My Husband's Wedding- Chapter Twenty Five

My Husband’s Wedding

Witch-Mistress-Animaru

A/N: I know I’m not supposed to be happy that Reming struck our country yesterday, but I got a holiday to go with it. Hey, know what? Card Captor Sakura is showing now here in the Philippines, in GMA-7. It’s too bad that I only get to watch it during Wednesdays and certain holidays. Anyway, I’m going to buy the whole series anyway, plus the anime which made Sakura and Syaoran its main characters. Yep, I’m talking about Tsubasa Chronicles. It’s still ongoing in Japan, I think, and a different storyline altogether. Crossover of CCS and Xxxholic, I think. But at least they’re grown up there. Do you want to know what I think? I think that Tsubasa Chronicles is a Fanfiction of CCS. Seriously. But I’m going to buy it anyway.

So, so. Back to my fic, MHW. Yeah, it’s going to end soon. My plan is this chapter, one more and then an epilogue. But you never know, do you? Then the sequel will follow, of course. Though I think I’d prefer it if it’s shorter. Just kidding. I’m going to continue the other stories still, so don’t you worry, okay? I’m just…biding my time. Yeah. As for Keira’s fate, I thank you for your wonderful suggestions, and yeah, I know I’m the one who has to decide on that. Well, I would just have to explain that whatever happens in this chapter, it’s the most sensible thing to do. I told you I’m part-time idealist and full-time skeptic. Well, this is for the best, people. Besides, it’s not as if Keira’s fate has everything to do with the ending. This is not her story. Repeat, this is not her story.

Also, a message to Kiseki: Um, I think I know what I’m doing. My only explanation for the sequel besides the fact that I like to experiment is that it is the truth for many people. We don’t live in a dreamland where death is surreal, I firmly believe in that. And yes, this worldly truth may sound ugly and revolting, the fact that not everyone has happy endings and all, but it’s true. Horrible, yeah, but absolutely true. But in the story I want to make, I want those people who have been a victim of fate to think that the world isn’t bound to end because of someone’s death. Death isn’t ugly, (Okay it is, a bit) it’s just…so real. See? My idealist and skeptic self are merging. Ha-ha. I hope you understand. Anyway I’m not forcing you to read the sequel. You could leave this story at the epilogue, I swear.

I hope you don’t report me or anything, but I just wanted to make myself clear. Sorry if I’m disappointing you.

Thanks to:

SkyMew, Musette Fujiwara, kiseki, miyu, pollyhi5, SacredBlade, kairi-neko, Elisandra1, ahahaha (!), J.F. Mitchell, SPAngelz, syaoran101, AirStriker, cherriblossomxz, thereviewergirl, anoneemouseeee :, Amigirl, kaipanther, meow-mix23, ori-chan, animefreakkagome, Boheme, MistressMizu, liloazngrl03, anime-lover-forever2007, Crystal Butterfly, JennyKim319, Magic is Upon, Sweet Ying-Fa, Kawaii-CherryWolf, kianvelez, NightMiko, ffgirl-07, VcChick, Sakuralover, .Laydii, syaoran143sakura, lollipopper, Jade, Lil LoveStar, Enchanted-Princess, kimmygoldenangel.

That’s it, now we go to the next chapter.

Note: This might contain serious philosophical remarks and psychological stuff…you know, reasoning of the mind. I don’t know why; maybe to give you an insight on my mind.

25: A Price to Pay

Everything happens for a reason.

Sakura firmly believed in that when she was younger. But she stopped believing it when she broke up with Syaoran, just when she found out she’s pregnant with Xiao Chen. Yes. It seems like the world was testing her. She forgot to think; she had to survive.

It’s just a variation of a functional theory they discussed in Sociology years back. Even ugly things happen for a reason. They have purposes: poverty, prostitution, murder, death.

They all have a purpose.

But at the time, she wondered what pain was for. She wondered why, of all people, it had to be her. Why? They had the perfect love, but to no avail. Fate chose them.

Now, though…what was the purpose of this event? Why did it happen?

In Sakura’s receding conscious, she could not understand. Perhaps there is a reason; perhaps there is none.

And yet…

…Alchemy.

She almost started. It was a long ago forgotten science. Or magic. Or whatever. They’re not even sure if it existed, or if it was what they think it was.

The Law of Equivalent Trade: You cannot have something without giving something of equal value. Or something like that.

Was it a trade-in that just happened? Or…or…or…

Darkness enveloped her once more, and her mind ceased to think.

Touya went upstairs and dialed the local mental hospital.

“Tokyo Asylum,” said a grumpy voice on the line. “You do realize what time it is, do you? If you’re some prank caller as I expect you are, mark my words, I’ll have your line traced and you’ll pay for your moment of fun.”

“No, this isn’t a prank call. This is Kinomoto Touya, and we have a situation here. My stepsister just tried to put a bullet through me and my sister. She’s tied downstairs. She’s gone nuts.”

“Mr…uh, what was that again?”

“Kinomoto.”

“Right. Kinomoto. Well, if you’ve got some psychotic person there, call the police, not us. We don’t deal with criminals.”

“But she needs your help. She’s…very disturbed.”

“She is, isn’t she? Oh, very well. But it’d be better if you just call the police.”

“We just did.”

“Oh. If you’d tell me your address we’ll get there as soon as we can.”

“Right. Please do hurry.”

After giving their address, Touya went to his wife, who was sitting agitatedly on their bed.

“Touya! I heard a gunshot…and…God… I almost went down…What happened?”

“Don’t worry, nobody’s hurt…well, not really. Sakura…she’s shot.”

“W-what?”

“It wasn’t anything dangerous, but we’re going to Tokyo Hospital later. Not now, though. I…Are you alright?”

“Of course I am…” Kaho smiled sadly. “I…I love you. You do know that, don’t you?”

Touya smiled, his eyes crinkling as he gathered his wife in his arms.

“Of course I do. I love you too.”

“I’m glad…that I have you.”

“Hey, what’s this? Why are you acting weird?” Touya asked, smiling slightly.

“I – I don’t know. Hormones, I guess. I…just wanted you to know that. And that I’ll always be here, with you…”

“Ah…Enough of this sad talk. You need rest, beautiful.” He said, pinching her cheeks slightly and planting a soft kiss on her lips.

“Okay.”

“Boy, I’ll be glad when this is over…first weird cravings, now…” He shook his head. “Goodnight, honey. Turn the lights off. I have to deal with Keira…and…other things.”

He walked down the stairs slowly; Sakura, Syaoran and Fujitaka came to view as he made it to the living room.

“The asylum people are coming. Is she still…out?”

“Yes. It’s just as well, though,” Syaoran said grimly. “She could have killed Sakura…I saw it!”

“Calm down, Syaoran. It’s all done for.”

“I know. But I hated feeling helpless. I hated it.”

“I know you did.” Fujitaka spoke up at long last. “It was what I felt when Nadeshiko slipped away from me…” Tears glistened in his eyes, threatening to fall.

“Now, now…why are you all acting weird?” Touya said, shaking his head. “I like you better arrogant, kid.”

“Hey, who you calling a kid?” Syaoran bawled out, and the three of them all laughed at that, Syaoran albeit grudgingly.

A few minutes later, sirens rang outside the house. The police have arrived.

Things happened quickly after that.

Keira was sent to jail that very night. The Tokyo Asylum arrived later, and they went directly to TPD to check on the new prisoner.

The next day, just the crack of dawn, Syaoran and Fujitaka accompanied Sakura to the hospital. Syaoran insisted that she be confined.

Touya stayed home with his wife.

Two days later Sakura was released upon her request, and she went back to the Li Mansion. Fujitaka followed them, excited to meet his grandson…

“Mom! Dad!” Xiao Chen shouted, breaking free from Yelan’s grip as Sakura and Syaoran alighted from the car. Sakura smiled as she gathered her son on her arms.

“I thought you weren’t coming back, Mama…”

“Well, here I am…”

“Hey, little guy, doesn’t Daddy deserve a hug and kiss too?” Syaoran said teasingly as Xiao Chen buried his face in his father’s chest. “That’s better.” He ruffled Xiao Chen’s hair lovingly, who recoiled.

“Dad! My hair’s messy enough!”

“Kind of like mine, don’t you think?”

From a distance, Yelan watched this family scene with fascination.

What more could her son want now? The smile was back on his lips, after six long years of suffering.

Perhaps…it was a price they had to pay…Perhaps.

She chuckled and turned away from the three, shaking her head.

Fujitaka came to visit later that day, a huge stuffed baby wolf in his arms (Xiao Lang, the father, right?) and his heart thudding wildly in his chest.

Xiao Chen loved him immediately. It also seemed like his long years of estrangement from his daughter is now being paid off.

Was it really just a case of Equivalent Trade? Or was it something else entirely, a mere coincidence? The calm after a storm?

Perhaps, if Sakura dwelled on the thought enough, she could have had it figured out. Only, she was too busy living her life to think about life.

Maybe it is. Or maybe it isn’t. But we will never know, will we?

As for Keira…

The outlook is dim for her in the very beginning. Yes, she has been motivated, brought to insanity by an uncaring mother. And yet it does not absolve her of her sins…

She was too far beyond the shell.

She was acquitted on the grounds of insanity and was sent to the mental hospital for possible cure. Only, she shows no response. No response at all. Perhaps, in time, she will heal. Only time can say. But the doctors assigned to her aren’t hoping much.

The Li family has accepted Sakura to be among them. Yang Zhen Yi is forgotten, so is her father. Xiao Chen has been the cause of joy among the household members.

Meanwhile, Syaoran has asked Sakura to marry him the second time. This time, it is for the whole world to know. And yes, Sakura has accepted.

She has been given the privilege to plan her own wedding. Tomoyo and Eriol had called to greet her, telling her they’d be home for it.

As Sakura planned their wedding, the asylum was on a rage. Twice, Keira has attempted to take her life. Twice, she had failed. Now she lay in a near-comatose state. Doctors and psychologists have given up on her.

Was it a price to pay?

Two months quickly passed…

The much-awaited wedding of Li Syaoran to long-time sweetheart Kinomoto Sakura will be celebrated today…

TBC