annotate old/stories/dearsakura-12.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights

[svn r3] moved all the bad stuff to 'old'
author rlm
date Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
parents
children
rev   line source
rlm@2 1 Dear Sakura
rlm@2 2 by Amazoness Duo and G.P.
rlm@2 3 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 4 pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@2 5
rlm@2 6 “I’m sorry I kept you up all night dancing, Tomoyo-chan. I hope
rlm@2 7 you’re not too tired.” Sakura cast a concerned look as she unlocked
rlm@2 8 the front door. Tomoyo smiled a cheerful response,
rlm@2 9
rlm@2 10 “Oh, no, Sakura-chan, I feel absolutely wonderful. Thank you for
rlm@2 11 such a lovely evening, and such a lovely visit.”
rlm@2 12
rlm@2 13 As the door swung open Sakura nodded distractedly and thought,
rlm@2 14 “That’s right, the visit is almost over now.” She hid her grimace
rlm@2 15 from Tomoyo and tried to bring her emotions under control. Buffeted
rlm@2 16 all evening long, swinging between the sheer bliss of being with
rlm@2 17 Tomoyo and the black despair of knowing she would soon be gone,
rlm@2 18 Sakura felt sickeningly dizzy. Sakura sensed the turmoil deep within
rlm@2 19 her stirring again, but sealed it away and ignore it. She didn’t want
rlm@2 20 to break down again in front of Tomoyo. It wasn’t fair to ruin her
rlm@2 21 beautiful trip by making her sad. After all, Tomoyo bore the weight
rlm@2 22 of her secret love without complaint. Rather than trouble the one she
rlm@2 23 loved, the pale girl chose to silently suffer for the sake of their
rlm@2 24 happiness. In all their years together, Sakura could never remember a
rlm@2 25 complaint, an accusation, or an angry question from Tomoyo about the
rlm@2 26 true love that neglected her so. She carried her pain with an easy
rlm@2 27 grace, as if it were a burden lighter than a feather. Sakura felt a
rlm@2 28 flash of anger at whoever it was that ignored her best friend’s love.
rlm@2 29 How could they be so blind? How could they live in ignorance of that
rlm@2 30 vibrant, overflowing love? It seemed terribly unfair that someone so
rlm@2 31 sweet and good should be condemned to a life of loneliness. But never
rlm@2 32 a word did Tomoyo speak against them, or even about her pain. “Well”,
rlm@2 33 Sakura resolved, “if she can do it for years, I can do it for a few
rlm@2 34 hours. Until she leaves.” But that thought brought a new wave of
rlm@2 35 distress that pushed her to the brink of tears. She glanced at Tomoyo
rlm@2 36 as they neared the guest room door, then blurted out in a tense voice,
rlm@2 37
rlm@2 38 “Tomoyo-chan, I need to go to my room for a minute, but if you need
rlm@2 39 help packing…”
rlm@2 40
rlm@2 41 Tomoyo looked at the woman who stood by her and sensed an inner
rlm@2 42 torment. She longed to be with her for just a few moments more, but
rlm@2 43 instead smiled and politely replied,
rlm@2 44
rlm@2 45 “I’ll be fine, Sakura-chan. I’m nearly packed as it is. I’ll see you
rlm@2 46 a little later, then.” Sakura gazed at her with a haunted look,
rlm@2 47 nodded quickly, and then all but ran down the hall. Tomoyo stood
rlm@2 48 alone in the dark and trembled. Breathing deeply, she prayed her
rlm@2 49 heart be still, then opened the door and turned on the light. She
rlm@2 50 rested her hand on the dark wood of the wall, fingers lightly tracing
rlm@2 51 the exquisite carvings of birds and flowers. With a little sigh she
rlm@2 52 pulled her suitcase from the closet and opened it up on the floor.
rlm@2 53 Raising the lid of the little chest that held her clothing, she
rlm@2 54 breathed in the sweet scent of cedar. “Cedar is for memory,” she
rlm@2 55 whispered aloud. Where was that quote from, she wondered? Shaking her
rlm@2 56 head and smiling, she thought of all the memories she would carry
rlm@2 57 back to Japan from her wonderful second trip to Hong Kong.
rlm@2 58
rlm@2 59 She packed away the dress she had worn when Sakura greeted her at
rlm@2 60 the airport, practically bowling her over with enthusiasm. Holding
rlm@2 61 onto Sakura in that busy throng, she felt as if the rest of the world
rlm@2 62 had ceased to exist. To see her again after four long months, months
rlm@2 63 that dragged on like years, had been a dream fulfilled. She carefully
rlm@2 64 tucked away the gorgeous red cheongsam that Ieran-sama had insisted
rlm@2 65 she keep. She felt the fine silk and traced the little bumps of
rlm@2 66 embroidered gold with her fingertip. Tomoyo had earnestly protested
rlm@2 67 that such a gift was priceless, and she could not possibly accept it.
rlm@2 68 But Ieran-sama only laughed, and told her that no one could ever look
rlm@2 69 as good in it as she. On top of the dress in a little plastic bag she
rlm@2 70 placed a few golden trinkets that had adorned her hair, and
rlm@2 71 blushingly remembered the look in Fanren’s eyes as she bid her
rlm@2 72 goodnight after the banquet. Contemplating the gray and black
rlm@2 73 swimsuit, finally dry on its hanger, Tomoyo giddily recalled swimming
rlm@2 74 with Sakura. She closed her eyes as her mind echoed with the
rlm@2 75 sensation of Sakura's firm but gentle arms holding her as they swam
rlm@2 76 in the warm water. She peeked at her little clock to check the time,
rlm@2 77 and wondered where her friend was. “Maybe she’s fallen asleep,”
rlm@2 78 Tomoyo giggled to herself, “I guess even genki Card Mistresses have
rlm@2 79 to rest sometime.”
rlm@2 80
rlm@2 81 Still, the room felt empty without her, and Tomoyo wished she were
rlm@2 82 there. Gazing at the clothing in her half-packed suitcase, she
rlm@2 83 wondered if these memories were truly enough. Can I live with just
rlm@2 84 memories, but not her? Before this trip she would have replied with a
rlm@2 85 resounding yes. To have such precious moments to savor would have
rlm@2 86 seemed a bounty beyond compare. But now, they were pale reminders of
rlm@2 87 the indescribable joy of simply being with her. She had seen such
rlm@2 88 wonderful sights on this trip, but none of them compared to sitting
rlm@2 89 by Sakura and holding her hand.
rlm@2 90
rlm@2 91 Out of the fragrant cedar chest came her cyan nightgown. She held it
rlm@2 92 up and recalled Sakura brushing her hair with long, sensuous strokes,
rlm@2 93 delicate fingers lightly caressing her shoulder and neck. She
rlm@2 94 remembered sitting in the garden, gazing at Sakura’s face glowing in
rlm@2 95 the moonlight, and how her eyes caught that glow and shone with an
rlm@2 96 emerald fire. She remembered crying in her arms, the pain and longing
rlm@2 97 finally too much to bear without tears. And with feverish intensity
rlm@2 98 she remembered their kiss, her very first kiss, and the flood of
rlm@2 99 tender, passionate love between them. For an electric instant her
rlm@2 100 soul joined with Sakura’s in that magical garden under the August
rlm@2 101 moon. Tomoyo felt Sakura’s love there as never before. It surprised
rlm@2 102 and delighted her then, and confused and delighted her now. And
rlm@2 103 sitting on the floor in the guest room, holding that soft cyan
rlm@2 104 nightgown to her breast, a realization struck Tomoyo with forceful
rlm@2 105 suddenness: Sakura had changed.
rlm@2 106
rlm@2 107 In all their years growing up together, Sakura had been much the
rlm@2 108 same as the sweet, genki girl she first met in third grade. True, she
rlm@2 109 had developed into a beautiful woman, and perhaps was a bit less
rlm@2 110 hyper as she grew older. But all in all, she was still Sakura. Yet
rlm@2 111 something now was very different, and Tomoyo searched her heart to
rlm@2 112 understand just what. There had been hints in the letters and the
rlm@2 113 phone calls. Sometimes she sensed a loss of confidence, a hesitant
rlm@2 114 uncertainty. But Sakura had seen her way through moments like that
rlm@2 115 before, always emerging triumphantly with captured Clow Card, or
rlm@2 116 husband, in hand. Sometimes in her writing Sakura had seemed sad and
rlm@2 117 lonely, but surely this was natural as she adjusted to a new life in
rlm@2 118 a strange city, far away from family and friends. No, it was not
rlm@2 119 until they sat together in the garden that Tomoyo had really noticed.
rlm@2 120 Sakura had always liked her, and treasured her as a best friend. But
rlm@2 121 there, in that garden, the pale woman felt Sakura’s love as never
rlm@2 122 before. It was not a mere kiss, or a touch, or a glance that was
rlm@2 123 different, for these were but outward signs. What had changed was her
rlm@2 124 love. What was once a tender affection was now a passionate longing
rlm@2 125 that seemingly knew no bounds. Tomoyo felt exhilaration and
rlm@2 126 apprehension as she realized what had once seemed impossible. Closing
rlm@2 127 her eyes, she shuddered sweetly at the thought: her love is like my
rlm@2 128 love.
rlm@2 129
rlm@2 130 Her heart raced as she carefully folded the nightgown and placed it
rlm@2 131 in the suitcase. Long ago Eriol had remarked on her perceptive
rlm@2 132 nature, and she knew he was right. She could read hearts as if they
rlm@2 133 were open books, with all their fragile secrets hers to see. Her kind
rlm@2 134 and loving nature blended well with this gift, for she would never
rlm@2 135 bring harm to another, or use her knowledge to manipulate and
rlm@2 136 control. Sometimes, though, she would gently nudge, or drop a hint,
rlm@2 137 or help a heart along the path it yearned for. She had seen Sayoran's
rlm@2 138 love for Sakura bloom like a trembling flower, and helped nurture it
rlm@2 139 when she realized Sakura's love for the Chinese Sorcerer. Such a
rlm@2 140 course carried no small onus of pain, but for Sakura's sake she
rlm@2 141 persevered, and was rewarded with the Card Mistress' joy on her
rlm@2 142 wedding day. Not that she had seen all of it, of course. But Sakura
rlm@2 143 was happy, and what else mattered? But then, if she was now happily
rlm@2 144 married, how to explain her wonderful, baffling love for Tomoyo?
rlm@2 145
rlm@2 146 Gazing out the window of the garden and listening to birds greeting
rlm@2 147 the morning sun, Tomoyo frowned thoughtfully. At first, she had
rlm@2 148 dismissed Sakura's love as simple nostalgia for her life in Japan. It
rlm@2 149 was hard to grow up, to leave behind the easy joys of childhood. But
rlm@2 150 Sakura's love went far beyond the bounds of anything that Tomoyo had
rlm@2 151 sensed before. Either it was something entirely new, or something
rlm@2 152 long buried that had recently been uncovered. What would cause such a
rlm@2 153 thing? Sakura seemed happy in her marriage, though Sayoran's absence
rlm@2 154 during her visit seemed odd. Tomoyo was puzzled by the man’s
rlm@2 155 behavior. How could anyone be married to such a bright and lovely
rlm@2 156 spirit and not want to be with her all the time? Even the few times
rlm@2 157 she had seen him around her, he seemed distant, appearing more out of
rlm@2 158 obligation than choice. Of course, that was Syaoran. He was reserved
rlm@2 159 and painfully shy. But surely, underneath it all, he loved her. He
rlm@2 160 had to. How could anyone not love her? Perhaps he loved her, but not
rlm@2 161 the same way as Tomoyo. But then, could anyone love Sakura the way
rlm@2 162 she did? That wasn't fair to Sayoran, to compare his love to hers.
rlm@2 163 Shaking her head, Tomoyo suddenly felt exhausted. With a smile she
rlm@2 164 thought, "Around her, I'm never tired. She has enough energy for both
rlm@2 165 of us."
rlm@2 166
rlm@2 167 Tomoyo returned to packing. With a sigh, she gently placed the dress
rlm@2 168 from her almost-date into the suitcase. Dancing with Sakura! Did it
rlm@2 169 really happen, or was it just the sweetest of dreams? Holding her
rlm@2 170 close, swaying softly to the music, feeling the soft warmth of her
rlm@2 171 body under the shimmering silk. Tomoyo blushed scarlet and hugged
rlm@2 172 herself tightly. And then, that kiss. Tomoyo's fingers rested lightly
rlm@2 173 on her lips as she remembered the eager longing of Sakura's sudden
rlm@2 174 passion. Even the memory of it left her breathless. If I never see
rlm@2 175 her again, she thought, I’ll always have that kiss.
rlm@2 176
rlm@2 177 With a little sigh, she snapped shut the suitcase and glanced at the
rlm@2 178 clock. Done, and it’s almost time to leave. Her heart ached with the
rlm@2 179 finality of it all. But she had resolved that this must be their
rlm@2 180 final parting. Being together would only lead to pain for them both.
rlm@2 181 She wondered if she would see Sakura again before leaving, or if
rlm@2 182 woman had fallen fast asleep. Her heart soared when she heard a light
rlm@2 183 tapping at the door, and she rushed to open it. In an elated voice
rlm@2 184 she cried out, “Sakura-chan!”
rlm@2 185
rlm@2 186 She opened the door, and there stood Ieran-sama and Fanren. Hastily
rlm@2 187 bowing, she felt somehow flustered as the two women entered the room.
rlm@2 188 As she began her apology, Ieran-sama gently interrupted,
rlm@2 189
rlm@2 190 “I’m certain Sakura-san will be here shortly. Do you need help with
rlm@2 191 your bags?”
rlm@2 192
rlm@2 193 Tomoyo smiled and shook her head, “No, thank you. I’m all finished
rlm@2 194 packing now. Oh, but I did have something to give you, if I may.”
rlm@2 195 Tomoyo took seven perfectly wrapped packages from a little table. One
rlm@2 196 she gave to Ieran-sama, and one to Fanren. She explained that the
rlm@2 197 others were for the remaining Li sisters, Syaoran, and Sakura. “They
rlm@2 198 are nothing special, just little thank-yous for having me here, and
rlm@2 199 for all of your help and kindness. I’ve had such a wonderful time.”
rlm@2 200
rlm@2 201 Ieran took her package, studying the beautiful wrapping paper and
rlm@2 202 the intricate bow Tomoyo had tied. She looked at Tomoyo and smiled
rlm@2 203 warmly as she thanked the young designer, then slipped the package
rlm@2 204 into the folds of her silken gown. Fanren, with less patience, had
rlm@2 205 eagerly torn open the wrapping of her own present and was admiring a
rlm@2 206 beautiful jade pin in the shape of a dragonfly. With child-like glee
rlm@2 207 she exclaimed,
rlm@2 208
rlm@2 209 “Tomoyo-chan, it’s lovely! Thank you so very much!” With that she
rlm@2 210 hugged Tomoyo tightly, practically sweeping the slender woman off her
rlm@2 211 feet. Tomoyo blushed, then smiled and hugged back. Finally, she bowed
rlm@2 212 and spoke in her musical voice,
rlm@2 213
rlm@2 214 “Thank you again for everything. But perhaps I should finish
rlm@2 215 dressing before the limousine arrives?”
rlm@2 216
rlm@2 217 Ieran smiled and bowed, then gently tugged on Fanren’s sleeve,
rlm@2 218 bringing the woman out of her Tomoyo-induced fog. Closing the door,
rlm@2 219 Ieran turned and walked down the dark hallway. Fanren followed, and
rlm@2 220 in a rueful voice whispered,
rlm@2 221
rlm@2 222 “Mother, I think I’m in love.”
rlm@2 223
rlm@2 224 Ieran-sama suppressed a grin at her daughter’s half-kidding
rlm@2 225 confession. Signaling a servant to go help Tomoyo carry her bags, she
rlm@2 226 wondered to herself, “Who could possibly know that girl and not fall
rlm@2 227 in love?”
rlm@2 228
rlm@2 229 Tomoyo, dressed in the long, chiffon, copper-russet dress she had
rlm@2 230 bought at Matsizakaya, waited by the driveway as the limousine pulled
rlm@2 231 up. She felt a twinge of disappointment as she scanned the house for
rlm@2 232 Sakura. Looking at the mansion one last time, she entered the
rlm@2 233 spacious back seat of the limousine and heard a voice shout out,
rlm@2 234
rlm@2 235 “Wait! Tomoyo-chan, don’t go yet!” As a breathless Sakura tumbled
rlm@2 236 into the car beside her, Tomoyo felt a surge of exhilaration. She
rlm@2 237 looked at her panting friend and spoke in a merry voice,
rlm@2 238
rlm@2 239 “Sakura-chan, I was afraid you might have fallen asleep.” Then,
rlm@2 240 noticing the numerous band-aids on her hands, Tomoyo gasped out, “Oh,
rlm@2 241 Sakura-chan, are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?” Gently took
rlm@2 242 her friend’s hands in her own and stared at with fearful eyes.
rlm@2 243 Looking embarrassed, Sakura replied with forced laughter,
rlm@2 244
rlm@2 245 “Oh, hah-hah, it’s nothing, really. Just my usual clumsy self. I’m
rlm@2 246 fine, really I am.” But despite her protestations, she happily left
rlm@2 247 her hands in Tomoyo’s. Tomoyo calmed down, but still regarded her
rlm@2 248 friend with a worried look. Sakura smiled and apologized,
rlm@2 249
rlm@2 250 “I’m sorry I wasn’t with you. But I had to do something before you
rlm@2 251 left. Oh, and Ieran-sama wanted me to give you this.” Sakura gave her
rlm@2 252 a small package, which Tomoyo slipped into her carry-on bag. Sakura
rlm@2 253 slumped back into the plush seat of the limousine, still holding her
rlm@2 254 hand. With a gentle squeeze, Tomoyo spoke in a cheery voice,
rlm@2 255
rlm@2 256 “It’s all right, Sakura-chan. I’m just happy you’re here now. Thank
rlm@2 257 you so much for having me. It was the most wonderful vacation I could
rlm@2 258 ever have had.”
rlm@2 259
rlm@2 260 Sakura gazed back, smiling, brushing away her auburn hair with
rlm@2 261 bandaged fingers. With a happy sigh, she replied,
rlm@2 262
rlm@2 263 “This was the most wonderful time I’ve ever had, Tomoyo-chan. But
rlm@2 264 the best thing about it was just being with you.”
rlm@2 265
rlm@2 266 Tomoyo felt a warm glow in her heart as Sakura spoke. Her voice
rlm@2 267 masked her emotions as she spoke again liltingly, “I’m sure Sakura-
rlm@2 268 chan will have many more wonderful times in all the magical years to
rlm@2 269 come.” For several minutes there was only silence as the limousine
rlm@2 270 snaked it’s way through the heavy traffic. The pale woman felt the
rlm@2 271 grip on her hand tighten, and sensed her companion’s edginess.
rlm@2 272 Finally, Sakura spoke up in a quiet voice,
rlm@2 273
rlm@2 274 “Tomoyo-chan, I hope you’ll be able to come again sometime. Sometime
rlm@2 275 soon.”
rlm@2 276
rlm@2 277 Tomoyo felt a chill as she thought, no, please Sakura, please don’t.
rlm@2 278 We can’t. Staring straight ahead, she responded with forced
rlm@2 279 casualness,
rlm@2 280
rlm@2 281 “I hope so, too.”
rlm@2 282
rlm@2 283 Silence. Sakura turned and looked out the window at the city
rlm@2 284 skyline, or the other cars, or perhaps nothing much at all. In a
rlm@2 285 hesitant, whispery voice she asked,
rlm@2 286
rlm@2 287 “When do you think you might be able to come again?”
rlm@2 288
rlm@2 289 “Sakura-chan, I’m really not sure. It will be busy before the
rlm@2 290 Christmas season, and then there are all the projects for the New
rlm@2 291 Year, and….”
rlm@2 292
rlm@2 293 Her voice trailed away as she fought back the tears. It sounded so
rlm@2 294 awful, as if her work was more important than Sakura. How could she
rlm@2 295 say such a thing? But she couldn’t do this again, she just couldn’t.
rlm@2 296 Seeing Sakura was tearing her soul apart, and could ruin Sakura’s
rlm@2 297 marriage and beautiful new life. For Sakura’s sake, and her own, she
rlm@2 298 had to say good-bye. She had to. Tomoyo turned to the window and
rlm@2 299 choked back a sob. Then she felt Sakura squeeze her hand tightly, and
rlm@2 300 heard a wistful voice,
rlm@2 301
rlm@2 302 “It’s all right Tomoyo-chan, I understand. I’m sorry. I know that
rlm@2 303 we’ll be together again someday.”
rlm@2 304
rlm@2 305 As the limousine pulled up to the airport’s departing area, Tomoyo
rlm@2 306 felt queasy and weak. She didn’t want to end her trip like this. She
rlm@2 307 didn’t want this to be the final memory seared into her heart. But
rlm@2 308 her masks were lost, and the words wouldn’t come. It was all she
rlm@2 309 could do to keep from crying. Then she heard a voice, genki and
rlm@2 310 strong, that filled the cold parts of her with summer sunshine,
rlm@2 311
rlm@2 312 “We’re here, Tomoyo-chan. Come on, you don’t want to miss your
rlm@2 313 flight!”
rlm@2 314
rlm@2 315 Startled, she turned around and saw Sakura’s bright, beaming smile.
rlm@2 316 Relieved, she smiled back, and the two rushed hand-in-hand down the
rlm@2 317 JAL concourse. Arriving at the gate, Sakura bowed and spoke in a
rlm@2 318 voice that was happy and sad all at once,
rlm@2 319
rlm@2 320 “Arigato gozaimasu, Tomoyo-chan. I was so happy to see you again.
rlm@2 321 Have a wonderful flight back, and give my love to your Mother.”
rlm@2 322
rlm@2 323 Tomoyo bowed and resisted the urge to embrace her beautiful friend,
rlm@2 324 “Arigato gozaimasu, Sakura-chan. Thank you for everything. Sayonara.”
rlm@2 325
rlm@2 326 As she turned reluctantly to go, she heard a whispery voice calling
rlm@2 327 her back, “Tomoyo-chan. Please.”
rlm@2 328
rlm@2 329 She turned and saw Sakura with her head bowed, offering a hastily
rlm@2 330 wrapped package tied with lavender ribbons. Her voice brimming with
rlm@2 331 emotion, Sakura said,
rlm@2 332
rlm@2 333 “Tomoyo-chan, I’ve felt so bad for so long that you were never able
rlm@2 334 to have this from your special someone. I’m sorry it’s not very good.
rlm@2 335 I’m not very good at sewing, and I was sort of in a rush. I know your
rlm@2 336 true love, if he knew, would do so much better. But since he can’t, I
rlm@2 337 wanted to give you this from him.”
rlm@2 338
rlm@2 339 Stunned, Tomoyo stood motionless. Finally, she reached out and took
rlm@2 340 the soft package from Sakura’s trembling hands. Then she took the
rlm@2 341 woman into her arms, her own tears flowing freely. Holding one
rlm@2 342 another, the two friends clung together in their own world of grief
rlm@2 343 and joy. Tomoyo desperately wanted to speak, to tell Sakura just how
rlm@2 344 much she really loved her. But it would be too cruel, so she wept in
rlm@2 345 silence. Finally, Sakura whispered raggedly,
rlm@2 346
rlm@2 347 “Tomoyo-chan, you…you don’t want to miss your flight.”
rlm@2 348
rlm@2 349 Tomoyo slowly let go, though she yearned to hold her just a little
rlm@2 350 bit longer. Instead, she spoke in a voice that sounded so very far
rlm@2 351 away, “Hai. Sayonara, Sakura-chan.” She moved away and turned to go,
rlm@2 352 forcing every step that took her farther and farther away from her
rlm@2 353 one, true love. She glanced back and saw Sakura, smiling through a
rlm@2 354 tear-streaked face, waving goodbye. Tomoyo paused, hesitant, her
rlm@2 355 heart pounding wildly. She nearly ran back to those gentle arms, but
rlm@2 356 instead rushed down the boarding ramp, fumbling for her ticket in a
rlm@2 357 haze of tears.
rlm@2 358
rlm@2 359 Sakura watched her go, then walked to a picture window overlooking
rlm@2 360 the runway. Somehow, she made it until Tomoyo was gone. She stood in
rlm@2 361 shock as the boarding ramp slowly swung away from Tomoyo’s plane.
rlm@2 362 Dimly she heard the engines roar to life. Pressing her face against
rlm@2 363 the glass, she whimpered like a forgotten child, “Please don’t go.
rlm@2 364 Please, Tomoyo-chan. Please don’t go.”
rlm@2 365
rlm@2 366 As if in a dream, the enormous jet slowly began to pull away. Sakura
rlm@2 367 gazed up at the blue sky and whispered, “In a few minutes she’ll be
rlm@2 368 there, in a beautiful place in the sky.” The odd words echoed in her
rlm@2 369 head, and suddenly a deluge of memories burst upon her: a little
rlm@2 370 child sobbing in bed, a frighteningly empty chair at a dinning table,
rlm@2 371 and a brother, her brother, quietly explaining,
rlm@2 372
rlm@2 373 “She’s up there now, in a beautiful place in the sky.”
rlm@2 374
rlm@2 375 Slowly shaking her head, Sakura moaned softly and began to cry
rlm@2 376 again. Her brave front finally collapsed in a torrent of weeping as
rlm@2 377 she covered her face with bandaged hands. Heads turned to the wailing
rlm@2 378 young woman who sobbed hysterically and staggered into the Ladies’
rlm@2 379 Room. Her hapless cries reverberated as Tomoyo’s plane, aloft at
rlm@2 380 last, gained altitude for the long flight home.
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