moonlitnights: stories/dearsakura-05.txt comparison

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author	rlm
date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:24:59 -0500
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+Tomoyo's Hong Kong Visit
+Day 2
+Shopping in the City
+I.
+Sakura woke with a start, nearly tumbling out of bed. It was still
+dark outside, with Sayoran already gone. And Tomoyo? She felt a
+sudden pang of disbelief that her dearest friend was really here in
+the same house. Jumping out of bed she threw on her green robe and
+padded down the hallway to the door of the guest room. There she
+hesitated, worrying about knocking so early. The night before they
+talked until well past midnight, remembering old friends, family, and
+teachers, laughingly reliving the dances, picnics, and all the
+wonders and adventures of their childhood years. After parting,
+Sakura found she was simply too excited to sleep and crept to the
+kitchen for tea. On her way she found Tomoyo equally awake, and the
+two giggled like guilty schoolgirls at a slumber party. Over Oolong
+tea they again talked for hours before giving in to exhaustion and
+sleep. Surely she’s not awake after all that, Sakura thought. But the
+urge to see that her friend was actually here was overwhelming, and
+she tapped lightly on the mahogany door. A quick rustle and a
+whispery voice told her that Tomoyo was already up, too,
+“Yes, who is it?”
+She whispered back, “Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan, it’s me, Sakura.”
+The door swung open, revealing the beaming face of Tomoyo. She
+ushered the auburn-haired woman in with barely suppressed excitement.
+“Ohayo, Sakura-chan. You’re up early.”
+Sakura smiled as she sat on a red plush pillow and replied, “I guess
+I’m used to waking up for work. And I guess I’m sort of excited that
+you’re here, too.”  Knowing that Tomoyo was in the same house, she
+couldn’t imagine being anywhere other than with her. Glancing at the
+dark-haired woman who regarded her with gentle eyes, Sakura shivered
+sweetly. She had missed her beautiful friend so much that just seeing
+her seemed a miracle.  Looking up, the first rays of dawn glinted
+through the garden window, crowning Tomoyo with a golden halo of
+light. Sakura smiled at this beatific vision and thought: like an
+angel. Just like an angel. Tomoyo tilted her head quizzically and
+smiled back. The auburn-haired woman could only grin, silently
+laughing with pure joy. She hadn’t been this happy since, since when?
+Since we were last together, she thought with a start. Not the
+wedding, or the honeymoon, or life in Hong Kong, not any of it; I
+haven’t felt like this since I was with her. Somehow this thought was
+disturbing, and she quickly stood up as if shaken from a dream. But
+the shadow passed as quickly as it had come, and Sakura clapped her
+hands together and spoke in a voice bursting with excitement,
+“Sayoran-chan had to go to work today, and said he was sorry that he
+couldn’t join us. But I made him write an itinerary of where to go.
+Do you want to get ready now?”
+Tomoyo nodded and rose as Sakura bolted out the door yelling, “I’ll
+be ready in a minute!” The dark-haired girl closed her eyes tightly
+and clasped her hands together. The months of loneliness that haunted
+her since the wedding seemed like a life belonging to someone else.
+With a deep breath she steadied herself, heart racing wildly from
+being so deliriously close to her secret love. Fighting back tears
+she smiled and thought, I could live a hundred years alone to be with
+her for just a single day.  Opening the heavy cedar chest to pick out
+a dress, she was overcome by the scent of a thousand memories.
+II.
+Sakura felt a delightfully cool breeze as she leaned against the
+railing of the Wan Chai ferry. The little boat was packed with
+commuters traveling from the New Territories to Hong Kong, but the
+two women had arrived early and enjoyed an unrestricted view of the
+passing islands. The hem of Tomoyo’s lavender skirt fluttered in the
+wind as she scanned the junks and boats that dotted the water. Sakura
+touched her, and pointed out a sea bird circling above them. Tomoyo
+blushed as the delicate fingers lightly graced her shoulder. She
+gazed at her friend adoringly, hand resting on one cheek as she
+sighed deeply. Whether it was birds in the sky, or baking a cake, or
+falling in love, Sakura’s enthusiasm gushed forth in a sparkling
+flood of innocent excitement. Tomoyo struggled to contain her
+emotions lest the beautiful woman notice. It was all she could do to
+keep from passionately hugging Sakura right there on the boat.
+Fascinated by the turning gulls, Sakura let go of Tomoyo's shoulder
+and sought her hand. Tomoyo blushed again as their fingers delicately
+interlaced. Sakura squeezed gently, as if for reassurance that her
+friend was truly there. Tomoyo drew a quick breath, felt her
+heartbeat quicken, and softly squeezed back. Though she had learned
+that it was customary in Hong Kong for female friends to hold hands,
+the girl’s touch was nearly overwhelming. As the ferry neared the
+shore and the buildings of the Convention Center loomed large, Sakura
+turned and exclaimed,
+"Sayoran-chan says the best shopping in the city is the Causeway.
+I've only been there once. They even have Japanese department stores
+just like home, but he said there are better bargains on the back
+streets."
+Tomoyo nodded and smiled, and heard a loud clang as the gangway
+dropped to the dock. The two women were swept along with the mass of
+people as the ferry emptied out. Holding a map in one hand and Tomoyo
+with the other, Sakura plowed forward through the throng. After a
+brief walk down Flemming Drive they took an immaculate subway and got
+off by the Daimaru department store. Walking along Great George
+Street, Tomoyo was dazzled by the variety of stores and goods for
+sale. It was like Tokyo, only even more dense and crowded. Finally,
+Sakura suggested they enter the Matsuzakaya, which was just opening
+for business.
+They passed the rows of impeccably dressed store employees bowing
+for their first customers. The massive department store was much like
+it's Japanese counterpart, though stocked with local Chinese goods
+that would have seemed oddly out of place back home. Wending their
+way through the first floor they came to a display of the fall
+fashion line. There they saw scarves, hats, blouses and dresses in
+subdued earth tones and rich, dark greens. Tomoyo fancied a long,
+chiffon, copper-russet dress, while a pleated, flowing, pumpkin-
+colored skirt entranced Sakura. Impulsively, the auburn-haired woman
+slipped into a changing room to try it on. Upon emerging she sweat
+dropped as Tomoyo gleefully met her with the video camera. But
+somehow, despite the embarrassment, it secretly thrilled her to be
+filmed once again. Tomoyo's love was effusive, and came out in so
+many curious little ways: the costumes, the camera, and the funny
+little remarks. Sakura realized how painfully she missed her friend's
+eccentricities, these odd little tokens of her affection. Of course,
+Sayoran loved her, too, in his way. And so did her father, and
+brother. But somehow, she felt herself a treasured part of Tomoyo's
+life, a unique receptacle of the pale woman’s effusive love. The girl
+had always made her feel special, filling her with a confidence and
+courage that she otherwise lacked. Holding the hem of the skirt she
+twirled like a dancer, delighting Tomoyo and earning stares from the
+other customers. Stopping in mid-pirouette, she caught her breath and
+gazed at the camera and her dear friend behind it. She smiled,
+curtseyed, and then quickly dashed into the changing room. For some
+reason she was crying. Sitting on the little bench and dabbing her
+eyes with the skirt, she shook her head in bewilderment.
+"Baka, why are you crying?” she thought. "Because, because I don't
+feel like this with anyone else. Because I'm never this happy unless
+I'm with her. Because I can only be with her for a few more days, and
+then she'll be gone again". Sakura sat with her fists clenched, tears
+trickling down her cheeks. She wiped them away, desperately
+struggling to regain her composure. She heard a soft voice outside
+the door, tinged with concern,
+"Sakura-chan, are you all right?"
+"Hai", she gasped out, breathing raggedly, "I'll be out in just a
+minute."
+Sakura emerged with a smile, easing the worry on Tomoyo's pale face.
+The Mistress of the Cards fiddled with the price tag on the skirt,
+looked at the money in her handbag, and then stared again at the
+price. Finally, she looked at Tomoyo uncertainly. Her companion
+smiled and said, "It looks very pretty on Sakura-chan". That was good
+enough, and a saleslady was soon wrapping the purchase into a tidy,
+tied up bundle.
+After buying the skirt, the two perused the dishes and china sets.
+They were entranced by the exquisitely beautiful Haviland
+collections, with Sakura declaring the strawberry pattern her
+favorite, while Tomoyo favored a serving tray with little fishes
+playing around the rims. Sakura noticed a crowd gathering, and with
+Tomoyo in tow went to see what was going on. By the bridal section a
+fashion show had begun, featuring Western and Chinese wedding
+dresses. Sakura oohh-ed and ahh-ed at the dazzling display of satin
+and lace. The traditional red and gold brocade of a Chinese costume
+was exotically beautiful, and she glanced over to see Tomoyo's
+reaction. The lavender-haired was smiling, but it was an odd, frozen
+smile, as if she wore it to hold back some secret distress. Sakura
+felt a sudden stab of pain in her chest as she remembered Tomoyo's
+unspoken love for her special person, and the heartbreaking line in
+one of her letters, "It doesn't matter if I have a wedding." She
+gripped Tomoyo's hand tightly and whispered, "Let's go," practically
+yanking her friend away. Sakura avoided the startled woman's face,
+for fear those glistening blue eyes might start her crying all over
+again. She tugged Tomoyo along, nearly running out of the store and
+into the mid-day heat. Finally, Sakura paused in the shade of a
+building and looked at Tomoyo, who was breathless but smiling. Sakura
+smiled, too, and asked,
+“Are you hungry? Sayoran-chan says there’s a great noodle restaurant
+not far from here, the Dai Pai Dong.”
+Tomoyo smiled and replied, “That would be nice. I love noodles. ”
+Walking hand in hand down Jardine's Bazaar, the women threaded their
+way past street merchants and hawkers with every imaginable ware for
+sale. There were booths laden with jade and gold, silks and luxurious
+fabrics, and odd potions and medicinals. Finally they worked their
+way to the Night Market and, between Tomoyo’s English and Sakura’s
+Chinese, were seated in a more-or-less quiet table in a darkened
+corner. After pointing out their orders on a tray of plastic replicas
+of the daily specials, the two friends chatted about the beautiful
+clothing and jewelry they had seen, and all the places they would go
+on Sayoran’s little list. When the noodles arrived they were
+surprised at the bounteous feast, and knew they could never finish.
+Once the dishes were cleared, Sakura poured the tea and pondered what
+to say. Tomoyo looked at her and sensed that something was amiss. Her
+gentle smile, silently reassuring, urged the reticent brunette to
+speak. Finally, Sakura burst out in an agitated voice,
+“Tomoyo-chan, do you think you can love someone besides your one,
+True Love?”
+Tomoyo was startled by the woman’s sudden fervor. She looked down at
+the clear, pale green liquid that billowed in her little teacup.
+Finally she looked at Sakura, saw the urgency of her expression, and
+asked in as matter-a-fact a voice as she could manage,
+“Sakura-chan, I’m not quite sure what you mean. Surely a person
+would still love their parents, and their brothers and sisters, even
+if they had found their one, True Love.”
+Sakura frowned and looked at the table, slowly shaking her head,
+searching for the right words,
+“I know that…that you would still love your family, but…Tomoyo-chan,
+you love your special person very much, don’t you?”
+Tomoyo felt her thudding heart as she gazed at Sakura’s beautiful
+face. If only she could speak her true feelings, just once! Instead,
+she smiled and spoke in a clear, musical voice,
+“I love them with all my heart, and all my life.”
+Sakura stared, wild emotions tearing at her self-control. In a
+halting voice she whispered,
+“Tomoyo-chan, could you….could you ever love anybody else?”
+Tomoyo looked at her friend and desperately struggled to maintain
+her mask. Why was she asking this? What could she mean? Why is she
+doing this? Her mind raced through all the possibilities: she wants
+me to meet someone, she wants to help me somehow.  Tomoyo wished she
+had never come, that she were back with Sonomi in the far away
+mountains. Or even that Sakura had just forgotten all about her,
+forever. But that thought stung, and brought her to the verge of
+tears. Forcing a smile to hide her fraying heart, Tomoyo spoke
+truthfully, for she was too shaken to lie,
+“Sakura-chan, I could never, ever love anyone but my special person.”
+Crestfallen, Sakura sank back into her chair. Her smile was shaky,
+but sincere. Breathing deeply, she said,
+“ I guess I knew that already.” She glanced away, staring at the
+restaurant’s red carpet as if it held all the great secrets of the
+world. “I don’t even know why I was asking.” With teary eyes she
+gazed at Tomoyo and took both her hands. “Your special person is so
+very lucky to have your love. I only wish they knew.”
+Tomoyo felt the soft, warm hands tenderly holding her own. She
+closed her eyes tightly, but darkness brought no relief.  Sadly she
+thought to herself,  “I wish you knew too, Sakura-chan. But I can’t
+ever let you know.”
+III.
+The westering sun lit up the city in a golden glow as the electric
+tram slowly climbed the heights of Victoria Peak. In a strange
+transition, the dense, urban world gave way to a mountainous jungle.
+Only the occasional mansion dotted the landscape as the little tram
+pulled it's way ever higher. The two women were burdened with bags
+and packages, but Sakura was determined to see the sunset that
+Sayoran called, "the most beautiful sight in all of Hong Kong." She
+knew they could stop off at the Li mansion, but that would cost
+precious time. The Peak was the highest point in the area, and
+overlooked the city and all the little islands of the bay. When they
+finally reached the top, they were greeted by still more stores,
+museums, and restaurants. Sakura's face lit up when she saw a set of
+rental lockers, which they used to store the day's accumulation of
+bargains. Then, Sakura took out her husband's crudely drawn map and
+stared at it in puzzlement.
+"He's such an awful map maker," she frowned. Tomoyo giggled and said,
+"The streets are very well marked, not like back home. I guess maps
+aren't as necessary here."
+"Mmmmm," Sakura replied distractedly. Finally, pointing to the west
+in triumph she exclaimed, "There. That's the way. I think." Sakura
+strode forward into the great unknown, and Tomoyo smilingly followed.
+The path was twisty, and the climb somewhat steep. The Peak rose
+almost 2,000 feet from sea level, and was covered in thick,
+subtropical foliage, broken only by parks, gardens, and commercial
+buildings at the top. The two stopped at a bench to catch their
+breath, but Tomoyo sensed her friend's impatience, and said they
+should press on before the sun could set. Sakura happily agreed, and
+the pair again began to climb. The pale woman marveled at her
+friend's stamina, her sure-footed ease on the difficult trail. While
+walking, Tomoyo thought about the day, the thousand treasured moments
+spent with Sakura. It was a blessing beyond hope to be with her, to
+see her new life and happiness first hand. Though exhausted from the
+vigorous climb, Tomoyo found new energy in just being with her
+beloved. Suddenly the leaves and trees gave way, and the two women
+stood in awe at the view of the city below them. The great
+skyscrapers of Central were like little models below, the golden
+yellow sunlight catching their sharp angles for the last time in the
+day. The great city of commerce was slowly changing into a mecca of
+entertainment as evening approached. Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and
+spoke earnestly,
+"Sayoran-chan said we should see the sunset over Lamma Island, and
+then catch the city at night." Tomoyo nodded, and the two plunged
+back on the path into the green world of trees and vines. The trail
+was steeper now, but cooler as shade darkened their way. Sakura was
+in her determined mode, and nothing would keep her from the sunset.
+When her mind was set like this, she was almost a little scary.
+Tomoyo was secretly thankful that she seemed to have given up her
+quest to discover the identity of her True Love. Struggling up a
+broken part of the trail, Tomoyo knew that in the end all her masks
+would avail her nothing if Sakura truly wanted to know. At times, she
+thought it might be better if they parted forever, lest the Mistress
+of the Cards find that she herself was at the center of Tomoyo's
+heart. That would be tragic for both of them, which was why this
+might be the last time they would be together. If I drop out of her
+life she'll forget about me and still have all the memories, Tomoyo
+resolved wistfully. But how could I possibly do such a thing? How
+could I live without hope of ever seeing her again? She knew the
+answer already: because it would make her happy. And that was worth
+any pain, no matter how long, or how cruel. Tomoyo was breathing
+hard, from the climb as well as her secret thoughts, when suddenly
+they stopped.
+The sun was just beginning to set. The shredded clouds hung on the
+horizon, pink and orange in the fading light. Lamma Island shone like
+an emerald on fire, wrapped in a golden glow. The two women,
+exhausted from the vigorous pace of the climb, plopped onto the
+grass, still hand in hand. A great cruise ship slipped out of the
+harbor and blasted a mournful farewell that rose all the way to the
+top of the Peak. The pair sat entranced as the sun painted the world
+in a riot of red and purple color. Darkness came slowly, soft, sweet
+and tender. Sakura pointed out the first star high in the sky, and
+closed her eyes to make a silent wish. Tomoyo saw the waxing moon;
+nearly full now, nestled in black velvet like some luscious tropical
+fruit.
+She gazed at Sakura, her fairy-tale face touched by the moonlight.
+She's like the Lunar Princess come to earth, Tomoyo thought. She
+can't stay with me, and my heart will long for her all my days. But
+this moment will be memory, a comfort and a solace to turn away the
+pain. Sakura's dark lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. Her wish
+complete, she smiled sweetly at her dark-haired friend. Her green
+eyes shone like far away stars, and Tomoyo felt her heart shudder and
+break. Wracked by a flood of joy and sadness, Tomoyo let her mask go
+and laid her head on Sakura's shoulder. The lavender hair tumbled
+down in a luminous cascade, and her soft body cuddled against her
+beloved friend. Sakura felt a wave of longing, her heart buoyed by
+the magical presence of Tomoyo. She reached out and encircled the
+woman with her arm, pulling her closer. High above, the stars wheeled
+their way through the endless dark, but Tomoyo and Sakura were silent
+and still. All that night the two sat side-by-side, nestled in
+starlight and moon glow, like a statue of lovers from long ago.

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comparison stories/dearsakura-05.txt @ 0:ed1308d04df2 moonlitnights