moonlitnights: old/stories/dearsakura-09.txt comparison

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author	rlm
date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
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-:dbe144217c71
+:fc00894c1d4a
+Dear Sakura
+by G.P.
+pearsong1954@yahoo.com
+I.
+Walking slowly down the hallway of the now quiet mansion, Sakura and
+Tomoyo finally arrived at the guest room. The two stood face-to-face,
+hand-in-hand, smiling silently at each other. Captivated by the
+beautiful woman gazing lovingly at her, Sakura was unable to say good
+night. Tomoyo was tired, but her enchanted friend simply couldn’t
+tear herself away. Finally, as if groping for some excuse to keep the
+night alive, she stammerd out,
+“Tomoyo-chan, ummu, would you like to meet Dark-sama and Light-sama?
+I know it’s late, and if you’re tired we can go to bed, but…”
+Tomoyo squeezed the brunette’s hands and sweetly replied,
+“I’d love to, Sakura-chan. I’m never sleepy when I’m with my
+favorite Cardmistress.” Then, with a little frown of concern, she
+added, “But is Sakura-chan too tired? I know that she has written her
+magic is sometimes fatiguing, and I would not want her to be
+exhausted for my sake.”
+Sakura smiled brightly, shaking her head, “No, I’m fine, really”.
+With that, she spun about and ran down the hall, then turned
+sheepishly and started to yell. Suddenly covering her mouth at the
+realization of how late it was, she rushed back and whispered
+excitedly that she would return quickly with the cards. As she
+disappeared down the dark hallway, Tomoyo giggled, then took a slow,
+deep breath, struggling with her tumultuous emotions. She was indeed
+desperately tired, but sleep seemed trivial when she could be with
+her perpetually genki friend. After a few moments Sakura reappeared,
+Clow Book in hand, and the two entered the room.
+Sakura carefully laid the book down on the old desk and pulled a
+little gold chain from her cheongsam as Tomoyo busied herself with
+something in the corner of the room. Sakura undid the chain and slid
+the Key off, cradling it in her hands. Puzzled, she looked about the
+room for Tomoyo, and saw her already filming with the video camera.
+Despite a sweat drop, Sakura basked in the warmth of Tomoyo’s
+attention. Holding the Key to her breast, she chanted the words of
+power,
+"Key of the Star,
+with powers burning bright,
+reveal the staff,
+and shine your light.
+Release!"
+A swirl of yellow light arose, and the floor glowed with the the
+Star Seal. Sakura felt a pulsating power rush through her body.
+Leaning over the desk, she carefully picked up The Light card, and
+flicked it into the air. Twirling her staff, she nimbly brought it
+down with a splash of bright, white light. As the light slowly
+coalesced into a feminine form, she awoke The Dark, and black shadows
+poured into the room. Within seconds, two beautiful women, clad like
+queens from a fairy tale, stood before the two friends. The woman
+with long, straight dark hair looked smilingly at Tomoyo, and then
+shyly averted her eyes. But the other, her golden hair curling to the
+floor and floating in the air, gazed lovingly at the unknown dark-
+haired girl. Bowing slightly, she greeted her melodiously in sing-
+song Chinese. Wishing Fanren was with her, Tomoyo bowed deeply and
+replied,
+“Nihao. I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I don’t speak Chinese”. Dark
+looked at her in surprise. Light hid her tittering behind a slender
+hand, and spoke,
+“I’m sorry. I thought perhaps I was addressing a Princess of the
+Imperial House. Sakura-chan, would you please introduce us to this
+lovely girl?”
+Sakura shook her head, suddenly remembering her manners,
+“Oh, gomenesai! Dark-sama, Light-sama, this is my very best friend
+from Japan, Daidouji Tomoyo.”
+The shimmering figures smiled and bowed, as did Tomoyo. She watched
+in awe as shadows and light swirled languidly through the room. The
+two women from the cards held hands, their fingers lightly
+interlaced. Light's voice was soft and glowing,
+“Sakura-chan has told us so much about you. Sometimes you’re all she
+talks about.” Turning to her shadowy friend, she spoke earnestly,
+“She reminds me a little of you: sweet, gentle, and beautiful as
+twilight.” They were slowly drawn to one another, and for a
+breathless second Tomoyo thought they might actually kiss. But Light
+laid her hand on Dark’s blushing cheek, then turned slowly again to
+Tomoyo. In a voice like bright sunshine she said,
+“And like you, Dark-chan, I think she has many secrets, don’t you,
+Tomoyo-chan?”
+Tomoyo colored as Light’s sparkling eyes regarded her with measured
+care. Bowing slightly, Tomoyo replied,
+“None that I could ever keep from you, Light-sama.”
+With lady-like laughter, Dark’s delicate fingers touched her
+companion’s alabaster shoulder. In a voice like willows whispering in
+the night, she gently chided,
+“Secrets are yours to reveal, Light-chan, but mine to keep. Some
+hearts abide in darkness, lest they shatter in the light of day. When
+she wishes her secrets known, she will seek you. Till then, let her
+rest with me.”
+Dark leaned closer, her hand carefully brushing a stray lock of
+lavender hair from Tomoyo’s stormy blue eyes. Tender as a mother, or
+a lover, she caressed the girl’s pale, crimson-flushed cheek. Tomoyo
+was shrouded in the shadowy-black hair that drifted serenely about
+her. Eveloped by a fragrance of night flowers and wisteria, of
+sandalwood and incense, Tomoyo stood breathless as the beautiful,
+pale face hovered over her. Dark lightly kissed her forehead. The
+young woman from Japan swooned as a peaceful wave washed over her, a
+tranquil blessing that calmed the thudding in her breast. All the
+knotted fears and worries wound so tightly round her heart were
+loosed, and for an instant her unfettered soul soared free. She
+slumped into Dark’s arms, tears flowing, hugging her tightly.
+Surprised, the Dark figure smiled and hugged the trembling young
+woman, whispering reassurance as she gently carressed her. Tomoyo’s
+hair came magically undone, the shimmering tresses cascading like a
+black waterfall. The red and gold jewelry that had adorned her hair
+tinkled to the floor as her body grew limp. She fell into a deep
+slumber, and Dark laid the little body gently on the futon and wiped
+away the sparkling tears with her fingers. The emeralds encircling
+the darksome woman's slender throat shone brightly, illuminating the
+room in a magical, green glow. With sad, black eyes she turned to
+Sakura and spoke in a solemn whisper,
+“Everything will be all right, if you take care of her. For now, let
+her sleep.” Sakura nodded silently. Dark and Light smiled and bowed,
+and Sakura returned them to their card forms. She carefully laid them
+in the book, then gazed at the still figure asleep on the futon.
+Sakura knelt and lovingly straightened her friend's shimmering
+lavender hair, slipped off the drowsing beauty's shoes, then loosened
+the red cheongsam. She finished by covering her with the silken
+quilt, but still could not will herself to leave. Tomoyo’s face was
+calm and placid, and she smiled sweetly at some delightful dream.
+Sakura looked at her with longing, glad that Dark-sama had apparently
+lifted some great burden from her heart, but secretly wishing she
+were still awake. There was so much she wanted to say, so much to do.
+But what? Sakura creased her brow and sorted through a jumble of
+thoughts and feelings.
+What exactly did she want to say, or do?
+She wanted to wipe away all the pain and hurt she had seen in
+Tomoyo’s azure eyes. Her chest tightened with the memory of Tomoyo
+sobbing in her arms just the night before. Looking at her now, that
+pain seemed so far away. But when she awoke, whatever had caused it,
+her loneliness, her lost love, or something else, would still be
+there to haunt her. It wasn’t fair that so gentle a spirit as Tomoyo
+should bear such agony. Sakura felt her will harden to a steely
+resolve as she thought, I will not let her suffer. I will not.
+But what else did the Mistress of the Cards want? She wanted to know
+why she loved Tomoyo more than her husband, her family, or her own
+life. This feeling confused her greatly, but she knew it to be true.
+Her love for her friend was boundless, like a glimpse of eternity, or
+a taste of the infinite. This realization had been long and slow in
+coming, but shook the foundations of Sakura’s little world when it
+finally arrived. Tomoyo was not her special person, or her true love.
+Nor was she a brother, or father, or Mother. Sakura loved them all
+dearly, but not like this. Sakura was happily married to a wonderful
+man. Tomoyo was not the love of her life, she couldn’t be. But that
+was exactly how it felt. There was nowhere on earth she would rather
+be but in this room, by her side. Sakura shook her head as she
+thought, how can I love her more than my own husband? Fighting back
+the tears she whispered,
+“I don’t know, but I do.”
+Finally, a cold emptiness gripped her as she realized that in three
+days Tomoyo would be gone. She clenched her fists into tight little
+balls as the thought sunk in. A metallic desperation seized Sakura as
+she contemplated life without her best friend. Being apart after the
+wedding had been hard, bringing her at times to tears. But now it was
+worse, for she had again shared life with her beautiful best friend.
+To see her, to hear her voice, to touch her and hold her and- and to
+kiss her. Sakura blushed and trembled, shaken by memories too sweet
+for words. She wanted to be with her not just tonight, not just in
+her visit to Hong Kong, but forever and ever and ever.
+But it was all impossible. Tomoyo had her own life now, and would
+soon return to it. She also had her own true love, a thought that
+pained Sakura, even as she determined that this heart’s desire of her
+friend would not go unfulfilled. And, for that matter, she herself
+had a new life with the man she loved. Sighing heavilly, Sakura lay
+down beside her sleeping friend, watching the quilt rise and fall
+with each sweet, slow breath. Nothing made any sense at all, and she
+was hopelessly confused. All she knew for certain was her love for
+Tomoyo. Wrapping an arm round the sleeping figure in the soft, downy
+quilt, the Mistress of the Cards quietly cried herself to sleep.
+II.
+With a flutter of dark lashes, Tomoyo slowly awoke. Dawn crept into
+the guest room, painting a warm yellow triangle on the wall opposite
+the garden window. Laying on her back, she began to stretch, but
+found herself tightly swaddled in the silken quilt. She noticed an
+arm wrapped around her, and, with a puzzled expression looked over to
+her side. There was Sakura, still dressed in the black cheongsam,
+fast asleep and holding her tightly. Tomoyo smiled, luxuriating in
+embrace of her dearest friend. Staring at the heavy wooden beams of
+the ceiling, she felt a tranquil sense of peace, a peace unknown for
+a very long time. She remembered Dark-sama's haunting presence,
+washing the aches and fears from her heart in a peaceful, shadowy
+wave. Maybe everything really would be all right. Somehow, it was
+impossible to think otherwise, here in her arms.
+She carefully shifted onto her side to better see Sakura. Is this
+what it would be like, to be with her all the time? To awaken every
+morning and see her, to putter about in the kitchen making breakfast,
+to come home at night and greet her, and then sleep together,
+entwined in her arms? Tomoyo sighed at this sweetest of sweet
+thoughts. She was fascinated by Sakura's face, so close to her own.
+Placid and happy, she was cute and adorable in her innocent slumber.
+It struck Tomoyo as odd that she had spent the night here, rather
+than with her husband. But she must have been too exhausted to make
+it back to her bedroom. Even Sakura's genki energy has it's limits,
+she giggled to herself. Well, if she had to go to sleep, this was as
+good a place as any. The young guest lay enfolded in her true love's
+arms for several blissfull minutes until she felt Sakura slowly begin
+to awaken. Smiling as Sakura yawned and stretched, one eye open and
+the other still closed, Tomoyo watched her intently. Half-asleep for
+sure, she giggled to herself. Softly she spoke to her still sleepy
+friend,
+"Ohayo, Sakura-chan."
+Sakura looked at her, eyes blinking in wonder. Realizing she had
+wrapped her arm around her friend, Sakura quickly sat up and
+spluttered,
+"Oh, ohayo, Tomoyo-chan. Gomenesai, I guess I fell asleep. I didn't
+mean to..."
+Tomoyo shook her head and smiled as she sat up, "No, no, it was
+wonderful laying here with you. I haven't slept so well in a very
+long time."
+Sakura smiled back, her hand behind her head in embarrassment. But
+then she put her hands in her lap, bowed her head so she didn't have
+to meet  Tomoyo's gaze, and said,
+"I guess I didn't want to leave you, Tomoyo-chan. I just wanted to
+be with you."
+Sakura looked up, her emereald eyes shimmering. Tomoyo felt her
+heart stop at  the sight. Suddenly, Sakura hugged her tightly, nearly
+squeezing the breath out of her startled friend. Tomoyo felt the
+soft, silk-clad form nestled against her, and a shiver of passion
+flowed through her body. She hugged back, resting her head on the
+brunette's shoulder. Finally they parted, slightly dazed but smiling.
+Sakura suddenly  gushed forth with barely suppressed excitment,
+"Do you still want to see the school today? I thought maybe we could
+stop by before we went to the beach."
+"Yes, Sakura-chan, I'd love to see your school. I think it's so
+wonderful that Sakura-chan is a sensei."
+"Thank you Tomoyo-chan. I feel so wonderful today, not tired at all
+like I sometimes am after using the Cards. I'll meet you in the
+kitchen and we can have breakfast!"
+Sakura hugged Tomoyo again before rushing out the door. She left the
+pale girl huddled in the comforter, hand on her cheek, gazing
+adoringly.
+III.
+As Tomoyo clambered off the bus, she saw the modern looking, white,
+six-story building that formed the main structure of the Fung Kai Liu
+Yun Sum Memorial School. It was different from the traditional
+Japanese schools that she was used to. Large Chinese characters were
+written from top to bottom on the right side of the building. There
+were beautiful trees in front, and the grounds and building were
+impeccably maintained. Sakura took her by the hand and led her
+through the empty halls. Sakura had mentioned the school was on
+holiday, so she was able to get time off. Finally they went through a
+set of double doors into a small-sized gymnasium. Sakura scanned it
+to make sure that her gym was in proper shape, and then said,
+"We can leave our things in my office. It's over there, in the back."
+They walked accross the wooden parquay floor. Sakura pointed out the
+door to the dance studio, and then used a little brass key to open
+her office. The office was quite small, but Sakura had arranged
+things nicely without it seeming to be cramped. On her desk Tomoyo
+saw three pictures: one of Sakura and Syoaran from their wedding, and
+one of Fujitaka, Touya, and Yukito, all clad in their summer yukata.
+The other was of her, the same as the one she had sent Sakura for her
+nightstand at home. Sakura saw her looking and laughed,
+"I had a copy made so there would be one of you here at work, too. I
+have to have a picture of my girlfriend, after all."
+Tomoyo blushed and giggled, and made a mental note to send another
+picture. With that, Sakura began her guided tour of the school,
+pointing out classrooms and  labs and the teacher's lounge. There,
+she was delighted to find her sensei friend, Wei Jun. Introducing
+Tomoyo, Sakura begged to be excused to attend to something with the
+cheerleading club. The older woman poured a cup of tea for her guest
+as the two sat down in the empty lounge. Her eyes lit up as she spoke
+in impeccable Japanese,
+"Ah, so this is Daidouji Tomoyo. I almost feel as if I know you,
+from all that Sakura-san has said.You're even prettier than her
+descriptions, which seems nearly impossible."
+Tomoyo blushed and bowed again as she spoke in her musical voice,
+"Thank you, Jun-sama, both for your kind words, and for helping
+Sakura with her new job."
+The older woman smiled wistfully as she replied, "It's been a
+pleasure to have her at the school. She's done a wonderful job.
+Besdies, she reminds me of someone from long ago. Oh, and so
+energetic! Sometimes even the girls have a hard time keeping up with
+her."
+The two talked about the school, and Hong Kong, and Japan, but
+somehow the topic always managed to return to again to the genki new
+P.E. teacher. With a twinkle in her eye, Jun asked,
+"Tomoyo-san, how long have you known Sakura-san?"
+This triggered another stream of reminisence from the young dark-
+haired woman, who recalled picnics and festivals, dances and
+contests. Immersed in visions of her adorable friend, the starry-eyed
+Tomoyo failed to see Jun's barely suppressed smile. Finally, the
+Chinese woman gently asked,
+"You still love her very much, don't you?"
+Tomoyo stopped and gazed at the kindly face of the teacher. She
+smiled and nodded, her alabaster cheeks touched with a crimson blush.
+After a moment of silence, the older woman continued,
+"But you've never told her, or if you did, she didn't quite
+understand you, yes?"
+Again, Tomoyo nodded solemnly. With a worried look she asked in a
+plaintive voice,
+"Sensei-sama, please don't say anything about this. I don't want to
+trouble her. She's found her own special soemone, and she's married
+to him. Everything is as it should be, and I'm happy that way."
+Tomoyo's words rang hollow in her ears, and the look on Jun's face
+showed how easilly the woman saw through her faltering mask. Her look
+held knowledge of Tomoyo's hidden hurt, and a sympathy that only
+mutually shared pain could bring. The Chinese woman looked out the
+window and sighed,
+"We're always happy that our loved ones are happy. If they really
+are happy, that is. But that doesn't ease the pain all that much,
+does it, Tomoyo-san? I remember Ming Xia's wedding. It was so
+beautiful, and I was so, so happy for her. But all the same, I wanted
+to die. I really did. To see her with him, knowing she was gone from
+my life, forever. But I couldn't tell her that, and ruin her
+happiness, too. I thought the years would be kinder, that someday I
+might forget. But it doesn't happen like that. Not when it's your
+true love. That kind of love isn't affected by time, or distance, or
+anythng at all. Before she died last year, she sent me a little
+letter. She wanted me to visit her in England. After all these years,
+she was lonely. She said she missed me.  But I didn't make it. She
+never knew I loved her. Maybe she knows know, somehow. I don't know."
+On the brink of tears, Jun looked at Tomoyo with a sad smile and
+spoke in a broken whipser,
+"Don't worry, Tomoyo-san. I won't say anything to Sakura. I'm sorry,
+I..."
+She suddenly stood up and rushed to the door. Tomoyo rose to go to
+her, but she waved the young woman away. As the door closed, Tomoyo
+stood with her hands to her breast, azure eyes misted with tears.
+Poor, poor Jun-sama. How strong she must be to have lived through all
+those years of pain. How could she do it? How could anyone do it?
+Clutching her chest she felt a cold stab of pain at the thought: how
+can I do it? I don't know how I've survived for four months. How can
+I go on like this for years? She sat on the chair and struggled to
+calm herself before Sakura arrived. Somehow, when her friend at last
+burst through the door, she once again wore her very sweetest smile.
+"Hello, Tomoyo-chan, I'm sorry I was gone so long. Oh, did Jun-sama
+leave?"
+"Yes, she had to go. But we had some tea, and a very nice
+conversation. so please don't worry."
+Sakura smiled, though to Tomoyo's practiced eye she looked as if she
+were hiding something. Obviously in a hurry, the little P.E. teacher
+blurted out,
+"Umm, would you like to go out and see the athletic field now?"
+Sakura's eager face betrayed her as Tomoyo smiled in reply,
+"Yes, I'd love to."
+When they arrived, Sakura placed her friend in a little folding
+chair by the edge of the soccer pitch. A few boys were playing a game
+at the far end, though the late morning heat slowed their game to a
+crawl. Sakura suddenly blew a whistle, and out of the gym rushed
+eight girls attired in the uniforms Tomoyo had designed, followed by
+one in school shorts and a T-shirt, carrying a clipboard and running
+behind. Amid much giggling and blushing, the uniformed girls shyly
+formed up in front of Tomoyo. The small girl in T-shirt and shorts,
+her beribboned hair in two long, black braids, stood close to Sakura,
+warilly eyeing the mysterious friend from Japan through large, thick
+glasses. Tomoyo smiled and waved at her, and the little face quickly
+dissappeared behind the clipboard. Sakura blew the whistle again, and
+the girls formed up in two ranks of four. They bowed in unison as
+Sakura announced,
+"The Fung Kai Liu Yun Sum Memorial School Cheerleading Club thanks
+Daidouji Tomoyo for her wonderful uniform designs, and dedicates this
+performance to her honor." With another blow on the whistle, they
+began their routine.
+Tomoyo watched the splendid show with delight. The uniforms really
+did look adorable, and Sakura had trained the girls well in a
+remarkeably short time. One girl in particular caught her eye. She
+was nimble and quick, jumping over her teamates and spinning through
+the air like Jump or Dash from the Clow Cards. Tomoyo noticed that
+the girl with glasses had emerged from behind her clipboard and was
+watching the little acrobat with a look of utter rapture. Tomoyo
+giggled to herself and thought, that must be Chang Jung, the girl
+Sakura-chan mentioned. Finally, the girls formed a pyramid, with the
+object of Jung's affection perched on top. She stood fearlessly with
+arms raised high, then leaped into a summersault as Tomoyo gasped in
+surprise. The landing was perfect, and the dark-haired woman clapped
+her approval as the cheerleaders took their bows. Then they swarmed
+over her, chattering in an indescribably rapid Cantonese, eager to
+see sensei's legendary friend from accross the seas. A beleagured
+Tomoyo giggled as Sakura arrived, trying to bring order to the merry
+chaos. At that moment, her Jun arrived to the rescue, cheerfully
+translating the questions about toys and clothing design and life in
+Japan. Finally, Sakura sheparded her flock back to practice,
+demonstrating various moves with the easy grace that marked her
+gymnastics, and had captivated Tomoyo's heart. As she watched
+adoringly, Tomoyo noticed little Jung by her side.
+When she smiled, the little girl bowed, and spoke in a endearingly
+soft voice,
+"Ohayo, Daidouji-sama."
+Tomoyo returned her bow and greeting. She asked Wei-sama to
+translate, and thanked the girl for being such a helpful assistant to
+Sakura. The little girl blushed, replying that it was because she
+wasn't very good at athletic things, and that sensei-sama was kind
+enough to let her help as best she could. But when Tomoyo asked the
+name of the nimble little girl who had topped the pyramid, Jung's
+face lit up.
+"Ah, that is Ling Xiao. Isn't she wonderful!" The child clasped her
+hands and looked up starry-eyed. Tomoyo smiled and nodded as Jung
+gleefully told her all about her marvelous friend. Finally, the
+Japanese woman knelt down, gazed into the girl's eyes and asked,
+"You like very very much, don't you, Jung-chan?" She smiled and
+nodded. Tomoyo then asked,
+"Does she like you the same way?"
+Jung suddenly became thoughtful, and her pretty face almost sad as
+she replied, "No, I don't think so. We are very best friends, but I
+don't think she likes me the same way."
+Tomoyo felt a stab in her heart. Fighting to keep her composure, she
+asked in a whisper,
+"Does Xiao-chan know how you feel?"
+Again, the little girl looked solemn beyond her years, "No, I don't
+think so. I don't think she would understand. But some day, I want to
+tell her how I feel."
+Tomoyo nodded as she fought back the tears. Her voice was trembling
+as she replied,
+"That's good. Tell her how you feel, Jung-chan, and soon. Even
+though it may be hard to do, it's very important that she know. OK?"
+The little girl nodded and smiled brightly, then ran off to help
+Sakura. Tomoyo stood up and hugged herself tightly. The Chinese
+teacher stood by her side, gazing with pity. There was nothing to
+say, so the older woman remained silent. Finally, Sakura made sure
+the girls had drunk their fill the of water before dismissing them to
+the showers. Then she bounced up to the two women, towling herself
+off and grinning. Tomoyo smiled as she spoke,
+"It was wonderful, Sakura-chan. Thank you so very much."
+Sakura smiled, "No, no, thank you! They wanted to do something for
+you, because of the uniform design. It really did turn out great. No
+wonder you're a professional designer, Tomoyo-chan. Are you ready to
+go to the beach?"
+Tomoyo nodded, then bowed to the older woman by her side, "Arigato
+gozaimasum, Jun-sama. I hope we will meet again."
+With a bow, the older woman smiled her goodbye, then silently
+watched the two friends hold hands and walk away.

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comparison old/stories/dearsakura-09.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights