rlm@2
|
1 Stepping Stones to the Future
|
rlm@2
|
2
|
rlm@2
|
3
|
rlm@2
|
4 This is a fanfic about Tomoyo and
|
rlm@2
|
5 Sakura . It is a darker story than my previous
|
rlm@2
|
6 ones and it made me cry as I was writing it on
|
rlm@2
|
7 paper. I know that all of you are more
|
rlm@2
|
8 knowledgeable about CCS than I am, but I hope
|
rlm@2
|
9 you will like the story anyway. There are some
|
rlm@2
|
10 female to female interactions but no hentai ,
|
rlm@2
|
11 and as always please send your comments to me at
|
rlm@2
|
12 rphjas@lycos.com. This is the reason I have begun
|
rlm@2
|
13 writing again since 1975. I get to hear from you
|
rlm@2
|
14 and please, comments good or bad are always
|
rlm@2
|
15 welcome can't get better without them because
|
rlm@2
|
16 I still want to put my dreams into words for
|
rlm@2
|
17 you. Humbly yours Joe Saunders rphjas-san at
|
rlm@2
|
18 rphjas@lycos.com .
|
rlm@2
|
19
|
rlm@2
|
20 At the Daidouji Estate:
|
rlm@2
|
21
|
rlm@2
|
22 Tomoyo was satisfied with her preparations.
|
rlm@2
|
23 Everyone in the mansion was sound asleep and
|
rlm@2
|
24 her bedroom door was locked. She had laid out
|
rlm@2
|
25 several of her most precious treasures of Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
26 on her large four poster bed. She had
|
rlm@2
|
27 painstakingly placed the camcorder and tripod in
|
rlm@2
|
28 the right location. The light in the gigantic
|
rlm@2
|
29 room was at the perfect intensity. A soft
|
rlm@2
|
30 melancholic melody could be heard in the
|
rlm@2
|
31 background as Tomoyo worked in the room. Lying
|
rlm@2
|
32 on the bureau next to her sewing bag, the
|
rlm@2
|
33 manilla envelope waited to receive the soon to
|
rlm@2
|
34 be completed videotape.
|
rlm@2
|
35
|
rlm@2
|
36 Gazing into her mirror, Tomoyo made some adjustments to
|
rlm@2
|
37 her long lavender hair-tweaking a ribbon here or a bow there.
|
rlm@2
|
38 She judged her appearance before the mirror. She
|
rlm@2
|
39 looked like an expert doll maker's masterpiece.
|
rlm@2
|
40 Beautiful lavender hair fell on her shoulders and
|
rlm@2
|
41 behind her back. Luminous lavender eyes
|
rlm@2
|
42 sparkled in her seemingly porcelain-like face.
|
rlm@2
|
43 Her long dress was a beautiful egg-shell blue
|
rlm@2
|
44 covered with red lace, bows, and trim. Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
45 sadly smiled at her reflection, but she could
|
rlm@2
|
46 not cry because all of the tears had been shed
|
rlm@2
|
47 during previous nights.
|
rlm@2
|
48
|
rlm@2
|
49 “I must look my best for my Sakura-chan.” thought Tomoyo as she
|
rlm@2
|
50 steeled up her willpower. Picking up a small
|
rlm@2
|
51 rubber eraser from the bureau top, she clasped
|
rlm@2
|
52 both hands around it and brought them to her
|
rlm@2
|
53 chest as if she were praying.
|
rlm@2
|
54
|
rlm@2
|
55 “Now for you, my Sakura-chan.”whispered Tomoyo.
|
rlm@2
|
56 “My one last gift to you...“
|
rlm@2
|
57
|
rlm@2
|
58
|
rlm@2
|
59 At the Kinomoto home:
|
rlm@2
|
60
|
rlm@2
|
61
|
rlm@2
|
62
|
rlm@2
|
63
|
rlm@2
|
64 Sakura picked at her food even though she was
|
rlm@2
|
65 hungry. She had been uneasy throughout supper.
|
rlm@2
|
66
|
rlm@2
|
67
|
rlm@2
|
68 Touya's teasing bounced off her ears and went
|
rlm@2
|
69 unnoticed. Her loving father's questions about
|
rlm@2
|
70 her
|
rlm@2
|
71
|
rlm@2
|
72 day were lethargically answered. At the end
|
rlm@2
|
73 of supper, she lazily waved at her father and
|
rlm@2
|
74 elder
|
rlm@2
|
75
|
rlm@2
|
76 brother as they went to their respective
|
rlm@2
|
77 jobs. After finishing her chores, she listlessly
|
rlm@2
|
78 climbed the
|
rlm@2
|
79
|
rlm@2
|
80 stairs and walked into her room.
|
rlm@2
|
81
|
rlm@2
|
82
|
rlm@2
|
83
|
rlm@2
|
84
|
rlm@2
|
85 “Welcome home, Sakura.”said Kero while he was
|
rlm@2
|
86 playing one of his favorite video games.
|
rlm@2
|
87
|
rlm@2
|
88
|
rlm@2
|
89
|
rlm@2
|
90
|
rlm@2
|
91 “OhHi , Kero.”said Sakura as she went to
|
rlm@2
|
92 her desk to start her homework.
|
rlm@2
|
93
|
rlm@2
|
94
|
rlm@2
|
95
|
rlm@2
|
96
|
rlm@2
|
97
|
rlm@2
|
98
|
rlm@2
|
99
|
rlm@2
|
100
|
rlm@2
|
101 Kero flew up to the desk, licking his lips in
|
rlm@2
|
102 anticipation of the evening dessert.
|
rlm@2
|
103
|
rlm@2
|
104
|
rlm@2
|
105
|
rlm@2
|
106 “Hey,
|
rlm@2
|
107 Sakura where's my dessert?!”exclaimed Kero as
|
rlm@2
|
108 he angrily plopped down on her
|
rlm@2
|
109
|
rlm@2
|
110 desktop.
|
rlm@2
|
111
|
rlm@2
|
112
|
rlm@2
|
113
|
rlm@2
|
114
|
rlm@2
|
115 Sakura looked at Kero with a dazed expression
|
rlm@2
|
116 and said,“Sorry, Kero-chan. Let me go back
|
rlm@2
|
117
|
rlm@2
|
118
|
rlm@2
|
119 downstairs to the kitchen and bring you my share.”
|
rlm@2
|
120
|
rlm@2
|
121
|
rlm@2
|
122
|
rlm@2
|
123 With heartfelt concern, Kero said, “Don't
|
rlm@2
|
124 worry about it, Sakura. You don't seem like your
|
rlm@2
|
125 usual
|
rlm@2
|
126
|
rlm@2
|
127 self today. What's wrong?”He flexed his
|
rlm@2
|
128 tiny biceps and continued, “Is that Li kid making
|
rlm@2
|
129
|
rlm@2
|
130
|
rlm@2
|
131 trouble for you? If so, I'll change into my
|
rlm@2
|
132 true form and bat him around like a soccer ball!
|
rlm@2
|
133
|
rlm@2
|
134
|
rlm@2
|
135 Sakura shook her head and answered,“No,
|
rlm@2
|
136 Kero-chan - He's been treating me ok. It's just
|
rlm@2
|
137 that
|
rlm@2
|
138
|
rlm@2
|
139 my heart has been feeling like a tick's
|
rlm@2
|
140 been sucking the blood out of it until only a
|
rlm@2
|
141 withered husk
|
rlm@2
|
142
|
rlm@2
|
143 will remain. Oh Kero-chan, I can't
|
rlm@2
|
144 put it into words!”concluded Sakura with a
|
rlm@2
|
145 sigh.
|
rlm@2
|
146
|
rlm@2
|
147
|
rlm@2
|
148
|
rlm@2
|
149 Kero thought for a moment with his hand
|
rlm@2
|
150 balled under his chin. He asked, “When did this
|
rlm@2
|
151 feeling
|
rlm@2
|
152
|
rlm@2
|
153 start, Sakura?”
|
rlm@2
|
154 It started sometime
|
rlm@2
|
155 after school and continued as I skated along with
|
rlm@2
|
156 Tomoyo-chan. It has
|
rlm@2
|
157
|
rlm@2
|
158 gotten worse since I got
|
rlm@2
|
159 home and I can't figure out what it is!”
|
rlm@2
|
160 answered Sakura in a frustrated
|
rlm@2
|
161
|
rlm@2
|
162 voice.
|
rlm@2
|
163
|
rlm@2
|
164
|
rlm@2
|
165
|
rlm@2
|
166
|
rlm@2
|
167 Kero responded,“Calm down, Sakura. Banging
|
rlm@2
|
168 your head against a wall won't solve anything.
|
rlm@2
|
169
|
rlm@2
|
170
|
rlm@2
|
171 Kero mused,'Since all of the Cards have been
|
rlm@2
|
172 sealed and Eriol has left, I don't think it is
|
rlm@2
|
173
|
rlm@2
|
174
|
rlm@2
|
175 anything serious. Maybe you just left your
|
rlm@2
|
176 recorder at school!”
|
rlm@2
|
177
|
rlm@2
|
178
|
rlm@2
|
179
|
rlm@2
|
180 Sakura angrily swatted
|
rlm@2
|
181 at Kero who nimbly dodged her hand. “It's not
|
rlm@2
|
182 that simple, Kero!”yelled
|
rlm@2
|
183
|
rlm@2
|
184 Sakura. “I think
|
rlm@2
|
185 this is a premonition, but I just don't know what
|
rlm@2
|
186 it is about!”
|
rlm@2
|
187
|
rlm@2
|
188
|
rlm@2
|
189
|
rlm@2
|
190 Kero guiltily looked at Sakura. “I'm sorry for
|
rlm@2
|
191 trifling with you, Sakura. I wish
|
rlm@2
|
192 that I could help
|
rlm@2
|
193
|
rlm@2
|
194 you better with this problem.
|
rlm@2
|
195 Hey maybe a nice hot bath and a good night's
|
rlm@2
|
196 sleep will help you
|
rlm@2
|
197
|
rlm@2
|
198 clear everything up in the
|
rlm@2
|
199 morning!”
|
rlm@2
|
200
|
rlm@2
|
201
|
rlm@2
|
202
|
rlm@2
|
203
|
rlm@2
|
204 “You're probably right, Kero-chan.”said
|
rlm@2
|
205 Sakura. “And I am sorry I tried to hit you. I
|
rlm@2
|
206 know you
|
rlm@2
|
207
|
rlm@2
|
208 were only trying to cheer me up.
|
rlm@2
|
209
|
rlm@2
|
210
|
rlm@2
|
211
|
rlm@2
|
212
|
rlm@2
|
213 Kero puffed out his little chest and said ,
|
rlm@2
|
214 “Apologies accepted, Sakura. Trust the great and
|
rlm@2
|
215
|
rlm@2
|
216
|
rlm@2
|
217 powerful Guardian Beast! All will be well by
|
rlm@2
|
218 morning and I'll even forgive you for not
|
rlm@2
|
219 bringing
|
rlm@2
|
220
|
rlm@2
|
221 me any dessert!
|
rlm@2
|
222
|
rlm@2
|
223
|
rlm@2
|
224
|
rlm@2
|
225 Sakura weakly
|
rlm@2
|
226 laughed at Kero's posturing and remarks. ”You're
|
rlm@2
|
227 probably right, Kero-chan and I
|
rlm@2
|
228
|
rlm@2
|
229 am way too out
|
rlm@2
|
230 of it to do anything constructive tonight.”
|
rlm@2
|
231
|
rlm@2
|
232
|
rlm@2
|
233
|
rlm@2
|
234
|
rlm@2
|
235
|
rlm@2
|
236
|
rlm@2
|
237
|
rlm@2
|
238
|
rlm@2
|
239
|
rlm@2
|
240 At The Daidouji Estate:
|
rlm@2
|
241
|
rlm@2
|
242
|
rlm@2
|
243
|
rlm@2
|
244
|
rlm@2
|
245
|
rlm@2
|
246
|
rlm@2
|
247
|
rlm@2
|
248
|
rlm@2
|
249
|
rlm@2
|
250 Tomoyo had about five minutes before the
|
rlm@2
|
251 camcorder and tape player turned on
|
rlm@2
|
252 simultaneously.
|
rlm@2
|
253
|
rlm@2
|
254 She had been secretly rehearsing
|
rlm@2
|
255 and preparing for this evening's performance for
|
rlm@2
|
256 over a week.
|
rlm@2
|
257
|
rlm@2
|
258 While completing some minor
|
rlm@2
|
259 adjustments to her hair and dress, Tomoyo did
|
rlm@2
|
260 another quick run-
|
rlm@2
|
261
|
rlm@2
|
262 thru of where she would stand
|
rlm@2
|
263 and the words she would sing from the lyrics she
|
rlm@2
|
264 had
|
rlm@2
|
265
|
rlm@2
|
266 painstakingly written and memorized. She
|
rlm@2
|
267 still clung onto the little eraser that Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
268 had given
|
rlm@2
|
269
|
rlm@2
|
270 to her at their first encounter. She
|
rlm@2
|
271 thought, “Now I can say the words to Sakura that
|
rlm@2
|
272 I never dared
|
rlm@2
|
273
|
rlm@2
|
274 to say. I can use my camcorder,
|
rlm@2
|
275 melody, and lyrics that I wrote from my innermost
|
rlm@2
|
276 heart and
|
rlm@2
|
277
|
rlm@2
|
278 reveal my true feelings this one and
|
rlm@2
|
279 only time.”
|
rlm@2
|
280
|
rlm@2
|
281
|
rlm@2
|
282
|
rlm@2
|
283 'I must perform perfectly.'mused
|
rlm@2
|
284 Tomoyo as she walked to the small tapedx
|
rlm@2
|
285 placed on the
|
rlm@2
|
286
|
rlm@2
|
287 floor which divided her bed into
|
rlm@2
|
288 symmetrical halves.
|
rlm@2
|
289
|
rlm@2
|
290
|
rlm@2
|
291
|
rlm@2
|
292 “For my beloved Sakura-
|
rlm@2
|
293 chan,“whispered Tomoyo. She inhaled deeply and
|
rlm@2
|
294 then slowly exhaled
|
rlm@2
|
295
|
rlm@2
|
296 - blowing away the facial
|
rlm@2
|
297 masks that she used in her everyday life.
|
rlm@2
|
298
|
rlm@2
|
299
|
rlm@2
|
300
|
rlm@2
|
301 “Now
|
rlm@2
|
302 my soul is bare for Sakura-chan to see.”
|
rlm@2
|
303
|
rlm@2
|
304
|
rlm@2
|
305
|
rlm@2
|
306 The
|
rlm@2
|
307 camcorder and tape player clicked on and Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
308 began ...
|
rlm@2
|
309
|
rlm@2
|
310
|
rlm@2
|
311
|
rlm@2
|
312
|
rlm@2
|
313
|
rlm@2
|
314
|
rlm@2
|
315
|
rlm@2
|
316 At the Kinomoto home:
|
rlm@2
|
317
|
rlm@2
|
318
|
rlm@2
|
319
|
rlm@2
|
320
|
rlm@2
|
321 Tossing and turning in her bed, Sakura tightly
|
rlm@2
|
322 hugged the CardCaptor Sakuradoll that
|
rlm@2
|
323
|
rlm@2
|
324 Tomoyo-
|
rlm@2
|
325 chan had given her long ago.Beads of perspiration
|
rlm@2
|
326 rolled down her face and soaked her
|
rlm@2
|
327
|
rlm@2
|
328 pajamas. Her
|
rlm@2
|
329 features were contorted into looks of pain ,
|
rlm@2
|
330 distress, and denial. Gasping for air,
|
rlm@2
|
331
|
rlm@2
|
332 Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
333 bolted upright in her bed. She opened her eyes
|
rlm@2
|
334 and frantically tried to quiet her racing
|
rlm@2
|
335
|
rlm@2
|
336 heart.
|
rlm@2
|
337
|
rlm@2
|
338
|
rlm@2
|
339
|
rlm@2
|
340
|
rlm@2
|
341 “Hoe! what was that all about?”cried
|
rlm@2
|
342 Sakura. But like wisps of smoke or fluffy clouds,
|
rlm@2
|
343 the
|
rlm@2
|
344
|
rlm@2
|
345 nightmare refused to be captured. Trembling,
|
rlm@2
|
346 Sakura got out of bed and went to her desk. She
|
rlm@2
|
347
|
rlm@2
|
348
|
rlm@2
|
349 somehow knew that she had to open the drawer
|
rlm@2
|
350 where the Book of the Star Cards was kept.
|
rlm@2
|
351
|
rlm@2
|
352 After
|
rlm@2
|
353 opening the drawer, Sakura noticed a white light
|
rlm@2
|
354 coming from the deck. She urgently
|
rlm@2
|
355
|
rlm@2
|
356 pickedthrough
|
rlm@2
|
357 the pile of Star Cards until she found the source
|
rlm@2
|
358 of the light. It emanated from the
|
rlm@2
|
359
|
rlm@2
|
360 lastCardthat
|
rlm@2
|
361 appeared when she had overcome Eriols final
|
rlm@2
|
362 challenge. The light was pulsing as
|
rlm@2
|
363
|
rlm@2
|
364 if it were
|
rlm@2
|
365 a heart beating. Suddenly, an arrow of light shot
|
rlm@2
|
366 out of the Card and passed through the
|
rlm@2
|
367
|
rlm@2
|
368 window
|
rlm@2
|
369 into the darkness engulfing Tomoeda . The Card
|
rlm@2
|
370 flew behind the arrow of light. As the
|
rlm@2
|
371
|
rlm@2
|
372 startled
|
rlm@2
|
373 Sakura watched these events, her hand
|
rlm@2
|
374 accidentally touched the Light and Dark Card.
|
rlm@2
|
375 In
|
rlm@2
|
376
|
rlm@2
|
377 an instant, the two spirits of Light and Dark
|
rlm@2
|
378 materialized and stood before their Mistress.
|
rlm@2
|
379
|
rlm@2
|
380
|
rlm@2
|
381
|
rlm@2
|
382
|
rlm@2
|
383 As always, they were holding each other and
|
rlm@2
|
384 looked regal beyond human comprehension.
|
rlm@2
|
385
|
rlm@2
|
386
|
rlm@2
|
387
|
rlm@2
|
388 In a
|
rlm@2
|
389 feathery voice, Dark whispered,“Your soul mate's
|
rlm@2
|
390 heart is at it'sfinal breaking tonight and
|
rlm@2
|
391
|
rlm@2
|
392 will
|
rlm@2
|
393 soon beat no more in this world. This heart cries
|
rlm@2
|
394 for mending but is willing to remain
|
rlm@2
|
395
|
rlm@2
|
396 shattered
|
rlm@2
|
397 for all time to insure your future happiness.”
|
rlm@2
|
398
|
rlm@2
|
399
|
rlm@2
|
400
|
rlm@2
|
401
|
rlm@2
|
402
|
rlm@2
|
403
|
rlm@2
|
404
|
rlm@2
|
405
|
rlm@2
|
406 In a similar voice, Light began to speak.“The
|
rlm@2
|
407 path to that heart is revealed by the arrow of
|
rlm@2
|
408 the
|
rlm@2
|
409
|
rlm@2
|
410 last Star Card. Follow the light quickly if
|
rlm@2
|
411 you wish to mend the Heart which my love Dark
|
rlm@2
|
412 doth
|
rlm@2
|
413
|
rlm@2
|
414 speak”
|
rlm@2
|
415
|
rlm@2
|
416
|
rlm@2
|
417
|
rlm@2
|
418 Before Sakura could inquire about
|
rlm@2
|
419 their cryptic remarks, Dark and Light disappeared
|
rlm@2
|
420 into their
|
rlm@2
|
421
|
rlm@2
|
422 Card.
|
rlm@2
|
423
|
rlm@2
|
424
|
rlm@2
|
425
|
rlm@2
|
426 Sakura frantically grabbed
|
rlm@2
|
427 the Key resting between her breasts and spoke
|
rlm@2
|
428 the Words of Power to
|
rlm@2
|
429
|
rlm@2
|
430 release it. With cheetah's
|
rlm@2
|
431 speed, she summoned Fly. White wings burst
|
rlm@2
|
432 through her pajama top.
|
rlm@2
|
433
|
rlm@2
|
434 Without changing her
|
rlm@2
|
435 garments, Sakura opened the window and raced
|
rlm@2
|
436 after the last Star Card in
|
rlm@2
|
437
|
rlm@2
|
438 the dark night of
|
rlm@2
|
439 Tomoeda. Sakura's heart beat rapidly and she
|
rlm@2
|
440 willed her magic to fly as fast as
|
rlm@2
|
441
|
rlm@2
|
442 the winds.
|
rlm@2
|
443 “I must find this person!”Sakura thought. “But
|
rlm@2
|
444 I wonder whom it could be? Is it
|
rlm@2
|
445
|
rlm@2
|
446 Syaoran?“
|
rlm@2
|
447
|
rlm@2
|
448
|
rlm@2
|
449
|
rlm@2
|
450 At the Daidouji estate:
|
rlm@2
|
451
|
rlm@2
|
452
|
rlm@2
|
453
|
rlm@2
|
454
|
rlm@2
|
455
|
rlm@2
|
456 Tomoyo had viewed the completed videotapeseveral
|
rlm@2
|
457 times. Tears trickled from her lavender
|
rlm@2
|
458
|
rlm@2
|
459 eyes and
|
rlm@2
|
460 wetted the dress. Lovingly, she enclosed the tape
|
rlm@2
|
461 and sealed the envelope. In her
|
rlm@2
|
462
|
rlm@2
|
463 beautiful
|
rlm@2
|
464 handwriting, the envelope proclaimed'To My
|
rlm@2
|
465 Special Someone 'My Only Love -
|
rlm@2
|
466
|
rlm@2
|
467 Sakura-chan'
|
rlm@2
|
468
|
rlm@2
|
469
|
rlm@2
|
470
|
rlm@2
|
471
|
rlm@2
|
472 She sealed the envelope and lifted her sewing
|
rlm@2
|
473 bag revealing a pair of newly sharpened
|
rlm@2
|
474 scissors.
|
rlm@2
|
475
|
rlm@2
|
476 With one hand still holding the
|
rlm@2
|
477 eraser, Tomoyo firmly grabbed the scissors and
|
rlm@2
|
478 walked to her
|
rlm@2
|
479
|
rlm@2
|
480 bed. She laid down and arranged
|
rlm@2
|
481 some of her favorite hand-sewn costumes that
|
rlm@2
|
482 Sakura had worn
|
rlm@2
|
483
|
rlm@2
|
484 when she was capturing the Clow
|
rlm@2
|
485 Cards.'But, unfortunately those days are over',
|
rlm@2
|
486 thought
|
rlm@2
|
487
|
rlm@2
|
488 Tomoyo. 'Only in my heart do such
|
rlm@2
|
489 moments still dwell. Sakura has chosen Syaoran
|
rlm@2
|
490 and I never
|
rlm@2
|
491
|
rlm@2
|
492 had the courage to open the gate
|
rlm@2
|
493 allowing me entrance into Sakura's heart. He got
|
rlm@2
|
494 there first.'
|
rlm@2
|
495
|
rlm@2
|
496 whispered Tomoyo as she stared at
|
rlm@2
|
497 an enlarged photo of Sakura on the ceiling. The
|
rlm@2
|
498 picture had
|
rlm@2
|
499
|
rlm@2
|
500 been difficult to place there
|
rlm@2
|
501 tonight, but it was worth it. Her tears flowed
|
rlm@2
|
502 more freely as she
|
rlm@2
|
503
|
rlm@2
|
504 looked at the picture of
|
rlm@2
|
505 Sakura - branding every feature in her heart and
|
rlm@2
|
506 soul while her right hand
|
rlm@2
|
507
|
rlm@2
|
508 came upwards to her
|
rlm@2
|
509 soft pale neck.
|
rlm@2
|
510
|
rlm@2
|
511
|
rlm@2
|
512
|
rlm@2
|
513
|
rlm@2
|
514 Suddenly a light appeared in Tomoyo's
|
rlm@2
|
515 darkened room and she quickly sat up from her
|
rlm@2
|
516 macabre
|
rlm@2
|
517
|
rlm@2
|
518 position. A surprised Tomoyo saw a
|
rlm@2
|
519 Sakura Card spinning in mid-air at the foot of
|
rlm@2
|
520 her bed.
|
rlm@2
|
521
|
rlm@2
|
522 Faster and faster it twirled -bathing
|
rlm@2
|
523 the whole huge room with a heavenly light and
|
rlm@2
|
524 making
|
rlm@2
|
525
|
rlm@2
|
526 Tomoyo feel faint and dizzy even though
|
rlm@2
|
527 she was sitting on her bed.
|
rlm@2
|
528
|
rlm@2
|
529
|
rlm@2
|
530
|
rlm@2
|
531
|
rlm@2
|
532 Then the sound of breaking glass filled the
|
rlm@2
|
533 room as Sakura flew headfirst into Tomoyo's
|
rlm@2
|
534
|
rlm@2
|
535
|
rlm@2
|
536 bedroom.“Tomoyo-chan - Tomoyo-chan, what are you
|
rlm@2
|
537 trying to do?”cried Sakura -bleeding
|
rlm@2
|
538
|
rlm@2
|
539 from
|
rlm@2
|
540 several cuts on her arms, hands, and face. With
|
rlm@2
|
541 her natural athleticism, Sakura leapt from
|
rlm@2
|
542
|
rlm@2
|
543 the
|
rlm@2
|
544 floor and grabbed Tomoyo's wristforcing the
|
rlm@2
|
545 steely jaws of the scissors away from her soft
|
rlm@2
|
546
|
rlm@2
|
547
|
rlm@2
|
548 neck.
|
rlm@2
|
549
|
rlm@2
|
550
|
rlm@2
|
551
|
rlm@2
|
552 For the first time, the shocked Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
553 wore none of her everyday masks and had no
|
rlm@2
|
554 cheerful
|
rlm@2
|
555
|
rlm@2
|
556 answers for Sakura's question. Her
|
rlm@2
|
557 delicate gasping mouth opened and closed like a
|
rlm@2
|
558 land-bound
|
rlm@2
|
559
|
rlm@2
|
560 fish seeking water. Before Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
561 knew it, the scissors were in Sakura's trembling
|
rlm@2
|
562 hands. The
|
rlm@2
|
563
|
rlm@2
|
564 emotions of anger, fear, and concern
|
rlm@2
|
565 warred over the landscape that was
|
rlm@2
|
566 Sakura's face
|
rlm@2
|
567 and
|
rlm@2
|
568
|
rlm@2
|
569 eyes. However, concern with a touch of fear
|
rlm@2
|
570 and desperation won the battle on Sakura's face.
|
rlm@2
|
571 Her
|
rlm@2
|
572
|
rlm@2
|
573 wings fluttered weakly and Sakura panted.
|
rlm@2
|
574 The cuts from the broken glass burned her nerves.
|
rlm@2
|
575 She
|
rlm@2
|
576
|
rlm@2
|
577 felt like she would collapse on the floor.
|
rlm@2
|
578 Instead, she willed herself to sit by
|
rlm@2
|
579 Tomoyo's
|
rlm@2
|
580 side and
|
rlm@2
|
581
|
rlm@2
|
582 violently threw the scissors across the
|
rlm@2
|
583 room.
|
rlm@2
|
584
|
rlm@2
|
585 “Tomoyo-chan Why?”asked Sakura as the
|
rlm@2
|
586 evening's pent-up emotions in her heart
|
rlm@2
|
587 erupted in
|
rlm@2
|
588
|
rlm@2
|
589 full force. The tears flooded from her
|
rlm@2
|
590 emerald-green eyes and stung her cuts. She looked
|
rlm@2
|
591 at
|
rlm@2
|
592
|
rlm@2
|
593 Tomoyo's sad face as if to find the answer
|
rlm@2
|
594 there. Tomoyo bent her head to her chest,
|
rlm@2
|
595 whispering
|
rlm@2
|
596
|
rlm@2
|
597 softly between sobs the manilla
|
rlm@2
|
598 envelope-a videotape-on my bureau...Puzzled,
|
rlm@2
|
599 Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
600
|
rlm@2
|
601 squeezed Tomoyo's hands. With one eye on
|
rlm@2
|
602 Tomoyo, Sakura found the manilla envelope and
|
rlm@2
|
603
|
rlm@2
|
604
|
rlm@2
|
605 read Tomoyo's notation
|
rlm@2
|
606 admiring the lovely
|
rlm@2
|
607 handwriting. Tomoyo looked up and saw Sakura's
|
rlm@2
|
608
|
rlm@2
|
609
|
rlm@2
|
610 cheek turn fiery red. Sadly, Tomoyo realized that
|
rlm@2
|
611 all of her plans for Sakura had failed. She was
|
rlm@2
|
612
|
rlm@2
|
613
|
rlm@2
|
614 supposed to be dead. She had not anticipated her
|
rlm@2
|
615 beloved Sakura's dramatic arrival. But instead
|
rlm@2
|
616
|
rlm@2
|
617
|
rlm@2
|
618 of dropping the envelope in revulsion, Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
619 reverently opened the envelope and tenderly
|
rlm@2
|
620
|
rlm@2
|
621
|
rlm@2
|
622 plucked out the videotape. She walked to the VCR,
|
rlm@2
|
623 turned on the TV, and walked over to
|
rlm@2
|
624
|
rlm@2
|
625 Tomoyo's
|
rlm@2
|
626 bed.
|
rlm@2
|
627
|
rlm@2
|
628
|
rlm@2
|
629
|
rlm@2
|
630
|
rlm@2
|
631 “May I sit next to you, Tomoyo-chan?”asked
|
rlm@2
|
632 Sakura. Tomoyo looked with awe at her beloved
|
rlm@2
|
633
|
rlm@2
|
634
|
rlm@2
|
635 and nodded. The empty Card stopped spinning and
|
rlm@2
|
636 it's light dimmed enough for the two girls to
|
rlm@2
|
637
|
rlm@2
|
638
|
rlm@2
|
639 watch the screen. Sakura held Tomoyo's hand with
|
rlm@2
|
640 all of her might as the tape started.
|
rlm@2
|
641
|
rlm@2
|
642
|
rlm@2
|
643
|
rlm@2
|
644
|
rlm@2
|
645
|
rlm@2
|
646 On the
|
rlm@2
|
647 TV screen, Tomoyo appeared.'She looks like an
|
rlm@2
|
648 angel.'thought Sakura. Tomoyo was
|
rlm@2
|
649
|
rlm@2
|
650 bathed in
|
rlm@2
|
651 light and her beautiful voice could be heard.
|
rlm@2
|
652
|
rlm@2
|
653
|
rlm@2
|
654
|
rlm@2
|
655
|
rlm@2
|
656 “Sakura-chanIwanted to give you one final
|
rlm@2
|
657 gift. It is a song I wrote for you and only you.
|
rlm@2
|
658 I
|
rlm@2
|
659
|
rlm@2
|
660 know you are crying right now because of my
|
rlm@2
|
661 death. I willed for my Mother to give you this
|
rlm@2
|
662
|
rlm@2
|
663
|
rlm@2
|
664 video after my private funeral. But please my
|
rlm@2
|
665 Sakura-chan. Do not cry for me! My time in this
|
rlm@2
|
666
|
rlm@2
|
667
|
rlm@2
|
668 world is done. Your quest for the Clow Cards is
|
rlm@2
|
669 complete. Your need for me is over. I only desire
|
rlm@2
|
670
|
rlm@2
|
671
|
rlm@2
|
672 your eternal happiness and a joyful future with
|
rlm@2
|
673 Syaoran. Like your Mother, I will be in Heaven- a
|
rlm@2
|
674
|
rlm@2
|
675
|
rlm@2
|
676 Guardian Angel only for you. And when your
|
rlm@2
|
677 life's journey is done, I will be waiting for
|
rlm@2
|
678 you
|
rlm@2
|
679
|
rlm@2
|
680 with open arms to hug you and loving hands
|
rlm@2
|
681 to guide you into Heaven. Maybe there you and I
|
rlm@2
|
682
|
rlm@2
|
683
|
rlm@2
|
684 can be in love together because on Earth our Love
|
rlm@2
|
685 can never be.”,Tomoyo paused- closed her
|
rlm@2
|
686
|
rlm@2
|
687 eyes,
|
rlm@2
|
688 and clasped her hands to her chest. She inhaled,
|
rlm@2
|
689 opened her delicate mouth, and began to
|
rlm@2
|
690
|
rlm@2
|
691 sing...
|
rlm@2
|
692
|
rlm@2
|
693
|
rlm@2
|
694 Sakura stared at the TV - mesmerized by
|
rlm@2
|
695 Tomoyo's lavender eyes and angelic beauty. A
|
rlm@2
|
696 blush
|
rlm@2
|
697
|
rlm@2
|
698 bloomed on her cheeks. Her tears freely
|
rlm@2
|
699 flowed and a warmth filled her heart and soul.
|
rlm@2
|
700 After
|
rlm@2
|
701
|
rlm@2
|
702 finishing the beautiful song, Tomoyo said,
|
rlm@2
|
703 “I will always be with you My Beloved Sakura-
|
rlm@2
|
704 chan. I
|
rlm@2
|
705
|
rlm@2
|
706 have loved you since I first saw you in
|
rlm@2
|
707 Tomoeda Elementary and this eraser has been the
|
rlm@2
|
708 most
|
rlm@2
|
709
|
rlm@2
|
710 precious gift I have ever received because
|
rlm@2
|
711 it came from you”Tomoyo whispered as she
|
rlm@2
|
712
|
rlm@2
|
713
|
rlm@2
|
714 lowered her praying hands and opened one
|
rlm@2
|
715 revealing the plain rubber eraser. This is only a
|
rlm@2
|
716
|
rlm@2
|
717
|
rlm@2
|
718 temporary separation, My Love. I am just going
|
rlm@2
|
719 ahead of you to my destiny.Tomoyo's armsspread
|
rlm@2
|
720 wide as if to engulf Sakura. A smile appeared on
|
rlm@2
|
721 her face. However, her lavender eyes
|
rlm@2
|
722
|
rlm@2
|
723 seemed to
|
rlm@2
|
724 lose their color.“Sayonara Sakura-chan I will
|
rlm@2
|
725 watch over you and Love you
|
rlm@2
|
726
|
rlm@2
|
727 forever.”Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
728 knelt on the carpet as if to pray slowly the
|
rlm@2
|
729 picture blurred and faded away
|
rlm@2
|
730
|
rlm@2
|
731 into oblivion.
|
rlm@2
|
732
|
rlm@2
|
733
|
rlm@2
|
734
|
rlm@2
|
735
|
rlm@2
|
736 Sakura's heart bled more freely than any
|
rlm@2
|
737 lacerations from the broken window could do.
|
rlm@2
|
738 Crying,
|
rlm@2
|
739
|
rlm@2
|
740 Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
741
|
rlm@2
|
742 thought,'I've hurt Tomoyo-chan
|
rlm@2
|
743 so deeply.'Though her heart was bleeding from
|
rlm@2
|
744 sadness and
|
rlm@2
|
745
|
rlm@2
|
746 regret, Sakura felt the seed of love
|
rlm@2
|
747 that she had always had for Tomoyo sprout and
|
rlm@2
|
748 grow
|
rlm@2
|
749
|
rlm@2
|
750 watered and sunned by Tomoyo'srevelation.
|
rlm@2
|
751 “So Dark and Light were talking about Tomoyo-
|
rlm@2
|
752
|
rlm@2
|
753
|
rlm@2
|
754 chan!”thought Sakura. “She has been suffering
|
rlm@2
|
755 all of this time because her love for me was
|
rlm@2
|
756
|
rlm@2
|
757
|
rlm@2
|
758 never returned by me for her. I -I am responsible
|
rlm@2
|
759 for breaking her heart again and again - until it
|
rlm@2
|
760
|
rlm@2
|
761
|
rlm@2
|
762 shattered and made her want to end her life..“
|
rlm@2
|
763
|
rlm@2
|
764
|
rlm@2
|
765
|
rlm@2
|
766
|
rlm@2
|
767 Sakura turned to face Tomoyo. Tomoyo had not
|
rlm@2
|
768 moved since Sakura had come to her bed. Her
|
rlm@2
|
769
|
rlm@2
|
770 hand
|
rlm@2
|
771 limply rested in Sakura's grip. Her head was
|
rlm@2
|
772 still lowered and tears dripped from her
|
rlm@2
|
773
|
rlm@2
|
774 cheeks.
|
rlm@2
|
775 Sakure gently removed her hand from Tomoyo'sand
|
rlm@2
|
776 reached for Tomoyo's face.
|
rlm@2
|
777
|
rlm@2
|
778 Tomoyo cringed at
|
rlm@2
|
779 Sakura's tender touch - anticipating a face
|
rlm@2
|
780 filled with revulsion and anger.
|
rlm@2
|
781
|
rlm@2
|
782 Sakura cupped
|
rlm@2
|
783 Tomoyo's cheeks and slowly lifted her head so
|
rlm@2
|
784 she could look deep into
|
rlm@2
|
785
|
rlm@2
|
786 Tomoyo's lavender eyes.
|
rlm@2
|
787 Tomoyo looked at Sakura's face and was stunned by
|
rlm@2
|
788 the love and
|
rlm@2
|
789
|
rlm@2
|
790 tenderness that gleamed from the
|
rlm@2
|
791 emerald green eyes.
|
rlm@2
|
792
|
rlm@2
|
793
|
rlm@2
|
794
|
rlm@2
|
795 “Sakura-chan...?“
|
rlm@2
|
796 whispered Tomoyo. With loving motion, Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
797 pulled Tomoyo's face to her
|
rlm@2
|
798
|
rlm@2
|
799 own and gave Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
800 a passionate kiss. Tomoyo's fragile body wilted
|
rlm@2
|
801 under the kiss. Her arms
|
rlm@2
|
802
|
rlm@2
|
803 reached around Sakura's
|
rlm@2
|
804 waist and hugged her tightlylike a drowning
|
rlm@2
|
805 sailor would to a life-line.
|
rlm@2
|
806
|
rlm@2
|
807 Sakura's hands
|
rlm@2
|
808 stroked Tomoyo's cheeks and fingered her glossy
|
rlm@2
|
809 lavender hair. Her slender body
|
rlm@2
|
810
|
rlm@2
|
811 pressed against
|
rlm@2
|
812 Tomoyo's and eased her body to a prone position.
|
rlm@2
|
813 Tomoyo's eyes fluttered and
|
rlm@2
|
814
|
rlm@2
|
815 she realized that
|
rlm@2
|
816 sometime during this magical waking dream her
|
rlm@2
|
817 dress had disappeared from her
|
rlm@2
|
818
|
rlm@2
|
819 pale body. “Have
|
rlm@2
|
820 I died and reached my ideal vision of Heaven?”
|
rlm@2
|
821 thought Tomoyo.“My Sakura-
|
rlm@2
|
822
|
rlm@2
|
823 chan is in my armskissing me, loving me...Healing me!”
|
rlm@2
|
824
|
rlm@2
|
825
|
rlm@2
|
826
|
rlm@2
|
827 Suddenly
|
rlm@2
|
828 Tomoyo's lavender eyes opened and drank up the
|
rlm@2
|
829 sight of her Beloved Sakura pressing
|
rlm@2
|
830
|
rlm@2
|
831 against
|
rlm@2
|
832 her. The Card Mistress was smiling at Tomoyo. Her
|
rlm@2
|
833 naked body glistened from her
|
rlm@2
|
834
|
rlm@2
|
835 exertions to
|
rlm@2
|
836 reach out and mend Tomoyo's heart with the Glue
|
rlm@2
|
837 of Love.“Tomoyo-chan...I'm
|
rlm@2
|
838
|
rlm@2
|
839 sorry for all of
|
rlm@2
|
840 your pain and suffering.”whispered Sakura.
|
rlm@2
|
841 “It's all my fault!”cried Sakura as
|
rlm@2
|
842
|
rlm@2
|
843 tears mixed
|
rlm@2
|
844 with the bloody cuts on her face.
|
rlm@2
|
845
|
rlm@2
|
846
|
rlm@2
|
847
|
rlm@2
|
848 With
|
rlm@2
|
849 surprising strength, the porcelain-skinned Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
850 forced Sakura to sit upright on the large
|
rlm@2
|
851
|
rlm@2
|
852 bed.
|
rlm@2
|
853 “My Beloved Sakura-chan!”cried Tomoyo “You came
|
rlm@2
|
854 to save me, but you've injured
|
rlm@2
|
855
|
rlm@2
|
856 yourself! Please
|
rlm@2
|
857 let me treat your cuts!
|
rlm@2
|
858
|
rlm@2
|
859
|
rlm@2
|
860
|
rlm@2
|
861
|
rlm@2
|
862 “Oh Tomoyo-chan My Love,“roclaimed Sakura
|
rlm@2
|
863 her emerald green eyes sparkling with
|
rlm@2
|
864
|
rlm@2
|
865 Love and
|
rlm@2
|
866 Happiness.
|
rlm@2
|
867
|
rlm@2
|
868
|
rlm@2
|
869
|
rlm@2
|
870 Tomoyo quickly kissed her Sakura-
|
rlm@2
|
871 chan and ran to her bathroom.
|
rlm@2
|
872
|
rlm@2
|
873
|
rlm@2
|
874
|
rlm@2
|
875
|
rlm@2
|
876
|
rlm@2
|
877
|
rlm@2
|
878
|
rlm@2
|
879
|
rlm@2
|
880 As she waited for Tomoyo, Sakura gazed at the
|
rlm@2
|
881 empty Star Card. It had stopped spinning and it's
|
rlm@2
|
882
|
rlm@2
|
883
|
rlm@2
|
884 light was pulsing like a human heartbeat.
|
rlm@2
|
885 Sakura bowed her head to the Star Cardandquietly
|
rlm@2
|
886
|
rlm@2
|
887
|
rlm@2
|
888 thanked it as well as Dark and Lightforshowing
|
rlm@2
|
889 her the path to her One True Love.
|
rlm@2
|
890
|
rlm@2
|
891
|
rlm@2
|
892
|
rlm@2
|
893
|
rlm@2
|
894 Tomoyo returned with a moistened towel, a
|
rlm@2
|
895 first-aid kit, and two sets of softlinenpajamas.
|
rlm@2
|
896 “Ok
|
rlm@2
|
897
|
rlm@2
|
898 Sakura-don't move,”said Tomoyo.FirstTomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
899 looked over Sakura's body with piercing
|
rlm@2
|
900
|
rlm@2
|
901 lavender
|
rlm@2
|
902 eyes. She nodded and began to lick and kiss
|
rlm@2
|
903 Sakura's cuts and scrapes. Sakura swooned
|
rlm@2
|
904
|
rlm@2
|
905 in
|
rlm@2
|
906 bliss. Tomoyo gently patted each wound with the
|
rlm@2
|
907 warm wet towel. She tenderly applied
|
rlm@2
|
908
|
rlm@2
|
909 antibiotic
|
rlm@2
|
910 ointment and bandages to each wound - pouring her
|
rlm@2
|
911 love for Sakura into every
|
rlm@2
|
912
|
rlm@2
|
913 movement. Satisfied
|
rlm@2
|
914 that her work was completed to perfection, Tomoyo
|
rlm@2
|
915 said, “I think I treated
|
rlm@2
|
916
|
rlm@2
|
917 all of your cuts, My
|
rlm@2
|
918 Beloved Sakura-chan. But do you hurt anywhere
|
rlm@2
|
919 that I can't see? Do I need
|
rlm@2
|
920
|
rlm@2
|
921 to call foradoctor?”
|
rlm@2
|
922
|
rlm@2
|
923
|
rlm@2
|
924
|
rlm@2
|
925
|
rlm@2
|
926 Sakura answered, “No but thank you My
|
rlm@2
|
927 Tomoyo-chan. I don't need a doctor. But I do need
|
rlm@2
|
928
|
rlm@2
|
929
|
rlm@2
|
930 You My LoveMy Tomoyo!“
|
rlm@2
|
931
|
rlm@2
|
932
|
rlm@2
|
933
|
rlm@2
|
934 Tomoyo beamed as
|
rlm@2
|
935 brightly as the empty Star Card. She gently
|
rlm@2
|
936 embraced Sakura and kissed her.
|
rlm@2
|
937
|
rlm@2
|
938 “Oh My Beloved
|
rlm@2
|
939 Sakura-chan!”cried Tomoyo. “How often have I
|
rlm@2
|
940 dreamed of hearing those
|
rlm@2
|
941
|
rlm@2
|
942 words from you and of
|
rlm@2
|
943 being your Love!“
|
rlm@2
|
944
|
rlm@2
|
945
|
rlm@2
|
946
|
rlm@2
|
947 Sakura hugged Tomoyo and
|
rlm@2
|
948 kissed her.“If you can ever forgive me Tomoyo-
|
rlm@2
|
949 chan, I will promise
|
rlm@2
|
950
|
rlm@2
|
951 you that your daysof
|
rlm@2
|
952 loneliness and suffering will never return
|
rlm@2
|
953 because you are My Soul Mate-
|
rlm@2
|
954
|
rlm@2
|
955 My Beloved-My
|
rlm@2
|
956 Tomoyo-chan.”confessed Sakura. “I want to be
|
rlm@2
|
957 yours - Forever.”
|
rlm@2
|
958
|
rlm@2
|
959
|
rlm@2
|
960
|
rlm@2
|
961 Tomoyo cried with tears of
|
rlm@2
|
962 pure happiness. “My Dearest Sakura-chan, you have
|
rlm@2
|
963 made my dearest
|
rlm@2
|
964
|
rlm@2
|
965 wish come true!”
|
rlm@2
|
966
|
rlm@2
|
967
|
rlm@2
|
968
|
rlm@2
|
969 With love
|
rlm@2
|
970 and happiness, Tomoyo and Sakura embraced once
|
rlm@2
|
971 more and Magic flared in the
|
rlm@2
|
972
|
rlm@2
|
973 bedroom. The broken
|
rlm@2
|
974 window was miraculously restored. The Star Card
|
rlm@2
|
975 brightened and slowly
|
rlm@2
|
976
|
rlm@2
|
977 faded. However, it's face
|
rlm@2
|
978 was no longer empty because it now bore a
|
rlm@2
|
979 hologram of Sakura and
|
rlm@2
|
980
|
rlm@2
|
981 Tomoyo kissing and
|
rlm@2
|
982 embracing each other and over their heads
|
rlm@2
|
983 floated a red Valentine-
|
rlm@2
|
984
|
rlm@2
|
985 shaped Heart.
|
rlm@2
|
986
|
rlm@2
|
987
|
rlm@2
|
988
|
rlm@2
|
989
|
rlm@2
|
990 THE END
|
rlm@2
|
991
|
rlm@2
|
992
|
rlm@2
|
993
|
rlm@2
|
994
|
rlm@2
|
995
|
rlm@2
|
996
|
rlm@2
|
997 Author's comments:
|
rlm@2
|
998
|
rlm@2
|
999
|
rlm@2
|
1000
|
rlm@2
|
1001 I was hoping to write the
|
rlm@2
|
1002 lyrics of Tomoyo'ssong for you. The words were
|
rlm@2
|
1003 clear in my dream.
|
rlm@2
|
1004
|
rlm@2
|
1005 However, Dawn's light faded
|
rlm@2
|
1006 the verses into obscurity. Maybe it's better that
|
rlm@2
|
1007 way so you - the
|
rlm@2
|
1008
|
rlm@2
|
1009 reader - can imagine your own
|
rlm@2
|
1010 lyrics to Tomoyo's song of love confessed but
|
rlm@2
|
1011 unrequited on
|
rlm@2
|
1012
|
rlm@2
|
1013 Earth, of her plea for Sakura's
|
rlm@2
|
1014 mortal happiness in spite of her suicide, of
|
rlm@2
|
1015 Tomoyo's wish of
|
rlm@2
|
1016
|
rlm@2
|
1017 being Sakura's Guardian Angel
|
rlm@2
|
1018 throughout her mortal days and immortal life, and
|
rlm@2
|
1019 of her final
|
rlm@2
|
1020
|
rlm@2
|
1021 words of goodbye to Sakura. I know
|
rlm@2
|
1022 I am not a CCS expert like many better writers
|
rlm@2
|
1023 and fans of
|
rlm@2
|
1024
|
rlm@2
|
1025 the anime and manga, but I hope you
|
rlm@2
|
1026 will forgive any inconsistencies in this fanfic
|
rlm@2
|
1027 and enjoy it as
|
rlm@2
|
1028
|
rlm@2
|
1029 it is written.
|
rlm@2
|
1030
|
rlm@2
|
1031
|
rlm@2
|
1032
|
rlm@2
|
1033
|
rlm@2
|
1034
|
rlm@2
|
1035
|
rlm@2
|
1036
|
rlm@2
|
1037
|
rlm@2
|
1038
|
rlm@2
|
1039 Humbly yours, Joe Saunders at
|
rlm@2
|
1040 rphjas@lycos.com |