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[svn r4] got moon images from NASA!
author rlm
date Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:01:51 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
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rlm@2 1 Hello, everyone! ^-^ I’d like to dedicate this story to Reisz
rlm@2 2 Fenrir, without whom I would never have written this story. ^-^
rlm@2 3 Remember to never stop dreaming. ^-^ This story has two girls in love
rlm@2 4 and some adult situations, so please read responsibly. CCS and its
rlm@2 5 beautiful characters were created by CLAMP.
rlm@2 6
rlm@2 7 I Love You, I love You Not
rlm@2 8 by Amazoness Duo
rlm@2 9 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 10
rlm@2 11
rlm@2 12 “Everything will always be all right,” Tomoyo whispered, imagining
rlm@2 13 Sakura’s voice giving life to the dead words. But even that couldn’t
rlm@2 14 bring back the magic to them. Like a magician’s chant, it only worked
rlm@2 15 for those with the power. What power? That fiery determination that
rlm@2 16 burned in beautiful emerald green eyes within the girl known as
rlm@2 17 Sakura. Tomoyo had tried to make Sakura believe in them, to put forth
rlm@2 18 her determination into making those words a reality. But for Tomoyo,
rlm@2 19 the words were meaningless, hollow. They carried with them no magic,
rlm@2 20 no sparkle. They were simply what they were. A messy collection of
rlm@2 21 words. They alone had no magic power, no abilities. It was Sakura
rlm@2 22 that unlocked their magic. Because the magic was within her, not
rlm@2 23 within any saying. And so they hung in the air painfully, sounding
rlm@2 24 brittle in the cold air.
rlm@2 25 Hugging her dark blue jacket closer, Tomoyo continued walking along
rlm@2 26 the nearly frosty sidewalk. Her long dark hair trailed behind her
rlm@2 27 like a shadow. Her pale skin glistened like the falling snow, making
rlm@2 28 her look like a snow angel that had been brought magically to life to
rlm@2 29 all who crossed her path. She wore long, thick black stockings and
rlm@2 30 large boots. Her dark skirt shifting as she continued walking, lost
rlm@2 31 in her own thoughts. Despite her warm apparel, she felt frigid
rlm@2 32 inside, as if an arctic wind had blown bitingly across her soul.
rlm@2 33 Shuddering, the dark haired girl hugged herself tightly. It offered
rlm@2 34 little warmth. She had the sudden thought that Sakura’s arms would
rlm@2 35 warm her instantly, much stronger than her own self-embrace. She
rlm@2 36 tried not to let the thought linger, knowing it would only be
rlm@2 37 painful. Thinking like that was selfish. Sakura’s happiness was the
rlm@2 38 important thing. Much more important than her own happiness. Sakura
rlm@2 39 was her best friend. She should be happy with that. Thinking of
rlm@2 40 Sakura in such ways was painful, taunting. Sakura didn’t belong with
rlm@2 41 her, but with another. Someone else, probably Syaoran, would be the
rlm@2 42 one to make Sakura happy. That thought was so much easier to deal
rlm@2 43 with as a child. Back then it had seemed so much easier. Sakura would
rlm@2 44 fall in love with someone and she would be happy to watch after her
rlm@2 45 beautiful Sakura. But as she grew older, her feelings grew as well.
rlm@2 46 Her love for Sakura only became stronger as the years went by. And
rlm@2 47 the thought of watching Sakura with another cut into her like a
rlm@2 48 jagged icicle.
rlm@2 49 Telling Sakura of her feelings would only be selfish. Tomoyo knew
rlm@2 50 Sakura better than anyone. Sakura could never bear to hurt her. She
rlm@2 51 would never be able to simply reject her. It would only confuse
rlm@2 52 Sakura, hurting the one Tomoyo loved more than life itself. And
rlm@2 53 hurting Sakura was the last thing the young heiress wanted. Better
rlm@2 54 she suffer than Sakura. Yes, that was right. She could handle it. For
rlm@2 55 Sakura. But sometimes the love in her heart wanted so badly to get
rlm@2 56 out, to touch Sakura’s heart. She wanted to feel loved, to feel the
rlm@2 57 love in her heart returned. But it was an empty dream. One she had
rlm@2 58 given up on as a child, as a sacrifice so that her beloved Sakura
rlm@2 59 would find her own happiness.
rlm@2 60 Sometimes it just felt too lonely. Knowing she would have to give
rlm@2 61 up Sakura was the most painful thought imaginable for the dark haired
rlm@2 62 girl. She had seen what losing one’s love had done to her mother.
rlm@2 63 Sometimes she wondered if she could survive it. Her mother was so
rlm@2 64 much stronger than she was and it had crushed her. Sonomi still
rlm@2 65 hadn’t recovered, and she probably never would. Tomoyo knew that she
rlm@2 66 had to. For Sakura’s sake. But sometimes that was all that kept her
rlm@2 67 going. As her heart inside wept, she smiled serenely at the brunette,
rlm@2 68 never letting her know the pain that was growing inside of her. She
rlm@2 69 knew what was awaiting her. Forever alone. She would have her love
rlm@2 70 for Sakura, but no Sakura. And sometimes that just didn’t feel like
rlm@2 71 it was enough. She knew she would never give up that love, but it was
rlm@2 72 so deliciously painful that it nearly consumed her. She was starting
rlm@2 73 to worry that cracks might begin to show through her masks. She could
rlm@2 74 only smile so much. It was beginning to hurt now, smiling for Sakura
rlm@2 75 when she just wanted so badly to cry. But she couldn’t let Sakura see
rlm@2 76 her pain. Sakura had to be happy. Sakura needed to smile. Sakura
rlm@2 77 needed to fall in love. She couldn’t be held back by her best friend.
rlm@2 78 Tomoyo had been crying herself to sleep more often lately. She
rlm@2 79 tried to be quiet, so as not to let her mother hear. She didn’t want
rlm@2 80 her mother to worry about her. She was always so busy with work as it
rlm@2 81 was. So she would cry quietly at night, watching her videos of Sakura
rlm@2 82 through a haze of tears. And during the day, she was all smiles. It
rlm@2 83 was what everyone expected of her, so no one questioned that the
rlm@2 84 smile was anything but real. She was eccentric. Everyone thought so,
rlm@2 85 even Sakura. So no one noticed that her smile never disappeared.
rlm@2 86 Until she was alone. Then it would leave her, replaced by the
rlm@2 87 emptiness that spread throughout her. It was cold and desolate, a
rlm@2 88 taste of the life that awaited her. The few times that she had tried
rlm@2 89 to envision her future, she had quit soon after. There was nothing in
rlm@2 90 her future. She could take over her mother’s business. She could grow
rlm@2 91 old, alone, always loving Sakura from a distance. That was all that
rlm@2 92 awaited her. Much better to imagine Sakura’s future, to hope for the
rlm@2 93 very best for her dearest Cardmistress. That was what had kept her
rlm@2 94 going over the past few years, the thoughts of Sakura’s beautiful
rlm@2 95 wedding, her many children, and her bright smile. That was the future
rlm@2 96 she was working for, not her own. She always had to keep that
rlm@2 97 beautiful vision in her mind. She loved Sakura with all her heart.
rlm@2 98 She would do anything for the athletic brunette, even if she would
rlm@2 99 never know of the feelings Tomoyo had for her.
rlm@2 100 Stormy blue eyes blinked rapidly as tears threatened to spill from
rlm@2 101 them. Tomoyo wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. She
rlm@2 102 would have plenty of time for tears later. She just had to hold on a
rlm@2 103 little longer for Sakura. Once Syaoran got back from Hong Kong,
rlm@2 104 Sakura wouldn’t need her anymore. Syaoran would be able to help
rlm@2 105 Sakura through all of life’s intricacies. But for now, Sakura still
rlm@2 106 needed her. That was a bitter relief. It would be over all too soon,
rlm@2 107 but at least there was still a place for her in the brunette’s life.
rlm@2 108 With what precious little time she had left, she would do all she
rlm@2 109 could for Sakura, to ensure her gloriously beautiful future. It was
rlm@2 110 the least she could do for the girl who had so easily stolen her
rlm@2 111 heart.
rlm@2 112 A faint smile crossed Tomoyo’s lips as she watched two young girls
rlm@2 113 run past. Her mind busied itself with other things, trying not to
rlm@2 114 dwell on the pain. Cupping her hands, she caught a gently falling
rlm@2 115 snowflake in her palms. The beautiful crystal lingered for a brief
rlm@2 116 moment before it began to melt and fade away. It reminded her of
rlm@2 117 something her mother had told her long ago. ‘The most beautiful
rlm@2 118 things in this life are gone before we know it, Tomoyo-chan. We have
rlm@2 119 to cherish them while we can.’ Her mother had been talking about
rlm@2 120 Nadeshiko then. As she often did. Tomoyo’s smile brightened slightly.
rlm@2 121 ‘Mother still loves Nadeshiko-san even after all this time. I’ll
rlm@2 122 always love Sakura-chan. I’ll always cherish her,’ she thought to
rlm@2 123 herself.
rlm@2 124 And the snowflake was gone. Tomoyo silently thanked it for it’s
rlm@2 125 swift moment of beauty before gingerly closing her hands. Her mind
rlm@2 126 was already planning out a snowflake costume for Sakura, one just as
rlm@2 127 pretty as any snowflake out in the skies. Her heart still hung heavy
rlm@2 128 in her chest, but her thoughts helped her to focus elsewhere, to
rlm@2 129 things she had always enjoyed. And these invariably led back to
rlm@2 130 Sakura. Who led back to her lonely thoughts. It was a vicious cycle,
rlm@2 131 but one she found herself caught in.
rlm@2 132 A thought struck the pale girl as more snowflakes fell around her.
rlm@2 133 Pulling her camcorder out of its carrying case, she began to
rlm@2 134 videotape the slow descent of the glittering snowflakes. The footage
rlm@2 135 would help when she finally started on Sakura’s new costume. Sakura
rlm@2 136 would look gorgeous in it, like a Snow Princess who had fallen from
rlm@2 137 her home in the sky above. Tomoyo sighed dreamily at the thought, a
rlm@2 138 hand going to her cheek, playing the lovely image of Sakura over and
rlm@2 139 over in her head even as she videotaped the falling snow. Her hand
rlm@2 140 felt cold against her warm cheek, sending a chill through her.
rlm@2 141 Shuddering visibly, she went back to her camera work. Each lonely,
rlm@2 142 frozen teardrop from heaven slowly made its way to the earth around
rlm@2 143 the pale girl, all alone despite the people passing by.
rlm@2 144 “Tomoyo-chan!” a voice called from across the street.
rlm@2 145 Pulling her camcorder down for a moment, Tomoyo quickly spotted the
rlm@2 146 source of the voice. A bright smile lit up her face, her earlier
rlm@2 147 thoughts quickly forgotten as Sakura waved to her. Her heart
rlm@2 148 brightened at the sight. Sakura made her happy. The brunette lit up
rlm@2 149 her heart. She waved back warmly. “I love you, Sakura-chan,” she said
rlm@2 150 quietly. Yes, this was exactly why she would never be able to shake
rlm@2 151 Sakura’s spell. Even if it was painful at times, she could never give
rlm@2 152 it up. Her heartbeat quickened as she saw Sakura smile at her. She
rlm@2 153 was so absolutely perfect. A dreamy sigh escaped Tomoyo. There was
rlm@2 154 nothing more painful than love. But there was also nothing more
rlm@2 155 beautiful. Taking a quick glimpse in either direction, Tomoyo hurried
rlm@2 156 to be with her beloved.
rlm@2 157 No one saw the car. It closed on the small girl like a terrible
rlm@2 158 beast stalking its prey, a dragon snatching away a princess. It was
rlm@2 159 all a blur for Sakura. One moment, Tomoyo was hurrying to her side,
rlm@2 160 smiling sweetly. The next, Tomoyo was nowhere to be seen, a car
rlm@2 161 screeching to a halt where the heiress had been moments before. There
rlm@2 162 was a sickening thump and then silence. Tomoyo’s cracked camcorder
rlm@2 163 lay at Sakura’s feet, staring up into the sky like a curious eye.
rlm@2 164 With shaky fingers, Sakura reached down and picked up the broken
rlm@2 165 camcorder. This was wrong. Tomoyo was supposed to be holding it.
rlm@2 166 Still in shock, Sakura looked up from the item, glancing around for
rlm@2 167 her best friend. The woman who had gotten out of her car was
rlm@2 168 frightened about something. Sakura followed her towards something
rlm@2 169 crumpled in the snow. It was deathly pale, almost the same color as
rlm@2 170 the snow itself. But there was something else in the snow, sparkling
rlm@2 171 and red. Blood. Sakura collapsed in the snow next to the crumpled
rlm@2 172 figure, her heart beating furiously in her chest. Her cold fingers
rlm@2 173 clutched the camcorder like a lifeline, her emerald eyes watching the
rlm@2 174 tiny shape unmoving in the snow. “Tomoyo-chan..? Tomoyo-chan? Tomoyo-
rlm@2 175 chan!?!” Sakura burst out into tears, huddling over her broken
rlm@2 176 friend. Tomoyo didn’t reply, only lying there like a shattered China
rlm@2 177 doll in the street. “Tomoyo-chan!!” Sakura cried, trying to hold onto
rlm@2 178 her battered friend. Her bitter tears fell onto Tomoyo’s pale skin,
rlm@2 179 Sakura’s body shaking painfully as she was wracked with sobs.
rlm@2 180 “I... I didn’t see her there,” the driver said quickly, as if it
rlm@2 181 would somehow magically fix the shattered girl.
rlm@2 182 Sakura didn’t hear anything. She held Tomoyo’s hand, crying
rlm@2 183 anguished tears. She didn’t even notice the blood beginning to stain
rlm@2 184 her own dress as she held onto her broken friend. “Tomoyo-chan,
rlm@2 185 please wake up. It’s okay. It’ll be okay. Just please wake up.
rlm@2 186 Please? Please, Tomoyo-chan?” Her only answer was the wail of sirens
rlm@2 187 in the distance. “Please..?”
rlm@2 188
rlm@2 189 Standing in front of the large, imposing gate, Sakura felt her
rlm@2 190 heart falter in her chest. She took a heavy breath, blinking away the
rlm@2 191 tears that threatened. The image of the accident was still vivid in
rlm@2 192 her mind, even though it had been more than a week before. Whenever
rlm@2 193 she was in the shower, she could still see the blood on her hands,
rlm@2 194 even though there wasn’t anything there. She shuddered at the
rlm@2 195 thought. She still felt exhausted from that day, her soul feeling
rlm@2 196 drained from it all. She had never cried so much, not even when her
rlm@2 197 mother had died back when she was a small child. The thought of being
rlm@2 198 without Tomoyo, of losing her very best friend, was just too much for
rlm@2 199 her. She couldn’t think of life without the dark haired girl.
rlm@2 200 Sakura managed a weak smile when she saw Sonomi herself coming out
rlm@2 201 to fetch her. Tomoyo’s mother was eccentric, much like her daughter.
rlm@2 202 The older woman always made Sakura feel special. She was always so
rlm@2 203 warm and affectionate to Sakura, treating her like a visiting
rlm@2 204 princess. She knew that part of the reason was because their mothers
rlm@2 205 had been close when they were younger, but didn’t know exactly what
rlm@2 206 had happened. Whatever the case, she always felt nice around Sonomi.
rlm@2 207 And with Tomoyo’s normal loving care, Sakura felt very happy at the
rlm@2 208 Daidouji home.
rlm@2 209 Her smile faded as Sonomi drew closer. Did Tomoyo’s mother blame
rlm@2 210 her? Did she think it was her fault that Tomoyo had been hurt? That
rlm@2 211 thought frightened her. What if Sonomi hated her now? Could she blame
rlm@2 212 her? If Tomoyo hadn’t been coming to see her, then... More tears
rlm@2 213 glistened in Sakura’s eyes. She rubbed the away insistently. She felt
rlm@2 214 like a little girl again, hoping that Tomoyo’s mother wasn’t mad at
rlm@2 215 her. She never knew her own mother. Sonomi was like the one she never
rlm@2 216 had. She felt like she had disappointed the older woman, failing to
rlm@2 217 protect her daughter.
rlm@2 218 Sonomi sighed with relief as she opened the gate, ushering Sakura
rlm@2 219 in. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sakura-chan.” Hugging the younger girl
rlm@2 220 tightly, Sonomi smiled before leading Sakura further inside.
rlm@2 221 A sigh escaped Sakura. At least Sonomi wasn’t mad at her. That was
rlm@2 222 something. She felt a little better at that. But the pit in her
rlm@2 223 stomach still remained. She still felt awful, the blur of the
rlm@2 224 accident burnt into her soul. She shuddered as a maid took her coat.
rlm@2 225 “How’s Tomoyo-chan?” Sakura asked quickly, turning her earnest eyes
rlm@2 226 to Sonomi. She could feel her anxious heart fluttering in her chest
rlm@2 227 like a caged bird.
rlm@2 228 Shaking her head, Sonomi gazed towards the stairs. “She hasn’t been
rlm@2 229 doing well, Sakura-chan. She doesn’t want to come out of her room
rlm@2 230 anymore. She barely eats anything unless I’m there. And even then I
rlm@2 231 know she’s only doing it so I won’t worry. Her eyes don’t sparkle
rlm@2 232 like they used to. She’s broken, Sakura-chan. Not just her body, but
rlm@2 233 her soul. And I don’t know how to help her. Maybe you can cheer her
rlm@2 234 up. Tomoyo-chan always loves to see you. You mean the world to her.
rlm@2 235 I’m so glad you could come on such short notice.” The weary mother
rlm@2 236 looked back to her daughter’s friend and smiled. “I’m sure she’ll get
rlm@2 237 better now that you’re here.”
rlm@2 238 Sakura sweatdropped, placing a hand behind her head. “I’m not sure
rlm@2 239 what I can do.” She looked back into Sonomi’s stormy blue eyes and
rlm@2 240 nodded determinedly. “But I’ll do whatever I can to help Tomoyo-chan.
rlm@2 241 She’s my best friend. I want her to feel better.”
rlm@2 242 Sonomi grinned, watching Sakura for a long moment. “You’re so sweet.
rlm@2 243 Just like your mother. I know you’ll be able to help Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2 244 Sakura was her last hope. She didn’t know how else to bring the life
rlm@2 245 back to her beloved daughter. Tomoyo had survived, but the life had
rlm@2 246 disappeared from her. Sakura was the only one that could re-ignite
rlm@2 247 the sparkle within her. Sonomi would do anything for her daughter,
rlm@2 248 but there was only so much she could do. The rest was up to Sakura.
rlm@2 249 Sakura bowed to the older woman before hurrying up the stairs. She
rlm@2 250 had to make it up to Tomoyo. It was her fault Tomoyo had gotten hurt
rlm@2 251 in the first place. All because Tomoyo had been coming to see her.
rlm@2 252 There had to be something she could do to help the heiress, to make
rlm@2 253 things better. It wasn’t right for Tomoyo to be so hurt. She had to
rlm@2 254 do something.
rlm@2 255 Sonomi watched as Sakura slowly disappeared up the stairs. Making
rlm@2 256 her way into the living room, the older woman collapsed into a chair,
rlm@2 257 closing her eyes. This whole incident had left her feeling weak and
rlm@2 258 helpless. She had always been overprotective of her lovely daughter,
rlm@2 259 but it had all been for nothing. In an eye blink, she had almost lost
rlm@2 260 her dearest treasure. In some ways, Tomoyo was too much like
rlm@2 261 Nadeshiko. It was part of why Sonomi was so worried about her.
rlm@2 262 Nadeshiko had always wound up getting hurt. And she had died a young
rlm@2 263 death. Sonomi didn’t want the same thing to happen to her daughter.
rlm@2 264 She had already lost Nadeshiko. She couldn’t stand to lose Tomoyo.
rlm@2 265 Waiting there at the hospital while Tomoyo was in surgery, the
rlm@2 266 auburn haired businesswoman would have given away her entire company
rlm@2 267 if she could know that her daughter would be all right. She had
rlm@2 268 stayed by Tomoyo’s side through the next few days, even though Tomoyo
rlm@2 269 hadn’t been conscious for much of it. Somehow she had pulled through.
rlm@2 270 Sonomi could only believe that it was because Nadeshiko had been
rlm@2 271 looking out for her daughter. As soon as Tomoyo had recovered enough
rlm@2 272 to be moved, she had taken her daughter back home and hired a nurse
rlm@2 273 to keep an eye on her. The doctors had suggested keeping Tomoyo in
rlm@2 274 the hospital, but Sonomi didn’t trust hospitals. Nadeshiko had been
rlm@2 275 there for her final days and they hadn’t been able to save her. She
rlm@2 276 didn’t want to leave Tomoyo there either. She had hoped Tomoyo would
rlm@2 277 feel more comfortable at home.
rlm@2 278 But now Tomoyo was still empty, her body mending while her heart
rlm@2 279 remained splintered. Now Sonomi had to hope that Nadeshiko daughter
rlm@2 280 would fix her own daughter’s soul. “Get better soon, Tomoyo-chan,”
rlm@2 281 Sonomi whispered.
rlm@2 282
rlm@2 283 It was snowing outside again. Tomoyo watched out her window as white
rlm@2 284 snowflakes drifted past. Her room was silent, the only noise coming
rlm@2 285 from the restless wind outside. She was still bedridden from her
rlm@2 286 injuries. She couldn’t even get up to put on one of her Sakura
rlm@2 287 videos. Not that she was in the mood to. It would only remind her of
rlm@2 288 her darling Sakura, of the lonely love in her heart. So she simply
rlm@2 289 watched out her window. There would be no snowflake costume, after
rlm@2 290 all. It had seemed like such a pretty idea, too. But like most
rlm@2 291 beautiful things, it lasted for but an instant.
rlm@2 292 Except Sakura. Sakura was timeless. No matter what happened, she
rlm@2 293 would always be beautiful. Tomoyo had little captured moments of
rlm@2 294 Sakura’s life frozen forever on videotape, always a testament to the
rlm@2 295 beauty that was Sakura, as if it all existed simply to state that
rlm@2 296 Sakura had been there, that she wasn’t just a dream.
rlm@2 297 Part of her wondered why she hadn’t died. Wouldn’t it have been
rlm@2 298 easier that way? Then she could watch over Sakura as her guardian
rlm@2 299 angel. She wouldn’t have to slip away when Sakura fell in love. She
rlm@2 300 wouldn’t have to watch from afar. She could be right there, right
rlm@2 301 along with Sakura, could stay close to her forever. She found herself
rlm@2 302 disappointed that that wasn’t the case. Instead she was still here.
rlm@2 303 And sooner or later, Sakura would be gone, off with the one she
rlm@2 304 loved. And Tomoyo wouldn’t be a part of her life anymore. Instead of
rlm@2 305 watching all of Sakura’s life as her angel, she would simply have to
rlm@2 306 hope for the best, trusting that it would all work out. It didn’t
rlm@2 307 seem fair. She had lost even her last hope. She wouldn’t even be able
rlm@2 308 to watch Sakura’s beautiful future as her guardian angel.
rlm@2 309 Dying in Sakura’s arms, it had almost been blissful. It was terrible
rlm@2 310 to see Sakura so sad, but Tomoyo had wanted her to know that she
rlm@2 311 would always watch over her, that everything truly would always be
rlm@2 312 all right. Everyone has to die. So if she couldn’t be with the one
rlm@2 313 she loved, why couldn’t she at least die in the arms of the one she
rlm@2 314 loved? Then they could be together forever, even if Sakura forgot
rlm@2 315 about her. Because Tomoyo would never leave her side again. But
rlm@2 316 someone had kept her from dying. Someone with long, liquid silver
rlm@2 317 hair and the same emerald green eyes as her Sakura. She could only
rlm@2 318 vaguely remember the woman now, as if it were all little more than a
rlm@2 319 dream. ‘You can’t go yet,’ she had said. ‘Sonomi-chan needs you. And
rlm@2 320 so does my little Sakura-chan. She’d be lost without you.’ She seemed
rlm@2 321 so kind, so loving. But Tomoyo still didn’t understand. Sakura was a
rlm@2 322 big girl. She didn’t need her anymore. Especially when she fell in
rlm@2 323 love, which was only a matter of time now. Syaoran would be returning
rlm@2 324 soon. He would take Tomoyo’s place at Sakura’s side. Tomoyo couldn’t
rlm@2 325 help but feel that the angel had been wrong, that she should have
rlm@2 326 died then, broken in Sakura’s arms. Better to have died then than
rlm@2 327 years later when she was all alone. At least she could have died
rlm@2 328 happily.
rlm@2 329 A knock on the door pulled Tomoyo from her thoughts. She slowly
rlm@2 330 looked to the door, trying to focus on it. “Hello?” she asked
rlm@2 331 curiously, her soft musical voice even quieter than usual. The door
rlm@2 332 slowly opened, exposing a nervous looking brunette. Tomoyo brightened
rlm@2 333 visibly, smiling at the welcome visitor. She really didn’t see anyone
rlm@2 334 besides her mother and the maids. It was so nice to see Sakura again.
rlm@2 335 “Sakura-chan, please come in. I’m so happy to see you.” The pale girl
rlm@2 336 struggled to sit up, her body aching as she did.
rlm@2 337 “Tomoyo-chan...” Sakura held back a gasp. She watched Tomoyo for a
rlm@2 338 long moment, guilt eating at her with each passing second. Tomoyo was
rlm@2 339 lying in bed in a pink nightgown. She had bandages all down both of
rlm@2 340 her legs, disappearing up under her nightgown. She had a cast on one
rlm@2 341 arm. Bandages wrapped around the back of her head. Another square
rlm@2 342 cloth of bandage was taped over her right eye. She had always known
rlm@2 343 that Tomoyo was fragile, but seeing Tomoyo like this struck the point
rlm@2 344 home. But even then, a beautiful smile lay across Tomoyo’s lips as
rlm@2 345 she entered. Sakura managed to return the smile herself after a
rlm@2 346 pause, closing the door behind her. “Are you okay? How do you feel?”
rlm@2 347 The brunette hurried to her friend’s side, looking down at her from
rlm@2 348 the side of the bed.
rlm@2 349 “I’m all right, Sakura-chan. It still hurts a little bit. But I’m
rlm@2 350 feeling a lot better.” Which was remotely true. She still hurt a lot
rlm@2 351 and she was only feeling a little better. And she was only feeling
rlm@2 352 better because Sakura was there. But it was best not to worry Sakura.
rlm@2 353 It wouldn’t do to have Sakura crying for her. That would just make
rlm@2 354 her want to cry as well. If Sakura was happy, she felt much better
rlm@2 355 about life in general. “I’m just glad to see you,” she said softly,
rlm@2 356 looking at Sakura with the one uncovered stormy blue orb. She felt
rlm@2 357 her heart skip a beat as Sakura took her free hand in both of her
rlm@2 358 own. She squeezed softly to reassure her friend, smiling gently up at
rlm@2 359 her. Sakura seemed deep in thought about something. Tomoyo tilted her
rlm@2 360 head to the side quizzically, but stopped that when an icy pain shot
rlm@2 361 down her back. She simply watched, deciding it was best not to
rlm@2 362 disturb Sakura while she was busy with her thoughts.
rlm@2 363 A slow smile crossed Sakura’s lips, a determined look glowing in her
rlm@2 364 eyes. It all managed to set Tomoyo’s heart a flutter, though Sakura
rlm@2 365 didn’t know it. All she knew was that Tomoyo held onto her hands more
rlm@2 366 warmly, watched her even more intently. But none of that seemed
rlm@2 367 important. She knew what she was going to do. “I’ve got it! Tomoyo-
rlm@2 368 chan, I’m going to make up for this, I promise!” Sakura smiled
rlm@2 369 happily, squeezing Tomoyo’s soft hand with both of her own. “I’m
rlm@2 370 going to make you feel better. I finally know how.”
rlm@2 371 Tomoyo blinked in surprise. What was Sakura thinking? If she wasn’t
rlm@2 372 so lost in Sakura’s greatness, she might be able to piece it
rlm@2 373 together. Okay, Sakura was excited and determined. She wanted to make
rlm@2 374 Tomoyo feel better. Hmm... So she had some idea on what she wanted to
rlm@2 375 do. Something that she thought would make things better. Probably
rlm@2 376 something to do with the Cards. The pieces slowly fell into place as
rlm@2 377 Tomoyo kept watching Sakura. She found it ironic that Sakura was
rlm@2 378 trying so hard to fix things for her when all she wanted was to be
rlm@2 379 there with Sakura. That alone was enough for her. Sakura didn’t have
rlm@2 380 to do anything. She just had to be there. That was more than enough.
rlm@2 381 But it was so sweet of Sakura to want to help her. “But Sakura-chan,
rlm@2 382 you really don’t need to do anything. I’ll be fine,” Tomoyo promised.
rlm@2 383 Sakura shook her head, dismissing the silly idea that she didn’t
rlm@2 384 have to. She still felt like it had been her fault that Tomoyo had
rlm@2 385 been hurt in the first place. And even if that wasn’t the case,
rlm@2 386 Tomoyo was her best friend. She couldn’t simply sit by while Tomoyo
rlm@2 387 was hurting. And Sonomi had seemed so worried. So she had to fix
rlm@2 388 things. Giving Tomoyo’s hand a last squeeze, she rested it back on
rlm@2 389 Tomoyo’s stomach. Invoking her staff, Sakura took a step back. “I’m
rlm@2 390 the world’s most powerful mage now, right?”
rlm@2 391 Tomoyo nodded, smiling. “Hai, no one’s stronger than Sakura-chan!
rlm@2 392 You can do anything if you put your heart to it!”
rlm@2 393 Normally one to be embarrassed by Tomoyo’s statements, Sakura was
rlm@2 394 too excited to be embarrassed at the moment. “And right now, there’s
rlm@2 395 nothing more my heart wants to do than to make you feel better. So
rlm@2 396 I’m going to use all my magic for that. To make you happy.”
rlm@2 397 “To make.. me happy?” Tomoyo repeated. Her heart spun at the
rlm@2 398 thought. Those words were so beautiful. Even if Sakura was attempting
rlm@2 399 to make her happy through magic, it was simply that she wanted to
rlm@2 400 make her happy. Tomoyo felt her heart soar. “Arigato, Sakura-chan.
rlm@2 401 But you do make me happy. You always make me happy.”
rlm@2 402 This time, Sakura did blush faintly, but she was glad to hear
rlm@2 403 Tomoyo’s words nonetheless. “But I want to do something special for
rlm@2 404 you. To make you feel better about all this. I want to help. So I’ll
rlm@2 405 use all my magic to grant your one strongest wish for one week. I
rlm@2 406 don’t know if I could keep it up any longer than that anyway. But I
rlm@2 407 know that I can make your wish come true for a little while at
rlm@2 408 least.” Magic was a tricky thing, and though Sakura had grown rather
rlm@2 409 proficient with the Sakura Cards, she was still having trouble
rlm@2 410 getting used to being the strongest magician alive. But that wouldn’t
rlm@2 411 stop her from making Tomoyo’s dream come true. She had to try.
rlm@2 412 Tomoyo blinked, slowly shaking her head. “Ano... I don’t think
rlm@2 413 that’s such a good idea, Sakura-chan,” she warned, sweatdropping. She
rlm@2 414 could see where this was going and she was already worried. Sakura
rlm@2 415 was the strongest mage on the planet. She could only imagine what
rlm@2 416 this would do. Sakura didn’t know that she was what Tomoyo wanted
rlm@2 417 most of all. It didn’t seem like a good idea to rush into this
rlm@2 418 without knowing how it would work. Sakura still didn’t even know
rlm@2 419 about Tomoyo’s love for her. She had a bad feeling about this.
rlm@2 420 “Please don’t worry, Tomoyo-chan. You always help me so much. I want
rlm@2 421 to help you this time.” Sakura smiled brightly at her bedridden
rlm@2 422 friend, pulling up her staff as she summoned her magic. “What’s the
rlm@2 423 one thing you wish for more than anything else, Tomoyo-chan?”
rlm@2 424 “For Sakura-chan to be happy,” Tomoyo responded simply.
rlm@2 425 “Tomoyo-chan...” Sakura shook her head. That couldn’t be it. But she
rlm@2 426 should have known Tomoyo would say something like that. Oh well.
rlm@2 427 She’d just have to grant Tomoyo’s one wish even if Tomoyo wouldn’t
rlm@2 428 tell her exactly what it was. So she would use all the Cards and all
rlm@2 429 of her power. Surely that could handle her wish for one week. “Sakura
rlm@2 430 Cards! Please hear me! Make Tomoyo-chan’s most heartfelt wish come
rlm@2 431 true for this next week!” The pink Cards swirled around Sakura like a
rlm@2 432 cyclone, magic lighting the dark room with burning intensity. All of
rlm@2 433 the Cards lent their magic to Sakura’s command, each adding to the
rlm@2 434 final spell.
rlm@2 435 And with a last flash of light, it was over. The Sakura Book
rlm@2 436 clattered to the floor, the Cards tumbling down to Sakura’s feet.
rlm@2 437 Sakura herself nearly stumbled at first, her magic drained from the
rlm@2 438 spell and the use of all the Cards at once. She shook her head,
rlm@2 439 trying to clear her thoughts. She felt... strange. What had just
rlm@2 440 happened? She felt so dizzy. The brunette quickly took a seat on the
rlm@2 441 edge of Tomoyo’s bed, trying to get her bearings. She’d been working
rlm@2 442 some kind of magic spell... But what had happened? She glanced around
rlm@2 443 the room, but she couldn’t tell any noticeable difference. Something
rlm@2 444 soft rested on her hand, drawing her attention back to the bed.
rlm@2 445 Tomoyo held her hand, looking up at her concernedly. Nope, Tomoyo
rlm@2 446 wasn’t any different. She was still just as pretty as always. Even if
rlm@2 447 she was injured. Sakura smiled brightly at her friend. For some
rlm@2 448 reason, she just felt... happy. Everything seemed perfect. Her
rlm@2 449 emerald eyes sparkled as she looked deeply into Tomoyo’s stormy blue
rlm@2 450 orb. Tomoyo always did have such lovely eyes. Even if she could only
rlm@2 451 see one of them. And Tomoyo was always so sweet and gentle and
rlm@2 452 loving. And she always made Sakura feel so wonderful. And she was
rlm@2 453 always there to help her when she needed her. And she always said
rlm@2 454 such sweet thing to her, even if it was embarrassing sometimes.
rlm@2 455 And... “Hanyaan...” Sakura said at last, sighing happily.
rlm@2 456 Tomoyo could only watch for a moment, trying to work out just what
rlm@2 457 had happened herself. There didn’t seem to be any noticeable
rlm@2 458 difference except for Sakura herself. She was just staring into her
rlm@2 459 eyes with a dreamy look and a faint blush on her cheeks. Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 460 eyes went wide in sudden realization. “Sakura-chan...” It suddenly
rlm@2 461 made sense. The wish... Tomoyo had been so lonely lately. She loved
rlm@2 462 Sakura so much. Did this mean...
rlm@2 463 Things were slowly beginning to make sense for Sakura as well. Bits
rlm@2 464 and pieces of a puzzle that she hadn’t even known was there began to
rlm@2 465 fit together. It all made a whole picture that she had missed for so
rlm@2 466 long. Sakura leaned closer, holding tightly onto Tomoyo’s hand as it
rlm@2 467 became crystal clear. “Tomoyo-chan... I understand now! You said
rlm@2 468 you’d explain when I was older, but I never understood. All this
rlm@2 469 time, you’ve been trying to tell me, but I never knew.” A faint blush
rlm@2 470 colored Sakura’s cheeks as her heart lifted up. Swooping forward,
rlm@2 471 Sakura hugged her best friend tightly, almost forgetting that she was
rlm@2 472 still hurt. “I love you, too!” Sakura giggled happily, relishing the
rlm@2 473 newfound freedom her realization gave her. It was true. She knew
rlm@2 474 that. And it made sense as she played it over in her mind. Tomoyo had
rlm@2 475 loved her all this time, and she had never known. But she had loved
rlm@2 476 Tomoyo as well, only she hadn’t understood her feelings. But now they
rlm@2 477 were open to her. She felt excited and tranquil and loved all at the
rlm@2 478 same time. She felt Tomoyo’s good arm rubbing up and down her back
rlm@2 479 peacefully. Making a small happy sound, Sakura hugged Tomoyo closer.
rlm@2 480 How could she have missed it for so long? But it didn’t matter. She
rlm@2 481 knew now. That was the important thing.
rlm@2 482 Tomoyo quickly tried to figure out the situation as she found
rlm@2 483 herself in Sakura’s arms. Was Sakura in love with her for the next
rlm@2 484 week? She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. What an exquisite form
rlm@2 485 of torture. To have Sakura’s love, albeit magically induced, for one
rlm@2 486 week. And then she would have to give it up again. But she had to
rlm@2 487 admit, it felt so wonderful in Sakura’s arms, to hear those words,
rlm@2 488 even if they were only caused by magic. She sighed softly, resting
rlm@2 489 her head against Sakura’s shoulder. It felt magical, so soft and
rlm@2 490 relaxing. Sakura smelled wonderful. But everything about Sakura was
rlm@2 491 wonderful. She nestled into the crook of Sakura’s neck, her soul lost
rlm@2 492 in Sakura. “I love you, Sakura-chan.” This would be one tough week.
rlm@2 493
rlm@2 494
rlm@2 495 “Is it done yet?” Kero asked impatiently, his face hovering near
rlm@2 496 the oven. “I’m so hungry,” he pouted, trying to emphasize his point.
rlm@2 497 “It’s not for you anyway,” Sakura said absently, checking over the
rlm@2 498 directions once more. She wasn’t the best cook in the world and she
rlm@2 499 knew it, which is why she was trying so hard to follow the directions
rlm@2 500 precisely. Because although she wasn’t a wonderful cook, Sonomi was,
rlm@2 501 and the older woman had given her the recipe. And on top of that, she
rlm@2 502 wanted it to be perfect. And Sonomi has said that Tomoyo hadn’t been
rlm@2 503 eating much lately, so Sakura had decided to bake something for her.
rlm@2 504 With Tomoyo stuck in bed, it seemed like the perfect time to bring
rlm@2 505 her a treat. Tomoyo always brought over such tasty things, obviously
rlm@2 506 inheriting her mother’s cooking abilities. Sakura paused for a
rlm@2 507 moment, wondering whether or not her own mother had been good at
rlm@2 508 cooking. Probably not, she decided. Why would she need to be when
rlm@2 509 Sonomi made such great things?
rlm@2 510 “But I’m HUNGRY,” Kero reiterated, working up some tears for good
rlm@2 511 measure. “And it smells so good. Just like one of Tomoyo’s mom’s
rlm@2 512 cakes.” He grinned hungrily, delving back into memories of the
rlm@2 513 different treats he had tried over the years. But that just made him
rlm@2 514 hungrier.
rlm@2 515 “You aren’t getting any of it. It’s for Tomoyo-chan,” Sakura said,
rlm@2 516 holding up a wooden spoon as if to ward Kero away from her precious
rlm@2 517 cake. Satisfied that she had followed the recipe exactly, Sakura
rlm@2 518 stepped away from the counter, wiping her hands off on her apron. “It
rlm@2 519 is one of Sonomi-sama’s cakes. She gave me the recipe yesterday when
rlm@2 520 I asked what Tomoyo might like to eat.” Smiling happily, she took a
rlm@2 521 quick glance at the timer and nodded to herself. So far so good. As
rlm@2 522 soon as she was finished, she could go take it to Tomoyo-chan. She
rlm@2 523 sighed, placing both hands on her cheeks. She felt so warm inside,
rlm@2 524 and it had nothing to do with spending so much time in the kitchen.
rlm@2 525 Finding out how Tomoyo felt about her had brightened every aspect of
rlm@2 526 her life. She was no longer so confused about her feelings and her
rlm@2 527 own heart. Before, she had listened to others about what her heart
rlm@2 528 wanted, unsure of what she wanted herself. But now it all made sense.
rlm@2 529 She just wanted to be with Tomoyo. More than anything. “Hanyaan...”
rlm@2 530 she whispered joyously.
rlm@2 531 Everything just made so much more sense now. She had always felt so
rlm@2 532 good around Tomoyo, but now she knew what it all meant. And the
rlm@2 533 thought that she’d been so close to the one she loved all this time
rlm@2 534 left her heart spinning. She wanted to be with the dark haired girl
rlm@2 535 all the time. She never wanted to leave her side. When she would lie
rlm@2 536 in bed at night, her last thoughts would be of Tomoyo before she
rlm@2 537 slipped into a peaceful sleep. Tomoyo was the first thing she thought
rlm@2 538 about when she got up, usually while hugging her pillow. It was a
rlm@2 539 poor substitute for her best friend, though. But she had to hug
rlm@2 540 something, to imagine Tomoyo was with her. And she certainly wasn’t
rlm@2 541 about to hug her mean older brother.
rlm@2 542 It was amazing how things had changed so quickly. But at the same
rlm@2 543 time, it didn’t feel like much had changed at all. Tomoyo was just as
rlm@2 544 warm and loving as she had always been, because she had always loved
rlm@2 545 her, which Sakura now realized. And Sakura’s feelings were still the
rlm@2 546 same. She just understood them now. Tomoyo always brought a blush to
rlm@2 547 her cheeks with some of what she would say. She always made her feel
rlm@2 548 good inside. She’d always been the most important person in Sakura’s
rlm@2 549 life. So in many ways, it just felt natural. As if things had finally
rlm@2 550 taken their proper course.
rlm@2 551 “How long do you plan on letting that thing burn?” Touya asked
rlm@2 552 curiously, his arms crossed. He watched his little sister blush
rlm@2 553 furiously and hurry to the oven, nearly dropping the cake as she
rlm@2 554 pulled it out.
rlm@2 555 Embarrassed, Sakura tried to salvage her slightly burnt cake. Just
rlm@2 556 how long had she been out of it? Things like this always happened
rlm@2 557 when she was distracted. But it was so easy to get lost in the
rlm@2 558 different thoughts and feelings that swept through her heart! At
rlm@2 559 least Tomoyo understood. And she thought it was cute when Sakura
rlm@2 560 would daydream like that. Shaking her head, Sakura fought back her
rlm@2 561 blush as she concentrated on the cake. Of course Tomoyo thought it
rlm@2 562 was cute. Tomoyo thought everything she did was cute. Her blush
rlm@2 563 darkened as she realized that line of thought wasn’t helping. She
rlm@2 564 just hoped Touya would leave the kitchen soon. Being embarrassed was
rlm@2 565 so much worse when people were around. “Hoe... Now it’s ruined.”
rlm@2 566 Stepping up to the cake dutifully, Kero took a nice long sniff. He
rlm@2 567 looked at it thoughtfully for a moment before shaking his head. “No,
rlm@2 568 it’s not ruined. It’s just a little burnt. Put some extra topping on
rlm@2 569 it and it’ll be fine. It won’t be as good as Tomoyo’s mama’s cakes,
rlm@2 570 but I still won’t mind having a nice big slice or two,” the Seal
rlm@2 571 Beast said hopefully.
rlm@2 572 Sakura pulled the cake away from Kero, shielding it with her body.
rlm@2 573 “You still can’t have any of it. I already told you I’d make you
rlm@2 574 something later.”
rlm@2 575 “Then who is it for?” Touya asked, raising an eyebrow.
rlm@2 576 Shaking her head quickly, Sakura sweatdropped. “No one,” she said
rlm@2 577 quickly, busying herself with lathering on a thick layer of icing on
rlm@2 578 top of the cake. She shot Kero a glare when she saw half of the
rlm@2 579 strawberries already eaten. Sighing, she started placing the
rlm@2 580 remaining ones on the cake.
rlm@2 581 “It’s for Yuki, isn’t it?” Touya asked, grinning. Though he’d been
rlm@2 582 dating Yukito for some time now, he still teased his younger sister
rlm@2 583 about him. Besides, he thought, it’s better she have a crush on him
rlm@2 584 than on the brat. It was easier for him to keep an eye on her that
rlm@2 585 way.
rlm@2 586 “No, it’s not for Yukito-san,” Sakura said, raising her head as she
rlm@2 587 continued to place the strawberries in a pattern across the cake. She
rlm@2 588 felt a happy trill resonate through her heart. She didn’t just have a
rlm@2 589 crush on somebody. This wasn’t some schoolgirl crush. It wasn’t her
rlm@2 590 going after someone she couldn’t have. She was making a cake for her
rlm@2 591 girlfriend. This was for her special someone. And she really, really
rlm@2 592 wanted to tell Touya that, to wipe that smirk off his face, to show
rlm@2 593 him that she was dating, too. She bit her lip before she could say
rlm@2 594 anything, trying to focus on the cake. “It’s for someone very, very
rlm@2 595 special,” she said, smiling. “It’s to show much I like them,” she
rlm@2 596 added, her cheeks warming.
rlm@2 597 “It’s not for the brat, is it? Is he back in town?” Touya asked,
rlm@2 598 trying to mask his concern.
rlm@2 599 “No, it’s not for Syaoran,” Sakura replied, putting the finishing
rlm@2 600 touches on her cake. “There,” she said proudly, taking a step back to
rlm@2 601 admire her handiwork. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked pretty. And
rlm@2 602 maybe Tomoyo wouldn’t taste the burnt part with all the icing she put
rlm@2 603 on it. She wanted to get it to Tomoyo as soon as possible. Then she
rlm@2 604 could try to get her to eat. But that was just her ulterior motive.
rlm@2 605 She just wanted to be with Tomoyo again. Giving her the cake was just
rlm@2 606 a happy plus.
rlm@2 607 “Sugoi!” Kero said excitedly, his beady eyes growing as he looked
rlm@2 608 at the cake. “It looks so good!” His paw went forward to touch the
rlm@2 609 icing, but before he could get a hold of it Sakura had pulled it away.
rlm@2 610 “Kero-chan, you can’t have any of Tomoyo-chan’s cake,” Sakura
rlm@2 611 scolded. She held the cake, ignoring the Seal Beast and his pleading
rlm@2 612 eyes. It took her a moment to realize two other sets of eyes were on
rlm@2 613 her as well. She turned slowly, noticing her brother and Yukito
rlm@2 614 staring at her. Yukito must have entered while they were talking. He
rlm@2 615 did spend a lot of time over with Touya. Her cheeks darkened quickly
rlm@2 616 as the sudden realization hit her. She hadn’t meant to say that. She
rlm@2 617 stared back down at the cake, blushing a deep scarlet.
rlm@2 618 “That’s great!” Yukito exclaimed. “Isn’t that cute, To-ya? I knew
rlm@2 619 you’d find someone special, Sakura-chan. It looks like To-ya had been
rlm@2 620 right all along. I’m still a little surprised. I didn’t know you
rlm@2 621 liked girls.” He tilted his head to the side, still smiling.
rlm@2 622 “Thank God,” Touya said in relief, his hands on his face. “I was so
rlm@2 623 sure you were going to marry the brat. Then I’d always be worrying
rlm@2 624 about you. I don’t have to worry about Tomoyo-chan. I know she’ll
rlm@2 625 actually take care of you.”
rlm@2 626 Blushing even deeper, Sakura began making her way to the door. It
rlm@2 627 would’ve been easier if they hadn’t said anything at all. But then,
rlm@2 628 she had accidentally blurted it out. She hadn’t quite expected Touya
rlm@2 629 to be so thrilled by the whole thing. But it’s better to have your
rlm@2 630 family like the one you love, she decided. Whatever the case, she
rlm@2 631 just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. “I’m gonna go
rlm@2 632 take Tomoyo-chan her cake,” she said quickly, heading for her roller
rlm@2 633 blades near the front door. She ignored the rest of their comments as
rlm@2 634 she slipped them on and hurried outside.
rlm@2 635 “I guess I won’t have to worry about her giving me a heart attack
rlm@2 636 after all,” Touya said thoughtfully. It wasn’t what he’d been
rlm@2 637 expecting, although he had known Tomoyo was in love with his sister.
rlm@2 638 And though Yukito thought Syaoran was good for Sakura, he didn’t. He
rlm@2 639 had always thought Tomoyo would make a much better significant other
rlm@2 640 for his overemotional younger sister. He looked at the other two in
rlm@2 641 the kitchen when he got no response. Both Kero and Yukito were
rlm@2 642 staring at him.
rlm@2 643 “I’m hungry,” Kero whined.
rlm@2 644 “That cake really did look good,” Yukito added, nodding his
rlm@2 645 agreement.
rlm@2 646 Touya sighed as the two continued to stare at him. Preheating the
rlm@2 647 oven, he wished Sakura had picked something less edible as a gift for
rlm@2 648 her sweetheart.
rlm@2 649
rlm@2 650 “Hi, Tomo...” Sakura cut herself off, a hand going to her mouth as
rlm@2 651 she watched Tomoyo’s sleeping form in bed. She quietly closed the
rlm@2 652 door behind her as she stepped into the room. One of the maids had
rlm@2 653 let her enter. She had been disappointed to find out that Sonomi was
rlm@2 654 still at work. She had hoped that she could thank her for the recipe.
rlm@2 655 But there would always be time for that later. She smiled as she
rlm@2 656 walked to the side of the bed, watching Tomoyo. The pale girl was
rlm@2 657 beautiful, even in her sleep. Long lavender hair lay spilt about her
rlm@2 658 pale frame. Bandages still adorned much of her injured body. The
rlm@2 659 large blankets were pulled up around her, either by a worried mother
rlm@2 660 or an attentive maid.
rlm@2 661 Setting the cake down on an empty spot on Tomoyo’s desk, Sakura sat
rlm@2 662 down. The desk was cluttered with all sorts of costume designs and
rlm@2 663 several sheets of music. But even then, it was organized chaos.
rlm@2 664 Everything was placed somewhere for a reason. Tomoyo always did have
rlm@2 665 a good eye for details. It looked like the objects on her desk hadn’t
rlm@2 666 been touched since the accident. Which made sense because the heiress
rlm@2 667 couldn’t even get to her desk at the moment.
rlm@2 668 Sitting at the desk, Sakura tried to lay out her options. She could
rlm@2 669 wake Tomoyo up, but the other girl probably needed her sleep. She
rlm@2 670 could always go home, but that thought was instantly rejected.
rlm@2 671 Leaving Tomoyo’s side wasn’t an option she wanted to consider. She
rlm@2 672 could always just wait for her to wake up. Deciding that was the best
rlm@2 673 course of action, the brunette looked back to the sleeping girl,
rlm@2 674 smiling. Tomoyo looked so peaceful now, lost in her own beautiful
rlm@2 675 dreams. Not at all like the scared, distant look her sleeping face
rlm@2 676 had held during her stay at the hospital. Shuddering, Sakura rubbed
rlm@2 677 her shoulders. Tomoyo was better now. That was the important thing.
rlm@2 678 Turning back to the desk, Sakura glanced through some of the sheets
rlm@2 679 of paper on top of it. Emerald eyes skimmed over some lyrics to a
rlm@2 680 song Tomoyo was practicing for choir. She probably wouldn’t have the
rlm@2 681 chance to sing it with the rest of the choir now, though. But maybe
rlm@2 682 she could still sing it sometime. Sakura always loved to listen to
rlm@2 683 Tomoyo singing. It was so entrancing to listen to her best friend’s
rlm@2 684 ethereal voice. She would be the pale girl’s audience. That thought
rlm@2 685 lifted her mood considerably. Tomoyo had such a gorgeous voice.
rlm@2 686 Setting the music sheet aside, Sakura began to look through
rlm@2 687 Tomoyo’s costume designs. It was strange looking at pictures of
rlm@2 688 herself in different costumes. Tomoyo really was a good artist. Each
rlm@2 689 picture looked just like herself, decked out in some imaginary outfit
rlm@2 690 that Tomoyo would bring into existence with her own form of magic.
rlm@2 691 Occasionally she would see Kero in the picture as well, with little
rlm@2 692 matching outfits to go along with Sakura’s. The brunette was
rlm@2 693 surprised that Tomoyo could make so many varied costumes. And even
rlm@2 694 though Sakura had caught the last of the Cards years ago, she still
rlm@2 695 found herself modeling the costumes for Tomoyo. Which always sent a
rlm@2 696 certain thrill through her, being Tomoyo’s very special model. She
rlm@2 697 couldn’t model the way her mother did. She was too embarrassed for
rlm@2 698 that. But if it was for Tomoyo, then it was okay. Because she felt
rlm@2 699 safe with Tomoyo. Because she knew that Tomoyo enjoyed it so much.
rlm@2 700 Because she liked being the center of Tomoyo’s attention.
rlm@2 701 ‘Kawaii!’ Sakura thought, pulling up one of the costume designs. It
rlm@2 702 looked like some sort of living rainbow, something belonging up near
rlm@2 703 the clouds. She would gladly wear it for the heiress when she
rlm@2 704 finished it, twirling about it in just as she always did. She could
rlm@2 705 already imagine Tomoyo’s voice praising her as she hurried to get
rlm@2 706 shots from different angles. Sweatdropping at the thought, Sakura
rlm@2 707 continued. The next one was of some kind of fairy. She saw herself in
rlm@2 708 a small, cute sleeveless dress, with tiny little shoes on and
rlm@2 709 beautiful butterfly wings. Two little antenna hung from a hair band.
rlm@2 710 Her ears were a little longer and pointed, giving her an elven
rlm@2 711 appearance. Now that she looked at it more closely, the antenna
rlm@2 712 weren’t part of the hair band after all. So maybe not all of Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 713 costume designs were based in reality. Glancing over to the dark
rlm@2 714 haired girl’s bed again, Sakura smiled at her. It was sweet to think
rlm@2 715 the other girl would draw her as a sprite.
rlm@2 716 Flipping to the next one, Sakura could see that it wasn’t quite
rlm@2 717 finished yet. Parts of the costume were missing. There was only one
rlm@2 718 thigh high stocking, with plenty of lace at the end. Her other leg
rlm@2 719 was bare. The skirt was short and looked like it was made of several
rlm@2 720 layers. Ribbons raced up from the skirt over her bare stomach,
rlm@2 721 leading up to a large bow at her neck. She had long, frilled gloves
rlm@2 722 leading up past her elbows. Beautiful ribbons hung from her hair.
rlm@2 723 There didn’t seem to be any blouse except for the ribbons, and they
rlm@2 724 didn’t even cover up anything. Sakura blushed at how... detailed it
rlm@2 725 was. It took her a moment to realize the costume wasn’t half-finished
rlm@2 726 at all. This was exactly how Tomoyo had planned the costume. She
rlm@2 727 certainly hadn’t ever worn anything like _that_ before. At first she
rlm@2 728 didn’t know what to think. It was a surprise to know that Tomoyo
rlm@2 729 thought about that. About her like that. It gave the thought of
rlm@2 730 modeling for Tomoyo a new twist. Sakura’s cheeks darkened
rlm@2 731 considerably. ‘Don’t think like that!’ she chided herself. ‘Tomoyo-
rlm@2 732 chan probably just... just...’ Her thoughts trailed off. Even if she
rlm@2 733 could be rather naïve about things, this was rather self-evident. It
rlm@2 734 really was flattering, in an embarrassing sort of way. And that
rlm@2 735 really wasn’t new at all, coming from Tomoyo. That helped Sakura get
rlm@2 736 some sort of grip on the situation.
rlm@2 737 What would it be like to actually wear that for Tomoyo? Somehow she
rlm@2 738 didn’t think it would be all that different from when she modeled
rlm@2 739 other costumes for Tomoyo. The heiress would want to take pictures
rlm@2 740 from every angle, sighing happily and telling Sakura how great she
rlm@2 741 was the whole time. It was what happened afterwards that would
rlm@2 742 probably be different. Blushing a cherry red, Sakura pushed the
rlm@2 743 thought aside. This was no time to be thinking about such things,
rlm@2 744 while poor Tomoyo was stuck in bed. Or maybe that was the perfect
rlm@2 745 time to be thinking about it. Sakura shook her head quickly. “Hoe...”
rlm@2 746 Besides, Tomoyo had been the one to draw it, so it wasn’t like she
rlm@2 747 was completely innocent there. Glancing back at the bed, Sakura
rlm@2 748 looked right into a silent, stormy blue orb. Bolting upright, Sakura
rlm@2 749 stumbled backwards, her ankle catching on the chair leg. Her arms
rlm@2 750 pinwheeled as she tried to maintain her balance, her heart beating
rlm@2 751 rapidly in shock. The paper fluttered out of her hand, landing slowly
rlm@2 752 on the floor between the two of them. Sakura barely managed to keep
rlm@2 753 her balance, grasping onto the chair. “Tomoyo-chan!” she said
rlm@2 754 quickly, her eyes wide. The other girl had been completely silent,
rlm@2 755 leaving Sakura completely unaware to her presence. “You’re awake!”
rlm@2 756 she stated obviously. Laughing nervously, she put a hand behind her
rlm@2 757 head. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
rlm@2 758 The dark haired girl bent down, wincing slightly as her injured body
rlm@2 759 moved. Reaching down, she picked up the piece of paper, being careful
rlm@2 760 not to crumple it. She still wanted to finish it one of those days.
rlm@2 761 Sitting back in bed with the paper, she simply smiled at the
rlm@2 762 Cardmistress. “I like watching Sakura-chan,” she said matter-of-
rlm@2 763 factly. “When I woke up, I saw that you were here. I was so happy to
rlm@2 764 see you. I just wanted to lie there and watch you for as long as I
rlm@2 765 could. You’re much better to watch in person than in any of my
rlm@2 766 videos. I can only capture your image and your sound. I can’t capture
rlm@2 767 that wonderfully genki spark that is Sakura-chan.”
rlm@2 768 “Arigato, Tomoyo-chan,” Sakura said, blushing from the praise. She
rlm@2 769 cast her eyes down for a moment, standing in silence. Her eyes slowly
rlm@2 770 returned to the paper that Tomoyo had on her lap. “Ano...” she began
rlm@2 771 nervously. “What’s that costume for?”
rlm@2 772 “This one? I have a cat one that I’m working on, too. It’s from
rlm@2 773 the ‘Sekushi Sakura-chan Collection’ I’m working on,” Tomoyo replied
rlm@2 774 excitedly, as she always did when talking about her Sakura costumes.
rlm@2 775 “But why?” Sakura asked, sweatdropping.
rlm@2 776 Tomoyo smiled happily. “Because Sakura-chan’s getting older. So
rlm@2 777 someday she’s going to want to do more adult things. And when you do,
rlm@2 778 I want to have costumes ready for you to use. Costumes are for
rlm@2 779 special occasions. Catching Cards aren’t the only good occasions for
rlm@2 780 them,” the heiress explained, watching Sakura’s growing blush.
rlm@2 781 “That sounds like you’d need to take videotape, too,” Sakura
rlm@2 782 replied, her cheeks red.
rlm@2 783 “Lots of videotape,” Tomoyo agreed, nodding.
rlm@2 784 “Oh, I almost forgot!” Sakura turned, grabbing the cake. Whether she
rlm@2 785 was just changing the subject or if she’d honestly gotten caught up
rlm@2 786 in something else wasn’t certain. “I made this for you. It’s from
rlm@2 787 Sonomi-sama’s recipe.” She held out the cake for the dark haired girl
rlm@2 788 to see, walking closer to the bed. “I left it in the oven a little
rlm@2 789 too long, though. I hope it still tastes all right.” She sighed,
rlm@2 790 still a little disappointed that she had made that mistake. She had
rlm@2 791 so wanted it to come out perfectly for Tomoyo.
rlm@2 792 “It’s lovely, Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo stated happily, taking a long
rlm@2 793 look at the cake before looking up to the even more lovely cake
rlm@2 794 bearer. She smiled sweetly. “I’m sure it will be great. Even if it
rlm@2 795 isn’t perfect, I wouldn’t trade it for a cake made by the world’s
rlm@2 796 best pastry chef. Because it doesn’t matter if things are perfect.
rlm@2 797 What matters is that you made it. Even those little imperfections are
rlm@2 798 filled with your love and care. That’s what makes it so delicious.”
rlm@2 799 She could see that Sakura didn’t completely believe her yet, so she
rlm@2 800 continued. “It’s like when you made that yukata for Li-kun. You
rlm@2 801 didn’t know how to sew very well, but you tried your hardest anyway.
rlm@2 802 Even though it wasn’t perfect, it didn’t matter. Because you had gone
rlm@2 803 through all that trouble to make it. Everything we do, we leave a
rlm@2 804 piece of our hearts in. Everything we touch has a little bit of us.
rlm@2 805 So something that you put your heart into means the world to me.
rlm@2 806 Because it has little bits of Sakura-chan’s soul mixed in.”
rlm@2 807 Sakura thought this over for a moment before nodding. “Like your
rlm@2 808 costumes,” she said at last. Tomoyo had always put so much loving
rlm@2 809 care into her costumes, making each and every one for Sakura to wear.
rlm@2 810 But the costumes weren’t important alone. It was that Tomoyo had made
rlm@2 811 them specifically for her, that she had spent all that time on them,
rlm@2 812 just so she could wear them. That made Sakura feel a lot better about
rlm@2 813 the cake, even with the imperfections. It suddenly didn’t matter so
rlm@2 814 much that she had made the mistake. She smiled brightly as she set
rlm@2 815 the cake back down. “Let me go get some plates.”
rlm@2 816
rlm@2 817 The two girls sat together on Tomoyo’s bed, eating slices of
rlm@2 818 Sakura’s cake. They had decided to leave a slice for Sonomi to try
rlm@2 819 later, as a thank you for the recipe. To Sakura’s delight, it had
rlm@2 820 turned out pretty well, the frosting masking the slightly burnt
rlm@2 821 parts. She was glad to see Tomoyo eating. Sonomi had been very
rlm@2 822 worried about her daughter not eating, so Sakura was glad to do her
rlm@2 823 part to get something in Tomoyo’s stomach.
rlm@2 824 The pale girl took a small bite of Sakura’s beautiful cake, her eyes
rlm@2 825 never wandering far from the girl she loved. She let the sweet flavor
rlm@2 826 roll across her tongue. She hadn’t been very hungry lately, but she
rlm@2 827 couldn’t resist having a piece of Sakura’s cake, especially if Sakura
rlm@2 828 was right there with her. She sighed happily, taking a small bite of
rlm@2 829 one of the strawberries. The knowledge that it was made for her by
rlm@2 830 Sakura followed every delicious bite. Sakura scooted closer to her on
rlm@2 831 the bed, eating her own slice of cake. She could tell that Sakura was
rlm@2 832 watching her. It was like a beautiful dream to have Sakura’s eyes on
rlm@2 833 her. “It’s very good, Sakura-chan.”
rlm@2 834 Sakura smiled at Tomoyo’s comment. Finally seeing Tomoyo eating the
rlm@2 835 cake, hearing that she liked it, it made the whole process of making
rlm@2 836 it worthwhile. It had all led up to this point. Just like her life
rlm@2 837 had led up to this point, as if everything had built up to this
rlm@2 838 moment in time with Tomoyo. Sure, it had taken a few twists to get
rlm@2 839 there, but everything had worked out in the end. And she could have
rlm@2 840 her fairy tale ending. They both could. She took another bite of her
rlm@2 841 cake, feeling excited about the future, the possibilities, and most
rlm@2 842 importantly, the here and now.
rlm@2 843 ‘Please don’t look at me that way. Please don’t taunt me like this,
rlm@2 844 Sakura-chan. Because I don’t know if I could ever resist you. And
rlm@2 845 when this is all over, when that look fades from your eyes, the sun
rlm@2 846 will stop shining on my world,’ Tomoyo thought desperately. Sakura
rlm@2 847 was looking at her with such love and adoration in her eyes, an
rlm@2 848 unbridled passion that she had never seen before in those emerald
rlm@2 849 gems. It was exactly what she had always wished to see, a love as
rlm@2 850 deep and endless as her own. But now it was frightening. It would be
rlm@2 851 gone before she could ever fully taste their depths. It would be
rlm@2 852 taken from her in the blink of an eye.
rlm@2 853 Which left Tomoyo with a very difficult decision. How should she
rlm@2 854 take this? Sakura had given her the most precious gift she could
rlm@2 855 imagine, her warm and beautiful heart. But soon she would have to
rlm@2 856 give it back, to part from it. And that seemed unbearable. But she
rlm@2 857 would have to. She understood that. But in the meantime, Sakura loved
rlm@2 858 her. For now, she had the love she had always longed for. Could she
rlm@2 859 give in to it? Was it right to? Sakura’s love was only magic, a work
rlm@2 860 of Sakura’s Cards. Would she be taking advantage of Sakura if she
rlm@2 861 allowed herself to get closer to the Cardmistress while she had this
rlm@2 862 chance? Or should she just wait it out, not allowing anything to
rlm@2 863 happen in the next week for Sakura’s sake? It was a maddening
rlm@2 864 question. Her heart and mind were torn in completely different
rlm@2 865 directions. She didn’t want to give in to Sakura’s love only to have
rlm@2 866 it taken away. She didn’t want to use Sakura’s well intentioned wish
rlm@2 867 to fill her own lonely heart. It didn’t seem right to be in a
rlm@2 868 relationship with Sakura when it was all simply done by Sakura’s
rlm@2 869 magic. On the other hand, the brunette had given this gift to her,
rlm@2 870 wanting her to be happy. It would be a shame to not accept Sakura’s
rlm@2 871 gift. She had always known that one day Sakura would fall in love
rlm@2 872 with another. At least she could have a week full of memories of
rlm@2 873 their time together, memories of being loved by Sakura, right? And so
rlm@2 874 her heart continued its tug of war as she finished her slice of cake.
rlm@2 875 It had been delicious, but now it was all gone. Just like this would
rlm@2 876 be. She set the plate to the side, folding her hands on her lap.
rlm@2 877 Unaware of Tomoyo’s troubled thoughts, Sakura finished her own slice
rlm@2 878 of cake. She went back to watching Tomoyo, trying to decide what to
rlm@2 879 say. Her heart moved this way and that, swaying about. There were so
rlm@2 880 many feelings inside of her, all meshing and struggling to come
rlm@2 881 forth. She wanted to tell Tomoyo, to explain them all, to hold them
rlm@2 882 out to her, but she couldn’t find the words. After a moment of
rlm@2 883 hesitation, she leant forward swiftly, hugging the pale girl tightly.
rlm@2 884 Tomoyo seemed surprised by Sakura’s sudden move, but Sakura just
rlm@2 885 continued to hold onto her. “Tomoyo-chan!” She could feel Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 886 soft lavender hair brushing past her cheek, tickling her. “I love you
rlm@2 887 so much!” She closed her eyes tightly, blushing a bit as she held
rlm@2 888 onto the heiress. It was the best way she could think of to express
rlm@2 889 the feelings surging through her heart.
rlm@2 890 Tomoyo felt a thundering heartbeat against her breast, but she
rlm@2 891 couldn’t tell if it was Sakura’s heartbeat or her own. She could feel
rlm@2 892 Sakura’s arms holding her tightly, encircling her in their warmth.
rlm@2 893 This was where she had wanted to be for so long, in Sakura’s arms.
rlm@2 894 She closed her eyes, giving in, at least for the moment. It was too
rlm@2 895 much to fight off both her own love and Sakura’s, no matter how
rlm@2 896 magically induced the latter may be. Leaning into the brunette,
rlm@2 897 Tomoyo curled up against her beloved. Her head slid down against
rlm@2 898 Sakura’s chest, her hands resting against Sakura’s stomach. She
rlm@2 899 listened intently to the beat of the Cardmistress’s heart, her stormy
rlm@2 900 blue eyes closing. Her concerns faded away like a child’s bad dream
rlm@2 901 when in her mother’s arms. “Please don’t ever let me go,” Tomoyo
rlm@2 902 pleaded quietly.
rlm@2 903 Resting her chin on the top of Tomoyo’s head, Sakura sighed softly.
rlm@2 904 All the chaotic feelings in her heart were still there, but Tomoyo
rlm@2 905 soothed them, calming them, bringing them all together. She suddenly
rlm@2 906 wasn’t so worried about trying to describe them to Tomoyo. Tomoyo was
rlm@2 907 always so good about understanding her heart. She felt that she
rlm@2 908 didn’t need to say it all out loud. It was there. They could both
rlm@2 909 feel it. “I won’t,” Sakura promised, wishing with all her heart that
rlm@2 910 she could prove it, prove that she would hold onto her forever and
rlm@2 911 ever.
rlm@2 912
rlm@2 913 “It’s so beautiful,” Tomoyo whispered. It was snowing lightly,
rlm@2 914 small white crystals dancing their way through the air around her.
rlm@2 915 Some settled in her long, lavender hair, others dropping gingerly
rlm@2 916 onto her lap. She felt Sakura’s hands on her shoulders from behind
rlm@2 917 and turned to smile at the Cardmistress. Sakura had come over earlier
rlm@2 918 that day and Sonomi had suggested that Sakura take Tomoyo outside for
rlm@2 919 a bit. Tomoyo still couldn’t get very far on her own, so Sakura was
rlm@2 920 pushing her in a wheelchair. The heiress didn’t mind relying on
rlm@2 921 Sakura for her mobility. It meant she couldn’t be far from the girl
rlm@2 922 she loved. And that was perfectly fine by her.
rlm@2 923 Returning Tomoyo’s smile, Sakura watched the snowflakes falling
rlm@2 924 about her dark haired friend. ‘She’s so beautiful,’ Sakura thought to
rlm@2 925 herself, her fingers trailing through some lavender curls. She sighed
rlm@2 926 happily her arms wrapping around Tomoyo’s shoulders.
rlm@2 927 Tomoyo blushed faintly, her heartbeat quickening in her chest.
rlm@2 928 Having Sakura so close, holding her so lovingly, it was a dream come
rlm@2 929 true. Despite the snow surrounding them, the heiress felt warm
rlm@2 930 inside. Reaching up with her good hand, she rested it on one of
rlm@2 931 Sakura’s arms. She held onto it as if to keep Sakura from ever
rlm@2 932 releasing her hold on her. She felt so peaceful like this, alone with
rlm@2 933 Sakura. If only it could always be this was... She closed her eyes,
rlm@2 934 ceasing that thought. There was only now. There was only Sakura. She
rlm@2 935 rested back into the brunette’s loving embrace.
rlm@2 936 “Tomoyo-chan, when you get better, let’s go rollerblading together,
rlm@2 937 okay?” Sakura asked suddenly, her eyes lighting up. She shifted
rlm@2 938 against Tomoyo, leaning over enough to see the other girl’s pale
rlm@2 939 face. It seemed like such a good idea. She wanted to do everything
rlm@2 940 with Tomoyo, to spend every moment with her, to share everything with
rlm@2 941 her. Rollerblading had always been fun for her and it seemed even
rlm@2 942 better with Tomoyo. And why not? Yukito and Touya were always off on
rlm@2 943 long bike rides together. Or so Touya said.
rlm@2 944 Tomoyo’s stormy blue eyes met Sakura’s shining emeralds. A sad
rlm@2 945 smile crossed her lips. That was so sweet of Sakura to want to share
rlm@2 946 that with her. But by then, it would be too late. They wouldn’t be
rlm@2 947 going together as a couple. They would just be two friends again by
rlm@2 948 the time Tomoyo was better. But nonetheless, she found herself
rlm@2 949 nodding. She couldn’t bear to disappoint Sakura. And it would still
rlm@2 950 be fun to skate with her, even if it wouldn’t be the same. “Hai, I’d
rlm@2 951 like that, Sakura-chan,” the dark haired girl replied softly.
rlm@2 952 Sakura smiled brightly at Tomoyo’s response. “Sugoi!” She hugged
rlm@2 953 the wheelchair bound girl even tighter. “That will be fun! I’ll teach
rlm@2 954 you how to rollerblade. It’s really not that hard. And you’re always
rlm@2 955 so good at everything, so you’ll pick it up in no time.”
rlm@2 956 “But now I have incentive not to learn how. If I don’t learn to
rlm@2 957 skate on my own, I have to keep holding onto Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo
rlm@2 958 reasoned thoughtfully, her bandaged head tilted to the side. Why
rlm@2 959 would she want to learn how to skate when it was so much more fun to
rlm@2 960 have Sakura skate around with her? It was like learning how to dance
rlm@2 961 on your own. Why let go of your partner?
rlm@2 962 Blushing profusely at Tomoyo’s words, Sakura looked down. That
rlm@2 963 didn’t help avert her gaze from the dark haired girl, though, as the
rlm@2 964 heiress was so close to her, taking up all of her attention. Still
rlm@2 965 blushing, she rested her head against Tomoyo’s soft shoulder. “Ano...
rlm@2 966 We.. we can still hold hands... Even if you do learn.”
rlm@2 967 Resting her head against Sakura’s, Tomoyo nodded slowly. “Learning
rlm@2 968 to skate, with Sakura-chan as my beautiful teacher... Watching you
rlm@2 969 move about so gracefully in your rollerblades, trying to help me
rlm@2 970 learn how to use them, it sounds so cute!” The heiress sighed
rlm@2 971 dreamily, already imagining it. Of course, the idea of rollerblading
rlm@2 972 was far from her mind. It was simply doing anything with Sakura hand
rlm@2 973 in hand that left her breathless. She could feel Sakura’s heart
rlm@2 974 beating against her back. Listening to its lovely rhythm, Tomoyo
rlm@2 975 began to breathe slowly along with it, their hearts beating in
rlm@2 976 tandem. Tomoyo’s heart called out to Sakura’s with each staccato
rlm@2 977 beat. She could feel Sakura’s warm cheek against her neck as Sakura
rlm@2 978 blushed. That only managed to lift her spirits even higher. Sakura’s
rlm@2 979 blush felt as cute as it looked. She rested into it, blushing
rlm@2 980 herself. The hot skin against her neck sent a shiver through her
rlm@2 981 body. She held her breath, almost afraid the moment would end if she
rlm@2 982 made any sudden moves. She wanted to hold onto it as long as
rlm@2 983 possible.
rlm@2 984 Still a little embarrassed, Sakura finally pulled away. She didn’t
rlm@2 985 notice Tomoyo’s soft sigh as she stood back up, brushing away her
rlm@2 986 auburn hair. Smiling enthusiastically, she stepped in front of
rlm@2 987 Tomoyo’s wheelchair. “Do we have all the things for our snowman?” she
rlm@2 988 asked curiously.
rlm@2 989 “Hai!” Tomoyo responded, lifting up the small bundle she had with
rlm@2 990 her. “But we could always just dress up Sakura-chan instead. You’re
rlm@2 991 much cuter than anything made of snow.” She simply smiled as the
rlm@2 992 blush returned to Sakura's cheeks. How could she possibly not love
rlm@2 993 the auburn haired girl? She was just so perfect.
rlm@2 994 “Tomoyo-chan...” Sakura got out nervously, a hand resting behind
rlm@2 995 her head. She didn’t know if it was more embarrassing that Tomoyo
rlm@2 996 said such things or that she honestly meant them. But it was way too
rlm@2 997 cold out to let Tomoyo dress her up instead of a snowman. Not that
rlm@2 998 she would choose that option anyway, right. ‘Hoe...’ Sakura shook her
rlm@2 999 head, closing her eyes as she tried to clear her thoughts. When she
rlm@2 1000 opened her eyes, she saw Tomoyo still smiling at her, watching her
rlm@2 1001 with that loving gaze she always had. And Sakura wasn’t so worried
rlm@2 1002 anymore. “We’ll make the cutest snowman we can.”
rlm@2 1003 Nodding her agreement, Tomoyo began to shift through the small bag,
rlm@2 1004 pulling out little articles for their snowman. She sighed sadly,
rlm@2 1005 placing a hand on her cheek. “Our poor little snowman won’t be able
rlm@2 1006 to be on video with Sakura-chan. And worse yet, I can’t record Sakura-
rlm@2 1007 chan making a snowman in the first place.”
rlm@2 1008 Sakura laughed nervously. “It’s all right, Tomoyo-chan. I don’t
rlm@2 1009 think the snowman will mind,” she said reassuringly.
rlm@2 1010 “But you look so cute playing in the snow!” Tomoyo insisted,
rlm@2 1011 watching her friend kneeling in the snow in front of her. That would
rlm@2 1012 make such a cute image on videotape, something to play over and over
rlm@2 1013 again. What sweet torture this was! She had Sakura’s love for a whole
rlm@2 1014 week, but she couldn’t record a single second of it because she had
rlm@2 1015 yet to replace her camcorder. In the end, it would be like one long,
rlm@2 1016 beautiful dream. It was probably better that she couldn’t have
rlm@2 1017 videotape of it. It was brought about by magic. It wasn’t really her
rlm@2 1018 Sakura to have. So it would only be recording a charade. But if it
rlm@2 1019 was just a charade, it would be so much easier to ignore Sakura’s
rlm@2 1020 affections. It didn’t feel like that. Sakura felt so genuine, as if
rlm@2 1021 it was really her and not some magic spell causing this. ‘So this is
rlm@2 1022 what it would be like to have her love? It’s better than I could have
rlm@2 1023 ever imagined,’ Tomoyo thought to herself. ‘Sakura’s love is magical.’
rlm@2 1024 Sakura, meanwhile, was getting over her embarrassment by starting
rlm@2 1025 the snowman, scooping the snow together into some vague shape. She
rlm@2 1026 looked up to see Tomoyo still watching her from her wheelchair. This
rlm@2 1027 didn’t seem right. She knew that Tomoyo liked to watch her, but she
rlm@2 1028 wanted to do this together. Looking from the beginnings of her
rlm@2 1029 snowman and back to Tomoyo, she thought for a moment. Standing up,
rlm@2 1030 the auburn haired girl wiped her hands off on her skirt. The snow
rlm@2 1031 continued to drift around them, beautiful pieces of clouds falling
rlm@2 1032 from above. Sakura took a step forward before pausing, trying to
rlm@2 1033 decide exactly what to do. She reached forward and paused again,
rlm@2 1034 still unsure of herself. Tomoyo’s eye caught her own, looking at her
rlm@2 1035 with a look of complete faith. That strengthened her resolve.
rlm@2 1036 Reaching forward, Sakura gently wrapped her arms around Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 1037 waist. She could feel Tomoyo so close to her, could feel her breath
rlm@2 1038 against her cheek. Tomoyo felt so soft, so fragile. Sakura was almost
rlm@2 1039 afraid she would break the heiress if she moved wrong. Getting a
rlm@2 1040 better grip, the Cardmistress lifeted her best friend, walking back
rlm@2 1041 to the start of her snowman.
rlm@2 1042 Tomoyo’s breath caught in her chest as she felt Sakura holding her
rlm@2 1043 tightly, carrying her. Her cheeks flushed as she rested in Sakura’s
rlm@2 1044 arms. For a moment, she worried that Sakura would feel the frenzied
rlm@2 1045 beating of her heart. But then it dawned on her that Sakura’s heart
rlm@2 1046 was beating just as rapidly against her. Sakura’s arms protected her
rlm@2 1047 from everything in life, shielding her from everything but the warmth
rlm@2 1048 of her heart. She held on as well as she could with her working arm,
rlm@2 1049 feeling dizzy with the joy bubbling over in her heart. She didn’t
rlm@2 1050 want it to stop ever, to ever be anywhere else but Sakura’s warm
rlm@2 1051 embrace. There was no place sweeter in Heaven or on earth than that
rlm@2 1052 wonderful spot nestled between Sakura’s outstretched arms.
rlm@2 1053 Sakura paused for a long moment, Tomoyo held tightly in her arms.
rlm@2 1054 She pulled her closer, her eyes falling closed. The heiress’s long,
rlm@2 1055 beautiful hair fluttered around her like a cloak. “Tomoyo-chan,”
rlm@2 1056 Sakura thought she whispered. She slowly sat down in the snow with
rlm@2 1057 Tomoyo, not letting go of the pale girl in her grasp. She couldn’t
rlm@2 1058 bring herself to pull away. It felt so nice to be so close to Tomoyo.
rlm@2 1059 To know that Tomoyo was right there with her, that their hearts were
rlm@2 1060 beating together. She didn’t want that to stop. Blushing, she brushed
rlm@2 1061 back some of Tomoyo’s silky hair so that she could see her face
rlm@2 1062 better. Tomoyo looked back at her, little strands of lavender framing
rlm@2 1063 her pretty face as their eyes met. Sakura brushed more hair away,
rlm@2 1064 Tomoyo still cradled against her. This time, her fingers lingered on
rlm@2 1065 Tomoyo’s soft cheek. They stayed there for a long time, reveling in
rlm@2 1066 the feel of her friend’s warm skin. She swallowed, trying to stop the
rlm@2 1067 spinning of her heart. It did little to help. She was drawn in my
rlm@2 1068 Tomoyo’s beautiful features, by the feelings in her heart.
rlm@2 1069 Tomoyo gazed into Sakura’s eyes, her cheeks scarlet under Sakura’s
rlm@2 1070 touch. She breathed slowly, simply watching her green eyed goddess.
rlm@2 1071 Her soul swirled inside of her in a cacophony of emotions, wanting to
rlm@2 1072 entwine with Sakura’s beautiful soul. Was she really awake? Was she
rlm@2 1073 dreaming? Did it matter? For so long, she had dreamt of this moment,
rlm@2 1074 of being this close to Sakura, of being together. This single moment
rlm@2 1075 made those dreams feel like nothing. She could feel Sakura’s warm
rlm@2 1076 breath against her skin, her fingers still pressed against her cheek.
rlm@2 1077 Her heart cried out in joy. This was it. This was her what she had
rlm@2 1078 been wishing for through the years of their friendship. Sakura was
rlm@2 1079 almost upon her, their lips inches apart, their bodies together in
rlm@2 1080 the snow. Tomoyo could barely move, though whether that was from her
rlm@2 1081 injured body or the spell Sakura held on her, she couldn’t say. Her
rlm@2 1082 cheeks darkened as Sakura finally cupped her cheek, leaning in.
rlm@2 1083 Sakura leant in, her heart pounding inside of her as she kissed
rlm@2 1084 Tomoyo. She felt lush hair under her lips, shifting against her. She
rlm@2 1085 blinked curiously, pulling back slightly. Tomoyo was looking to the
rlm@2 1086 side, her cheeks crimson and her hair shifting around her. “Tomoyo-
rlm@2 1087 chan?” Sakura asked sheepishly. She had been about to kiss her best
rlm@2 1088 friend. But she loved Tomoyo. She did want to kiss her. She felt
rlm@2 1089 disappointed that she hadn’t been able to. She wanted to feel
rlm@2 1090 Tomoyo’s lips, to pull her close again. ‘Hanyaa...’ she thought,
rlm@2 1091 blushing.
rlm@2 1092 “So shall we get started?” Tomoyo asked her friend, smiling
rlm@2 1093 sweetly. But inside, she felt very different. Her thoughts spun
rlm@2 1094 around in circles, relief mixing with deep regret. She had missed out
rlm@2 1095 on a dream she had carried with her for years, to kiss her beloved
rlm@2 1096 Sakura. But she just couldn’t bring herself to take advantage of
rlm@2 1097 Sakura like that. The auburn haired girl had wanted to make her feel
rlm@2 1098 better. She hadn’t known that she would fall in love with Tomoyo
rlm@2 1099 because of it. Tomoyo didn’t feel right taking a kiss from Sakura if
rlm@2 1100 the brunette was a victim of her own magic. But still, her heart
rlm@2 1101 longed for that sweet kiss, the feel of Sakura near her again. As it
rlm@2 1102 is, she could barely move away at all anyway. So she was stuck right
rlm@2 1103 next to a very loving Sakura. That wasn’t fair. It was so tempting to
rlm@2 1104 just give in, to immerse herself in Sakura’s love for the week. But
rlm@2 1105 she just couldn’t do that to Sakura. She sighed inwardly.
rlm@2 1106 The Cardmistress slowly nodded in agreement, still confused. Hadn’t
rlm@2 1107 they been about to kiss? What happened? Sakura felt as if she was
rlm@2 1108 missing some vital link,. It was like she had seen some pictures out
rlm@2 1109 of order. It didn’t make sense. Maybe it was just Tomoyo being
rlm@2 1110 eccentric again. But that didn’t really fit. Tomoyo’s eccentricity
rlm@2 1111 always had to do with being closer to her in some way, especially in
rlm@2 1112 loving ways. Like kissing. Sakura came back to the present as she
rlm@2 1113 felt Tomoyo shifting on her lap. Sweatdropping, she slowly helped the
rlm@2 1114 other girl to her side. “Un!” she responded, nodding. Trying to
rlm@2 1115 ignore the past few moments, which was incredibly hard to forget, she
rlm@2 1116 began to shovel more snow onto the snowman with her gloved hands.
rlm@2 1117 Tomoyo slowly began to help her with her free hand, adding to their
rlm@2 1118 snowman.
rlm@2 1119 The two worked together quietly on their snowman, both girls
rlm@2 1120 concentrating on it. Every once in a while, their hands would touch
rlm@2 1121 and linger before one or the other would slowly pull away. They
rlm@2 1122 shared warm smiles and long glances, soft giggles and comments on
rlm@2 1123 their snowman as it progressed. The snow slowly began to take shape
rlm@2 1124 under their collective hands, forming into a cute little snowman
rlm@2 1125 before them.
rlm@2 1126 Looking through the little bag next to her, Tomoyo began to cloth
rlm@2 1127 their little snowman. She wrapped a shawl around it, tying red
rlm@2 1128 ribbons around the arms. Sakura busied herself with the shiny buttons
rlm@2 1129 Tomoyo had decided on for the eyes. Finally satisfied with their
rlm@2 1130 work, Tomoyo sat back in the snow, smiling. She gazed over at Sakura,
rlm@2 1131 brushing some dark hair from her eyes. “It’s so kawaii. Our little
rlm@2 1132 snowman, formed from our hearts coming together. It’s like having a
rlm@2 1133 baby with Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said delightedly.
rlm@2 1134 “Tomoyo-chan!” Sakura blushed a deep crimson, both hands going to
rlm@2 1135 her cheeks. A baby? She wasn’t ready to think about babies yet. She
rlm@2 1136 looked down, blushing. A weight rested against her side, something
rlm@2 1137 long draping across her back. Forgetting all about her embarrassment,
rlm@2 1138 she looked over to find Tomoyo leaning against her side. Smiling
rlm@2 1139 softly, Sakura’s arm went around the pale girl, pulling her closer.
rlm@2 1140 She felt Tomoyo sigh happily against her, sending a trill through her
rlm@2 1141 soul. Together they sat there, watching their snowbaby, holding onto
rlm@2 1142 each other. Snowflakes fell around the two, showering them with
rlm@2 1143 beautiful crystal gifts for their baby shower.
rlm@2 1144
rlm@2 1145 Sakura sighed softly as she slid into the warm water of the bath.
rlm@2 1146 She nearly started at the nearly unbearable heat scorching her skin,
rlm@2 1147 but slowly relaxed into it. “I was out in the snow longer than I
rlm@2 1148 thought,” she said aloud to no one in particular, her voice echoing
rlm@2 1149 through the otherwise empty bathroom.
rlm@2 1150 Closing her eyes, she slipped deeper into the water, its soft caress
rlm@2 1151 lapping over her shoulders. She would be lucky if she didn’t catch a
rlm@2 1152 cold from all the time she spent in the snow. But it had been worth
rlm@2 1153 every moment. Her cheeks darkened slightly at the thought. She had
rlm@2 1154 lost track of time with Tomoyo by her side. Just how long had they
rlm@2 1155 sat out there together, anyway? It could only have been hours, but it
rlm@2 1156 had felt like it stretched on for days. Even then, it still wasn’t
rlm@2 1157 enough time for the Cardmistress. She pouted, resting her head back.
rlm@2 1158 “Tomoyo-chan...” Sakura whispered longingly. Whenever they were
rlm@2 1159 apart, Tomoyo was all that she could think about. But then, Tomoyo
rlm@2 1160 was all she could think about when she was with the heiress, too. It
rlm@2 1161 was like Tomoyo’s touch had been imprinted on her soul, leaving its
rlm@2 1162 mark in everything Sakura did.
rlm@2 1163 How she could have missed these feelings for so long, she didn’t
rlm@2 1164 know. But now that she had uncovered them, they were almost
rlm@2 1165 overpowering.
rlm@2 1166 As she lay there, immersed in the warm water, she could see Tomoyo
rlm@2 1167 in her mind’s eye. The sweet, angelic girl so close, her stormy blue
rlm@2 1168 eyes sparkling, her pale skin so soft, her dark hair framing her
rlm@2 1169 beautifully. Without realizing it, Sakura leant forward, her lips
rlm@2 1170 puckered as if to kiss her pretty best friend. Blushing and blinking
rlm@2 1171 rapidly, the auburn haired girl gave up her attempt. A sigh escaped
rlm@2 1172 her as she sunk lower in the water. They had been so close! Just a
rlm@2 1173 few more inches and she would know what those cute lips felt like
rlm@2 1174 against her own, what it felt like to kiss Tomoyo. If only she could
rlm@2 1175 go back in time and get those extra few inches... The love in her
rlm@2 1176 heart was glowing with a singular intensity, nearly ready to burst.
rlm@2 1177 She felt like that love had nowhere else to go but through her lips,
rlm@2 1178 right into Tomoyo, as if she could use that to show the other girl
rlm@2 1179 the raging feelings inside of her.
rlm@2 1180 Well, there would always be other times. But she didn’t want to
rlm@2 1181 wait for some other time! Patience wasn’t Sakura’s strong point. Her
rlm@2 1182 mind delighted in the sweet torture of imagining kissing a slightly
rlm@2 1183 surprised Tomoyo over and over again. She sighed again. So close, yet
rlm@2 1184 so far away. Those inches might well have been miles.
rlm@2 1185 All she wanted to do was to hold Tomoyo close, to kiss her
rlm@2 1186 repeatedly, to feel the pale girl against her again, to experience
rlm@2 1187 every unique little thing about her, to take it all in and immerse
rlm@2 1188 herself in it all.
rlm@2 1189 The only thing troubling her was that she still couldn’t understand
rlm@2 1190 why Tomoyo had withdrawn from her when she had been about to kiss the
rlm@2 1191 heiress. Tomoyo was usually so warm and affectionate with her. She’d
rlm@2 1192 almost expected the pale girl to kiss her instead. So what had gone
rlm@2 1193 wrong? Maybe Tomoyo had just been too shy. But that didn’t seem like
rlm@2 1194 the other girl at all. Tomoyo certainly didn’t shy away from showing
rlm@2 1195 her love in any number of other ways.
rlm@2 1196 Sakura couldn’t get her mind off of the thought. Her mind spun with
rlm@2 1197 possibilities. But none of them adequately explained why Tomoyo would
rlm@2 1198 have turned away from her. None of them seemed quite right. None of
rlm@2 1199 them really fit Tomoyo.
rlm@2 1200 Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be anything she could do about
rlm@2 1201 it from where she was. But maybe if she tried again, whatever had
rlm@2 1202 gone wrong the last time wouldn’t be present. Or maybe it would and
rlm@2 1203 Sakura could actually figure out what it was. It felt like some
rlm@2 1204 complicated puzzle, but the answer shone brightly in her mind. She
rlm@2 1205 would kiss Tomoyo soon, sealing their love with a soul binding kiss.
rlm@2 1206 “Hanyaan...” she said aloud at the thought.
rlm@2 1207 The reason that it was getting to her the most was that she truly
rlm@2 1208 did want to kiss her dark haired friend, to be next to her, holding
rlm@2 1209 her, feeling her delicate skin against her own. She wanted to hold
rlm@2 1210 onto Tomoyo and to never let go again. To experience every little bit
rlm@2 1211 of her eccentric best friend.
rlm@2 1212 Her eyes closed, Sakura slid deeper into the water. A hand slid down
rlm@2 1213 her leg, hesitant. But her insistent thoughts were getting the better
rlm@2 1214 of her. She could already see herself kissing Tomoyo in her mind,
rlm@2 1215 could practically feel the pale girl next to her. She could see
rlm@2 1216 Tomoyo’s pale skin as clothes seemed to melt away, their lips meeting
rlm@2 1217 again and again. Tomoyo’s costume design returned to mind, her cheeks
rlm@2 1218 warming at the thought. She could see Tomoyo watching her excitedly,
rlm@2 1219 videotaping her, telling her how cute she was. And she could see
rlm@2 1220 Tomoyo coming closer, setting the camcorder down, kissing her again,
rlm@2 1221 her hands going across Sakura’s barely clothed body.
rlm@2 1222 Sakura made a small sound, shifting in the water. Her legs spread
rlm@2 1223 apart, water splashing about her. Her hands were moving in time with
rlm@2 1224 her thoughts, making it almost like Tomoyo was actually with her for
rlm@2 1225 a split second. She could almost feel Tomoyo's hands caressing her
rlm@2 1226 skin, Tomoyo’s soft voice echoing in her ears as the heiress became
rlm@2 1227 more insistent. She held herself open for a moment, almost expecting
rlm@2 1228 Tomoyo to accept the invitation. And the Tomoyo in her thoughts did
rlm@2 1229 just that, Sakura’s fingers mimicking her friend’s imaginary
rlm@2 1230 movements.
rlm@2 1231 Hunched over in the bath, Sakura took a quick breath, still lost in
rlm@2 1232 her fantasy. The water lapped around her body, but she could hardly
rlm@2 1233 notice it. All she could think about was Tomoyo. Everywhere. Always.
rlm@2 1234 Tomoyo. Her eyes were clenched tightly, painfully. She shook slightly
rlm@2 1235 and then slumped in the water, breathing heavily. Her cheek lay
rlm@2 1236 against the surface of the water, wet and warm. She tried to catch
rlm@2 1237 her breath, feeling almost feverish in the bath. The Cardmistress
rlm@2 1238 tried to collect her thoughts, but they were distant, fragmented. All
rlm@2 1239 she knew was that Tomoyo smiled back at her from every one of them.
rlm@2 1240 “Tomoyo-chan...” she whispered. She felt like she had been caught in
rlm@2 1241 a tsunami, torrents of emotion buffeting against her soul again and
rlm@2 1242 again. But she was slowly releasing their was no release from that
rlm@2 1243 feeling. It was still wrapped tightly around her heart. And Tomoyo
rlm@2 1244 was at the center of it.
rlm@2 1245
rlm@2 1246 “Kawaii!” Tomoyo watched excitedly as Sakura stood before her in
rlm@2 1247 one of her costumes. The Cardmistress had visited again a short time
rlm@2 1248 ago and had agreed to try out several of Tomoyo’s costumes while she
rlm@2 1249 was there. This was the fourth costume she had worn. Only three more
rlm@2 1250 to go and Tomoyo would be all out of new costumes for Sakura to wear.
rlm@2 1251 She wanted to slow down time and speed it up at the same time. If she
rlm@2 1252 could slow it down, she could have even more time watching Sakura
rlm@2 1253 model her costumes. But she wanted to see what Sakura looked like in
rlm@2 1254 the others as well.
rlm@2 1255 One of the reasons she had so many costumes was that there simply
rlm@2 1256 wasn’t as much a reason for Sakura to wear her costumes anymore.
rlm@2 1257 Before when Sakura had been catching the Cards, she had needed a new
rlm@2 1258 costume for each of her adventures. Now that it was over, Tomoyo had
rlm@2 1259 to find a good time for her friend to come and model for her. So the
rlm@2 1260 costumes weren’t as necessary anymore, but Tomoyo did like being able
rlm@2 1261 to have Sakura wear them personally for her. And Sakura was sweet
rlm@2 1262 enough to do just that for her.
rlm@2 1263 Sakura still looked a little embarrassed, but she was starting to
rlm@2 1264 forget her nervousness. Everything affected her easily, but she moved
rlm@2 1265 on to other thoughts just as quickly. And it was hard not to get
rlm@2 1266 caught up in Tomoyo’s exuberance. The pale girl was usually so quiet
rlm@2 1267 and thoughtful, but when she was interested in something, like Sakura
rlm@2 1268 herself for interest, she made it abundantly clear. The Cardmistress
rlm@2 1269 wondered how she ever could have missed it before.
rlm@2 1270 Twirling in the long, multi-layered skirt she was currently in,
rlm@2 1271 Sakura could hear Tomoyo clapping. A smile lit up Sakura’s lips as
rlm@2 1272 she turned to face the heiress again. Taking the long skirt in her
rlm@2 1273 hands, Sakura curtsied to her audience of one.
rlm@2 1274 Back when Tomoyo had first made costumes for her, she had always
rlm@2 1275 worn them when she was busy with the Cards. She hadn’t had time to
rlm@2 1276 really appreciate them. Or the attention Tomoyo gave her when she was
rlm@2 1277 wearing them. After the whole debacle with the Cards was finally
rlm@2 1278 over, she had thought it would be the end of silly things like
rlm@2 1279 costumes. But Tomoyo kept making them regardless. Sakura had been a
rlm@2 1280 little baffled at first, but if her eccentric friend wanted to see
rlm@2 1281 her in them, she couldn’t refuse. If Tomoyo spent so much time on the
rlm@2 1282 costumes, it seemed only right to wear them. So she had begun
rlm@2 1283 modeling them for Tomoyo back then. It had been embarrassing at
rlm@2 1284 first, and still was to some extent, because she wasn’t busy with
rlm@2 1285 other things while wearing the costumes. It made her self-conscious
rlm@2 1286 knowing that she was being videotaped in the many different designs
rlm@2 1287 like that. But Tomoyo’s obvious excitement when she would wear them
rlm@2 1288 for her began to make her worry less. Tomoyo loved it so much when
rlm@2 1289 she would. And there was something about that that Sakura liked. Just
rlm@2 1290 knowing she had all of her friend’s attention, that Tomoyo’s eyes
rlm@2 1291 were on her and only her then. Though she had trouble admitting it,
rlm@2 1292 she did enjoy modeling for Tomoyo. In a way, it made her feel closer
rlm@2 1293 to her mother. But unlike her mother, she only wanted to model for
rlm@2 1294 Tomoyo. She was too shy to do that for anyone else. And she knew how
rlm@2 1295 happy it made the heiress. So slowly she began to do more in the
rlm@2 1296 costumes, actually modeling them, letting Tomoyo direct her where she
rlm@2 1297 would, taking snapshots and videotape of her in whatever costume came
rlm@2 1298 out next. It became a fun little thing they did together, an excuse
rlm@2 1299 to stay over for the weekend or to stop by after school.
rlm@2 1300 ‘Sakura, I have a new costume finished. Could you wear it for me?’
rlm@2 1301 ‘Sure, Tomoyo-chan! Just let me drop off my things at home.’
rlm@2 1302 And so it went. Days and weeks and months and finally years of lace
rlm@2 1303 and ribbons and videotape. Sakura looked forward to it more than the
rlm@2 1304 soccer practice she had been taking lately. Part of that was just
rlm@2 1305 seeing the smile and starry eyed looks Tomoyo gave her. But it was
rlm@2 1306 just fun. She loved being with her best friend, and dressing up for
rlm@2 1307 her was exciting. Slipping into a new outfit, anxious to see what
rlm@2 1308 Tomoyo thought, to hear her words on it, to see what poses she would
rlm@2 1309 want to see her in. It was exhilarating. And now it seemed to make
rlm@2 1310 more sense. Of course she liked Tomoyo watching her. Of course she
rlm@2 1311 wanted to model for her. Because Tomoyo’s never wavering love and
rlm@2 1312 attention meant everything to her. And she wasn’t taking it for
rlm@2 1313 granted anymore. And she could feel it so strongly when she would
rlm@2 1314 dress up for her.
rlm@2 1315 Her cheeks a little red, Sakura put a hand behind her head. “So
rlm@2 1316 what do you think?”
rlm@2 1317 “I think you look gorgeous in it, Sakura-chan. Like a beautiful
rlm@2 1318 dancer who wants to let go of everything and dance the night away,”
rlm@2 1319 Tomoyo stated dreamily, a hand on her cheek. Sighing contentedly, the
rlm@2 1320 heiress was in Heaven. What could possibly be more wonderful than
rlm@2 1321 Sakura modeling specifically for her? The athletic young girl was
rlm@2 1322 already so beautiful. Seeing her all dressed up in the costumes she
rlm@2 1323 made for her was stunning. And watching her pose and move about for
rlm@2 1324 her eyes only... Tomoyo sighed again, her stormy blue eye never
rlm@2 1325 leaving Sakura.
rlm@2 1326 The Cardmistress blushed at Tomoyo comment. Tomoyo always said
rlm@2 1327 rather complimentary things to her, but she always accepted them
rlm@2 1328 shyly. Part of her just couldn’t understand how Tomoyo thought so.
rlm@2 1329 The other part was just flattered to hear the other girl say it.
rlm@2 1330 Nonetheless, she always loved hearing her. It was like a puppy doing
rlm@2 1331 tricks for its mistress to hear loving words of praise. But with
rlm@2 1332 Tomoyo she never even had to do anything, or at least not knowingly.
rlm@2 1333 The dark haired girl seemed to find everything about her wonderful.
rlm@2 1334 “Which one should I wear next?”
rlm@2 1335 Tomoyo looked towards her desk where the other costumes were
rlm@2 1336 waiting. Placing her hand on her chin, she thought carefully. She
rlm@2 1337 would eventually see Sakura in all of them, but she still treated it
rlm@2 1338 like an important decision. It was all a matter of what would look
rlm@2 1339 best after the one Sakura was currently wearing. “I think you would
rlm@2 1340 look very pretty in the red one with the ribbons,” she said at last,
rlm@2 1341 indicating one near the bottom of the small pile of clothes. She
rlm@2 1342 watched Sakura walk over to claim the costume. “You are so cute in
rlm@2 1343 that,” she breathed happily, gazing at Sakura.
rlm@2 1344 The girl in question blushed again at hearing Tomoyo’s soft voice.
rlm@2 1345 It made her happy to know Tomoyo thought so. It sent warm waves
rlm@2 1346 lapping all across her soul. Quickly sifting through the costumes,
rlm@2 1347 she came about the red one in question. Turning to Tomoyo, she held
rlm@2 1348 it closely to her chest. “I’ll be right back, Tomoyo-chan!” she
rlm@2 1349 promised. The thought of being gone for too long was something she
rlm@2 1350 didn’t want to deal with. More than anything, she just wanted to be
rlm@2 1351 there with her dark haired girlfriend. Tomoyo merely smiled at her
rlm@2 1352 promise as she hurried out the door to change.
rlm@2 1353 Standing in the rather luxurious bathroom, Sakura began to pull off
rlm@2 1354 the costume she was wearing. She wanted to hurry up and return to
rlm@2 1355 Tomoyo, but she was afraid of ruining Tomoyo’s costume. ‘Each costume
rlm@2 1356 is stitched with love,’ she could remember Tomoyo saying. So she was
rlm@2 1357 always very wary about getting a stitch out of place. She didn’t want
rlm@2 1358 to ruin anything Tomoyo worked so hard on. Finally slipping out of
rlm@2 1359 the long skirts of her previous costume, Sakura examined the new one.
rlm@2 1360 It did look cute, like everything Tomoyo designed. It was very soft
rlm@2 1361 to the touch, and very pretty. It looked almost like something she
rlm@2 1362 would wear out on a date. Well, nothing she could afford to have in
rlm@2 1363 her own wardrobe, but something she could see herself dating in. She
rlm@2 1364 shifted around on her feet as if she were dancing, holding the dress
rlm@2 1365 tightly. Yes, it would be beautiful to wear out on a date with
rlm@2 1366 Tomoyo. It was a beautiful red dress with a large red ribbon in the
rlm@2 1367 back. It had black stockings and black gloves that went along with it
rlm@2 1368 as well as a red ribbon for her hair. The small red shoes had small
rlm@2 1369 ribbons on them as well. She smiled at the details. Tomoyo and her
rlm@2 1370 ribbon fetish. But it was very cute. She couldn’t wait to wear it for
rlm@2 1371 her.
rlm@2 1372 Tomoyo waited patiently in her room, staring at the spot where
rlm@2 1373 Sakura had been moments before, swishing about in the twirling skirts
rlm@2 1374 she had made for her. It wasn’t fair that her camcorder had been
rlm@2 1375 broken. This little fashion show would have made such a lovely tape!
rlm@2 1376 The type of thing she would watch again and again late at night and
rlm@2 1377 with her mother when she had some time away from work. But all she
rlm@2 1378 could do was try to remember every beautiful detail. Closing her
rlm@2 1379 eyes, she could imagine Sakura posing for her again, right there in
rlm@2 1380 front of her.
rlm@2 1381 This was her last night with Sakura. The next day was the end of
rlm@2 1382 their week together and her wish would be over. A bittersweet smile
rlm@2 1383 crossed her lips. She may not be able to have Sakura for forever, but
rlm@2 1384 she did have one beautiful week together with her. Even if she
rlm@2 1385 couldn’t be with Sakura, she got to experience her love, got to have
rlm@2 1386 a taste of the heavens. And she would never allow herself to forget
rlm@2 1387 that taste.
rlm@2 1388 Tomoyo had to admit that if she had to decide on an ending for
rlm@2 1389 their short-lived relationship, this was certainly a good one. A
rlm@2 1390 sparkling all-Sakura fashion show all for her. It was much better
rlm@2 1391 than watching Sakura on her videotapes. It was Sakura Live! It was
rlm@2 1392 the brunette in all of her amazing glory, right there for her to
rlm@2 1393 behold.
rlm@2 1394 The pale girl sighed, resting back in her bed. Soon this would all
rlm@2 1395 be over. Nothing but memories and dreams. But what was life without
rlm@2 1396 dreams? The heart can’t live without beautiful dreams to sustain it.
rlm@2 1397 She would miss this terribly. It would be unbearably difficult to
rlm@2 1398 just let go of Sakura’s love. But she would have to. And it would
rlm@2 1399 hurt. But she would always have these memories to fall back on. It
rlm@2 1400 wasn’t just a dream anymore. She now knew what it was like to have
rlm@2 1401 Sakura’s love. And it was more amazing than she had dared to imagine.
rlm@2 1402 Now when she saw Sakura married and in love, she would know exactly
rlm@2 1403 how lucky that other person was. And she would still have that little
rlm@2 1404 sliver of when Sakura had loved her that way. That would sustain her
rlm@2 1405 soul. It had to.
rlm@2 1406 The door opened, pulling Tomoyo’s attention away from her thoughts.
rlm@2 1407 In the doorway stood the athletic Cardmistress, resplendent in the
rlm@2 1408 red dress. It fit her perfectly, the ribbons making her look like a
rlm@2 1409 beautiful present. The heiress couldn’t say anything, transfixed by
rlm@2 1410 the image of her love. “You look lovely, Sakura-chan,” she said at
rlm@2 1411 last.
rlm@2 1412 Sakura blushed, stepping further into the room. She looked down,
rlm@2 1413 getting a different look at the outfit now that she was wearing it.
rlm@2 1414 “Thank you, Tomoyo-chan.” Looking up again, emerald green eyes met
rlm@2 1415 intense stormy blue. She was suddenly very glad Tomoyo picked this
rlm@2 1416 dress. It really was pretty and the heiress seemed to like it quite a
rlm@2 1417 bit. She turned to her side, posing for her friend. If Tomoyo still
rlm@2 1418 had her camcorder and wasn’t bedridden, now would be the time that
rlm@2 1419 the dark haired girl would be directing her, coming up with different
rlm@2 1420 positions for her and what she should be doing. So for now she just
rlm@2 1421 posed as best she could, wanting to do the best she could for her
rlm@2 1422 friend.
rlm@2 1423 Tomoyo wished more than ever that she still had her camcorder as
rlm@2 1424 she watched the Mistress of the Cards before her. She could always
rlm@2 1425 get Sakura to wear them again after her wish, but that just wouldn’t
rlm@2 1426 be the same. Sakura wouldn’t be wearing it the same way, with the
rlm@2 1427 same loving look in her eyes. It would just be disappointing. No, she
rlm@2 1428 would just have to remember this one. So her eye never wavered for a
rlm@2 1429 second, wanting to imprint the image forever in her mind.
rlm@2 1430 As if drawn by Tomoyo’s deep gaze, Sakura found herself nearing
rlm@2 1431 Tomoyo’s bed. Her heart was pounding in her chest more fiercely than
rlm@2 1432 during any of the trials she had faced. It took her a moment to
rlm@2 1433 realize that she had already come to a decision. It was that decision
rlm@2 1434 that had her so nervous. But it held her bound like a magic spell,
rlm@2 1435 pulling her forward. She couldn’t stop now if she wanted to. Sitting
rlm@2 1436 on the edge of the bed, she looked down at her bedridden friend, the
rlm@2 1437 injured girl staring back up at her. Slowly, she reached out and took
rlm@2 1438 Tomoyo’s hand where it stuck out from her cast.
rlm@2 1439 Watching Sakura, Tomoyo felt her cheeks flushing. Sakura was so
rlm@2 1440 close to her, gazing down into her eye. There was something there in
rlm@2 1441 those emerald orbs, something she was struggling to make out. They
rlm@2 1442 were warm, passionate. She could see a hint of nervousness in them as
rlm@2 1443 well. She squeezed Sakura’s hand with her own, trying to assuage the
rlm@2 1444 brunette’s worries. She always wanted to support Sakura, to be there
rlm@2 1445 for her. Even right now. Especially right now. Her fingers laced with
rlm@2 1446 Sakura’s, holding the gloved fingers tightly to her stomach. Her
rlm@2 1447 heart skipped a beat as she felt Sakura’s grip on her hand tighten.
rlm@2 1448 “Sakura-chan...” she whispered.
rlm@2 1449 The Cardmistress hesitated for a moment, a hurricane of thoughts
rlm@2 1450 swirling through her, all struggling for dominance. Should she? Could
rlm@2 1451 she? And then, a moment of calm. The eye of the storm. Everything was
rlm@2 1452 suddenly clear. Leaning down slowly, she held tightly onto Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 1453 hand, ready to kiss the dark haired girl. None of her thoughts
rlm@2 1454 mattered. This was what she wanted. Her shimmering first kiss with
rlm@2 1455 her one, true love. She could feel Tomoyo’s breath against her lips
rlm@2 1456 as she drew near, their hair teasing each other. She could only see
rlm@2 1457 into one of Tomoyo’s eyes, but it was a deep pool of adoration. That
rlm@2 1458 only spurred her on. Their noses touched ever so briefly, sliding
rlm@2 1459 across as she sought out Tomoyo’s lips. Her heart pounded in her
rlm@2 1460 chest as she rested half on top of Tomoyo, trying not to place too
rlm@2 1461 much weight on the injured girl. Their lips brushed lightly. Sakura
rlm@2 1462 felt sparks tingle through her, the feeling of petal soft lips
rlm@2 1463 blanketing her thoughts in a warm bliss.
rlm@2 1464 Tomoyo shuddered at the feeling of Sakura’s lips brushing against
rlm@2 1465 her own. Even that brief contact went straight to her heart. It felt
rlm@2 1466 so nice, so enticing. She pursed her lips, watching Sakura above her,
rlm@2 1467 her heart beating against Sakura’s chest. Feeling Sakura so close to
rlm@2 1468 her, against her, smelling her hair, seeing those large emerald orbs,
rlm@2 1469 it all coalesced around her into a real life fairy tale. But this
rlm@2 1470 wasn’t her fairy tale. No matter how much she wanted it to be.
rlm@2 1471 Closing her eyes, she sighed. Every bit of her wanted so much to give
rlm@2 1472 in, to let this kiss happen. But that wouldn’t be fair to Sakura. She
rlm@2 1473 could feel Sakura’s breath against her cheek and her resolve
rlm@2 1474 faltered. She already had a taste of Sakura’s love. Why couldn’t she
rlm@2 1475 have this? Why? Just this little bit of Sakura... In her love clouded
rlm@2 1476 mind, it all made so much sense. Just a kiss. Their first and last
rlm@2 1477 kiss. No one would ever have to know. Not even Sakura. So it wouldn’t
rlm@2 1478 be betraying Sakura. It would just be one, soft, lovely kiss...
rlm@2 1479 “Sakura-chan, please don’t,” Tomoyo whispered softly, reluctantly.
rlm@2 1480 She prayed that Sakura would stop in time. She prayed that Sakura
rlm@2 1481 wouldn’t listen to her and wouldn’t stop at all. She simply prayed
rlm@2 1482 with all her heart.
rlm@2 1483 “Tomoyo-chan?” Sakura asked, blinking slowly as if fighting off a
rlm@2 1484 haze. Why didn’t Tomoyo want to kiss her? Why didn’t she want to be
rlm@2 1485 close like that? Why didn’t she want to share their first kiss? Was
rlm@2 1486 something wrong? Sakura slowly sat up, disentangling herself from
rlm@2 1487 Tomoyo. “Tomoyo-chan, what’s wrong? Are you... not ready?” It was a
rlm@2 1488 silly question. Tomoyo didn’t seem to mind anything as long as it
rlm@2 1489 involved Sakura in some way, shape or form. Sakura couldn’t imagine
rlm@2 1490 her best friend not being ready to kiss. Tomoyo was already more
rlm@2 1491 mature than she was as it was. And if Sakura herself was ready...
rlm@2 1492 “No, it isn’t that, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo replied, her eye slowly
rlm@2 1493 opening. She sighed softly, not wanting to continue. There went her
rlm@2 1494 chance. And it was her own fault for it. “It’s that I don’t want to
rlm@2 1495 take advantage of you.” Explaining things was the only way out now.
rlm@2 1496 If she didn’t, it would only hurt Sakura’s feelings. She wanted
rlm@2 1497 Sakura to know that she wasn’t rejecting her.
rlm@2 1498 “Take advantage of me? No, it’s not like that at all. I want this,
rlm@2 1499 too, Tomoyo-chan! I do. With all my heart.” Sakura took Tomoyo’s hand
rlm@2 1500 in both of her own, holding it tightly. “I thought about this for a
rlm@2 1501 long time. It’s what I want. I want you to be my first kiss.” A blush
rlm@2 1502 crossed her cheeks when she finished.
rlm@2 1503 Tomoyo smiled sadly, looking up at the mistress of her heart. “And
rlm@2 1504 I would love to be able to do that for you, Sakura-chan. I want you
rlm@2 1505 to be my first kiss, too. But I can’t do that. I can’t take that away
rlm@2 1506 from you. I want your first kiss to be special. I want it to be with
rlm@2 1507 the one you really love.”
rlm@2 1508 “But I love you,” Sakura argued, not understanding. What was Tomoyo
rlm@2 1509 saying? Her heart began to beat in fright. She didn’t like where this
rlm@2 1510 was going at all. She held onto Tomoyo’s hand tighter, holding it
rlm@2 1511 like a lifeline.
rlm@2 1512 Squeezing Sakura’s hands back, Tomoyo felt her heart shiver within
rlm@2 1513 her. She didn’t want this to end. But she couldn’t hurt Sakura. She
rlm@2 1514 could never allow that of herself. “You don’t really love me, Sakura-
rlm@2 1515 chan. You granted me a wish last week. You didn’t know what it was.
rlm@2 1516 It made you fall in love with me,” Tomoyo explained quietly.”
rlm@2 1517 “No, that wasn’t it. It was...” Sakura blinked, trying to think
rlm@2 1518 back to that day. She had granted a wish for Tomoyo. She had
rlm@2 1519 forgotten what the wish was. And then she had realized her love for
rlm@2 1520 Tomoyo. A sudden pain shot through her heart. “No!! That’s not it! I
rlm@2 1521 do love you! It wasn’t a wish. It wasn’t...” Sakura sobbed weakly,
rlm@2 1522 tears falling onto the injured girl below her. The world had been
rlm@2 1523 pulled out from underneath her. She was falling, unable to grasp onto
rlm@2 1524 anything to slow her descent. This past week had been the best week
rlm@2 1525 of her life. This newfound love had meant everything to her. How
rlm@2 1526 could it only be a wish? Her hands clenched tightly onto Tomoyo’s,
rlm@2 1527 not letting go.
rlm@2 1528 Tomoyo held onto the other girl with her free arm, rubbing her
rlm@2 1529 back. “Please don’t cry, Sakura-chan. It makes me sad to see you
rlm@2 1530 cry,” she said softly. “You made my fondest wish come true. For this
rlm@2 1531 past week, you have given me the greatest happiness I could imagine.
rlm@2 1532 I would never want to give that up for anything.”
rlm@2 1533 “But I do love you!” Sakura insisted, sniffling. “It’s not just a
rlm@2 1534 spell. I never knew how I felt. But I do now. I love you, Tomoyo-
rlm@2 1535 chan. I love you so much. It’s not just magic. It can’t be. I love
rlm@2 1536 you too much for it to be. I don’t want it to go away. Ever.”
rlm@2 1537 “I love you, too, Sakura-chan. With all of my heart. That’s why I
rlm@2 1538 can’t go through with this. It’s only a charade. It was a beautiful
rlm@2 1539 charade, but I can’t betray you with it. Because it’s not what you’d
rlm@2 1540 really want. It’s only my selfish spell that made you love me. And
rlm@2 1541 it’s over tomorrow. Then you’ll be free to fall in love for real with
rlm@2 1542 someone else,” Tomoyo explained, trying desperately to smile for
rlm@2 1543 Sakura. Tears threatened to overcome her, but she couldn’t stand to
rlm@2 1544 cry in front of Sakura, not when the auburn haired girl needed her.
rlm@2 1545 “Then I’ll fall in love with you as soon as the spell wears off,”
rlm@2 1546 Sakura replied, wiping angrily at her eyes to get the tears away.
rlm@2 1547 Frustration and helplessness surrounded her, leaving her feeling lost
rlm@2 1548 and lonely. “You aren’t selfish for wanting someone to love you. We
rlm@2 1549 all want that Tomoyo-chan. And you deserve it more than anyone I
rlm@2 1550 know. I want you to have it.” Her voice broke, more tears spilling
rlm@2 1551 down her cheeks. “I want you to have it with me. I love you.” She
rlm@2 1552 held onto the pale girl tightly, not daring to let go.
rlm@2 1553 Closing her eyes tightly, Tomoyo kept rubbing Sakura’s back. Her
rlm@2 1554 own tears were silent, a quiet backdrop to Sakura’s sobs. ‘I’m so
rlm@2 1555 sorry, Sakura-chan. I want it to be with you, too. More than
rlm@2 1556 anything,’ she thought sadly.
rlm@2 1557
rlm@2 1558 “But I do love her, Kero-chan! She just doesn’t believe me. She
rlm@2 1559 thinks it’s all some spell. But it can’t be. I know it can’t. I
rlm@2 1560 really do love her.” Sakura squeezed her pillow tightly, wishing it
rlm@2 1561 was Tomoyo. She hated this. She felt sick. Ever since she had heard
rlm@2 1562 that her love might all be a dream she might wake up from, she had
rlm@2 1563 felt weak and brittle. If something so strong could be fake, then she
rlm@2 1564 had no idea what was real. But she couldn’t believe that. She
rlm@2 1565 couldn’t allow herself to.
rlm@2 1566 “...” Came Kero’s reply. He didn’t know what to say. It could very
rlm@2 1567 well be a spell for all he knew. Clow Reed had been rather
rlm@2 1568 unscrupulous with some of the spells he had worked in his day. And
rlm@2 1569 Sakura was even more powerful than he was. It sounded likely. But
rlm@2 1570 telling Sakura that didn’t sound like a good idea. He wanted to help
rlm@2 1571 his Mistress, but he didn’t know how.
rlm@2 1572 “I just have to prove it to her,” Sakura went on, ignoring her
rlm@2 1573 plush sidekick. “If I can make it past tomorrow afternoon, she’ll
rlm@2 1574 have to believe me. Because the deadline was only one week. And I
rlm@2 1575 know I love her. Because this wouldn’t hurt so much if I didn’t.”
rlm@2 1576 Resting her head against the pillow, she felt her tears soaking into
rlm@2 1577 it. She had thought that she had shed all of her tears at Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 1578 house, but they just kept coming. She sighed shakily.
rlm@2 1579 “I do love her. It’s not some stupid spell. Because she means
rlm@2 1580 everything to me. Because she makes me happy. I want to be with her
rlm@2 1581 forever. I want to hold her forever, just like I promised. When I
rlm@2 1582 close my eyes, I see her. I can hear her singing to me when I listen
rlm@2 1583 closely enough. When I’m with her, I’m the happiest girl in the
rlm@2 1584 world. When I’m away from her, I just want her to be there again.”
rlm@2 1585 Sakura held the pillow in a death grip, slumping onto her side in
rlm@2 1586 bed. “I’ve never felt this way before. Not even about Yukito. And not
rlm@2 1587 about Syaoran. She makes me feel better than I am. She makes me
rlm@2 1588 stronger, better, braver... I need her...” Her voice cracked again,
rlm@2 1589 her eyes shutting tightly.
rlm@2 1590 Sitting up, she clenched her fists tightly, blinking away her
rlm@2 1591 tears. Determination burned in her eyes. “I’m gonna prove it to her,
rlm@2 1592 Kero-chan. I don’t care if it was a wish or not. I love Tomoyo-chan.
rlm@2 1593 And I’ll love her even after tomorrow. I’ll love her forever.” Sleep
rlm@2 1594 would be long in coming that night, but Sakura focussed completely on
rlm@2 1595 her thoughts, on Tomoyo, on the feelings inside of her. She would
rlm@2 1596 overcome any spell. She wouldn’t let her love die the next day.
rlm@2 1597
rlm@2 1598 “Please, Tomoyo-chan, you need to eat,” Sonomi said worriedly,
rlm@2 1599 holding out a bit to her daughter. The girl in question simply lay in
rlm@2 1600 bed, the life once again faded from her eyes. What had happened to
rlm@2 1601 her precious daughter? She had been so vibrant for the past week, so
rlm@2 1602 alive. Even if her body was having trouble recovering, Sonomi had
rlm@2 1603 been thrilled to see the sparkle in her daughter when they would
rlm@2 1604 talk. And now it was all gone again, as if it had never been there at
rlm@2 1605 all.
rlm@2 1606 “I’m sorry, okaa-sama,” Tomoyo said quietly. “I can’t. It hurts too
rlm@2 1607 much.” She closed her eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears
rlm@2 1608 inside. She wanted to eat to appease her mother, but it was too
rlm@2 1609 difficult to work up the strength to eat. The last she had seen of
rlm@2 1610 Sakura was her wiping at her tear streaked cheeks before leaving.
rlm@2 1611 That image, her sad and lonely Sakura, remained with her. She would
rlm@2 1612 lose her the next day and it would all be over. And now Sakura was
rlm@2 1613 hurting because it. All because she wouldn’t kiss her. Tomoyo
rlm@2 1614 sniffled, closing her eyes tighter until they hurt. It was all her
rlm@2 1615 fault. Now she would be alone forever and her last memories of her
rlm@2 1616 time with Sakura would be that she ruined it.
rlm@2 1617 “What’s wrong?” Sonomi asked, suddenly concerned. “Where does it
rlm@2 1618 hurt, my little girl?” She set the plate aside, scooting closer to
rlm@2 1619 her daughter. Her heart cried out for Tomoyo, wanting some way to
rlm@2 1620 take away her pain, to wipe away those tears.
rlm@2 1621 “Everywhere,” Tomoyo replied, trying with all her heart not to cry,
rlm@2 1622 not to worry her mother. But it was no use. She felt herself being
rlm@2 1623 cradled in her mother’s arms, could hear her mother’s soft
rlm@2 1624 reassurances. Giving up, she burst into tears against Sonomi, crying
rlm@2 1625 in her arms. Those arms were her only solace. Sakura would soon be
rlm@2 1626 taken away from her and her memories would be marred with the pain
rlm@2 1627 she inadvertently caused. She cried against her mother until all her
rlm@2 1628 tears were gone. Sonomi would not leave her that night. Eventually,
rlm@2 1629 she fell asleep in her mother’s arms.
rlm@2 1630
rlm@2 1631 Tomoyo lay in bed silently, staring up at her ceiling once more.
rlm@2 1632 She felt drained. Her whole body felt weak, empty. Her mother had
rlm@2 1633 finally gone to work only after Tomoyo had promised her that she was
rlm@2 1634 feeling better and that she would try to eat. And it was true. She
rlm@2 1635 was feeling a little better. The night before she had felt hopeless.
rlm@2 1636 Now she could at least be thankful that Sakura would probably forget
rlm@2 1637 all about her pain in just a few short hours and would be back to her
rlm@2 1638 normal, genki self. And her love would be gone forever. She closed
rlm@2 1639 her eyes, not wanting to think about that. A knock at her door drew
rlm@2 1640 her attention. At first she thought it was a maid, but she quickly
rlm@2 1641 changed her mind. The knock was soft and shy. “Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo
rlm@2 1642 whispered. “Come on in, Sakura-chan,” she said louder. The door
rlm@2 1643 opened to reveal her friend.
rlm@2 1644 Sakura gazed over at Tomoyo for a long minute, feeling a little
rlm@2 1645 awkward. After the day before, she wasn’t quite sure what to say. She
rlm@2 1646 entered the room, closing the door behind her. Walking over to the
rlm@2 1647 bed, she sat next to Tomoyo. Her thoughts swirled around her, but
rlm@2 1648 they weren’t the same pleasant thoughts that had assailed her the day
rlm@2 1649 before when they had almost kissed. But she was here for a reason.
rlm@2 1650 She didn’t have much time left before the wish ran out. She took a
rlm@2 1651 deep breath, mustering up her motivation. It wasn’t over yet. “I have
rlm@2 1652 something for you,” she said at last.
rlm@2 1653 “You didn’t have to get me anything,” Tomoyo said quickly. She
rlm@2 1654 offered a small smile. “You’re all I ever really wanted. I’m glad
rlm@2 1655 you’re here.” She reached over, taking one of Sakura’s hands in her
rlm@2 1656 own. Sakura returned the smile briefly, making her feel a little
rlm@2 1657 better.
rlm@2 1658 Digging around in the bag she had brought with her, Sakura pulled
rlm@2 1659 out a new camcorder. She looked at it for a moment before handing it
rlm@2 1660 out to Tomoyo. “I got it with the money I have saved up. Well, and
rlm@2 1661 I’ll be doing onii-chan’s chores from now until I move out because he
rlm@2 1662 helped with it. But I wanted to get you something.”
rlm@2 1663 Tomoyo put a hand on the camcorder, running her fingers over it.
rlm@2 1664 Her old one was gone now, but Sakura had gone to get her a new one.
rlm@2 1665 That meant so much to her. She looked up quickly, meeting Sakura’s
rlm@2 1666 anxious gaze. “Thank you so much, Sakura-chan. It’s wonderful!”
rlm@2 1667 Sakura smiled back, obviously pleased. “I know you could buy
rlm@2 1668 another one, but I wanted to get it for you.” She reached out, taking
rlm@2 1669 Tomoyo’s hands. “When you get better... Please use it a lot. To make
rlm@2 1670 up for all the time you’ve been stuck in bed. Whenever you videotape
rlm@2 1671 me, I feel so special. I feel like I’m your movie star. And that.. it
rlm@2 1672 really makes me feel happy. Seeing you smile when you’re watching me,
rlm@2 1673 it makes me want to do everything I can for you in front of the
rlm@2 1674 camera.”
rlm@2 1675 Nodding solemnly, Tomoyo looks up at Sakura. “I will. I’ll
rlm@2 1676 videotape as much as I can of you. So I can capture all of the
rlm@2 1677 beautiful moments in your life.”
rlm@2 1678 “In our life,” Sakura corrects, squeezing Tomoyo’s hands. “I’m not
rlm@2 1679 going anywhere. I love you. I’ll always love you. This isn’t going to
rlm@2 1680 change anything. I want you to videotape all of the wonderful things
rlm@2 1681 in our life. Our first real date. Our first baby. Our wedding.
rlm@2 1682 Everything. I want to sit with you when we’re all grown up and watch
rlm@2 1683 these tapes together. I want to be able to look back and blush at
rlm@2 1684 seeing us together through all the years. And I want to say, ‘See,
rlm@2 1685 Tomoyo-chan? I told you I’d hold you forever.’ And I want you to
rlm@2 1686 smile and..” Sakura closed her eyes, trailing off as tears fell down
rlm@2 1687 her cheeks.
rlm@2 1688 Tomoyo gently brushed Sakura’s tears away with her fingertips. “I
rlm@2 1689 love you so much,” she whispered. “And I will always love you.
rlm@2 1690 Exactly because of things like this. Because Sakura-chan has the
rlm@2 1691 biggest heart I know. And I know I’ll always have an important place
rlm@2 1692 in your heart, even if it’s just as your best friend.” Her heart sung
rlm@2 1693 at Sakura’s devotion, at the hopes and dreams Sakura held for them.
rlm@2 1694 She wished those dreams could come true, that they could spend an
rlm@2 1695 eternity together.
rlm@2 1696 “I will love you!” Sakura shook her head, tears flinging from her
rlm@2 1697 cheeks. “Even if I have to use another magic spell. I’ll always love
rlm@2 1698 you. I need you. I don’t want to lose you after all this.”
rlm@2 1699 Smiling softly, Tomoyo trailed her fingers through Sakura’s hair.
rlm@2 1700 “But then you wouldn’t be the Sakura-chan that I’m in love with. You
rlm@2 1701 wouldn’t be able to shine. Because you would be lying to your heart.
rlm@2 1702 And I want your heart to be free. I want you to fall in love with the
rlm@2 1703 person who can make you happiest, whoever that may be. Because I love
rlm@2 1704 you.”
rlm@2 1705 “How can you say that? How can you let that happen? Because I don’t
rlm@2 1706 ever want you being in love with someone else. I love you so much. I
rlm@2 1707 couldn’t let you go. You do make me happy. You make me more than I
rlm@2 1708 am. That’s why I don’t want to ever let you go,” Sakura argued, tears
rlm@2 1709 still falling past her chin.
rlm@2 1710 Tomoyo sighed, her eyes closing for a moment. She felt so tired. If
rlm@2 1711 only they could live happily ever after... “If Sakura-chan couldn’t
rlm@2 1712 let me go... That would make me very happy. And I’ll always love you.
rlm@2 1713 I’ll always be yours, Sakura-chan. Whether or not you know that.” It
rlm@2 1714 was hard for her to keep seeing this as magic. Sakura genuinely
rlm@2 1715 seemed to be in love. With her. She really seemed to want to spend
rlm@2 1716 forever with her. It was hard to write it off as just the spell.
rlm@2 1717 Because she knew Sakura. And Sakura was fighting desperately to hold
rlm@2 1718 onto her right now. And she didn’t want to fight against Sakura.
rlm@2 1719 Maybe Sakura really did love her. Her heart skipped a beat at that
rlm@2 1720 thought. Maybe she had been wrong all along.
rlm@2 1721 “I love you, too, Tomoyo-chan. And I always will. No matter what
rlm@2 1722 some stupid spell says. I love you,” Sakura insisted. As if to prove
rlm@2 1723 her point, she leant forward. Her tear-filled eyes closed as she
rlm@2 1724 leant over her best friend. Her hands held onto Tomoyo’s sides as she
rlm@2 1725 came closer. ‘I love you!’ she wanted to scream with every fiber of
rlm@2 1726 her being. She wasn’t going to let that die. Nothing would kill that.
rlm@2 1727 It may have just been a spell at first, but it was more than that
rlm@2 1728 now. She did love Tomoyo. And nothing would ever take that away from
rlm@2 1729 her.
rlm@2 1730 Tomoyo could feel Sakura against her, the Cardmistress’s chest
rlm@2 1731 shaking slightly as her body shook from crying too much. The heiress
rlm@2 1732 held onto the auburn haired girl as best she could, wanting to take
rlm@2 1733 that all away. Her dearest Sakura should never have to be marred by
rlm@2 1734 tears. Her own heart swelled as she saw Sakura leaning towards her.
rlm@2 1735 She didn’t want to betray Sakura. But she wasn’t betraying Sakura.
rlm@2 1736 This really was Sakura. These were her feelings, her hopes and
rlm@2 1737 dreams. Tomoyo met Sakura’s lips as they reached hers. That silky
rlm@2 1738 soft feeling melted against her lips, drawing away her breath in a
rlm@2 1739 sensuous kiss. She kissed Sakura back, her working arm going around
rlm@2 1740 Sakura’s waist as they did. Each kiss was like a declaration of love,
rlm@2 1741 a prayer that things would work out, that this wasn’t the end.
rlm@2 1742 Sakura finally felt Tomoyo lips against her own. This time there
rlm@2 1743 was no resistance. Tomoyo was kissing her back softly, sending a
rlm@2 1744 shiver through her body. It felt so nice. ‘I do love you,’ Sakura
rlm@2 1745 thought again, kissing back with all the strength she could muster.
rlm@2 1746 Tomoyo seemed a bit surprised at first, but quickly matched her.
rlm@2 1747 Sakura never wanted their lips to part. It felt intoxicating, like
rlm@2 1748 being bathed in pure love. She snuggled closer to Tomoyo, embracing
rlm@2 1749 her as they kissed again. If only she could keep kissing her until
rlm@2 1750 the deadline, until it was all over. She felt safe with Tomoyo, in
rlm@2 1751 her arms. She felt a dizzying mix of warmth and wonder at each
rlm@2 1752 additional kiss. She would prove to Tomoyo that she would hold her
rlm@2 1753 forever. That they would be together forever. She would make Tomoyo
rlm@2 1754 happy. They would always.. always... They would always what?
rlm@2 1755 Their lips met in kiss after kiss, turning Tomoyo’s world into a
rlm@2 1756 sea of cherry blossoms. Each lingering kiss felt like a brush of
rlm@2 1757 angel wings against her soul. For once, Tomoyo could fully express
rlm@2 1758 her love for the brunette, and she did so as best she could. She
rlm@2 1759 kissed back with all the love in her heart, trying not to think about
rlm@2 1760 tomorrow. There was only now. And now would last forever. She could
rlm@2 1761 slowly feel Sakura lessening the kisses, could feel less coming from
rlm@2 1762 the other girl. Sakura seemed bewildered, out of place. Tomoyo
rlm@2 1763 stopped immediately. Looking up at her friend. Her heart cried out, a
rlm@2 1764 sharp blade slicing through it. She wanted to deny it, to believe
rlm@2 1765 that it wasn’t true. But Sakura just looked at her in confusion. It
rlm@2 1766 was over. Her blissful week was gone. Sakura’s love was gone. Her
rlm@2 1767 most treasured gift was now no more than a memory.
rlm@2 1768 “Tomoyo-chan? What happened? I can’t remember anything. It’s all
rlm@2 1769 blurry. Hoe...” Sakura shook her head, trying to focus. But the
rlm@2 1770 harder she focussed, the further away it all got. Like a dream upon
rlm@2 1771 awakening, it all began to fade from her mind as if it had never
rlm@2 1772 been. She shook her head, sitting up. Had she fallen asleep on Tomoyo
rlm@2 1773 or something? “Did I make your wish come true?” she asked hopefully.
rlm@2 1774 That was the last thing she could remember, trying to make Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 1775 wish come true.
rlm@2 1776 Tomoyo forced a smile, blinking quickly. “Yes, you did, Sakura-
rlm@2 1777 chan. You did it wonderfully. It was the most beautiful wish I could
rlm@2 1778 ever hope for. Thank you so much for this week,” she said with all
rlm@2 1779 her heart. All her broken heart. Sakura’s love was gone forever now.
rlm@2 1780 Only her memory remained of it. She didn’t even have videos of it to
rlm@2 1781 relive it all. Only the time they shared. Now she would have to give
rlm@2 1782 it all up. And for Sakura, she could. At least Sakura wasn’t scared
rlm@2 1783 about losing her love anymore. Because for her, it had never been.
rlm@2 1784 But for Tomoyo, it would always live on in her heart.
rlm@2 1785 “Tomoyo-chan, are you crying?” Sakura asked worriedly.
rlm@2 1786 “Everything will always be all right,” Tomoyo whispered.
rlm@2 1787
rlm@2 1788 Several Years Later:
rlm@2 1789
rlm@2 1790 Tomoyo knelt before Sakura, sewing up a few last modifications on
rlm@2 1791 her best friend’s wedding dress. The wedding was only a day away and
rlm@2 1792 Tomoyo wanted everything to be perfect for her dearest Sakura. She
rlm@2 1793 had tried her hardest to help Sakura and Syaoran get together. They
rlm@2 1794 really did make such a cute couple. And seeing Sakura about to get
rlm@2 1795 married gave Tomoyo something to latch onto, to pour all of her heart
rlm@2 1796 and soul into. Sakura had given her practically a free reign over the
rlm@2 1797 wedding to do with as she pleased. So the heiress was putting her all
rlm@2 1798 into making sure it was the best wedding ever. She wanted it to be
rlm@2 1799 something Sakura would never forget. It was supposed to be the
rlm@2 1800 happiest moment in Sakura’s life, so it had to be absolutely perfect.
rlm@2 1801 Suppressing a yawn, Tomoyo went back to work on Sakura’s dress. She
rlm@2 1802 had barely gotten any sleep at all in the past week and a half. There
rlm@2 1803 was so much to do and she wanted to finish all of it in time for the
rlm@2 1804 wedding. Her life had been dedicated completely to the wedding, to
rlm@2 1805 the realization of her most cherished wish for Sakura to be happy.
rlm@2 1806 There would be no sleep that night either. She still had to make the
rlm@2 1807 wedding cake and finish the last few modifications on the wedding
rlm@2 1808 dress, which she was doing now. Sleep didn’t matter. Sakura’s wedding
rlm@2 1809 did. There would be plenty of time for sleep when Sakura was off on
rlm@2 1810 her honeymoon. And plenty of time for crying. But that was all for
rlm@2 1811 later. For now she had Sakura’s wedding to look forward to. In many
rlm@2 1812 ways, she had been hoping for it even more than Sakura. Because it
rlm@2 1813 had always been something she fantasized about, Sakura’s gorgeous
rlm@2 1814 wedding. So she had to strive to make that dream a reality.
rlm@2 1815 “Tomoyo-chan, are you okay?” Sakura asked concernedly. “You don’t
rlm@2 1816 look so well. You look sick.” She held her hands together in front of
rlm@2 1817 her as she waited for Tomoyo to finish. She felt so nervous.
rlm@2 1818 Smiling weakly, the young businesswoman shook her head. “I’m fine,
rlm@2 1819 Sakura-chan. I’ve just been very busy lately. It will be better after
rlm@2 1820 the wedding. Then I can watch my tape of Sakura-chan’s Happy Wedding
rlm@2 1821 over and over and over again.” Tomoyo sighed dreamily, returning to
rlm@2 1822 the task at hand.
rlm@2 1823 “But.. Tomoyo-chan, aren’t you lonely?” Sakura asked curiously,
rlm@2 1824 looking down at the beautiful heiress kneeling before her.
rlm@2 1825 “The best happiness is knowing that the one you love is happy. If
rlm@2 1826 they’re happy, that’s all that truly matters,” Tomoyo replied, not
rlm@2 1827 looking up. Of course she was lonely. But that was all right. Because
rlm@2 1828 Sakura wouldn’t be.
rlm@2 1829 Sweatdropping, Sakura continued to stare down at her friend. “I
rlm@2 1830 must be selfish, then. Because I want to be happy, too.” She sighed,
rlm@2 1831 waiting patiently for her friend to finish. She was used to being
rlm@2 1832 Tomoyo’s model for dresses by now, but the fact that this wasn’t just
rlm@2 1833 some normal costume sent a fresh wave of butterflies through her
rlm@2 1834 stomach.
rlm@2 1835 Tomoyo stopped her work, looking up at last. “You deserve to be
rlm@2 1836 happy, Sakura-chan. That’s not selfish at all. You want to be loved,
rlm@2 1837 to be happy. And that’s what I want for you, too.”
rlm@2 1838 “I hope so.” Sakura sighed, her eyes closing for a moment as she
rlm@2 1839 tried to relax. Kneeling down, she looked over at Tomoyo. Reaching
rlm@2 1840 into midair, she summoned a small ring with her magic. Looking into
rlm@2 1841 Tomoyo’s eyes, she took another nervous breath. “Tomoyo-chan, will
rlm@2 1842 you marry me?” she asked, holding out the ring in her hands.
rlm@2 1843 Tomoyo could only stare in shock for a frozen moment. This didn’t
rlm@2 1844 make sense. It didn’t compute for Tomoyo. Sakura plus Syaoran equals
rlm@2 1845 happiness. This wasn’t anything that she had planned. “But.. what
rlm@2 1846 about Syaoran?” she asked desperately, trying to make sense out of
rlm@2 1847 the situation. Her heart was thundering in her chest as she met
rlm@2 1848 Sakura’s gaze. Watching Sakura in her wedding dress, hearing her
rlm@2 1849 propose, she felt weak.
rlm@2 1850 Sakura looks down before answering. “I called it off a few nights
rlm@2 1851 ago. He’s already back in Hong Kong. My heart just wasn’t in it. You
rlm@2 1852 wanted this wedding more than I did. That’s why I couldn’t tell you.
rlm@2 1853 I didn’t want to break your heart. I didn’t want this wedding dress
rlm@2 1854 you worked so hard on to go to waste.” She pulled at the dress in
rlm@2 1855 emphasis. “I couldn’t let you do all that for the wedding and then
rlm@2 1856 just call it off. But my heart didn’t belong to him. I didn’t love
rlm@2 1857 him. I’ve been feeling more and more lately like I was just going to
rlm@2 1858 marry him because everyone wanted me to. Like I didn’t have a choice
rlm@2 1859 in the matter, that it was all expected of me. And more and more...”
rlm@2 1860 she sighs, looking back up into Tomoyo’s eyes. “I’ve been missing
rlm@2 1861 you. You’ve always been there for me, Tomoyo-chan. But sometimes I
rlm@2 1862 forget that I need to be there for you, too. And I want to be there
rlm@2 1863 for you. Through everything. Because I love you. I finally realized
rlm@2 1864 that. You’re the one who always makes me happy. Not him. Not anyone
rlm@2 1865 else. You do. Making this dress for me, working on my wedding, you
rlm@2 1866 were trying to give me something beautiful. You were trying to make
rlm@2 1867 me happy. I love you, Tomoyo-chan. I want to have this wedding. With
rlm@2 1868 you. It’s just as much your wedding as it is mine. You spent so much
rlm@2 1869 time on it. You deserve a little happiness, too.”
rlm@2 1870 “Sakura-chan...” Tomoyo was taken aback by the sudden turn of
rlm@2 1871 events. Sakura’s words had her heart melting. She swallowed back
rlm@2 1872 tears, holding her hands to her chest. Her eyes were lost in emerald
rlm@2 1873 pools. It wasn’t even a question. “Of course I’ll marry you, Sakura-
rlm@2 1874 chan!” Tomoyo watched as Sakura breathed a sigh of relief and giggled
rlm@2 1875 herself, the tension draining from her weary body. Sakura reached out
rlm@2 1876 and took her hand, sliding the small ring on her finger. Such a
rlm@2 1877 delicate act sent ripples through Tomoyo’s heart and soul. Sakura’s
rlm@2 1878 hand didn’t leave hers when it was done, instead settling on her
rlm@2 1879 palm. She gazed at Sakura adoringly. This wedding had been all about
rlm@2 1880 Sakura’s happiness. It had been the goal she had striven for. And now
rlm@2 1881 Sakura was sharing that with her. “I’ll need to have someone use my
rlm@2 1882 camcorder to record it all,” she said thoughtfully.
rlm@2 1883 “I’m sure we’ll always remember it, even if it’s not on tape,”
rlm@2 1884 Sakura reassured her eccentric fiance.
rlm@2 1885 Tomoyo smiled at the other woman. “I made a promise a long time ago
rlm@2 1886 that I would. And years from now, we’ll sit together and watch it,
rlm@2 1887 those beautiful times we’ve spent together.”
rlm@2 1888 Returning the smile, Sakura nodded. “Un! And we’ll always be making
rlm@2 1889 plenty of new memories together, too.” She leant forward, a little
rlm@2 1890 shyly. Tomoyo met her halfway, kissing her. Sakura relaxed into the
rlm@2 1891 kiss, her fingers entwining with Tomoyo. The wedding seemed far off,
rlm@2 1892 like a distant happening. This was what she really wanted. Her
rlm@2 1893 fingers gently brushed through Tomoyo’s beautiful hair, feeling the
rlm@2 1894 strands between her fingers. She could feel Tomoyo’s warm hand on her
rlm@2 1895 cheek. She sighed happily as she sat back.
rlm@2 1896 Tomoyo watched Sakura, entranced. Her head was still swimming from
rlm@2 1897 their kiss. The wedding she longed for, the girl she loved, the
rlm@2 1898 happiness she didn’t think she could have had all managed to find
rlm@2 1899 their way onto her lap. It was almost too much to bear. Sakura hugged
rlm@2 1900 her tightly, the wedding dress clad woman snuggling against her.
rlm@2 1901 Tomoyo sighed deliciously, melting against the auburn haired girl.
rlm@2 1902 “I’ll never let go, Tomoyo-chan, I promise,” Sakura whispered, her
rlm@2 1903 eyes closed. Her fingers trailed absentmindedly through Tomoyo’s
rlm@2 1904 silky hair. For the first time in months, she wasn’t worried about
rlm@2 1905 her wedding. Now she couldn’t wait. She didn’t know how she would
rlm@2 1906 explain the change of plans to everyone, but it didn’t seem to
rlm@2 1907 matter. Tomoyo would be there with her. She could do anything with
rlm@2 1908 Tomoyo by her side.
rlm@2 1909 “That’s all I could ever wish for,” Tomoyo replied, resting her
rlm@2 1910 head on Sakura’s shoulder. There was still much to be done for the
rlm@2 1911 wedding. She still needed to finish Sakura’s dress. And she hadn’t
rlm@2 1912 even started on the cake. But all of that paled in comparison to
rlm@2 1913 Sakura herself. Tomoyo finally had her wish. Sakura was happy. And in
rlm@2 1914 a beautiful miracle, she got to be the one to make Sakura happy.
rlm@2 1915 There would be time for a big, noisy wedding soon. For now, she just
rlm@2 1916 wanted to be with Sakura. And Sakura felt the same. Sighing happily,
rlm@2 1917 Tomoyo nuzzled Sakura’s neck, her eyes falling shut. “I love you,”
rlm@2 1918 she whispered, her voice muffled in Sakura’s dress. She had finally
rlm@2 1919 found the magic. It was there. Everything really would be all right.
rlm@2 1920 Because Sakura brought out that magic. And she could believe that
rlm@2 1921 with Sakura. Because their happiness was intertwined, two beautiful
rlm@2 1922 red ribbons tied together into a bow. “So what do we name our baby?”
rlm@2 1923 Tomoyo asked curiously.
rlm@2 1924 “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura sweatdropped. “Don’t you think you’re
rlm@2 1925 looking a little too far forward?”
rlm@2 1926 “I’ve been planning Sakura-chan’s wedding since I was ten years
rlm@2 1927 old. I like to have everything nice and worked out so that it can go
rlm@2 1928 smoothly,” Tomoyo explains. “And you’ve already granted one of my
rlm@2 1929 wishes. And wishes usually come in threes. My next was to see Sakura-
rlm@2 1930 chan with a beautiful baby.”
rlm@2 1931 Sakura giggled softly, nodding. “Hai, I’ll see what I can do about
rlm@2 1932 that one. But later. And what’s your third wish? It has something to
rlm@2 1933 do with ribbons, right?”
rlm@2 1934 Tomoyo blinked. “How did you guess?”
rlm@2 1935 Sakura blushed, holding closer to Tomoyo. “I should have known. I
rlm@2 1936 think I can make that one come true on the honeymoon.”
rlm@2 1937 “See? It’s fun to plan things ahead. And I think Sakura-chan’s
rlm@2 1938 getting good at it.” The pale girl giggled, resting against Sakura.
rlm@2 1939 Their hearts beat in tandem. And the two held each other, listening
rlm@2 1940 to their very own melody.
rlm@2 1941
rlm@2 1942