~The Runaway Bride~

 By: Hinako Shinjo

 

 

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 Tadaima! Yeah, I'm back, whether you like it or not. Took me long enough, writer's block (more like BOULDER) really SUCKS. Well, anyways, this fic is almost by nowhere similar to the movie, well, at least...almost. You'll find out soon enough. ^_^ 

 

 Points to ponder:

 words enclosed in ~ are the character's own thoughts. 

 

 If you got some spare time, read on! 

 

 Disclaimers: The Characters of CCS doesn't belong to me, they all belong to CLAMP; and so does the title "Runaway Bride", it belongs to some film company (Don't blame me, I forgot), I'm just using em a bit for my own selfish reasons. 

 

 *** 

 

 "How do I look?", Sakura asked as she turned around in front of the mirror. The light-haired woman was dressed in a white laced gown with a veil around her head. Obviously the gown was for the most important day of a womans' life. In her mind she knew she didn't have to ask though. She thought she looked perfect, and undoubtly the person she asked would think the same. 

 

 The dark-haired woman who was sitting behind Sakura was dumbfounded. Her beautiful face looked pretty comical but she was in no place to appreciate it. However, Sakura, was. 

 

 "Are you going to sit there gaping all day or are you going to tell me what you think?", the gown-clad woman asked. 

 

 Tomoyo dropped out of her thoughts and nodded. "Would you believe me that I've always imagined you wearing that on OUR wedding?", she mused, giggling. 

 

 Sakura immediately blushed at Tomoyo's comment. She has known for quite some time now that her friend is in love with her, and it was just okay, she thought. What was not okay is the fact that Tomoyo has become the resident heartbreaker of the multitudes of men, and those multitudes of men would blame it on poor Sakura-chan because the object of their worship is in love with her. The future bride can't help but smile at the thought. 

 

 Turning back to the mirror, Sakura took a long look at herself again. She sighed. By far now she has become a fashion model, just like her mother. She never imagined that she'd following her footsteps especially with what happened in her childhood. Sakura took off her veil to get a better look at herself. Her hair was lighter now, almost the color of a blonde's, with it longer down to her shoulders. The gown she was wearing accentuated her body's remarkable figure, she imagined if it was possible for the gown to look good on anyone else but her. Her resemblance to Nadeshiko is more evident, the same soft beautiful features and smile. No one could deny the fact that she was probably a heartbreaker herself, the fact that often leads her fiance into fights. 

 

 "What a sin vanity is.", she mumbled, still looking at herself on the mirror. She became a little surprised when Tomoyo popped her head into view, resting her chin on Sakura's shoulder. 

 

 "It's not vanity, it's just called admiring yourself.", Tomoyo commented. They both look into each other's eyes, with Sakura looking dumb and Tomoyo smiling. When Touya walked into the room he saw the two friends laughing hysterically. 

 

 "Seems like Kaijuu finally rubbed in some on Tomoyo...", he said to himself, resting on his side by the door with his arms folded over his chest. "Oi, Kaijuu!", he called, instantly changing his sister's mood. 

 

 "Oniisan, will you ever grow tired of calling me that?", she asked irritatedly. 

 

 "Nope. Here, catch, it's Li.", he shrugged, then he threw over to her the cordless phone. Sakura barely caught it and when she did, she fell right on her belly. Tomoyo would have been ready to comment on how mean Touya was but thought this was too funny to do so. 

 

 "Hello, Li-kun! Yes? No...oh, I got it...okay...okay then, I'll see you later. Goodbye, Luv!" 

 

 "Sounds like he's in a hurry.", the other woman said as she was straightening her own dress in front of the mirror. Sakura could only nod, then let out a loud sigh. Falling to her ankles, Sakura sat down on the floor. She looked over to Tomoyo who was still busy with herself in front of the mirror. 

 

 "You look a little more than casual with your look today, Tomoyo-chan, and whose heart is it you're going to break today?", Sakura teased. Tomoyo could only look behind her shoulder over to her friend, then turn back to the mirror with her once pale cheeks being now tinted with red. 

 

 "It's just a little business appointment, Sakura-chan, nothing more.", Tomoyo finally found her voice. Her friend giggled while nodding. Tomoyo always had formality and elegance in her appearance ever since they were children. No matter what she wore, she'd still be the Tomoyo she is, grace, elegance and beauty, all in one. Sakura didn't notice it but she began taking into notice Tomoyo's features. She still wore the same style on her long, dark hair, which was regularly trimmed by Sakura. She always joked that Tomoyo had her do it to save money but she very well knew the real reason why though. The timid-looking expression also never wore off, which made her wonder how the girl could get away with so many important business deals. Tomoyo has been let into the family business by her mother ever since she turned 18, and was far enough doing great at it too. (specially the sons of her mother's business associates are infatuated with her)Her ivory-white skin seemed more exquisite to be trapped in the loose fitting long-sleeved white blouse she was wearing being tucked in neatly into a more formal-looking dark-blue velvet skirt. 

 

 "Sometimes you make me really jealous." 

 

 "Huh?" 

 

 Sakura stood up from the floor and walked towards Tomoyo. With both facing the mirror, the light-haired girl nudged her friend with her elbow to her ribs. Tomoyo looked questioningly at Sakura, who was wearing a pout on her face. 

 

 "You're beautiful, elegant, generous, geez, you just have everything! And you get to break a lot of hearts too, while here I am, being just a little prettier than you...", Sakura put her index finger and thumb together making the gesture of "just a little" with them, "...and I'm getting married in a week!" Sakura knitted her eyebrows, pouted even more, and crossed her arms over her chest in mock anger. A confused Tomoyo looked at her, then soon realized what her friend meant. She could only giggle then sooner Sakura followed her. 

 

 Patting Sakura by the shoulder, Tomoyo said light-heartedly, "At least you got to break my heart, ne?" 

 

 Sakura's laughter got caught in her throat as Tomoyo said that. Before the she could say something about it, the latter looked at her watch, then became surprised. 

 

 "Oh my, I'm almost late! Sorry that I have to go in such a rush, but I'll be seeing you later Sakura-chan!", Tomoyo said in a hurry, grabbing a matching dark-blue velvet blazer hanging by a hook, then placed a quick kiss on the dazed woman's cheek running off without another word. 

 

 Sakura shook her head. It took over a minute for her to realize that Tomoyo had already left. 

 

 ***

 

 "She only meant it as a joke...", Sakura thought as she lay on her bed. It was already past midnight and she couldn't sleep just yet. What Tomoyo said earlier got stuck in her head. "Whatever made her say that out of the blue?", she continued grilling herself. "I know it's only a joke but still...it's very unrelated to what we were talking about and she..." 

 

 Sakura turned to her side and found herself facing her wedding gown. It has been designed and made by her bestfriend herself. Sakura had promised to Tomoyo when they were younger to let her do her wedding dress. Sighing, she sat up on her bed, folding her knees to her chest and hugging them. Her green eyes gazed at the wedding dress before her as if it was the first time she had seen it. Nothing could be more perfect. She stood up from her bed and walked towards it; mesmerizing at intricate handiwork of the dress. The edges, laces, fabric, it was sheer perfection. Sakura started recalling the earlier morning when Tomoyo had given her the dress. 

 

 ***

 

 "Hoe, Tomoyo-chan! It's so...so perfect!", Sakura said breathlessly as she laid out the gown on her bed. 

 

 "Is it?", said the other woman who was just taking off her blazer and set it a nearby hook. "I think it's not perfect until you wear it." 

 

 Sakura look amused at what Tomoyo said, then retorted, "Yes, and you would have me do my job in a day like this?" 

 

 "Consider it payment, Sakura-chan.", replied Tomoyo, sitting down on Sakura's bed just besides the wedding gown. 

 

 "Bah, you know I would have worn it anyway!", sighed Sakura beaten by her friend again. Taking the wedding gown from the bed, she headed off behind her mirror to change. 

 

 "Tomoyo-chan, just how many days did you spent on making this?", Sakura asked. 

 

 "Hmm?", Tomoyo looked up to the ceiling, thinking for a moment then answered, "About a month, the least." 

 

 The bride-to-be stopped for a moment. That was the first time she has known of Tomoyo taking that long into sewing a dress. 

 

 "Neeeee, Tomoyo-chan, maybe I should really pay you with something for making me this..." 

 

 "Shhhhh! With you letting me make that for you and you wearing is enough for me, Sakura-chan.", Tomoyo interupped before she could finish. Sakura still stood there unmoving, then realizing it was no use offering Tomoyo payment, she went on with wearing the dress. 

 

 ***

 

 Graceful fingers ran through the smooth fabric of the gown. Sakura idly traced her hands along the dress, thinking of the hands that made this creation. 

 

 "You've always been so selfless, Tomoyo-chan...for me.", murmured Sakura to herself. "...with me marrying him, could it really hurt you so much?" She felt an urge to smack herself on the head with the question. "Of course, you baka, she loves you so much her heart would probably be crashed into millions of minute pieces, not that it already is with you being engaged to someone else in first place." She sighed again. "Why am I even thinking about this, the idea of me marrying is totally okay for Tomoyo-chan, she even made my wedding gown for crying out loud!", she said, reassuring herself. The bride-to-be turned away from the object of her distraught moving towards her bed again. 

 

 When she plopped down on her bed, closing her eyes. A moment passed, and her green eyes snapped open. 

 

 "Or is she hiding all the pain with those smiles of hers?" 

 

 Sakura grabbed her sheets, pulling them over her. She shut her eyes while cursing herself to go to sleep. 

 

 ***

 

 "Tomoyo?", Sonomi's voice was heard from behind the door as she knocked. 

 

 "Yes, mother?", answered the young woman, who had her chin rested on her palm, staring outside the window. 

 

 "May I come in?" 

 

 "Yes you may, mother.", she answered wearily. 

 

 Sonomi came in, seeing the state her daughter was in. She could understand too well what her daughter was thinking. Walking towards Tomoyo, the older woman placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

 

 "At least she knows how you feel.", Sonomi said comfortingly. 

 

 Tomoyo sighed, turned her eyes toward her mother, then nodded. "I'm glad you can understand me, mother. I just don't know how I can get through with this after she marries him." 

 

 Sonomi took a seat besides Tomoyo. She put her hand and her daughter's head an started to stroke her hair lovingly. 

 

 "You're strong. You may never get over her, but you can get through this, just like I did." 

 

 Tomoyo turned her head towards the window again. All she can think of is Sakura. The beauty that is Sakura. The innocence that is Sakura. The friend that is Sakura. The lover that could have been with Sakura. 

 

 "The last thing that you would want to happen is for her to realize how much pain you really feel, Tomoyo." 

 

 The young woman again nodded wearily, then said to herself, "Even if it breaks me I'll never show her my pain...never..." 

 

 ***

 

 Sakura walked mechanically across the park. She had bags under her eyes, clothes were rumpled, posture hunched, the only thing that was relatively in good appearance was her hair. Everyone that walked pass the young woman would have a good mind to call the paddy wagon on her. However, Sakura didn't mind nor seem to care what the people thought. All she cared about is to get her mind on something else rather than on Tomoyo, which she proved time and time again very hard to do. 

 

 The wind was rustling against the leaves softly, as if playing music with reeds, much to Sakura's comfort. The sun was also being kind today, smiling brightly down on the people below it. Sakura stopped walking for a moment to look at everything around and seeing the comfort that she had longed for, she smiled. She straightened up her hunched back, along with her outfit, then trudged along happily towards a nearby park bench. She was just planning to sit idly all day long and be relaxed. When she was but a stone's throw away from the bench, she saw a familiar figure sitting on the bench, with it's back turned. That didn't stop her from recognizing the who it was though. 

 

 Just as the she turned around to walk away she heard the person call her. 

 

 "Sakura-chan!" 

 

 Her feet melted right under her as the sweetly decorated tone of Tomoyo's voice reached her ears. She faced back and saw an angelic face smiling at her, gesturing for her to come and sit with her. Sakura felt two forces acting on her at that moment. One was pulling her away from Tomoyo, the other one dragging her towards her bestfriend. 

 

 "Oh, Tomoyo-chan, I didn't notice you...", ~Liar. Now think of a good excuse to leave.~, "I was just walking along and I have nothing better to do so...", ~Baka! Now if you leave you'll really blow up the fact that you're avoiding her! Ho-e...might as well...~, "Mind if I keep you company?", Sakura uttered in short rambling successions. 

 

 Tomoyo quirked a gentle eyebrow, looking at Sakura suspiciously. ~Something's bothering her...maybe she had a little fight with Li-kun again. Tsk...that man...just before the wedding...better ask her about it.~ The pale woman shifted away slightly from her place then patted the warm spot next to her. 

 

 Sakura could only smile nervously as she took the seat offered to her. The light-haired girl kept on twiddling her fingers on her lap, looking at a distance instead at the friend beside her. ~C'mon, brain, think of something to say before she gets suspicious of you. Lesse...ask her what she feels about the wedding...NO, NOT THAT! Something else...okay...how about if she's going to attend the wedding...baka...of course she's going to, she's your bride's maid, idiot...how's bout...~ 

 

 Sakura was dragged back in to reality when Tomoyo began poking her by the shoulder. Sakura blinked a few times then tilted her head towards Tomoyo. The pale young woman was looking worriedly at her, which made her finally drop her guard and revealed all the distraught she had been keeping all to herself. 

 

 "Tomoyo-chan, I...", Sakura stammered, again basking in the remarkable features her friend possessed. ~Ho-e, she's just so beautiful...I could just...NO, DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT. DON'T EVEN TRY TO THINK ABOUT DOING THAT!~ The poor girl mentally slapped herself and finally got her composure back, then tried to go on with what she was saying, without looking at Tomoyo. 

 

 A worried Tomoyo kept on looking at Sakura, who was again looking at a distance and mumbling something incoherent. Putting a hand over her friend's, with genuine concern in her voice, she asked, "Sakura-chan, you know you can always tell me of your problems." Much to Tomoyo's surprise, Sakura pulled her hand away. 

 

 "Why can't you just hate me...", Sakura said barely above a whisper. 

 

 "Sakura-chan? What are you...", Tomoyo tried to ask, but Sakura held up a hand, still not looking at her. ~What in the world is she talking about?~ 

 

 "Tomoyo-chan, why don't you hate me?", Sakura asked her voice being audible this time. 

 

 The dark-haired girl kept quiet. A moment passed with silence in between them. 

 

 "I love you, that's why.", answered Tomoyo breaking the silence. 

 

 Sakura immediately turned her head towards Tomoyo, looking at her as if it was the first time she heard her say that. Her gaze was met with the same, serene look of calmness in her friend's eyes, along with the contented and loving smile she only gave to Sakura. The light-haired woman felt her heart beating fast as she looked at Tomoyo like that, uncertain of what she was feeling. ~I have to ask her now, before I become the gutless wench that I am again...~ 

 

 "What do you feel about me getting...married?" 

 

 "You seem to be really happy about it, and I'm happy for you.", Tomoyo answered sincerely. 

 

 "Don't hand me that!", Sakura barked. The other woman backed away a bit, now being worried about her friend's behavior. She could see Sakura's face become flushed, filled with a great deal of anxiety that shows evidently in her eyes. 

 

 "I want the truth, Tomoyo." 

 

 Silence once again prevailed. The two women didn't notice people begining to form around them (how nosy people can get) and nosing with what's going on. Tomoyo lowered her gaze from Sakura, then turned her head, facing her own lap. ~Why'd you pick the worst situation to be observant, Sakura-chan. It took years for you to realize what I feel and now you also realize my pain...why?~ The dark-haired woman felt a lump rise to her throat, and her eyes were welling up. All the years of hiding her pain were showing now. ~No, Tomoyo, no...don't show her how you feel, don't...~ 

 

 Sakura saw this, and immediately pulled Tomoyo into an embrace. Tomoyo's resolve weakened being in her loved one's arms, breaking down into tears. All that Sakura could do was comfort her with her the hug. ~Damn it, now look what I've done, I should have dropped this...~ 

 

 "Tomoyo-chan, I'm sorry, I never should have asked...", Sakura began apologizing while still having her friend in the hug, but Tomoyo halted her with a shush. 

 

 The dark-haired woman pulled away from the other, wiping her tears with her hand. Her eyes were a little red and puffy, and so was her face, but still her smile never left. Sakura could feel the vein on her neck pulsing wildly at the sight of this, making her even more confused of her feelings. All she could do was wait for Tomoyo to answer. 

 

 And she did. 

 

 ****

 

 OOOOOOOOO, DAMN! Don't you just want to hit me with something right now? Heehee, thought so. My brain is kinna drained right now but rest assured, the next chapter is coming in soon. 

 

 Til then, K-CHA!