rlm@0: Dear Sakura rlm@0: by Amazoness Duo and G.P. rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com rlm@0: pearsong1954@yahoo.com rlm@0: rlm@0: Dear Tomoyo-chan, rlm@0: rlm@0: When angels descend and dreams come to earth, our hearts are touched rlm@0: with a heavenly fire. At your most lovely wedding, I was blessed with rlm@0: a greater happiness than ever seemed possible. There I saw a sight rlm@0: even the Seven Sages might envy: surely the two most beautiful brides rlm@0: to ever grace so solemn a betrothal. Sakura-chan was delightfully rlm@0: nervous at first, making a most exquisite blushing bride. But seeing rlm@0: her beloved, she glowed with a luminous ecstasy that seemed somehow rlm@0: out of place so far away from the Celestial Realms. Her happiness rlm@0: warmed the hearts of all who witnessed it, and left us with the rlm@0: precious hope that perhaps someday, some portion of such bliss might rlm@0: be ours. Mother once told me this is Sakura-chan’s true magic: that rlm@0: she gently touches the innermost feelings of all those blessed with rlm@0: meeting her. I felt that enchantment as never before when she gazed rlm@0: into the eyes of her adoring Tomoyo-chan. rlm@0: rlm@0: How sad that all the great poets of all time, and all the great rlm@0: artists that ever were, could never hope to capture the resplendence rlm@0: of the unearthly woman I saw with Sakura-chan. Your loveliness had rlm@0: lingered in my heart since last we met, but so dazzling was the rlm@0: beauty before me that I could only stare, transfixed in wonder. Words rlm@0: are my sorry servants, who clumsily convey to you the sweet pain it rlm@0: was to gaze upon so gorgeous a bride. It is said that to view a rlm@0: goddess on earth is to be struck with a passionate longing that no rlm@0: worldly joy can quench. I have seen two such divinities, and if the rlm@0: price I pay is a yearning heart that will not heal, still I deem rlm@0: myself graced with the memories. When bride kissed bride, I was rlm@0: lifted on shimmering wings to a rapture beyond all care and pain. rlm@0: That moment shall be a remembrance: a treasure to carry for all of my rlm@0: life. rlm@0: rlm@0: So, thank you for inviting me to your wedding. I was honored to rlm@0: attend as representative of the House of Li, and very much pleased to rlm@0: come as your friend. Please thank Sonomi-sama for her gracious rlm@0: hospitality. I was a little nervous at first, knowing there had been rlm@0: much hurt brought about by my family to yours. But her charming rlm@0: consideration as a hostess made me feel as if I were the long lost rlm@0: Daidouji Fanren. And thank you for taking me out with your family. rlm@0: That night of dancing was like a dream. I think your Mother is the rlm@0: finest dancer of us all, for she blends the energy and enthusiasm of rlm@0: Sakura-chan with the effortless grace of Tomoyo-chan. To be in the rlm@0: presence of such loveliness as the three of you was sweetly rlm@0: overwhelming, and an evening I shall always remember. rlm@0: rlm@0: Please know that Syaoran-chan seems quite content in his new life rlm@0: with Meiling-chan. I would not mention this during my trip, lest it rlm@0: bring bad luck for your cherished union, but they are now engaged and rlm@0: shall be married next spring. Slow to forgive and slow to learn, he rlm@0: has finally come to see that all has been for the best, and that his rlm@0: ending will now be happier than ever he could have imagined. Though rlm@0: he will not speak the words, he knows you will give to Sakura what he rlm@0: could not, and in his heart wishes both of you well. Mother delighted rlm@0: in the video of the wedding, and my sisters are frightfully jealous rlm@0: that I went, which has pleased me to no end. rlm@0: rlm@0: Thank you again for all your kindness and consideration during my rlm@0: visit. Finally, I understand the wise words in your letters, and rlm@0: seeing your happiness brings happiness to me as well. If ever a rlm@0: gentle heart deserved such bliss, it is yours, dear Tomoyo-chan. You rlm@0: and Sakura-chan will always be cherished in my heart. May your new rlm@0: life be prosperous and long, and may the blessings and joys of the rlm@0: Nine Heavens be with you all of your days. rlm@0: rlm@0: Love, rlm@0: rlm@0: Li Fanren rlm@0: