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1 Dear Sakura
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2 The Banquet
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3 by G.P. and Amazoness Duo
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4 pearsong1954@yahoo.com
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5 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
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6
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7
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8 Sakura’s Feathery wings ached as she struggled to stay aloft in the
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9 howling wind. Buffeted by a frigid gust, she grimaced and tried to
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10 steady herself on the unsteady currents. Scanning the nightscape of
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11 the great city, she spied Tokyo Tower alight, a blazing beacon in the
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12 dark, moonless night. Squinting to focus, she made out a familiar
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13 figure, long hair tossed about by the fierce wind. The girl’s flowing
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14 dress fluttered crazily as she teetered unsteadily on the edge of a
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15 platform high above the ground. Standing with arms folded, hands
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16 against her chest, she clutched something tightly to her breast. In
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17 horror, Sakura realized who it was and screamed her name,
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18
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19 "Tomoyo-chan!!"
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20
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21 She woke with a start and stared out at the gray-blue garden, dimly
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22 lit by the early dawn. With a cold shiver she realized it was that
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23 dream again. But this time, she knew who the figure on the Tower was.
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24 But what was she doing there, and why was it Tomoyo-chan? Realizing
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25 she was still entwined with Tomoyo, Sakura released a little sigh of
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26 relief. She snuggled against the sleeping woman, taking comfort in
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27 her warm presence. Gazing at the pale face, so peaceful and calm,
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28 Sakura felt the fear in her heart vanish. Fingers playing with a lock
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29 of lustrous lavender hair, she watched the woman cradled in her arms
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30 breathe softly in a gentle slumber.
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31
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32 Sakura felt an ocean of love welling within, buoying her heart like
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33 a little cork. Yesterday was a dream of moonlight and mountains,
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34 gardens and fountains, and a magical kiss that swept her soul up into
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35 the velvety night. She blushed at the memory of that kiss, but more
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36 out of passionate remembrance than embarrassment. Never had anything
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37 affected her like this. The treacly-hot sweetness lingered still, the
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38 scent and taste and touch of Tomoyo flooding back as she closed her
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39 eyes. Her body shivered and her heart thudded with an aching longing.
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40 She wanted to cry and laugh and hug the beautiful, still form
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41 drowsing in her arms. On the edge of tears she whispered hoarsely,
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42
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43 “Tomoyo-chan, I love you.”
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44
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45 It was true. This visit had stirred up feelings that Sakura only
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46 dimly suspected. At first, Tomoyo’s absence had been masked by the
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47 excitement of married life in Hong Kong. But over the weeks, being
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48 away from her constant companion had begun to erode her confidence,
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49 her happiness, and her very soul. Sakura’s bright world was slowly
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50 spinning out of balance, becoming dark and shrouded in shadows. When
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51 Tomoyo called and said she was coming to visit, Sakura felt a rush of
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52 sheer joy. And now, after just two days together, she felt utterly
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53 reborn. But why? Tomoyo was her best friend, but the love that
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54 gripped Sakura now was like nothing she had ever felt. Wasn’t this
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55 how she was supposed to feel with her True Love? Then why didn’t she
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56 feel like this with Syaoran? Of course she loved him dearly- but not
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57 like this. But why not? He was her husband, her special someone. He
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58 had risked his life and given her the power to fight against the
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59 darkness unleashed by Eriol. Without his help, those shadows might
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60 have engulfed the world in a pall of forgetting. Everyone knew they
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61 were fated to be together; in fact, Sakura was one of the last to
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62 know. She smiled, remembering the time she ran after Syaoran’s bus
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63 with her little teddy bear. But for all the kisses they had shared as
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64 newlyweds, there had never been one like last night. Why?
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65
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66 Syaoran’s kisses were strong and demanding, blunt and forceful like
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67 the man himself. Sometimes she felt delightfully swept away when he
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68 took her in his arms like some imperious warrior. But Tomoyo’s kiss
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69 was tender, tantalizing, sensuous, and oh-so-slow. While Syaoran was
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70 always in a hurry to get somewhere, Tomoyo seemed to be lingering,
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71 delighted to share those intimate seconds together. Remembering the
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72 moment, Sakura blushed deeply, lightly holding her fingers to her
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73 lips. But it was more than that. Syaoran kissed as if to prove his
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74 love. When Tomoyo kissed, it was Love itself that poured from her
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75 heart and filled Sakura’s being. Nobody had ever loved her like
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76 Tomoyo-chan. Everything she did flowed from the depths of her love:
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77 the costumes, the quirky comments, and now the kiss. Sakura marveled
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78 at this, for if she loved her best friend so, then what was Tomoyo’s
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79 love for her special someone like? It seemed awful that they did not
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80 know of her love, for if they did surely they would feel it as the
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81 greatest of blessings. Surely they would rescue her from the
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82 loneliness that haunted her. And after seeing the pain etched on her
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83 face last night, Sakura was determined that her friend must not live
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84 a life in cruel isolation.
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85
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86 But Tomoyo's effusive love was not the only thing that made the kiss
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87 special, for Sakura's intense reaction when their lips first touched
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88 had set them both soaring. Her entire being inflamed with fire and
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89 light, she returned Tomoyo’s ardent passion with her own. And this
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90 brought her back to the original puzzle: Why was her love for the
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91 woman in her arms so deep and powerful , more so even than for her
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92 husband? Sakura's face mirrored her confusion as she grappled for an
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93 answer that would not come. "Hoeeee", she thought, "this would be so
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94 much easier if I could do something. But I just don't know what to
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95 do." At that moment, a light tap on her shoulder freed her from her
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96 confusion. She glanced up and saw Syaoran standing by her, dressed
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97 for work. She smiled brightly and whispered,
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98
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99 "Can you help me get Tomoyo-chan to her room?"
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100
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101 He rolled his eyes and returned the smile, then carefully took the
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102 woman from his wife's arms and carried her to the guest room. She was
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103 surprisingly light, and he gently eased her onto the futon, still
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104 asleep. Sakura, who had followed along, knelt beside the sleeping
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105 girl and tucked her in with all the care and concern of a loving
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106 mother. Leaning over, she brushed the dark hair from her pretty face,
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107 and kissed the pale cheek. Tomoyo smiled in response, as if all the
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108 beautiful dreams in the world were hers. The husband and wife tiptoed
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109 out of the room, and Sakura carefully latched shut the great mahogany
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110 door.
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111
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112 Tomoyo slowly awoke in the plush comfort of a silken quilt. She
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113 rolled onto her side, breathing in the sweet scent of cut lilies that
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114 Sakura had placed in her room the day before. The light from the
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115 garden shone brightly, as if the sun had already reached its zenith.
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116 Propping herself up on one elbow, she stared at the clock and was
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117 startled to see the hands approaching noon. Still awakening, she
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118 remembered the garden from last night, illumined not by the noisy
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119 yellow sun as it was now, but bathed in moonlight. Swiftly the jumble
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120 of recollections fell into place: breaking down in front of Sakura,
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121 sobbing uncontrollably, the woman clasping her tightly. And then, she
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122 blushingly remembered the kiss.
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123
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124 Suddenly sitting up, she held a hand to her breast and felt her
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125 heart beat wildly. Never had she felt such bliss. Her body trembled
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126 as she remembered how their lips lightly touched, how they embraced,
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127 how her tongue slipped delicately into Sakura’s honey-sweet mouth.
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128 Wide-eyed, she shivered as the lingering passion gripped her slender
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129 frame. Holding herself tightly, she closed her eyes, begged her heart
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130 be still, and tried to think.
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131
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132 Her first thought came on a little ripple of fear, “What did I do?
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133 She saw me cry, she saw me lonely and in pain. Now I’ve hurt her. Oh,
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134 I’ve hurt my Sakura-chan.” In all their time together, Tomoyo had
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135 labored to hide her secret agony from Sakura’s sparkling eyes, lest
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136 she tarnish that bright, genki spirit. Why had she broken down now,
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137 why had the carefully contrived masks fractured in her hands?
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138 Frantically she tried to remember what she had said and done. All she
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139 could recall was Sakura’s unceasing worry about Tomoyo’s loneliness,
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140 about the special person she could never have, or even tell of her
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141 love. She had felt trapped like an animal, unable to say that her
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142 special person was right there with her, in front of her, as she
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143 always had been. With nothing to say and nowhere to run, her heart
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144 shattered, the jagged shards rending her soul. And then her tears, so
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145 long held back, were unleashed in an uncontrollable torrent. Yet what
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146 happened next was utterly astonishing.
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147
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148 When Sakura pulled her close and embraced her, Tomoyo’s pain was
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149 washed away. She remembered with awe the warmth and love that poured
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150 into her, healed her, and made her whole again. Here was something
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151 far beyond the Cards, which made their powers seem mere tricks and
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152 trifles. In the blink of an eye, Tomoyo had gone from a bitter grief
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153 that would welcome death to joy and peace enough for all eternity.
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154 Pain and woe and fear had no home when she was in her arms. And
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155 Sakura’s own spirit, rather than being dimmed by Tomoyo’s pain,
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156 blazed forth and brought comfort and elation to them both. Here was a
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157 mystery, for Sakura had actually seemed glad to know of Tomoyo’s
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158 distress, as if knowing brought her more solace than not knowing.
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159 Almost like a Doctor-sensei who exults in her capacity to heal the
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160 hurts of others. Shaking off this thought, Tomoyo resolved never to
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161 let it happen again, lest Sakura be burdened with a pain she could
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162 not mend. As for her own pain, it was beyond the reach of all
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163 healing, save for being with her one, true love. And that, of course,
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164 was impossible.
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165
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166 Sakura had found her true love in Li-kun, and Tomoyo could not, must
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167 not, sully that happiness. To sacrifice her happiness for that of her
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168 loved one seemed a small price, indeed. But the kiss she had shared
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169 with her beautiful friend bewildered her, for the love she had felt
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170 from Sakura matched her own unrestrained ardor. Sakura did not return
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171 the kiss out of surprise or pity, but with a stunning passion, as if
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172 she craved a love long denied her. Tomoyo had resolved on her flight
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173 to Hong Kong to bottle up her feelings, lest it burden her friend, or
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174 damage their wonderful relationship. But in that garden she was
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175 enraptured by the scent of tropical flowers, hypnotized by the beauty
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176 and voice of the radiant brunette, and bewitched by the luminous
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177 moonlight. Her love slipped the iron chains she had forged, and flew
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178 to freedom, flew to her. She remembered slowly leaning into the kiss,
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179 and Sakura reaching out like a plant welcoming the sun. And this was
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180 what baffled her. Sakura should have reacted with embarrassment,
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181 should have laughed nervously or made light of what was happening.
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182 But her love was as strong and compelling as Tomoyo's own.
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183
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184 Tomoyo sat in bed, fingers distractedly caressing a little crease in
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185 her cyan nightgown. She smiled and thought, it was as if we were
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186 really lovers. I’ve been granted a vision of life together, both of
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187 us madly in love, with only ourselves in the whole, wide world.
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188 Tomoyo closed her eyes and thanked the spirits of the garden who had
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189 brought her these wondrous moments. Arigato gozaimasu, she thought,
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190 I'll treasure them forever. Opening her eyes she noticed a single
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191 braid entwined with green ribbons, and remembered Sakura doing her
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192 hair in this very bed. She put her hand to her cheek and felt a hot
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193 crimson flush creeping up her neck and shoulders. Such a marvelous
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194 day and night it had been! She could bear anything for memories like
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195 these. But even in the tender glow of felicity she gently chided
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196 herself. She had now been given something unhoped for, a pearl of
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197 great price to hold in her heart forever. But she must not distress
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198 her friend with her own private longings. Sakura’s fragile feelings
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199 were precious, and Tomoyo would not let anything harm them. From now
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200 on, she would be more careful. She would bind Love with adamantine
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201 chains and keep her feelings under control. But when the smiling face
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202 of the delightful brunette came to her, her heart fluttered
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203 helplessly in response. It was as if Love playfully rattled those
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204 adamantine chains, sweetly mocking Tomoyo’s futile efforts to bind
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205 her.
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206
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207
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208 The dark-haired girl arose, and stretched languidly. Today is the
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209 banquet, she thought with a start. I have to get ready. They may need
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210 me to help. And with that, she rushed to the cedar chest to get
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211 dressed, and to see Sakura.
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212
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213 But Sakura had already left for work, leaving a little note on
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214 stationary bordered with lilacs that she had to attend a meeting at
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215 school, and would be back in the early afternoon to help prepare the
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216 night's banquet. Tucking away the kawaii little note, Tomoyo wandered
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217 the great house, looking for the kitchen. Finally, by the dinning
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218 hall she found it, and entered in through the double doors. There she
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219 saw six chefs and numerous assistants, busy with preparations. Ieran-
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220 sama stood among them like a general, calm and assured amidst the
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221 chaos of the battlefield. The woman saw her approach, and Tomoyo
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222 bowed low and held her bow until it was returned, though by a much
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223 shallower bow as befitted their respective stations. Amid the clatter
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224 and clang of the busy kitchen Tomoyo had to strain and raise her soft
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225 voice to be heard,
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226
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227 "Good day, Ieran-sama. May I be of any help to you?"
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228
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229 The woman looked down at her sternly, but Tomoyo noticed the
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230 slightest smile as she answered,
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231
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232 "A guest does not help with her own banquet, Daidouji Siuje. That
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233 would be bad fortune." She had used Siuje, the Chinese form for Miss.
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234 Tomoyo sensed she had been accorded a singular honor, and bowed
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235 slightly in recognition. Ieran-sama smiled again, and turned to the
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236 men in the kitchen, issuing a series of rapid orders in Cantonese.
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237 She then asked,
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238
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239 "Would you care for some tea?"
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240
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241 Tomoyo nodded and followed her out of the kitchen and into the
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242 dinning room. The older woman scanned the area, and then said matter-
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243 of-factly,
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244
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245 "It's such a lovely day. Would you like to have tea in the garden?"
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246 Ieran-sama watched her intently.
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247
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248 "Yes, thank you, that would be very nice," Tomoyo replied, her face
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249 a mask.
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250
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251 Ieran-sama led the way down the dark halls, nodding to a servant as
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252 she walked. They sat at a table under a mimosa tree dotted with soft,
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253 puffy, pink blossoms. The table was made of a pale gray stone, old
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254 and weather-stained. Presently a servant arrived with two small red
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255 cups and a little red and green pot. Ieran-sama nodded her away, and
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256 poured the young woman a steaming cup of strong, black tea. Tomoyo
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257 thanked her, and sipped the hot, pungent liquid.
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258
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259 "Delicious," she smiled. The older woman gazed at her, carefully
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260 studying her face. Sipping from her own cup, Ieran-sama sighed,
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261
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262 "You know, if I had your beauty there would be no need of magic."
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263
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264 Tomoyo blushed at the compliment, and the steady eyes that beheld
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rlm@2
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265 her. Closing her eyes, Ieran-sama asked,
|
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rlm@2
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266
|
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rlm@2
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267 "Are you enjoying Hong Kong?"
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rlm@2
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268
|
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rlm@2
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269 "Yes, very much so. It's really a beautiful city. I'm seeing so much
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rlm@2
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270 more than the last time I was here."
|
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rlm@2
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271
|
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rlm@2
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272 "Beautiful, but old, though they seem to delight in tearing down
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rlm@2
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273 everything they can," She grimaced slightly as she spoke. "But I am
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rlm@2
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274 happy you are finding your stay pleasant."
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rlm@2
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275
|
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rlm@2
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276 They chatted about the city, shopping in the Causeway, and the view
|
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rlm@2
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277 from Victoria Peak. Finally, Ieran-sama asked,
|
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rlm@2
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278
|
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rlm@2
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279 "Daidouji Siuje, you care very much for Sakura-san, don't you?"
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rlm@2
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280
|
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rlm@2
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281 Again Tomoyo felt the penetrating gaze fall upon her. She put down
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rlm@2
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282 her cup and nodded.
|
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rlm@2
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283
|
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rlm@2
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284 "You could have had her for yourself; you have the power. But you
|
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rlm@2
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285 encouraged Syaoran instead. Why?"
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rlm@2
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286
|
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rlm@2
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287 Tomoyo paused, and drew a deep breath. There was no sense in trying
|
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rlm@2
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288 to hide or conceal anything from her. She saw too much. Smiling, the
|
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rlm@2
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289 young woman replied,
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rlm@2
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290
|
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rlm@2
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291 "I wanted her to be happy. That was most important. I didn't think I
|
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rlm@2
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292 could make her happy, but I think Li-kun can."
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rlm@2
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293
|
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rlm@2
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294 The woman was silent, her dark eyes locked with Tomoyo's. Finally
|
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rlm@2
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295 she looked away and spoke in a cold, aloof tone,
|
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rlm@2
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296
|
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rlm@2
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297 "Daidouji Siuje, you are perceptive for your years, but have much to
|
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rlm@2
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298 learn about human hearts. When next you play matchmaker, be certain
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rlm@2
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299 before you act."
|
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rlm@2
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300
|
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rlm@2
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301 Ieran-sama rose and fixed Tomoyo with a hard stare. But then her
|
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rlm@2
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302 face softened, as if bright memories of girlhood called to her with a
|
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rlm@2
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303 giggle. She smiled a sad, wistful smile and spoke in a whispery,
|
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rlm@2
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304 feminine lilt,
|
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rlm@2
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305
|
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rlm@2
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306 "Daidouji Siuje, I know you would do anything for her. Anything. But
|
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rlm@2
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307 this time, please be sure of what you do. Some things done fly far
|
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rlm@2
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308 beyond recall."
|
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rlm@2
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309
|
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rlm@2
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310 She turned and walked away, leaving a pensive Tomoyo behind. Ieran-
|
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rlm@2
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311 sama felt a shadow of fear as she strode down the halls to the
|
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rlm@2
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312 kitchen. Something about Tomoyo troubled her. There was a sense of
|
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rlm@2
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313 brittle strength, a terrible fragility under that calm and placid
|
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rlm@2
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314 surface. She closed her eyes and spoke a silent blessing, a spell of
|
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rlm@2
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315 watchful protection on the troubling girl. It bothered her that she
|
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rlm@2
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316 liked Tomoyo, for such feelings could prove a distraction. The girl
|
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rlm@2
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317 was more than useful; she was somehow vital to the House of Li. And
|
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rlm@2
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318 that, Ieran-sama thought to herself, is more important than my
|
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rlm@2
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319 trifling human emotions.
|
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rlm@2
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320
|
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rlm@2
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321 Sakura hurried down the street that led to the Li residence. Having
|
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rlm@2
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322 to go for a teacher's meeting was exasperating, but it was her duty
|
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rlm@2
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323 to go, so she went. Besides, Tomoyo needed to sleep, though hopefully
|
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rlm@2
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324 she was up now. Sakura was visibly excited at the prospect of seeing
|
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rlm@2
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325 her again. She wanted to see and be with Tomoyo as much as possible
|
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rlm@2
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326 while she was still here. Her heart caught in her throat at this
|
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rlm@2
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327 thought, realizing the woman would soon leave for Japan. Sakura
|
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rlm@2
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328 practically ran up the hill, the house soon looming into view.
|
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rlm@2
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329 Standing outside was Tomoyo, scanning the street as if looking for
|
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rlm@2
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330 her. Sakura shouted out her name and waved, and as the dark-haired
|
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rlm@2
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331 woman caught sight of her she waved back. Running breathlessly,
|
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rlm@2
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332 Sakura charged up the walkway and threw herself into Tomoyo’s arms,
|
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rlm@2
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333 nearly toppling her over.
|
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rlm@2
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334
|
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rlm@2
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335 Tomoyo gasped in surprise and delight as she felt the reassuring
|
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rlm@2
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336 warmth of her beloved friend. She thought to herself, Sakura-chan’s
|
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rlm@2
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337 away for a few hours and I can’t stand it. How can I possibly leave
|
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rlm@2
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338 her? She fought back the tears and held on tightly. Finally,
|
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rlm@2
|
339 reluctantly, the two parted, though Sakura took the pale woman’s
|
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rlm@2
|
340 hands in hers as she spoke,
|
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rlm@2
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341
|
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rlm@2
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342 “Tomoyo-chan, I’m so sorry I had to go. I really missed you, isn’t
|
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rlm@2
|
343 that silly? I was only gone a little bit, but I missed you so much.
|
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rlm@2
|
344 How are you feeling? Did you get enough sleep? You must have been
|
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rlm@2
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345 awfully tired.”
|
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rlm@2
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346
|
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rlm@2
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347 Tomoyo basked in the sparkling glow of Sakura’s smile and replied
|
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rlm@2
|
348 cheerfully,
|
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rlm@2
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349
|
|
rlm@2
|
350 “Sakura-chan doesn’t have to worry about me. I had a lovely sleep,
|
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rlm@2
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351 and beautiful dreams of my best friend, and I’ve even had tea and a
|
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rlm@2
|
352 conversation with Ieran-sama. But I’m very glad to see you again. I
|
|
rlm@2
|
353 missed you, too.”
|
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rlm@2
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354
|
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rlm@2
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355 Sakura hugged her tightly again and half-whispered,
|
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rlm@2
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356
|
|
rlm@2
|
357 “I don’t know what I’m going to do when you’re gone.”
|
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rlm@2
|
358
|
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rlm@2
|
359 Tomoyo’s body stiffened at the words. She thought, I don’t know what
|
|
rlm@2
|
360 I’m going to do, either, Sakura-chan. I just don’t know. But calming
|
|
rlm@2
|
361 her thudding heart, she gently pulled away and smiled,
|
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rlm@2
|
362
|
|
rlm@2
|
363 “All the more reason to enjoy the time we still have together. I
|
|
rlm@2
|
364 think Ieran-sama has work for you in the kitchen. She won’t let me
|
|
rlm@2
|
365 help, because she said it wouldn’t be good luck for the guest to work
|
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rlm@2
|
366 for her own banquet. But maybe if you ask her you could do some of
|
|
rlm@2
|
367 the preparations in the dinning room, where we could talk?”
|
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rlm@2
|
368
|
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rlm@2
|
369 Sakura nodded, and the two walked hand-in-and through the house
|
|
rlm@2
|
370 before Sakura disappeared into the kitchen. She emerged shortly
|
|
rlm@2
|
371 thereafter, carrying a large pot full of vegetables. She set things
|
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rlm@2
|
372 up on a table, and carefully began slicing radishes and carrots,
|
|
rlm@2
|
373 greens and bell peppers. Though not particularly fond of the peppers,
|
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rlm@2
|
374 Tomoyo politely ignored their presence. When Sakura began to weep
|
|
rlm@2
|
375 cutting the onions, Tomoyo found a black lacquer bowl and filled it
|
|
rlm@2
|
376 with water. She placed it by the little chef, saying her Mother swore
|
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rlm@2
|
377 it helped when cutting onions. The two talked away the afternoon as
|
|
rlm@2
|
378 Sakura chopped and sliced while an entranced Tomoyo simply watched.
|
|
rlm@2
|
379 Finally, Ieran-sama found them, and asked Tomoyo if she would like to
|
|
rlm@2
|
380 prepare herself for the banquet. Later Sakura too was dismissed from
|
|
rlm@2
|
381 her culinary chores, and went to her room to dress.
|
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rlm@2
|
382
|
|
rlm@2
|
383 Syaoran was already in the bedroom getting ready. Sakura greeted him
|
|
rlm@2
|
384 with a kiss and began looking through her closet, She settled on a
|
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rlm@2
|
385 black silk cheongsam, a birthday present from her husband. Typical of
|
|
rlm@2
|
386 the style, it had a fairly high collar and fastened diagonally along
|
|
rlm@2
|
387 the right front. The front, collar, and sleeves had a colorful floral
|
|
rlm@2
|
388 border trimmed in gold. The long hem was also trimmed, but only in
|
|
rlm@2
|
389 gold. The skirt was slit slightly above the knee, and Sakura decided
|
|
rlm@2
|
390 to wear black stockings and heels. Standing in front of the mirror,
|
|
rlm@2
|
391 she turned left, then right, waiting expectantly for a comment from
|
|
rlm@2
|
392 Syaoran. But he was too busy with his tie to notice, so Sakura sat
|
|
rlm@2
|
393 down at the vanity. Thinking about how to do her hair, she was
|
|
rlm@2
|
394 reminded of the night before, when she had brushed and braided
|
|
rlm@2
|
395 Tomoyo's beautiful, black-gray tresses. She closed her eyes as the
|
|
rlm@2
|
396 sensations echoed in her mind: the soft, silken feel of the lustrous
|
|
rlm@2
|
397 hair, the flowery-sweet scent, the way it caught the light and
|
|
rlm@2
|
398 shimmered darkly. Breathless, she opened her eyes and swallowed,
|
|
rlm@2
|
399 feeling a hot flash over her shivering body. As she picked up the
|
|
rlm@2
|
400 brush, her hand trembled. Nervously she glanced behind her, but
|
|
rlm@2
|
401 Syaoran was preoccupied and didn’t notice. She brushed in quick,
|
|
rlm@2
|
402 short strokes, trying to calm down.
|
|
rlm@2
|
403
|
|
rlm@2
|
404 As the brush shooshed through her short, auburn hair, Sakura again
|
|
rlm@2
|
405 tried to understand her volatile feelings for Tomoyo. The only thing
|
|
rlm@2
|
406 remotely close to this was Yukito-san, but that had been different.
|
|
rlm@2
|
407 She loved him, but gave it up because despite his affectionate
|
|
rlm@2
|
408 nature, she knew he did not love her in the same way. She knew he
|
|
rlm@2
|
409 loved her brother, and that Touga loved him. She had always been glad
|
|
rlm@2
|
410 of their happiness, despite her pain at the time. Yet for all the
|
|
rlm@2
|
411 intensity she felt for him, it was different than her feelings for
|
|
rlm@2
|
412 her best friend. It had been more than a crush, but was still just
|
|
rlm@2
|
413 the love of a young girl. Her feelings for Tomoyo were stronger,
|
|
rlm@2
|
414 deeper, and more compelling. But why was she wracked by these
|
|
rlm@2
|
415 feelings all of a sudden? Why had she never felt this way before?
|
|
rlm@2
|
416 Because I’ve never been away from her, she thought. We were always
|
|
rlm@2
|
417 together; I can’t think of a day we didn’t see each other, or talk on
|
|
rlm@2
|
418 the phone. Things haven’t felt right since I’ve arrived in Hong Kong.
|
|
rlm@2
|
419 Until now. Now that she is with me. I was away from Syaoran for
|
|
rlm@2
|
420 almost two years, and missed him terribly. But I’ve only been apart
|
|
rlm@2
|
421 from Tomoyo for three months, and it’s an eternity of heartbreak. I
|
|
rlm@2
|
422 don’t think I can live without her. I don’t know if I want to live
|
|
rlm@2
|
423 without her. But she’s my friend. Why do I feel like this for my
|
|
rlm@2
|
424 friend? Confused and frustrated, Sakura turned in her chair and
|
|
rlm@2
|
425 blurted out,
|
|
rlm@2
|
426
|
|
rlm@2
|
427 “Syaoran-chan, was Meiling-chan your best friend when you were young?”
|
|
rlm@2
|
428
|
|
rlm@2
|
429 Syaoran regarded her with a surprised look, and then replied slowly,
|
|
rlm@2
|
430
|
|
rlm@2
|
431 “I don’t know. I guess so. I never had many friends.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
432
|
|
rlm@2
|
433 “Did you like her?” Sakura’s voice sounded nervous and agitated.
|
|
rlm@2
|
434
|
|
rlm@2
|
435 Syaoran rolled his eyes and answered impatiently, “I guess I did. I
|
|
rlm@2
|
436 mean, she was a pain, sometimes, but I suppose she was all right.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
437
|
|
rlm@2
|
438 “Did you love her? Do you still love her?” Sakura asked, wide-eyed
|
|
rlm@2
|
439 and breathless.
|
|
rlm@2
|
440
|
|
rlm@2
|
441 Syaoran frowned and looked away as he mumbled his response, “Why are
|
|
rlm@2
|
442 you asking me that? Are you jealous or something? We didn’t have to
|
|
rlm@2
|
443 invite her tonight, you know.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
444
|
|
rlm@2
|
445 Sakura shook her head wildly and sputtered, “No, I didn’t mean it
|
|
rlm@2
|
446 like that. I’m not jealous at all. But I just wondered if, if best
|
|
rlm@2
|
447 friends could love each other.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
448
|
|
rlm@2
|
449 Syaoran snorted derisively as he slipped on his jacket, “Are you
|
|
rlm@2
|
450 about ready? The guests will be arriving soon, and I don’t want to be
|
|
rlm@2
|
451 late.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
452
|
|
rlm@2
|
453 Sakura smiled sheepishly, “You go on ahead. I’m almost done; I’ll be
|
|
rlm@2
|
454 there in a minute.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
455
|
|
rlm@2
|
456 Syaoran nodded and slipped out the door, leaving Sakura feeling
|
|
rlm@2
|
457 somehow foolish. With a little sigh she opened her jewelry box and
|
|
rlm@2
|
458 chanced upon the little flower hair pin Yukito-san had given her on
|
|
rlm@2
|
459 their trip to Hong Kong so many years ago. She picked it up and
|
|
rlm@2
|
460 smiled, remembering. Then she fixed it in her hair and tilted her
|
|
rlm@2
|
461 head in contemplation.
|
|
rlm@2
|
462
|
|
rlm@2
|
463 “Mmm,” she murmured approvingly, then stood and walked through the
|
|
rlm@2
|
464 door to meet the guests and find Tomoyo-chan.
|
|
rlm@2
|
465
|
|
rlm@2
|
466 Tomoyo heard the buzz of conversation through the large wooden door.
|
|
rlm@2
|
467 Feeling nervous, she remembered the techniques she had used in public
|
|
rlm@2
|
468 performance with the choir. She closed her eyes and slowed her
|
|
rlm@2
|
469 breathing, allowing her body to gradually relax. Tomoyo felt a hand
|
|
rlm@2
|
470 gently touch her shoulder, and looked up to see Fanren at her side.
|
|
rlm@2
|
471 With her fluency in Japanese, Ieran-sama had selected Fanren to
|
|
rlm@2
|
472 escort Tomoyo through the complexities of the banquet. Her eyes
|
|
rlm@2
|
473 sparkled as she spoke excitedly to the young Japanese woman,
|
|
rlm@2
|
474
|
|
rlm@2
|
475 “Aiyaaaaa, Tomoyo-san, you look gorgeous! I’d give you a kiss for
|
|
rlm@2
|
476 good luck but I don’t want to muss you up. I *knew* that cheongsam
|
|
rlm@2
|
477 would be a perfect fit.” She stood back and gazed admiringly. The
|
|
rlm@2
|
478 long, red silk dress was embroidered in golden thread with two
|
|
rlm@2
|
479 lovebirds snuggling together. The high collar and tight fit
|
|
rlm@2
|
480 accentuated Tomoyo’s willowy figure, giving her the look of a goddess
|
|
rlm@2
|
481 who deigned to dally awhile with mortals before ascending back to the
|
|
rlm@2
|
482 heavens. And if Tomoyo’s natural beauty made such a look possible,
|
|
rlm@2
|
483 several hours of meticulous work had gone into its perfection.
|
|
rlm@2
|
484
|
|
rlm@2
|
485 The four Li sisters had argued bitterly over who would get to dress
|
|
rlm@2
|
486 the Japanese beauty for her banquet. Finally they decided on a
|
|
rlm@2
|
487 division of labor that would give them all a chance to show their
|
|
rlm@2
|
488 skills. Fanren would select the clothing, Fuutie would do the make-
|
|
rlm@2
|
489 up, and both Feimei and Shiefa would work on the hair, as that would
|
|
rlm@2
|
490 be the most complex task of all. Fuutie sulked that Tomoyo’s beauty
|
|
rlm@2
|
491 made her job all too easy. Studying the woman’s flawless alabaster
|
|
rlm@2
|
492 skin, she shook her head in amazement. With a deft touch the Chinese
|
|
rlm@2
|
493 woman used a powdery crimson blush to highlight her cheeks, and a
|
|
rlm@2
|
494 plum colored eye shadow that complimented Tomoyo’s remarkable
|
|
rlm@2
|
495 amethyst eyes. She finished with a delicate pink lipstick, and smiled
|
|
rlm@2
|
496 as the other sisters gasped in delight. Fuutie giggled,
|
|
rlm@2
|
497
|
|
rlm@2
|
498 “Who needs a banquet? She looks delicious enough to eat!” The women
|
|
rlm@2
|
499 laughed as Tomoyo’s blush complimented Fuutie’s handiwork.
|
|
rlm@2
|
500
|
|
rlm@2
|
501 Before the makeup, Feimei and Shiefa had begun preparations on
|
|
rlm@2
|
502 Tomoyo’s hair. They protectively wrapped their work-in-progress with
|
|
rlm@2
|
503 white silk, waiting until Fuutie had finished before applying their
|
|
rlm@2
|
504 finishing touches. Huddled with an array of jewelry, flowers, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
505 accessories they worked with nimble fingers and a sharp eye for
|
|
rlm@2
|
506 beauty. When they had finally finished, Tomoyo looked in the gilded
|
|
rlm@2
|
507 mirror they held before her and stared in wonder. The hairstyle was a
|
|
rlm@2
|
508 genuine work of art, adroitly combining a traditional Chinese
|
|
rlm@2
|
509 coiffure with more modern styling. Her lavender hair was spun into
|
|
rlm@2
|
510 delicate locks and ringlets with two long, curling tresses in the
|
|
rlm@2
|
511 front that tumbled freely to her waist. The hair was entwined with
|
|
rlm@2
|
512 ornate red and gold jewelry that tinkled prettily as she walked, or
|
|
rlm@2
|
513 bowed, or turned her head. Finally, three snow-white gardenias
|
|
rlm@2
|
514 provided a fragrant contrast with the dark, shimmering hair. Tomoyo
|
|
rlm@2
|
515 stood and bowed deeply, thanking the women for their labors. The
|
|
rlm@2
|
516 sisters giggled and returned the bow as Shiefei replied,
|
|
rlm@2
|
517
|
|
rlm@2
|
518 “It was our pleasure. The doll designer herself makes a most
|
|
rlm@2
|
519 wonderful doll to play with.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
520
|
|
rlm@2
|
521 Now Fanren looked at Tomoyo and whispered, “Remember, if you get
|
|
rlm@2
|
522 stuck or aren’t sure what to say or do, press my hand twice and just
|
|
rlm@2
|
523 follow my lead. Ready?” Tomoyo smiled and nodded, and the two entered
|
|
rlm@2
|
524 arm in arm into the crowded reception room. They were met with a wall
|
|
rlm@2
|
525 of sound as the guests chatted loudly and enthusiastically. But when
|
|
rlm@2
|
526 the pair entered a hush quickly swept the crowd, followed by excited
|
|
rlm@2
|
527 whispers and astonished, occasionally envious, looks. Fanren
|
|
rlm@2
|
528 carefully navigated her charge through the innumerable Li’s and
|
|
rlm@2
|
529 assorted guests, starting with the most revered and prestigious,
|
|
rlm@2
|
530 calculating her bows and words with practiced precision. As if
|
|
rlm@2
|
531 choreographed, Tomoyo followed Fanren and listened as the Chinese
|
|
rlm@2
|
532 woman translated,
|
|
rlm@2
|
533
|
|
rlm@2
|
534 “The most honorable Coordinator of Clinical Services at the Prince
|
|
rlm@2
|
535 of Wales Hospital, Dr. C. Y. Li, offers his humble greetings to the
|
|
rlm@2
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536 friend of his kinsman’s wife, Kinomoto Sakura. He wishes the
|
|
rlm@2
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537 exquisite Daidouji Tomoyo to know that her presence at this banquet
|
|
rlm@2
|
538 brings great honor to the House of Li, and that her consummate beauty
|
|
rlm@2
|
539 must make the Lady Moon weep with helpless frustration for being so
|
|
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|
540 outshone.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
541
|
|
rlm@2
|
542 Tomoyo answered with graceful solemnity,
|
|
rlm@2
|
543
|
|
rlm@2
|
544 “Please inform the most honorable Coordinator of Clinical Services
|
|
rlm@2
|
545 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Dr. C. Y. Li, that I am sadly
|
|
rlm@2
|
546 unworthy of the sumptuous magnanimity of the august House of Li, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
547 that I thank him for his kind generosity in receiving me with a
|
|
rlm@2
|
548 veneration for which I am utterly undeserving.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
549
|
|
rlm@2
|
550 And so it went, from guest to honored guest. Tomoyo quickly
|
|
rlm@2
|
551 realized that she was the center of interest, and found herself
|
|
rlm@2
|
552 blushing as many of the younger men, and not a few women, proved
|
|
rlm@2
|
553 particularly attentive. Fanren was the perfect escort, explaining who
|
|
rlm@2
|
554 was who and what was said, fixing a loose golden bell in her hair
|
|
rlm@2
|
555 that was dangling on her forehead, and even slipping her a refreshing
|
|
rlm@2
|
556 watermelon juice drink. Tomoyo was sipping the cool, pink liquid when
|
|
rlm@2
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557 she heard Fanren intone,
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|
rlm@2
|
558
|
|
rlm@2
|
559 “The most honorable first son of the House of Li, Li Syaoran, and
|
|
rlm@2
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560 his wife, who hails from the land of the Rising Sun, Kinomoto Sakura,
|
|
rlm@2
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561 present their greetings and felicitations…”
|
|
rlm@2
|
562
|
|
rlm@2
|
563 Tomoyo whirled about, nearly dropping her drink in surprise. With a
|
|
rlm@2
|
564 hasty bow, she smiled joyfully and gazed adoringly at Sakura. The
|
|
rlm@2
|
565 cinnamon-haired woman stood as if in shock. With her mouth open and a
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|
rlm@2
|
566 hand on her breast, Sakura stared in breathless astonishment.
|
|
rlm@2
|
567 Coloring visibly, she blurted out when Fanren had finished,
|
|
rlm@2
|
568
|
|
rlm@2
|
569 “Tomoyo-chan, you look so beautiful!”
|
|
rlm@2
|
570
|
|
rlm@2
|
571 Syaoran rolled his eyes and Fanren giggled behind her hand as Tomoyo
|
|
rlm@2
|
572 bowed and answered in Japanese,
|
|
rlm@2
|
573
|
|
rlm@2
|
574 “I thank the devoted wife of the admirable Li Syaoran of the
|
|
rlm@2
|
575 esteemed House of Li for her kindness, hospitality, and gracious
|
|
rlm@2
|
576 indulgence of so unworthy a guest as myself. Furthermore, I assure
|
|
rlm@2
|
577 her that if there is anything pleasing about my humble appearance it
|
|
rlm@2
|
578 is due solely to the magnificent skills of the resourceful women of
|
|
rlm@2
|
579 the august House of Li. Yet I am saddened that all of their diligent
|
|
rlm@2
|
580 work shall be for naught, for the eyes of all the worthy guests who
|
|
rlm@2
|
581 attend this sumptuous banquet will see only the radiant splendor of
|
|
rlm@2
|
582 Kinomoto Sakura, and that all hearts will be forevermore hers.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
583
|
|
rlm@2
|
584 Suppressing a smile, Fanren then introduced Tomoyo to her
|
|
rlm@2
|
585 approaching host. Elegantly attired in traditional Chinese dress,
|
|
rlm@2
|
586 Ieran-sama glowed with a magical beauty. Utterly enchanted, Tomoyo
|
|
rlm@2
|
587 bowed and exchanged greetings, and then arm in arm accompanied her
|
|
rlm@2
|
588 host to the doors that led to the dinning room. Ieran-sama indicated
|
|
rlm@2
|
589 that she should enter, but Tomoyo hesitated and began the ritual that
|
|
rlm@2
|
590 Fanren had carefully outlined. As the guest, she was honored with
|
|
rlm@2
|
591 being the first to enter. But custom dictated that to do so without
|
|
rlm@2
|
592 lengthy remonstrance would be the worst of manners, implying an
|
|
rlm@2
|
593 intolerable arrogance. For several minutes the two women gently
|
|
rlm@2
|
594 besought the other to enter first, as the guests listened
|
|
rlm@2
|
595 approvingly, if a bit hungrily. Finally, Tomoyo graciously consented
|
|
rlm@2
|
596 and entered, and the others followed in a pre-arranged hierarchy of
|
|
rlm@2
|
597 importance and prestige.
|
|
rlm@2
|
598
|
|
rlm@2
|
599 With high ceilings and picture windows that overlooked the gaudily
|
|
rlm@2
|
600 illuminated city below, the dinning room gave an appearance of
|
|
rlm@2
|
601 spacious grandeur. Decorations were tastefully few, so as not to
|
|
rlm@2
|
602 detract from the real attraction: the food. Set in the center of the
|
|
rlm@2
|
603 room were five round tables of darkly polished and ornately carved
|
|
rlm@2
|
604 mahogany. Ieran indicated the seat of honor for Tomoyo, and again the
|
|
rlm@2
|
605 two enacted a minuet of humility and praise before finally sitting.
|
|
rlm@2
|
606 Ieran took the seat directly across form her, the chair closest to
|
|
rlm@2
|
607 the kitchen doors from whence the servers would bring the various
|
|
rlm@2
|
608 dishes of the feast. This was also a calculated gesture, for such a
|
|
rlm@2
|
609 seat was considered the lowliest of all, and demonstrated the host’s
|
|
rlm@2
|
610 high regard for all the other guests. Tomoyo’s heart soared as she
|
|
rlm@2
|
611 saw Sakura and Syaoran sitting at the same table, as well as the Li
|
|
rlm@2
|
612 sisters, Fanren as always by her side. She glanced at the table, set
|
|
rlm@2
|
613 with priceless porcelain bowls, plates, and spoons, beautifully
|
|
rlm@2
|
614 decorated in delicately wrought patterns of blue, white, and gold.
|
|
rlm@2
|
615 She marveled at the ivory chopsticks set with golden filigree, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
616 the elaborately engraved golden cups. Seeing that all were seated and
|
|
rlm@2
|
617 everything was in readiness, Ieran gave two sharp claps and the
|
|
rlm@2
|
618 kitchen doors instantly swung open. At long last, the banquet was
|
|
rlm@2
|
619 ready to begin.
|
|
rlm@2
|
620
|
|
rlm@2
|
621 Bursting out from the door were several uniformed servers, dressed
|
|
rlm@2
|
622 in bright red and yellow silks, carrying large trays of multi-colored
|
|
rlm@2
|
623 delicacies. Fanren explained that these were the cold dishes to begin
|
|
rlm@2
|
624 the meal. Great silver platters were swiftly arranged on every table,
|
|
rlm@2
|
625 as Ieran-sama moved gracefully through the hall, apologizing for the
|
|
rlm@2
|
626 meager fare, her guests in turn delightedly protesting that they were
|
|
rlm@2
|
627 unworthy of such an abundance of delicacies. When she returned to the
|
|
rlm@2
|
628 table, she served Tomoyo with elegant ease before finally sitting
|
|
rlm@2
|
629 down. A second wave of servers then appeared, displaying aged and
|
|
rlm@2
|
630 dusty earthenware urns, which brought gasps of surprise from the
|
|
rlm@2
|
631 guests, and a joyous buzz that swept the room. Fanren leaned and
|
|
rlm@2
|
632 whispered into Tomoyo’s ear,
|
|
rlm@2
|
633
|
|
rlm@2
|
634 “It’s Shao Xing rice wine, well over 50 years old. I hope you come
|
|
rlm@2
|
635 back here more often,” she giggled.
|
|
rlm@2
|
636
|
|
rlm@2
|
637 As the seals were broken a powerful aroma wafted over the entire
|
|
rlm@2
|
638 room. Servers filled the small golden cups with the dark amber
|
|
rlm@2
|
639 liquid. Ieran arose, and the other guests quickly followed. The woman
|
|
rlm@2
|
640 held her glass high as her eyes surveyed the audience, finally
|
|
rlm@2
|
641 settling intently upon Tomoyo. In a musical voice that carried
|
|
rlm@2
|
642 strongly over the hall, Ieran made her opening toast,
|
|
rlm@2
|
643
|
|
rlm@2
|
644 “To all who have come I offer a thousand thanks and ten thousand
|
|
rlm@2
|
645 blessings, for you honor the House of Li with your presence. To
|
|
rlm@2
|
646 Daidouji Tomoyo, honored guest from across the waters, I wish you
|
|
rlm@2
|
647 life as long as the Yangtze River, as full of happiness as the
|
|
rlm@2
|
648 springtime flood of the Pearl River Delta, and pray that Love may
|
|
rlm@2
|
649 come to you as swiftly as the rapids of the mountain born Nan-p’an.
|
|
rlm@2
|
650 Gan Bei!”
|
|
rlm@2
|
651
|
|
rlm@2
|
652 At this, the guests drained their cups, savoring the heady scent of
|
|
rlm@2
|
653 the priceless wine. The first toast done, all turned their attention
|
|
rlm@2
|
654 to the bounteous feast before them. The cold dishes were colorful and
|
|
rlm@2
|
655 varied, carefully arrayed on the large, heavy silver platters. Fanren
|
|
rlm@2
|
656 identified the various little dishes, and pointed out her favorites,
|
|
rlm@2
|
657
|
|
rlm@2
|
658 “That’s Boiled Pork Tongue, that’s Century Egg with Peppers, though
|
|
rlm@2
|
659 it’s really only a few months old, so don’t worry. This is Sichuan
|
|
rlm@2
|
660 Cucumber with Dried Prawn over on the left, and the red one is Five-
|
|
rlm@2
|
661 Spice Yellow River Carp, a very lucky dish!”
|
|
rlm@2
|
662
|
|
rlm@2
|
663 Tomoyo sampled and nibbled, mindful of Fanren’s advice to eat
|
|
rlm@2
|
664 lightly lest she be full before the main courses arrived. The flavors
|
|
rlm@2
|
665 were cold and crisp, designed to sharpen the palate for the hot
|
|
rlm@2
|
666 dishes to come. Somewhat to her surprise, Ieran-sama served the food
|
|
rlm@2
|
667 at the table, and assisted the servers at the other tables. Despite
|
|
rlm@2
|
668 the alluring repast, Tomoyo kept stealing little glances at Sakura,
|
|
rlm@2
|
669 who reacted with delight to each and every dish. She saw Tomoyo and
|
|
rlm@2
|
670 grinned, giving a cute little wave. Tomoyo felt her heart race at the
|
|
rlm@2
|
671 sight of her beautiful friend, but this private reverie was
|
|
rlm@2
|
672 interrupted when the next wave of servers swept into the noisy
|
|
rlm@2
|
673 dinning hall.
|
|
rlm@2
|
674
|
|
rlm@2
|
675 These were the first of the hot dishes, exquisitely prepared,
|
|
rlm@2
|
676 steaming aromatically as they covered the massive tables. Again
|
|
rlm@2
|
677 Fanren was her guide through this culinary odyssey as Tomoyo gazed in
|
|
rlm@2
|
678 wonder at the mosaic of colors and scents. There was Stir-Fried
|
|
rlm@2
|
679 Triple-Winter, a savory mix of autumnal vegetables. The Shredded Duck
|
|
rlm@2
|
680 with Mango was piquant and breezily tropical. The Stir-Fried Liver
|
|
rlm@2
|
681 with Cloud Ears was surprisingly smooth, the tender liver contrasting
|
|
rlm@2
|
682 with the crunchy, earthy flavor of the Cloud Ear fungus. The Hot and
|
|
rlm@2
|
683 Sour Cabbage was simple, but perfectly done, and went well with the
|
|
rlm@2
|
684 Spicy Tea Eggs that had the appearance of rich marble. Fanren touched
|
|
rlm@2
|
685 her sleeve lightly and whispered, “Remember, these are only the
|
|
rlm@2
|
686 appetizers. It is said that you must guard your appetite well against
|
|
rlm@2
|
687 these skirmishers that precede the main battle line!” Tomoyo nodded,
|
|
rlm@2
|
688 and wondered how she could possibly keep up. As the dishes were taken
|
|
rlm@2
|
689 away, she saw Ieran nudging Syaoran, who rose, blushing, to make the
|
|
rlm@2
|
690 next round of toasts. Standing unsteadily, almost cringing from the
|
|
rlm@2
|
691 eyes upon him, Syaoran stumbled through his pre-written piece.
|
|
rlm@2
|
692 Finally, he looked at Tomoyo and smiled genuinely as he finished,
|
|
rlm@2
|
693
|
|
rlm@2
|
694 “It is said by the sages that those who play the game do not see it
|
|
rlm@2
|
695 as clearly as those who watch. To the most watchful and perceptive
|
|
rlm@2
|
696 person I know, the honorable and esteemed Daidouji Tomoyo. Gan bei!”
|
|
rlm@2
|
697
|
|
rlm@2
|
698 Before the drinks were drained, more of the red-clad servers
|
|
rlm@2
|
699 appeared, hoisting huge, meticulously carved winter melons. The one
|
|
rlm@2
|
700 at Tomoyo’s table was carved in the fantastic shape of a dragon
|
|
rlm@2
|
701 chasing a crescent moon. The top was removed, and the steamy scent of
|
|
rlm@2
|
702 winter melon and expensive Kinka ham soup drifted over the table.
|
|
rlm@2
|
703 Fanren whispered that the melon was very yin, and served to clear and
|
|
rlm@2
|
704 cleanse the palate for the meaty, yang courses to come. And in short
|
|
rlm@2
|
705 order they did, plates and bowls beyond counting, with a wild variety
|
|
rlm@2
|
706 of colors and flavors. At the center of every table was Peking Roast
|
|
rlm@2
|
707 Duck, specially prepared by a Master Chef of Hong Kong who did
|
|
rlm@2
|
708 nothing but this classic, who had served Kings and Presidents
|
|
rlm@2
|
709 throughout the world. Fanren described several of the dishes, but her
|
|
rlm@2
|
710 hungry eyes moved Tomoyo to beg her to eat and talk later. Tomoyo
|
|
rlm@2
|
711 winced at the sharp tang of Crystal Boiled Pork with Garlic Sauce,
|
|
rlm@2
|
712 and smiled at the sweet Fujian Lychee Pork. The Sweet-As-Honey
|
|
rlm@2
|
713 Venison was just as the Emperor Qian Long had described the recipe
|
|
rlm@2
|
714 200 years ago. So tender was the Chicken and Red Date Stew that Ieran-
|
|
rlm@2
|
715 sama pulled the soft flesh from the bird with just her chops\ticks.
|
|
rlm@2
|
716 But most sublime was the duck. Glistening reddish-brown in it’s
|
|
rlm@2
|
717 coating of malt sugar, the crispy-sweet skin held the meltingly
|
|
rlm@2
|
718 flavorful meat within. The skin and meat were eaten in delicate
|
|
rlm@2
|
719 little pancakes, with a Tian Mian Jiang sauce made from a jealously
|
|
rlm@2
|
720 guarded, secret Imperial recipe. Fanren whispered to Tomoyo, who
|
|
rlm@2
|
721 leaned over to hear,
|
|
rlm@2
|
722
|
|
rlm@2
|
723 “They say the in the 1930’s a chef was tortured to death by a
|
|
rlm@2
|
724 warlord rather than divulge the secret recipe.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
725
|
|
rlm@2
|
726 Tomoyo looked at the sauce with great respect, and gravely spoke a
|
|
rlm@2
|
727 silent little prayer of thanks to the brave chef. Finally the tables
|
|
rlm@2
|
728 were cleared and hot towels distributed as the toasts began again,
|
|
rlm@2
|
729 this time with 70 year-old wine. Tomoyo sipped carefully, worried
|
|
rlm@2
|
730 that she might grow silly with too much of the potent drink. She
|
|
rlm@2
|
731 noticed several male guests playing guessing games with fingers, the
|
|
rlm@2
|
732 loser draining a cup that was instantly refilled. Again the doors
|
|
rlm@2
|
733 burst open, and now bowls of soup were displayed, with the legendary
|
|
rlm@2
|
734 Braised Shark’s Fin soup holding center stage. The soup glittered and
|
|
rlm@2
|
735 sparkled, a liquid treasure of incomparable worth. Yet the other
|
|
rlm@2
|
736 soups were hardly outshone, forming a rainbow of glimmering colors
|
|
rlm@2
|
737 and flavors. After sampling the soups (and the Braised Shark Fin
|
|
rlm@2
|
738 twice), Fanren smiled and nudged Tomoyo, indicating Ieran-sama, who
|
|
rlm@2
|
739 was standing at the table and waiting while the bowls were cleared
|
|
rlm@2
|
740 away. Suddenly through the doors came enormous oval platters, so huge
|
|
rlm@2
|
741 they were carried by two straining men at each end. The platters were
|
|
rlm@2
|
742 laid at each table, and as was customary, the one at Tomoyo’s was
|
|
rlm@2
|
743 placed with the head pointing to the guest of honor. All she could do
|
|
rlm@2
|
744 was stare incredulously at the sight.
|
|
rlm@2
|
745
|
|
rlm@2
|
746 Upon each platter was a giant fish, seared crisply, laid upon a bed
|
|
rlm@2
|
747 of mossy green seaweed and delicately cut scallions that looked for
|
|
rlm@2
|
748 all the world like the waves of the sea. But what fixated Tomoyo’s
|
|
rlm@2
|
749 attention was a singular movement, which gave the impression of the
|
|
rlm@2
|
750 tremendous fish swimming in the rolling ocean waves. And what made
|
|
rlm@2
|
751 this possible, Tomoyo realized with a creeping horror, was that the
|
|
rlm@2
|
752 fish was still alive. It’s eyes looked about in confused terror, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
753 it’s mouth gasped for the water that it would never breathe again. It
|
|
rlm@2
|
754 took all of Tomoyo’s years of practice with Sakura to wear a smiling
|
|
rlm@2
|
755 mask, as if she were enchanted by the piteous spectacle. And poor
|
|
rlm@2
|
756 Sakura, she noticed, was woozy and looked as if she might pass out as
|
|
rlm@2
|
757 Syaoran vigorously shook her arm. Tomoyo then saw Ieran-sama take two
|
|
rlm@2
|
758 large silver knives from a bowing server who presented them in a red-
|
|
rlm@2
|
759 velvet lined wooden box. Standing by her pale guest, she lifted them
|
|
rlm@2
|
760 high above her head and took a deep breath. Swift as lightning she
|
|
rlm@2
|
761 struck, wielding the knives like short-swords. In an instant the two
|
|
rlm@2
|
762 cheeks of the mighty fish had been neatly carved and placed perfectly
|
|
rlm@2
|
763 on Tomoyo’s plate. The hall roared and clapped its approval, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
764 Tomoyo bowed deeply in thanks for these choicest portions of the
|
|
rlm@2
|
765 opulent offering. With that, the other servers attacked the fish at
|
|
rlm@2
|
766 their tables and served the excited guests. Tomoyo silently
|
|
rlm@2
|
767 apologized to the poor fish that had suffered so for her sake, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
768 courteously ate the delicacy, though the exquisite flavor gave her
|
|
rlm@2
|
769 little pleasure.
|
|
rlm@2
|
770
|
|
rlm@2
|
771 The other fish and seafood dishes were delicious, though happily
|
|
rlm@2
|
772 less dramatic. The Chao Zhou Zheng Chang Yu was a delicately steamed
|
|
rlm@2
|
773 pomfret fish, subtly accented with slivers of celery, salt plum, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
774 tomato. The Crispy Fried Mandarin fish and the enormous Stir-Fried
|
|
rlm@2
|
775 Lobster with Chicken in Hot Sauce provided a spicy, crunchy contrast.
|
|
rlm@2
|
776 The Baby Slipper Lobsters and Fujian Fried Chili Crabs were balanced
|
|
rlm@2
|
777 nicely by the squid with bamboo shoots, the squid sliced and scored
|
|
rlm@2
|
778 to look like some delicate flowers from a lost kingdom of the sea.
|
|
rlm@2
|
779 Tomoyo barely managed to nibble one of the tasty Shrimp-stuffed
|
|
rlm@2
|
780 Lychees when she turned to Fanren and whispered in a worried tone,
|
|
rlm@2
|
781
|
|
rlm@2
|
782 “Fanren-san, gomenesai, but I don’t know how much more I can eat.
|
|
rlm@2
|
783 It’s wonderfully delicious, but I am so very full.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
784
|
|
rlm@2
|
785 Fanren giggled and whispered back,
|
|
rlm@2
|
786
|
|
rlm@2
|
787 “Aiyaaa, for someone so charmingly petite you’ve done very well,
|
|
rlm@2
|
788 Tomoyo-chan. Don’t worry, the cai foods are done, now all that’s left
|
|
rlm@2
|
789 are the fan courses: grains, noodles, and rice. And it would be
|
|
rlm@2
|
790 insulting to at the rice, as that would mean there wasn’t enough food
|
|
rlm@2
|
791 to fill you up!”
|
|
rlm@2
|
792
|
|
rlm@2
|
793 At this Tomoyo looked relieved, especially as the next round of
|
|
rlm@2
|
794 toasts ended and numerous noodle dishes were spread over the table.
|
|
rlm@2
|
795 Tomoyo noticed that, despite the inviting aroma and magnificent
|
|
rlm@2
|
796 presentation, most of the guests merely picked and nibbled. Much to
|
|
rlm@2
|
797 the surprise and delight of the Li family, Tomoyo ate a goodly
|
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798 portion of the Fried Noodles Xiamen and the curiously named, “Wealth
|
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rlm@2
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799 and Good Deeds” with Yi noodles, which Fanren explained was made of a
|
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800 rare hair moss that grew only in the northernmost reaches of the
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801 country. Tomoyo asked Fanren to provide a translation for something
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802 she whispered, which the Chinese woman laughingly gave, Then the
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rlm@2
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803 honored guest spoke haltingly to the table in Cantonese,
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804
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rlm@2
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805 “I am very fond of noodles.”
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rlm@2
|
806
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rlm@2
|
807 This brought laughter all around as everyone regarded the beautiful
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rlm@2
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808 woman with warmth and affection. Tomoyo realized that conversation at
|
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rlm@2
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809 the banquet was sparse, yet there existed a glowing sense of
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rlm@2
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810 communion among all the guests. She remembered Fanren saying before
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rlm@2
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811 the banquet that food in China was a form of communication that
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812 rendered mere words unnecessary. She thought about this now, as the
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rlm@2
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813 dishes were cleared away yet again. She fondly remembered school
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rlm@2
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814 lunches with Sakura, where the girl’s silent presence was more than
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815 enough to fill her heart. She gazed at her now, a beautiful, married
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rlm@2
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816 woman, terra-cotta hair catching the light of the chandeliers above.
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rlm@2
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817 For all the joyous opulence of the banquet, she yearned most of all
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rlm@2
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818 for a quiet moment with her beautiful friend. Memories of the night
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rlm@2
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819 before in the moonlit garden suddenly filled her heart. With a sweet
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rlm@2
|
820 shiver she thought, my Sakura-chan is a dream come to life. How lucky
|
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rlm@2
|
821 I have been to be with her. Finally, Tomoyo noticed the nudging of
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rlm@2
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822 Fanren, who pointed to the little wine cup before her. With a look of
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rlm@2
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823 recognition, Tomoyo smiled and rose to give her toast.
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rlm@2
|
824
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rlm@2
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825 The guests were stunned at the wine that was now presented, for it
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rlm@2
|
826 was of Imperial vintage, still bearing the seal of the Great Dowager
|
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rlm@2
|
827 Empress from over a hundred years ago. As the priceless liquid was
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rlm@2
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828 poured, all eyes turned to Tomoyo, who rose and held her cup prettily
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rlm@2
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829 with one hand on the side and one on the bottom. She then began the
|
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rlm@2
|
830 speech she and Fanren had prepared the night before.
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rlm@2
|
831
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rlm@2
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832 In imperfect but earnest Cantonese, Tomoyo thanked all who had come
|
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rlm@2
|
833 to honor her with this splendid banquet. She protested her
|
|
rlm@2
|
834 unworthiness for so great an homage, and her great fortune in
|
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rlm@2
|
835 experiencing a feast whose memories would bring her joy all the years
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836 of her life. She wished happiness and long life to all, especially
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rlm@2
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837 the esteemed members of the House of Li that had so graciously
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rlm@2
|
838 extended their incomparable hospitality. Finally, she bowed deeply to
|
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rlm@2
|
839 Ieran-sama, and thanked her host for the beauty, bounty, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
840 brilliance of an unforgettable evening.
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rlm@2
|
841
|
|
rlm@2
|
842 “Gan bei,” Tomoyo spoke out in her musical voice as all present
|
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rlm@2
|
843 downed their drinks, utterly enchanted by the charming, pale beauty
|
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rlm@2
|
844 from Japan. With that, the symbolic bowls of rice were placed and
|
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rlm@2
|
845 quickly removed with not a grain consumed. Finally, a dizzying array
|
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rlm@2
|
846 of luscious desserts was placed before the protesting guests, as well
|
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rlm@2
|
847 as Iron Goddess of Mercy tea, brewed from the uppermost bud and twin
|
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rlm@2
|
848 leaves of the finest plants from Fujian. When the final cup of tea
|
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rlm@2
|
849 had been drained, Ieran-sama rose and thanked the guests profusely,
|
|
rlm@2
|
850 signaling the end of the banquet. Effusive appreciation was showered
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|
rlm@2
|
851 on the Li family by the departing company, who protested Ieran-sama’s
|
|
rlm@2
|
852 humble apologies by declaring the banquet as the most memorable in
|
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rlm@2
|
853 years. Some left tipsy, most left stuffed, but all left happy to have
|
|
rlm@2
|
854 been a part of so memorable an occasion. In the dark of the nearly
|
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rlm@2
|
855 empty reception room, Fanren stood before Tomoyo and gently took her
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rlm@2
|
856 by the hand.
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|
rlm@2
|
857
|
|
rlm@2
|
858 Tomoyo’s azure eyes sparkled as she spoke,
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|
rlm@2
|
859
|
|
rlm@2
|
860 “Fanren-san, thank you so very much for helping me with my dress,
|
|
rlm@2
|
861 and my toast, and serving as my escort. I don’t know how I would have
|
|
rlm@2
|
862 made it through without you. I’m ever in your debt.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
863
|
|
rlm@2
|
864 The woman smiled, and lightly rested her palm on Tomoyo’s soft, pale
|
|
rlm@2
|
865 cheek. Her voice betrayed the emotion that welled up inside her,
|
|
rlm@2
|
866
|
|
rlm@2
|
867 “I am the one thankful for sharing this magical evening with such an
|
|
rlm@2
|
868 enchanting princess. I know by your eyes where your heart’s desire
|
|
rlm@2
|
869 lies. But if ever your precious heart should find room for another,
|
|
rlm@2
|
870 forget me not, Diadouji Tomoyo-chan, whose beauty in truth outshines
|
|
rlm@2
|
871 Lady Moon.”
|
|
rlm@2
|
872
|
|
rlm@2
|
873 With a final caress of her delicate hand, Fanren leaned over, and
|
|
rlm@2
|
874 lightly kissed the blushing cheek of the honored guest. With that she
|
|
rlm@2
|
875 was gone, leaving Tomoyo breathless, but smiling.
|
|
rlm@2
|
876
|
