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.