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date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
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+:fc00894c1d4a
+Title: Seal Cards
+Subtitle: Epitomes of Love
+Author: Matthias Engel aka MysticMew
+Feedback: Solarsenshi@gmx.de
+Status: Alpha
+Fandom: Card Captor Sakura (manga)
+Rating: PG-13 (with some scenes bordering on R)
+Category: Romance, Action/Adventure
+Pairing: Sakura/Tomoyo
+Timeline: Sequel to "Happy Years"
+Summary: There are two more cards Clow created. Our couple must learn
+that even great mages are not prone to mistakes.
+Sub-Summary: When a vacation goes a little different than planned, can
+Sakura control herself from loving Tomoyo "too much"?
+Distribution: MSD (www.catstrio.de), Shoujo Ai.com (www.shoujoai.com),
+ff.net (www.fanfiction.net), Mediaminer (www.mediaminer.org), Moonlit
+Nights (http://jrem.net/moonlit/tsFics.html) others may follow. If you
+like this fic for your story, please tell me, I'm not likely to put
+stones in your way, but I like to know where it goes.
+Legal Disclaimer: This story features two females romantically
+involved with a few (hinted) mature notions. If that is illegal where
+you are or entirely not your thing, turn around and leave now.
+Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP and assorted
+companies, I claim no right on the characters and original storyline.
+Story Disclaimer: Seal Cards: Epitomes of Love(c)2003 by Matthias
+Engel
+******************************
+Foreword
+And it's time for the last one. This one will be done in two parts.
+That has more something with style than necessity though. This is the
+first part and this one will have a few more mature themes, the
+delicate stuff will be handled in special, additional file though.
+******************************
+Seal Cards: Epitomes of Love
+Based on the works of CLAMP
+Story Concept by Matthias Engel
+******************************
+<July of 1997 (Sakura>
+There was a lasting silence in the small room. The curtains were
+closed and only the soft glow of daylight shining through their veil
+illuminated the table in front of me. But I could see perfectly well.
+I wouldn't even need to see the eight cards spread in front of me.
+This was a much more complex method of card reading than the simple
+one Kero hat shown me all the years back. Yet, judged by the situation
+at hand, this was rather appropriate.
+	I stared intently at the two middle rows and the top card. Once
+again the same. Just like every time I attempted to see what the cards
+could tell me. I had tried this countless times in the past but the
+big picture would just not change, nor would it completely make sense
+to me. There was just one thing that was for sure. The premonition,
+beyond doubt, was about Her.
+	I squeezed my eyes shut. I thought I had conquered those
+memories but after telling Tomoyo three months ago, I couldn't help
+but recall some of the horrible scenes that had driven me straight
+from that future into this one. Kuso, I hated myself for making Tomoyo
+worry so much. The accusations had cut right through my heart. I knew
+on some level they were mostly frustration but...
+	*Don't you trust me?*
+	That one had hurt. Of course I did trust her. She was the cause
+of why I had come back here, she was why Time had even let me, she was
+the sole reason that I was able to settle back into a remotely normal
+life - as normal as life can be for one of the most powerful people on
+Earth. I had long since given up on the notion that I was the most
+powerful person. Maybe being the strongest mage was true. However, in
+my old time I had met enough other groups of magic users to which my
+power seemed to be a trifle... And none of them had stood a chance
+against Pandora.
+	Amazingly enough, after the talk with Tomoyo the tension within
+us had pretty much been turned upside down and nowadays we were almost
+inseparable. I feared that closeness a little since that had been one
+of the things that had troubled me back then. It still did. I would
+feel embarrassed but my mind was too old to be ashamed of the
+thoughts. And I wouldn't think twice about letting Tomoyo know just
+how much I loved her if not for the simple fact that we were both only
+fourteen. I had never quite imagined this would become a major problem
+of the transition but it seemed I had miscalculated. Lately my
+feelings for the lavender-haired girl had blossomed more and more into
+something greater and more passionate. My adult mind and teenager body
+were having a hard time coming to terms how to react to this.
+	Kami, I am a little pervert!
+	Okay, maybe it wasn't this bad but I was wondering what the hell
+was wrong with me. This had begun about a year ago, slowly at first
+but then more steadily. At first I thought it was just my teenage body
+beginning to mature but at times the love, and the desire spreading
+from that love, became so strong I was barely able to keep my hands
+off of Tomoyo when we were snuggling or something. I had to put some
+distances between us, yet I had chosen the wrong method as it seemed.
+The resulting frustration from both sides nearly drove a wedge between
+us. That was dealt with and resolved now, the feelings between us
+though had only been intensified and I was silently already preparing
+a last will, because if I should really lose control and Sonomi-kaasan
+found out...
+	I chuckled ruefully. I WAS overreacting, not to mention
+distracting myself from the reading and its expected and depressing
+outcome. Compared to that, my little physical problems were rather
+insignificant. Sighing audibly, I slowly turned around the last card.
+	Woody was the association, the first card. Woody stood for many
+things, for which one was nature itself, or Life if you want. In
+short, I assumed, it meant Earth itself would face a crisis soon. At
+least that made the most sense from what I expected to come. So
+basically, it was a call from Earth for help.
+	Then came Mirror, Time and Illusion. They were the cause of the
+current situation. From experience I knew that Mirror and Illusion
+often were substitutes for other unknown elements the cards couldn't
+represent, or at least couldn't represent with the cards available.
+Together with Time at the center it would normally not make much
+sense. However, I knew that Mirror and Illusion most likely pointed at
+the two other Forbidden Clow Cards, those that were responsible for
+Pandora's release in my time. I hadn't known that then but I knew now
+after talking to Time - as little as she did reveal -, Kerberos and
+Yue. And the more I learned about this, the more my belief grew that
+Clow was just as imperfect as any other human being and not nearly as
+foreseeing as Eriol said his prior incarnation had been.
+	The Light, the Dark and Erase in the next row, presenting the
+solution. Alright, the solution was not so more like a pointer, a
+guide, a way of what had to be done to assure an outcome in the mage's
+favor. The solution could point at powers, people, a lot of things. It
+could also be a gamble, since the solution could also turn into an aid
+for the problem. The combination was a little weird for my taste.
+While I could see Light and Dark together, I couldn't really place
+Erase. Erase could be another substitute or it could mean something
+completely different. I had some vague theories but that is all they
+were. Vague.
+	Which leaves the last card. The location, the Where.
+	Shadow.
+	As expected. Once again, the location was clouded into shadows,
+unrevealing darkness. I had desperately hoped that for once I would
+get a clue where to look for the Seal Cards but once again no hint was
+given to me. The thing was I could feel the distant presence of a card
+but by their sheer magnitude I suppose they were probably very far
+away.
+	Picking up the cards, I returned them to the book and stretched.
+This was getting me nowhere and tomorrow we would all make a small
+trip. I had agreed to the idea readily, seeing this as a chance to
+make up it up to Tomoyo for our little fight and just relax for
+awhile. Summer break had just started and the weather was ideal. A
+part of me wished that we could go alone but I didn't really mind the
+rest of the family coming along. This was going to be fun and maybe I
+could forget about the cards, the uncertain future and dark memories
+for awhile.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+Whistling a happy tune, I made my way to the front of the Kinomoto
+residence. It had been a nice day and the evening sun was still warm
+and pleasant. Perfect weather for a vacation. Adjusting the bag over
+my shoulder I made a note to myself not to pack so many things the
+next time. Of course I had reminded myself the last time to do so and
+look where it had gotten me
+	Not that the little problem was of any significance to the more
+important things in life at the moment. Sakura and I had finally come
+around and while I was pretty sure that she hadn't told me everything,
+I was simply too happy right now to care. I had overreacted after all
+and chided myself enough about it already. I knew deep down that
+questioning Sakura's trust had hurt my girlfriend and I wished
+desperately I could take it back somehow. Being confronted with how
+much Sakura depended on me when she revealed some of her secrets to me
+had made me feel so ashamed of myself. Sakura was quick to scatter
+those worries though. And since we both felt too guilty about the
+whole matter for different reasons we came to the agreement that this
+would simply just not happen again.
+	And the make up was definitely exquisite. I never thought you
+could be so close to a person. I had also thought I was already much
+more attached to a person than normal, even back then in Elementary
+School, at an age there that was rather strange. Especially since the
+relationship part hadn't come for another two years. However, seeing
+us now, aside from school we barely spent a minute alone anymore. The
+strength of our feelings was rather overwhelming even by me. Not that
+Sakura wasn't worth every last ounce of attention but it was as if our
+guilt over the whole accident had undergone the drastic change from
+"turning fire into water".
+	My thoughts were interrupted as I looked up, coming to a stop a
+few feet from the front door. Touya stood there with a grin. "I
+suppose saying "Welcome" as if you are a guest, just doesn't do it
+anymore, hmm?" It was remarkable how much the two of them had in
+common. While physically not all that similar, Sakura and her older
+brother had a lot of hidden character traits that often made them more
+alike than they'd ever admit being.
+	He moved forward, taking the bag not even waiting or actually
+expecting a request. After all this time I was still a little
+surprised - pleasantly so - as how easy Touya had accepted me.
+Compared to Syaoran that is. Knowing me prior probably had helped
+things a little and even with most of his sight gone - Sakura said it
+was returning very slowly - he had always been rather perceptive.
+Something I admired about him in a way.
+	"Arigato," I said, following him into the house and slipping out
+of my shoes. Okaasan had made it pretty much clear to Sakura that she
+was to treat our home as hers and while it had never been said this
+way from the Kinomotos before, the offer was obvious in small things
+like this or the way the treatment had gradually changed from that of
+a normal guest to that of a permanent houseguest or resident even.
+Sakura's home had also become my home and it didn't really matter
+anymore where we were or who would stay with whom. Either way, IF we
+were together, we were at home.
+	Touya shrugged, putting the bag down next to the staircase.
+"It's okay. I'll bring it up later. The monster has been in her room
+for awhile again, maybe you can get her to come down and eat
+something."
+	I wasn't sure whether to give into the humor or the sigh. On one
+hand it saddened me to hear that Sakura obviously was still troubled
+by her worries. I couldn't fault her, knowing what I did learn so far.
+Sakura had such a good heart and she wanted to protect everyone,
+especially the people she loved and feeling so helpless had to be
+hard. I never really realized how hard it had to be until I learned
+the truth of the events of her timeline. Still, I wished she wouldn't
+think that she had to take all the responsibility upon herself, almost
+as if she was desperately trying to do it all alone. That is why I
+insisted so much on the vacation when the idea was brought up one
+evening we had all sat together in this very house. The idea for a
+little boat trip was spontaneous but once everyone had gotten into it,
+the plans were quickly made. Hopefully this could get Sakura's mind
+set on something different at least for a little while.
+	I finally managed a small giggle. I found it funny that Touya
+still called her "monster", even more so than when my girlfriend was
+younger. I supposed that it had become more of an affective nickname
+than the gentle teasing it had once been.
+	Already a few steps up the stairs I stopped and turned slightly
+to look back at Touya. "Doesn't it bother you at all?" I had meant to
+ask the question for awhile now. Sakura had come clean about her time
+travel by now. While both her brother and father had suspected
+something already, Sakura had felt obligated to talk to them about
+this after realizing how much concern it had caused me and how much it
+had to have an impact on her family. The whole thing was taken
+relatively well, she had let out a few things she told me exclusively,
+but other then that most of what I learned was revealed to the rest of
+the family.
+	Touya looked at me thoughtful for a moment. "Not really. It's a
+little weird sometimes. And I admit I feel helpless knowing all that
+has happened already or will happen or... well, you get the point." I
+smiled wryly, knowing full well the confusion talking about this
+caused me sometimes. "I am just amazed that YOU are taking all this so
+well. Doesn't it bother you in the slightest, I mean... She's not
+exactly the girl you fell in love with anymore. I believe it is much
+harder for you, as her girlfriend, than it is for me, as a brother."
+	I didn't really need to think about my answer. Staring directly
+into Touya's eyes - well, as much as you can from a higher vantage
+point -, I said softly but with a firm voice nonetheless, "I wouldn't
+be that - her girlfriend - if Sakura-chan hadn't done what she did.
+She is still Sakura, all the little details are still there. You can
+see it too, I know that. When you truly love someone, you love
+everything about that person. The positive as much as the negative.
+Tell me, Touya-oniisan, would you turn down Yukito-san if the same
+would have happened to him."
+	The dark-haired, young man stared back stunned for a moment,
+then his eyes softened and he shook his head slowly. "No. Never."
+	I smiled fondly. "Good. Then we understand each other." I turned
+back to resume my ascent. "We'll be down for dinner in a few minutes."
+I swear I heard him mumbling something along the lines of "if you were
+able to separate long enough to walk down the stairs", smiled to
+myself and proceeded to Sakura's room.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+As I leaned back after putting the cards back into the book, I
+realized how stiff I had become. This happened a lot. Often I tried to
+figure out a reading for hours not even realizing the passage of time.
+It was a good thing I still did physical activities frequently to keep
+my body in shape. It would be a little early to suffer from back
+problems...
+	My eyes had drifted close for a moment and now they only
+fluttered open for a short moment before the movements of skilled
+hands rubbing my shoulders made me sigh blissfully - though I hadn't
+made up my mind if it was involuntary or not yet. I had to be pretty
+absorbed to not even notice Tomoyo coming up or slipping into the
+room. Usually I could tell from far away already when she was present.
+Not to mention that I tried not to show her just how much I took the
+whole thing to heart... and often failing miserable at that task.
+	"Do you have to torture yourself. Even a day before vacation?"
+Tomoyo asked softly, her voice barely a whisper and close to my ear. I
+suppressed the shudder wanting to run down my spine at her closeness
+and the feelings her warm breath tickling my skin invoked. I wished
+nothing more than to...
+	What was wrong with me?
+	Fighting down the primal urges of my - entirely too young - body
+I focused on her question, with some effort. "You know I must. If I
+don't find a way to prevent the seal from breaking than..." I trailed
+off, not wishing to speak further in fear of calling back the haunting
+images of a future long since past. A future that might become reality
+again if I didn't...
+	"I know you will find a way. You always do. But that you still
+have a few years, right? Don't push yourself so hard."
+	I let go of another content smile as the hands moved from my
+shoulders to my neck and further down my back with patient precision.
+Tomoyo could really give one hell of a massage. "How can you be so
+calm about this. I told you what happened. I stood no chance against
+that... thing. I..." I turned around albeit my body's vehement
+protests, fixing a startled Tomoyo with an intense gaze. "She killed
+you, right in front of my eyes. I... I won't..." I could feel tears
+stinging in my eyes and was a little bit surprised at the emotional
+surge that had triggered such a strong response. I usually was much
+calmer nowadays but Tomoyo managed with her mere presence alone to
+create that overwhelming urge to love, to protect, to cherish and
+always hold onto this incredible gift. I couldn't maintain my shields
+around her for long. "I will never let this happen again," I finished,
+trying to make my voice sound firm but it was more a croaked whisper.
+"Never..."
+	Before I even knew what was happening we were kissing. And not
+just the chaste kiss of children or young teenagers but laced with a
+mixture of passion and need. My arms went around Tomoyo's waist on
+instinct drawing her closer, basking in the heat of the contact. Not
+just the physical but also the spiritual one. Our kisses had become
+that much bolder lately and they weren't always initiated by me.
+Tomoyo proved very quickly that this important aspect of life was as
+much one of the skills she was so good with, just like all the others.
+And so I found myself relenting briefly as the kiss began to involve
+tongues rather quickly, that sweet scent, so distinctive Tomoyo,
+filling my mouth, literally drinking up all the troubles, concerns and
+fears of only a few moments ago.
+	Finally Tomoyo drew away but only a few inches. I am sure my
+face was flushed since hers definitely was. A part of me was
+disappointed at the lack of contact and wanted to reengage right away,
+taking this to places I steadfastly refused to even let myself think
+about. The beautiful lavender-haired girl had her fingers tangled in
+some strands of my hair falling in disarray over my face. "I know,
+Sakura-chan. I know you will always be there to protect me. I told you
+that a long time ago and my belief has not changed. You have taken all
+those risks and changed your future already. Your beautiful heart will
+find a solution when the time is right. Please, don't burn yourself
+out. That won't get us anywhere and brings you only more pain. I hate
+to see you suffer."
+	I stared in amazement at this magnificent creature. What in all
+the world had I done to earn such trust, such loyalty, such love from
+this gentle and kind girl. When I was young and unknowing of her
+feelings I had often felt a little embarrassed. But never scared. I
+knew some people who experienced our interaction wondered why I wasn't
+scared of Tomoyo's devotion. Yet, I could never be scared of such a
+wondrous thing. Now, I was simply amazed and every time she looked at
+me like this, so completely without doubt, utter faith in her gaze
+that I would never let her come to harm, I knew that I wasn't worth
+it. But yet, it always created a confidence in me so strong that I
+felt like being able to strike down any foe ever trying to harm this
+otherworldly creature that I could dare call my girlfriend.
+	"I don't deserve you," I whispered, one hand softly stroking the
+pale skin of her cheek. I had never felt like this before. Not with
+Syaoran, never with him. That realization had come gradually but by
+now I was certain that while a part of me would always love him, my
+statement that the love for him and Tomoyo was an equal one had long
+since expired. The magnitude of love I felt for Tomoyo know had
+definitely exceeded what I ever had felt for the Chinese boy. "But I
+love you more than anyone or anything else in this world," I said,
+making sure she understood completely what I was implying.
+	Tomoyo's smile was radiant, her blue eyes sparkling as if the
+sun was reflecting on the clear surface of a lake. I leaned forward
+again, touching my lips to hers, leaving my gaze glued on those
+brilliant orbs. Sensual at first I felt that inner fire once again
+igniting with renewed intensity and for several seconds I completely
+lost myself in the feelings, tongues meeting in a slow dance,
+passionate but not forceful. So much unlike Syaoran's kisses. This
+was... softer, slower and at the same much more intense.
+	"Hey, monster! Get down here, dinner is ready!"
+	I blinked my eyes, realizing only now that somehow Tomoyo had
+found her way into my lap and my hands were resting on her buttocks,
+Tomoyo's arms were around my neck, clinging tightly as if afraid to
+fall apart if she should let go. I blinked again, slowly drawing away
+and tentatively altering my grip from my girlfriend's behind to hold
+her around the waist again. I didn't want to let go but there was that
+slight spark of embarrassment that I had let myself go so far. But I
+didn't really feel all that bad about it, after all Tomoyo seemed
+quite content where she was.
+	"Wow..." I whispered, my breath a little shallow from the
+exchange. I could feel some sweat on my forehead and was rather aware
+that both of our body temperatures had definitely risen to a
+noticeable degree. "That was..." I wanted to say "too close" but
+honestly, I had to agree with Tomoyo's definition.
+	"Intense. Amazingly intense..." Tomoyo responded, equally
+breathless and I was fascinated at how much that sparkle in her eyes
+had even more increased but now it was more like... I wasn't sure I
+actually wanted to know the answer to that because I wasn't sure right
+now if I could control the following consequences.
+	"We should... uh, get downstairs... Dinner, you know...?" I
+tried lamely, my mind not yet fully restored from one of the most
+passionate moments between us yet. Tomoyo just nodded, also a little
+out of it.
+	It was only with a lot of effort and after another few minutes
+of regaining some composure that we managed to follow my brothers
+request. Touya was giving me the most annoying smirk all evening.
+******************************
+<About two days later (Tomoyo)>
+There was one thing that was for sure about life with Sakura. It never
+was boring. I had known this right away when I met her. I knew that I
+just had to put an effort into at least befriending the genki brunette
+or my life would be so much duller. This experience had only grown
+when Sakura came back for me and devoted her attention almost solely
+upon me. The things we did on a regular basis when going out, other
+couples probably never even encounter half the excitement and the
+wonders Sakura managed to produce.
+	I had noticed that Sakura liked to use the cards rather often
+for those special occasion but also other everyday life stuff. For
+example creating a nice atmosphere with Glow or Flower, lightening
+candles with Firery or often just flying around with Fly. Sakura had
+developed a close bond with her cards, that much was for sure. "Don't
+they mind doing all those things for you?" I asked, turning my head
+towards Sakura. The question was more a rhetorical one with just a
+touch of curiosity I could guess the answer already.
+	Sakura laughed lightly and I could feel just the tiny bits of a
+ripple around us that felt like... giggling. "Don't worry about that.
+The cards actually want to get out and play whenever I let them. While
+they don't mind being in the book, they like to do things outside,
+interact with the world, you know." Sakura gazed at me adoringly and I
+felt my cheeks flush, a reaction the lovely girl had managed to bring
+forth more and more in the last days. The passionate scene from the
+evening two days ago was still present in my mind and this hasn't been
+the only occasion. "And they like you, too, so they like to do things
+that make you happy." The blush deepened and I melted into the
+following kiss that was much to brief and chaste for my taste...
+	Blinking I tried to clear my foggy mind, snuggling closer to
+Sakura who had one arm around my waist so that we wouldn't be
+separated, not that any of us minded the contact. The water around us
+was cool but not freezing. I believed this to be an added side effect
+of Watery other than providing an air bubble to breath and right now
+the movement as well. We already had been swimming quite some while
+but right now we were content to enjoy each other's presence and let
+Watery do the stirring, so to say.
+	The ocean down here was a captivating sight. Especially this
+way, without diving gear or other such limitations. Only our bodies
+and normal senses experiencing what no ordinary human would usually be
+able to do. Not for that long and surely enough not as deep as we were
+already. This definitely had been one of Sakura's best ideas involving
+the cards up to now. We had left the world above the surface already
+far behind, exploring the wondrous depths of the ocean.
+	I hadn't expected something like that - Sakura always managed to
+surprise me with those things - when we set out yesterday morning for
+the beach and then a trip with our family yacht. Okaasan had actually
+been glad to have a use for it after all that time. In all my life we
+had only gotten to make use of it once and I had been almost too
+little to remember it then. Now, the yacht served as the perfect tool
+for some nice, relaxing days. Okaasan had been excited to participate
+in the family vacation and readily provided the boat even though it
+visibly got to her to spend so much time in close company to Sakura's
+father. They managed to behave most of the trip but a few hours ago
+the tension had escalated and everyone had retreated hastily to other
+parts of the yacht to evade the coming war zone. Yukito and Touya had
+went below deck and Sakura came up that we should probably go even
+deeper with a twinkle in her eyes. I had had barely enough time to
+prepare myself - thankfully we already had been in our bathing suits
+for the purpose of sun bathing - before Sakura grabbed me and jumped
+into the calm ocean, activating Watery in the process.
+	The feeling was extraordinary. The ocean was calm on this clear
+summer day and the flow was gentle, encompassing the two of us.
+Somehow Watery had managed to make it so that we could breathe
+underwater but still feel the water and move freely. Therefore we were
+treated by the embrace of the wet element, washing over our skin. It
+didn't even sting in the eyes!
+	Right now we were resting from swimming so much, gently floating
+through the vast ocean, letting Watery push us forward. And once again
+we found ourselves in one of those moments. The place was a little
+odd, I admit, but as usual neither of us cared very much and while we
+weren't even kissing, just the contact was enough to hold us captured
+in the moment. I could feel Sakura's hand lightly stroking my bare
+skin and shivered. Not from the cold of the water but from the sudden
+heat coursing through my body, making my skin tingle.
+	Oh, I wasn't stupid. I was pretty much aware of the sexual
+tension. There was just no other way to describe it. Both of us were
+rather mature for our physical age and that was even more true in
+Sakura's case. It had taken me some time to figure out that the whole
+Pandora issue hadn't been all that had my girlfriend bothered lately.
+I hadn't been totally sure at first but the level of passion in our
+kisses, the lingering touches, the closeness. The encounter the
+evening before our departure wasn't the only one and they had become
+even more heated. No, by now I was pretty sure that Sakura had
+definitely trouble suppressing urges she surely felt entirely to
+improper for our physical age.
+	How did I feel about this? I honestly wasn't sure. I would lie
+if I said that the rising passion between us didn't scare me a little.
+Just a little. I hadn't thought in this direction at all until a few
+months ago but now I found myself wishing at times that Sakura would
+just go ahead and... See, that's what I meant. Where I could
+understand and tolerate that Sakura's older mind might harbor such
+thoughts, I know that for me they were rather... early. Not
+impossible, but early in their appearance. And entirely too strong to
+be natural.
+	At the same time the feelings were exhilarating and I felt
+myself craving the attention, the sensations of drowning in Sakura's
+love and passion, wishing nothing more than to just let go and feel.
+This was frightening in itself but more like a thrill, a good,
+exciting thrill I had entirely no idea how to deal with. I just knew
+if Sakura as much as asked I would jump at the chance and that scared
+me again, just a little.
+	Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something and was
+partially grateful for the interruption of the moment. Because as much
+as a big part of me wouldn't object I think the setting would be more
+than a little awkward. Not too mention, we'd probably traumatize poor
+Watery!
+	"Hey, there's a cave down there!"
+	Sakura blinked, a look of disappoint crossing her features that
+almost made me giggle. I suppressed that reaction though and pointed
+down. We were rather close to the bottom I think. The water was
+getting murkier here. Less light was reaching us from the surface and
+it was a little hard to make out the cave's entrance. Sakura and I
+looked at each other, confirming our mutual curiosity and made our way
+into the cave.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+Emerging from the water we were both surprised and amazed to find a
+cave that huge. Sure, there probably were enough on the ocean floor
+but when did you ever get the chance to see them. Not that any of us
+was paying much attention to our surroundings. Watery went back into
+card form and then to subspace for the moment with nothing more than a
+thought. My eyes were pretty much glued to Tomoyo and there was a
+conflict inside of me whether to praise or curse myself for my
+impromptu idea. Kuso, Tomoyo was sexy in that dark blue bikini,
+drenched by the ocean water and therefore highlighting the young
+girl's curves pretty well.
+	This was ridiculous. Something was definitely going on here. I
+mean something other than my dirty adult mind and developing teenage
+body. As much as I did love Tomoyo this was getting out of hand and I
+was pretty sure that my control was only a few percent from
+evaporating into thin air. I mean, I had actually kicked Touya for
+flirting with Tomoyo. He did that sometimes and I know very well that
+it was never more than teasing. And still I had actually hit him, he
+had been throwing wary glances my way the whole trip. And the poor boy
+from when we arrived at the beach who dared to... wanted to ask Tomoyo
+out or something. I swear he must have run straight to his mommy after
+the menacing look I had given him - thankfully that had been all. My
+emotions couldn't suddenly be so out of control. Not naturally...
+	"Sakura?"
+	Gah!
+	Tomoyo was standing right in front of me, blue eyes focused on
+me in a wordless, yet demanding expression. I was being drawn into the
+liquid pools, drowned in a sea of happiness and love. I might have
+jumped at the touch, her hand on my cheek, caressing slightly in a
+circular pattern. "What are you afraid of?"
+	Crap, she always knew me so well, that hadn't changed in the
+most aspects of my life even after traveling back in time. With the
+exception of the Pandora happenings and my growing desires she had
+always managed to read me like a book. It seemed the latter was about
+to experience the same fate.
+	"Tomo-chan... I..." I breathed, my voice taking on a husky tone,
+feeling her other coming around me, one hand settling on my back. A
+surge of immediate desire rushed through me and my mouth couldn't
+decide whether to be dry or the complete opposite. I couldn't finish
+the sentence but looking into her eyes, I knew it wasn't necessary.
+	"You don't have to be afraid for my sake, Sakura-chan." I gasped
+when she dipped her head slightly to the side and moved forward to run
+her lips over the skin on my neck. My arms tightened around her,
+almost crushing her lithe form against mine even if that small voice
+that was calling me names was still there. It was fading fast.
+	"I... I don't want to hurt you... This is not how..."
+	Tomoyo looked up again and before I could even guess her
+intentions her lips were upon mine. The kiss was sending hot waves of
+tiny flames through my whole body. Her lips were crushed against mine
+and I leaned into the passionate, desperate contact without even
+thinking. The last bit of rational thought was more or less leaving me
+right now.
+	Coming up for air after almost a full minute, I realized that
+our hands had become much bolder. Tomoyo's hands were just resting
+under the hem of my bikini top and mine were already all the way
+there. The desire created between us had reached the force of a
+tornado. I could see the desperation and need reflected in Tomoyo's
+eyes.
+	"Do you really want to fight this?" Tomoyo asked in her usual
+soft, lightly musical voice but still somehow managing to let it sound
+seductive. "We can't fight this any longer, you know that."
+	Can't fight...? A jolting sensation of recognition passed
+through me and for just a single moment I managed to tear myself away
+from the powerful thrall both of us were under. No, not so much a
+thrall as the rise of emotions to its maximum. Right here, right now,
+around us...
+	Love was here.
+	Love, one of the Seal Cards. Time had told me that the reason I
+felt its presence nearing was because the original seal was more or
+less encompassing the whole planet, both elemental powers overlapping
+each other. It had been a steady stream, unyielding and without a
+flaw. Until Clow tempered with those ancient archtypes and bound
+powers where he should have not. After realizing his mistake and that
+he couldn't control the elemental powers, he had placed the cards
+inside the original seal, reestablishing the power but not the flow.
+The flow had been destroyed, its flawlessness lost. To make the flaw
+as tiny as possible the cards were moving around in the seal in a more
+or less stable orbit. It was no surprise to realize that this had
+given Pandora her opportunity. Clow's actions to fix his mistake had
+not been enough after all.
+	The realization came at a rather bad moment though and most of
+my thoughts on the matter were just like a background image. I was
+aware of it, I was aware of the enormous presence so similar to Time
+back then, yet I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't have the
+willpower anymore to call upon some counter spell. I simply didn't
+want to stop!
+	And with a groan of resignation I brought my hands up around
+Tomoyo's neck, drawing her in. My breath was creating tiny goose bumps
+against her skin, my voice long since having lost the battle to hold
+pack the passion and longing. "I love you so much, Tomo-chan. Even if
+this is not entirely our doing, I want to make you happy. Do you trust
+me enough with this?" I said the last bit with the utmost seriousness
+I could still muster in this situation, yet I was unsure if I could
+take a negative answer anymore.
+	"I told you already," Tomoyo whispered back, her voice mirroring
+my own open desire. "I will always be safe with Sakura-chan. I have
+faith that Sakura-chan will always save me and keep me safe."
+Proceeding to kiss me again, I simply let go, my body almost sighing
+in relief, welcoming whatever shall come.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+Slowly, with the speed of a turtle climbing a hill my senses returned
+to awareness, my spirit floating back down from that place somewhere
+far above the heavens where it had climbed to... some time... ago. I
+really had NO idea how much time had passed, how long we had been in
+the cave or lying on the cold ground warmed by a small friction of
+magic - but I really didn't care where it came from right now.
+	The tremors had finally subsided and my body lay in total peace,
+every muscle relaxed and surely not able to obey any command in the
+near future. And I felt GOOD. Kami, did I feel good. I had really been
+a little... unsure when I gave in to my desires. Yet, seeing Sakura
+suffer even more, trying to hold herself back, inhabitations had been
+thrown out of the window. Very, very far away. And it wasn't like I
+had not wanted. We loved each other after all, so it couldn't be a bad
+thing, just... a little early maybe. It wasn't like we were still ten
+or something. That would have been rather illogical.
+	Feeling Sakura move slightly from her position spooned up behind
+me, I shifted slightly and craned my neck to look behind me. Her face
+was producing a stronger result than the Glow card could... even
+though I was sure the expression was mirrored on my own. I smiled
+widely, feeling giddy and in a state of utter bliss. I've never felt
+so much in the right place like now. I was sure that was what I was
+meant to be, where I belonged to be. Right here, in Sakura's arms,
+enveloped in a warm blanket of love. Body, mind and soul.
+	I could see the hint of regret and shame in Sakura's eyes though
+and was quick to dispel these feelings. With some effort I managed to
+command my body to turn around in the tight embrace. Brushing some of
+the brown hair that had fallen into Sakura's face out of the way, I
+leaned in to place a soft, lingering kiss on her lips, gazing
+adoringly into green eyes. Sakura smiled faintly. "You keep giving the
+most special gifts in the most special ways. You are such an amazing
+person."
+	Sakura's smiled turned into a more genuine one. "That wasn't all
+my doing. Don't you feel different somehow?"
+	I was puzzled at her question. "What do you mean? Of course I
+feel different!" I said lightly teasing.
+	Sakura laughed heartedly and the sound was such a lovely thing
+to my ears. "No, no, I mean. About the desire between us. Just until a
+few minutes ago..." She let the sentence linger and I suddenly
+realized what she meant. The whirlwind of feelings had ceased to be
+more gradual, more normal. I had first though this was only and effect
+of the afterglow but there was a little more to it. I didn't know how
+I could tell the difference, I just did. So when Sakura said this
+wasn't completely her doing then did that mean...
+	I blinked almost audibly and was already in the process of
+sitting up despite the protests of my body before Sakura pulled me
+down again gently but persistent. "Yes, I am sure its one of the Seal
+Cards. I told you about them, right?" I nodded, wondering why we were
+still lying here. Not that I WANTED to move, mind you. "It must be
+Love. But its moving very slowly. We can easily catch up, don't rush
+now. I, personally, feel like being defiant and not rush after it the
+way it played with us." Sakura chuckled and run one hand through my
+open hair, drawing out a sigh from me in the process. I had went to
+tie it into a ponytail in the last months but was seriously
+considering to leave it open again in order to experience the
+wonderful sensations my girlfriend's fingers in my hair produced more
+often. Hmm, girlfriend didn't seem right anymore. Lover? Mate? It had
+felt a lot like mating on a level and I couldn't quite believe that
+this all had been the card's doing.
+	"You mean Love made us do all this?" I asked curiously, showing
+my disbelief at the possibility.
+	Sakura shook her head slightly, drawing me closer until my head
+rested contently under her chin, almost nestled comfortingly in her
+small chest. I let go of another sigh and could practically feel
+Sakura's smile in response. "No, the way I understand it is that Love
+cannot produce false feelings. It can only take what is there and
+amplify them. The stronger the feelings the more they are amplified.
+And Love doesn't do something on its own since the card is embedded in
+the seal. It is a natural side effect. Clow played with something you
+can't just simply control. The magic he bound into a card was so
+strong that, even ineffective, it puts out incredible power."
+	I listened carefully and would have nodded, had I not been so
+comfortable right now. Instead I said in a lightly teasing voice, "So
+you DID want me THIS way..." I grinned to myself, feeling Sakura shift
+a little... not uncomfortably but surely enough embarrassed. Even if
+her mind was older she was still such an innocent creature at times.
+"It's okay. You didn't hurt me and it was the most wonderful gift
+other than your heart that you could ever have given me."
+	Sakura's arms tightened around me even more. "I love you. I
+really do. More than anything. That wasn't just because of Love. I
+promise you, I will always love you, forever."
+	I lifted my head slightly, meeting her downward gaze of
+unrestrained, unconditional love with one of my own. "I love you, too.
+More than I could ever put into words."
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+You'd expect after the whole mess I'd feel guilty. You'd expect I
+would want to harm myself for ever letting my urges get the better of
+me. You know what? I really didn't care anymore. The experience was
+just so... glorious. And Tomoyo didn't regret it either. You could see
+it in her body language or every other part of her. She could probably
+be lightening a Christmas tree right now and I surely wasn't very far
+behind.
+	I wasn't sure whether or not to give Love a piece of my mind
+when we caught up with it though. On the one hand I knew that
+logically seen the card had pretty much no control over its effect.
+Yet, the timing was rather... inappropriate. I still couldn't believe
+we did THAT down THERE. I mean, sure, I love to treat Tomoyo to
+special things in special places. The cards really like to be useful
+and they really like to make Tomoyo happy too, both of us actually.
+However, this was rather shooting over the top. As I said, now I
+didn't regret it anymore. It was done with and I was not about to
+destroy this eternal memory of a first time with thoughts of
+self-blame and guilt when my... lover looks like I couldn't have
+possibly made her happier today.
+	Anyway, after resting a few minutes longer, we finally returned
+to the surface. The recovery was only one reason why I wanted to stay
+down there for awhile. No, and the other was NOT to enjoy the feel of
+Tomoyo's naked form against mine... Kami, I must be blushing madly at
+this thought, I could tell from Tomoyo's almost smug look - Tomoyo and
+smug! No, that had not been the reason... although it was an added
+bonus. Staying still for a short while would allow Love to pass on a
+little further and therefore lessening the chance of a fallback into
+emotional overload.
+	I was very glad I decided on that because I REALLY didn't want
+to know what happened up here on - and mostly likely in - the yacht a
+few minutes ago while we had our own encounter below the surface. We
+might have just stood there for another minute or so before either of
+us could override the shock to our system at the scene playing in
+front of us. I glanced at Tomoyo with a totally bewildered look and
+saw my girlfriend - I would stick with that for now, the other term
+sounded TOO mature for our physical age - equally flabbergasted.
+"Didn't you say Love only amplifies what is already there?" she asked.
+	I turned pack to the couple at the helm of the yacht, engaged in
+a - pretty intense - lip lock, blissfully unaware of having an
+audience... and probably just as unaware of what they were doing in
+the first place. I shrugged at Tomoyo's question, rather perplexed
+myself. "I honestly have no idea. It's not like even Clow himself
+understood what exactly he created there." Grinning slightly I put my
+hands on my hips and cleared my throat loud enough for the two adults
+to hear.
+	There was a very short silence and it seemed as if the world
+itself just stopped breathing for a timeliness moment, awaiting the
+inevitable apocalypse. Then, as if someone dropped a sledgehammer
+between them the two parental figures of our group literally jumped
+several feet apart. Otousan looked rather baffled... well, stupefied
+actually and I could see from the look on Sonomi-kaasan's face that
+was just about turning from speechless consternation into smoldering
+rage that he would probably not survive the following moments if I
+didn't intervene.
+	"Save it!" I shouted, drawing their attention immediately and
+succeeding in flustering both of them speech- and motionless again.
+Right now I regretted not explaining to them about the Seal Cards as I
+had done for Tomoyo but I really didn't want to waste anymore time. I
+could sense Love was actually picking up speed... which was strange
+since the paths of the cards were supposed to be stable. "We don't
+have time for this now. There is a card here I need to catch and its
+moving away right now. So if any of you would be kind enough to get us
+moving." Granted, I would normally never take such a... commanding
+tone with my father or Tomoyo's mother. But I knew where this was
+leading when I didn't intervene and I really had no time for this. I
+could feel in every fiber of my being that this was my chance, my only
+chance to change something about the future I had experienced.
+	Just that moment Kero-chan choose to make his appearance, coming
+from below deck and looking rather agitated. "What's going on?" He
+looked around at the scene, arching a tiny eyebrow at the still rather
+shell-shocked-looking adults and then turned to me. "Sakura? I felt
+the presence of a card. Is that...?"
+	I nodded at his unfinished question, already trying to track
+Love. That was funny, I cold feel something else too. Was that the
+other one? If yes, that would be more coincidence when I believed in.
+Isolating Love for now I felt it rapidly moving westwards.
+	"Quick, Otousan, turn the boat around, its picking up speed for
+some reason!" I yelled running to the back of the yacht, staring out
+over the ocean intently. I could see something moving in the distance.
+It was to tiny to really make out and for someone without magic
+probably impossible to see at all.
+	Otousan meanwhile had snapped out of his shocked state long
+enough to take over the controls and pull the boat around, pushing the
+engine to top speed. "Tomoyo, get Yukito, I'd rather like everyone
+together and who knows if I might need Yue. Love isn't actually
+dangerous - I think - but I'd rather be safe." Tomoyo nodded and took
+off. I was pretty sure Yue must have sensed what was going on too and
+was probably already on his way. Hopefully he was because I could more
+or less guess what Love did to him and Touya, considering what it did
+to the rest of us. I really hoped Tomoyo wouldn't catch them in an
+embarrassing situation.
+	"I better take care of this before we all go crazy trying to go
+near that thing," I said more to myself, only realizing Kero was next
+to me at his squeak when he obviously figured out what exactly I was
+implying. Well, that couldn't be helped now.
+	Taking the key from its resting place I invoked its ancient
+powers and drew Time from subspace. Better to fight Fire with Fire, or
+something like that. "Time!" I called out. "Encase us in a bubble of
+your power!" There was a bright flash of crimson-purple energy and the
+sensitive eye could see the dim, almost completely transparent field
+of temporal energy enveloping the yacht. I heard Otousan gasp and
+realized suddenly that he actually could see all this. Of course he
+could, I told myself, since he has part of Clow's magic now.
+	"Don't worry, just stay on course." I reached out once again,
+confirming my earlier observation. "See the small object in the
+distance?" Otousan nodded. "Follow it!"
+	If I could have it any other way I really wouldn't want to
+endanger everyone. But seeing as if I might never be able to come so
+close again, I had hardly a choice left. Besides, the Seal Cards were
+not really... active. Therefore I hoped it wouldn't be all that
+dangerous.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+I found them alright. And I found them just as expected in their cabin
+doing... err, the same that we did... Not that I would tell them that.
+Of course I had had the decency to knock or wanted to... until the
+cabin door was flung open and I was almost flattened by an agitated
+Yue. Thinking back on it I should really not be surprised but the
+sudden change from the powerful yet sweet experience below the surface
+and the serious situation above was rather sudden and I was a little
+nervous, I admit. I knew this was important for Sakura - heck, it was
+important for all of us in the long run. I didn't think I've seen
+Sakura so... confident before. She usually was not the type to give
+commands like that. That was a fact that was easily reflected onto her
+cards who she treated more as friends than as tools.
+	I hadn't even realized I complied with her order without a
+question before I was halfway below the deck. That was an amazing
+discovery in itself because I found out just then that there was
+something else to Sakura I was sure neither of us had seen so far. The
+attributes of a natural leader. Not some great military genius or
+whatever you want to call the equivalent for a mage. No, years of
+training had given her an air of confidence that often leaked through
+in many aspects of every day life but really developed in a serious
+situation like this one. Making new discoveries about Sakura has
+always been one of my favorite things, especially since I knew so much
+about her already, seeing new things was rare and often served to add
+another special flair to her magnificent personality.
+	As I said, I literally bumped into Yue, Touya following looking
+a little as if he just woke up - which might be true. I shot him a
+knowing smirk - to which the older Kinomoto sibling just shrugged and
+grumbled something - before I turned back to Yue. "You better go up.
+Sakura wanted you there just in case. I get it, you are quite aware
+what just passed us?" The faint blush tingling on his cheeks was
+answer enough for me.
+	Yue nodded and was already up the stairs before I could make any
+more comments. I glanced back at Tomoyo and raised an eyebrow at his
+questioning stare. Oops, he isn't suspecting anything, is he? The
+young man didn't elaborate on the look, just grinned and then shrugged
+his shoulders. "Let's go up as well. I must admit I am curious. I have
+heard about all this from Sakura and you but I've never really had the
+opportunity to see it."
+	Emerging outside a short while later I spotted Sakura standing
+in the middle of the spacious deck, her star wand transformed into a
+size I had never seen before. It was reaching a bit over her head and
+was planted firmly into the ground below. Sakura had her eyes closed,
+seemingly in deep concentration. Kerberos - transformed into his real
+form - and Yue stood a couple of feet behind her and seemed a bit
+unsure about their actual purpose.
+	"What's that?" Touya asked next to me and pointed ahead of the
+yacht speeding westwards towards the small group of little isles in
+the distance. Funny, I hadn't noticed them before. There were several
+things I took note of that I know I definitely shouldn't. First of all
+their was a very faint glimmer around the ship. Like a force field of
+some kind. I had felt the emotional increase fade when I went under
+deck and was pretty sure now that whatever Sakura did was responsible
+for it. But I didn't think I should be able to see the magic at all.
+	Yet I did and I also saw the sparkling sphere in the distance,
+coming closer very quickly. The orange-golden orb seemed to radiate
+purest light to my eyes.
+	"Um... That's Love, I think. I hope the shield is going to hold
+its effects off." I said, not sure why I revealed my knowledge of
+actually seeing all this. I guess I was subtly seeking confirmation
+that I wasn't going crazy. Sakura had told me that Touya's second
+sight was gradually returning so he should be able to pick up those
+things.
+	"Yeah, it's heading straight for that isle. I have the feeling
+that is no... wait a second... You can see all this?"
+	I shrugged helplessly.
+	There was no time for further research on the subject though.
+Sakura's father had finally managed to catch up with what was
+apparently the card. Suddenly the boat jerked, the engine almost
+coming to a complete spot. I flashed Touya a grateful smile for the
+steadying hand but my attention was quickly drawn back to the glowing
+sphere. Love was hanging in the air looking for all it was worth like
+a tiny star in the middle of the day. I was a little surprised at the
+sudden stop in movement but either the card realized that she couldn't
+escape - not that the term was accurate in the first place - or she
+sort of knew what was going to happen. Kero-chan told Sakura once and
+she told me in return that all the Clow Cards were automatically drawn
+to the new Master or Mistress. There was a connection between the one
+that was chosen to become their wielder and the cards themselves. I
+had no idea if this was the case with Love but I believed it to be
+very likely.
+	I could see the sprite-form of the card - another thing I wasn't
+sure whether I was supposed to do this or no - and Love looked a
+little confused and uncertain. There was something else there though.
+I didn't know how I could tell. It wasn't my observations skills that
+much I was sure of. However, somehow I just KNEW that Love was
+tremendously lonely.
+	Glancing at Sakura I waited to see what she would do or if she
+detected the same thing I just did. The Card Mistress had applied a
+lot of unorthodox methods capturing some of the Clow Cards, often
+rather trying to make the cards trust her and let themselves be
+captured rather than to engage into a heated battle. Therefore I
+wasn't really surprised seeing Sakura's tense and concentrated
+demeanor suddenly change. For a moment confusion crossed her features
+before she relaxed, her eyes softening and her grip around the staff
+not so firm anymore.
+	Kerberos and Yue were about to move forward when without even a
+command Fly's wings materialized on Sakura's back. My girlfriend
+looked back with a reassuring smile that halted the two guardians even
+though one could tell they weren't really fond off the idea.
+	The winged girl was about to ascend, then stopped and turned a
+look in my direction. Her eyes finding mine. Quite frankly I had no
+idea what exactly happened but when Sakura held out a hand towards me
+I stepped forward and took it in my own without a word. There was not
+even the thought of hesitation or surprise when I felt something wash
+over and through my body. Identical wings to the ones Sakura was
+sporting burst into existence but my movements were almost
+trance-like. Only one thing was for sure that I trusted Sakura,
+complete and unconditional trust. The level of communication at this
+moment was higher than anything before and somehow we just knew what
+we had to do.
+	To the casual observers though - even the magical-apt ones - the
+moment we were on a level with the spectral figure of Love, we
+literally vanished from sight.
+TBC (soon)
+Author's Notes
+Yes, I know I am evil.
+I said it would be two parts and I actually planned this out a little
+differently. The second part was supposed to take place some time
+later. Love was supposed to be captured already... I just realized
+that for what I wanted to do I had to do it in a shorter period of
+time and the ending was just such a nice point to end the first part.
+Don't worry though. I suppose I'll be out with the next part very
+soon. Maybe even before Christmas (don't hold me to that).
+I hope I managed to describe the emotions in here in the way I wanted
+them to be represented. This installment started a little slow on the
+writing side but began to pick up pace and intensity fast.
+I admit the moment I chose to reveal about what the Seal Cards are was
+rather... odd. Forgive me please, Maia decided to let this story run
+wild halfway through, I actually planned on... say, two more scenes
+from the start of the trip... I really think it's awkward and maybe I
+actually add those later on. Please tell me if it seems too out of
+place and I change that.
+Anyway, things are slowly picking up on the suspense end. The last
+part will probably actually have some action and wrap things up for
+that little pre-series.
+I am not sure if I�ll write the actual lemon scene or not. I planned
+to but am not so certain right now.
+I hope you enjoyed yourselves again. If you did, then leave me a note
+(mail, review whatever).
+Ja ne, yours
+Matthias

Mercurial > moonlitnights

comparison old/stories/ccs-seal01.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights