Mercurial > moonlitnights

annotate old/stories/tomoyo-prince.txt @ 4:69f0191c9016 moonlitnights tip

Find changesets by keywords (author, files, the commit message), revision number or hash, or revset expression.
added error.log and access.log
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:42:35 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
rev   line source
rlm@2 1 A Tomoyo and Sakura Story
rlm@2 2 By G. P.
rlm@2 3 Please send comments to: treeandleaf2002@yahoo.com
rlm@2 4
rlm@2 5 Note: all names and characters are property of CLAMP. This story is
rlm@2 6 in no way meant to infringe on their intellectual property rights.
rlm@2 7
rlm@2 8 This story is part of a series, but may be read alone. The previous
rlm@2 9 stories in order are:
rlm@2 10 Love is the Crooked Thing
rlm@2 11 First Date
rlm@2 12 Fruits Candy
rlm@2 13 Tomoyo and the Visitor
rlm@2 14
rlm@2 15
rlm@2 16 I.
rlm@2 17 The teachers all agreed. "Beauty in the Woods" had been such a
rlm@2 18 success for the fourth grade class that it deserved a reprise as the
rlm@2 19 fifth grade play. The students, enthusiastic but nervous, began
rlm@2 20 writing their names on the board. Just like last year, Mizuki-sensei
rlm@2 21 would determine the parts randomly. As Sakura wrote her name, Tomoyo
rlm@2 22 smiled, wondering what new costumes she would get to create for her
rlm@2 23 friend. Already her head was full of fantastic designs for a fairy
rlm@2 24 godmother, and dignified, regal attire fit for a queen. She could
rlm@2 25 hardly wait to start sewing! So enraptured was she with the prospect
rlm@2 26 of getting a new costume on Sakura that she missed the scowl on
rlm@2 27 Sayoran when she got up to write her own name on the board.
rlm@2 28
rlm@2 29 Newly returned from Hong Kong, he felt as out of place as ever. He
rlm@2 30 was puzzled why his awkward, tentative approaches to Sakura had gone
rlm@2 31 unnoticed. Brooding back home, he realized that Sakura had shown
rlm@2 32 interest in him, but he had been too busy to see. Now, she seemed
rlm@2 33 friendly, but that "something else" he had sensed was no longer
rlm@2 34 there. If only he were the Prince, and she the Princess of the play,
rlm@2 35 perhaps she could be made to see the connection they shared, as well
rlm@2 36 as their proper place in the order of things. Despite everything, he
rlm@2 37 had never really accepted the notion that a weak little girl could be
rlm@2 38 the true successor to Clow Reed. Awakened from his reveries by gasps
rlm@2 39 and cheers, he was delighted to see the first part of his plan fall
rlm@2 40 into place as Mizuki-sensei revealed the name of the Princess:
rlm@2 41 Kinomoto Sakura.
rlm@2 42
rlm@2 43 Tomoyo flew from her chair, holding her hands together in ecstasy.
rlm@2 44 Sakura would make a perfect, absolutely perfect princess! Enraptured
rlm@2 45 in a flurry of flowers and bubbles, she failed to see own name
rlm@2 46 revealed:
rlm@2 47
rlm@2 48 The Prince: Daidouji Tomoyo
rlm@2 49
rlm@2 50 Dumbstruck, Sayoran glared at the blackboard. This was even more
rlm@2 51 ridiculous than last year. How could a quiet, nondescript girl like
rlm@2 52 her ever play the part of a noble prince? As shock turned to
rlm@2 53 aggravation, he finally noticed that his own name had been revealed
rlm@2 54 as well.
rlm@2 55
rlm@2 56 Mizuki smilingly passed out scripts to the eager boys and girls. She
rlm@2 57 took great delight in being the new fifth-grade math teacher, though
rlm@2 58 her students were sadly unaware of the true power of numbers. As she
rlm@2 59 absently took her copy, Tomoyo’s attention was fixed on the Mistress
rlm@2 60 of the Cards. Mizuki laughed to herself and spoke up brightly,
rlm@2 61
rlm@2 62 "Daidouji"
rlm@2 63
rlm@2 64 The girl turned to face her, lavender eyes sparkling at the prospect
rlm@2 65 of her friend as a princess.
rlm@2 66
rlm@2 67 "I think you'll make an interesting Prince."
rlm@2 68
rlm@2 69 Tomoyo smiled and bowed slightly as she caught Mizuki-sensei's
rlm@2 70 enigmatic smile. She had not even thought about her own part in the
rlm@2 71 play. Well, with a little altering, she could wear the costume from
rlm@2 72 last year. But most of her time would be spent in designing a costume
rlm@2 73 fit for a true Princess.
rlm@2 74
rlm@2 75 Next day the class had their first walk-through rehearsal. Terada
rlm@2 76 sensei joined Mizuki to supervise and direct. Right away he saw the
rlm@2 77 problem. Mizuki's odd method of casting generated excitement among
rlm@2 78 the students and audience, but this was the sort of snag he had
rlm@2 79 always feared. The Daidouji girl was one of his best students:
rlm@2 80 bright, punctual, cheerful, and talented. But she made an awful
rlm@2 81 Prince. Kinomoto had been surprisingly good in the role last year,
rlm@2 82 with a physical verve and commanding presence that convinced all that
rlm@2 83 here was a Prince indeed. But now he covered his face in his hands as
rlm@2 84 Daidouji dropped her sword instead of drawing it with a flourish.
rlm@2 85 Worse, her soft voice had none of the iron determination that such a
rlm@2 86 part demanded. He looked helplessly at Mizuki, who simply smiled as
rlm@2 87 if she had not a care in the world. Already, he was preparing his
rlm@2 88 apologies to the Principal. Turning to the math teacher he whispered,
rlm@2 89
rlm@2 90 "Mizuki-san, eh, perhaps we might consider some slight alterations
rlm@2 91 to ensure, eh, a more harmonious cast?" He winced as Daidouji bowed
rlm@2 92 in apology after dropping her sword again.
rlm@2 93
rlm@2 94 Beaming, Mizuki whispered back, "Oh, that would be fine. I do worry,
rlm@2 95 though, about the effect such a change might have on the children. I
rlm@2 96 am sure that many of them would love to have a different part." With
rlm@2 97 a puzzled look on her face, she said distractedly, 'How might we
rlm@2 98 apportion the parts fairly so that every child gets the one they
rlm@2 99 want, and is also right for them?"
rlm@2 100
rlm@2 101 Terada groaned to himself. She was right. One change would lead to
rlm@2 102 another, and it would be impossible to match up every student with
rlm@2 103 the part they wanted and would be best at. With a blush, he
rlm@2 104 remembered his secret hope that Rika-chan would play the Princess.
rlm@2 105 Well, they would just have to do their best. But already he was
rlm@2 106 dreading the night of the play.
rlm@2 107
rlm@2 108
rlm@2 109 II.
rlm@2 110 With the performance only a few days away, Sakura asked Tomoyo if
rlm@2 111 she would like to get together and rehearse. In Sakura's room the
rlm@2 112 following day the auburn-haired girl struggled to remember the lines
rlm@2 113 while her friend looked on encouragingly. For the first time, she
rlm@2 114 made it through without a stumble.
rlm@2 115
rlm@2 116 "Do you want to do your lines, Tomoyo-chan?", she smiled.
rlm@2 117
rlm@2 118 Tomoyo looked up and said, "Oh, thank you, Sakura-chan, but I
rlm@2 119 already know them by heart."
rlm@2 120
rlm@2 121 Looking closely at her friend, Sakura noticed a brief look of
rlm@2 122 concern. Taking her by the hand, she spoke earnestly,
rlm@2 123
rlm@2 124 "Tomoyo-chan, is everything all right?"
rlm@2 125
rlm@2 126 Startled, Tomoyo looked at her, smiling again, and said, "Oh, yes. I
rlm@2 127 was just thinking about how to finish the sleeves on your costume".
rlm@2 128
rlm@2 129 With a worried look, Sakura blurted out, "Oh, I'm sorry if I
rlm@2 130 interrupted your sewing by asking you to come over. And even though
rlm@2 131 you already knew your lines you came to help me! I'm so sorry, Tomoyo-
rlm@2 132 chan".
rlm@2 133
rlm@2 134 Tomoyo, distressed by Sakura's reaction, squeezed the girl’s hand,
rlm@2 135 "No, no, it's all right, really, That's not it, I'll have it all
rlm@2 136 finished in time...." Her voice trailed off in silence.
rlm@2 137
rlm@2 138 Sakura looked closely at her friend, and again sensed something
rlm@2 139 troubling her. Smiling, she said, "If that's not it, Tomoyo, what is?
rlm@2 140 Something is bothering you, isn't it?"
rlm@2 141
rlm@2 142 Tomoyo looked up into the shimmering emerald eyes and felt her heart
rlm@2 143 flutter. Since Sakura had first confessed her love almost a year ago,
rlm@2 144 the two had grown ever closer. An unexpected result of this was that
rlm@2 145 Tomoyo could hide less and less from her increasingly perceptive
rlm@2 146 friend. For years, Tomoyo locked her love away, safe and secret as
rlm@2 147 the little eraser in the box in her room. Unaware of Tomoyo's
rlm@2 148 passionate affection (as well as her silent pain), Sakura had
rlm@2 149 directed her singular concentration towards the capture of the Clow
rlm@2 150 Cards. Now that attention was focused laser-like on Tomoyo, and the
rlm@2 151 dark-haired girl found it increasingly difficult to conceal the
rlm@2 152 things she feared would hurt her friend. Haltingly, groping for the
rlm@2 153 right words, Tomoyo whispered,
rlm@2 154
rlm@2 155 "Sakura-chan, I'm just...worried that I won't be a very good Prince
rlm@2 156 for you."
rlm@2 157
rlm@2 158 She looked away lest the tears take her. Ever since the first
rlm@2 159 rehearsal she had worried about being an adequate Prince for Sakura's
rlm@2 160 Princess. That concern was oddly like the anxiety that had stalked
rlm@2 161 her for the past year: how could she ever be worthy of Sakura's love?
rlm@2 162 Her adoration for the girl was boundless, but had boxed her in. She
rlm@2 163 was torn with worry that she could not be all her friend deserved. On
rlm@2 164 stage with the choir, and even as a soloist, Tomoyo performed with
rlm@2 165 confident ease. But now, the possibility of dropping her sword or her
rlm@2 166 lines terrified her, for that would bring unbearable dishonor to
rlm@2 167 Sakura. She had even gone to Mizuki-sensei, to suggest that another
rlm@2 168 student, perhaps Li-kun, might make a better Prince. But the
rlm@2 169 teacher's strange smile flustered her and left her speechless.
rlm@2 170 Suddenly she felt arms around her, and turned to see Sakura hugging
rlm@2 171 her tightly.
rlm@2 172
rlm@2 173 "Tomoyo-chan, that's so silly! I wouldn't want anybody besides you
rlm@2 174 as my Prince. I know you'll be wonderful!"
rlm@2 175
rlm@2 176 As she smiled and hugged back, Tomoyo knew Sakura would love her no
rlm@2 177 matter what. But at the thought of having to be "wonderful" in the
rlm@2 178 play her body tensed, and Sakura sensed it. Tomoyo was usually so
rlm@2 179 good at things like this, and Sakura had been too absorbed in the
rlm@2 180 role of the Princess to even notice her friend's anxiety. But what
rlm@2 181 could she possibly do? Tomoyo knew her lines; that wasn't the
rlm@2 182 problem. Thinking about it, Tomoyo fit all the ideals of a fairy tale
rlm@2 183 prince: she was gracious, self-sacrificing, confident, brave, kind,
rlm@2 184 and... beautiful. Sakura blushed. But physically, Tomoyo seemed
rlm@2 185 strangely ill at ease with the part. Sakura realized that with
rlm@2 186 cheerleading club, and gymnastics, and the exertions of capturing the
rlm@2 187 Clow Cards, the physical activity of the Prince’s role had been
rlm@2 188 second nature to her. But Tomoyo was different. How could she
rlm@2 189 possibly help her friend to look and move and sound like a prince?
rlm@2 190
rlm@2 191 Long after Tomoyo had left to go sew, Sakura sat awake in her room,
rlm@2 192 determined to do something. She couldn't count all the times that
rlm@2 193 Tomoyo had helped her. When she was down, or afraid, or uncertain,
rlm@2 194 her friend was always ready to listen, to talk, or just to be there.
rlm@2 195 Now those roles were reversed, and she had to find a way to help.
rlm@2 196 Finally, long after midnight, she took out the Clow Cards and studied
rlm@2 197 them. Slowly going through the cards, each with her name engraved
rlm@2 198 upon it, she waited for inspiration. Finally, one leapt to her
rlm@2 199 attention as the obvious solution. She held it up, dancing out of
rlm@2 200 bed, heart bursting with the certainty that now everything would be
rlm@2 201 all right.
rlm@2 202
rlm@2 203 III.
rlm@2 204 As the audience expectantly greeted the rising curtain, Tomoyo
rlm@2 205 helped Sakura into the elaborate Princess’ costume off-stage. A
rlm@2 206 circle of girls surrounded them, oo-ing and ah-ing at the magnificent
rlm@2 207 design. Sonomi had pitched in with sewing the night before, and even
rlm@2 208 then the two had been up till dawn. Stifling a yawn, Tomoyo felt it
rlm@2 209 all worthwhile as she made the final adjustments, sewing a loose bow
rlm@2 210 on the hem. She only hoped her own part in the play would not prove
rlm@2 211 too embarrassing for her friend. After worrying the matter to the
rlm@2 212 point of tears, she had finally resolved to just do her best.
rlm@2 213 Finished at last, she stepped back for a final appraisal, and stood
rlm@2 214 in awe.
rlm@2 215
rlm@2 216 The design was inspired by the dress of the Italian Renaissance in
rlm@2 217 the early 15th Century. A moiré of dark green brocade served as the
rlm@2 218 gown. Decorated with golden moons and suns, the lush fabric was
rlm@2 219 outlined in a thick, gold trim. The gown was slashed in front,
rlm@2 220 revealing a crimson velvet petticoat embroidered with silver stars.
rlm@2 221 The sleeves were puffed and slashed, tied together with blood-red
rlm@2 222 ribbons, a delicate pink chemise peeking out from underneath. The
rlm@2 223 ends of the sleeves flared out and hung down, lined in spring green
rlm@2 224 silk. Pearls encircled Sakura’s delicate neck, and trimmed the
rlm@2 225 squared neckline of the gown. Typical of the time, she wore a wig of
rlm@2 226 blonde hair made of two long braids, entwined with long, pink
rlm@2 227 ribbons. Finally, a single teardrop emerald graced her forehead like
rlm@2 228 a third eye, hanging in place on a golden chain that encircled her
rlm@2 229 head like a tiara. She remembered her mother's words when she
rlm@2 230 borrowed the gemstone, "Please be careful, it's very precious to me.
rlm@2 231 It was Nadesico's"
rlm@2 232
rlm@2 233 Tomoyo could only stand and stare in the presence of a Princess from
rlm@2 234 long ago. But if the costume so lovingly crafted by Tomoyo's heart
rlm@2 235 and hands had brought the Princess magically to life, the real
rlm@2 236 miracle was Sakura herself. Most girls would look awkward and out of
rlm@2 237 place in the costume, overwhelmed by the rich, luxurious fabrics. But
rlm@2 238 she wore them with a natural grace, as if she'd been raised as
rlm@2 239 royalty from birth. The real glory was Sakura's, and the dress merely
rlm@2 240 an obedient compliment to her innate beauty. Utterly enraptured,
rlm@2 241 Tomoyo was only dimly aware of the girl's anxious voice,
rlm@2 242
rlm@2 243 "Tomoyo-chan, does it look all right? Tomoyo-chan?"
rlm@2 244
rlm@2 245 As though awakened from a dream, Tomoyo blinked and stood
rlm@2 246 speechless. A male voice from behind whispered,
rlm@2 247
rlm@2 248 "It looks wonderful. Kinomoto, you're on next, come with me.
rlm@2 249 Daidouji, you'd better get your own costume on soon". Terada-sensei
rlm@2 250 had stopped short when he first saw her in the costume. Like a fairy-
rlm@2 251 tale come to life, Kinomoto made a radiant princess. As she went on-
rlm@2 252 stage for the first time, he heard the audience gasp, then applaud.
rlm@2 253 He smiled and thought, maybe this will work out, after all.
rlm@2 254
rlm@2 255 As Tomoyo finished buttoning her costume, she went over her lines
rlm@2 256 one last time. She was nervous and sad and resigned all at once. With
rlm@2 257 a sigh, she stood on the edge of the stage as Yamazaki, this year's
rlm@2 258 narrator, intoned,
rlm@2 259
rlm@2 260 "To the country came a Prince".
rlm@2 261
rlm@2 262 Terada-sensei nodded, while Mizuki-sensei, standing at his side,
rlm@2 263 watched her with curious eyes. With a sinking heart, Tomoyo scuttled
rlm@2 264 on stage, faced the bright floodlights, and spoke in her usual sweet
rlm@2 265 voice,
rlm@2 266
rlm@2 267 "They say this is a mysterious castle".
rlm@2 268
rlm@2 269 She saw the three fairy godmothers, and heard Rika-chan's
rlm@2 270 encouraging voice, "We've been waiting for you".
rlm@2 271
rlm@2 272 Lying on her bier in the dark, behind the scenery of castle and rose
rlm@2 273 briars, Sakura fumbled about, looking for the Key. She had hidden it
rlm@2 274 and the card all too well in the costume's many layers. Finally she
rlm@2 275 found it, and quickly whispered the words, bathing the backstage in a
rlm@2 276 flash of golden light. A startled stagehand, wondering if a bulb had
rlm@2 277 suddenly blown, thought he heard a whispering voice,
rlm@2 278
rlm@2 279 "...and be a proper servant for Tomoyo's princely heart."
rlm@2 280
rlm@2 281 Relieved of an anxiety for her friend that had kept her up all
rlm@2 282 night, Sakura smiled to herself, and drifted off to a deep,
rlm@2 283 mysterious sleep.
rlm@2 284
rlm@2 285 As Tomoyo drew the little prop sword, shortened by Terada-sensei to
rlm@2 286 keep her from dropping it, everything changed. When the sword emerged
rlm@2 287 it was longer, sharper, and more menacing than a mere prop.
rlm@2 288 Simultaneously, she changed, feeling a flood of confidence and power
rlm@2 289 surging through her arm, flooding her body. In a calm, measured, but
rlm@2 290 commanding voice, she demanded,
rlm@2 291
rlm@2 292 "Who's there?"
rlm@2 293
rlm@2 294 As the normally placid girl flourished the sword high above her
rlm@2 295 head, the children playing the fairies stepped back in fear. Though
rlm@2 296 stunned by the sudden transformation, Rika had the presence of mind
rlm@2 297 to continue with her lines. After warning the Prince of the sorceress
rlm@2 298 within, Tomoyo declaimed,
rlm@2 299
rlm@2 300 " I have my sword, and my courage. I swear that I will break the
rlm@2 301 Princess' curse."
rlm@2 302
rlm@2 303 As the fairies bowed low and stepped aside, Tomoyo strode towards
rlm@2 304 the thick briars encircling the castle. But before the boys could
rlm@2 305 move back the props, the Prince slashed away, scattering them off-
rlm@2 306 stage. The sword cut through the two-by-fours in a shivering blow,
rlm@2 307 scattering fragments of props and wood across the stage. The audience
rlm@2 308 cheered the heroic assault, but Terada stared from off stage in
rlm@2 309 disbelief. He turned to Mizuki, only to be greeted by the ever-
rlm@2 310 present smile as she spoke,
rlm@2 311
rlm@2 312 "I thought Daidouji might make an interesting Prince."
rlm@2 313
rlm@2 314 He swallowed hard, and watched as the little girl advanced on the
rlm@2 315 evil Sorceress and her minions.
rlm@2 316
rlm@2 317 As soon as he saw the sword, he knew. Peering through swirls of
rlm@2 318 black silk, Sayoran watched the girl in Prince's clothes advance
rlm@2 319 towards him. There was no doubt that she wielded the Clow Card,
rlm@2 320 Sword. Or rather, that the sword wielded her. Only a strong will
rlm@2 321 could master it, and the Daidouji girl lacked even Kinomot's meager
rlm@2 322 strength. How had she ever gotten a hold of such a thing? Well, no
rlm@2 323 matter, he would strip her of it and end this farce. He drew his own
rlm@2 324 sword, the indomitable legacy of the honored House of Li. He
rlm@2 325 whispered to his minions to get off the stage, and in a mad scramble
rlm@2 326 they happily obeyed. He took a fighting stance as a hush fell over
rlm@2 327 the audience.
rlm@2 328
rlm@2 329 Terada, mumbling that none of this was in the script, made ready to
rlm@2 330 go on stage and stop the play. But Mizuki held his sleeve, and calmly
rlm@2 331 whispered,
rlm@2 332
rlm@2 333 " It's all right. I made a few changes in the script so it wouldn't
rlm@2 334 be the same as last year".
rlm@2 335
rlm@2 336 He stopped and watched aghast as Li lunged at the girl with a
rlm@2 337 glistening sword.
rlm@2 338
rlm@2 339 Tomoyo deftly parried the heavy blow and slipped aside as Sayoran
rlm@2 340 charged. His surprise quickly changed to anger, and he slashed about
rlm@2 341 wildly. But each time she turned his blade, lightly dancing away. The
rlm@2 342 massive plume bobbed on her hat, but her body was calm and still
rlm@2 343 amidst the furious action. The audience gasped, then roared its
rlm@2 344 delight as the black sorceress hacked in vain at the plucky Prince,
rlm@2 345 who time and again dodged the deadly seeming blows. Panting, Sayoran
rlm@2 346 was engulfed in a rage of humiliation as the girl avoided his every
rlm@2 347 stroke with mocking ease. His mind clouded with anger, he failed to
rlm@2 348 remember that the Card's power was proportional to the will of its
rlm@2 349 user. Staring at the girl he felt true hate, and spat out the words,
rlm@2 350
rlm@2 351 "You can never have her. She's mine!"
rlm@2 352
rlm@2 353 Suddenly Tomoyo caught a glimpse of the figure on the bier, shrouded
rlm@2 354 in the dark and fast asleep. Her heart burst with longing for the
rlm@2 355 Beauty that lay within. Her voice rang out, clear and strong,
rlm@2 356
rlm@2 357 "Witch! I'll finish you."
rlm@2 358
rlm@2 359 She sprang like a panther, sword sweeping the air in a great
rlm@2 360 shinning arc. The blow knocked the sword from Sayoran's hands, and it
rlm@2 361 fell clattering to the floor. Another swing, and the sword stopped
rlm@2 362 short, inches from his neck. He stared into the icy blue eyes and
rlm@2 363 felt his courage drain away. In a commanding whisper she ordered,
rlm@2 364
rlm@2 365 "Fall!"
rlm@2 366
rlm@2 367 And he obeyed, dropping like a sack of potatoes, fast asleep.
rlm@2 368
rlm@2 369 The audience clapped and yelled, swept away by the fantastic
rlm@2 370 spectacle. But Tomoyo stood oblivious, quietly sheathing the sword as
rlm@2 371 the castle gates opened and revealed Princess Aurora on her darkened
rlm@2 372 bier. Tomoyo now spoke not in the regal tones of the Prince, but with
rlm@2 373 her own earnest voice, which touched the hearts of all who heard her.
rlm@2 374
rlm@2 375 "The fairies spoke truly, for here is beauty beyond the world's rim.
rlm@2 376 Not sun, nor stars, nor shimmering moon compare with thee, oh fairest
rlm@2 377 of the fair. All victories are fleeting, my conquests brought to
rlm@2 378 naught, for this heart is mine no more. Awaken, Princess, and claim
rlm@2 379 thy thrall".
rlm@2 380
rlm@2 381 Riffling through the script, Terada exclaimed, "I don't remember
rlm@2 382 those lines." glancing up at Mizuki, he stammered, "Did you.....?"
rlm@2 383
rlm@2 384 But she only smiled, watching the play. Trancelike, the fairies spoke,
rlm@2 385
rlm@2 386 "The Princess can be awakened with a kiss of true love"
rlm@2 387
rlm@2 388 Tomoyo swept off her hat, hair falling down in a black cascade. She
rlm@2 389 knelt over the still, silent Princess, leaning closer and closer.
rlm@2 390 Their lips brushed lightly, then locked together in a passionate,
rlm@2 391 consuming kiss. Sakura's lashes fluttered as she awoke, a pulsating
rlm@2 392 warmth throbbing through her very being. She flushed crimson with an
rlm@2 393 aching desire, and instinctively wrapped her arms around the figure
rlm@2 394 above her. The world spun dizzily as she slowly came to. Waves of
rlm@2 395 longing washed over her as she rose from the bier, embracing the
rlm@2 396 sweet, pale figure in her arms. She held her ardent lover tightly,
rlm@2 397 their kiss a red ribbon binding their hearts together, forever.
rlm@2 398
rlm@2 399 Terada's frantic signaling failed to catch the attention of the
rlm@2 400 stunned stagehands working the lights. But Mizuki hid her giggle
rlm@2 401 behind one hand as she tinkled and dimmed the lights with the other.
rlm@2 402 As the stage went to black the Prince and Princess disappeared, and
rlm@2 403 the audience rose to their feet in a thunderous ovation. When Terada
rlm@2 404 saw the Principal rushing towards him, he quailed, and prepared for
rlm@2 405 his humiliation. As the applause continued and the actors made their
rlm@2 406 bows, the Principal rumbled,
rlm@2 407
rlm@2 408 "Excellent job, you two. Best play I ever saw at Tomoeda. Better
rlm@2 409 special effects than the movies, I'd say!"
rlm@2 410
rlm@2 411 "Thank you, Sir!" Terada spluttered as he and Mizuki bowed low.
rlm@2 412 Looking out the corner of his eye, he saw her smiling that odd, Mona
rlm@2 413 Lisa smile. Next year, he thought to himself, we'll do a damn variety
rlm@2 414 show. I couldn't survive another one of these.
rlm@2 415
rlm@2 416 The next day, Sakura and Tomoyo sat on the grass after lunch. Sakura
rlm@2 417 had slowly come to realize just what had happened the previous night,
rlm@2 418 and blushed with every memory of it. Tomoyo couldn't stop talking
rlm@2 419 about how wonderful she looked in the Princess costume. Finally,
rlm@2 420 Sakura asked in a halting voice,
rlm@2 421
rlm@2 422 "Ummm, Tomoyo-chan, ummm, why did you, ummm, kiss me....like that?
rlm@2 423
rlm@2 424 Tomoyo tilted her head and smiled holding her friend's hand
rlm@2 425 delicately in hers,
rlm@2 426
rlm@2 427 "But Sakura-chan, how else would a Prince kiss his Princess? I
rlm@2 428 wanted to do the best job I could in the part."
rlm@2 429
rlm@2 430 A soft, lilting voice came from behind, and they both turned to see
rlm@2 431 Mizuki-sensei standing by them,
rlm@2 432
rlm@2 433 "She's quite right, Kinomoto. Besides, if you were the Prince and
rlm@2 434 Daidouji the Princess, wouldn’t you have done exactly the same?"
rlm@2 435
rlm@2 436 Tomoyo gazed at her friend. Sakura stared at the ground, blushing
rlm@2 437 fiercely. There was nothing to say.
rlm@2 438
rlm@2 439 As always, Mizuki-sensei was exactly right.
rlm@2 440
rlm@2 441
rlm@2 442