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[svn r4] got moon images from NASA!
author rlm
date Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:01:51 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
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rlm@2 1 Dear Sakura: Broken Dreams
rlm@2 2 by Amazoness Duo and G.P.
rlm@2 3 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 4 pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@2 5
rlm@2 6
rlm@2 7
rlm@2 8 It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Tomoyo’s carefully constructed
rlm@2 9 plans had all collapsed in such a short time. The wreckage of her
rlm@2 10 hopes and dreams, of her well planned efforts for Sakura, had her
rlm@2 11 lonely heart pinned helplessly to the floor. She was lost and afraid,
rlm@2 12 alone in an endless maze of despair that she had no hope of escaping.
rlm@2 13 Sakura’s beautiful new life was on the verge of ending tragically
rlm@2 14 because of Tomoyo’s recent trip to Hong Kong. She had given into her
rlm@2 15 feelings for Sakura and now the woman she loved was about to lose
rlm@2 16 everything because of it. Her plan to leave Sakura’s life quietly, to
rlm@2 17 fade away from Sakura over time had also been dashed by the
rlm@2 18 Cardmistress’s sudden appearance in Tomoeda. Everything Tomoyo had
rlm@2 19 done, she had done for Sakura. But it had all been for nothing, her
rlm@2 20 effort and prayers amounting to little more than broken dreams.
rlm@2 21 Despite how hard she had tried, how much she had given, it hadn’t
rlm@2 22 been enough. She hadn’t been able to safeguard Sakura’s beautiful
rlm@2 23 life that she herself had played a part in orchestrating. After all,
rlm@2 24 had she not played such an integral part in getting Sakura with her
rlm@2 25 prince, Syaoran, would they have come together on their own? But now
rlm@2 26 it all teetered on the brink, threatening to crush both Tomoyo and
rlm@2 27 Sakura underneath its weight.
rlm@2 28 All the dark haired heiress had ever wanted with all of her heart
rlm@2 29 had been Sakura’s happiness. Everything she had done had been for
rlm@2 30 those ends. From pushing Syaoran to tell Sakura his feelings and
rlm@2 31 later helping Sakura understand her feelings for the Chinese boy.
rlm@2 32 Fading out of Sakura’s life had been just another part of her plan
rlm@2 33 for Sakura’s happiness. To leave so that she couldn’t threaten the
rlm@2 34 wonderful life Sakura was leading with her beloved. But Fate had
rlm@2 35 cruelly stepped in right when things seemed to be perfect. Tomoyo had
rlm@2 36 finally crafted the beautiful life she had always envisioned for
rlm@2 37 Sakura. The woman she loved was happily married and protected and
rlm@2 38 would one day have a gorgeous child. It had all been set up. All
rlm@2 39 Tomoyo had to do was to slip away from Sakura’s life and hope that it
rlm@2 40 would always be joyous for the Mistress of the Cards. Tomoyo had
rlm@2 41 tried so hard, but it seemed that her hard work had never mattered at
rlm@2 42 all. Her remaining presence in Sakura’s life had possibly damaged it
rlm@2 43 beyond repair, had left Sakura’s shimmering future in doubt. The
rlm@2 44 lavender haired girl hadn’t even been able to escape before the
rlm@2 45 damage became too great, Sakura reaching Japan before she could
rlm@2 46 disappear forever.
rlm@2 47 “All I want is for the person I like to be happy. If they can be
rlm@2 48 happy, then that would be my greatest wish,” Tomoyo whispered to
rlm@2 49 herself, as if she were once again repeating to Sakura her reasoning
rlm@2 50 for not going after the one she loved. But now the words sounded
rlm@2 51 empty, hollow. If she didn’t have the knowledge that Sakura was
rlm@2 52 happy, then what did she have? The heart of her beloved Mistress of
rlm@2 53 the Cards couldn’t possibly survive the death of her happy life,
rlm@2 54 could it? So Tomoyo was left with nothing at all, not even the hope
rlm@2 55 for her friend’s future. Her lonely heart was stripped of even that,
rlm@2 56 the one thing that had made her life worth living, that had given her
rlm@2 57 empty life some substance. The heiress had gambled and lost. She had
rlm@2 58 placed her bets and now was the time that debts must be paid. Her
rlm@2 59 gamble for Sakura’s happiness had fallen through. So in a way, it was
rlm@2 60 her own fault that the brunette was on the brink of losing her new
rlm@2 61 and wonderful life in Hong Kong. She had been one of the driving
rlm@2 62 forces behind Sakura’s marriage to Syaoran, to her moving to Hong
rlm@2 63 Kong. And ironically, she had been the one to bring it so close to
rlm@2 64 ruin.
rlm@2 65 Bare feet shifted on cold metal as a pale ghost of a woman looked
rlm@2 66 out into the cold night sky. Above lay the sparkling stars in the sky
rlm@2 67 while below lay the shining lights of the many buildings that
rlm@2 68 stretched out endlessly into the dark horizon. Wet tears dripped down
rlm@2 69 her chin, falling past her feet, tiny diamonds dropping from up above
rlm@2 70 like rain drops. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had never gone
rlm@2 71 to Hong Kong if this whole thing could have been avoided. Maybe she
rlm@2 72 could have slipped from Sakura’s life without hurting her darling
rlm@2 73 brunette. Maybe the beautiful life that lay before Sakura could have
rlm@2 74 been saved. Not that it mattered what might have been. That possible
rlm@2 75 future now lay in ruins and the future awaiting Sakura and Tomoyo
rlm@2 76 looked to be a dark and stormy one indeed. Involuntarily, the dark
rlm@2 77 haired girl’s mind went back to her cherished kiss with Sakura. What
rlm@2 78 had been a secret dream she had held dear from the time she had been
rlm@2 79 a child now seemed like the beginning of the end. What had begun as a
rlm@2 80 farewell trip with her friend had become something much more. Tomoyo
rlm@2 81 had intended to try and distance herself from Sakura so it would be
rlm@2 82 easier to part from her life, but the brunette hadn’t allowed it.
rlm@2 83 They had instead been closer, more intimate than they ever had in the
rlm@2 84 days when Sakura had been back in Tomoeda. This had, for once, taken
rlm@2 85 Tomoyo by complete surprise. So off guard had she been that she had
rlm@2 86 made the mistake of giving into the love that her heart was always
rlm@2 87 drowning in, kissing Sakura that one night in the garden. It had been
rlm@2 88 one of her fondest wishes come true, to hold Sakura close and to be
rlm@2 89 able to kiss her friend with all the fire that burnt in her heart.
rlm@2 90 And the night had felt so magical, so dreamlike. It had been her one
rlm@2 91 chance to give her heart to Sakura. But now it seemed that it had
rlm@2 92 condemned the two, slowly but surely destroying everything Tomoyo had
rlm@2 93 worked so hard for. But even then, Tomoyo couldn’t fully blame the
rlm@2 94 sweet kiss they had shared, the tender moment locked deep within her
rlm@2 95 heart.
rlm@2 96 Wind whipped long lavender hair around almost violently in the dark
rlm@2 97 night. Tears sparkled dimly as they fell past the dark locks of hair.
rlm@2 98 Tomoyo felt trapped, boxed in, trapped as surely as any of Sakura’s
rlm@2 99 Cards had been. She was crushed by the enormous weight of the mistake
rlm@2 100 she had made. Stealing Sakura’s kiss held with it a high sentence. It
rlm@2 101 held with it the power to destroy both Sakura’s life and her own. And
rlm@2 102 the pale heiress couldn’t live with the thought of her dream,
rlm@2 103 Sakura’s happiness being obliterated because of her giving in to her
rlm@2 104 heart. It hardly seemed fair that such a small thing had caused so
rlm@2 105 much damage. Why should Sakura suffer because of Tomoyo’s longing? A
rlm@2 106 long time ago, Tomoyo had thought that she could just be happy as
rlm@2 107 long as Sakura was. Now she realized that wasn’t true. She wanted
rlm@2 108 desperately for Sakura to be happy, but it left her so lonely and
rlm@2 109 cold inside. That realization had come with a terrible price. Giving
rlm@2 110 into that pain, giving into her loneliness had brought about an end
rlm@2 111 to the happy life she had always wanted for Sakura. It reminded the
rlm@2 112 lavender haired phantom of an ancient myth she had once heard long
rlm@2 113 ago. It was of a man who fought his way to Hades to bring back the
rlm@2 114 woman he loved. He had come with such bravery, such courage that he
rlm@2 115 had been allowed to take her back on one condition, that she follow
rlm@2 116 behind him and that he couldn’t look back to her until they reached
rlm@2 117 the surface. And so the pair traveled all the way back to the surface
rlm@2 118 together like that, the woman right behind him. So happy was he to
rlm@2 119 see the light, to finally have the woman he loved back, the man
rlm@2 120 turned to see her. But to his horror, she had not fully gotten to the
rlm@2 121 surface. In moments, she was returned the Hades. The man, distraught
rlm@2 122 by his lover being torn from him after nearly having her back, was
rlm@2 123 left alone and tormented. He killed himself shortly thereafter.
rlm@2 124 Sakura had been terrified by the dark tale, but Tomoyo had found it a
rlm@2 125 sad example of the pain love could cause. Now she saw herself in the
rlm@2 126 same situation. She had led Sakura to her happy life, had finally
rlm@2 127 left her with the happiness she always wanted for Sakura. But having
rlm@2 128 been so close to leaving Sakura with this happiness, Tomoyo had
rlm@2 129 allowed herself to look back, to give in to her feelings. And in that
rlm@2 130 brief moment, she had ruined it all. Sakura’s happiness was being
rlm@2 131 stripped from her, right in front of Tomoyo’s eyes.
rlm@2 132 But did Sakura have to suffer for Tomoyo’s mistake? No, the heiress
rlm@2 133 had decided. She had come to the conclusion that the only way to save
rlm@2 134 Sakura’s happiness was to leave her life, to disappear from the
rlm@2 135 brunette’s thoughts. But before she could fade from the only one she
rlm@2 136 could ever love, Sakura had rushed to Japan to stop her. Now Tomoyo
rlm@2 137 was trapped, unable to do anything to stave off the ruin that awaited
rlm@2 138 them. Her careful plans lay useless at her feet, leaving her with
rlm@2 139 nothing. Or did it? She had wanted to fade from Sakura’s life
rlm@2 140 quietly, to slip away in the least painful way possible. Now that
rlm@2 141 wasn’t an option with Sakura here in Japan for her. But that didn’t
rlm@2 142 mean that she couldn’t still save the brunette’s happy life. Tomoyo
rlm@2 143 knew that she herself was the catastrophe facing Sakura. If she
rlm@2 144 remained, the Mistress of the Cards could lose everything. Her
rlm@2 145 husband, the baby that Syaoran could grant her, the life and family
rlm@2 146 in Hong Kong that she now had. Tomoyo had sacrificed so much for
rlm@2 147 Sakura’s happiness, ignoring the pain and loneliness in her own heart
rlm@2 148 as long as Sakura’s genki heart was fulfilled. The thought that she
rlm@2 149 was what could ruin that horrified her. It was such a sickening
rlm@2 150 twist. Staying could only hurt Sakura, bringing an end to her life in
rlm@2 151 Hong Kong. So Tomoyo would have to leave it, to escape before she
rlm@2 152 could cause anymore damage. Maybe Sakura could still keep her happy
rlm@2 153 life, could still hold onto it if Tomoyo wasn’t there to confuse her.
rlm@2 154 It pained Tomoyo that she couldn’t leave quietly, slipping away into
rlm@2 155 the night like she had planned. Sakura would undoubtedly find out
rlm@2 156 about her suicide, especially with her in Japan. But Tomoyo saw no
rlm@2 157 other options open to her. In order for Sakura to live, she had to
rlm@2 158 die. Her own life held nothing but pain in her future if her
rlm@2 159 beautiful Cardmistress were to lose everything. And she wouldn’t let
rlm@2 160 Sakura be punished for Tomoyo’s own innocent sin. This was her only
rlm@2 161 way to escape Sakura’s life and save her friend’s happiness. Sakura
rlm@2 162 allowed her no other options. The auburn haired girl wouldn’t let her
rlm@2 163 go otherwise. If the heiress was dead then Sakura wouldn’t be so
rlm@2 164 confused about the feelings in her heart, seeking solace in her
rlm@2 165 husband. Eventually her memories of the lavender haired girl would
rlm@2 166 fade away, leaving her with nothing more than a faint remembrance of
rlm@2 167 her guardian angel from long ago. And she would grow happy and old
rlm@2 168 with her husband and as many children as Fate would bless them with.
rlm@2 169 Away from the pain, safe from the loneliness, Tomoyo prayed that she
rlm@2 170 would be able to watch Sakura from up above, to see the happy life
rlm@2 171 that her death would ensure. It was a high price, one that had to be
rlm@2 172 paid in blood. But it was one that the lavender eyed woman would
rlm@2 173 gladly pay if it meant she could stop the catastrophe awaiting her
rlm@2 174 dearest Sakura.
rlm@2 175 Clutching the teddy bear Sakura had made for her against her chest,
rlm@2 176 Tomoyo gazed into the darkness, the dim lights blurring into streaks
rlm@2 177 through her tear filled vision. Her numb, slender fingers grasped
rlm@2 178 onto a slightly bloodied picture of Sakura. It had been the same
rlm@2 179 picture that her picture frame had held before she had smashed the
rlm@2 180 frame to jagged shards. Her beautiful Sakura smiled happily, frozen
rlm@2 181 forever in that simple image. She had fled her house with only these
rlm@2 182 two possessions in the early hours of the morning. Sakura’s sudden
rlm@2 183 appearance had struck her like the blade of a knife, wedged deep into
rlm@2 184 her heart. It had shattered everything. Curled up in the darkness,
rlm@2 185 Tomoyo had cried for hours while holding onto the teddy bear she had
rlm@2 186 named Sakura. The pale woman had thought desperately of a way to fix
rlm@2 187 things, but nothing but despair had managed to penetrate her troubled
rlm@2 188 mind. So she had ran. Just as she had planned on doing before with
rlm@2 189 her planned out escape from Sakura’s life, she had run. She hadn’t
rlm@2 190 known at first where she was running to, how she would escape the
rlm@2 191 Mistress of the Cards, but she had finally found herself here. It
rlm@2 192 seemed fitting, to end up where some of Sakura’s most important
rlm@2 193 moments had been. If anyone had noticed the distraught barefoot girl,
rlm@2 194 they hadn’t said anything. How she had made her way to Tokyo Tower,
rlm@2 195 even Tomoyo wasn’t exactly sure. But she stood there nonetheless,
rlm@2 196 soft bare feet dirty and bloody from all of her walking. Her
rlm@2 197 nightgown fluttered in the increasing wind, her dark hair seeming
rlm@2 198 alive as it moved about her.
rlm@2 199 “Sakura-chan wouldn’t even recognize me, would she?” Tomoyo
rlm@2 200 whispered softly into the teddy bear’s ear. She held it gently,
rlm@2 201 lovingly, her tears rolling onto the soft cloth of its head. This
rlm@2 202 gift from Sakura was all she had left, the only thing she could hold
rlm@2 203 onto. It was her only companion at the end of her long and painful
rlm@2 204 road. There was some measure of relief in that, in knowing that it
rlm@2 205 was almost over. The cold, tangible pain inside of her was
rlm@2 206 unbearable. It cut through her viciously, tearing at her weak and
rlm@2 207 fragile soul. Her heart was pierced deeply, her love for Sakura
rlm@2 208 making the pain only more acute. She had to wonder if Sakura would
rlm@2 209 recognize this wretched, lonely girl about to throw herself off of
rlm@2 210 Tokyo Tower. Sakura had always seen what Tomoyo had portrayed for
rlm@2 211 her. In all the years they had known each other, Tomoyo had tried to
rlm@2 212 never show Sakura her fears, her pain, or her tears. And certainly
rlm@2 213 not her loneliness. She had always been happy for Sakura, always
rlm@2 214 offering her a smile. Sakura didn’t know what lay beneath that
rlm@2 215 smiling exterior. The Cardmistress hadn’t been allowed to see beneath
rlm@2 216 Tomoyo’s masks. Tomoyo had worn them for her, had always smiled for
rlm@2 217 Sakura’s sake. She had never wanted to burden Sakura with her
rlm@2 218 problems, with her own pain and tears. Only the briefest of glimpses
rlm@2 219 had been given to Sakura of the inner turmoil that lay beneath her
rlm@2 220 happy façade. But that had been part of the problem. Discovering
rlm@2 221 Tomoyo’s loneliness that night in the garden when they had shared a
rlm@2 222 kiss had sparked Sakura’s indomitable determination, forcing the
rlm@2 223 energetic brunette to try and find out who Tomoyo loved and to fix
rlm@2 224 the pain she had seen. Tomoyo had burdened Sakura after all in a way
rlm@2 225 she had never wished to. And she hated herself for that, for allowing
rlm@2 226 herself to let Sakura see her that way. It had been one of the
rlm@2 227 deciding factors in what had begun to ruin Sakura’s life. So she had
rlm@2 228 tried to hold onto her masks for as long as she could, to hide the
rlm@2 229 shadows from Sakura. She had been doing that since she had been a
rlm@2 230 child, always keeping up a mask of happiness for Sakura, never
rlm@2 231 letting her see the cold, lonely child beneath their constraints. But
rlm@2 232 now she was entirely without her masks, having left the broken shards
rlm@2 233 behind. She felt naked, unable to hold back the grief that held her
rlm@2 234 heart in a viselike grip. They had finally broken, and with them, so
rlm@2 235 had the girl underneath. Tomoyo had only been able to handle so much
rlm@2 236 before her soul began to splinter just like the glass in the picture
rlm@2 237 frame. She had tried to write Sakura a goodbye note on the back of
rlm@2 238 the picture she held, to try not to worry her with her death, but it
rlm@2 239 was impossible for her. Her masks were entirely gone. She couldn’t
rlm@2 240 hide her pain any longer. Sobbing in frustration, Tomoyo had finally
rlm@2 241 given up, leaving only a half written apology on the back of the
rlm@2 242 picture of Sakura.
rlm@2 243 Hugging the teddy bear in her arms as tightly as she could against
rlm@2 244 her trembling skin, Tomoyo sobbed against the bear named Sakura’s
rlm@2 245 head, her hair draped over the two of them as the wind grew eerily
rlm@2 246 calm for a moment. “I’ll miss you, Sakura-chan. Please take care of
rlm@2 247 her for me. I want... I need Sakura-chan to be happy. So I have to go
rlm@2 248 away for that. I need to fade away from her life. I don’t want to
rlm@2 249 hurt her like this. I wanted to move away before I did this so it
rlm@2 250 wouldn’t hurt Sakura-chan or mother. But there’s nothing else I can
rlm@2 251 do. I need to do this for Sakura-chan. It’s my last chance to save
rlm@2 252 her happiness,” she whispered quietly, tears soaking into the bear’s
rlm@2 253 head. Gingerly kissing the top of the teddy bear’s head, Tomoyo set
rlm@2 254 it down gently near the edge. The small bear seemed to be looking out
rlm@2 255 at the city spreading out below them, its tiny ribbon flowing in the
rlm@2 256 returning breeze.
rlm@2 257 “I love you, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said louder as she stood up. Her
rlm@2 258 pale skin glimmered softly in the moonlight, her lavender hair
rlm@2 259 falling about her like tendrils of the night itself. Clasping her
rlm@2 260 hands together in front of her, the pale woman looked like a grieving
rlm@2 261 angel. She had stood by in Sakura’s life for years, always content
rlm@2 262 with loving her friend from afar. She had done so not because she had
rlm@2 263 been embarrassed to say anything and not because she wasn’t brave
rlm@2 264 enough to tell the brunette. No, it had been something much deeper
rlm@2 265 than that. She had done it precisely because she loved Sakura. She
rlm@2 266 had watched her grow closer to Syaoran, had watched the one she loved
rlm@2 267 with all of her heart giving her heart to another. Tomoyo hadn’t
rlm@2 268 burdened Sakura with her own feelings, had instead tried to nurture
rlm@2 269 Sakura’s heart towards another. Because she believed that the
rlm@2 270 Mistress of the Cards, her sweet auburn haired best friend, had
rlm@2 271 chosen her princess long ago. Just like in the play they had done so
rlm@2 272 long ago, Sakura was the noble and determined prince. Syaoran was her
rlm@2 273 princess. And Tomoyo wouldn’t, couldn’t fight that. She had no wish
rlm@2 274 to. As long as Sakura could be happy, that was all that mattered. So
rlm@2 275 she had stayed in the background, watching as Sakura had fallen in
rlm@2 276 love with a little push from herself, had watched as the two had
rlm@2 277 begun a relationship. When you love someone so much it hurts, that
rlm@2 278 they become your entire world, then it becomes their happiness, not
rlm@2 279 your own, that matters. Maybe she could have had Sakura with the
rlm@2 280 amount of control she could wield over the brunette. But it would
rlm@2 281 never be worth having Sakura if she wasn’t happy. So if someone else
rlm@2 282 could have Sakura’s love, could thrill her and fill her with joy at
rlm@2 283 the world, then that would be Tomoyo’s goal in life. And so even if
rlm@2 284 it hurt, Tomoyo had given her all to make sure that Sakura would be
rlm@2 285 happy with Syaoran. And she would safeguard that now. Forever.
rlm@2 286 Alone. In one way or another, Tomoyo had always been alone. Sakura
rlm@2 287 had never really seen her, never looked past her masks. They had
rlm@2 288 always been close, but Sakura had never looked through to the girl
rlm@2 289 beneath her cheerful exterior. And besides Sakura, Tomoyo really
rlm@2 290 hadn’t had any other friends. Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika had all been
rlm@2 291 Sakura’s friends. Friends by the common association with Sakura
rlm@2 292 maybe, but nothing more. It had been so easy for Sakura to make
rlm@2 293 friends with her warm and loving nature. But it had always been
rlm@2 294 something difficult for the more introverted heiress. Sakura had been
rlm@2 295 her first real and best friend. And she had cherished that deeply.
rlm@2 296 But it left her so alone because of how in love she had fallen with
rlm@2 297 Sakura. Because she could never show her everything that lay in her
rlm@2 298 heart. And though her mother cared about her deeply, the
rlm@2 299 businesswoman had always been so busy with work. Tomoyo had always
rlm@2 300 loved the times they could spend together, but they had been few and
rlm@2 301 far between at times. But now that loneliness would finally come to
rlm@2 302 an end. She could slip away. She had always been in the background,
rlm@2 303 so no one should notice after a while that she was even gone. It was
rlm@2 304 finally over.
rlm@2 305 Taking a step forward, Tomoyo looked up at the stars above. She
rlm@2 306 wondered where Nadeshiko was up above. The beautiful woman was almost
rlm@2 307 certainly an angel now. She would have to ask her to keep an eye on
rlm@2 308 her mother. Maybe she could be Sakura’s angel. She had always wanted
rlm@2 309 nothing more than to watch her beautiful best friend smile joyously.
rlm@2 310 If she could keep an eye on Sakura after her death, she could watch
rlm@2 311 all that she would be missing in life. To see Sakura live her happy
rlm@2 312 life, to see her have children and grow old with the one she loved,
rlm@2 313 that would be all she could hope for. If she could be Sakura’s angel,
rlm@2 314 she could always be with her. And Sakura could finally be happy.
rlm@2 315 There would be no more danger of her ruining her dearest
rlm@2 316 Cardmistress’s gorgeous life. Death held no fear for the lavender
rlm@2 317 haired woman. It held release in it’s grasp, and salvation for the
rlm@2 318 happiness she wished to protect. She could finally escape her
rlm@2 319 loneliness and torment, leaving them as well as her masks behind.
rlm@2 320 Dark tresses waved in front of Tomoyo, nearly blinding the quiet
rlm@2 321 phantom as the wind began to pick up violently again. Tomoyo took no
rlm@2 322 notice of the gale, her hands held tightly to her chest. Her battered
rlm@2 323 heart whispered it’s endless love to Sakura amidst the rustling of
rlm@2 324 the wind. “Goodbye, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said softly, taking a last
rlm@2 325 glance at the steadfast teddy bear. It was time to go. But her love
rlm@2 326 would never leave her. Eternity awaited, calling to her. Turning back
rlm@2 327 to the city lights that continued to shine like beacons in the
rlm@2 328 darkness, Tomoyo stepped forward onto the edge of the structure. The
rlm@2 329 wind threatened to throw off the small toy designer, angrily shaking
rlm@2 330 her with all its might. But the girl waited patiently, tears still
rlm@2 331 dripping below. Pulling up her bloodstained picture, Tomoyo’s fingers
rlm@2 332 gently traced over the smiling Sakura. Behind her tears, Tomoyo
rlm@2 333 returned the smile to her beloved. In an instant, the picture
rlm@2 334 disappeared. The lavender haired woman’s heart skipped a beat as her
rlm@2 335 tear streaked eyes darted for the small object. It floated a few feet
rlm@2 336 away from her, fluttering in the heavy wind. “Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo
rlm@2 337 called out, reaching out for the picture, her frozen moment of
rlm@2 338 Sakura. Tired, bare feet pushed against metal as she grasped for the
rlm@2 339 metal. And with that, the world gave away beneath her. The pale woman
rlm@2 340 plummeted from Tokyo Tower, falling for what felt like an eternity,
rlm@2 341 but seeming like nothing more than precious seconds. Releasing a weak
rlm@2 342 sob, Tomoyo clutched her hands to her chest. Dark hair streaked
rlm@2 343 behind her as the angel took flight, diving to the world below. Her
rlm@2 344 soul had been broken a short time ago. Now her body would join it,
rlm@2 345 broken on the pavement below. It would finally be over. Her eyes
rlm@2 346 closing, her mind shifted through countless images of her beloved.
rlm@2 347 She was going to die, but her thoughts went immediately to the woman
rlm@2 348 she loved. ‘Please don’t cry, Sakura-chan. It makes me sad to see you
rlm@2 349 cry,’ she begged the brunette as the pavement rushed up at her like a
rlm@2 350 bullet train.
rlm@2 351 A cry reached Tomoyo’s ears, but it was indistinguishable over the
rlm@2 352 howl of the wind. It roared like an angry beast, fighting merely to
rlm@2 353 prove it’s existence. Her eyes closing tightly, Tomoyo saw Sakura’s
rlm@2 354 cute face smiling softly at her. “Sakura, I love you,” Tomoyo
rlm@2 355 whispered seconds before plowing into the concrete below.
rlm@2 356 “TOMOYO-CHAN!!!” Sakura screamed as she alighted next to her
rlm@2 357 friend’s lifeless body. Her wings disappeared in a storm of feathers
rlm@2 358 as she collapsed next to the broken and bloody body of the gentle
rlm@2 359 heiress. Horrified, Sakura reached out with shaky fingers, turning
rlm@2 360 Tomoyo over. The sight immediately made her wish she hadn’t. Tomoyo
rlm@2 361 had always been the most gorgeous woman Sakura had ever known, her
rlm@2 362 graceful beauty always touching Sakura’s heart. But now she lay
rlm@2 363 broken, shattered. Her best friend was gone, and what was left behind
rlm@2 364 was a painful reminder. With shaking hands, Sakura brushed back
rlm@2 365 fluttering lavender hair from Tomoyo’s face. Stormy blue eyes looked
rlm@2 366 at her lifelessly, their sparkle completely vanished. Tears burst
rlm@2 367 forth from Sakura as she shook her head violently. “No!! Please,
rlm@2 368 no..” Tears spilt down her cheeks, dripping to the broken woman
rlm@2 369 beneath her. She had been too late. She had been flying the entire
rlm@2 370 day, searching in a frenzy to find Tomoyo, her mind single mindedly
rlm@2 371 set on finding her best friend. It had taken her forever to finally
rlm@2 372 find her, and it had only been at the last possible moment when she
rlm@2 373 had seen Tomoyo’s body tumbling through the air. She had lost. She
rlm@2 374 hadn’t been fast enough. Bitter sobs wracked her body as she held
rlm@2 375 onto what was left of Tomoyo. Bloody lavender hair pressed against
rlm@2 376 her face as she continued to cry. The pale woman’s words echoed
rlm@2 377 through her mind like an accusation. ‘I wasn’t afraid because I knew
rlm@2 378 Sakura-chan would save me.’ Yet for all of that faith, Sakura had
rlm@2 379 failed once again to save her best friend. Had, in fact, failed for
rlm@2 380 the last time. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura cried weakly into Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 381 hair. “I love you.. Please don’t leave me alone..” Just like always,
rlm@2 382 she had been too late, and Tomoyo had paid the price. Too late...
rlm@2 383 Sakura blinked back a fresh surge of tears as she weakly got to her
rlm@2 384 feet. No, not too late. She couldn’t be. She wouldn’t let herself be.
rlm@2 385 “I’ll save you, Tomoyo-chan. Just like you always said I would. I
rlm@2 386 promise,” Sakura whispered as she numbly pulled out her staff. She
rlm@2 387 had once chance. She was too exhausted to use much more of her power.
rlm@2 388 So she would have only one chance at this. The staff twirled in her
rlm@2 389 hands as she tossed a Sakura Card into the air. “Return!! Bring me to
rlm@2 390 before Tomoyo-chan fell!” She cried out above the bestial howl of the
rlm@2 391 wind. She wouldn’t let this be the end.
rlm@2 392
rlm@2 393
rlm@2 394 Dark tresses waved in front of Tomoyo, nearly blinding the quiet
rlm@2 395 phantom as the wind began to pick up violently again. Tomoyo took no
rlm@2 396 notice of the gale, her hands held tightly to her chest. Her battered
rlm@2 397 heart whispered it’s endless love to Sakura amidst the rustling of
rlm@2 398 the wind. “Goodbye, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said softly, taking a last
rlm@2 399 glance at the steadfast teddy bear. It was time to go. But her love
rlm@2 400 would never leave her. Eternity awaited, calling to her. Turning back
rlm@2 401 to the city lights that continued to shine like beacons in the
rlm@2 402 darkness, Tomoyo stepped forward onto the edge of the structure. The
rlm@2 403 wind threatened to throw off the small toy designer, angrily shaking
rlm@2 404 her with all its might. But the girl waited patiently, tears still
rlm@2 405 dripping below. Pulling up her bloodstained picture, Tomoyo’s fingers
rlm@2 406 gently traced over the smiling Sakura. Behind her tears, Tomoyo
rlm@2 407 returned the smile to her beloved. In an instant, the picture
rlm@2 408 disappeared. The lavender haired woman’s heart skipped a beat as her
rlm@2 409 tear streaked eyes darted for the small object. It floated a few feet
rlm@2 410 away from her, fluttering in the heavy wind. “Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo
rlm@2 411 called out, reaching out for the picture, her frozen moment of
rlm@2 412 Sakura. Tired, bare feet pushed against metal as she grasped for the
rlm@2 413 metal. And with that, the world gave away beneath her. The pale woman
rlm@2 414 plummeted from Tokyo Tower, falling for what felt like an eternity,
rlm@2 415 but seeming like nothing more than precious seconds. Releasing a weak
rlm@2 416 sob, Tomoyo clutched her hands to her chest. Dark hair streaked
rlm@2 417 behind her as the angel took flight, diving to the world below. Her
rlm@2 418 soul had been broken a short time ago. Now her body would join it,
rlm@2 419 broken on the pavement below. It would finally be over. Her eyes
rlm@2 420 closing, her mind shifted through countless images of her beloved.
rlm@2 421 She was going to die, but her thoughts went immediately to the woman
rlm@2 422 she loved. ‘Please don’t cry, Sakura-chan. It makes me sad to see you
rlm@2 423 cry,’ she begged the brunette as the pavement rushed up at her like a
rlm@2 424 bullet train.
rlm@2 425 A scream hit her ears, taking her by surprise. Dark lashes fluttered
rlm@2 426 open, sending diamond tears into the wind. It took her a moment to
rlm@2 427 see the source, a small angel rushing up towards her, shimmering
rlm@2 428 wings beating rapidly behind her. The angel’s beauty left Tomoyo
rlm@2 429 breathless as the distance between then dropped away. The lavender
rlm@2 430 haired woman idly wondered if the angel was Nadeshiko, coming to meet
rlm@2 431 her. It was hard to make out the winged woman in the darkness. Still
rlm@2 432 stunned by the ethereal beauty that darted her way, Tomoyo let out a
rlm@2 433 final prayer. ‘Please let me be Sakura’s angel,’ she pleaded.
rlm@2 434 But Tomoyo’s wish lay incomplete, the air knocked out of her as she
rlm@2 435 stopped short of the ground below. The angel held onto the lavender
rlm@2 436 haired woman tightly, her grasp actually bruising the pale flesh
rlm@2 437 beneath her nightgown. Wings beat heavily as they tried to stop the
rlm@2 438 pair’s downward momentum. Struggling desperately, Sakura slowly began
rlm@2 439 to slow their descent. Her eyes closed tightly as she tried to focus
rlm@2 440 on nothing but the task at hand. With Tomoyo in her arms, she found
rlm@2 441 that extremely difficult, especially with the nature of how she had
rlm@2 442 found the woman. But somehow everything managed to fade away. There
rlm@2 443 was nothing but the moment, the action at hand. Emerald eyes opening,
rlm@2 444 Sakura looked forward, pouring out everything she had in one last
rlm@2 445 ditch effort. Wind whipped at her, pounding into the two woman,
rlm@2 446 weakening Sakura’s wings as they struggled to stay aloft. Her heart
rlm@2 447 pounding thunderously against the pale woman in her arms, Sakura felt
rlm@2 448 her wings falter briefly as she tried to push forward. Sweat burned
rlm@2 449 at her eyes as fatigue slowly sapped at her body. Panic began to
rlm@2 450 overwhelm her, but she forced it away with all of her might. She
rlm@2 451 could see a bright light ahead of her, awaiting them. It was
rlm@2 452 gorgeous, deep and illuminating. She struggled to reach the light,
rlm@2 453 forcing herself forward despite the pain that gnawed at her weakening
rlm@2 454 body. She thought she saw someone in the light, a woman with long,
rlm@2 455 dark hair and angel wings. ‘Tomoyo?’ Sakura thought weakly to
rlm@2 456 herself. But that couldn’t be. Tomoyo was still in her arms. Sakura’s
rlm@2 457 eyes widened after a moment. ‘Mama?’ The woman watched her intently
rlm@2 458 as Sakura desperately fought to reach the light and the ledge of the
rlm@2 459 Tower. She could see the teddy bear she had given Tomoyo resting on
rlm@2 460 the ledge, watching out along with her mother. Almost... Sakura
rlm@2 461 strained the last of her strength into a final push to reach the
rlm@2 462 ledge. The world pushed away beneath them as she flew upwards. One
rlm@2 463 hand shot out, reaching for the metal. It slowly edged closer. Her
rlm@2 464 fingers brushed the cold, but blessed metal of the Tower. With some
rlm@2 465 sort of handhold, she could force her tired wings to get them the
rlm@2 466 rest of the way up. Her fingers grappled for a better handhold. To
rlm@2 467 Sakura’s horror, the tower seemed to pull away from her questing
rlm@2 468 fingers. A sudden gust of wind had caught her wings and forced her
rlm@2 469 away from the tower. With no strength left, the two woman plummeted
rlm@2 470 once more.
rlm@2 471 Air buffeted a fatigued and despondent Sakura as she clutched
rlm@2 472 desperately onto Tomoyo. It wasn’t fair. She almost had it. She had
rlm@2 473 almost saved Tomoyo. Just like Tomoyo had said long ago, that Sakura
rlm@2 474 would always come and save her. She had almost been able to. But just
rlm@2 475 like always, Sakura had failed her. And so she paid for that failure
rlm@2 476 with her life as well as Tomoyo’s. Her arms clenched onto the cold,
rlm@2 477 pale woman, tears sparkling in her eyes. She had thought that she
rlm@2 478 could save her this time. But at least, she thought, she could be
rlm@2 479 with Tomoyo this time. She wouldn’t die by herself. They would go
rlm@2 480 together, in each other’s arms. But even with that, Sakura couldn’t
rlm@2 481 help but feel defeat grip her soul. She had promised she would save
rlm@2 482 her, had wanted to come and save her best friend once and for all.
rlm@2 483 She couldn’t fail. It wasn’t right. She had finally come to save
rlm@2 484 Tomoyo from her pain and loneliness, had finally understood that
rlm@2 485 their hearts were entwined with red ribbons. But she hadn’t been able
rlm@2 486 to offer up her heart to the gorgeous dark haired woman, hadn’t been
rlm@2 487 able to make up for the years of neglecting just how important Tomoyo
rlm@2 488 was to her. Tears fell scattered to the stormy wind as they both
rlm@2 489 dropped. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura called out as she clung to the dark
rlm@2 490 haired woman. No, things couldn’t end this way. Not when she finally
rlm@2 491 understood her heart. Not when she finally understood who she loved.
rlm@2 492 She couldn’t let her terrible mistake from years before end like
rlm@2 493 this. She had caused Tomoyo such pain through her confusion about her
rlm@2 494 own feelings and her marriage to Syaoran. But she had vowed to make
rlm@2 495 that up to her, to love Tomoyo with all of her heart, to heal her
rlm@2 496 lonely heart. She had to offer her heart to the dark haired woman, to
rlm@2 497 finally truly save her.
rlm@2 498 Tomoyo’s heart had nearly stopped in her chest. Sakura was here?
rlm@2 499 Sakura had found her? No, that wasn’t how it was supposed to be.. She
rlm@2 500 was supposed to die, to free Sakura from the burdens that lay over
rlm@2 501 her. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she stayed in the brunette’s arms.
rlm@2 502 Sakura wouldn’t let her leave. She wouldn’t let her escape. No matter
rlm@2 503 how hard she tried, everything kept moving towards the inevitable
rlm@2 504 destruction of Sakura’s happy life. Tomoyo hadn’t even been allowed
rlm@2 505 to kill herself, to end the pain and to save Sakura. What was she to
rlm@2 506 do now? How could she hope to fix things now? Despair flooded through
rlm@2 507 her in a wave, her sobs shaking her against the auburn haired woman.
rlm@2 508 If Sakura saved her, then she would be trapped here to see the loss
rlm@2 509 of Sakura’s happiness and to deal with her own pain. But if Sakura
rlm@2 510 didn’t save her, they would both die. That wasn’t what she wanted at
rlm@2 511 all. She was supposed to be the one who died, not Sakura. The
rlm@2 512 Mistress of the Cards had so much awaiting her. She couldn’t die now.
rlm@2 513 Feeling the dark haired woman shuddering in her arms, Sakura felt
rlm@2 514 her own heart twinge in pain. This woman, the best friend she had
rlm@2 515 ever had, her support when things were too much for her, her bravery
rlm@2 516 when she had couldn’t force up any, her mother when she had none, her
rlm@2 517 confidante when she had secrets that no one else could here. Tomoyo
rlm@2 518 had always been everything for her. The pale woman had given her
rlm@2 519 everything she could ever ask for, never thinking at all that Sakura
rlm@2 520 should ever repay her for the love and support that she had always
rlm@2 521 poured out to Sakura so constantly. Sakura had to make up for that.
rlm@2 522 She had to finally make amends for what she had done. And more
rlm@2 523 importantly, she had to let her heart go free. “Windy!! Please stop
rlm@2 524 our fall!!” She called out, her staff hitting into the Sakura Card.
rlm@2 525 Her power was still weak after using the Return Card and having used
rlm@2 526 Fly all day long so she didn’t know if it would be strong enough to
rlm@2 527 carry them to the ground.
rlm@2 528 Flying through the air, the magical woman that was Windy shifted
rlm@2 529 past Sakura and Tomoyo, slowing the fall against the strong gale that
rlm@2 530 fought back against her. The two tumbled through the air, reaching
rlm@2 531 ever nearer to the ground. Windy struggled against the wind as the
rlm@2 532 two fell together, exerting what power she could. Their descent
rlm@2 533 slowed, but they continued to fall.
rlm@2 534 Sakura felt the ground rushing up to meet her and shifted under
rlm@2 535 Tomoyo. The two hit the ground hard, the wind sliding them along
rlm@2 536 across it for a second. Pain burst through Sakura’s shoulder and
rlm@2 537 lower back in a dazzling display of fire and ice. Flame burned at her
rlm@2 538 weary muscles as she lay under her best friend, panting heavily. It
rlm@2 539 took her a moment to realize that she had succeeded. She had saved
rlm@2 540 Tomoyo after all. Well, not necessarily. But they were both alive, so
rlm@2 541 it was a start. Taking a deep breath, she released it into Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 542 hair. Burying herself against the lavender haired woman, Sakura felt
rlm@2 543 hot tears fall down her cheeks, sliding down Tomoyo’s neck. “Oh,
rlm@2 544 Tomoyo-chan!! I thought I was going to lose you...” she cried out.
rlm@2 545 After her failure before, it seemed a miracle that she was here with
rlm@2 546 her friend. It was almost as if Tomoyo had been brought back to life.
rlm@2 547 The fact that she was sitting there, holding onto Tomoyo beneath the
rlm@2 548 Tokyo Tower just as she had been before when Tomoyo had died hit her
rlm@2 549 with a startling suddenness, bringing fresh tears spilling down her
rlm@2 550 face as she cried against the pale woman.
rlm@2 551 Tomoyo shifted in Sakura’s embrace, holding onto the sobbing woman.
rlm@2 552 Her own cold tears fell bitterly to the floor below. Escape had been
rlm@2 553 snatched from right in front of her. There was no way she could kill
rlm@2 554 herself now. It would hurt Sakura too much, especially after that.
rlm@2 555 But she felt profound despair eating away at her. She had failed and
rlm@2 556 now Sakura’s happy life would come collapsing around the both of
rlm@2 557 them. And there was absolutely nothing she could do but drown in her
rlm@2 558 own sorrow. “Sakura-chan..” Tomoyo whispered, her soft voice
rlm@2 559 cracking. “Please don’t cry..”
rlm@2 560 Shaking her head as she sat back to look at Tomoyo, Sakura wiped at
rlm@2 561 her tearful emerald eyes with the backs of her hands. “Oh, Tomoyo-
rlm@2 562 chan.. I thought... I thought..” A shuddering breath escaped the
rlm@2 563 brunette as she looked long and hard at the dark haired woman in
rlm@2 564 front of her. Tomoyo looked beyond despair. Her stormy blue eyes were
rlm@2 565 bloodshot, her tears still falling from her chin. Her deep eyes
rlm@2 566 looked hollow, weak. As shattered as Tomoyo had been when Sakura had
rlm@2 567 found her the first time. That realization sent a chill down Sakura’s
rlm@2 568 spine. She had never seen Tomoyo like this before. She had caught a
rlm@2 569 glimpse of it back before they had kissed, but this was utter
rlm@2 570 hopelessness. “Tomoyo-chan..!!” Sakura cried out as she grappled onto
rlm@2 571 the dark haired woman again, burying her head against the crook of
rlm@2 572 Tomoyo’s neck. Just what had she done to Tomoyo? The woman looked
rlm@2 573 lost, alone. Shattered. Was it her fault? Had she slowly done that to
rlm@2 574 Tomoyo? The thought terrified her. How could she have caused such
rlm@2 575 damage? No wonder Tomoyo had been about to die. For her, she reminded
rlm@2 576 herself. Tomoyo had been trying to protect her to the bitter end.
rlm@2 577 “Tomoyo-chan, I know. I know how you feel.” She felt Tomoyo tense in
rlm@2 578 her arms at her words, but she just held onto her tighter. “I know
rlm@2 579 what I’ve done. And I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Tomoyo-chan. I
rlm@2 580 had no idea. But that doesn’t make up for what I did. I never knew
rlm@2 581 how important you were to me. But I do now. I know why you were going
rlm@2 582 to.. to k..” Sakura trailed off, unable to continue that thought.
rlm@2 583 Images of a dead Tomoyo returned unbidden in her mind. She blinked
rlm@2 584 back burning tears. “And if you still want to, I won’t stop you,”
rlm@2 585 Sakura whispered. She felt Tomoyo’s head shift against her at that,
rlm@2 586 Tomoyo’s own tears falling against her. “But if you do, please hold
rlm@2 587 your hand out to me. Because I won’t be without you anymore. If
rlm@2 588 you’re going to die, I want to die with you. Because I can’t live a
rlm@2 589 life without you. I’m sorry it took me so long to understand that.”
rlm@2 590 Moving back slightly, she looked into Tomoyo’s tear filled, stormy
rlm@2 591 blue eyes. Her own emerald eyes looked back at her with a firey
rlm@2 592 determination. She meant every word of what she said. Forcing Tomoyo
rlm@2 593 to live for her sake wasn’t right. If the pain was too much for her,
rlm@2 594 then.. “I’ll follow right behind you, whatever you decide,” Sakura
rlm@2 595 continued.
rlm@2 596 Choking back a sob, Tomoyo looked away. She couldn’t keep staring
rlm@2 597 into those emerald orbs any longer. Her body shuddered as her fists
rlm@2 598 clenched up. Sakura knew? Panic began to grow in her heart, but
rlm@2 599 Sakura’s words played over again and again in her mind. Part of her
rlm@2 600 still wanted to die, to escape the pain and her own lonely heart.
rlm@2 601 Sakura would allow her to leave? But how could she if Sakura herself
rlm@2 602 would be following? “Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo whispered softly, her voice
rlm@2 603 barely audible above the wind. “I just want you to be happy.”
rlm@2 604 Sakura ventured a weak smile, reaching out shaky fingers to brush
rlm@2 605 away some of Tomoyo’s tears. “You make me happy,” she whispered in
rlm@2 606 reply. Jade eyes blinked back tears as she met Tomoyo’s eyes once
rlm@2 607 more. “Tomoyo-chan, I’m sorry for all of the pain I’ve caused you.”
rlm@2 608 Tomoyo began to argue the point, but Sakura shook her head, cutting
rlm@2 609 the lavender haired woman off. “I’m sorry for not knowing my own
rlm@2 610 heart. I let everyone else tell me who I loved without looking
rlm@2 611 myself. And I didn’t realize the damage it caused. I thought everyone
rlm@2 612 else knew my heart better than I could. But I know now that that
rlm@2 613 isn’t true. No one could tell me who I loved. I had to find it out
rlm@2 614 for myself. And I finally did. I finally figured it all out.” The
rlm@2 615 brunette smiled a little more proudly. “Tomoyo-chan, I love you. I
rlm@2 616 know that now. You’ve always been the one who made me happy. When
rlm@2 617 you’re not there, I.. It isn’t like when I’m with you. I don’t feel
rlm@2 618 strong enough. I don’t have all of Tomoyo-chan’s love and support to
rlm@2 619 back me up. So how can I keep going?” The Cardmistress took a deep
rlm@2 620 breath as she watched Tomoyo. “I can’t be happy without you. So I
rlm@2 621 want to be with you, wherever you go. I love you, Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2 622 Shock crossed Tomoyo’s face as her lavender hair fluttered in the
rlm@2 623 wind. Her mouth opened slowly, but nothing came out. Never had she
rlm@2 624 believed she would hear those words. They were a fantasy, something
rlm@2 625 that had been a vivid and beautiful dream but nothing more. To hear
rlm@2 626 Sakura utter them, to see those emerald eyes looking at her with all
rlm@2 627 honesty. It seemed that her whole life had been built around her love
rlm@2 628 for Sakura. But she had always been in the background, loving her but
rlm@2 629 never being loved. Helping her to find the love that she herself
rlm@2 630 could not have. She had no doubt that she herself would do anything
rlm@2 631 for Sakura, but the thought that Sakura would do the same, follow her
rlm@2 632 even in death, simply astounded her. Releasing a pent up sob,
rlm@2 633 Tomoyo’s pale body shook lightly. This was all too much. She didn’t
rlm@2 634 know what she was supposed to do. She held her head weakly, her eyes
rlm@2 635 shutting out the world around her. But it was Sakura’s words that
rlm@2 636 finally shattered her confusion. ‘You make me happy’. ‘I want the one
rlm@2 637 I like to be happy,’ Tomoyo had said long ago. “Sakura-chan!!” Tomoyo
rlm@2 638 got out as she held onto Sakura tightly, dark hair draping over the
rlm@2 639 both of them. “I’ve always loved you,” the lavender haired woman
rlm@2 640 whispered into Sakura’s ear as she poured all of her remaining
rlm@2 641 strength into simply holding onto the Cardmistress.
rlm@2 642 Resting her head against Tomoyo’s, Sakura let her eyes fall closed.
rlm@2 643 She felt drained from everything, but the pale woman’s embrace
rlm@2 644 comforted and soothed her weary spirit. She buried her face in
rlm@2 645 Tomoyo’s lavender hair, delighting in the intoxicating scent. It was
rlm@2 646 over. She had finally managed to save Tomoyo after all. After all
rlm@2 647 those years of waiting, she had finally reached her princess. No, it
rlm@2 648 wasn’t over. Not in the least. Things were just beginning. Sakura
rlm@2 649 didn’t know where things would go or what would happen, but it hardly
rlm@2 650 seemed to matter. If Tomoyo was with her, she could overcome
rlm@2 651 anything. “Everything will always be right. I promise, Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2 652 Silence reigned for long moments, the only sound the howling of the
rlm@2 653 wind. Tomoyo shifted against Sakura, her broken heart rejoicing.
rlm@2 654 Maybe.. Maybe she wasn’t all alone. And maybe she could make Sakura
rlm@2 655 happy after all. Besides, she knew Sakura better than anyone else.
rlm@2 656 And devoting her life to Sakura sounded like the most delicious
rlm@2 657 punishment for nearly leaving Sakura’s life. Her nose brushed
rlm@2 658 Sakura’s ear as she moved against the other woman, content to immerse
rlm@2 659 herself in their embrace. “Sakura-chan makes a very cute angel.” The
rlm@2 660 two giggled together, laughing into the dark night. Everything had
rlm@2 661 been so painful and so desperate for so long. It felt so nice to let
rlm@2 662 it all leak away, to let go. Tomoyo’s heavy eyelids fell closed. She
rlm@2 663 felt exhausted from the long night and the emotional torment that had
rlm@2 664 held her tightly in its grasp. It felt peaceful in Sakura’s arms,
rlm@2 665 warmer than she can imagine being in a long time. “I’ll make you
rlm@2 666 happy, Sakura-chan,” the lavender haired woman vowed in her soft,
rlm@2 667 gentle voice.
rlm@2 668 “I know, Tomoyo-chan. I know,” Sakura replied, finally allowing
rlm@2 669 herself to relax. All of the chaos of the past few days had nearly
rlm@2 670 been too much for her to handle, especially without Tomoyo’s support
rlm@2 671 to make it through it all. It felt so nice to know that it was
rlm@2 672 finally gone. Her princess was rescued and all was right with the
rlm@2 673 world. Not a bad days work. Her old life may be left behind, but
rlm@2 674 Sakura felt a thrill at the new life that lay ahead of her. Whatever
rlm@2 675 promise or perils it held, the brunette would be happy to face them.
rlm@2 676 Watching Sakura silently, Tomoyo sighed in contentment. The girl
rlm@2 677 she had loved for so long was now right in front of her. Her love
rlm@2 678 wasn’t hidden any longer. She smiled lovingly at Sakura, cupping the
rlm@2 679 slightly surprised brunette’s chin. Licking her dry lips, Tomoyo
rlm@2 680 allowed herself to repeat what had shortly before felt like a
rlm@2 681 grievous mistake. It was a slow, soft kiss that warmed Tomoyo’s heart
rlm@2 682 and soul. It felt like all of the unfinished feelings and the
rlm@2 683 uncertainty of their last kiss was finally washed away. It wasn’t a
rlm@2 684 farewell kiss, or even a gesture between friends. This was a new
rlm@2 685 beginning. Tomoyo’s hands rested gently on Sakura’s warm cheeks while
rlm@2 686 Sakura’s arms wrapped around her waist. She could feel Sakura’s blush
rlm@2 687 fade away as Sakura began kissing her back. Sitting back, Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 688 hand went to her own cheek as disappointment colored her expression.
rlm@2 689 “Oh no...”
rlm@2 690 Sakura looked at Tomoyo hazily, her lips still warm from Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 691 brief presence. She wanted to lean forward and continue the
rlm@2 692 delightful action, but the lavender haired girl’s expression shook
rlm@2 693 her out of her stupor. “Huh? What’s wrong Tomoyo-chan?” Her heart
rlm@2 694 began to beat in panic. She had thought everything was finally
rlm@2 695 resolved.
rlm@2 696 Tomoyo’s fingers reached out and tugged lightly on the costume
rlm@2 697 Sakura was wearing. “Sakura-chan finished my last costume? And wore
rlm@2 698 it? And I didn’t get to get any of it on video?” she said in utter
rlm@2 699 despair.
rlm@2 700 Sweatdropping, Sakura tilted her head to the side. She should have
rlm@2 701 seen that coming. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura blushed slightly as she
rlm@2 702 leaned towards Tomoyo, her lips halting inches away from the pale
rlm@2 703 woman’s. “I’ll let you videotape me as much as you want in it.
rlm@2 704 Later.” Leaning the rest of the way, Sakura kissed the gentle
rlm@2 705 heiress, all the anguish from the time they had first been apart
rlm@2 706 months ago melting away at the slow but luxurious kiss.
rlm@2 707 Tomoyo returned the kiss with all of the pent up love that had been
rlm@2 708 buried in her heart for over nine years. Sakura made a soft sound as
rlm@2 709 the kiss became more passionate, only spurring Tomoyo forward. Seeing
rlm@2 710 Sakura in her last costume, seeing it finished, it all made the
rlm@2 711 moment even more perfect. She had felt so sad when she realized she
rlm@2 712 wouldn’t be making anymore costumes for Sakura anymore. But Sakura
rlm@2 713 had come to her rescue wearing it, having finished it some time
rlm@2 714 before. Sakura had saved her body and her lonely, broken soul. Tomoyo
rlm@2 715 lost herself to the kiss, to Sakura’s sweet embrace. The Tokyo Tower,
rlm@2 716 the surging wind, the night sky, it all faded away as surely as
rlm@2 717 Tomoyo had intended to. But she no longer had such drastic desires.
rlm@2 718 All she wanted was to stay there with Sakura, to love her. Pulling
rlm@2 719 away slowly from their kiss, Tomoyo smiled happily. But this time,
rlm@2 720 she hid nothing from the brunette. Sakura held onto her on the cold
rlm@2 721 ground, but neither seemed to notice. They had both reached this
rlm@2 722 point from such different places. Tomoyo had always known the love in
rlm@2 723 her heart, but had hid it to protect the one she loved. Sakura hadn’t
rlm@2 724 known her own heart until it was almost too late, but she hadn’t been
rlm@2 725 able to hide it in the least. Despite the different roads traveled,
rlm@2 726 it didn’t matter. Because from now on, they would be travelling the
rlm@2 727 same road together.
rlm@2 728