Just the Past

Chapter 22 (Finale)

Wow it took me 11 years to write this chapter, but I really wanted to finish this story. I don't expect anyone from the past (a pun!) to be reading anymore, but this is dedicated to all of them and any new readers.

Tomoyo had excitedly prepped for her runway show and as summer turned into fall, it was officially here.

The crowd settled into the building, excited to see another amazing runway put together by the upcoming fashion designer, Tomoyo.

"Brett, did you prepare everything?" A girl in the dark shadows behind the stage asked a man.

"Yes, as promised, I will make sure to remove Jade from the picture." He answered.

The woman smirked. She couldn't wait to remove the woman who had stolen her man's heart, and she would do anything to get him back.

Jade waited nervously backstage, running through her mind the exact walk she was about to do. Down the runway, turn and then to the trap door, where she would fall through with a flash of theatrics and sparklers. This was Tomoyo's brilliant finale plan.

Jade took a deep breath as they signaled it was her turn, and she started her walk down the runway. She was used to modeling in Japan, but something about being in her hometown, with Syaoran in the crowd made her nervous.

As she stepped into the runway, the onlookers in the crowd held their breaths – some hearts froze. This woman was by far the prettiest of all the models, yet there was a unique quality of unawareness in her strut– as if she was born to walk the runway, yet had no idea the power her walk held. Eyes were glued to her, including one amber haired man who suddenly felt slightly jealous that she was here for all to see.

He loosened his tie, feeling himself get hot as she walked closer to him down the runway. Their eyes met briefly and he felt his breath hitch in his chest, surprising himself how much he wanted her at this moment.

Jade stopped at the foot of the runway as sparklers shot up along the edges of the stage. She turned 180 degrees and displayed Tomoyo's beautiful gown – the perfect color of jade and blue, which brought out the lovely blue color of her eyes.

It was in this moment that Jade swore time stopped. "It's Jade Li, one of Japan's rising model!" A swarm of news reporters rushed in at this moment, cameras flashing and lights blinking.

Jade blinked in the flash of light, stunned like a deer in headlights. What was happening? Had the paparazzi found her?

"One of our top stories! Jade Li comes back to her childhood hometown to win back her first love. Before she became Japan's beloved top model, she was… Sakura Kinomoto."

Jade felt her world spinning as the paparazzi announced her most intimate secrets. In the flash of camera lights, she caught Syaoran's face and his face displayed utter shock and betrayal.

Her heart dropped and she felt her legs go into fight or flight mode.

"To the trap door Jade!" She heard Tomoyo's frantic scream.

Jade found her legs suddenly moving quickly to the door and as she stood over it, the door broke through and she was just falling, falling, falling into utter darkness.

"Sakura! Sakura!" The paparazzi chanted. Slowly their voices became fading calls that slowly echoed away as the trap door closed.

She felt strong arms grab her and then ushered her away. She couldn't care less – All she could think about was Syaoran's betrayed face. How could he forgive her?

"Jade!" Tomoyo's frantic voice came, as she rushed into the room Jade was in.

"Oh Tomoyo, what's going on?" Jade asked. The men who grabbed her had ushered her into a windowless room and barricaded the doors, but they had told her nothing except to be patient.

"Apparently someone tried to hurt you and they've now arrested a suspect for questioning."

"What do you mean?"

"The trap door you fell through was supposed to be faulty. They wanted to make it seem like an accident."

"Who planned this?" Jade asked, shocked that there was someone who planned this.

"They didn't say yet, but they wanted to keep you here for your own protection… at least, until the paparazzi leave too." Tomoyo answered, patting Jade soothingly on her arm. "Don't worry. Everything will be ok."

"Will it Tomoyo? I saw Syaoran's face… Now he knows everything." She whispered.

Suddenly the door opened and a big man with dark shades and burly arms stepped in. "I am Head of Security, Mike. Come with me Ms. Kinomoto." He said, showing her his identification badge.

They were ushered into another room where a detective stood.

"Hi I am Detective James. I wanted to let you know that we have evidence of your attacker and she is now under custody. We have video evidence of her plot, so be assured Ms. Kinomoto, we will lock her away for a long time."

"Thank you," she responded. "Who is it?"

"Her name is Krista. I know this may come of shock to you, as we found out you were acquaintances."

"Krista…" Jade whispered. After all these years, she should've known.

"How did you catch her?"

"She had an accomplice, who actually was working with the authorities. His name is Brett."

After Jade heard the entire story of Krista's plotting and how Brett had turned on her, she felt completely shocked at the events that had unfolded in the past 24 hours. After all this time, Brett had actually been looking out for them.

Most importantly of all, Syaoran now knew who she was. How could he ever forgive her? How could he forgive her for lying to him?

As she lay in her room, thinking all of these thoughts, Tomoyo barged into the room.

"Sakura! Come with me!"

"What's wrong Tomoyo?"

"Just follow me. No time to ask questions!"

Jade stepped into the room, surprised at the ambience. It was a decadent room with chandeliers and lovely velvet curtains that draped from the windowsills. A soft elegant tune played in the background.

She turned around to see Tomoyo's retreating back step out of the room, as if to give her privacy in this lovely room.

"Sakura…"

She turned to the sound of a male voice and watched as a dark amber haired man stepped into the room. His eyes blazed mysteriously, as his face held a look of seriousness.

"Syaoran…"She whispered.

He stepped forward and held out his hand. Sakura took it gingerly, uncertain what he was feeling.

"I am really sorry-"

"Shh," he said, as he pulled her towards him. "Right now, we are dancing."

"Dancing?"

"Tomoyo made a beautiful dress for you… and I wanted so badly to see you move in this dress… in my arms." He said.

"Does this mean you forgive me for lying to you all this time?" She asked.

"Sakura.. " he looked tenderly into her eyes. "I knew it was you. I didn't let you know because I knew you weren't ready. There were lots of things I regret from the past, and letting you go was one of them."

He spun her gingerly around and twirled her back to him.

"I am never letting you go again."

Sakura closed her eyes, tears brimming at the edges. She felt so happy, so very happy.

"From now on, it will be you, me and Kali – forever, a family." He said.

He suddenly tilted her, "As pretty as you look in this dress, I can't wait to see you out of it." He winked.

Sakura blushed a crimson red.

"I love you Sakura." He whispered, staring tenderly into her eyes. "I promise I am never letting you go again."

"I love you Syaoran."

As he spun her around the dance floor, she suddenly felt everything had fallen into perfect place.

The End.

Thanks for reading! Please review to 1) Let me know someone's actually read this 2) give the grown-up me the joy of reading reviews again :)

Truly yours,

~moringlori