Right Here Waiting

Epilogue

-Months After-

Eriol Hiirigizawa stared outside his window pane, tired after his whole day flight. He spared a glance on the open book sitting in his lap. Kaho, sitting opposite of him, stared at him in concern.

"Eriol–"

"Don't, Kaho. I wasn't able to protect her." Eriol said, unmoving.

"Nobody would've been able to stop her death. After all, she was the one who accepted it." Kaho replied, worry dripping in her voice.

"I'll do it still. It was my fault for not doing something with what I've felt at first, which resulted to our loss of memories." He smiled, though faint. "I've been able to live a life of Eriol, for a short moment in my life... without Clow, without my responsibilities invading my mind. It was stupid of me."

He paused.

"Sakura loved me for who I am. It makes me wonder; what if all of this didn't exist? What if magic didn't exist? What if we weren't Clow's chosen ones? I would never wish to have this happen to another, but why is it I'm hoping now? If I didn't regain a small portion of my memory, what could've happened? Would we be together right now, enjoying each other's company? No matter what, I've never regretted everything that I've done. Why is it I'm regretting what could've happened? Why is it that I secretly desire our remembrance to not have happened? Why am I being selfish now?"

He stood up, strolling to the center of the spacious room.

"Don't do this, Eriol." Kaho pleaded but said it as more as a statement, her bangs covering her eyes.

...but why not do this? This was his destiny. Clow Reed died back then to be reincarnated now, and this is him now. Clow knew that Sakura Kinomoto, the master of the then Clow Cards and the now Sakura Cards, would die. Clow knew this, but he wouldn't let his chosen one die just yet, right? Clow made sure that this book, now in his hands, would be found by him to read that paragraph... that spell of dark magic. Clow knew that Sakura Kinomoto would be able to handle turning the Clow cards in her own, but why did he still wanted a part of him to witness it? It didn't make sense. Clow was supposed to be fully in heaven or hell now, but why did he still use one of the darkest magic just to keep a part of him alive?

Perhaps this is the real reason why he, Eriol Hiirigizawa, reincarnation and memory-holder of Clow Reed, is alive. His main reason is not to help Sakura...

"Do you really love her so much that you would die for her?" Kaho asked, sadness in her voice.

"I already died for her as Clow Reed. Now I'd die for her as Eriol Hiirigizawa. What's the difference?"

...and with that, he called on the power of the sun and the moon with all the power left in him.

———

-5 years later-

"Please do come back to the hotel after an hour, ok? Somebody needs to stop Kero from eating all the sweets here." The female voice said.

He chuckled. "I would, I promise." He could imagine his fiancée smile from the other line.

"Meiling?" He asked. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, always."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Syaoran. Now, hurry up so you could get back here early!"

"Right. Bye." He hanged up the phone and shoved it in his pocket, before readying his camera. He quickly paced to the park where he and Meiling strolled this morning, so that he would be able to catch a picture of its perfect view of the sunset.

It took him at least fifteen minutes to reach the park, and that left him parched and breathless. While looking for a drink stall, he looked at the beginning of the sunset.

It really did leave him breathless. Since Sakura died, he came to appreciate the beauty of art, catching picture perfect images that could express a million words in a man's heart. Never did he want to let something for granted now, since he didn't want to repeat the same mistake... the mistake on not appreciating her more when she was alive. Finally finding a fruit drink stand, he ordered a four seasons drink before turning around. With that, he saw the most perfect image.

The sun was now red, the clouds around it turning to a shade of orange. In one bench a girl sat alone, her back facing him. Her hair had the same shade as Sakura's, though much longer. He smiled at this. Year after year he traveled to another place and he always saw a girl with similarities to her, which is probably why he isn't surprised this time now that he's in England. He took a picture, before taking his drink and paying for it.

He approached the girl and sat down beside her, but she didn't even move an inch. She was still staring at the other way. 'Perhaps she didn't even feel my presence.' He thought. Amused by this, Syaoran merely took his camera and continued to take pictures as silently as possible. After a few minutes of silence, some sipping, and some clicking, the girl finally turned towards him... though he did not notice and continued his 'work'.

"Excuse me," the girl paused, staring at him with surprise and asking him cautiously. "Do I know you?"

He finally turned to the girl to respond to her, but he wasn't able to. His throat closed, and he simply stared at her with shock.

He saw, once again, the eyes he never thought he would see shine again. He saw, once again, the exact shade of Sakura's eyes.

*****

Author's Notes: DONE! Finally. Thank you for all those who read and wrote their comments for this story. I really appreciate it. :) So yeah. There is a second part of this story. I have already written it in fanfiction.net, but it's still in progress. However, anyone who is interested to help me write that story is welcome. Just message me, ok?

In the mean time, anyone who is a fan of Eriol and Tomoyo here? :) I might upload one of my stories about them here to so watch out for it. :) Bye!!! :D