rlm@0: Learning To Fly: Chapter 2
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: by:
rlm@0: The Amazoness Duo 
rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: G.P. 
rlm@0: pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: =====
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Shifting uneasily in his chair, the hospital administrator glanced
rlm@0: at the two young women while shuffling distractedly through the
rlm@0: paperwork on his massive desk. He had seen the one girl many times
rlm@0: before, assisting her mother in charity work. As Acting Director of
rlm@0: the Tokyo Medical Center Children's Hospital, he was fully aware that
rlm@0: the presents for pediatric patients were but a tiny fraction of the
rlm@0: Daidouji Foundation's generous contributions. Very generous
rlm@0: contributions. He knew the younger Daidouji as quiet, sensible and
rlm@0: hard working. But her companion was something new altogether. He
rlm@0: peeked sideways at her, as if to confirm just what he was seeing. She
rlm@0: was young, rather pretty, and looked deeply embarrassed. Embarrassed,
rlm@0: no doubt, by the outlandish costume in which she was dressed. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Her blouse was tightly wrapped and bare at the shoulders, leaving
rlm@0: little to the imagination. Made of a curious fabric, she shimmered
rlm@0: all the colors of the rainbow with every hesitant movement. Her
rlm@0: skirt, made of glossy white taffeta, was distressingly short,
rlm@0: revealing a pair of athletic legs clad in silvery pantyhose and
rlm@0: lavender garters. Her hair was bedecked with ribbons and bows, and on
rlm@0: her back were…wings. She had to lean forward to keep from crushing
rlm@0: her delicate, diaphanous butterfly wings against the chair. Most
rlm@0: peculiar of all they seemed to flutter now and then all on their own.
rlm@0: It was of little comfort that the girl seemed as embarrassed as he
rlm@0: was, though their mutual emotion seemed to make little impression on
rlm@0: the cheerful Daidouji woman. In a reluctant voice he spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Ehhh, well, it is a bit unusual, you see. The children, are, well,
rlm@0: easily upset by changes in their routine."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Oblivious to his concerns, the dark-haired woman sang out, "But
rlm@0: we're merely delivering the presents, so there really is no change to
rlm@0: the routine. And I'm sure they would be delighted by Sakura's
rlm@0: costume, don't you think?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: This allowed him the chance to look directly at the young brunette,
rlm@0: though he quickly looked away with a blush. Haltingly, he spoke
rlm@0: again, "Perhaps, umm, if I had some of the nurses deliver the
rlm@0: presents…"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo replied with a sweet smile, "I wouldn't want to trouble your
rlm@0: staff with such a little thing. I'm sure they are very busy with
rlm@0: their regular duties. Perhaps, if there is a problem, you and my
rlm@0: mother would be the best ones to work it out?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: This hit home. The last thing he wanted was to explain to the Board
rlm@0: of Directors why the primary donor of the Hospital was upset. Almost
rlm@0: too hastily he answered, "Oh, no, no, no, I'm sure there is no need
rlm@0: for that, heh-heh. Umm, yes, well, why don't you and, umm,  Kinomoto
rlm@0: san go ahead with your good work, then?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Splendid!" The Daidouji woman rose and bowed, pulling up the still
rlm@0: dazed Sakura by her bare arm. "I believe we are scheduled for the
rlm@0: second floor today."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Yes, well, the best of luck to you both." The Acting Director
rlm@0: slumped back in his chair, watching the peculiar pair exit the door.
rlm@0: Holding his head in his hands he slumped back, longing for the life
rlm@0: of a simple ward doctor working 48 hours straight.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura and Tomoyo strained to pull the wagon full of gaily decorated
rlm@0: packages. Passing nurses and orderlies doing their utmost not to
rlm@0: stare, Sakura mumbled, "Tomoyo chan, he's right, you know. Why am I
rlm@0: dressed up in this….costume?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo, amazed as ever at Sakura's strength, replied cheerily,
rlm@0: "Because Sakura looks very cute in it, and if it makes the children
rlm@0: half as happy as it makes Tomoyo, they will be ecstatic."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  After trundling down the long 1st floor hallway, the girls stopped
rlm@0: in front of a massive freight elevator. Tomoyo pressed the "2" button
rlm@0: and waited. With a mechanical ka-chunk the doors opened, and the cart
rlm@0: was wheeled in. As the doors shut, Sakura marveled,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It's sooooo big! Do they use it as a freight elevator?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo nodded and answered quietly, "Yes, and it has to be big for
rlm@0: the gurneys, for carrying children to and from the operating rooms.
rlm@0: That happens on the third floor."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura was silent as the elevator stopped with a little jolt, and
rlm@0: the doors opened. Operations, she thought with a shudder. It must so
rlm@0: scary for the poor children. She realized Tomoyo was struggling to
rlm@0: get the cart over a little bump between the doors, so she helped
rlm@0: muscle the cart onto the second floor. The hospital was impeccably
rlm@0: clean, characterized by a distinct antiseptic odor. But this smell
rlm@0: was somehow sharper and less cheery than the scent of a freshly
rlm@0: cleaned house. Sakura felt an odd sense of unease, but she shook it
rlm@0: off as the cart rolled forward. Finally, Tomoyo gasped out
rlm@0: breathlessly, "This is it, 21, the first Ward. Oh, my, I'm so glad
rlm@0: you came, Sakura-chan. This is much harder to do without Oka-sama."
rlm@0: Tomoyo opened the door and the two pushed the heavily laden cart into
rlm@0: the large room. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked up from her labors and saw a long room, with beds on
rlm@0: either side. Suddenly, the boys and girls rose up amid squeals and
rlm@0: chatter, nearly overwhelming the nurse in their eagerness.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Contrary to Sakura's expectations, Tomoyo proved to be exactly
rlm@0: right. The children were more excited by Sakura and her fairy costume
rlm@0: even than the cartload of presents. They huddled around her, gaping
rlm@0: in awe at the remarkable sight, a few brave ones reaching out
rlm@0: tentative hands to touch her. At first overwhelmed, she quickly
rlm@0: adapted to being the center of attention, and was soon chatting
rlm@0: merrily with her appreciative audience. They showed her scars and
rlm@0: hurts, some healed, some not. They peppered her with questions,
rlm@0: unable to suppress their astonishment at such a fantastic sight.
rlm@0: Tomoyo and the nurse struggled to bring order out of the happy chaos,
rlm@0: finally managing at least a modicum of order. Tomoyo organized some
rlm@0: quiet games, and a sing along, including one song about fairies that
rlm@0: the children found especially delightful. Sakura again found herself
rlm@0: the center of attention, blushing as the children laughed and sang.
rlm@0: Finally, when it was time to go, the children rushed forward and
rlm@0: hugged her, reluctant to loose the magic she had brought. With waves
rlm@0: and smiles and shouts of goodbye, the two girls, with the grateful
rlm@0: nurse's help, pushed the slightly less heavy cart out into the
rlm@0: hallway.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: And so it went for 5 other wards on the 2nd floor. By the time they
rlm@0: entered Ward 26, both girls were exhausted, but the excited children
rlm@0: somehow gave them the giddy energy to continue. As Tomoyo passed out
rlm@0: the last of the presents, Sakura wended her way to the bed-ridden
rlm@0: children near the large window at the end of the ward. Finally she
rlm@0: came to one boy, about 12 years old,  who stared at her curiously
rlm@0: with dark, watchful eyes. She smiled and asked his name, but he
rlm@0: frowned at her hatefully and turned away. Startled, she opened her
rlm@0: mouth to say something, but found herself at a total loss for words.
rlm@0: A little girl with a cast on both legs managed an apologetic smile
rlm@0: and said quietly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Don't mind him.. He's always grumpy about things," 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I'm not grumpy. I just hate her," he spat out.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura was taken aback, and whispered, "I'm sorry."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Suddenly the boy spun around and glared at her angrily. In a venom-
rlm@0: laced voice laced he shouted,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You should be sorry! Running around in that pathetic outfit,
rlm@0: pretending to be something that doesn't even exist."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The little girl in the cast recoiled and answered in a trembling
rlm@0: voice, "That's not true. Fairies do so exist."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The boy turned on her with an ugly scowl and shot back, "Don't be
rlm@0: stupid. Fairies don't exist, and even if they did, she's just a
rlm@0: stupid girl in a stupid costume." Suddenly, he reached out and
rlm@0: tightly grabbed a diaphanous wing. With a smirk he brutally ripped
rlm@0: off the shimmering wing, tearing the costume and leaving a flap of
rlm@0: satin loose on Sakura's back. Triumphantly the boy held up his trophy
rlm@0: and called out in a mocking voice, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "See? See? It's just a fake outfit. She's just a fake!" Then,
rlm@0: turning Sakura he hissed, "Go back to your stupid cosplay, you
rlm@0: stupid, lame, fake."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With that, he hurled the severed wing at Sakura and lay down,
rlm@0: turning his back to the room. She stood stunned and paralyzed, her
rlm@0: mouth open in disbelief. She heard sobs and one child nearly
rlm@0: shrieking. Suddenly she felt a gentle touch on her arm, and saw
rlm@0: Tomoyo bending down to retrieve the fallen wing. Calmly, the dark
rlm@0: haired young woman escorted her out into the hall, leaving the nurse
rlm@0: to try and restore order. As the door closed, Sakura's composure
rlm@0: finally shattered, and in a furry of tears she slumped to the floor.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo's suffered her own agony as she cradled her sobbing friend.
rlm@0: Sakura's pain was always her own, amplified by the intense love the
rlm@0: Daidouji woman bore her. Worse was knowing that she was responsible
rlm@0: for bringing her dear friend into all this. Unaware of her tears that
rlm@0: fell silently on Sakura's soft brown hair, Tomoyo struggled to keep
rlm@0: from completely breaking down. Time enough for tears later, she
rlm@0: scolded herself. Feeling the head burrowing into her breast, Tomoyo
rlm@0: cooed reassurance, desperately trying to mask her own shattered
rlm@0: heart. For a long time they hugged each other, oblivious to the
rlm@0: figure that stood beside them. Finally, Sakura glimpsed the neatly
rlm@0: starched white skirt, and struggled to her feet. Wiping away the
rlm@0: tears, she rose unsteadily, helped by the Tomoyo. The woman offered a
rlm@0: handkerchief that she thankfully accepted. Sakura stammered  an
rlm@0: apology, but the nurse cut her short,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Please, it's my fault for not warning you about him. He's, well,
rlm@0: he's a bit of a problem child here, and there's no way to predict
rlm@0: just how he will react."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked at her, verging on tears again. Confused and hurt,
rlm@0: Sakura felt a stirring of anger at the injustice of it all, "But
rlm@0: why/? Why did he do that? Why is he so mean? What a horrible boy." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The nurse let out a heavy sigh, and stared at the wall, looking for
rlm@0: the answer there.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He didn't use to be like that. He was actually one of our
rlm@0: favorites: bright, curious, and always so helpful."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked at her, genuinely baffled. The nurse answered the
rlm@0: girl's pained question before she asked it,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, I suppose no one really knows why. But last winter, he got a
rlm@0: hold of his medical file. We never let the children see their files,
rlm@0: of course, especially children like him. But he was always the
rlm@0: curious one, and clever enough to find a way."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura and Tomoyo gazed at the woman, her features clouded in silent
rlm@0: pain, an echo of some past storm of agonized regret. She smiled
rlm@0: bitterly and continued, "I'm the one who left the charts out where he
rlm@0: could get them. So all this really is my fault."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura's voice shook as she asked, 'But why…" Her voice trailed off,
rlm@0: as if she dared not ask. The nurse answered in a detached, clinical
rlm@0: manner,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Because he's terminal. And now he knows." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo looked at the brightly polished floor, eyes fixed on the
rlm@0: black and white checkerboard tiles. Terminal. The nurse said the word
rlm@0: as her Mother once said it, when describing what it was like when
rlm@0: Nadeshiko was in the hospital. Terminal. The cold, metal finality of
rlm@0: the word cut the heart like a dagger of ice.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura stared, the slow comprehension mirrored in her tear-streaked
rlm@0: face. Again the nurse spoke in her best professional monotone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He has maybe 6 months, at most a year."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A dipping sun painting the hallway shades of pink and orange. Three
rlm@0: figures standing silent. Nothing more to say.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II.    
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi served the tea herself. Eager to hear how the first day went
rlm@0: for the new member of Daidouji Foundation, she had urged Tomoyo to
rlm@0: bring Sakura over for dinner. When she heard her daughter's
rlm@0: reluctance over the phone, she insisted. No one knows a daughter like
rlm@0: her mother, and no one knew the enigmatic Tomoyo better than Sonomi.
rlm@0: Something was wrong, and she would find out what.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Dinner had been delicious, but strained. Both girls tried to put on
rlm@0: a stolid front, but it was apparent the day had not gone well.
rlm@0: Normally a gratifyingly hearty eater, Sakura picked at her food with
rlm@0: distracted disinterest. Tomoyo bravely kept up a stream of
rlm@0: conversation on every imaginable topic but the day at the hospital.
rlm@0: Sonomi let her ramble, sometimes nudging the conversation in
rlm@0: directions her daughter did not want it to go, watching for her
rlm@0: reaction, probing, testing, reconnoitering. The older woman was
rlm@0: anxious to know, but patient as a cat by a rat hole. She bided her
rlm@0: time and waited for dessert.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Chirping crickets made more noise than the sad little party of three
rlm@0: sipping their tea in the massive Daidouji Estates garden. Finally,
rlm@0: Tomoyo broke the silence and announced that they should be leaving.
rlm@0: Her voice sounded relieved that the night was over, and whatever
rlm@0: secrets lay hidden would stay that way. But Sonomi, with an inward
rlm@0: smile, pounced. In a purring voice she asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Yes, I'm sure you two are exhausted after your big day at the
rlm@0: Hospital."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this, Sakura stiffened, and Tomoyo glanced to the side, all hope
rlm@0: of avoiding discovery dashed. Sonomi regarded the two with cat's
rlm@0: eyes, inwardly smiling at their discomfort, knowing she had hit close
rlm@0: to the mark. With her daughter, as well as the daughter of her
rlm@0: beloved cousin, she was a typical mother, all love and affection. But
rlm@0: when their welfare was at stake, she turned into a deadly predator.
rlm@0: Sometimes love had to hurt before it could help. Sonomi let the
rlm@0: uncomfortable silence do it's work until her daughter struggled to
rlm@0: break it,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, it was, eh, very interesting for Sakura." As soon as she
rlm@0: spoke, Tomoyo regretted her words. Her mother's eyes turned to Sakura
rlm@0: as she blandly asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, and what was so interesting today, Sakura-chan?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl stared at her for a moment, then her lip trembled and she
rlm@0: began to cry. Not the wild sobbing of late afternoon, but a slow,
rlm@0: soft, sad sort of sorrow, the sorrow of regret and loss. The sorrow
rlm@0: that comes with the night. Tomoyo enfolded her friend in her arms,
rlm@0: looking at her mother, silently begging her to stop. Sonomi's voice
rlm@0: was kind but insistent,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Tomoyo-chan, what happened?" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Before she could speak, Sakura broke in, "It's all my fault. I'm
rlm@0: sorry. I'm so, so sorry." Slipping from her chair she fell to her
rlm@0: knees, bowing her head to the ground like a suppliant. Sonomi stood
rlm@0: up, walked over, bent down, and gently lifted the girl to her feet.
rlm@0: Holding her close, gently stroking her hair and back, the woman spoke
rlm@0: in a motherly voice that Sakura only dimly remembered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It's all right now. It's all right."  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It took time, and some gently probing questions, for Sonomi to find
rlm@0: it all out. She gave the girls time to calm down and talk among
rlm@0: themselves when she went out to make more tea. Upon returning, she
rlm@0: poured the steaming liquid into cute little yellow cups. Finally,
rlm@0: Sakura whispered resignedly, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It really is my fault. I made such a scene. I'm deeply sorry. I
rlm@0: will of course resign from my duties at the Daidouji Foundation."
rlm@0: Tomoyo looked stricken, but Sonomi replied calmly after a pause,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Of course, you are free to resign anytime, as you are under no
rlm@0: contractual obligation. But the Foundation," and here Sonomi spoke in
rlm@0: her most dignified, Voice-Of-The-Foundation tone, "Sees nothing wrong
rlm@0: in your actions."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked at her with surprise, "But I…"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "But you did everything right". Sonomi smiled, placing her arm on
rlm@0: the beautiful girl's shoulder. Her voice was almost mirthful, "You
rlm@0: didn't break down in front of the children, and further upset them.
rlm@0: You got out of the room and then started to cry. There's nothing
rlm@0: wrong with crying, dear."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura stared into the woman's crystal blue eyes, and felt all the
rlm@0: hurts of the day wash away. For the first time in many hours, Sakura
rlm@0: managed a genuine smile.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: And so they talked, the three of them, sipping tea late into the
rlm@0: night. A crescent moon swung into view, dancing amid the far away
rlm@0: stars. The crickets stopped, and a cool breeze caused Sakura and
rlm@0: Tomoyo to huddle together. Shortly after midnight Sonomi suddenly
rlm@0: spoke up from the shadows in a voice fraught with emotion,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Just now, the moon reminded me of her. It was that sort moon on
rlm@0: that night. No, it was that moon exactly." She sounded distant, her
rlm@0: voice strange and far off. And so it was, for she was lost in memory.
rlm@0: Still and faceless in the darkness, she spoke like a ghost from the
rlm@0: long past,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It affects everyone differently, those it takes and those it leaves
rlm@0: behind. Some are afraid, so very afraid. Some are sad, overfull with
rlm@0: regrets. Some are so in pain that's all they know. Some are angry,
rlm@0: cursing the hospitals, and the doctors and nurses who can't do
rlm@0: anything, and all the living that walk about as if nothing had
rlm@0: happened. As if no one had gone forever, as if no bright light had
rlm@0: been extinguished in the filthy darkness. As if everything was just
rlm@0: the same, even though it will never be the same again. I was angry
rlm@0: like that. I guess I still am. But she wasn't."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi paused, and Sakura could hear her own heart beating. Tomoyo
rlm@0: listened, her heart breaking for her beloved mother. But Sonomi only
rlm@0: laughed,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "She wasn't angry. Not once, not ever in her whole life. At least
rlm@0: not that I remember. She wasn't afraid at all. They always said she
rlm@0: was too stupid to be afraid, climbing up trees and skiing down
rlm@0: professional-only slopes. But it wasn't that she was stupid. It was
rlm@0: just that she didn't care. About the danger, I mean. Nothing ever
rlm@0: frightened her. She loved the whole world." Here the woman paused,
rlm@0: and when she started again her voice was filled with wonder, "She
rlm@0: even loved leaving it." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "She told me, near the end, not to be afraid, or sad, or angry. She
rlm@0: said she'd had a wonderful little visit. That was exactly what she
rlm@0: called it, that short, sweet life of hers: the little visit. She said
rlm@0: she had had a fascinating career, two wonderful children, and a
rlm@0: cousin who adored her." Sonomi paused her, straining to keep the
rlm@0: loathing out of her voice, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh, yes, and a wonderful husband, too. Anyway, she said with all
rlm@0: these things, her life felt very complete. And she was curious about
rlm@0: what came next. She really was. But I was still angry. So very, very
rlm@0: angry. And anger is a terrible master. It makes you say and do things
rlm@0: you don't really mean, things that hurt and break. You hurt so bad
rlm@0: yourself that's all you want to do: hurt and break."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi leaned closer to Sakura, gently taking her hand. In the dim
rlm@0: light the woman's face seemed to Sakura almost ghostly, but she was
rlm@0: too entranced to be afraid. The woman smiled and broke the spell,
rlm@0: then she spoke in a plain, matter of fact voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Try not to blame the boy. He's probably afraid, and full of regret,
rlm@0: and very angry. But he doesn't mean the hurt he causes. It's just
rlm@0: that, when you have no hope…"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi smiled a sad, knowing smile. Sakura nodded, and suddenly felt
rlm@0: very, very tired.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The next night, Sakura and Tomoyo stayed up late studying together.
rlm@0: Even going to different schools, their classes were similar, so
rlm@0: mutual study was a helpful exercise, especially for the frequently
rlm@0: perplexed Sakura. Taking a break, Tomoyo brought out the torn fairy
rlm@0: costume and began to sew. Sakura sat on the floor at the seamstress'
rlm@0: feet, knees brought up together under her chin. The dark-haired girl
rlm@0: knew her friend was deep in thought, so she worked quietly. Sakura
rlm@0: looked up and saw the pale girl, her nimble fingers deftly stitching
rlm@0: the torn material. Entranced, she watched the silver needle slip
rlm@0: through the satiny fabric, every stitch perfect and precise. Tomoyo
rlm@0: had always been a marvelous seamstress, garnering praise and
rlm@0: attention all through school. She would kid that with all the
rlm@0: practice sewing costumes for the Card Mistress, anyone would be good.
rlm@0: Sakura was unable to look away from the slender fingers, the smooth
rlm@0: flow of flawless craft. Tomoyo used a little desk lamp to light her
rlm@0: work. The room was dim, save for the glow that bathed the costume on
rlm@0: her lap. Sakura's green eyes wandered, beholding Tomoyo's placid
rlm@0: face, illuminated by the little glow. She felt her heart flutter at
rlm@0: the sight. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo had always been pretty, the prettiest girl she knew. But
rlm@0: tonight, she was exquisite. Her violet eyes were fixed on her task,
rlm@0: long lashes fluttering now and then. A cute little nose, pale, fair
rlm@0: skin, and little ears shrouded in that mysterious hair, sometimes
rlm@0: black, sometimes gray, sometimes almost violet. An ever present smile
rlm@0: hovered on  delicate cherry lips, making her seem as enigmatic as the
rlm@0: Mona Lisa. Suddenly, Sakura was sweetly shaken by this ethereal
rlm@0: vision of the girl she knew so well. A strange tugging at her heart,
rlm@0: and a dizziness, like being on a great height looking down. Sakura
rlm@0: felt an aching surge, a longing, an incomprehensible desire. She
rlm@0: trembled like a fawn in the chill early dawn.  She felt her body
rlm@0: floating like a little cloud, far above the world below. Slowly, as
rlm@0: if she were underwater, Tomoyo lifted her eyes and gazed at the
rlm@0: countenance below. Sakura felt her face on fire, a furious blush
rlm@0: covering her entire body. But she could not look away from those
rlm@0: eyes, those deep, violet eyes. Tomoyo's smile widened ever so
rlm@0: slightly. She tilted her head, looking at her friend with a
rlm@0: quizzical, elfin curiosity. Sakura opened her mouth to speak, but no
rlm@0: words came. Suddenly, she tore her gaze away, staring at the floor,
rlm@0: breathing raggedly. As if from some far off place, she heard Tomoyo's
rlm@0: voice.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan, are you OK?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I was going to say I love you. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Had she actually said it out loud? Sakura's mind raced and wheeled
rlm@0: in shock and confusion. No. No, but I was going to say it. I was
rlm@0: going to say I love you.  It sounded like the strangest three words
rlm@0: ever uttered by human tongue: I love you. What had happened to her?
rlm@0: As if an explosion had gone off near her head, she was disoriented,
rlm@0: torn from her normal, cozy world. Tomoyo's voice again, shot through
rlm@0: with worry and concern.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura-chan, are you all right?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With a violent shake of her head, Sakura fought to regain her
rlm@0: composure. She somehow managed a disjointed, "Ummm hmmm," nodding her
rlm@0: head furiously. What had happened? She was afraid to look up, afraid
rlm@0: she might again go spinning wildly out of control if she saw Tomoyo.
rlm@0: Calm came gradually, haltingly, and brought a numb, fragile peace to
rlm@0: her thudding heart. Tomoyo, masking her concern, sat back and
rlm@0: continued her sewing. Time passed like a lazy river between them,
rlm@0: until Tomoyo at last broke the silence,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Sakura-chan, what were you thinking of back then?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Umm, that boy. That boy in the hospital," Sakura lied. Well, not
rlm@0: precisely a lie. The boy had been on her mind ever since. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Ah, so," Tomoyo graciously replied. Her silence begged Sakura to
rlm@0: continue.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I was so surprised, and then so hurt, and then so angry at him. I
rlm@0: feel awful about that."
rlm@0: Sakura remembered her righteous rage at the child, and the sickness
rlm@0: that followed the nurse's revelation.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "But Sakura-chan didn't know about the boy's condition. If she had,
rlm@0: she would never have felt anger," Tomoyo looked intently at the
rlm@0: fabric in her lap as she spoke; it was a delicate point in the
rlm@0: mending.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura thought about this for a moment, and then replied, "Still, I
rlm@0: shouldn't have gotten so angry." Then, mumbling to herself, "I wish
rlm@0: there was something I could do."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "There." A note of pride and triumph in Tomoyo's voice as she held
rlm@0: the outfit aloft for Sakura's inspection, "As good as new."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura looked at the shimmering fairy costume. Tomoyo's work was
rlm@0: impeccable: the tear neatly sewn and barely perceptible, the severed
rlm@0: wing restored. Restored. Healed, fixed. Made whole again. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Made well.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura's smile froze, and then broadened into a crazy grin. Leaping
rlm@0: to her feet she took the outfit in both hands, holding it aloft.
rlm@0: Then, she turned to her friend with a beaming smile,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "No, Tomoyo-chan. It's better. Better than new!"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The boy woke slowly from his dream. A sound? A knocking somewhere?
rlm@0: Bleary-eyed, he stared at the ceiling. Then he heard it again, an
rlm@0: unmistakable rapping. Startled, he sat up in bed and turned to the
rlm@0: side, towards the window. There, hovering with great, beating wings,
rlm@0: was the woman from before, the one in the costume. With her was the
rlm@0: lady who always delivered the presents, and both were astride a long,
rlm@0: slender staff with a marvelous star at the top. His mouth opened in
rlm@0: surprise, for they were floating, no, flying in the air. He let out a
rlm@0: startled cry, rousing the other children. Instinctively he crawled
rlm@0: away to a corner of his bed as the other children moved to the window
rlm@0: with oooo's and ahhhhhh's. The costumed woman was smiling, pointing
rlm@0: to the handles on the inside of the window. A girl tried to open it,
rlm@0: but it was stuck fast. Pleadingly she looked at him, and with a frown
rlm@0: he moved to the window and undid the lock. The children were starting
rlm@0: to get loud, but the costumed woman placed her finger to her lips and
rlm@0: that quieted them somewhat. 
rlm@0:    
rlm@0: She floated into the room, great wings beating, a flurry of wind and
rlm@0: feathers announcing her arrival. The dark-haired one slipped off the
rlm@0: staff, video camera in hand, filming the proceedings. The feet of the
rlm@0: other woman, clad in little beribboned slippers, finally touched the
rlm@0: floor. The children encircled her in awe, but she came before the boy
rlm@0: and stood straight and still. Then, bowing low before him, she spoke
rlm@0: in a musical voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 'Gomenesai. I'm very sorry if I disturbed you the other day. Please
rlm@0: accept my apologies."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He stood there, unable to reply. The fairy figure straightened up,
rlm@0: tilting her head and smiling. Then she said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You may be right. There may be no real fairies in this world. But
rlm@0: there is magic, and it is real."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With that she swung her staff, and a riot of colors lit up the room.
rlm@0: Her voice rang out as she flipped a card into the air, " ***Sakura's
rlm@0: chant here****
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Suddenly, a beautiful flower-clad woman appeared. She looked around
rlm@0: the room, and with a wave of her arms showered the surprised children
rlm@0: in a blizzard of sweetly scented petals.  Then she began to dance,
rlm@0: with the giggling children, with Sakura, and finally, with the still-
rlm@0: startled boy. In a giddy whirl they danced, she smiling, he blushing,
rlm@0: both spinning away. Finally, she stepped lightly before the dark-
rlm@0: haired girl with the camera. The woman dressed as a fairy giggled,
rlm@0: "She wants to dance with you, too, Tomoyo-chan."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Slowly the woman lowered her camera, looking a bit uncertain. She
rlm@0: glanced at Sakura, who was busy with a gaggle of young children.
rlm@0: Then, with a smile, she walked to the boy and leaned forward, "Would
rlm@0: you please hold it for me?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He gazed at her sparkling eyes and felt his heart pound. Taking the
rlm@0: camera, he watched her return to the mysterious flower woman, curtsey
rlm@0: prettily, and begin to dance. Distressed to think such a beautiful
rlm@0: sight might be lost forever, he swung the camera up and began
rlm@0: filming. Through the viewfinder he watched her, graceful and fluid,
rlm@0: her body flowing in rhythm to the music. Music? What music? Where was
rlm@0: it coming from? He didn't know, but he could hear. And see.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: There were other amazing sights to see that night as the fairy woman
rlm@0: tossed her cards and waved her staff: a bouncing plush toy, a
rlm@0: mysterious, shadowy figure, and a strange flying teddy bear that kept
rlm@0: up an incessant chatter about himself. Finally, one of the girl
rlm@0: patients pulled on Sakura's sleeve, and whispered that it was nearly
rlm@0: time for the night nurse to check up on them. The fairy girl looked
rlm@0: panicky, but the one called Tomoyo calmly began tidying up, tucking
rlm@0: the children in bed, and escorting Sakura to the window. The boy
rlm@0: followed, feeling a mix of emotions. Wonder and awe clashed with
rlm@0: shame for his past behavior. Clearing his throat, he watched the
rlm@0: fairy girl,  Tomoyo, and the teddy bear stop and face him,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Excuse me. I….I ," It was hard to say. He could just let it go,
rlm@0: but… "I'm very sorry that I tore up your costume. I…I would like to
rlm@0: help pay for the new one you bought."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The fairy girl looked confused, but Tomoyo smiled as she arched over
rlm@0: him, "It's the same costume. I just sewed it up."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Astonished, he turned and glimpsed her pale face, the color of
rlm@0: radiant moonlight. He bowed and stammered, "Thank you for fixing it."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She nodded and then slipped through the window onto the staff, aided
rlm@0: by the fairy girl. The children gathered around, straining to keep
rlm@0: their gleeful voices down. He waved, and thought he saw the beautiful
rlm@0: dark-haired girl wave back. The pair swung into the starry night, and
rlm@0: he watched them until they vanished. He stood and stared into the
rlm@0: dark sky. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Tomoyo," he whispered her name to himself, "Tomoyo."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The little girl in the adjacent bed poked him in the ribs. With a
rlm@0: mischievous grin she giggled, "See, fairies are real."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: He looked down ate her and smiled wryly, "Well, I don't know about
rlm@0: that. But I guess magic is."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The next morning, Sakura and Tomoyo slept late and missed all their
rlm@0: early classes At that same time, the Acting Director of the Tokyo
rlm@0: Medical Center Children's Hospital began his day by trying to figure
rlm@0: out how to dispose of 12 bushels of flower petals in Ward 26.