moonlitnights: old/stories/tomoyo-prince.txt comparison

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author	rlm
date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
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-:dbe144217c71
+:fc00894c1d4a
+A Tomoyo and Sakura Story
+By G. P.
+Please send comments to: treeandleaf2002@yahoo.com
+Note: all names and characters are property of CLAMP. This story is
+in no way meant to infringe on their intellectual property rights.
+This story is part of a series, but may be read alone. The previous
+stories in order are:
+Love is the Crooked Thing
+First Date
+Fruits Candy
+Tomoyo and the Visitor
+I.
+The teachers all agreed. "Beauty in the Woods" had been such a
+success for the fourth grade class that it deserved a reprise as the
+fifth grade play. The students, enthusiastic but nervous, began
+writing their names on the board. Just like last year, Mizuki-sensei
+would determine the parts randomly. As Sakura wrote her name, Tomoyo
+smiled, wondering what new costumes she would get to create for her
+friend. Already her head was full of fantastic designs for a fairy
+godmother, and dignified, regal attire fit for a queen. She could
+hardly wait to start sewing! So enraptured was she with the prospect
+of getting a new costume on Sakura that she missed the scowl on
+Sayoran when she got up to write her own name on the board.
+Newly returned from Hong Kong, he felt as out of place as ever. He
+was puzzled why his awkward, tentative approaches to Sakura had gone
+unnoticed. Brooding back home, he realized that Sakura had shown
+interest in him, but he had been too busy to see. Now, she seemed
+friendly, but that "something else" he had sensed was no longer
+there. If only he were the Prince, and she the Princess of the play,
+perhaps she could be made to see the connection they shared, as well
+as their proper place in the order of things. Despite everything, he
+had never really accepted the notion that a weak little girl could be
+the true successor to Clow Reed. Awakened from his reveries by gasps
+and cheers, he was delighted to see the first part of his plan fall
+into place as Mizuki-sensei revealed the name of the Princess:
+Kinomoto Sakura.
+Tomoyo flew from her chair, holding her hands together in ecstasy.
+Sakura would make a perfect, absolutely perfect princess! Enraptured
+in a flurry of flowers and bubbles, she failed to see own name
+revealed:
+The Prince: Daidouji Tomoyo
+Dumbstruck, Sayoran glared at the blackboard. This was even more
+ridiculous than last year. How could a quiet, nondescript girl like
+her ever play the part of a noble prince? As shock turned to
+aggravation, he finally noticed that his own name had been revealed
+as well.
+Mizuki smilingly passed out scripts to the eager boys and girls. She
+took great delight in being the new fifth-grade math teacher, though
+her students were sadly unaware of the true power of numbers. As she
+absently took her copy, Tomoyo’s attention was fixed on the Mistress
+of the Cards. Mizuki laughed to herself and spoke up brightly,
+"Daidouji"
+The girl turned to face her, lavender eyes sparkling at the prospect
+of her friend as a princess.
+"I think you'll make an interesting Prince."
+Tomoyo smiled and bowed slightly as she caught Mizuki-sensei's
+enigmatic smile. She had not even thought about her own part in the
+play. Well, with a little altering, she could wear the costume from
+last year. But most of her time would be spent in designing a costume
+fit for a true Princess.
+Next day the class had their first walk-through rehearsal. Terada
+sensei joined Mizuki to supervise and direct. Right away he saw the
+problem. Mizuki's odd method of casting generated excitement among
+the students and audience, but this was the sort of snag he had
+always feared. The Daidouji girl was one of his best students:
+bright, punctual, cheerful, and talented. But she made an awful
+Prince. Kinomoto had been surprisingly good in the role last year,
+with a physical verve and commanding presence that convinced all that
+here was a Prince indeed. But now he covered his face in his hands as
+Daidouji dropped her sword instead of drawing it with a flourish.
+Worse, her soft voice had none of the iron determination that such a
+part demanded. He looked helplessly at Mizuki, who simply smiled as
+if she had not a care in the world. Already, he was preparing his
+apologies to the Principal. Turning to the math teacher he whispered,
+"Mizuki-san, eh, perhaps we might consider some slight alterations
+to ensure, eh, a more harmonious cast?" He winced as Daidouji bowed
+in apology after dropping her sword again.
+Beaming, Mizuki whispered back, "Oh, that would be fine. I do worry,
+though, about the effect such a change might have on the children. I
+am sure that many of them would love to have a different part." With
+a puzzled look on her face, she said distractedly, 'How might we
+apportion the parts fairly so that every child gets the one they
+want, and is also right for them?"
+Terada groaned to himself. She was right. One change would lead to
+another, and it would be impossible to match up every student with
+the part they wanted and would be best at. With a blush, he
+remembered his secret hope that Rika-chan would play the Princess.
+Well, they would just have to do their best. But already he was
+dreading the night of the play.
+II.
+With the performance only a few days away, Sakura asked Tomoyo if
+she would like to get together and rehearse. In Sakura's room the
+following day the auburn-haired girl struggled to remember the lines
+while her friend looked on encouragingly. For the first time, she
+made it through without a stumble.
+"Do you want to do your lines, Tomoyo-chan?", she smiled.
+Tomoyo looked up and said, "Oh, thank you, Sakura-chan, but I
+already know them by heart."
+Looking closely at her friend, Sakura noticed a brief look of
+concern. Taking her by the hand, she spoke earnestly,
+"Tomoyo-chan, is everything all right?"
+Startled, Tomoyo looked at her, smiling again, and said, "Oh, yes. I
+was just thinking about how to finish the sleeves on your costume".
+With a worried look, Sakura blurted out, "Oh, I'm sorry if I
+interrupted your sewing by asking you to come over. And even though
+you already knew your lines you came to help me! I'm so sorry, Tomoyo-
+chan".
+Tomoyo, distressed by Sakura's reaction, squeezed the girl’s hand,
+"No, no, it's all right, really, That's not it, I'll have it all
+finished in time...." Her voice trailed off in silence.
+Sakura looked closely at her friend, and again sensed something
+troubling her. Smiling, she said, "If that's not it, Tomoyo, what is?
+Something is bothering you, isn't it?"
+Tomoyo looked up into the shimmering emerald eyes and felt her heart
+flutter. Since Sakura had first confessed her love almost a year ago,
+the two had grown ever closer. An unexpected result of this was that
+Tomoyo could hide less and less from her increasingly perceptive
+friend. For years, Tomoyo locked her love away, safe and secret as
+the little eraser in the box in her room. Unaware of Tomoyo's
+passionate affection (as well as her silent pain), Sakura had
+directed her singular concentration towards the capture of the Clow
+Cards. Now that attention was focused laser-like on Tomoyo, and the
+dark-haired girl found it increasingly difficult to conceal the
+things she feared would hurt her friend. Haltingly, groping for the
+right words, Tomoyo whispered,
+"Sakura-chan, I'm just...worried that I won't be a very good Prince
+for you."
+She looked away lest the tears take her. Ever since the first
+rehearsal she had worried about being an adequate Prince for Sakura's
+Princess. That concern was oddly like the anxiety that had stalked
+her for the past year: how could she ever be worthy of Sakura's love?
+Her adoration for the girl was boundless, but had boxed her in. She
+was torn with worry that she could not be all her friend deserved. On
+stage with the choir, and even as a soloist, Tomoyo performed with
+confident ease. But now, the possibility of dropping her sword or her
+lines terrified her, for that would bring unbearable dishonor to
+Sakura. She had even gone to Mizuki-sensei, to suggest that another
+student, perhaps Li-kun, might make a better Prince. But the
+teacher's strange smile flustered her and left her speechless.
+Suddenly she felt arms around her, and turned to see Sakura hugging
+her tightly.
+"Tomoyo-chan, that's so silly! I wouldn't want anybody besides you
+as my Prince. I know you'll be wonderful!"
+As she smiled and hugged back, Tomoyo knew Sakura would love her no
+matter what.  But at the thought of having to be "wonderful" in the
+play her body tensed, and Sakura sensed it. Tomoyo was usually so
+good at things like this, and Sakura had been too absorbed in the
+role of the Princess to even notice her friend's anxiety. But what
+could she possibly do? Tomoyo knew her lines; that wasn't the
+problem. Thinking about it, Tomoyo fit all the ideals of a fairy tale
+prince: she was gracious, self-sacrificing, confident, brave, kind,
+and... beautiful. Sakura blushed. But physically, Tomoyo seemed
+strangely ill at ease with the part. Sakura realized that with
+cheerleading club, and gymnastics, and the exertions of capturing the
+Clow Cards, the physical activity of the Prince’s role had been
+second nature to her. But Tomoyo was different. How could she
+possibly help her friend to look and move and sound like a prince?
+Long after Tomoyo had left to go sew, Sakura sat awake in her room,
+determined to do something. She couldn't count all the times that
+Tomoyo had helped her. When she was down, or afraid, or uncertain,
+her friend was always ready to listen, to talk, or just to be there.
+Now those roles were reversed, and she had to find a way to help.
+Finally, long after midnight, she took out the Clow Cards and studied
+them. Slowly going through the cards, each with her name engraved
+upon it, she waited for inspiration. Finally, one leapt to her
+attention as the obvious solution. She held it up, dancing out of
+bed, heart bursting with the certainty that now everything would be
+all right.
+III.
+As the audience expectantly greeted the rising curtain, Tomoyo
+helped Sakura into the elaborate Princess’ costume off-stage. A
+circle of girls surrounded them, oo-ing and ah-ing at the magnificent
+design. Sonomi had pitched in with sewing the night before, and even
+then the two had been up till dawn. Stifling a yawn, Tomoyo felt it
+all worthwhile as she made the final adjustments, sewing a loose bow
+on the hem. She only hoped her own part in the play would not prove
+too embarrassing for her friend. After worrying the matter to the
+point of tears, she had finally resolved to just do her best.
+Finished at last, she stepped back for a final appraisal, and stood
+in awe.
+The design was inspired by the dress of the Italian Renaissance in
+the early 15th Century. A moiré of dark green brocade served as the
+gown. Decorated with golden moons and suns, the lush fabric was
+outlined in a thick, gold trim. The gown was slashed in front,
+revealing a crimson velvet petticoat embroidered with silver stars.
+The sleeves were puffed and slashed, tied together with blood-red
+ribbons, a delicate pink chemise peeking out from underneath. The
+ends of the sleeves flared out and hung down, lined in spring green
+silk. Pearls encircled Sakura’s delicate neck, and trimmed the
+squared neckline of the gown. Typical of the time, she wore a wig of
+blonde hair made of two long braids, entwined with long, pink
+ribbons. Finally, a single teardrop emerald graced her forehead like
+a third eye, hanging in place on a golden chain that encircled her
+head like a tiara. She remembered her mother's words when she
+borrowed the gemstone, "Please be careful, it's very precious to me.
+It was Nadesico's"
+Tomoyo could only stand and stare in the presence of a Princess from
+long ago. But if the costume so lovingly crafted by Tomoyo's heart
+and hands had brought the Princess magically to life, the real
+miracle was Sakura herself. Most girls would look awkward and out of
+place in the costume, overwhelmed by the rich, luxurious fabrics. But
+she wore them with a natural grace, as if she'd been raised as
+royalty from birth. The real glory was Sakura's, and the dress merely
+an obedient compliment to her innate beauty. Utterly enraptured,
+Tomoyo was only dimly aware of the girl's anxious voice,
+"Tomoyo-chan, does it look all right? Tomoyo-chan?"
+As though awakened from a dream, Tomoyo blinked and stood
+speechless. A male voice from behind whispered,
+"It looks wonderful. Kinomoto, you're on next, come with me.
+Daidouji, you'd better get your own costume on soon".  Terada-sensei
+had stopped short when he first saw her in the costume. Like a fairy-
+tale come to life, Kinomoto made a radiant princess. As she went on-
+stage for the first time, he heard the audience gasp, then applaud.
+He smiled and thought, maybe this will work out, after all.
+As Tomoyo finished buttoning her costume, she went over her lines
+one last time. She was nervous and sad and resigned all at once. With
+a sigh, she stood on the edge of the stage as Yamazaki, this year's
+narrator, intoned,
+"To the country came a Prince".
+Terada-sensei nodded, while Mizuki-sensei, standing at his side,
+watched her with curious eyes. With a sinking heart, Tomoyo scuttled
+on stage, faced the bright floodlights, and spoke in her usual sweet
+voice,
+"They say this is a mysterious castle".
+She saw the three fairy godmothers, and heard Rika-chan's
+encouraging voice, "We've been waiting for you".
+Lying on her bier in the dark, behind the scenery of castle and rose
+briars, Sakura fumbled about, looking for the Key. She had hidden it
+and the card all too well in the costume's many layers. Finally she
+found it, and quickly whispered the words, bathing the backstage in a
+flash of golden light. A startled stagehand, wondering if a bulb had
+suddenly blown, thought he heard a whispering voice,
+"...and be a proper servant for Tomoyo's princely heart."
+Relieved of an anxiety for her friend that had kept her up all
+night, Sakura smiled to herself, and drifted off to a deep,
+mysterious sleep.
+As Tomoyo drew the little prop sword, shortened by Terada-sensei to
+keep her from dropping it, everything changed. When the sword emerged
+it was longer, sharper, and more menacing than a mere prop.
+Simultaneously, she changed, feeling a flood of confidence and power
+surging through her arm, flooding her body. In a calm, measured, but
+commanding voice, she demanded,
+"Who's there?"
+As the normally placid girl flourished the sword high above her
+head, the children playing the fairies stepped back in fear. Though
+stunned by the sudden transformation, Rika had the presence of mind
+to continue with her lines. After warning the Prince of the sorceress
+within, Tomoyo declaimed,
+" I have my sword, and my courage. I swear that I will break the
+Princess' curse."
+As the fairies bowed low and stepped aside, Tomoyo strode towards
+the thick briars encircling the castle. But before the boys could
+move back the props, the Prince slashed away, scattering them off-
+stage. The sword cut through the two-by-fours in a shivering blow,
+scattering fragments of props and wood across the stage. The audience
+cheered the heroic assault, but Terada stared from off stage in
+disbelief. He turned to Mizuki, only to be greeted by the ever-
+present smile as she spoke,
+"I thought Daidouji might make an interesting Prince."
+He swallowed hard, and watched as the little girl advanced on the
+evil Sorceress and her minions.
+As soon as he saw the sword, he knew. Peering through swirls of
+black silk, Sayoran watched the girl in Prince's clothes advance
+towards him. There was no doubt that she wielded the Clow Card,
+Sword. Or rather, that the sword wielded her. Only a strong will
+could master it, and the Daidouji girl lacked even Kinomot's meager
+strength. How had she ever gotten a hold of such a thing? Well, no
+matter, he would strip her of it and end this farce. He drew his own
+sword, the indomitable legacy of the honored House of Li. He
+whispered to his minions to get off the stage, and in a mad scramble
+they happily obeyed. He took a fighting stance as a hush fell over
+the audience.
+Terada, mumbling that none of this was in the script, made ready to
+go on stage and stop the play. But Mizuki held his sleeve, and calmly
+whispered,
+" It's all right. I made a few changes in the script so it wouldn't
+be the same as last year".
+He stopped and watched aghast as Li lunged at the girl with a
+glistening sword.
+Tomoyo deftly parried the heavy blow and slipped aside as Sayoran
+charged. His surprise quickly changed to anger, and he slashed about
+wildly. But each time she turned his blade, lightly dancing away. The
+massive plume bobbed on her hat, but her body was calm and still
+amidst the furious action. The audience gasped, then roared its
+delight as the black sorceress hacked in vain at the plucky Prince,
+who time and again dodged the deadly seeming blows. Panting, Sayoran
+was engulfed in a rage of humiliation as the girl avoided his every
+stroke with mocking ease. His mind clouded with anger, he failed to
+remember that the Card's power was proportional to the will of its
+user. Staring at the girl he felt true hate, and spat out the words,
+"You can never have her. She's mine!"
+Suddenly Tomoyo caught a glimpse of the figure on the bier, shrouded
+in the dark and fast asleep. Her heart burst with longing for the
+Beauty that lay within. Her voice rang out, clear and strong,
+"Witch! I'll finish you."
+She sprang like a panther, sword sweeping the air in a great
+shinning arc. The blow knocked the sword from Sayoran's hands, and it
+fell clattering to the floor. Another swing, and the sword stopped
+short, inches from his neck. He stared into the icy blue eyes and
+felt his courage drain away. In a commanding whisper she ordered,
+"Fall!"
+And he obeyed, dropping like a sack of potatoes, fast asleep.
+The audience clapped and yelled, swept away by the fantastic
+spectacle. But Tomoyo stood oblivious, quietly sheathing the sword as
+the castle gates opened and revealed Princess Aurora on her darkened
+bier. Tomoyo now spoke not in the regal tones of the Prince, but with
+her own earnest voice, which touched the hearts of all who heard her.
+"The fairies spoke truly, for here is beauty beyond the world's rim.
+Not sun, nor stars, nor shimmering moon compare with thee, oh fairest
+of the fair. All victories are fleeting, my conquests brought to
+naught, for this heart is mine no more. Awaken, Princess, and claim
+thy thrall".
+Riffling through the script, Terada exclaimed, "I don't remember
+those lines." glancing up at Mizuki, he stammered, "Did you.....?"
+But she only smiled, watching the play. Trancelike, the fairies spoke,
+"The Princess can be awakened with a kiss of true love"
+Tomoyo swept off her hat, hair falling down in a black cascade. She
+knelt over the still, silent Princess, leaning closer and closer.
+Their lips brushed lightly, then locked together in a passionate,
+consuming kiss. Sakura's lashes fluttered as she awoke, a pulsating
+warmth throbbing through her very being. She flushed crimson with an
+aching desire, and instinctively wrapped her arms around the figure
+above her. The world spun dizzily as she slowly came to. Waves of
+longing washed over her as she rose from the bier, embracing the
+sweet, pale figure in her arms. She held her ardent lover tightly,
+their kiss a red ribbon binding their hearts together, forever.
+Terada's frantic signaling failed to catch the attention of the
+stunned stagehands working the lights. But Mizuki hid her giggle
+behind one hand as she tinkled and dimmed the lights with the other.
+As the stage went to black the Prince and Princess disappeared, and
+the audience rose to their feet in a thunderous ovation. When Terada
+saw the Principal rushing towards him, he quailed, and prepared for
+his humiliation. As the applause continued and the actors made their
+bows, the Principal rumbled,
+"Excellent job, you two. Best play I ever saw at Tomoeda. Better
+special effects than the movies, I'd say!"
+"Thank you, Sir!" Terada spluttered as he and Mizuki bowed low.
+Looking out the corner of his eye, he saw her smiling that odd, Mona
+Lisa smile. Next year, he thought to himself, we'll do a damn variety
+show. I couldn't survive another one of these.
+The next day, Sakura and Tomoyo sat on the grass after lunch. Sakura
+had slowly come to realize just what had happened the previous night,
+and blushed with every memory of it. Tomoyo couldn't stop talking
+about how wonderful she looked in the Princess costume. Finally,
+Sakura asked in a halting voice,
+"Ummm, Tomoyo-chan, ummm, why did you, ummm, kiss me....like that?
+Tomoyo tilted her head and smiled holding her friend's hand
+delicately in hers,
+"But Sakura-chan, how else would a Prince kiss his Princess? I
+wanted to do the best job I could in the part."
+A soft, lilting voice came from behind, and they both turned to see
+Mizuki-sensei  standing by them,
+"She's quite right, Kinomoto. Besides, if you were the Prince and
+Daidouji the Princess, wouldn’t you have done exactly the same?"
+Tomoyo gazed at her friend. Sakura stared at the ground, blushing
+fiercely. There was nothing to say.
+As always, Mizuki-sensei was exactly right.

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comparison old/stories/tomoyo-prince.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights