rlm@0: "Sakura-chan and Okaa-sama's Track and Field Adventure"
rlm@0: (Written on the videotape in Tomoyo’s delightfully Kawaii script*)
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I. 
rlm@0: Sakura was all eagerness when she arrived at the Daidouji residence.
rlm@0: Shouldering a yellow and white athletic bag she buzzed the gate for
rlm@0: admittance. Shortly after it opened, she saw Sonomi sama racing
rlm@0: towards her with Tomoyo chan trailing behind.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Yo-ho, Sakura-chan!" Sonomi sang out. She was dressed in bright red
rlm@0: shorts with a crimson jacket trimmed in black. Tomoyo had a similar
rlm@0: outfit, but in navy blue. Both wore matching black running shoes.
rlm@0: Sakura smiled to see them; the beautiful mother and daughter running
rlm@0: together. Sonomi was quickly upon her, seemingly invigorated by the
rlm@0: long run from the mansion. Tomoyo, breathless but all smiles, finally
rlm@0: caught up. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura bowed as she said, "Sonomi sama, Tomoyo chan, thank you for
rlm@0: having me."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Beaming at the little girl, Sonomi replied, "It's always a pleasure
rlm@0: to have you with us. Would you like to change in the field house?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  "Field house?" Sakura answered with a puzzled look.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As the three began walking past a row of trees, Tomoyo, still
rlm@0: catching her breath, giggled, "Mother had some changes made to the
rlm@0: yard so she could coach you properly."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi put her finger on her cheek thoughtfully and said, "It really
rlm@0: isn't what I wanted at all, but Tomoyo chan wouldn't let me cut down
rlm@0: the plum trees to make room for the oval."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Topping a little rise, Sakura saw what had once been a grassy yard
rlm@0: and stopped short. A new 100 meter track stretched into the distance,
rlm@0: bulldozer tread marks testifying to its recent completion. Nearby was
rlm@0: a small white field house for showering and changing, and even a set
rlm@0: of stands for who-knew-what spectators. Sakura turned to Sonomi, who
rlm@0: could barely contain her delight, and exclaimed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, you shouldn't have done this just for me. Your poor, pretty
rlm@0: yard!"   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi leaned over, placed her hand on the girl's cheek, and smiled
rlm@0: sweetly.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Don't worry, dear. It's something I'd always wanted myself since I
rlm@0: was young. Besides, if you do something, you do it right, and I can't
rlm@0: be a good coach without proper facilities.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura bowed her thanks again, and Tomoyo ushered her into the field
rlm@0: house. After changing into her Tomoeda P. E. outfit, she rushed out
rlm@0: to warm up with Sonomi and Tomoyo. Somehow, she was not surprised to
rlm@0: find a camera and tripod already filming the proceedings. Sonomi then
rlm@0: had her run some short sprints off the starting block. watching
rlm@0: carefully all the while. Then the woman called her over, took off her
rlm@0: crimson jacket, and adjusted the wood and metal blocks with careful,
rlm@0: practiced precision. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Standing behind the blocks she nodded to Tomoyo, who called out,
rlm@0:  
rlm@0: “Go to your marks,”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi placed her left leg in the far block, and her right on the
rlm@0: block a few inches to the front. Her left knee touched the ground,
rlm@0: and her hands, fingers forming little arches, rested on the track.
rlm@0: Sakura could see by the sure and economical movements that this was a
rlm@0: routine executed thousands of times. As the woman settled in, Tomoyo
rlm@0: called out again,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Set,”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Like a cat crouching to pounce, Sonomi took a deep breath and arched
rlm@0: her body forward and up. Head down, she wore an expression of deepest
rlm@0: concentration. Her lithe body was perfectly still, balanced, coiled,
rlm@0: relaxed, and waiting. Sakura flinched when Tomoyo fired the starting
rlm@0: gun, and nearly missed the amazing sight of the runner’s start. She
rlm@0: looked in horror as Sonomi pitched forward, certain to fall on her
rlm@0: face. But instead of falling she rocketed ahead, her first stride
rlm@0: long and her body low to the ground. In the blink of an eye she had
rlm@0: run 5 or 6 strides and was racing down the field before slowing her
rlm@0: pace and walking back, hands on hips. Sakura stood and marveled,
rlm@0: whispering,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sugoi.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Then she ran to Sonomi, starry-eyed and gasping,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “That was wonderful! I was so afraid you would fall!"  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The woman laughed, and explained how the physics of gravity and
rlm@0: front leg thrust combined to produce the fastest possible start. She
rlm@0: adjusted the blocks for Sakura, fine tuning them as the girl
rlm@0: practiced. Sakura was amazed how the tiniest changes of form and
rlm@0: position could make such a difference in speed. Sonomi patiently
rlm@0: observed, corrected, and praised Sakura's efforts. When they broke
rlm@0: for a light lunch of cucumber sandwiches and tea, both were exhausted
rlm@0: but excited, and eager to start again.   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: For Tomoyo, it was her favorite spring. Almost every Saturday, and
rlm@0: some weeknights when she had no chores or homework, Sakura came over
rlm@0: to practice. Sometimes Tomoyo would run with her, just to give her a
rlm@0: sense of running against a competitor. Trying her hardest, she
rlm@0: invariably fell far behind the auburn haired-sprinter, though it
rlm@0: bothered her not in the least. To see Sakura run was a joy beyond
rlm@0: telling, for she ran with a wild exuberance that thrilled the heart.
rlm@0: Her mother slowly shaped and channeled that raw energy, and Sakura
rlm@0: gloried in the changes that came over her. Most of all, Tomoyo just
rlm@0: loved to watch, to see her working with her mother, and to film her
rlm@0: sprints.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: That spring, Tomoyo's relationship with Sakura began to change in
rlm@0: ways she was only vaguely aware of. She rarely thought about her love
rlm@0: for the girl, for she loved Sakura as naturally and unselfconsciously
rlm@0: as breathing. Love was part of the morning as she brushed her long
rlm@0: hair in the dappled sunlight of her room. It was with her at school
rlm@0: while reciting a lesson, or singing in the choir, or just sitting
rlm@0: across from Sakura, watching her read and study. Love filled her
rlm@0: nights when she sewed, or studied, or sat gazing at a moon carved out
rlm@0: of bright steel. Only rarely did it occur to her that this boundless
rlm@0: love was unusual, and that she was quite unlike the others around
rlm@0: her. For Tomoyo, the real wonder was not her own intense passion, but
rlm@0: the curious fact that everybody did not love Sakura as she did. In
rlm@0: part, this explained her utter lack of jealousy and possessiveness.
rlm@0: She saw Syaoran’s awkward, blossoming love for her friend as
rlm@0: completely natural and right, for how could a person not love Sakura
rlm@0: with all their heart? For her, that was the inexplicable mystery. And
rlm@0: yet, though her own love had never changed in all the time she had
rlm@0: known her friend, Tomoyo herself was deeply affected by something
rlm@0: completely unforeseen. The pale, dark-haired girl had been sweetly
rlm@0: shaken by Sakura's own love for her.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo, usually so perceptive, had been pained and baffled by her
rlm@0: friend's unusual moodiness after the true nature of Yue had come to
rlm@0: light. Upon collection of the final Clow Card Sakura had seemed
rlm@0: fragile and edgy, nothing like her usual happy self. Tomoyo thought
rlm@0: her fatigued, or perhaps let down by the apparent end of the quest.
rlm@0: Once they even fought, or, rather, Sakura had rounded on her angrily
rlm@0: before fleeing in tears. Tomoyo was left stunned and shattered,
rlm@0: painfully hurt in a way she never thought possible. That night was
rlm@0: agony as she called and called on the little pink cell phone,
rlm@0: desperate to apologize for whatever she had done, waiting for an
rlm@0: answering voice that never came. She nearly left to go see Sakura, to
rlm@0: beg forgiveness and try to understand why. So thankful now that she
rlm@0: had stayed in her room, waiting, and singing sadly to herself. There
rlm@0: the Mistress of the Cards found her after a long and trying journey.
rlm@0: In what still seemed a miracle, Sakura then confessed her love for
rlm@0: Tomoyo.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Those sweet, stammering words of love still echoed in Tomoyo's
rlm@0: heart. That her friend had finally discovered Tomoyo's secret love,
rlm@0: hidden so well for so long, was surprise enough. But when they
rlm@0: embraced, and kissed, Tomoyo first felt Sakura's own love for her.
rlm@0: Unlooked for, desired beyond hope or prayer, that love had changed
rlm@0: her forever. Like a pale moon, Tomoyo had circled Sakura's life with
rlm@0: faithful constancy. But now, like twin stars in a cosmic dance, the
rlm@0: lives of the two lovers revolved around each other. It was joyous, it
rlm@0: was thrilling, and, for Tomoyo, it was a little scary. Admiring the
rlm@0: beautiful girl from afar, Tomoyo was safe among the shadows. But when
rlm@0: Sakura's loving gaze fell upon her, she feared falling far short of
rlm@0: what the remarkable girl deserved. Looking inward, Tomoyo wondered if
rlm@0: fear was a reason, secret even from herself, that she had encouraged
rlm@0: Sakura's relationships with Yukito and Syaoran. She could see through
rlm@0: others so easily, but her own heart was sometimes shrouded in mystery. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sitting in the viewing stands, Tomoyo caught the delicate scent of
rlm@0: plum blossoms as Sakura exploded again from the starting block. She
rlm@0: felt a twinge of guilt for begging the trees be spared, but her
rlm@0: mother said the girl was a natural sprinter, and the oval track would
rlm@0: be more for her use than Sakura's anyway. She resolved to bake her
rlm@0: mother a plum pie when the fruits were ripe. Sonomi was working with
rlm@0: Sakura's form as she emerged from her start. Carefully her mother
rlm@0: demonstrated the transition to a full run, while Sakura watched,
rlm@0: nodding, and then tried it herself. Her mother said the girl was a
rlm@0: quick learner, and Tomoyo ruefully knew how true that was. It was
rlm@0: just like the cards. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At first, Sakura seemed baffled, even intimidated by the complexity
rlm@0: of Clow's creation. But she proved relentless, and against all hope
rlm@0: saw it through to the very end. In time she penetrated their secrets
rlm@0: and made them her own, and the Cards seemed to love her all the more
rlm@0: for it. Just like me, Tomoyo thought with a blush. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Once she had charmed Sakura with a mask of happiness, her friend
rlm@0: blithely unaware of Tomoyo's hidden love and loneliness. But now
rlm@0: Sakura loved her, and was no longer content with shimmering
rlm@0: reflections on the water's surface. Sakura as the Mistress of the
rlm@0: Cards devoured secrets, and burned with a fiery will to know. Now
rlm@0: that will was turned towards her, and Sakura impatiently brushed
rlm@0: aside the veils that hid Tomoyo's true feelings. When Tomoyo was
rlm@0: happy Sakura was, too, and when she was not the girl consoled her and
rlm@0: shared the grief and pain. At first this had horrified Tomoyo,
rlm@0: devastated that her own unhappiness should so affect her friend. But
rlm@0: Sakura seemed none the worse for it, her irrepressible spirit and
rlm@0: energy washing away hurts and fears as her gentle fingers brushed
rlm@0: away tears.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  Tomoyo felt closer to the girl than ever before. That closeness
rlm@0: came not from her own love, which was as vast and unchanging as ever,
rlm@0: but from Sakura's. Sakura's love was a beacon that lit the darkness
rlm@0: of Tomoyo's world and a hammer that shattered the barriers around her
rlm@0: heart. Tomoyo had painstakingly designed her own prison, a citadel of
rlm@0: loneliness to seal her love away. But when the Mistress of the Cards
rlm@0: realized her friend's isolation, she came like a hurricane and tore
rlm@0: the walls apart. Then, shy and gentle once more, Sakura begged leave
rlm@0: to stay, forever. And Tomoyo, blinking in the unexpected sunlight,
rlm@0: said yes. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As time unwound in it's own way, she slowly realized that Sakura
rlm@0: would have no walls between them. Tomoyo could love from afar, but
rlm@0: not Sakura. The girl's eager enthusiasm demanded she know Tomoyo's
rlm@0: innermost self, and be ever close to her heart.  And despite
rlm@0: misgivings, for she still feared bringing pain or hurt in some
rlm@0: unknown way to her friend, Tomoyo found herself yielding. Besides,
rlm@0: all her art and artifice availed her nothing in the face of Sakura's
rlm@0: direct and relentless innocence. Even for the sake of her beloved,
rlm@0: Tomoyo found it increasingly impossible to meet those shimmering
rlm@0: green eyes with anything less than the truth. With a sigh, Tomoyo
rlm@0: looked up and saw Sakura at the far end of the track, waving in
rlm@0: exaltation at a new personal best time. Tomoyo waved back, smiling,
rlm@0: and glanced at the plum branches swaying in the spring breeze. She
rlm@0: knew she would rather die, would rather have never existed at all,
rlm@0: than bring any hurt to Sakura. But the little zephyr laughed at her
rlm@0: worries, whispering "It's all right, everything will be all right."
rlm@0: Blossoms rained down from above, covering her gray-black hair in a
rlm@0: pink and purple crown. A sweet, intense longing gripped her as she
rlm@0: leapt from the stands. With her heart afire, she dashed wildly down
rlm@0: the track towards Sakura.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II. 
rlm@0: Just by watching her posture Sonomi could tell. She laughed to
rlm@0: herself as Sakura fiddled with the starting blocks. If Tomoyo had not
rlm@0: been her own child, she would have despaired of ever knowing her at
rlm@0: all. But Sakura was an open book, her moods and thoughts there for
rlm@0: all the world to see. Something was troubling her, something she
rlm@0: wanted to talk about but could not. Sonomi stood to the side and
rlm@0: spoke in a loud voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Go to your marks."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura settled into position, awaiting the next call. But Sonomi was
rlm@0: silent, watching the girl's arched figure with intensity. A runner
rlm@0: should be able to hold that stance for several minutes with no
rlm@0: fatigue, but the girl was already trembling from the strain. Sonomi
rlm@0: walked over and gently laid her hand on Sakura's shoulder. In a
rlm@0: soothing, motherly voice she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura chan, your shoulders are tight, and your body seems very
rlm@0: tense. Are you feeling well? Is there something the matter?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked up in surprise, mouth open, as if to say, "How did you
rlm@0: know?" But instead of answering, she looked away in embarrassment.
rlm@0: Sonomi gently nudged her into a standing position, and said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Let's sit over by the trees for a bit, all right?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura followed morosely and plopped down in the grass. Sonomi
rlm@0: stretched out under the tree and let silence do its work. Sakura
rlm@0: fidgeted, played idly with the grass, finally looked up with moist
rlm@0: eyes and blurted out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sonomi sama, I feel so bad. I ran so badly and it was just awful!
rlm@0: I'm so sorry..." Her voice tailed off as she fought back the tears
rlm@0: with a halting sob. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, there's no reason to feel sorry if you tried your best. You
rlm@0: can't win every race, you know. Do you feel like telling me what
rlm@0: happened?" Sonomi's tone was gentle and reassuring, urging the child
rlm@0: to continue. Sakura looked at the ground as she spoke, an
rlm@0: undercurrent of anger edging her voice,
rlm@0:  
rlm@0: "It was the qualifying races for Field Day. I finished second, so I
rlm@0: qualified for the final race next week, but I ran so poorly."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi spoke in a cheerful but restrained tone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, my, second is no cause for shame, especially if you made the
rlm@0: cut for the final race. Who finsihed first?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Through clenched teeth, her anger rising, Sakura mumbled, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Li-kun."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Ah, Tomoyo told me he is a very good runner. She said he almost
rlm@0: beat you in the race last year."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura turned abruptly to look at her, anger and pain and tears all
rlm@0: jumbled together. In a stammering rush she exclaimed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He was so mean. He said I couldn't run as fast as him, that girls
rlm@0: were slower than boys, and that...that..."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi watched Sakura carefully, and felt deep sympathy for the poor
rlm@0: girl, so obviously wounded. With a kindly look she nodded, waiting
rlm@0: for her to continue.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He...he said I shouldn't be around Tomoyo so much and that she was,
rlm@0: she was clumsy and couldn't run or anything and that, that she was
rlm@0: just an anchor around my head or my neck or something stupid like
rlm@0: that and I was so angry and I wanted to win so bad and I couldn't and
rlm@0: he beat me just like he said and I'm sorry I wanted to run my best
rlm@0: for you and Tomoyo and I didn't and I'm sorry I'm so so sorry!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With that, she collapsed into Sonomi's arms, crying at the shame of
rlm@0: it all. The woman held her tightly, cooing reassurance as she rocked
rlm@0: gently back and forth. With a fearful look Tomoyo came running, but
rlm@0: Sonomi shooed her away. Looking down at the auburn-haired girl she
rlm@0: smiled, knowing that what stung her the most were the taunts aimed at
rlm@0: Tomoyo. Sakura was a gentle, cheerful little spirit, but a protective
rlm@0: tigress when roused. She's like me, Sonomi mused. Odd, because she
rlm@0: had always seen Nadesico in the girl since their first meeting a year
rlm@0: ago, never herself. But when it came to those dearest to them, both
rlm@0: were as quick to anger as to love. And then memory took Sonomi,
rlm@0: memory from long ago.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She heard the sneering voice first, coming from behind a corner of
rlm@0: the school. Then the mocking words, "clumsy", "baka", "watch where
rlm@0: you're going". Curious, she walked around the wall and heard a
rlm@0: muffled voice stammering out apologies. There stood Nadesico-chan,
rlm@0: bowing low, her long hair nearly sweeping the ground. Above her
rlm@0: towered a sempai, red-faced, hands on hips, his books in the dirt.
rlm@0: Letting loose another stream of disparaging abuse, he contemptuously
rlm@0: pushed her shoulder, knocking the slender girl off balance as she
rlm@0: continued to apologize in her soft, sweet voice. With that, Sonomi
rlm@0: snapped.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She rushed towards him, screaming, "Stop it!". He turned to look,
rlm@0: his face contorted in the strangest combination of surprise and
rlm@0: anger. Without thinking, Sonomi clenched her fist and swung in a
rlm@0: swift, arcing uppercut. She caught him square under the chin, his
rlm@0: open mouth quickly shutting, teeth clattering. Leaning her onrushing
rlm@0: body into the blow, she staggered him nearly off his feet and up
rlm@0: against the red brick wall. He slammed into it, head banging back
rlm@0: with a solid thunk, then slumped into a heap in the dirt. Shaking in
rlm@0: rage and shock, Sonomi stood above him, waiting for the boy to rise.
rlm@0: But he was deathly still, and the fury that gripped her quickly
rlm@0: drained away. She was startled by Nadesico, who rushed past her to
rlm@0: see if the boy was all right. With a worried look, she touched his
rlm@0: forehead with loving tenderness. Groaning, he opened his eyes, and
rlm@0: Nadesico took Sonomi's hand and whispered, "Let's go."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  Later that morning they passed him in the hall, but he studiously
rlm@0: ignored them. After lunch, the two friends sat on the grass in the
rlm@0: shade of a big oak tree. Nadesico watched Sonomi intently as the red
rlm@0: haired girl gingerly covered one hand with the other. She reached
rlm@0: out, gently laying her own hand on Sonomi's, and asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Did you hurt your hand?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Turning, Sonomi saw the fearful concern in her shimmering, green
rlm@0: eyes. Blushing, she looked away and stammered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "N-no, I'm fine, it's nothing". 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadesicio squeezed the hand ever so slightly, and Sonomi winced at
rlm@0: the pain. Nadesico drew her hand back in horror and gasped, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You did hurt yourself. Oh, Sonomi chan, I'm so sorry. You hurt
rlm@0: yourself because of me." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi shook her head vigorously, short red hair flying back and
rlm@0: forth,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "No, no, it's nothing, really, just a sprain, I think. It happens
rlm@0: all the time in gymnastics". 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this, Nadesico looked more upset than ever. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Gymnastics? But Sonomi chan, don't you have a meet this weekend
rlm@0: with the gymnastics club?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi had forgotten, but not Nadesico, who attended every meet to
rlm@0: cheer her on. With her dearest friend in the stands, Sonomi loved the
rlm@0: competition. Before each event, she silently dedicated herself: May I
rlm@0: be blessed with strength and beauty to perform for her delight.
rlm@0: Fiercely competitive, Sonomi hated to lose even more than she loved
rlm@0: to win. But such things seemed trivial when she was watched by
rlm@0: Nadesico. Performing was sheer joy, and the dark haired girl's eager
rlm@0: enthusiasm drove Sonomi to do her very best. With a smile she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It's no big thing if I miss one meet."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadesico looked at the ground, then at the sky, watching a little
rlm@0: white cloud scudding across the blue. She brushed the gray-black hair
rlm@0: from her eyes and glanced at her friend. In a soft, sweet voice she
rlm@0: whispered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Thank you, Sonomi chan". She carefully reached out for the girl's
rlm@0: good hand, and took it in her own. She caressed her hand gently,
rlm@0: fingers lovingly tracing every curve and contour. Sonomi caught her
rlm@0: breath and blushed, staring straight ahead, not daring to face those
rlm@0: wide, emerald eyes for fear of what she might say, or do, here in the
rlm@0: schoolyard. Nadesico whispered again,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "But," Sonomi looked up quizically, waiting for her to continue. "
rlm@0: you know, sempai was right. I really am very clumsy." She smiled
rlm@0: brightly as she spoke. Sonomi suppressed a grin and wore a mock frown
rlm@0: instead as she replied,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Yes, I know. But I'm the only one allowed to say that, ne?"
rlm@0: Nadesico giggled, and Sonomi laughed out loud. Hand in hand, the two
rlm@0: cousins rose and ran off to their next class.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura had stopped crying, but still lay nestled in Sonomi's arms.
rlm@0: Wiping away her tears the woman said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  "That race is all over now. Let's get ready for the next one."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura sat up, eyes red and puffy. Slowly the anger returned,
rlm@0: pushing out the hurt and filling her voice as she spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "This time I'll beat him. I'll beat him so bad!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Replying in her soft Mother's voice Sonomi answered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "If that's the way you feel, Sakura chan, then you'll lose again,"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Stung by these gently spoken but cutting words, the auburn-haired
rlm@0: girl looked up in surprise. Sonomi smiled nonchalantly and continued,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "When you sprint, emotions like anger just slow you down. Remember
rlm@0: how I told you to be when you take your mark?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura nodded as she spoke, "Relaxed but concentrating". 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi nodded and continued, "That's right. It's very hard to do,
rlm@0: because when we concentrate we usually strain to keep our focus. But
rlm@0: when you strain like that your body isn't relaxed, you tense up like
rlm@0: you did today. But when we relax, we tend to lose focus, our mind
rlm@0: wanders, and we're distracted by whatever comes along."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Confused, Sakura blurted out, "But then, what do I do? How can I do
rlm@0: both at once?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura, usually when you run, you do both at once, you're just not
rlm@0: aware of it. But when you have strong thoughts and feelings that
rlm@0: affect you, you lose focus, or your relaxation, or even both. During
rlm@0: practice, when you hear the starting gun, what are you thinking about?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Puzzled, Sakura tried to remember. Finally she looked up in
rlm@0: bafflement and said, "I don't know. I don't remember thinking about
rlm@0: anything. I'm just waiting for the gun."  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  Sonomi smiled, "And in the qualifying race, what were you thinking?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "That I wanted to beat Li-kun so bad. That I was so mad for what he
rlm@0: said about Tomoyo."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "And how was your start?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura stared at the ground and mumbled, "Awful. I missed the gun
rlm@0: and came out of the blocks last."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi lifted the girl's downcast chin with gentle fingers. Verging
rlm@0: on tears again, she looked up into Sonomi's soft, blue eyes. Suddenly
rlm@0: the woman swept her up, hugging her tightly as she spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura chan, I know perfectly well how you want to protect Tomoyo,
rlm@0: and I love you for it. But," stooping by the standing girl, she
rlm@0: studied her face carefully, "you can't let thoughts and feelings
rlm@0: hamper you when you sprint, or you'll never run well. You have to let
rlm@0: them go, like dropping a heavy stone. Do you know when I ran my best
rlm@0: ever?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura brightened, "Was that when you won the Nationals?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi nodded and smiled, "That's right. It was after your Mother
rlm@0: was married." At that thought, the smile left her, and she struggled
rlm@0: to keep her composure. "Sakura, when your Mother married, I
rlm@0: was...very, very sad. I felt I'd lost the one most precious to me. I
rlm@0: thought about her all the time."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: To herself she sighed, "I still do."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "The only time I didn't think of her was when I ran. For just a few,
rlm@0: precious seconds, I forgot everything. There was only the running.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura, when you run, you can't think about Tomoyo, or what Li-kun
rlm@0: said, or anything else. You have to let everything go. When the gun
rlm@0: sounds, your body starts instinctively, without a trace of thought or
rlm@0: feeling. A sprint is over too quickly to let yourself be clouded by
rlm@0: emotions. My coach told me that when you run, your mind should be an
rlm@0: empty mirror in a dark room. Then the running happens all by itself,
rlm@0: and there is nothing to slow you down."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She stood and smiled at the beautiful daughter of Nadesico, who
rlm@0: smiled back ever so sweetly. A gentle spring breeze swept past them,
rlm@0: their short hair teased in the sudden wind. There were times when
rlm@0: Sonomi sensed her cousin's presence in the things she had loved: rain
rlm@0: drops running in little rivers down the window, birds circling high
rlm@0: in a cloudless sky, and a breeze like this, playfully tossing her
rlm@0: long, gray-black hair. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura, let's work on your transition to a full run. I think your
rlm@0: final stride is a bit too long."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl nodded eagerly, and the two walked away from the tree and
rlm@0: back to the track. The breeze died down as fast as it had come,
rlm@0: leaving Sonomi with a terrible longing. "Someday", she thought with
rlm@0: an aching heart, "someday. Wait for me, Nadesico, please wait for me."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III.
rlm@0: When Sakura first caught a glimpse of Li kun she struggled with her
rlm@0: feelings and  pondered what to do. Afraid of upsetting herself before
rlm@0: the race, she decided to ignore him, and continued her warm ups in
rlm@0: the grassy field by the track. But the boy stood close by her, and
rlm@0: then coughed loudly, twice, all but demanding an audience. Sakura
rlm@0: turned towards him, waiting for his latest remarks. Instead, he
rlm@0: looked at the ground, obviously struggling with himself. Puzzled, she
rlm@0: said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “LI kun?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The boy clenched his fists tightly and forced the words out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I….I’m sorry. Sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He stood silent, waiting for whatever abuse she might hurl. But her
rlm@0: voice was gentle, overflowing with happiness,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Li kun, I know you didn’t mean what you said. It’s all right. But
rlm@0: thank you so much for telling me.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He looked up at her with pained eyes and saw that comforting smile.
rlm@0: A terrible burden suddenly and miraculously lifted from his
rlm@0: shoulders, he teeterd on the verge of tears. He almost smiled, but
rlm@0: flustered and obviously out of words, quickly ran off instead. Sakura
rlm@0: watched him go, and felt her own blessing of relief. Now she would
rlm@0: not have to run this race against anyone. But she would still run the
rlm@0: race for someone. With that realization, she heard Tomoyo’s voice on
rlm@0: the loudspeaker announcing the start of the 5th grade 100 meter dash.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She walked to the starting line, scanning the crowd for familiar
rlm@0: faces. With delight she saw Oniichan, Yukito san and her father
rlm@0: waving from the stands. She waved back wildly, and then saw Sonomi
rlm@0: sama as well, and waved to her. Noticing the other runners, she
rlm@0: quickly went to her starting block and adjusted it. She felt a great
rlm@0: excitement, but also a wonderful sense of peace. Beaming, she turned
rlm@0: to Syaoran who was preparing in the lane next to her and said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Li kun, let’s do our best, OK?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He blushed, and nodded silently while he fiddled with his blocks.
rlm@0: Terrada sensei, in his white and black stripped official’s uniform,
rlm@0: stood to one side and nodded. The eight runners stepped into their
rlm@0: lanes in front of the starting blocks. Sakura closed her eyes and
rlm@0: said a silent prayer,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo chan, if I forget you, just for this race, please don’t ever
rlm@0: forget me.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With a deep breath, Sakura began to let everything go: the spring
rlm@0: sky, the other runners, the expectant audience. All things faded from
rlm@0: her mind: the fight with Li kun, the hours of training, her brother's
rlm@0: taunts, Yukito's kindness, her father's gentleness. Last was Tomoyo,
rlm@0: pale, serene, and ever smiling, her long, black hair blowing in some
rlm@0: distant wind. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Go to your marks!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At Terrada sensei's booming call, she went to her position. Her left
rlm@0: leg rested on the ground, her right leg the power leg, brought
rlm@0: forward. Both feet set lightly on the starting blocks, and  her
rlm@0: fingers and thumbs formed little bridges on the white chalk starting
rlm@0: line. With her head down, her field of vision was reduced to a few
rlm@0: square inches of dirt. Her body felt utterly relaxed but alert,
rlm@0: awaiting the next call.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Set"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: In an instant, everything changed. She took a deep, quick breath as
rlm@0: her body arched up, hips raised slightly above the level of her
rlm@0: shoulders. Her weight shifted forward, head and neck leaning over the
rlm@0: white line. Her back foot lifted up slightly with only her toes on
rlm@0: the block, but her right, forward foot was flush to the block for
rlm@0: maximum thrust. She was still calm and relaxed, but the muscles in
rlm@0: her body sang out in electric expectation. Her concentration was
rlm@0: absolute, waiting, waiting, waiting...
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A deafening bang.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At the retort of the gun her body pitched forward, fingers leaving
rlm@0: the ground and forming fists, one arm sweeping and one thrown back.
rlm@0: The muscles in her right leg exploded and thrust her body forward and
rlm@0: up. Her strides were short but powerful as her body gradually
rlm@0: straightened, while her eyes rasied and focused on the long, narrow
rlm@0: lane. By the fourth stride she was at a full run, arms moving piston-
rlm@0: like in quick, sharp bursts, stride lengthening as her leg speed
rlm@0: approached its limits. Her form was liquid smooth and flawless,
rlm@0: without extraneous motion to detract from the efficiency of her run.
rlm@0: Her head was straight and still, her knees lifting high to the front,
rlm@0: giving her the delightful look of a prancing horse. She saw only the
rlm@0: finish line, almost halfway there now, narrowing in a long, dark
rlm@0: tunnel. The darkness enveloped her as she reached her fastest speed,
rlm@0: then splintered in a shattering fountain of light.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She saw her own body running, as though viewed from outside herself.
rlm@0: But not quite her body, for it was a luminous, pulsating figure that
rlm@0: illumined the darkness. Great strands of blue light flowed through
rlm@0: her arms and coiled through the air, pulling her ahead. Torrents of
rlm@0: yellow energy flooded through her legs with every stride.  Her body
rlm@0: hurtled forward, straining its earthly bounds as if taking flight. It
rlm@0: was exhilarating, captivating, and liberating. Ahead she saw the
rlm@0: finish line, bathed in a luminous white light. The radiance shimmered
rlm@0: with a gentle warmth, and she longed for it. In a sudden burst of
rlm@0: speed she accelerated, drawing closer and closer to the sparkling
rlm@0: brilliance. Nearly engulfed by the blazing light she suddenly
rlm@0: thought, what is it? And with that, great luminous shards fractured
rlm@0: about her as the world of Tomoeda tumbled back into place. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Blinking incomprehensibly, Sakura saw she had crossed the finish
rlm@0: line and was nearly at the end of the track. Dimly aware of the
rlm@0: tumult behind her she looked and saw the crowd of parents and
rlm@0: children jumping, clapping, and screaming. Dazed, she looked for a
rlm@0: familiar face and saw Mizuki-sensei with a stopwatch, comparing it
rlm@0: with a timer from another teacher. Terrada sensei jogged up from the
rlm@0: starting line, examined the stopwatches, then glanced at Sakura
rlm@0: incredulously. Again he looked, and shook his head in disbelief. The
rlm@0: other runners were congratulating Sakura, regarding her with
rlm@0: excitement and awe. Timidly, she made her way to Mizuki sensei, who
rlm@0: smiled and placed her hand gently on Sakura’s head. She felt a sudden
rlm@0: flash of the glow at the finish line, and a warm, bubbling happiness.
rlm@0: Tomoyo’s voice, with barely suppressed excitement,  came over the
rlm@0: loudspeaker, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “First place, 5th grade 100 meter dash, Kinomoto Sakura, 12.6
rlm@0: seconds, a new Tomoeda record. Second place Li Syaoran…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The wild cheering and clapping of the audience began again, drowning
rlm@0: out the rest of the announcement. Terrada sensei looked at her in
rlm@0: wonder and laughed, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “12.6, amazing. That would be a good time for a high school girl.
rlm@0: Nice run, Kinomoto.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Embarrassed, Sakura bowed her thanks. She scanned the crowd, looking
rlm@0: for family, and Sonomi, to invite her and Tomoyo for lunch.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Lunch, prepared by her father, was wonderful. He brought a triple
rlm@0: portion for Yukito, who still finished his before anyone else,
rlm@0: including some of Tomoyo’s portion, which was graciously offered and
rlm@0: gratefully accepted. Sonomi, sitting by Sakura (and as far away from
rlm@0: her father as possible), looked askance and declared in an irritable
rlm@0: voice, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Just as I would have expected, sensei. It’s excellent.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: After her father left for work and her brother and Yukito for class,
rlm@0: Sakura talked to Sonomi while Tomoyo went to wash up. When she
rlm@0: thanked her for all the time and effort, Sonomi smiled and shook her
rlm@0: head,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sakura chan, it was delightful to be your coach. Your sprint today
rlm@0: was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. You did so well,
rlm@0: and I’m so proud.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura gazed up at her and felt the tears welling. She threw her
rlm@0: arms around Sonomi and hugged her tightly, as if she were fearful the
rlm@0: woman might suddenly vanish. Startled at first, Sonomi smiled and
rlm@0: hugged her back, fighting off tears of her own. At last Sakura
rlm@0: released her and bowed, asking in a trembling voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sonomi sama, I… I don’t want to be a bother, and, if it wouldn’t be
rlm@0: too much trouble I’d understand, but if…if…could you please keep
rlm@0: being my coach?” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi laid her hand on the girls shoulder and spoke in a loving
rlm@0: voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sakura chan, I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura’s smile was radiant.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Walking home from school, Tomoyo spoke adoringly of Sakura’s
rlm@0: marvelous sprint. Sakura walked in silence as her friend talked
rlm@0: nonstop,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I only wish I had been able to design a special running outfit for
rlm@0: you. It was such a beautiful run! You were like an angel flying to
rlm@0: the stars, or a cheetah springing through the plains, or…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo chan.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “…or maybe a dolphin, but that would be swimming. Oh, you should
rlm@0: join the swim club, too! There are such wonderful patterns for cute
rlm@0: swimsuits, but I don’t know if…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo chan?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “…if you could wear them on the team. But I could, oh, I’m sorry,
rlm@0: Sakura chan.” Tomoyo covered her mouth as she giggled. Glancing up to
rlm@0: see Sakura’s troubled and uncertain look, Tomoyo suddenly stopped
rlm@0: short. Before she could ask, Sakura blurted out in a teary voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo chan, I forgot about you today. Sonomi sama said I should
rlm@0: let everything go, and I did, and you were the last thing I thought
rlm@0: about, but I feel so bad that I forgot you like that. I know you
rlm@0: would never forget about me. I’m so sorry.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Watching her sobbing friend and pained by her anguish, Tomoyo gently
rlm@0: took the girl’s hands and spoke with angelic sweetness,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sakura chan, you don’t have to think about me all the time. There
rlm@0: are lots of wonderful things to think about. And I know that no
rlm@0: matter what you’re thinking, you love me, and that’s all that
rlm@0: matters.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Breathing raggedly, Sakura gazed into Tomoyo’s luminous eyes. She
rlm@0: felt a sudden torrent of longing, the same that had drawn her to the
rlm@0: brilliant white light at the race’s finish. Sakura fell into Tomoyo’s
rlm@0: arms, the two girls clasped together amid smiles and tears. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: And there they stood while the world spun round, two perfect lovers
rlm@0: in an ardent embrace. 
rlm@0: 
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rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: *Thanks to Heather of Amazoness Duo for the title
rlm@0: 
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