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rlm@2 1 Title: Seal Cards
rlm@2 2 Subtitle: Epitomes of Love
rlm@2 3 Author: Matthias Engel aka MysticMew
rlm@2 4 Feedback: Solarsenshi@gmx.de
rlm@2 5 Status: Alpha
rlm@2 6 Fandom: Card Captor Sakura (manga)
rlm@2 7 Rating: PG-13 (with some scenes bordering on R)
rlm@2 8 Category: Romance, Action/Adventure
rlm@2 9 Pairing: Sakura/Tomoyo
rlm@2 10 Timeline: Sequel to "Happy Years"
rlm@2 11 Summary: There are two more cards Clow created. Our couple must learn
rlm@2 12 that even great mages are not prone to mistakes.
rlm@2 13 Sub-Summary: When a vacation goes a little different than planned, can
rlm@2 14 Sakura control herself from loving Tomoyo "too much"?
rlm@2 15 Distribution: MSD (www.catstrio.de), Shoujo Ai.com (www.shoujoai.com),
rlm@2 16 ff.net (www.fanfiction.net), Mediaminer (www.mediaminer.org), Moonlit
rlm@2 17 Nights (http://jrem.net/moonlit/tsFics.html) others may follow. If you
rlm@2 18 like this fic for your story, please tell me, I'm not likely to put
rlm@2 19 stones in your way, but I like to know where it goes.
rlm@2 20 Legal Disclaimer: This story features two females romantically
rlm@2 21 involved with a few (hinted) mature notions. If that is illegal where
rlm@2 22 you are or entirely not your thing, turn around and leave now.
rlm@2 23 Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP and assorted
rlm@2 24 companies, I claim no right on the characters and original storyline.
rlm@2 25 Story Disclaimer: Seal Cards: Epitomes of Love(c)2003 by Matthias
rlm@2 26 Engel
rlm@2 27
rlm@2 28 ******************************
rlm@2 29
rlm@2 30 Foreword
rlm@2 31
rlm@2 32 And it's time for the last one. This one will be done in two parts.
rlm@2 33 That has more something with style than necessity though. This is the
rlm@2 34 first part and this one will have a few more mature themes, the
rlm@2 35 delicate stuff will be handled in special, additional file though.
rlm@2 36
rlm@2 37 ******************************
rlm@2 38
rlm@2 39 Seal Cards: Epitomes of Love
rlm@2 40 Based on the works of CLAMP
rlm@2 41 Story Concept by Matthias Engel
rlm@2 42
rlm@2 43 ******************************
rlm@2 44
rlm@2 45 <July of 1997 (Sakura>
rlm@2 46 There was a lasting silence in the small room. The curtains were
rlm@2 47 closed and only the soft glow of daylight shining through their veil
rlm@2 48 illuminated the table in front of me. But I could see perfectly well.
rlm@2 49 I wouldn't even need to see the eight cards spread in front of me.
rlm@2 50 This was a much more complex method of card reading than the simple
rlm@2 51 one Kero hat shown me all the years back. Yet, judged by the situation
rlm@2 52 at hand, this was rather appropriate.
rlm@2 53 I stared intently at the two middle rows and the top card. Once
rlm@2 54 again the same. Just like every time I attempted to see what the cards
rlm@2 55 could tell me. I had tried this countless times in the past but the
rlm@2 56 big picture would just not change, nor would it completely make sense
rlm@2 57 to me. There was just one thing that was for sure. The premonition,
rlm@2 58 beyond doubt, was about Her.
rlm@2 59 I squeezed my eyes shut. I thought I had conquered those
rlm@2 60 memories but after telling Tomoyo three months ago, I couldn't help
rlm@2 61 but recall some of the horrible scenes that had driven me straight
rlm@2 62 from that future into this one. Kuso, I hated myself for making Tomoyo
rlm@2 63 worry so much. The accusations had cut right through my heart. I knew
rlm@2 64 on some level they were mostly frustration but...
rlm@2 65 *Don't you trust me?*
rlm@2 66 That one had hurt. Of course I did trust her. She was the cause
rlm@2 67 of why I had come back here, she was why Time had even let me, she was
rlm@2 68 the sole reason that I was able to settle back into a remotely normal
rlm@2 69 life - as normal as life can be for one of the most powerful people on
rlm@2 70 Earth. I had long since given up on the notion that I was the most
rlm@2 71 powerful person. Maybe being the strongest mage was true. However, in
rlm@2 72 my old time I had met enough other groups of magic users to which my
rlm@2 73 power seemed to be a trifle... And none of them had stood a chance
rlm@2 74 against Pandora.
rlm@2 75 Amazingly enough, after the talk with Tomoyo the tension within
rlm@2 76 us had pretty much been turned upside down and nowadays we were almost
rlm@2 77 inseparable. I feared that closeness a little since that had been one
rlm@2 78 of the things that had troubled me back then. It still did. I would
rlm@2 79 feel embarrassed but my mind was too old to be ashamed of the
rlm@2 80 thoughts. And I wouldn't think twice about letting Tomoyo know just
rlm@2 81 how much I loved her if not for the simple fact that we were both only
rlm@2 82 fourteen. I had never quite imagined this would become a major problem
rlm@2 83 of the transition but it seemed I had miscalculated. Lately my
rlm@2 84 feelings for the lavender-haired girl had blossomed more and more into
rlm@2 85 something greater and more passionate. My adult mind and teenager body
rlm@2 86 were having a hard time coming to terms how to react to this.
rlm@2 87 Kami, I am a little pervert!
rlm@2 88 Okay, maybe it wasn't this bad but I was wondering what the hell
rlm@2 89 was wrong with me. This had begun about a year ago, slowly at first
rlm@2 90 but then more steadily. At first I thought it was just my teenage body
rlm@2 91 beginning to mature but at times the love, and the desire spreading
rlm@2 92 from that love, became so strong I was barely able to keep my hands
rlm@2 93 off of Tomoyo when we were snuggling or something. I had to put some
rlm@2 94 distances between us, yet I had chosen the wrong method as it seemed.
rlm@2 95 The resulting frustration from both sides nearly drove a wedge between
rlm@2 96 us. That was dealt with and resolved now, the feelings between us
rlm@2 97 though had only been intensified and I was silently already preparing
rlm@2 98 a last will, because if I should really lose control and Sonomi-kaasan
rlm@2 99 found out...
rlm@2 100 I chuckled ruefully. I WAS overreacting, not to mention
rlm@2 101 distracting myself from the reading and its expected and depressing
rlm@2 102 outcome. Compared to that, my little physical problems were rather
rlm@2 103 insignificant. Sighing audibly, I slowly turned around the last card.
rlm@2 104 Woody was the association, the first card. Woody stood for many
rlm@2 105 things, for which one was nature itself, or Life if you want. In
rlm@2 106 short, I assumed, it meant Earth itself would face a crisis soon. At
rlm@2 107 least that made the most sense from what I expected to come. So
rlm@2 108 basically, it was a call from Earth for help.
rlm@2 109 Then came Mirror, Time and Illusion. They were the cause of the
rlm@2 110 current situation. From experience I knew that Mirror and Illusion
rlm@2 111 often were substitutes for other unknown elements the cards couldn't
rlm@2 112 represent, or at least couldn't represent with the cards available.
rlm@2 113 Together with Time at the center it would normally not make much
rlm@2 114 sense. However, I knew that Mirror and Illusion most likely pointed at
rlm@2 115 the two other Forbidden Clow Cards, those that were responsible for
rlm@2 116 Pandora's release in my time. I hadn't known that then but I knew now
rlm@2 117 after talking to Time - as little as she did reveal -, Kerberos and
rlm@2 118 Yue. And the more I learned about this, the more my belief grew that
rlm@2 119 Clow was just as imperfect as any other human being and not nearly as
rlm@2 120 foreseeing as Eriol said his prior incarnation had been.
rlm@2 121 The Light, the Dark and Erase in the next row, presenting the
rlm@2 122 solution. Alright, the solution was not so more like a pointer, a
rlm@2 123 guide, a way of what had to be done to assure an outcome in the mage's
rlm@2 124 favor. The solution could point at powers, people, a lot of things. It
rlm@2 125 could also be a gamble, since the solution could also turn into an aid
rlm@2 126 for the problem. The combination was a little weird for my taste.
rlm@2 127 While I could see Light and Dark together, I couldn't really place
rlm@2 128 Erase. Erase could be another substitute or it could mean something
rlm@2 129 completely different. I had some vague theories but that is all they
rlm@2 130 were. Vague.
rlm@2 131 Which leaves the last card. The location, the Where.
rlm@2 132 Shadow.
rlm@2 133 As expected. Once again, the location was clouded into shadows,
rlm@2 134 unrevealing darkness. I had desperately hoped that for once I would
rlm@2 135 get a clue where to look for the Seal Cards but once again no hint was
rlm@2 136 given to me. The thing was I could feel the distant presence of a card
rlm@2 137 but by their sheer magnitude I suppose they were probably very far
rlm@2 138 away.
rlm@2 139 Picking up the cards, I returned them to the book and stretched.
rlm@2 140 This was getting me nowhere and tomorrow we would all make a small
rlm@2 141 trip. I had agreed to the idea readily, seeing this as a chance to
rlm@2 142 make up it up to Tomoyo for our little fight and just relax for
rlm@2 143 awhile. Summer break had just started and the weather was ideal. A
rlm@2 144 part of me wished that we could go alone but I didn't really mind the
rlm@2 145 rest of the family coming along. This was going to be fun and maybe I
rlm@2 146 could forget about the cards, the uncertain future and dark memories
rlm@2 147 for awhile.
rlm@2 148
rlm@2 149 ******************************
rlm@2 150
rlm@2 151 (Tomoyo)
rlm@2 152 Whistling a happy tune, I made my way to the front of the Kinomoto
rlm@2 153 residence. It had been a nice day and the evening sun was still warm
rlm@2 154 and pleasant. Perfect weather for a vacation. Adjusting the bag over
rlm@2 155 my shoulder I made a note to myself not to pack so many things the
rlm@2 156 next time. Of course I had reminded myself the last time to do so and
rlm@2 157 look where it had gotten me
rlm@2 158 Not that the little problem was of any significance to the more
rlm@2 159 important things in life at the moment. Sakura and I had finally come
rlm@2 160 around and while I was pretty sure that she hadn't told me everything,
rlm@2 161 I was simply too happy right now to care. I had overreacted after all
rlm@2 162 and chided myself enough about it already. I knew deep down that
rlm@2 163 questioning Sakura's trust had hurt my girlfriend and I wished
rlm@2 164 desperately I could take it back somehow. Being confronted with how
rlm@2 165 much Sakura depended on me when she revealed some of her secrets to me
rlm@2 166 had made me feel so ashamed of myself. Sakura was quick to scatter
rlm@2 167 those worries though. And since we both felt too guilty about the
rlm@2 168 whole matter for different reasons we came to the agreement that this
rlm@2 169 would simply just not happen again.
rlm@2 170 And the make up was definitely exquisite. I never thought you
rlm@2 171 could be so close to a person. I had also thought I was already much
rlm@2 172 more attached to a person than normal, even back then in Elementary
rlm@2 173 School, at an age there that was rather strange. Especially since the
rlm@2 174 relationship part hadn't come for another two years. However, seeing
rlm@2 175 us now, aside from school we barely spent a minute alone anymore. The
rlm@2 176 strength of our feelings was rather overwhelming even by me. Not that
rlm@2 177 Sakura wasn't worth every last ounce of attention but it was as if our
rlm@2 178 guilt over the whole accident had undergone the drastic change from
rlm@2 179 "turning fire into water".
rlm@2 180 My thoughts were interrupted as I looked up, coming to a stop a
rlm@2 181 few feet from the front door. Touya stood there with a grin. "I
rlm@2 182 suppose saying "Welcome" as if you are a guest, just doesn't do it
rlm@2 183 anymore, hmm?" It was remarkable how much the two of them had in
rlm@2 184 common. While physically not all that similar, Sakura and her older
rlm@2 185 brother had a lot of hidden character traits that often made them more
rlm@2 186 alike than they'd ever admit being.
rlm@2 187 He moved forward, taking the bag not even waiting or actually
rlm@2 188 expecting a request. After all this time I was still a little
rlm@2 189 surprised - pleasantly so - as how easy Touya had accepted me.
rlm@2 190 Compared to Syaoran that is. Knowing me prior probably had helped
rlm@2 191 things a little and even with most of his sight gone - Sakura said it
rlm@2 192 was returning very slowly - he had always been rather perceptive.
rlm@2 193 Something I admired about him in a way.
rlm@2 194 "Arigato," I said, following him into the house and slipping out
rlm@2 195 of my shoes. Okaasan had made it pretty much clear to Sakura that she
rlm@2 196 was to treat our home as hers and while it had never been said this
rlm@2 197 way from the Kinomotos before, the offer was obvious in small things
rlm@2 198 like this or the way the treatment had gradually changed from that of
rlm@2 199 a normal guest to that of a permanent houseguest or resident even.
rlm@2 200 Sakura's home had also become my home and it didn't really matter
rlm@2 201 anymore where we were or who would stay with whom. Either way, IF we
rlm@2 202 were together, we were at home.
rlm@2 203 Touya shrugged, putting the bag down next to the staircase.
rlm@2 204 "It's okay. I'll bring it up later. The monster has been in her room
rlm@2 205 for awhile again, maybe you can get her to come down and eat
rlm@2 206 something."
rlm@2 207 I wasn't sure whether to give into the humor or the sigh. On one
rlm@2 208 hand it saddened me to hear that Sakura obviously was still troubled
rlm@2 209 by her worries. I couldn't fault her, knowing what I did learn so far.
rlm@2 210 Sakura had such a good heart and she wanted to protect everyone,
rlm@2 211 especially the people she loved and feeling so helpless had to be
rlm@2 212 hard. I never really realized how hard it had to be until I learned
rlm@2 213 the truth of the events of her timeline. Still, I wished she wouldn't
rlm@2 214 think that she had to take all the responsibility upon herself, almost
rlm@2 215 as if she was desperately trying to do it all alone. That is why I
rlm@2 216 insisted so much on the vacation when the idea was brought up one
rlm@2 217 evening we had all sat together in this very house. The idea for a
rlm@2 218 little boat trip was spontaneous but once everyone had gotten into it,
rlm@2 219 the plans were quickly made. Hopefully this could get Sakura's mind
rlm@2 220 set on something different at least for a little while.
rlm@2 221 I finally managed a small giggle. I found it funny that Touya
rlm@2 222 still called her "monster", even more so than when my girlfriend was
rlm@2 223 younger. I supposed that it had become more of an affective nickname
rlm@2 224 than the gentle teasing it had once been.
rlm@2 225 Already a few steps up the stairs I stopped and turned slightly
rlm@2 226 to look back at Touya. "Doesn't it bother you at all?" I had meant to
rlm@2 227 ask the question for awhile now. Sakura had come clean about her time
rlm@2 228 travel by now. While both her brother and father had suspected
rlm@2 229 something already, Sakura had felt obligated to talk to them about
rlm@2 230 this after realizing how much concern it had caused me and how much it
rlm@2 231 had to have an impact on her family. The whole thing was taken
rlm@2 232 relatively well, she had let out a few things she told me exclusively,
rlm@2 233 but other then that most of what I learned was revealed to the rest of
rlm@2 234 the family.
rlm@2 235 Touya looked at me thoughtful for a moment. "Not really. It's a
rlm@2 236 little weird sometimes. And I admit I feel helpless knowing all that
rlm@2 237 has happened already or will happen or... well, you get the point." I
rlm@2 238 smiled wryly, knowing full well the confusion talking about this
rlm@2 239 caused me sometimes. "I am just amazed that YOU are taking all this so
rlm@2 240 well. Doesn't it bother you in the slightest, I mean... She's not
rlm@2 241 exactly the girl you fell in love with anymore. I believe it is much
rlm@2 242 harder for you, as her girlfriend, than it is for me, as a brother."
rlm@2 243 I didn't really need to think about my answer. Staring directly
rlm@2 244 into Touya's eyes - well, as much as you can from a higher vantage
rlm@2 245 point -, I said softly but with a firm voice nonetheless, "I wouldn't
rlm@2 246 be that - her girlfriend - if Sakura-chan hadn't done what she did.
rlm@2 247 She is still Sakura, all the little details are still there. You can
rlm@2 248 see it too, I know that. When you truly love someone, you love
rlm@2 249 everything about that person. The positive as much as the negative.
rlm@2 250 Tell me, Touya-oniisan, would you turn down Yukito-san if the same
rlm@2 251 would have happened to him."
rlm@2 252 The dark-haired, young man stared back stunned for a moment,
rlm@2 253 then his eyes softened and he shook his head slowly. "No. Never."
rlm@2 254 I smiled fondly. "Good. Then we understand each other." I turned
rlm@2 255 back to resume my ascent. "We'll be down for dinner in a few minutes."
rlm@2 256 I swear I heard him mumbling something along the lines of "if you were
rlm@2 257 able to separate long enough to walk down the stairs", smiled to
rlm@2 258 myself and proceeded to Sakura's room.
rlm@2 259
rlm@2 260 ******************************
rlm@2 261
rlm@2 262 (Sakura)
rlm@2 263 As I leaned back after putting the cards back into the book, I
rlm@2 264 realized how stiff I had become. This happened a lot. Often I tried to
rlm@2 265 figure out a reading for hours not even realizing the passage of time.
rlm@2 266 It was a good thing I still did physical activities frequently to keep
rlm@2 267 my body in shape. It would be a little early to suffer from back
rlm@2 268 problems...
rlm@2 269 My eyes had drifted close for a moment and now they only
rlm@2 270 fluttered open for a short moment before the movements of skilled
rlm@2 271 hands rubbing my shoulders made me sigh blissfully - though I hadn't
rlm@2 272 made up my mind if it was involuntary or not yet. I had to be pretty
rlm@2 273 absorbed to not even notice Tomoyo coming up or slipping into the
rlm@2 274 room. Usually I could tell from far away already when she was present.
rlm@2 275 Not to mention that I tried not to show her just how much I took the
rlm@2 276 whole thing to heart... and often failing miserable at that task.
rlm@2 277 "Do you have to torture yourself. Even a day before vacation?"
rlm@2 278 Tomoyo asked softly, her voice barely a whisper and close to my ear. I
rlm@2 279 suppressed the shudder wanting to run down my spine at her closeness
rlm@2 280 and the feelings her warm breath tickling my skin invoked. I wished
rlm@2 281 nothing more than to...
rlm@2 282 What was wrong with me?
rlm@2 283 Fighting down the primal urges of my - entirely too young - body
rlm@2 284 I focused on her question, with some effort. "You know I must. If I
rlm@2 285 don't find a way to prevent the seal from breaking than..." I trailed
rlm@2 286 off, not wishing to speak further in fear of calling back the haunting
rlm@2 287 images of a future long since past. A future that might become reality
rlm@2 288 again if I didn't...
rlm@2 289 "I know you will find a way. You always do. But that you still
rlm@2 290 have a few years, right? Don't push yourself so hard."
rlm@2 291 I let go of another content smile as the hands moved from my
rlm@2 292 shoulders to my neck and further down my back with patient precision.
rlm@2 293 Tomoyo could really give one hell of a massage. "How can you be so
rlm@2 294 calm about this. I told you what happened. I stood no chance against
rlm@2 295 that... thing. I..." I turned around albeit my body's vehement
rlm@2 296 protests, fixing a startled Tomoyo with an intense gaze. "She killed
rlm@2 297 you, right in front of my eyes. I... I won't..." I could feel tears
rlm@2 298 stinging in my eyes and was a little bit surprised at the emotional
rlm@2 299 surge that had triggered such a strong response. I usually was much
rlm@2 300 calmer nowadays but Tomoyo managed with her mere presence alone to
rlm@2 301 create that overwhelming urge to love, to protect, to cherish and
rlm@2 302 always hold onto this incredible gift. I couldn't maintain my shields
rlm@2 303 around her for long. "I will never let this happen again," I finished,
rlm@2 304 trying to make my voice sound firm but it was more a croaked whisper.
rlm@2 305 "Never..."
rlm@2 306 Before I even knew what was happening we were kissing. And not
rlm@2 307 just the chaste kiss of children or young teenagers but laced with a
rlm@2 308 mixture of passion and need. My arms went around Tomoyo's waist on
rlm@2 309 instinct drawing her closer, basking in the heat of the contact. Not
rlm@2 310 just the physical but also the spiritual one. Our kisses had become
rlm@2 311 that much bolder lately and they weren't always initiated by me.
rlm@2 312 Tomoyo proved very quickly that this important aspect of life was as
rlm@2 313 much one of the skills she was so good with, just like all the others.
rlm@2 314 And so I found myself relenting briefly as the kiss began to involve
rlm@2 315 tongues rather quickly, that sweet scent, so distinctive Tomoyo,
rlm@2 316 filling my mouth, literally drinking up all the troubles, concerns and
rlm@2 317 fears of only a few moments ago.
rlm@2 318 Finally Tomoyo drew away but only a few inches. I am sure my
rlm@2 319 face was flushed since hers definitely was. A part of me was
rlm@2 320 disappointed at the lack of contact and wanted to reengage right away,
rlm@2 321 taking this to places I steadfastly refused to even let myself think
rlm@2 322 about. The beautiful lavender-haired girl had her fingers tangled in
rlm@2 323 some strands of my hair falling in disarray over my face. "I know,
rlm@2 324 Sakura-chan. I know you will always be there to protect me. I told you
rlm@2 325 that a long time ago and my belief has not changed. You have taken all
rlm@2 326 those risks and changed your future already. Your beautiful heart will
rlm@2 327 find a solution when the time is right. Please, don't burn yourself
rlm@2 328 out. That won't get us anywhere and brings you only more pain. I hate
rlm@2 329 to see you suffer."
rlm@2 330 I stared in amazement at this magnificent creature. What in all
rlm@2 331 the world had I done to earn such trust, such loyalty, such love from
rlm@2 332 this gentle and kind girl. When I was young and unknowing of her
rlm@2 333 feelings I had often felt a little embarrassed. But never scared. I
rlm@2 334 knew some people who experienced our interaction wondered why I wasn't
rlm@2 335 scared of Tomoyo's devotion. Yet, I could never be scared of such a
rlm@2 336 wondrous thing. Now, I was simply amazed and every time she looked at
rlm@2 337 me like this, so completely without doubt, utter faith in her gaze
rlm@2 338 that I would never let her come to harm, I knew that I wasn't worth
rlm@2 339 it. But yet, it always created a confidence in me so strong that I
rlm@2 340 felt like being able to strike down any foe ever trying to harm this
rlm@2 341 otherworldly creature that I could dare call my girlfriend.
rlm@2 342 "I don't deserve you," I whispered, one hand softly stroking the
rlm@2 343 pale skin of her cheek. I had never felt like this before. Not with
rlm@2 344 Syaoran, never with him. That realization had come gradually but by
rlm@2 345 now I was certain that while a part of me would always love him, my
rlm@2 346 statement that the love for him and Tomoyo was an equal one had long
rlm@2 347 since expired. The magnitude of love I felt for Tomoyo know had
rlm@2 348 definitely exceeded what I ever had felt for the Chinese boy. "But I
rlm@2 349 love you more than anyone or anything else in this world," I said,
rlm@2 350 making sure she understood completely what I was implying.
rlm@2 351 Tomoyo's smile was radiant, her blue eyes sparkling as if the
rlm@2 352 sun was reflecting on the clear surface of a lake. I leaned forward
rlm@2 353 again, touching my lips to hers, leaving my gaze glued on those
rlm@2 354 brilliant orbs. Sensual at first I felt that inner fire once again
rlm@2 355 igniting with renewed intensity and for several seconds I completely
rlm@2 356 lost myself in the feelings, tongues meeting in a slow dance,
rlm@2 357 passionate but not forceful. So much unlike Syaoran's kisses. This
rlm@2 358 was... softer, slower and at the same much more intense.
rlm@2 359 "Hey, monster! Get down here, dinner is ready!"
rlm@2 360 I blinked my eyes, realizing only now that somehow Tomoyo had
rlm@2 361 found her way into my lap and my hands were resting on her buttocks,
rlm@2 362 Tomoyo's arms were around my neck, clinging tightly as if afraid to
rlm@2 363 fall apart if she should let go. I blinked again, slowly drawing away
rlm@2 364 and tentatively altering my grip from my girlfriend's behind to hold
rlm@2 365 her around the waist again. I didn't want to let go but there was that
rlm@2 366 slight spark of embarrassment that I had let myself go so far. But I
rlm@2 367 didn't really feel all that bad about it, after all Tomoyo seemed
rlm@2 368 quite content where she was.
rlm@2 369 "Wow..." I whispered, my breath a little shallow from the
rlm@2 370 exchange. I could feel some sweat on my forehead and was rather aware
rlm@2 371 that both of our body temperatures had definitely risen to a
rlm@2 372 noticeable degree. "That was..." I wanted to say "too close" but
rlm@2 373 honestly, I had to agree with Tomoyo's definition.
rlm@2 374 "Intense. Amazingly intense..." Tomoyo responded, equally
rlm@2 375 breathless and I was fascinated at how much that sparkle in her eyes
rlm@2 376 had even more increased but now it was more like... I wasn't sure I
rlm@2 377 actually wanted to know the answer to that because I wasn't sure right
rlm@2 378 now if I could control the following consequences.
rlm@2 379 "We should... uh, get downstairs... Dinner, you know...?" I
rlm@2 380 tried lamely, my mind not yet fully restored from one of the most
rlm@2 381 passionate moments between us yet. Tomoyo just nodded, also a little
rlm@2 382 out of it.
rlm@2 383 It was only with a lot of effort and after another few minutes
rlm@2 384 of regaining some composure that we managed to follow my brothers
rlm@2 385 request. Touya was giving me the most annoying smirk all evening.
rlm@2 386
rlm@2 387 ******************************
rlm@2 388
rlm@2 389 <About two days later (Tomoyo)>
rlm@2 390 There was one thing that was for sure about life with Sakura. It never
rlm@2 391 was boring. I had known this right away when I met her. I knew that I
rlm@2 392 just had to put an effort into at least befriending the genki brunette
rlm@2 393 or my life would be so much duller. This experience had only grown
rlm@2 394 when Sakura came back for me and devoted her attention almost solely
rlm@2 395 upon me. The things we did on a regular basis when going out, other
rlm@2 396 couples probably never even encounter half the excitement and the
rlm@2 397 wonders Sakura managed to produce.
rlm@2 398 I had noticed that Sakura liked to use the cards rather often
rlm@2 399 for those special occasion but also other everyday life stuff. For
rlm@2 400 example creating a nice atmosphere with Glow or Flower, lightening
rlm@2 401 candles with Firery or often just flying around with Fly. Sakura had
rlm@2 402 developed a close bond with her cards, that much was for sure. "Don't
rlm@2 403 they mind doing all those things for you?" I asked, turning my head
rlm@2 404 towards Sakura. The question was more a rhetorical one with just a
rlm@2 405 touch of curiosity I could guess the answer already.
rlm@2 406 Sakura laughed lightly and I could feel just the tiny bits of a
rlm@2 407 ripple around us that felt like... giggling. "Don't worry about that.
rlm@2 408 The cards actually want to get out and play whenever I let them. While
rlm@2 409 they don't mind being in the book, they like to do things outside,
rlm@2 410 interact with the world, you know." Sakura gazed at me adoringly and I
rlm@2 411 felt my cheeks flush, a reaction the lovely girl had managed to bring
rlm@2 412 forth more and more in the last days. The passionate scene from the
rlm@2 413 evening two days ago was still present in my mind and this hasn't been
rlm@2 414 the only occasion. "And they like you, too, so they like to do things
rlm@2 415 that make you happy." The blush deepened and I melted into the
rlm@2 416 following kiss that was much to brief and chaste for my taste...
rlm@2 417 Blinking I tried to clear my foggy mind, snuggling closer to
rlm@2 418 Sakura who had one arm around my waist so that we wouldn't be
rlm@2 419 separated, not that any of us minded the contact. The water around us
rlm@2 420 was cool but not freezing. I believed this to be an added side effect
rlm@2 421 of Watery other than providing an air bubble to breath and right now
rlm@2 422 the movement as well. We already had been swimming quite some while
rlm@2 423 but right now we were content to enjoy each other's presence and let
rlm@2 424 Watery do the stirring, so to say.
rlm@2 425 The ocean down here was a captivating sight. Especially this
rlm@2 426 way, without diving gear or other such limitations. Only our bodies
rlm@2 427 and normal senses experiencing what no ordinary human would usually be
rlm@2 428 able to do. Not for that long and surely enough not as deep as we were
rlm@2 429 already. This definitely had been one of Sakura's best ideas involving
rlm@2 430 the cards up to now. We had left the world above the surface already
rlm@2 431 far behind, exploring the wondrous depths of the ocean.
rlm@2 432 I hadn't expected something like that - Sakura always managed to
rlm@2 433 surprise me with those things - when we set out yesterday morning for
rlm@2 434 the beach and then a trip with our family yacht. Okaasan had actually
rlm@2 435 been glad to have a use for it after all that time. In all my life we
rlm@2 436 had only gotten to make use of it once and I had been almost too
rlm@2 437 little to remember it then. Now, the yacht served as the perfect tool
rlm@2 438 for some nice, relaxing days. Okaasan had been excited to participate
rlm@2 439 in the family vacation and readily provided the boat even though it
rlm@2 440 visibly got to her to spend so much time in close company to Sakura's
rlm@2 441 father. They managed to behave most of the trip but a few hours ago
rlm@2 442 the tension had escalated and everyone had retreated hastily to other
rlm@2 443 parts of the yacht to evade the coming war zone. Yukito and Touya had
rlm@2 444 went below deck and Sakura came up that we should probably go even
rlm@2 445 deeper with a twinkle in her eyes. I had had barely enough time to
rlm@2 446 prepare myself - thankfully we already had been in our bathing suits
rlm@2 447 for the purpose of sun bathing - before Sakura grabbed me and jumped
rlm@2 448 into the calm ocean, activating Watery in the process.
rlm@2 449 The feeling was extraordinary. The ocean was calm on this clear
rlm@2 450 summer day and the flow was gentle, encompassing the two of us.
rlm@2 451 Somehow Watery had managed to make it so that we could breathe
rlm@2 452 underwater but still feel the water and move freely. Therefore we were
rlm@2 453 treated by the embrace of the wet element, washing over our skin. It
rlm@2 454 didn't even sting in the eyes!
rlm@2 455 Right now we were resting from swimming so much, gently floating
rlm@2 456 through the vast ocean, letting Watery push us forward. And once again
rlm@2 457 we found ourselves in one of those moments. The place was a little
rlm@2 458 odd, I admit, but as usual neither of us cared very much and while we
rlm@2 459 weren't even kissing, just the contact was enough to hold us captured
rlm@2 460 in the moment. I could feel Sakura's hand lightly stroking my bare
rlm@2 461 skin and shivered. Not from the cold of the water but from the sudden
rlm@2 462 heat coursing through my body, making my skin tingle.
rlm@2 463 Oh, I wasn't stupid. I was pretty much aware of the sexual
rlm@2 464 tension. There was just no other way to describe it. Both of us were
rlm@2 465 rather mature for our physical age and that was even more true in
rlm@2 466 Sakura's case. It had taken me some time to figure out that the whole
rlm@2 467 Pandora issue hadn't been all that had my girlfriend bothered lately.
rlm@2 468 I hadn't been totally sure at first but the level of passion in our
rlm@2 469 kisses, the lingering touches, the closeness. The encounter the
rlm@2 470 evening before our departure wasn't the only one and they had become
rlm@2 471 even more heated. No, by now I was pretty sure that Sakura had
rlm@2 472 definitely trouble suppressing urges she surely felt entirely to
rlm@2 473 improper for our physical age.
rlm@2 474 How did I feel about this? I honestly wasn't sure. I would lie
rlm@2 475 if I said that the rising passion between us didn't scare me a little.
rlm@2 476 Just a little. I hadn't thought in this direction at all until a few
rlm@2 477 months ago but now I found myself wishing at times that Sakura would
rlm@2 478 just go ahead and... See, that's what I meant. Where I could
rlm@2 479 understand and tolerate that Sakura's older mind might harbor such
rlm@2 480 thoughts, I know that for me they were rather... early. Not
rlm@2 481 impossible, but early in their appearance. And entirely too strong to
rlm@2 482 be natural.
rlm@2 483 At the same time the feelings were exhilarating and I felt
rlm@2 484 myself craving the attention, the sensations of drowning in Sakura's
rlm@2 485 love and passion, wishing nothing more than to just let go and feel.
rlm@2 486 This was frightening in itself but more like a thrill, a good,
rlm@2 487 exciting thrill I had entirely no idea how to deal with. I just knew
rlm@2 488 if Sakura as much as asked I would jump at the chance and that scared
rlm@2 489 me again, just a little.
rlm@2 490 Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something and was
rlm@2 491 partially grateful for the interruption of the moment. Because as much
rlm@2 492 as a big part of me wouldn't object I think the setting would be more
rlm@2 493 than a little awkward. Not too mention, we'd probably traumatize poor
rlm@2 494 Watery!
rlm@2 495 "Hey, there's a cave down there!"
rlm@2 496 Sakura blinked, a look of disappoint crossing her features that
rlm@2 497 almost made me giggle. I suppressed that reaction though and pointed
rlm@2 498 down. We were rather close to the bottom I think. The water was
rlm@2 499 getting murkier here. Less light was reaching us from the surface and
rlm@2 500 it was a little hard to make out the cave's entrance. Sakura and I
rlm@2 501 looked at each other, confirming our mutual curiosity and made our way
rlm@2 502 into the cave.
rlm@2 503
rlm@2 504 ******************************
rlm@2 505
rlm@2 506 (Sakura)
rlm@2 507 Emerging from the water we were both surprised and amazed to find a
rlm@2 508 cave that huge. Sure, there probably were enough on the ocean floor
rlm@2 509 but when did you ever get the chance to see them. Not that any of us
rlm@2 510 was paying much attention to our surroundings. Watery went back into
rlm@2 511 card form and then to subspace for the moment with nothing more than a
rlm@2 512 thought. My eyes were pretty much glued to Tomoyo and there was a
rlm@2 513 conflict inside of me whether to praise or curse myself for my
rlm@2 514 impromptu idea. Kuso, Tomoyo was sexy in that dark blue bikini,
rlm@2 515 drenched by the ocean water and therefore highlighting the young
rlm@2 516 girl's curves pretty well.
rlm@2 517 This was ridiculous. Something was definitely going on here. I
rlm@2 518 mean something other than my dirty adult mind and developing teenage
rlm@2 519 body. As much as I did love Tomoyo this was getting out of hand and I
rlm@2 520 was pretty sure that my control was only a few percent from
rlm@2 521 evaporating into thin air. I mean, I had actually kicked Touya for
rlm@2 522 flirting with Tomoyo. He did that sometimes and I know very well that
rlm@2 523 it was never more than teasing. And still I had actually hit him, he
rlm@2 524 had been throwing wary glances my way the whole trip. And the poor boy
rlm@2 525 from when we arrived at the beach who dared to... wanted to ask Tomoyo
rlm@2 526 out or something. I swear he must have run straight to his mommy after
rlm@2 527 the menacing look I had given him - thankfully that had been all. My
rlm@2 528 emotions couldn't suddenly be so out of control. Not naturally...
rlm@2 529 "Sakura?"
rlm@2 530 Gah!
rlm@2 531 Tomoyo was standing right in front of me, blue eyes focused on
rlm@2 532 me in a wordless, yet demanding expression. I was being drawn into the
rlm@2 533 liquid pools, drowned in a sea of happiness and love. I might have
rlm@2 534 jumped at the touch, her hand on my cheek, caressing slightly in a
rlm@2 535 circular pattern. "What are you afraid of?"
rlm@2 536 Crap, she always knew me so well, that hadn't changed in the
rlm@2 537 most aspects of my life even after traveling back in time. With the
rlm@2 538 exception of the Pandora happenings and my growing desires she had
rlm@2 539 always managed to read me like a book. It seemed the latter was about
rlm@2 540 to experience the same fate.
rlm@2 541 "Tomo-chan... I..." I breathed, my voice taking on a husky tone,
rlm@2 542 feeling her other coming around me, one hand settling on my back. A
rlm@2 543 surge of immediate desire rushed through me and my mouth couldn't
rlm@2 544 decide whether to be dry or the complete opposite. I couldn't finish
rlm@2 545 the sentence but looking into her eyes, I knew it wasn't necessary.
rlm@2 546 "You don't have to be afraid for my sake, Sakura-chan." I gasped
rlm@2 547 when she dipped her head slightly to the side and moved forward to run
rlm@2 548 her lips over the skin on my neck. My arms tightened around her,
rlm@2 549 almost crushing her lithe form against mine even if that small voice
rlm@2 550 that was calling me names was still there. It was fading fast.
rlm@2 551 "I... I don't want to hurt you... This is not how..."
rlm@2 552 Tomoyo looked up again and before I could even guess her
rlm@2 553 intentions her lips were upon mine. The kiss was sending hot waves of
rlm@2 554 tiny flames through my whole body. Her lips were crushed against mine
rlm@2 555 and I leaned into the passionate, desperate contact without even
rlm@2 556 thinking. The last bit of rational thought was more or less leaving me
rlm@2 557 right now.
rlm@2 558 Coming up for air after almost a full minute, I realized that
rlm@2 559 our hands had become much bolder. Tomoyo's hands were just resting
rlm@2 560 under the hem of my bikini top and mine were already all the way
rlm@2 561 there. The desire created between us had reached the force of a
rlm@2 562 tornado. I could see the desperation and need reflected in Tomoyo's
rlm@2 563 eyes.
rlm@2 564 "Do you really want to fight this?" Tomoyo asked in her usual
rlm@2 565 soft, lightly musical voice but still somehow managing to let it sound
rlm@2 566 seductive. "We can't fight this any longer, you know that."
rlm@2 567 Can't fight...? A jolting sensation of recognition passed
rlm@2 568 through me and for just a single moment I managed to tear myself away
rlm@2 569 from the powerful thrall both of us were under. No, not so much a
rlm@2 570 thrall as the rise of emotions to its maximum. Right here, right now,
rlm@2 571 around us...
rlm@2 572 Love was here.
rlm@2 573 Love, one of the Seal Cards. Time had told me that the reason I
rlm@2 574 felt its presence nearing was because the original seal was more or
rlm@2 575 less encompassing the whole planet, both elemental powers overlapping
rlm@2 576 each other. It had been a steady stream, unyielding and without a
rlm@2 577 flaw. Until Clow tempered with those ancient archtypes and bound
rlm@2 578 powers where he should have not. After realizing his mistake and that
rlm@2 579 he couldn't control the elemental powers, he had placed the cards
rlm@2 580 inside the original seal, reestablishing the power but not the flow.
rlm@2 581 The flow had been destroyed, its flawlessness lost. To make the flaw
rlm@2 582 as tiny as possible the cards were moving around in the seal in a more
rlm@2 583 or less stable orbit. It was no surprise to realize that this had
rlm@2 584 given Pandora her opportunity. Clow's actions to fix his mistake had
rlm@2 585 not been enough after all.
rlm@2 586 The realization came at a rather bad moment though and most of
rlm@2 587 my thoughts on the matter were just like a background image. I was
rlm@2 588 aware of it, I was aware of the enormous presence so similar to Time
rlm@2 589 back then, yet I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't have the
rlm@2 590 willpower anymore to call upon some counter spell. I simply didn't
rlm@2 591 want to stop!
rlm@2 592 And with a groan of resignation I brought my hands up around
rlm@2 593 Tomoyo's neck, drawing her in. My breath was creating tiny goose bumps
rlm@2 594 against her skin, my voice long since having lost the battle to hold
rlm@2 595 pack the passion and longing. "I love you so much, Tomo-chan. Even if
rlm@2 596 this is not entirely our doing, I want to make you happy. Do you trust
rlm@2 597 me enough with this?" I said the last bit with the utmost seriousness
rlm@2 598 I could still muster in this situation, yet I was unsure if I could
rlm@2 599 take a negative answer anymore.
rlm@2 600 "I told you already," Tomoyo whispered back, her voice mirroring
rlm@2 601 my own open desire. "I will always be safe with Sakura-chan. I have
rlm@2 602 faith that Sakura-chan will always save me and keep me safe."
rlm@2 603 Proceeding to kiss me again, I simply let go, my body almost sighing
rlm@2 604 in relief, welcoming whatever shall come.
rlm@2 605
rlm@2 606 ******************************
rlm@2 607
rlm@2 608 (Tomoyo)
rlm@2 609 Slowly, with the speed of a turtle climbing a hill my senses returned
rlm@2 610 to awareness, my spirit floating back down from that place somewhere
rlm@2 611 far above the heavens where it had climbed to... some time... ago. I
rlm@2 612 really had NO idea how much time had passed, how long we had been in
rlm@2 613 the cave or lying on the cold ground warmed by a small friction of
rlm@2 614 magic - but I really didn't care where it came from right now.
rlm@2 615 The tremors had finally subsided and my body lay in total peace,
rlm@2 616 every muscle relaxed and surely not able to obey any command in the
rlm@2 617 near future. And I felt GOOD. Kami, did I feel good. I had really been
rlm@2 618 a little... unsure when I gave in to my desires. Yet, seeing Sakura
rlm@2 619 suffer even more, trying to hold herself back, inhabitations had been
rlm@2 620 thrown out of the window. Very, very far away. And it wasn't like I
rlm@2 621 had not wanted. We loved each other after all, so it couldn't be a bad
rlm@2 622 thing, just... a little early maybe. It wasn't like we were still ten
rlm@2 623 or something. That would have been rather illogical.
rlm@2 624 Feeling Sakura move slightly from her position spooned up behind
rlm@2 625 me, I shifted slightly and craned my neck to look behind me. Her face
rlm@2 626 was producing a stronger result than the Glow card could... even
rlm@2 627 though I was sure the expression was mirrored on my own. I smiled
rlm@2 628 widely, feeling giddy and in a state of utter bliss. I've never felt
rlm@2 629 so much in the right place like now. I was sure that was what I was
rlm@2 630 meant to be, where I belonged to be. Right here, in Sakura's arms,
rlm@2 631 enveloped in a warm blanket of love. Body, mind and soul.
rlm@2 632 I could see the hint of regret and shame in Sakura's eyes though
rlm@2 633 and was quick to dispel these feelings. With some effort I managed to
rlm@2 634 command my body to turn around in the tight embrace. Brushing some of
rlm@2 635 the brown hair that had fallen into Sakura's face out of the way, I
rlm@2 636 leaned in to place a soft, lingering kiss on her lips, gazing
rlm@2 637 adoringly into green eyes. Sakura smiled faintly. "You keep giving the
rlm@2 638 most special gifts in the most special ways. You are such an amazing
rlm@2 639 person."
rlm@2 640 Sakura's smiled turned into a more genuine one. "That wasn't all
rlm@2 641 my doing. Don't you feel different somehow?"
rlm@2 642 I was puzzled at her question. "What do you mean? Of course I
rlm@2 643 feel different!" I said lightly teasing.
rlm@2 644 Sakura laughed heartedly and the sound was such a lovely thing
rlm@2 645 to my ears. "No, no, I mean. About the desire between us. Just until a
rlm@2 646 few minutes ago..." She let the sentence linger and I suddenly
rlm@2 647 realized what she meant. The whirlwind of feelings had ceased to be
rlm@2 648 more gradual, more normal. I had first though this was only and effect
rlm@2 649 of the afterglow but there was a little more to it. I didn't know how
rlm@2 650 I could tell the difference, I just did. So when Sakura said this
rlm@2 651 wasn't completely her doing then did that mean...
rlm@2 652 I blinked almost audibly and was already in the process of
rlm@2 653 sitting up despite the protests of my body before Sakura pulled me
rlm@2 654 down again gently but persistent. "Yes, I am sure its one of the Seal
rlm@2 655 Cards. I told you about them, right?" I nodded, wondering why we were
rlm@2 656 still lying here. Not that I WANTED to move, mind you. "It must be
rlm@2 657 Love. But its moving very slowly. We can easily catch up, don't rush
rlm@2 658 now. I, personally, feel like being defiant and not rush after it the
rlm@2 659 way it played with us." Sakura chuckled and run one hand through my
rlm@2 660 open hair, drawing out a sigh from me in the process. I had went to
rlm@2 661 tie it into a ponytail in the last months but was seriously
rlm@2 662 considering to leave it open again in order to experience the
rlm@2 663 wonderful sensations my girlfriend's fingers in my hair produced more
rlm@2 664 often. Hmm, girlfriend didn't seem right anymore. Lover? Mate? It had
rlm@2 665 felt a lot like mating on a level and I couldn't quite believe that
rlm@2 666 this all had been the card's doing.
rlm@2 667 "You mean Love made us do all this?" I asked curiously, showing
rlm@2 668 my disbelief at the possibility.
rlm@2 669 Sakura shook her head slightly, drawing me closer until my head
rlm@2 670 rested contently under her chin, almost nestled comfortingly in her
rlm@2 671 small chest. I let go of another sigh and could practically feel
rlm@2 672 Sakura's smile in response. "No, the way I understand it is that Love
rlm@2 673 cannot produce false feelings. It can only take what is there and
rlm@2 674 amplify them. The stronger the feelings the more they are amplified.
rlm@2 675 And Love doesn't do something on its own since the card is embedded in
rlm@2 676 the seal. It is a natural side effect. Clow played with something you
rlm@2 677 can't just simply control. The magic he bound into a card was so
rlm@2 678 strong that, even ineffective, it puts out incredible power."
rlm@2 679 I listened carefully and would have nodded, had I not been so
rlm@2 680 comfortable right now. Instead I said in a lightly teasing voice, "So
rlm@2 681 you DID want me THIS way..." I grinned to myself, feeling Sakura shift
rlm@2 682 a little... not uncomfortably but surely enough embarrassed. Even if
rlm@2 683 her mind was older she was still such an innocent creature at times.
rlm@2 684 "It's okay. You didn't hurt me and it was the most wonderful gift
rlm@2 685 other than your heart that you could ever have given me."
rlm@2 686 Sakura's arms tightened around me even more. "I love you. I
rlm@2 687 really do. More than anything. That wasn't just because of Love. I
rlm@2 688 promise you, I will always love you, forever."
rlm@2 689 I lifted my head slightly, meeting her downward gaze of
rlm@2 690 unrestrained, unconditional love with one of my own. "I love you, too.
rlm@2 691 More than I could ever put into words."
rlm@2 692
rlm@2 693 ******************************
rlm@2 694
rlm@2 695 (Sakura)
rlm@2 696 You'd expect after the whole mess I'd feel guilty. You'd expect I
rlm@2 697 would want to harm myself for ever letting my urges get the better of
rlm@2 698 me. You know what? I really didn't care anymore. The experience was
rlm@2 699 just so... glorious. And Tomoyo didn't regret it either. You could see
rlm@2 700 it in her body language or every other part of her. She could probably
rlm@2 701 be lightening a Christmas tree right now and I surely wasn't very far
rlm@2 702 behind.
rlm@2 703 I wasn't sure whether or not to give Love a piece of my mind
rlm@2 704 when we caught up with it though. On the one hand I knew that
rlm@2 705 logically seen the card had pretty much no control over its effect.
rlm@2 706 Yet, the timing was rather... inappropriate. I still couldn't believe
rlm@2 707 we did THAT down THERE. I mean, sure, I love to treat Tomoyo to
rlm@2 708 special things in special places. The cards really like to be useful
rlm@2 709 and they really like to make Tomoyo happy too, both of us actually.
rlm@2 710 However, this was rather shooting over the top. As I said, now I
rlm@2 711 didn't regret it anymore. It was done with and I was not about to
rlm@2 712 destroy this eternal memory of a first time with thoughts of
rlm@2 713 self-blame and guilt when my... lover looks like I couldn't have
rlm@2 714 possibly made her happier today.
rlm@2 715 Anyway, after resting a few minutes longer, we finally returned
rlm@2 716 to the surface. The recovery was only one reason why I wanted to stay
rlm@2 717 down there for awhile. No, and the other was NOT to enjoy the feel of
rlm@2 718 Tomoyo's naked form against mine... Kami, I must be blushing madly at
rlm@2 719 this thought, I could tell from Tomoyo's almost smug look - Tomoyo and
rlm@2 720 smug! No, that had not been the reason... although it was an added
rlm@2 721 bonus. Staying still for a short while would allow Love to pass on a
rlm@2 722 little further and therefore lessening the chance of a fallback into
rlm@2 723 emotional overload.
rlm@2 724 I was very glad I decided on that because I REALLY didn't want
rlm@2 725 to know what happened up here on - and mostly likely in - the yacht a
rlm@2 726 few minutes ago while we had our own encounter below the surface. We
rlm@2 727 might have just stood there for another minute or so before either of
rlm@2 728 us could override the shock to our system at the scene playing in
rlm@2 729 front of us. I glanced at Tomoyo with a totally bewildered look and
rlm@2 730 saw my girlfriend - I would stick with that for now, the other term
rlm@2 731 sounded TOO mature for our physical age - equally flabbergasted.
rlm@2 732 "Didn't you say Love only amplifies what is already there?" she asked.
rlm@2 733 I turned pack to the couple at the helm of the yacht, engaged in
rlm@2 734 a - pretty intense - lip lock, blissfully unaware of having an
rlm@2 735 audience... and probably just as unaware of what they were doing in
rlm@2 736 the first place. I shrugged at Tomoyo's question, rather perplexed
rlm@2 737 myself. "I honestly have no idea. It's not like even Clow himself
rlm@2 738 understood what exactly he created there." Grinning slightly I put my
rlm@2 739 hands on my hips and cleared my throat loud enough for the two adults
rlm@2 740 to hear.
rlm@2 741 There was a very short silence and it seemed as if the world
rlm@2 742 itself just stopped breathing for a timeliness moment, awaiting the
rlm@2 743 inevitable apocalypse. Then, as if someone dropped a sledgehammer
rlm@2 744 between them the two parental figures of our group literally jumped
rlm@2 745 several feet apart. Otousan looked rather baffled... well, stupefied
rlm@2 746 actually and I could see from the look on Sonomi-kaasan's face that
rlm@2 747 was just about turning from speechless consternation into smoldering
rlm@2 748 rage that he would probably not survive the following moments if I
rlm@2 749 didn't intervene.
rlm@2 750 "Save it!" I shouted, drawing their attention immediately and
rlm@2 751 succeeding in flustering both of them speech- and motionless again.
rlm@2 752 Right now I regretted not explaining to them about the Seal Cards as I
rlm@2 753 had done for Tomoyo but I really didn't want to waste anymore time. I
rlm@2 754 could sense Love was actually picking up speed... which was strange
rlm@2 755 since the paths of the cards were supposed to be stable. "We don't
rlm@2 756 have time for this now. There is a card here I need to catch and its
rlm@2 757 moving away right now. So if any of you would be kind enough to get us
rlm@2 758 moving." Granted, I would normally never take such a... commanding
rlm@2 759 tone with my father or Tomoyo's mother. But I knew where this was
rlm@2 760 leading when I didn't intervene and I really had no time for this. I
rlm@2 761 could feel in every fiber of my being that this was my chance, my only
rlm@2 762 chance to change something about the future I had experienced.
rlm@2 763 Just that moment Kero-chan choose to make his appearance, coming
rlm@2 764 from below deck and looking rather agitated. "What's going on?" He
rlm@2 765 looked around at the scene, arching a tiny eyebrow at the still rather
rlm@2 766 shell-shocked-looking adults and then turned to me. "Sakura? I felt
rlm@2 767 the presence of a card. Is that...?"
rlm@2 768 I nodded at his unfinished question, already trying to track
rlm@2 769 Love. That was funny, I cold feel something else too. Was that the
rlm@2 770 other one? If yes, that would be more coincidence when I believed in.
rlm@2 771 Isolating Love for now I felt it rapidly moving westwards.
rlm@2 772 "Quick, Otousan, turn the boat around, its picking up speed for
rlm@2 773 some reason!" I yelled running to the back of the yacht, staring out
rlm@2 774 over the ocean intently. I could see something moving in the distance.
rlm@2 775 It was to tiny to really make out and for someone without magic
rlm@2 776 probably impossible to see at all.
rlm@2 777 Otousan meanwhile had snapped out of his shocked state long
rlm@2 778 enough to take over the controls and pull the boat around, pushing the
rlm@2 779 engine to top speed. "Tomoyo, get Yukito, I'd rather like everyone
rlm@2 780 together and who knows if I might need Yue. Love isn't actually
rlm@2 781 dangerous - I think - but I'd rather be safe." Tomoyo nodded and took
rlm@2 782 off. I was pretty sure Yue must have sensed what was going on too and
rlm@2 783 was probably already on his way. Hopefully he was because I could more
rlm@2 784 or less guess what Love did to him and Touya, considering what it did
rlm@2 785 to the rest of us. I really hoped Tomoyo wouldn't catch them in an
rlm@2 786 embarrassing situation.
rlm@2 787 "I better take care of this before we all go crazy trying to go
rlm@2 788 near that thing," I said more to myself, only realizing Kero was next
rlm@2 789 to me at his squeak when he obviously figured out what exactly I was
rlm@2 790 implying. Well, that couldn't be helped now.
rlm@2 791 Taking the key from its resting place I invoked its ancient
rlm@2 792 powers and drew Time from subspace. Better to fight Fire with Fire, or
rlm@2 793 something like that. "Time!" I called out. "Encase us in a bubble of
rlm@2 794 your power!" There was a bright flash of crimson-purple energy and the
rlm@2 795 sensitive eye could see the dim, almost completely transparent field
rlm@2 796 of temporal energy enveloping the yacht. I heard Otousan gasp and
rlm@2 797 realized suddenly that he actually could see all this. Of course he
rlm@2 798 could, I told myself, since he has part of Clow's magic now.
rlm@2 799 "Don't worry, just stay on course." I reached out once again,
rlm@2 800 confirming my earlier observation. "See the small object in the
rlm@2 801 distance?" Otousan nodded. "Follow it!"
rlm@2 802 If I could have it any other way I really wouldn't want to
rlm@2 803 endanger everyone. But seeing as if I might never be able to come so
rlm@2 804 close again, I had hardly a choice left. Besides, the Seal Cards were
rlm@2 805 not really... active. Therefore I hoped it wouldn't be all that
rlm@2 806 dangerous.
rlm@2 807
rlm@2 808 ******************************
rlm@2 809
rlm@2 810 (Tomoyo)
rlm@2 811 I found them alright. And I found them just as expected in their cabin
rlm@2 812 doing... err, the same that we did... Not that I would tell them that.
rlm@2 813 Of course I had had the decency to knock or wanted to... until the
rlm@2 814 cabin door was flung open and I was almost flattened by an agitated
rlm@2 815 Yue. Thinking back on it I should really not be surprised but the
rlm@2 816 sudden change from the powerful yet sweet experience below the surface
rlm@2 817 and the serious situation above was rather sudden and I was a little
rlm@2 818 nervous, I admit. I knew this was important for Sakura - heck, it was
rlm@2 819 important for all of us in the long run. I didn't think I've seen
rlm@2 820 Sakura so... confident before. She usually was not the type to give
rlm@2 821 commands like that. That was a fact that was easily reflected onto her
rlm@2 822 cards who she treated more as friends than as tools.
rlm@2 823 I hadn't even realized I complied with her order without a
rlm@2 824 question before I was halfway below the deck. That was an amazing
rlm@2 825 discovery in itself because I found out just then that there was
rlm@2 826 something else to Sakura I was sure neither of us had seen so far. The
rlm@2 827 attributes of a natural leader. Not some great military genius or
rlm@2 828 whatever you want to call the equivalent for a mage. No, years of
rlm@2 829 training had given her an air of confidence that often leaked through
rlm@2 830 in many aspects of every day life but really developed in a serious
rlm@2 831 situation like this one. Making new discoveries about Sakura has
rlm@2 832 always been one of my favorite things, especially since I knew so much
rlm@2 833 about her already, seeing new things was rare and often served to add
rlm@2 834 another special flair to her magnificent personality.
rlm@2 835 As I said, I literally bumped into Yue, Touya following looking
rlm@2 836 a little as if he just woke up - which might be true. I shot him a
rlm@2 837 knowing smirk - to which the older Kinomoto sibling just shrugged and
rlm@2 838 grumbled something - before I turned back to Yue. "You better go up.
rlm@2 839 Sakura wanted you there just in case. I get it, you are quite aware
rlm@2 840 what just passed us?" The faint blush tingling on his cheeks was
rlm@2 841 answer enough for me.
rlm@2 842 Yue nodded and was already up the stairs before I could make any
rlm@2 843 more comments. I glanced back at Tomoyo and raised an eyebrow at his
rlm@2 844 questioning stare. Oops, he isn't suspecting anything, is he? The
rlm@2 845 young man didn't elaborate on the look, just grinned and then shrugged
rlm@2 846 his shoulders. "Let's go up as well. I must admit I am curious. I have
rlm@2 847 heard about all this from Sakura and you but I've never really had the
rlm@2 848 opportunity to see it."
rlm@2 849 Emerging outside a short while later I spotted Sakura standing
rlm@2 850 in the middle of the spacious deck, her star wand transformed into a
rlm@2 851 size I had never seen before. It was reaching a bit over her head and
rlm@2 852 was planted firmly into the ground below. Sakura had her eyes closed,
rlm@2 853 seemingly in deep concentration. Kerberos - transformed into his real
rlm@2 854 form - and Yue stood a couple of feet behind her and seemed a bit
rlm@2 855 unsure about their actual purpose.
rlm@2 856 "What's that?" Touya asked next to me and pointed ahead of the
rlm@2 857 yacht speeding westwards towards the small group of little isles in
rlm@2 858 the distance. Funny, I hadn't noticed them before. There were several
rlm@2 859 things I took note of that I know I definitely shouldn't. First of all
rlm@2 860 their was a very faint glimmer around the ship. Like a force field of
rlm@2 861 some kind. I had felt the emotional increase fade when I went under
rlm@2 862 deck and was pretty sure now that whatever Sakura did was responsible
rlm@2 863 for it. But I didn't think I should be able to see the magic at all.
rlm@2 864 Yet I did and I also saw the sparkling sphere in the distance,
rlm@2 865 coming closer very quickly. The orange-golden orb seemed to radiate
rlm@2 866 purest light to my eyes.
rlm@2 867 "Um... That's Love, I think. I hope the shield is going to hold
rlm@2 868 its effects off." I said, not sure why I revealed my knowledge of
rlm@2 869 actually seeing all this. I guess I was subtly seeking confirmation
rlm@2 870 that I wasn't going crazy. Sakura had told me that Touya's second
rlm@2 871 sight was gradually returning so he should be able to pick up those
rlm@2 872 things.
rlm@2 873 "Yeah, it's heading straight for that isle. I have the feeling
rlm@2 874 that is no... wait a second... You can see all this?"
rlm@2 875 I shrugged helplessly.
rlm@2 876 There was no time for further research on the subject though.
rlm@2 877 Sakura's father had finally managed to catch up with what was
rlm@2 878 apparently the card. Suddenly the boat jerked, the engine almost
rlm@2 879 coming to a complete spot. I flashed Touya a grateful smile for the
rlm@2 880 steadying hand but my attention was quickly drawn back to the glowing
rlm@2 881 sphere. Love was hanging in the air looking for all it was worth like
rlm@2 882 a tiny star in the middle of the day. I was a little surprised at the
rlm@2 883 sudden stop in movement but either the card realized that she couldn't
rlm@2 884 escape - not that the term was accurate in the first place - or she
rlm@2 885 sort of knew what was going to happen. Kero-chan told Sakura once and
rlm@2 886 she told me in return that all the Clow Cards were automatically drawn
rlm@2 887 to the new Master or Mistress. There was a connection between the one
rlm@2 888 that was chosen to become their wielder and the cards themselves. I
rlm@2 889 had no idea if this was the case with Love but I believed it to be
rlm@2 890 very likely.
rlm@2 891 I could see the sprite-form of the card - another thing I wasn't
rlm@2 892 sure whether I was supposed to do this or no - and Love looked a
rlm@2 893 little confused and uncertain. There was something else there though.
rlm@2 894 I didn't know how I could tell. It wasn't my observations skills that
rlm@2 895 much I was sure of. However, somehow I just KNEW that Love was
rlm@2 896 tremendously lonely.
rlm@2 897 Glancing at Sakura I waited to see what she would do or if she
rlm@2 898 detected the same thing I just did. The Card Mistress had applied a
rlm@2 899 lot of unorthodox methods capturing some of the Clow Cards, often
rlm@2 900 rather trying to make the cards trust her and let themselves be
rlm@2 901 captured rather than to engage into a heated battle. Therefore I
rlm@2 902 wasn't really surprised seeing Sakura's tense and concentrated
rlm@2 903 demeanor suddenly change. For a moment confusion crossed her features
rlm@2 904 before she relaxed, her eyes softening and her grip around the staff
rlm@2 905 not so firm anymore.
rlm@2 906 Kerberos and Yue were about to move forward when without even a
rlm@2 907 command Fly's wings materialized on Sakura's back. My girlfriend
rlm@2 908 looked back with a reassuring smile that halted the two guardians even
rlm@2 909 though one could tell they weren't really fond off the idea.
rlm@2 910 The winged girl was about to ascend, then stopped and turned a
rlm@2 911 look in my direction. Her eyes finding mine. Quite frankly I had no
rlm@2 912 idea what exactly happened but when Sakura held out a hand towards me
rlm@2 913 I stepped forward and took it in my own without a word. There was not
rlm@2 914 even the thought of hesitation or surprise when I felt something wash
rlm@2 915 over and through my body. Identical wings to the ones Sakura was
rlm@2 916 sporting burst into existence but my movements were almost
rlm@2 917 trance-like. Only one thing was for sure that I trusted Sakura,
rlm@2 918 complete and unconditional trust. The level of communication at this
rlm@2 919 moment was higher than anything before and somehow we just knew what
rlm@2 920 we had to do.
rlm@2 921 To the casual observers though - even the magical-apt ones - the
rlm@2 922 moment we were on a level with the spectral figure of Love, we
rlm@2 923 literally vanished from sight.
rlm@2 924
rlm@2 925 TBC (soon)
rlm@2 926
rlm@2 927 Author's Notes
rlm@2 928
rlm@2 929 Yes, I know I am evil.
rlm@2 930 I said it would be two parts and I actually planned this out a little
rlm@2 931 differently. The second part was supposed to take place some time
rlm@2 932 later. Love was supposed to be captured already... I just realized
rlm@2 933 that for what I wanted to do I had to do it in a shorter period of
rlm@2 934 time and the ending was just such a nice point to end the first part.
rlm@2 935 Don't worry though. I suppose I'll be out with the next part very
rlm@2 936 soon. Maybe even before Christmas (don't hold me to that).
rlm@2 937 I hope I managed to describe the emotions in here in the way I wanted
rlm@2 938 them to be represented. This installment started a little slow on the
rlm@2 939 writing side but began to pick up pace and intensity fast.
rlm@2 940 I admit the moment I chose to reveal about what the Seal Cards are was
rlm@2 941 rather... odd. Forgive me please, Maia decided to let this story run
rlm@2 942 wild halfway through, I actually planned on... say, two more scenes
rlm@2 943 from the start of the trip... I really think it's awkward and maybe I
rlm@2 944 actually add those later on. Please tell me if it seems too out of
rlm@2 945 place and I change that.
rlm@2 946 Anyway, things are slowly picking up on the suspense end. The last
rlm@2 947 part will probably actually have some action and wrap things up for
rlm@2 948 that little pre-series.
rlm@2 949 I am not sure if I’ll write the actual lemon scene or not. I planned
rlm@2 950 to but am not so certain right now.
rlm@2 951
rlm@2 952 I hope you enjoyed yourselves again. If you did, then leave me a note
rlm@2 953 (mail, review whatever).
rlm@2 954
rlm@2 955 Ja ne, yours
rlm@2 956
rlm@2 957 Matthias