rlm@0: Tomoyo's Hong Kong Visit
rlm@0: Day 2
rlm@0: Shopping in the City
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I.
rlm@0: Sakura woke with a start, nearly tumbling out of bed. It was still
rlm@0: dark outside, with Sayoran already gone. And Tomoyo? She felt a
rlm@0: sudden pang of disbelief that her dearest friend was really here in
rlm@0: the same house. Jumping out of bed she threw on her green robe and
rlm@0: padded down the hallway to the door of the guest room. There she
rlm@0: hesitated, worrying about knocking so early. The night before they
rlm@0: talked until well past midnight, remembering old friends, family, and
rlm@0: teachers, laughingly reliving the dances, picnics, and all the
rlm@0: wonders and adventures of their childhood years. After parting,
rlm@0: Sakura found she was simply too excited to sleep and crept to the
rlm@0: kitchen for tea. On her way she found Tomoyo equally awake, and the
rlm@0: two giggled like guilty schoolgirls at a slumber party. Over Oolong
rlm@0: tea they again talked for hours before giving in to exhaustion and
rlm@0: sleep. Surely she’s not awake after all that, Sakura thought. But the
rlm@0: urge to see that her friend was actually here was overwhelming, and
rlm@0: she tapped lightly on the mahogany door. A quick rustle and a
rlm@0: whispery voice told her that Tomoyo was already up, too,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yes, who is it?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She whispered back, “Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan, it’s me, Sakura.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The door swung open, revealing the beaming face of Tomoyo. She
rlm@0: ushered the auburn-haired woman in with barely suppressed excitement.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Ohayo, Sakura-chan. You’re up early.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura smiled as she sat on a red plush pillow and replied, “I guess
rlm@0: I’m used to waking up for work. And I guess I’m sort of excited that
rlm@0: you’re here, too.”  Knowing that Tomoyo was in the same house, she
rlm@0: couldn’t imagine being anywhere other than with her. Glancing at the
rlm@0: dark-haired woman who regarded her with gentle eyes, Sakura shivered
rlm@0: sweetly. She had missed her beautiful friend so much that just seeing
rlm@0: her seemed a miracle.  Looking up, the first rays of dawn glinted
rlm@0: through the garden window, crowning Tomoyo with a golden halo of
rlm@0: light. Sakura smiled at this beatific vision and thought: like an
rlm@0: angel. Just like an angel. Tomoyo tilted her head quizzically and
rlm@0: smiled back. The auburn-haired woman could only grin, silently
rlm@0: laughing with pure joy. She hadn’t been this happy since, since when?
rlm@0: Since we were last together, she thought with a start. Not the
rlm@0: wedding, or the honeymoon, or life in Hong Kong, not any of it; I
rlm@0: haven’t felt like this since I was with her. Somehow this thought was
rlm@0: disturbing, and she quickly stood up as if shaken from a dream. But
rlm@0: the shadow passed as quickly as it had come, and Sakura clapped her
rlm@0: hands together and spoke in a voice bursting with excitement, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sayoran-chan had to go to work today, and said he was sorry that he
rlm@0: couldn’t join us. But I made him write an itinerary of where to go.
rlm@0: Do you want to get ready now?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo nodded and rose as Sakura bolted out the door yelling, “I’ll
rlm@0: be ready in a minute!” The dark-haired girl closed her eyes tightly
rlm@0: and clasped her hands together. The months of loneliness that haunted
rlm@0: her since the wedding seemed like a life belonging to someone else.
rlm@0: With a deep breath she steadied herself, heart racing wildly from
rlm@0: being so deliriously close to her secret love. Fighting back tears
rlm@0: she smiled and thought, I could live a hundred years alone to be with
rlm@0: her for just a single day.  Opening the heavy cedar chest to pick out
rlm@0: a dress, she was overcome by the scent of a thousand memories.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II.
rlm@0: Sakura felt a delightfully cool breeze as she leaned against the
rlm@0: railing of the Wan Chai ferry. The little boat was packed with
rlm@0: commuters traveling from the New Territories to Hong Kong, but the
rlm@0: two women had arrived early and enjoyed an unrestricted view of the
rlm@0: passing islands. The hem of Tomoyo’s lavender skirt fluttered in the
rlm@0: wind as she scanned the junks and boats that dotted the water. Sakura
rlm@0: touched her, and pointed out a sea bird circling above them. Tomoyo
rlm@0: blushed as the delicate fingers lightly graced her shoulder. She
rlm@0: gazed at her friend adoringly, hand resting on one cheek as she
rlm@0: sighed deeply. Whether it was birds in the sky, or baking a cake, or
rlm@0: falling in love, Sakura’s enthusiasm gushed forth in a sparkling
rlm@0: flood of innocent excitement. Tomoyo struggled to contain her
rlm@0: emotions lest the beautiful woman notice. It was all she could do to
rlm@0: keep from passionately hugging Sakura right there on the boat.
rlm@0: Fascinated by the turning gulls, Sakura let go of Tomoyo's shoulder
rlm@0: and sought her hand. Tomoyo blushed again as their fingers delicately
rlm@0: interlaced. Sakura squeezed gently, as if for reassurance that her
rlm@0: friend was truly there. Tomoyo drew a quick breath, felt her
rlm@0: heartbeat quicken, and softly squeezed back. Though she had learned
rlm@0: that it was customary in Hong Kong for female friends to hold hands,
rlm@0: the girl’s touch was nearly overwhelming. As the ferry neared the
rlm@0: shore and the buildings of the Convention Center loomed large, Sakura
rlm@0: turned and exclaimed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sayoran-chan says the best shopping in the city is the Causeway.
rlm@0: I've only been there once. They even have Japanese department stores
rlm@0: just like home, but he said there are better bargains on the back
rlm@0: streets."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo nodded and smiled, and heard a loud clang as the gangway
rlm@0: dropped to the dock. The two women were swept along with the mass of
rlm@0: people as the ferry emptied out. Holding a map in one hand and Tomoyo
rlm@0: with the other, Sakura plowed forward through the throng. After a
rlm@0: brief walk down Flemming Drive they took an immaculate subway and got
rlm@0: off by the Daimaru department store. Walking along Great George
rlm@0: Street, Tomoyo was dazzled by the variety of stores and goods for
rlm@0: sale. It was like Tokyo, only even more dense and crowded. Finally,
rlm@0: Sakura suggested they enter the Matsuzakaya, which was just opening
rlm@0: for business.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: They passed the rows of impeccably dressed store employees bowing
rlm@0: for their first customers. The massive department store was much like
rlm@0: it's Japanese counterpart, though stocked with local Chinese goods
rlm@0: that would have seemed oddly out of place back home. Wending their
rlm@0: way through the first floor they came to a display of the fall
rlm@0: fashion line. There they saw scarves, hats, blouses and dresses in
rlm@0: subdued earth tones and rich, dark greens. Tomoyo fancied a long,
rlm@0: chiffon, copper-russet dress, while a pleated, flowing, pumpkin-
rlm@0: colored skirt entranced Sakura. Impulsively, the auburn-haired woman
rlm@0: slipped into a changing room to try it on. Upon emerging she sweat
rlm@0: dropped as Tomoyo gleefully met her with the video camera. But
rlm@0: somehow, despite the embarrassment, it secretly thrilled her to be
rlm@0: filmed once again. Tomoyo's love was effusive, and came out in so
rlm@0: many curious little ways: the costumes, the camera, and the funny
rlm@0: little remarks. Sakura realized how painfully she missed her friend's
rlm@0: eccentricities, these odd little tokens of her affection. Of course,
rlm@0: Sayoran loved her, too, in his way. And so did her father, and
rlm@0: brother. But somehow, she felt herself a treasured part of Tomoyo's
rlm@0: life, a unique receptacle of the pale woman’s effusive love. The girl
rlm@0: had always made her feel special, filling her with a confidence and
rlm@0: courage that she otherwise lacked. Holding the hem of the skirt she
rlm@0: twirled like a dancer, delighting Tomoyo and earning stares from the
rlm@0: other customers. Stopping in mid-pirouette, she caught her breath and
rlm@0: gazed at the camera and her dear friend behind it. She smiled,
rlm@0: curtseyed, and then quickly dashed into the changing room. For some
rlm@0: reason she was crying. Sitting on the little bench and dabbing her
rlm@0: eyes with the skirt, she shook her head in bewilderment. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Baka, why are you crying?” she thought. "Because, because I don't
rlm@0: feel like this with anyone else. Because I'm never this happy unless
rlm@0: I'm with her. Because I can only be with her for a few more days, and
rlm@0: then she'll be gone again". Sakura sat with her fists clenched, tears
rlm@0: trickling down her cheeks. She wiped them away, desperately
rlm@0: struggling to regain her composure. She heard a soft voice outside
rlm@0: the door, tinged with concern,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura-chan, are you all right?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Hai", she gasped out, breathing raggedly, "I'll be out in just a
rlm@0: minute."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura emerged with a smile, easing the worry on Tomoyo's pale face.
rlm@0: The Mistress of the Cards fiddled with the price tag on the skirt,
rlm@0: looked at the money in her handbag, and then stared again at the
rlm@0: price. Finally, she looked at Tomoyo uncertainly. Her companion
rlm@0: smiled and said, "It looks very pretty on Sakura-chan". That was good
rlm@0: enough, and a saleslady was soon wrapping the purchase into a tidy,
rlm@0: tied up bundle.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: After buying the skirt, the two perused the dishes and china sets.
rlm@0: They were entranced by the exquisitely beautiful Haviland
rlm@0: collections, with Sakura declaring the strawberry pattern her
rlm@0: favorite, while Tomoyo favored a serving tray with little fishes
rlm@0: playing around the rims. Sakura noticed a crowd gathering, and with
rlm@0: Tomoyo in tow went to see what was going on. By the bridal section a
rlm@0: fashion show had begun, featuring Western and Chinese wedding
rlm@0: dresses. Sakura oohh-ed and ahh-ed at the dazzling display of satin
rlm@0: and lace. The traditional red and gold brocade of a Chinese costume
rlm@0: was exotically beautiful, and she glanced over to see Tomoyo's
rlm@0: reaction. The lavender-haired was smiling, but it was an odd, frozen
rlm@0: smile, as if she wore it to hold back some secret distress. Sakura
rlm@0: felt a sudden stab of pain in her chest as she remembered Tomoyo's
rlm@0: unspoken love for her special person, and the heartbreaking line in
rlm@0: one of her letters, "It doesn't matter if I have a wedding." She
rlm@0: gripped Tomoyo's hand tightly and whispered, "Let's go," practically
rlm@0: yanking her friend away. Sakura avoided the startled woman's face,
rlm@0: for fear those glistening blue eyes might start her crying all over
rlm@0: again. She tugged Tomoyo along, nearly running out of the store and
rlm@0: into the mid-day heat. Finally, Sakura paused in the shade of a
rlm@0: building and looked at Tomoyo, who was breathless but smiling. Sakura
rlm@0: smiled, too, and asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Are you hungry? Sayoran-chan says there’s a great noodle restaurant
rlm@0: not far from here, the Dai Pai Dong.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo smiled and replied, “That would be nice. I love noodles. ”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Walking hand in hand down Jardine's Bazaar, the women threaded their
rlm@0: way past street merchants and hawkers with every imaginable ware for
rlm@0: sale. There were booths laden with jade and gold, silks and luxurious
rlm@0: fabrics, and odd potions and medicinals. Finally they worked their
rlm@0: way to the Night Market and, between Tomoyo’s English and Sakura’s
rlm@0: Chinese, were seated in a more-or-less quiet table in a darkened
rlm@0: corner. After pointing out their orders on a tray of plastic replicas
rlm@0: of the daily specials, the two friends chatted about the beautiful
rlm@0: clothing and jewelry they had seen, and all the places they would go
rlm@0: on Sayoran’s little list. When the noodles arrived they were
rlm@0: surprised at the bounteous feast, and knew they could never finish.
rlm@0: Once the dishes were cleared, Sakura poured the tea and pondered what
rlm@0: to say. Tomoyo looked at her and sensed that something was amiss. Her
rlm@0: gentle smile, silently reassuring, urged the reticent brunette to
rlm@0: speak. Finally, Sakura burst out in an agitated voice, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo-chan, do you think you can love someone besides your one,
rlm@0: True Love?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo was startled by the woman’s sudden fervor. She looked down at
rlm@0: the clear, pale green liquid that billowed in her little teacup.
rlm@0: Finally she looked at Sakura, saw the urgency of her expression, and
rlm@0: asked in as matter-a-fact a voice as she could manage, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sakura-chan, I’m not quite sure what you mean. Surely a person
rlm@0: would still love their parents, and their brothers and sisters, even
rlm@0: if they had found their one, True Love.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura frowned and looked at the table, slowly shaking her head,
rlm@0: searching for the right words,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I know that…that you would still love your family, but…Tomoyo-chan,
rlm@0: you love your special person very much, don’t you?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo felt her thudding heart as she gazed at Sakura’s beautiful
rlm@0: face. If only she could speak her true feelings, just once! Instead,
rlm@0: she smiled and spoke in a clear, musical voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I love them with all my heart, and all my life.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura stared, wild emotions tearing at her self-control. In a
rlm@0: halting voice she whispered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Tomoyo-chan, could you….could you ever love anybody else?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo looked at her friend and desperately struggled to maintain
rlm@0: her mask. Why was she asking this? What could she mean? Why is she
rlm@0: doing this? Her mind raced through all the possibilities: she wants
rlm@0: me to meet someone, she wants to help me somehow.  Tomoyo wished she
rlm@0: had never come, that she were back with Sonomi in the far away
rlm@0: mountains. Or even that Sakura had just forgotten all about her,
rlm@0: forever. But that thought stung, and brought her to the verge of
rlm@0: tears. Forcing a smile to hide her fraying heart, Tomoyo spoke
rlm@0: truthfully, for she was too shaken to lie,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Sakura-chan, I could never, ever love anyone but my special person.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Crestfallen, Sakura sank back into her chair. Her smile was shaky,
rlm@0: but sincere. Breathing deeply, she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “ I guess I knew that already.” She glanced away, staring at the
rlm@0: restaurant’s red carpet as if it held all the great secrets of the
rlm@0: world. “I don’t even know why I was asking.” With teary eyes she
rlm@0: gazed at Tomoyo and took both her hands. “Your special person is so
rlm@0: very lucky to have your love. I only wish they knew.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo felt the soft, warm hands tenderly holding her own. She
rlm@0: closed her eyes tightly, but darkness brought no relief.  Sadly she
rlm@0: thought to herself,  “I wish you knew too, Sakura-chan. But I can’t
rlm@0: ever let you know.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III.
rlm@0: The westering sun lit up the city in a golden glow as the electric
rlm@0: tram slowly climbed the heights of Victoria Peak. In a strange
rlm@0: transition, the dense, urban world gave way to a mountainous jungle.
rlm@0: Only the occasional mansion dotted the landscape as the little tram
rlm@0: pulled it's way ever higher. The two women were burdened with bags
rlm@0: and packages, but Sakura was determined to see the sunset that
rlm@0: Sayoran called, "the most beautiful sight in all of Hong Kong." She
rlm@0: knew they could stop off at the Li mansion, but that would cost
rlm@0: precious time. The Peak was the highest point in the area, and
rlm@0: overlooked the city and all the little islands of the bay. When they
rlm@0: finally reached the top, they were greeted by still more stores,
rlm@0: museums, and restaurants. Sakura's face lit up when she saw a set of
rlm@0: rental lockers, which they used to store the day's accumulation of
rlm@0: bargains. Then, Sakura took out her husband's crudely drawn map and
rlm@0: stared at it in puzzlement.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He's such an awful map maker," she frowned. Tomoyo giggled and said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "The streets are very well marked, not like back home. I guess maps
rlm@0: aren't as necessary here."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Mmmmm," Sakura replied distractedly. Finally, pointing to the west
rlm@0: in triumph she exclaimed, "There. That's the way. I think." Sakura
rlm@0: strode forward into the great unknown, and Tomoyo smilingly followed.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The path was twisty, and the climb somewhat steep. The Peak rose
rlm@0: almost 2,000 feet from sea level, and was covered in thick,
rlm@0: subtropical foliage, broken only by parks, gardens, and commercial
rlm@0: buildings at the top. The two stopped at a bench to catch their
rlm@0: breath, but Tomoyo sensed her friend's impatience, and said they
rlm@0: should press on before the sun could set. Sakura happily agreed, and
rlm@0: the pair again began to climb. The pale woman marveled at her
rlm@0: friend's stamina, her sure-footed ease on the difficult trail. While
rlm@0: walking, Tomoyo thought about the day, the thousand treasured moments
rlm@0: spent with Sakura. It was a blessing beyond hope to be with her, to
rlm@0: see her new life and happiness first hand. Though exhausted from the
rlm@0: vigorous climb, Tomoyo found new energy in just being with her
rlm@0: beloved. Suddenly the leaves and trees gave way, and the two women
rlm@0: stood in awe at the view of the city below them. The great
rlm@0: skyscrapers of Central were like little models below, the golden
rlm@0: yellow sunlight catching their sharp angles for the last time in the
rlm@0: day. The great city of commerce was slowly changing into a mecca of
rlm@0: entertainment as evening approached. Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and
rlm@0: spoke earnestly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sayoran-chan said we should see the sunset over Lamma Island, and
rlm@0: then catch the city at night." Tomoyo nodded, and the two plunged
rlm@0: back on the path into the green world of trees and vines. The trail
rlm@0: was steeper now, but cooler as shade darkened their way. Sakura was
rlm@0: in her determined mode, and nothing would keep her from the sunset.
rlm@0: When her mind was set like this, she was almost a little scary.
rlm@0: Tomoyo was secretly thankful that she seemed to have given up her
rlm@0: quest to discover the identity of her True Love. Struggling up a
rlm@0: broken part of the trail, Tomoyo knew that in the end all her masks
rlm@0: would avail her nothing if Sakura truly wanted to know. At times, she
rlm@0: thought it might be better if they parted forever, lest the Mistress
rlm@0: of the Cards find that she herself was at the center of Tomoyo's
rlm@0: heart. That would be tragic for both of them, which was why this
rlm@0: might be the last time they would be together. If I drop out of her
rlm@0: life she'll forget about me and still have all the memories, Tomoyo
rlm@0: resolved wistfully. But how could I possibly do such a thing? How
rlm@0: could I live without hope of ever seeing her again? She knew the
rlm@0: answer already: because it would make her happy. And that was worth
rlm@0: any pain, no matter how long, or how cruel. Tomoyo was breathing
rlm@0: hard, from the climb as well as her secret thoughts, when suddenly
rlm@0: they stopped.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The sun was just beginning to set. The shredded clouds hung on the
rlm@0: horizon, pink and orange in the fading light. Lamma Island shone like
rlm@0: an emerald on fire, wrapped in a golden glow. The two women,
rlm@0: exhausted from the vigorous pace of the climb, plopped onto the
rlm@0: grass, still hand in hand. A great cruise ship slipped out of the
rlm@0: harbor and blasted a mournful farewell that rose all the way to the
rlm@0: top of the Peak. The pair sat entranced as the sun painted the world
rlm@0: in a riot of red and purple color. Darkness came slowly, soft, sweet
rlm@0: and tender. Sakura pointed out the first star high in the sky, and
rlm@0: closed her eyes to make a silent wish. Tomoyo saw the waxing moon;
rlm@0: nearly full now, nestled in black velvet like some luscious tropical
rlm@0: fruit. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She gazed at Sakura, her fairy-tale face touched by the moonlight.
rlm@0: She's like the Lunar Princess come to earth, Tomoyo thought. She
rlm@0: can't stay with me, and my heart will long for her all my days. But
rlm@0: this moment will be memory, a comfort and a solace to turn away the
rlm@0: pain. Sakura's dark lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. Her wish
rlm@0: complete, she smiled sweetly at her dark-haired friend. Her green
rlm@0: eyes shone like far away stars, and Tomoyo felt her heart shudder and
rlm@0: break. Wracked by a flood of joy and sadness, Tomoyo let her mask go
rlm@0: and laid her head on Sakura's shoulder. The lavender hair tumbled
rlm@0: down in a luminous cascade, and her soft body cuddled against her
rlm@0: beloved friend. Sakura felt a wave of longing, her heart buoyed by
rlm@0: the magical presence of Tomoyo. She reached out and encircled the
rlm@0: woman with her arm, pulling her closer. High above, the stars wheeled
rlm@0: their way through the endless dark, but Tomoyo and Sakura were silent
rlm@0: and still. All that night the two sat side-by-side, nestled in
rlm@0: starlight and moon glow, like a statue of lovers from long ago.   
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: