"Tomoyo Captor Sakura"

 by: Ren-chan

 

 Part I: Morning Breaks 

 

 

 Author's note: 

 My first attempt at a fanfic. I don't know how this will go because I am making

 it up as I go along. It will be done in parts. I predict it will start out slow

 but will pick up pace. I hope you enjoy my fic. Beware of grammatical errors.

 I'm assuming you know Tomoyo's situation, have seen a good part of the series,

 and know some Japanese language and/or culture. I may use them. This first part

 is from Tomoyo's point of view. I'm planning to change point of view from time

 to time. Well, let's see how this goes. I use the characters as close to their 

 personalities as portrayed in the manga and anime series. (I'm still not sure

 how to do Cerberus's Osaka accent, so its in standard.)

 

 This is subject to change: story and title depending on how the story goes. This

 is a draft kinda. I decided to put it up anyway because I want my work up and 

 known to the world. Besides, won't it be great to see how the amateur writer 

 grows and changes? =P

 Tomoyo, Sakura, and company belong to CLAMP-sama etc etc. I'm just imagining 

 what would happen in the future. Send comments and critizisms (be gentle) to 

 renchan@lodoss.org

 

 

 

 

 I wake to the light touch of her foot against my own. I smile to myself

 and turn around in my bed to stare at the beautiful face of my best friend.

 Her hands lay folded together on top of my pillow, gently touching my nose.

 I feel myself blush slightly by her touch. I sit up in bed and stretch. I 

 head to the windows and pull away the curtains allowing the bright sunshine

 to poor into my room, greeting the new day.

 

 She still feels comfortable sleeping in the same bed with me at sleepovers

 like when we were children. All these years we've been together, we've grown

 closer. I know her as if she were me and she knows me as if I was herself. 

 But still, as I kneel next to her side, gazing longingly at her sleeping 

 face, she still doesn't know. She still doesn't understand. But it's alright.

 As long as I'm with her, as long as I can make her happy, see her happy, let 

 me be there for her, it's alright. Even if she never understands how much-

 

 "I love you, Sakura-chan," I whisper to her as I stroke her short, soft 

 brown hair. She smiles and stirs a bit in her sleep. She didn't hear me. 

 She's such a deep sleeper. I wonder what she's dreaming about...

 

 "Tomoyo-chan.."

 

 I look at her bewildered. Did she just say my name in her sleep? I shake my

 head to shrug out any hope of her loving me the way I love her. She is going

 out with Li-kun, afterall. I supported their relationship, and still do. He 

 makes her happy and that's all I'm concerned about. As long as Sakura is

 happy-

 

 "Tomoyo-chan.."

 

 I stiffen as she repeats my name. Slowly her eyes open to see mine looking

 over her. She slightly blushes as her eyes shine brightly even with my 

 shadow looming over her. She gives me the sweetest smile I've ever seen her

 give me. I melt inside with complete joy. I move back, tilting my head down

 feeling my pale skin blush from head to toe. 

 

 "Good morning, Tomoyo-chan."

 

 "Good morning, Sakura-chan."

 

 She looked out the window and smiled happily. She hasn't changed a bit since 

 then. Sakura-chan is the same as we first met and through the times of our 

 adventures in capturing the Clow Cards, now turned Sakura Cards. She is the 

 Card Mistress. Her cards leap out of her bag and surround her lovingly, greet-

 ing her good morning. 

 

 Kero-chan pokes his head out from the covers of the bed sitting up yawning. He 

 blinks his little, dot eyes as he floats from the bed. He floats around muttering

 about how he wished he didn't wake up from his great dream about giant cakes made

 of chocolate. The Sakura Cards float back into the Book and float towards Kero,

 glowing brightly.

 

 "Good morning, Sakura. Good morning, Tomoyo. Ne, can we have breakfast? Daidouji-

 san makes great pancakes! Oh, can she make the blueberry ones or the banana ones?

 How about some strawberry shortcake, too?" He continues to babble about sweets 

 while Sakura-chan and I smile at each other.

 

 "Hai. I'll ask her to make some as soon as she comes," I reply.

 

 "Wai! Wai!" exclaims Kero-chan as he dances in the air in joy.

 

 "Tomoyo-chan, can I use the bathroom first? I won't take long."

 

 I nod to her and watch her leave the room. I walk to my desk and pull out one of

 my numerous sketch books with drawings of dresses and costumes. Most of them with

 a detailed Sakura-chan wearing them. I sigh as I stare at the recent sketch of

 her in a halter top complimenting her figure under an open button-down, denim 

 double-pocket breasted, short sleaved shirt. With that she wears a matching cargo

 denim short shorts and knee high combat boots. This is less extravagant than the

 costumes I used to make for her as a Card Captor. Nowadays, I design a lot of 

 everyday clothes with Sakura as my model. She doesn't mind at all. That makes me

 extremely happy. Sometimes she gets Li-kun to pose and try on some of the men's

 designs I make. I am planning to go to the fashion a school, after all. Men's

 clothes designs should be in my portfolio. I sit back in my chair and stare at 

 the sketch of Sakura-chan in complete awe.

 

 "That's a nice design. You got Sakura's features down perfect from head to toe."

 I gasp startled, noticing Kero-chan hovering over my shoulder. I nod to him as 

 he studies my drawing. His face turns slightly serious. He folds his arms, taking

 a deep breath. I look at him curiously, wondering what he's thinking about.

 

 "Tomoyo," the guardian beast begins,"I've noticed how you look at Sakura." He 

 pauses as if he's choosing his words. "I know how you feel about Sakura."

 

 I stare at him, slightly shocked. I take a deep breath and smile sadly, not quite

 meeting his gaze. I know when I was younger I was pretty obvious. All I ever did

 was tape her, draw her in flashy costumes, and talk how cute and perfect Sakura

 was. I try to be more subtle now that she has Li-kun. I don't want to burden her 

 with my feelings.

 

 "I realized it awhile back. It's pretty obvious when you two were younger." He

 pauses again and continues. "Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with it. If I

 did, I would've consulted Sakura about it." I tense up and look at him in fear

 at the idea that he could've told her his suspicions. "Relax, I haven't said any-

 thing about it." 

 

 I sigh in relief. "Thank you, Kero-chan. It means alot that you don't mind about

 my feelings for Sakura and that you haven't told her about it."

 

 The little beast hovers down, sitting on the desk. "No problem. I'm just worried

 about you that's all. Sakura can be... oblivious to things like that." He pauses 

 again. "I don't think Sakura would mind. She speaks highly of you and holds you 

 dear and stuff." Another pause, as if stopping himself short from saying some-

 thing further. "She wouldn't hold your feelings against you."

 

 I smile happily at that. I notice that he is starting to tense up. 

 

 "Sakura is really involved with that brat." Another pause. "I think he knows, 

 too. Don't get upset. I don't think he wants to touch the subject either. But he

 knows you won't do anything to jeopordize their relationship. Afterall, you got 

 them together and supported them until this day. He might say something to you 

 about it. Err... Just don't think about it."

 

 The door opens to reveal Sakura-chan all freshened up. She smiles to the both of

 us. She looks at my drawing with a little sweatdrop on her head. She studies it 

 more carefully and smiles. 

 

 "You're really talented, Tomoyo-chan. I'm flattered that you know my features so 

 well and make great clothes for me. I hope you get into that art school you want.

 You make the best designs."

 

 I blush slightly at her compliments as I smile brightly. "Thank you so much, it

 means alot to me."

 

 She nods and begins to change behind me. I blush even more as I look away, even 

 though we've changed in front of each other numerous times. "So what are we 

 going to do today?"

 

 "A picnic in the park with Syaoran. It's been awhile since we've all been to-

 gether. He's making lunch. We gotta be there at two so we can kill some time

 in the shopping area right after breakfast." She turns to me and holds my hands

 in hers. "Please help me pick out a present for him for our two-year anniversary.

 I know you're good at these things."

 

 I smile, holding in the slight  pain in my heart. Two years... Two years they've 

 been going out. I brought them together. And she's smiling more brightly

 since then. There's no way I could tell her how I feel. Li-kun is going to be 

 with us. Will he confront me after what Kero-chan said? "Of course, Sakura-chan.

 I'll help you." 

 

 She smiles brightly. "Thank so much! I love you, Tomoyo!" She hugs me tight, then

 holds my hands again, tighter yet so gentle. "I'm so glad you're my best friend. 

 You're always there for me. I don't how to make it up to you."

 

 I was about to say something just as we heard the door knob turn. Kero-chan 

 quickly does his stuff animal impression as the door opened to reveal my mother

 on the other side. She smiled brightly just as she always did when Sakura-chan

 came over. She loves her just about as much as I do because she looks soo much

 like Nadeshiko-san. I look at her as she notices Sakura-chan holding my hands.

 

 "Good morning, Tomoyo." she says happily to me with a conspiring wink. "Good

 morning, Sakura-chan. What do you two want for breakfast?"

 

 Mother wants me to be honest with her and try to win Sakura-chan's feelings. I

 know she doesn't want me to end up like her and Nadeshiko-san. But I won't, she's

 happy and secure with him. Mother will never understand how much seeing Sakura

 happy makes me happy. I wouldn't have set them up if I didn't think I could stand

 her being with another. Besides I know he'll protect her and will take great care

 of her. "Blueberry or banana pancakes would be nice. Maybe some croissants and 

 strawberry jelly."

 

 She nods to me and grabs Sakura by the arm. "Ok! Sakura-chan, why don't you help

 me while Tomoyo gets ready? Don't take too long, ok?" Mother drags her down the 

 hall insanely happy while I smile, glad that Mother gets to spend time with Sakura

 as well. I know she misses Nadeshiko-san everyday and seeing Sakura reminds her

 of her.

 

 Kero-chan flies happily around the room as I quietly walk out the room towards the

 bathroom. I begin to remember all the times I would tape Sakura in her adventures,

 the late nights I spent making her costumes, and all the times I tried to get her 

 to understand my feelings. She's still as dense as I remember. I also remember how

 I would root for Li-kun as he tried to confess his feelings for Sakura.  Back then

 all I could think about was Sakura in all her glory in my costumes capturing them 

 on film and getting her and Li-kun together so I could emerse myself in joy seeing 

 Sakura even more happy. But lately all I can do is imagine us together.. happy..

 

 No, I have no magic to protect her like Li-kun has. How could I ever bear her a 

 beautiful child? What about her having a "normal" wedding? But I love her just as 

 much, possibly even more than Li-kun. Why am I thinking about this? All that matters

 is Sakura happy. Why should I ask Sakura for so much? Her friendship is enough. 

 I shake out any further thoughts of doubt about Li-kun and Sakura-chan. I open the

 bathroom door and think about what Sakura should give to Li-kun.

 

  * * *

 

 Back in Tomoyo's room, Kero-chan flies around the room impatiently waiting for food.

 For one minute he thinks of Clow Reed and sighs as he remembers the things he had go

 through, comparing them with Sakura's situations.

 

 "Sigh.."

 

 Unknown to him, outside on the roof, is a transperant image of a smiling Clow Reed and

 another transperant image of a woman with wings. 

 

 "This is the last test, if it should even be called a test. But is this really necessary?"

 whispers Clow. The woman nods and smiles warmly as they gradually fade into the morning 

 light.