession of one of the rings…” she trailed off, remembering that it was her own fault that Chi Yuen now had his hands on one of the rings he coveted. However, Xiao Lang seemed to understand exactly what was going on in her mind.

“Don’t even think something like that, Sakura,” he reprimanded gently, “because it wasn’t your fault. You hadn’t known Chi Yuen’s true nature then. And what happened to my arm,” he added, patting the cast around his arm, “is also not your fault. That was all due to my inexperience and the fact that he was more powerful than I was, irritating as it is to admit.” He suddenly stood up, unsheathed his sword, and held it somewhat unsteadily with his left hand. “Even if my right arm can never be healed, I’ll work twice as hard to be even better with my sword using my left hand. More reason to train myself better and not be as lazy as I had become after Master had passed on. I won’t let myself be defeated by such a man again,” he ended, sheer determination in his tone.

“Xiao Lang…” Sakura began, “you…”

“I almost forgot!” the prince exclaimed at the same time Sakura had spoken, and thus, had never heard her soft-spoken voice. He strode to his bed, rummaged through his few clothes until he found a tiny ragged pouch, one much smaller than the one that contained Wing Kuen’s braid, and one that Sakura had never seen before. He walked back to Sakura and gave it to her. “This is for you,” he said with a smile, answering her questioning look. “A birthday present to you.”

“How did you know it was my birthday?” Sakura asked, her eyes wide. With everything that had happened over the past few days, Sakura had forgotten herself that it was the day she turned seventeen.

“I didn’t really know,” he admitted sheepishly. “I guess you could say, I just had a feeling…”

Perplexed, the princess untied the pouch and turned it over in the palm of her hand. Something long and thin slipped out of the bag and fell into her palm: a gold necklace. Sakura blinked in surprise. “Xiao Lang, this…”

“It’s for your star pendant,” he said, taking the necklace from her and smiling at it fondly. “Since the other chain broke, you can use this instead for it.” He held out his hand for her pendant and she wordlessly gave it to him.

“Where could you have gotten something like this?” Sakura asked in wonder, as he slipped the pendant into the necklace. “This is a really valuable object…”

“It was my mother’s,” he answered, walking behind Sakura. He placed the necklace around her neck and closed the clasp. “It’s the only thing I have left of hers and-”

“But why something so important?” interrupted Sakura in astonishment, as she stood up to face him. “Your mother’s keepsake belongs to you! A stranger shouldn’t receive so precious a gift!”

“You’re not a stranger, Sakura, not to me,” Xiao Lang answered, his hands placed on her shoulders. “You’re an important person to me. I don’t think my mother would be so thrilled that I let something ‘go to waste’, just sitting in that pouch. I’m sure she’d be happy if someone like you were to put it to good use. Besides,” he added, admiring the effect of the star sitting nestled in the hollow of her throat, “it’s perfect for you, Sakura.” Sakura took the necklace and pendant in her hand and stared down at it, her eyes hidden from view. Trying to find the words to express what she felt...it was so difficult… “Sakura?” Xiao Lang said, wondering what was the matter and leaning forward to get a closer look at her. The princess took a step back, her eyes still hidden by her bangs.

“T-thank you, Prince Li,” she whispered, so softly that Xiao Lang could barely hear a word she said, “For giving me such an important item… Thank you…” She suddenly whirled around, opened the doors, and fled from his room, returning to the sanctuary of her own room, leaving Xiao Lang watching after her in bewilderment. Shutting the doors behind her and leaning against them, she slid to the floor, hugging her legs to her chest. She let the tears stream down her cheeks as she buried her head into her arms, breaking into quiet sobs.

“How can I possibly forget how much I love him,” Sakura wondered despairingly, amidst her sobs, “when he acts like that to me? I just can’t… I love him so much…”

~*~*~*~*~*~

After a tearful farewell with Tai Sun, especially on Wing Kay’s part, the trio had set out, heading back towards the council’s home. From their current location, and by foot, it would take them many weeks to reach there and Xiao Lang didn’t want to waste any time. Most of the time, they had camped out, avoiding towns and crowds of people, trying to be less conspicuous but, after so many days, it was necessary for them to restock on their food and medicine supply. Xiao Lang’s arm was hurting him a great deal, but he put up with it bravely, refusing to let it bother him, and most definitely not letting Sakura see how much it pained him. Of all people, he knew she blamed herself the most for what happened and he didn’t want to let her worry about it at all.

It was late afternoon when they reached Fankuai and Wing Kay was choosing foods to buy and to bring along with them from the market stalls. Sakura, a little tired out, leaned against the wall of the stall for support, with Xiao Lang beside her. He knew they had better find a place to rest and retire for the night. When they first set out to look for the rings, Xiao Lang and Sakura had a horse they could use. However, after they had set out on the Yangtze River, they had sold their only horse for a boat. The boat, long since capsized, was no longer even an option, especially since they were travelling by land now. As Xiao Lang wasn’t a hundred percent fit, using a horse again would draw too much attention, something he didn’t want to happen at the moment.

Suddenly, a figure dressed all in black dashed into the alleyway Xiao Lang and Sakura were standing in, as if he were being chased. He leaned against the wall opposite the prince and princess and seemed to notice them for the first time. He was wearing black cloths that covered his entire face, except his eyes, and he stared at them for a moment. Xiao Lang and Sakura stole a glance at him and then looked at each other, deciding not to ask why the man was there. However, without wasting another second, the man swiftly grabbed Sakura, one arm covering her mouth to keep her from making a sound, the other holding her, and leapt clear of the alley, running down the street. Xiao Lang, recovering his senses from the sudden abduction, chased after him. Wing Kay, after paying for the vegetables she bought from the stall, quickly followed them. The masked man suddenly ran into an inn and disappeared from sight. Xiao Lang ran into the inn and was greeted by a confused busboy.

“The guy that just entered,” he said, trying to catch his breath, “where did he go?”

“H-he went and took a seat at the table furthest in the back,” the boy answered him, rather frightened, “He told me to tell you to go there and see him.” Wordlessly, Xiao Lang made his way to the back, ignoring the stares and jeers from other patrons of why a “poor farmer” was in such a prestigious inn and restaurant as the one he was currently in. At a table half hidden by shadows, in a far corner, he saw Sakura sitting there, her hands tied behind her back and her mouth bound to keep her from screaming. Beside her sat the man that had kidnapped her, his right hand resting easily on the table and his left clamped tight on Sakura’s shoulder.

“Take a seat, Prince Li,” the man said, gesturing to the chair across from himself. Not seeing any other choice, Xiao Lang warily took the seat, glaring at the man opposite him as he sat down.

“So you know who I am,” Xiao Lang said coldly. “What do you want with us?” The man ignored him and turned to Sakura instead.

“I’m very sorry for doing that so abruptly to you, princess,” he said apologetically, as he untied her hands and removed the handkerchief from her mouth. “I really didn’t mean to manhandle you like that. I guess I just expected a little too much from the prince.” He then turned to Xiao Lang, watching him coolly. “You haven’t improved a single bit, stupid prince,” he said in a disappointed tone, “if the princess could be taken away from you so easily the second you let your guard down.” Both Xiao Lang and Sakura were both mystified at who the man was, until he removed his mask, revealing someone with flashing dark grey eyes and long forest green hair: Li Yu Hong. It was at that moment that Wing Kay, finally catching up with her friends, arrived at the table. “Wing Kay?” the abductor said in surprise, changing his gaze from the prince to the newcomer. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“What are you doing here, Yu Hong?” the girl asked in return, equally surprised. Before anyone could say anything, Yu Hong put his hand up, silencing them all.

“I reserved two rooms for us upstairs,” he said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was looking or observing them. “It’ll be easier - and safer - if we talk away from this crowd of people.” He indicated to all the people having their meal in the restaurant. Leaving the crowd as they travelled up the stairs, Xiao Lang couldn’t figure out why Yu Hong, of all people, was there and his reason for being there. But, as much as he hated to admit it, Yu Hong had been right. He hadn’t protected Sakura properly at all. If Yu Hong had been a foe rather than a friend, though saying friend was really stretching it, Sakura could have been lost to him forever…

Upon reaching the second landing and Yu Hong showing them their rooms before heading back downstairs, Xiao Lang was about to follow Sakura into a room when Wing Kay stopped him. “I’ve always shared a room with Sakura,” he said, “so that I could protect her no matter when it is.”

“Xiao Lang,” Wing Kay protested, “that’s unorthodox! You don’t share a room like that with a girl of no relation in this day and age.”

“But-”

“Don’t worry about it,” she interrupted him, pushing him out the door, “I can protect Sakura for you, if necessary. Go share a room with Yu Hong, instead.” With him outside, she closed the doors and turned to face Sakura with a smile. “Boys,” she said, shaking her head, “always acting like little kids.” Sakura returned the smile feebly as she put her things on the table, next to where Wing Kay had left her own bag, bow, and quiver of arrows. To be honest, she had never minded sharing a room with Xiao Lang. However, Wing Kay had been quite right in saying that in times like these, sharing a room with someone not related to you was frowned upon, even if you didn’t share the same bed when sleeping. If her older brother were alive, she could just imagine what he would say… There was a knock on the door. “Xiao Lang, if you’re going to argue with me again…” Wing Kay muttered to herself as she went to open the door. Yu Hong was at the door, a solemn expression on his face.

“I’m still a little disappointed in you,” he said to Wing Kay, after greeting both of the room’s occupants.

“Oh?” queried Wing Kay, letting him into the room. Sakura, noticing the somewhat private conversation, melted into the background and slowly made her way toward the door, wanting to give them their privacy. “What did I do?”

“More like what you didn’t do,” the older man replied with a wry smile. “Why did Xiao Lang get a goodbye kiss from you four years ago and I didn’t?” Wing Kay seemed to be at a loss for words.

“I…” she began, rather hesitantly. “How did you know I gave him such a thing?” She remembered the day well, as it was the last time she had seen Xiao Lang - had expected it to be the last time - before he re-entered her life again a few days ago.

~*Flashback*~

Even if the morning was damp and foggy, and despite his terrible cold, Xiao Lang still practiced his routine in the courtyard in front of his house. Now eight years later, the prince never once missed his morning exercises Wu Jin Chi taught him when he was five years old. He did it to train his mind and body for he still didn’t deem himself to be strong enough. It was his dream for the magician Elders to send him on a big important mission for them and he knew he had to work hard to be up to par with their standards. When the day began, Xiao Lang believed it to be nothing more than an ordinary day, with nothing much to look forward to. Little did he realize that that was the day he would part from his most important person, for what he honestly had believed to be forever.

The cold had dulled his senses somewhat, and coupled with the dreariness of the morn, the prince failed to hear the approaching footsteps. That is, until someone reached out and hugged him from behind. Startled, he paused and slowly turned his head to see who it was. He certainly did not expect to see Wing Kay there. Her arms were wrapped tight around his waist and her head was resting on his back. Even if he was two years younger than her, Xiao Lang had recently received a growth spurt, resulting in his being taller than her. “Wing Kay,” he said lightly, patting her hands, “what’s wrong? Why are you here?” Wing Kay released her hold on him and Xiao Lang turned to face her, cupping her face in his hands. He slowly moved her head upward to face him and noticed the tears in her eyes, threatening to fall. Unseen to either of them, Yu Hong, who had been on his way to deliver a message to Xiao Lang from the council, paused at the archway and didn’t venture in when he saw them, knowing it was not his place to. Instead, he watched them from afar, outside.

“I’m leaving soon,” she whispered quietly. Xiao Lang abruptly froze in place. What did she mean by that? “My father is going to take me back home since he says I shouldn’t stay around here too long,” she continued. The prince relaxed, relieved that what he feared when she had first spoken those words was not to be true at all. He slipped his arms around her slim form and held her close to him. Wing Kay’s father was Wong Hsiang En, one of the emperor’s advisors, and someone that Xiao Lang didn’t especially like. Hsiang En actually disapproved with his daughter’s association with the fifteenth prince, one reason being that he was so far down the line and the fact that he was younger than her, as well, he had a low opinion of Yu Hong, who was only a distant relation to his emperor. If she were to spend time with any if the Li family, he wished she would be with more sophisticated and charismatic princes like Shui Ken or Chi Shing, the one next in line to be emperor. Overall, though, it didn’t matter which prince she associated with since Hsiang En had already arranged for his daughter to be married to another man, and this was something that no one can back out on, even if she had a prince for a suitor.

“Even if you can’t come here anymore,” Xiao Lang said cheerfully, “we can still come and visit you.” Wing Kay stared at him for a moment and the prince then realized that there was a melancholy air surrounding her. “Wait…” he said quietly, fearing the worst, “your father’s not making you marry that man now is he…?” Wing Kay shook her head.

“Not exactly. I’m going to leave,” she said in a low voice, “run away from my home the moment I can. Xiao Lang,” she whispered, her eyes shining with tears, “I don’t want to be with someone that’s not you. I don’t want to marry anyone other than you. I love you so much…only you!” The prince instantly pulled her to him and held her in a crushing embrace, forgetting in the moment that he was still sick. This was the first time she had told him she loved him; they were words he wanted to hear all his life.

“If you’re going to run away,” Xiao Lang said quickly, “let me come with you. Let me stay together with you. We can run away together and always be together forever.” He tenderly took her face in his hands again and looked into her eyes. “I just want you, Wing Kay,” he said, fierceness in his eyes, “because, I love you.” The tears in her eyes finally fell, streaming down her face, but she quickly turned to look at the ground, not letting him see them. Slowly, she pulled herself away from him but he stopped her by catching her hands in his and she spoke again, still facing the ground.

“Be realistic, Xiao Lang,” she chided gently. “You know you can’t come with me. You have duties to your family. You can’t drop them for me like this. I won’t let you sacrifice them for me either, because I’m not worth that.” She finally looked up to face him and it hurt her heart to see his pale face watching her. “I have to go,” she said sadly, “because I don’t want the life my father has thrust upon me. However, I can never have the life I do want. Because I was promised to another, I cannot marry someone else. It’d be better if I just disappeared entirely…” Xiao Lang didn’t answer her. He just knew in his heart that he didn’t want her to leave him…

“Stay, Xiao Lang,” she said softly, reaching up to touch his still boyish face. He had grown up so quickly from the boy she first met five years ago… “Even if we never meet again, I’ll always love you, wherever I am…definitely…” With her head tilted up to face his, she put one hand behind his head and drew him close to her and kissed him. Xiao Lang’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly closed them, kissing her in return.

Wing Kay stepped back and turned around, not wanting to face him any longer. “I asked my father to give me a few minutes to do one last thing and I have to return to him soon,” she said quietly. She looked up to the sky, sadly reflecting how the dark clouds mirrored the feelings she felt inside her. It slowly began to drizzle, as the grey clouds grew darker. “Goodbye,” she said suddenly, and she ran from him, never looking back. She ran past Yu Hong and never saw him as she wiped the tears that fell non-stop, the tears mixing with the rainwater that fell from the sky. He watched her retreating back, feeling something stir in his heart, feelings like envy, hatred, and a deep sadness. Xiao Lang stood rooted to one spot, watching her leave as well, his mind reeling from what had just happened, and his heart feeling awfully numb. It was only moments later that Yu Hong found the prince crumbled to the ground in a dead faint as the drizzle turned to pouring rain. Xiao Lang had run a very high fever and was unconscious for many days, bedridden the entire time. It would be a long time before he awoke to feel the crushing pain in his heart…

~*End Flashback*~

That had always been a day Yu Hong was unable to erase from his mind, even if he wanted to. He had cared too much for the girl to be able to forget her easily. “I was there,” he said finally, not wanting to mention how he had heard her tell Xiao Lang that she loved him and only him, “and accidentally saw the two of you together before you left.” He decided it would be better not to tell her of how the prince had collapsed and fallen deathly ill soon after she disappeared. Knowing her personality, she would feel completely responsible for it all… Wing Kay studied the man for a few moments, her expression unreadable.

“You know that I can never love you that way,” she said slowly, wanting to make her feelings known clearly, once and for all. Yu Hong only nodded his reply. Without another word, Wing Kay tiptoed up, held his cheek with one hand and kissed him in a similar fashion as the one she gave Xiao Lang four years ago. “Goodbye,” she said quietly. Before she could withdraw her hand, Yu Hong unconsciously brought his hand up and held it fast, still pressing it to his cheek. Seconds later, he released it and turned away from her.

“Sakura!” he said suddenly, turning to face the Japanese princess. She had been slowly inching to the door, intending to leave the room when he startled her with his call, freezing her on the spot. He gave her a soft smile, one Sakura had never seen before, in the few times she had met him. “There’s something I need to discuss with you,” he told her, taking her arm and half-leading, half-dragging the girl toward the door. Sakura acquiesced somewhat reluctantly, remembering the last time she had a “talk” with him at the home of the Li magicians. Saying no more, he pulled the doors opened and the two stepped into the hallway. Sakura was surprised to see Xiao Lang standing outside the room by the door. And he seemed to be restraining his anger.

Xiao Lang was looking for Yu Hong when he saw the latter enter the girls’ room. Worried for their sake, he had stationed himself by the door and heard everything that was said inside. Jealousy has stirred in his heart and he hated Yu Hong more than anyone at that moment. Xiao Lang and Yu Hong watched each other for what seemed like hours, each with cold, indifferent expressions on their faces. But before either emitted a word, Yu Hong pushed Xiao Lang into the room and closed the doors behind him. Taking a deep breath and then releasing it, Yu Hong turned back to Sakura with a faint smile on his lips. “Let’s go,” he told her, leading her away from the room.

The prince stared at the closed doors, wondering what Yu Hong was thinking and where he was taking Sakura. Wing Kay walked up to him and gently tugged his sleeve and he turned around to look at her. “Is something the matter?” she asked, her head tilted slightly in concern. Xiao Lang refused to answer and said nothing. Wing Kay instantly understood what was the problem. She slipped her arms around his waist and held him tight. “Don’t be jealous,” she reassured him, in her quiet voice. “I could never ever feel the same way toward Yu Hong. He could never be more than an old friend to me. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved – will ever love…” Xiao Lang pulled away from her a bit, and looked down into the eyes of his beloved. He knew she wasn’t lying at all…

Moving closer to her again, he enveloped the woman in his arms and lightly kissed her forehead as he held her in his comforting embrace. However, Wing Kay had no idea that that matter was not the only thing he was concerned about. No matter what, the prince simply could not dispel his worry for Sakura, even if he vaguely knew there was really nothing to worry about. What did Yu Hong want to talk to her about? What could he possibly want with her? Where did he take her? Even as he held the woman he loved, the prince couldn’t help it for, in his mind, everything was about Sakura and only her…

Author’s Note: *sighs* Back when FF.N allowed underscores, my name was unique; “Sakura_Kinomoto”. No one else had that name but me. Then underscores were removed. And with the new naming thing, I became “Sakura Kinomoto1”. _ So, I changed it to “lil saku”, daddy’s nickname for me. ^_^ It was a toss up between “baby saku” (mommy’s nickname) and “lil saku”, but since daddy gave me the nickname first, I chose the latter. Sorry, mommy. ;_;

Has anyone here read CLAMP’s latest manga? Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE? Well, we can almost think of this fic as taking place in another world similar to Earth, rather than having it set in the past. XD It is an “alternate universe” fic, after all, just like how Tsubasa has all those alternate worlds. ^_~

When I was sorting out my old reviews (Sakura actually saves all her reviews, crazy girl =Þ *hugs everyone that reviews*), I noticed that more people reacted to my killing off Wing Kuen than Syaoran. That’s pretty interesting, actually. ^_^*

About the whole thing with Syaoran being in love with another girl that’s not Sakura and how S+S may never come to be, I just wanted to say that, if they are each other’s destined person, no matter what happens, they will always find their way to each other in the end. Have faith in them. And, you mustn’t forget that I love S+S very much! ^_~

This chapter actually had way more happening than what you’ve just read, like the sealing of another ring. Unfortunately, it was getting way too long and I had to chop the chapter in half. -o- So the ring-sealing bit will be in the next chapter for sure. Any idea which ring it might be? =) And, I have a thorough outline of what’s to happen in the next chapter, so it shouldn’t take too long to write. ^_^ …hopefully. _

For a while now, I’ve wanted to make a site just for TGS. One reason was to post all the nice fanart that has been done for it. Two is for art I want to draw. Three is for all the chara profiles and whatnot. What do you think? Do you like the idea of a website?

Author’s Note to Red-Emerald: Ah! I just realized that FF.N didn’t allow any html coding in the chapter I posted. _ So here’s TAA’s website url: . Shi Kuang and San Kong are actually pretty important, though much of their role hasn’t been introduced yet. If you don’t see them playing a big part in the next chapter, then they will definitely be in the chapter following that one, so watch out for them! ^_^

Author’s Note to Devie Saves: Well, stuff can’t actually stop “happening” to Syaoran since he’s one of the main characters, him and Sakura both. =) If stuff stopped happening to either of them, there’d be no more story to write. ^_^*

Author’s Note to OtakuNoHime: Hehe, Cardcaptor Sakura is one of those series for me where I love every single character. XD I’ve also always been a strong supporter of the CCS canon couplings and Eriol and Tomoyo is not canon. =P I really can’t see that coupling either. *Sakura is a very, very avid supporter for Eriol and Kaho* ^_^ But, to each their own. =) And, for the record, Kaho is not a pedophile because Eriol is not a child (and no, this has nothing to do with him being a half-reincarnation of Clow Read =Þ). But, I’ll close my lid for the moment and save everything for my Eriol/Kaho fic. ^_^* (which needs an update desperately…along with my other fics… _)

Author’s Note to ChErRi)*(DrEaMeR: “And it’s pronounced ‘about’, not ‘a boot’!” XD Ah, such an interesting commercial. ^_^* Even if it was for beer. =Þ

Author’s Note to Linky-chan: I’m really happy you still like this fic and even happier that you like my characters. ^_^ I always think that, if Wing Kay didn’t happen to be Syaoran’s other love interest, then maybe people would like her more. But, you like her despite all that, and she really is a nice person, so I’m really happy! ^___^ And, if you ever want to show me your doodles, I’d love to see them! XD I need the time to start drawing them out myself. ^_^*

And thanks to s jus me, silverymare, Yukimi Takiro, Piccoleia Star, Endl3ss Sorrow, cherryblossomsakura2111, MoshiMoshiQueen, “Anonymous” (^_^*), mommy, and Final Fantasy Princess for your reviews~!! Every single review is greatly appreciated on my part. =D

*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team