rlm@0: Learning to Fly Chapter Four
rlm@0: by 
rlm@0: The Amazoness Duo 
rlm@0: and
rlm@0: G.P. 
rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@0: pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Where is he?" Sakura whined, hugging herself in an attempt to fight
rlm@0: off the cold evening that was settling in. "He's always late. It's
rlm@0: because he works so much. How does Yukito put up with him?" the
rlm@0: brunette asked, turning to her elegantly dressed friend. As usual,
rlm@0: Sakura thought Tomoyo put her to shame. Though they'd both dressed up
rlm@0: for dinner, Tomoyo's lavender ensemble seemed more refined than
rlm@0: Sakura's more simple green dress. Her pale friend was absolutely
rlm@0: gorgeous. Sakura's heart raced at the memory of helping Tomoyo braid
rlm@0: her beautiful dark tresses before they left. Momentarily forgetting
rlm@0: her complaints, the Cardmistress could only stop and stare. She shot
rlm@0: an angry look at two older boys who were gawking at Tomoyo, stepping
rlm@0: closer to the shorter girl protectively. Ignoring most of the stares
rlm@0: that came her way, with the obvious exception of Sakura's glances,
rlm@0: Tomoyo smiled. "Yukito-san must have boundless patience, then." The
rlm@0: occasion for the night's outing was a dinner with Sakura's brother
rlm@0: and his boyfriend, the object of Sakura's childhood affection. Now
rlm@0: that Sakura no longer lived with her brother, his busy lifestyle made
rlm@0: it hard to stay in touch with him. Little things like going out for
rlm@0: dinner helped keep them close. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You must be even more patient than Yuki if you can somehow put up
rlm@0: with the monster," Touya deadpanned from behind the two girls, his
rlm@0: white haired lover in tow.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I'm not a little girl! You can't call me a monster anymore!" Sakura
rlm@0: argued, clenching her fists and shaking them at the imposing image of
rlm@0: her tall, dark haired brother. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The tall man shrugged. "If it looks like a monster and acts like a
rlm@0: monster...""It's good to see you both again," Yukito cut in, smiling
rlm@0: pleasantly at the younger girls. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Lightening up visibly, Sakura smiled and nodded in agreement. "It's
rlm@0: good to see you, too.""Now she's calm. Let's get something to eat
rlm@0: before she snaps again," Touya suggested, pushing the restaurant door
rlm@0: open. Harumphing, Sakura led Tomoyo past Touya and into the warmth of
rlm@0: the restaurant beyond. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The restaurant was spacious but crowded. The group of four sat in a
rlm@0: back corner, a myriad sampling of food spread out before them. "Too
rlm@0: bad Kero-chan's not here. He'd love this," Sakura mused, reaching
rlm@0: over with her chopsticks indecisively. So much food. It was difficult
rlm@0: to decide where to begin."Yuki will be sure to eat enough for him,
rlm@0: too," Touya promised, watching some of the food before him disappear
rlm@0: thanks to his ever hungry boyfriend. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "What have you been doing lately, onii-chan?" Chestnut hair fell to
rlm@0: one side as Sakura tilted her head curiously. "I haven't seen you on
rlm@0: campus much. I hoped I'd get to see more of you.""He's been working
rlm@0: mostly. When he's not in class, he's at work. You know Touya. He has
rlm@0: to keep busy or he's not happy," Yukito replied between mouthfuls.
rlm@0: "Onii-chan is ever happy?" Sakura asked, blinking incredulously. "I
rlm@0: thought that was impossible." She couldn't help but smile as Tomoyo
rlm@0: giggled beside her. "You always look so grumpy.""I'm plenty happy.
rlm@0: It's better than being so excitable. You end up crying over the
rlm@0: simplest things or you're excited over the tiniest details. I'd
rlm@0: rather just sail smoothly through everything," Touya countered."But
rlm@0: it's cute that Sakura-chan's so excitable! It means everything she
rlm@0: encounters affects her in some way. She's so emotive. That's why it's
rlm@0: so much fun to watch her." Sighing dreamily, Tomoyo cast her eyes on
rlm@0: Sakura, watching her friend blush and fumble with her napkin. Sakura
rlm@0: was always so cute when she was embarrassed. And if Syaoran wasn't
rlm@0: going to be around to embarrass her, then it was Tomoyo's duty to get
rlm@0: a blush on Sakura's cheeks whenever possible. Hoping to change the
rlm@0: subject, Sakura looked up at her brother. "So... ummm... What jobs
rlm@0: are you working this week? You're not going ot have to run off to
rlm@0: wait tables in a minute, are you?" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Touya shook his head, sipping some tea before replying. "No, I don't
rlm@0: work here. It's just a nice restaurant. Yuki and I came here to
rlm@0: celebrate some things a while back. I'm working at a bar now.""A
rlm@0: bar?" Sakura repeated.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "He's a bartender there. He's getting pretty good at it, too,"
rlm@0: Yukito answered. "I'll go just to watch him make the drinks. He has
rlm@0: very nimble hands.""So does Sakura-chan." Taking one of Sakura's
rlm@0: hands in her own, Tomoyo let her fingers trace over Sakura's creamy
rlm@0: skin. She could tell Sakura's blush worsened, but the other girl
rlm@0: didn't pull her hand away. Smiling, Tomoyo continued to caress
rlm@0: Sakura's hand. To the heiress's surprise, Sakura's fingers curled
rlm@0: around her own, holding on warmly. Her heart swooned at the
rlm@0: feeling.Raising an eyebrow, Touya watched the two girls for a moment.
rlm@0: "I'm so glad you finally started dating Tomoyo. She's much better for
rlm@0: you than the brat ever was. I've been waiting for you two to get
rlm@0: together since you were kids. It was so obvious."Sakura's faint blush
rlm@0: escalated to near crimson. "Obvious? But..."Touya nodded,
rlm@0: interrupting. "Very obvious. How you were always blushing around her
rlm@0: and getting moony about things. I'm surprised it took you so
rlm@0: long."Simply watching the exchange, Tomoyo continued to nibble on her
rlm@0: food. This was certainly interesting. "But we're not dating..."
rlm@0: Sakura got out at last, her heart pounding. Why did the mention of
rlm@0: them dating get her so excited? Why was her heart beating so fast?
rlm@0: Hoe... Why was this all so confusing? Touya's eyes were still staring
rlm@0: in her direction. She followed his gaze to her hand, still
rlm@0: interlocked with Tomoyo's. Pulling her hand away in a hurry, she
rlm@0: placed both hands on her lap, staring at her plate. Stupid Touya. Why
rlm@0: did he have to mention anything? It felt so nice to hold Tomoyo's
rlm@0: hand like that. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Oh..." Touya rolled this news over for a moment in his head before
rlm@0: continuing. "So you are still dating the brat?""Yeah..." Sakura
rlm@0: responded, still staring at the table. Why was that answer so
rlm@0: dissatisfying to say? It didn't hold the magic it once did, and none
rlm@0: of the excitement that even her denial of a relationship with Tomoyo
rlm@0: had held. Syaoran was overseas. He was her boyfriend. She felt safe
rlm@0: with him. But Tomoyo... A surge of emotions came at the thought of
rlm@0: her friend, the thoughts exciting and delicious and terrifying all at
rlm@0: once. Tomoyo made her feel so alive. So warm. So loved. It was such a
rlm@0: completely different feeling from the relative safety that Syaoran
rlm@0: offered.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo was her best friend. Syaoran was her boyfriend. So why
rlm@0: couldn't she be happy with the way things were? That question haunted
rlm@0: her throughout the rest of the dinner. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The cold night air blanketed the dark haired pair, a stark contrast
rlm@0: to the warmth held inside the restaurant. Keeping an eye on the
rlm@0: fragile seeming heiress, Touya offered his jacket. Smiling, she
rlm@0: accepted gratefully, sliding her arms into the protective warmth of
rlm@0: the much too large coat. She was absolutely stunning, a beautiful
rlm@0: princess shimmering under the glow of the moonlight. The years had
rlm@0: been kind on the Daidouji girl. At one time Touya had considered her
rlm@0: a cute kid, but now he had to admit that she was gorgeous. It was a
rlm@0: similar beauty to what he had seen when his mother's ghost had
rlm@0: visited him, ethereal and angelic. He wondered if Sakura was as
rlm@0: blinded to the angel that never left her side as she had been to her
rlm@0: mother's ghost when she was a child. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I wonder why Sakura-chan wanted to speak with Yuki," Touya stated
rlm@0: after a moment's silence. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Her eyes cast skyward at the glittering jewels that were the stars,
rlm@0: Tomoyo spoke, her soft voice carrying on the crisp night air. "Sakura-
rlm@0: chan is full of mysteries."This caused Touya to furrow an eyebrow. "I
rlm@0: don't think the monster could be mysterious if she tried." He nearly
rlm@0: smiled at the giggle his comment drew forth from the heiress. He
rlm@0: always enjoyed Tomoyo's company. If he'd been Sakura's age, they
rlm@0: would have made great friends. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I think Sakura-chan's asking for advice about something," Tomoyo
rlm@0: ammended her previous statement, her hands disappearing inside the
rlm@0: long jacket sleeves. A shake of her head freed her face from her long
rlm@0: dark hair, letting the breeze caress her cheeks. "She's asking Yuki's
rlm@0: advice?" Touya glanced questioningly at the short girl. Her silence
rlm@0: told him all he needed to know. "Yue's advice." Nodding, he returned
rlm@0: his gaze to the late traffic. "I wonder what she wants from Yue.
rlm@0: Unless she just wants to see how cute he is one last time before she
rlm@0: runs off and gets married to the brat.""I don't think you have to
rlm@0: worry about that," Tomoyo assured the dark haired man. "Yue-san is
rlm@0: very beautiful, but I think Sakura-chan just wants help figuring
rlm@0: something out." Her mind was drifting elsewhere, back to the dinner.
rlm@0: Sakura had been somewhat distracted. Hopefully Sakura's chat with Yue
rlm@0: would fix things, though Tomoyo doubted it. What was bothering Sakura
rlm@0: was more complex than something she could simply ask the answer to.
rlm@0: Some answers only come to us when we have exhausted all other
rlm@0: possibilities. Some wait til we have nowhere left to turn but inward.
rlm@0: And Sakura's inner world was something that the brunette had always
rlm@0: had trouble understanding.Touya slipped his hands into his pockets,
rlm@0: shaking his head. "Then why isn't Sakura-chan going to you? She's
rlm@0: always run to you whenever she has a problem. Especially when she
rlm@0: needs help figuring things out." Turning to look at the heiress, he
rlm@0: could see that her pale features were set in a serious, somewhat sad
rlm@0: look. "Because I can't help her this time," Tomoyo said simply.
rlm@0: Licking her lips, she busied herself with trying to spot where her
rlm@0: bodyguards had hidden themselves away this time. A helpless feeling
rlm@0: bubbled up, encasing her heart. It was the same feeling she'd always
rlm@0: had whenever Sakura had been in physical danger, the knowledge that
rlm@0: she was helpless to protect Sakura. It was icy cold and devestating.
rlm@0: That feeling was one of the primary reasons she had pushed Sakura
rlm@0: towards Syaoran. Syaoran could protect her from whatever magical
rlm@0: dangers came her way, something Tomoyo couldn't do. But with matters
rlm@0: of the heart, Tomoyo had always been able to comfort Sakura in some
rlm@0: way. Not this time. That thought left her feeling useless to the girl
rlm@0: she loved. Sakura needed her and yet she couldn't lift a finger to
rlm@0: help. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Why not? You've always steered Sakura well so far. I swear she
rlm@0: would've ended up running into a wall without you there. You've made
rlm@0: my duties as a big brother a lot easier. I can actually get some
rlm@0: sleep when I know you're around to keep her out of trouble." Touya
rlm@0: was grateful for all Tomoyo had done for his sister. Though he teased
rlm@0: her, he was intensely protective of Sakura. Tomoyo had been Sakura's
rlm@0: safety net from almost the day they met. It relieved him to know that
rlm@0: Tomoyo was there for Sakura when he couldn't be. "Because I think I'm
rlm@0: involved." A breeze played with the jacket, making it sway around the
rlm@0: delicate heiress, her long, dark hair following suit. Her pale
rlm@0: fingers peaked out of the sleeves as she held the jacket closer. "I
rlm@0: can't give Sakura any advice on this if it's about me. I have to let
rlm@0: her decide. I can't tell her what's in her heart. Not this time.
rlm@0: Because I'm too close. I made a mistake last time. I won't do that
rlm@0: again. I have to let Sakura find out for herself what's in her
rlm@0: heart.""You were only looking out for her. Few people would have done
rlm@0: what you did, trying to get her with someone else so she'd be happy."
rlm@0: Placing a hand on her shoulder, he looked down into her stormy blue
rlm@0: eyes. "You've always been looking out for her. You've always been
rlm@0: working for her best interests, even when she didn't see that. You've
rlm@0: sacrificed so that she'd be happy. If that doesn't make you worthy of
rlm@0: her love, I don't know what does." Squeezing her shoulder lightly for
rlm@0: emphasis, he continued. "If I'd been the one trying to push her in
rlm@0: anyone's direction, I'd have wanted her with you over the brat
rlm@0: anyday. Don't scare yourself with thoughts of whether or not you're
rlm@0: good enough for her, Tomoyo-chan. Because I know you are. You'd be my
rlm@0: first choice for her."Slowly, a smile spread across Tomoyo's face.
rlm@0: Looking up, she brushed back her hair. "Thank you, Touya-san.""Don't
rlm@0: mention it. I should thank you for trying to take the monster off my
rlm@0: hands." Touya let go, glancing once again around the parking lot.
rlm@0: "Now where are those two? Some lovers they turn out to be, making us
rlm@0: wait in the cold like this."Smiling, Tomoyo cast her eyes to the
rlm@0: stars once more. Touya was right. It was up to Sakura now. And
rlm@0: whatever Sakura decided, she would always be by her side. Doubts
rlm@0: would only hold her back.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sakura walked nervously alongside her onetime crush and protector,
rlm@0: Yukito. The older man smiled at her, but this only served to make the
rlm@0: young Cardmistress fidget even more. Snow the color of Yukito's hair
rlm@0: began to dance around them, swirling lazily about the two. Hugging
rlm@0: her jacket closer, the athletic girl struggled to make sense of the
rlm@0: maelstrom in her head. She couldn't talk to Tomoyo about this because
rlm@0: Tomoyo was the whole reason her heart was flittering so wildly. She
rlm@0: surely couldn't ask Syaoran. How would the proud future leader of the
rlm@0: Li Clan react to his girlfriend asking him about her feelings towards
rlm@0: another girl? Kero's advice was suspect at best. Her brother's
rlm@0: preferences over the two closest to Sakura's heart was obvious. That
rlm@0: left her stoic guardian, the Judgement himself. "Yukito-san," Sakura
rlm@0: finally got out through numb lips. "I need to speak to Yue."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: In a dazzling display of cool light and wings, the man who had stood
rlm@0: next to her was replaced by his counterpart, the long haired
rlm@0: guardian, Yue. "Yes, Sakura-sama."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: That title always made Sakura want to squirm. It felt too heavy
rlm@0: resting on her shoulders. She didn't like the thought of being in
rlm@0: charge. She just wanted to be friends with her 'subjects'. But now
rlm@0: wasn't the time for her discomfort over titles. How was she supposed
rlm@0: to begin? She'd never been good at talking about love. It left her
rlm@0: feeling confused and tongue-tied. The words finally escaped her in a
rlm@0: rush. "How do you know you're in love?"Silence surrounded the
rlm@0: ethereal pair for a long moment. When Yue spoke, he arched an eyebrow
rlm@0: curiously. "Isn't this better asked of Tomoyo? Or perhaps Dark and
rlm@0: Light? Love has never really been my strong point.""But you and Touya
rlm@0: seem so happy. You look like you belong together. When I'm with
rlm@0: Syaoran..." Sakura trailed off, looking down at the gathering snow
rlm@0: for a moment. "It doesn't feel that way. And I can't ask Tomoyo.
rlm@0: She's... I..." The Carmistress blushed and held her hands to her
rlm@0: heart. "Tomoyo's in love with me. But I don't know how I feel. I
rlm@0: thought I was in love with Syaoran. But now I don't know anymore.
rlm@0: Tomoyo makes me feel so... hanyan... When I'm with her, my heart
rlm@0: starts pounding. It's like I'm short of breath. And the things she
rlm@0: says... The thought of her finding someone else, of someone else
rlm@0: getting Tomoyo's love, it makes me feel miserable. I don't know what
rlm@0: I'd do without her."Yue smirked, crossing his arms regally. "It
rlm@0: sounds to me like you've answered your own questions, Sakura-sama.
rlm@0: Perhaps you just needed someone to listen.""What? No, I..." Sakura's
rlm@0: blush deepened as she shook her head. "That wasn't what I meant.
rlm@0: I..." But her words did ring with a certain truth, didn't they? The
rlm@0: way Tomoyo made her feel was something she had taken for granted as a
rlm@0: child. But now that she understood how her friend felt, it made
rlm@0: Sakura wonder about her own feelings. Were they the same? 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Yuki, we need to get going or I'll be late for work." Turning at
rlm@0: the sound of her brother's voice, Sakura saw Touya and Tomoyo walking
rlm@0: towards them. Yukito walked past to join Touya, already having
rlm@0: reverted back from his true form. Questions still lingered in the
rlm@0: Cardmistress's mind even as Tomoyo approached her. A smile spread
rlm@0: across her lips nonetheless as she took the few steps to reach her
rlm@0: beautiful friend. Even if questions lingered, she still loved being
rlm@0: with her friend. And that was enough for now.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Touya wanted to know if we wanted to go to the bar he worked at
rlm@0: with them," Tomoyo explained, brushing back her dark hair from her
rlm@0: pale face. She felt better after talking to Touya and could only hope
rlm@0: that Sakura felt the same way after her conversation with Yukito. She
rlm@0: couldn't help but return the smile Sakura gave her, falling alongside
rlm@0: her athletic friend. "Unless the monster is too little," Touya added,
rlm@0: slipping an arm around Yukito as they walked. Sakura's fists balled
rlm@0: up as she followed her elder brother. "I am not! I'm plenty old
rlm@0: enough to go to the bar." Her dreams of one day growing up and being
rlm@0: taller than him were hampered by the fact that he was still
rlm@0: incredibly taller than her. Sakura could only claim to be taller than
rlm@0: Tomoyo, and even then it was only by a few inches. "Come on, Tomoyo-
rlm@0: chan. We don't have work tomorrow. It'll be fun." Whether she really
rlm@0: thought it would be fun or she was just trying to prove her brother
rlm@0: wrong, Sakura couldn't rightly say. The two thoughts bled together
rlm@0: until they were practically the same thing. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Still, seeing her brother with his arm around the slender white
rlm@0: haired man made her own heart years. Her fists unclenched as she
rlm@0: found herself gazing sidelong at her friend. It would feel so nice to
rlm@0: hold Tomoyo like that, to feel the soft, frail girl in her arm,
rlm@0: moving against her as they walked. The heiress was so elegent, so
rlm@0: gorgeous. Her steps seemed almost perfect, making her seem to glide
rlm@0: along barely touching the floor. How would it feel to hold onto her,
rlm@0: to feel Tomoyo melt against her side? "Are you coming with us or are
rlm@0: you going to walk the whole way?" Touya asked, shattering Sakura's
rlm@0: thoughts. "What?" Embarrassment colored the brunette's cheeks as she
rlm@0: saw Touya and Yukito getting on their bikes. Tomoyo slid up behind
rlm@0: her brother, her arms going around his waist to hold on. "Oh... Yeah,
rlm@0: I'm coming." Sakura climbed up behind Yukito, holding on as the
rlm@0: taller boy pushed the bike into motion. For some reason this didn't
rlm@0: hold the excitement it once had. Her eyes found their way back to
rlm@0: Tomoyo, the heiress sitting demurely on the back of Touya's bike just
rlm@0: as she had once sat on the back of Sakura's staff when they would fly
rlm@0: through the night. A pang of loss struck Sakura as those memories
rlm@0: resurfaced. She missed gliding through the air with Tomoyo so close
rlm@0: to her. When she flew with her wings, it could feel so lonely. But
rlm@0: when she had flown on her staff with Tomoyo, they were sharing the
rlm@0: night sky together. But now that seemed so long ago. They weren't
rlm@0: children anymore. That magic seemed far away. She longed to be on the
rlm@0: bike near Tomoyo, the two of them free as the wind. Catching Sakura's
rlm@0: gaze, Tomoyo smiled at her friend. Sakura's nostalgic look was
rlm@0: replaced by a smile of her own. They watched each other for a long
rlm@0: time as the snow and lit up streets zipped past around them. The
rlm@0: beauty around them couldn't compare with the beauty of her best
rlm@0: friend, the wind and snow playing through her hair. For a moment,
rlm@0: Tomoyo wished that she had her camcorder with her. But Sakura was
rlm@0: always a beautiful sight. For now she was content to simply watch,
rlm@0: their eyes never breaking for more than a few seconds. Did Sakura
rlm@0: have any idea how she affected her? How her heart would swell just by
rlm@0: being near the brunette? Even the Cardmistress couldn't know just how
rlm@0: strong her spells could be. "I love you, Sakura," she whispered to
rlm@0: her friend, knowing Sakura couldn't hear her as they sped along on
rlm@0: the bikes. She thought she saw Sakura's mouth move shortly afterwards.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: "I think you've just been around your sisters so long that you don't
rlm@0: know how to treat a girl's heart," Fanren explained, sitting on an
rlm@0: ornamental stone as Syaoran continued practicing, his limbs moving
rlm@0: nimbly about in the different poses. "And what makes you think that?"
rlm@0: Syaoran asked dryly, switching his balance as he moved. Martial arts
rlm@0: was one thing he could count on. Overemotional girlfriends and pissed
rlm@0: off cousins were far away when he was training. Unfortunately, his
rlm@0: big sister wasn't about to let him escape completely."Because Meiling
rlm@0: hasn't been here in days." She leaned forward and spoke in a
rlm@0: conspiratorial whisper. "I heard she punched a whole in her wall."
rlm@0: Sweatdropping, Syaoran tried not to lose his balance. "That's just a
rlm@0: rumor. So what can't I figure out a girl's heart if I grew up with so
rlm@0: many girls, huh?"Fanren grinned, watching her intent little brother.
rlm@0: "Because you think like a girl, silly."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Syaoran nearly stumbled at this bit of news. Whirling about, his
rlm@0: eyes narrowed. "I what?""You think like a girl. You've grown up with
rlm@0: all your big sisters and mom. You don't think like a boy. A boy would
rlm@0: be expected to try to figure out a girl's heart so they could one day
rlm@0: marry so you'd have someone to help you with the Li Clan. But you
rlm@0: practically grew up as a girl. Boy's hearts are easier for you to
rlm@0: understand because they're simpler. Like that boy you had a crush on
rlm@0: who ate all the time."Syaoran's cheeks flushed as he went back to his
rlm@0: training. Let Fanren air her crazy theory if it would make her feel
rlm@0: better. She was his big sister, so he was obligated to at least
rlm@0: listen. "That was different. I liked him because his magic attracted
rlm@0: mine."Laughing, Fanren shook her head. "You keep telling yourself
rlm@0: that, Syaoran. Anyway, it's the same way the rest of your sisters
rlm@0: think. They don't have to deal with the subtleties of a girl's heart.
rlm@0: They can work their feminine wiles on a boy and more often than not,
rlm@0: he'll be theirs. You can't expect the same tricks to work on girls as
rlm@0: boys.""And just how did you get to be so insightful?" Syaoran asked,
rlm@0: shooting her a glance.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A smirk crossed the elder siblings lips as she shrugged. "I like
rlm@0: boys and girls, so I needed to learn the rules for both."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Syaoran didn't know how to answer, his cheeks flushing."So I think
rlm@0: I'm in a unique position to understand how difficult things must be
rlm@0: for my little brother. You're having the same problems I did when I
rlm@0: was first trying to figure out how to go about winning a girl's
rlm@0: heart. You're still too used to falling for boys, so it's confusing
rlm@0: you. Meiling doesn't work the way you're used to.""I'm dating
rlm@0: Sakura!" Syaoran finally shot back. "She's a girl, or did you just
rlm@0: forget that?" His pride was wounded and he only knew to fight back.
rlm@0: His sister thought he had grown up as a girl, that he didn't know how
rlm@0: to figure out a girl's heart. Of course he did. He was dating the
rlm@0: Cardmistress. "No offense, Syaoran, but that hardly counts. Sakura's
rlm@0: more tomboyish than you are." She saw him wince at that and quickly
rlm@0: moved to reassure him. "It's not a problem. It's not like you're any
rlm@0: less a person for it. You're my wonderful little brother. It's just
rlm@0: that you grew up more like a little sister, so these things that boys
rlm@0: have to deal with end up being confusing. But that isn't your fault.
rlm@0: Who was supposed to explain them to you? One of your sisters? Mom?
rlm@0: And Wei's too old for that sort of thing."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "So you're supposed to teach me how to be a man?" Syaoran asked
rlm@0: incredulously. What would she know about being a man? And having the
rlm@0: nerve to call him, the heir to the Li Clan, her little sister. But he
rlm@0: couldn't get himself to just leave or to quit listening to her. Maybe
rlm@0: it was that he felt so off balance with Meiling angry at him. Or
rlm@0: maybe he sensed some truth in her words. Yukito had been so much
rlm@0: easier to have a crush on. That had made sense to him. Sakura was a
rlm@0: little more confusing and it always felt like he was doing the wrong
rlm@0: things with Meiling. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Well, I can't teach you how to be a man. I think you're fine the
rlm@0: way you are. Though you could smile a bit more." The older girl
rlm@0: winked at her brother. "I can, on the other hand, help you figure out
rlm@0: how to understand a girl's heart. Which might help patch things up
rlm@0: with Meiling. And if you're going to stop her from getting
rlm@0: married...""That isn't my problem. If she's going to get married,
rlm@0: that's her business," Syaoran said frostily. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It's not her choice, Syaoran," Fanren reminded him gently."She
rlm@0: could fight it. I know Meiling. She's a fighter. So why would she
rlm@0: just give up?" Anger fueled his motions as he kicked and punched at
rlm@0: the air in front of him."Because she doesn't feel like she has
rlm@0: anything to fight for. Why keep fighting if she has no reason? What
rlm@0: good would arguing the wedding be? I think she's tired of fighting
rlm@0: it." A small smile passed across Fanren's lips. "But I'm sure we
rlm@0: could change that.Syaoran couldn't help himself. He turned quickly,
rlm@0: his eyes burning with intensity.
rlm@0: "How?"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Though Tomoyo was fairly certain her mother had ended up in bars
rlm@0: several times for various reasons, either while talking to business
rlm@0: associates or lamenting her beloved Nadeshiko, Tomoyo herself had
rlm@0: never been to one. It was a bit exciting to be in such a different
rlm@0: atmosphere. She somehow didn't think it would be nearly as exciting
rlm@0: without Sakura so near. Staying close to the other girl, Tomoyo
rlm@0: followed right behind Sakura. Touya, meanwhile, took his blace behind
rlm@0: the bar dressed in his uniform, relieving a fellow employee. He
rlm@0: wasted no time in getting to work. Sakura slid up onto a stool near
rlm@0: the bar, followed closely by Tomoyo. Emerald eyes looked all about
rlm@0: the nicely decorated yet dimly lit bar. People mingled about all
rlm@0: over. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You have to order something if you're going to sit there," Touya
rlm@0: cautioned, cleaning out some of the glasses.Nibbling on her lower
rlm@0: lips, Sakura nodded after a moment. "Okay. Get me whatever the usual
rlm@0: is.""I'll have one, too," Tomoyo followed. One certainly couldn't
rlm@0: hurt. And she could call her bodyguards to drive them home. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Are you sure?" Touya asked, raising an eyebrow. When the two girls
rlm@0: nodded, he went about getting them their drinks. Seeing his sister
rlm@0: drunk was an awkward thought, but if she did anything stupid, at
rlm@0: least he'd have stories to hold over her for the rest of her life.
rlm@0: And if she was going to try it, he felt a lot better about it being
rlm@0: when he could keep an eye on her rather than somewhere else. "Here
rlm@0: you are, ladies." He produced the two glasses, sliding them to his
rlm@0: sister and her friend. Taking her glass, Sakura examined the amber
rlm@0: liquid for a long moment. Catching sight of her brother watching her
rlm@0: even as he helped another customer, the Cardmistress decided to throw
rlm@0: caution to the wind. She wasn't going to look like a stupid little
rlm@0: kid in front of him. Raising the glass, she took a long drink. And
rlm@0: almost coughed it back up. The liquid tasted vile, almost burning her
rlm@0: throat as it went down. She swore she saw Touya smirk as he walked
rlm@0: past. Harumphing, she tried again, closing her eyes this time as the
rlm@0: liquid burned down into her belly. Having accomplished that much, she
rlm@0: made she he was watching the next time she took a drink. 'I'm not a
rlm@0: little kid anymore, Onii-chan,' she thought triumphantly.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo watched her friend take her first few drinks before trying
rlm@0: her own. Sakura was so cute even while trying to prove that she was a
rlm@0: big girl. The heiress took a sip of her own drink. So that's why
rlm@0: Sakura was having a hard time with it. She could see why businessmen
rlm@0: would talk business over such hearty drinks. It must show how intent
rlm@0: they were to drink such strong things. And if it helped them loosen
rlm@0: up while they were at it, they probably wouldn't complain. Tomoyo
rlm@0: decided on the slow and steady approach to finishing her own drink,
rlm@0: rather than the occasional gulps that Sakura seemed to favor. The two
rlm@0: stayed that way for some time. Tomoyo kept sipping at her drink while
rlm@0: Sakura would take big gulps of hers when Touya would come past. Touya
rlm@0: would occasionally refill Sakura's glass when it would near the
rlm@0: bottom. The music played around them, enveloping them in the almost
rlm@0: mysterious atmosphere around them. Tomoyo kept watching Sakura as she
rlm@0: absentmindedly nursed her drink. Watching Sakura was, after all, her
rlm@0: favorite hobby.Meanwhile, Sakura was getting a bit tipsy. She hadn't
rlm@0: quite gotten used to the taste of the stuff, but it had stopped being
rlm@0: so difficult to drink. By now Touya surely wasn't thinking of her as
rlm@0: a kid. She grinned at the thought. Good. That would show him to treat
rlm@0: her like a child. Her head moved slightly in tune to the music
rlm@0: surrounding her, letting her mind wander. She forgot all about Touya
rlm@0: and trying to prove anything to him. Stormy blue eyes caught her own
rlm@0: emerald eyes like a magnet, reeling her in. She smiled brightly at
rlm@0: Tomoyo, swiveling to look at her friend. It felt so nice to have
rlm@0: Tomoyo's eyes on her, to have all of Tomoyo's attention like that. It
rlm@0: made her feel special. And not special because of any magic or power
rlm@0: she had, but special simply for who she was in the eyes of her best
rlm@0: friend. Tomoyo was so sweet. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Her foot swept out, gently pushing against Tomoyo's sandal-clad feet
rlm@0: under the stools. The heiress looked only momentarily puzzled before
rlm@0: her foot pushed back lightly. Giggling, Sakura continued playing with
rlm@0: Tomoyo's foot. Leaning over, she had to speak in a loud whisper to be
rlm@0: heard. "Ne, Tomoyo-chan, do you want to dance?" Everyone else was
rlm@0: dancing and it seemed a shame to just sit there all night. Besides,
rlm@0: it would be so nice to feel Tomoyo so close, to move across the floor
rlm@0: holding onto her. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I'd love to, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo replied, sliding gingerly off of
rlm@0: her seat and taking Sakura's hand. Her heartbeat quickened as she
rlm@0: felt Sakura's warm hand holding onto her own, pulling her inexorably
rlm@0: towards the dance floor. She had learned to dance with her mother
rlm@0: when she was young, danding at first on the tall woman's feet to the
rlm@0: music her mother would put on. Being able to dance with Sakura had a
rlm@0: dreamlike quality to it. She almost couldn't believe it was
rlm@0: happening. Little moments like that gave her a taste of what it must
rlm@0: feel like for Syaoran to be dating the beautiful tomboy. She found
rlm@0: those little tastes delicious and treasured them deep within her
rlm@0: heart. A warm smile lit up her face even as her heart played a
rlm@0: staccato beat in her heart while Sakura's arms went around her,
rlm@0: pulling her close. Her mind whirled but she made no attempt to stop
rlm@0: it. Though she hadn't expected to be dancing so very close to Sakura,
rlm@0: she was thankful for the chance to. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The music danced around them like The Flower Card as Sakura held her
rlm@0: dark haired friend close. Their bodies moved together under the the
rlm@0: dim lights. Tomoyo's soft figure felt wonderful up close in Sakura's
rlm@0: arms. Tomoyo was just as elegant dancing as she was walking, her
rlm@0: skirt twirling about as they danced. Sakura's own athleticism helped,
rlm@0: though her state of mind made her slip up now and then. Tomoyo hardly
rlm@0: seemed to notice the few mistakes. Had dancing ever felt this good
rlm@0: with Syaoran? When they danced, Syaoran always felt so guarded, as if
rlm@0: he were simply trying to prove his capabilities in the situation. It
rlm@0: never felt like he was simply there, dancing alone with her. But the
rlm@0: people seemed to melt away as she danced with Tomoyo. The heiress's
rlm@0: hands found their way to her back, holding onto her there as they
rlm@0: danced, Tomoyo's body unabashedly hers as she led it this way and
rlm@0: that in their dance. It was a glorious feeling. Tomoyo trusted her
rlm@0: wholeheartedly, adrift in her arms. And Sakura pulled her along,
rlm@0: never letting go. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: An eternity later, the two pulled themselves away from the dance
rlm@0: floor, finding a nice spot to catch their collective breath. Tomoyo
rlm@0: leaned against the wall, her heart still pounding from the whirlwind
rlm@0: ride it had been on during their dance. Oh, to be able to dance with
rlm@0: Sakura like that whenever. Syaoran was the luckiest boy under the
rlm@0: heavens. Slumping against the wall next to Tomoyo, Sakura's green
rlm@0: eyes refused to leave the flushed heiress. "You're so beautiful,
rlm@0: Tomoyo-chan," Sakura found herself whispering, her fingers stroking
rlm@0: through Tomoyo's luxurious hair. Her worries from earlier that night
rlm@0: felt like that had melted away, evaporating into nothing. She felt
rlm@0: free in that way she'd wished to reclaim with Tomoyo up in the sky.
rlm@0: Tomoyo blushed faintly, unable to pull away from Sakura's emerald
rlm@0: orbs. "Thank you, Sakura-chan. But you're the beautiful one. Even
rlm@0: when you aren't there, your beauty is still burnt into my mind."
rlm@0: Reaching out, her lithe fingers brushed past Sakura's cheek softly.
rlm@0: "You're so gorgeous. It's no wonder everyone loves you. I can't
rlm@0: imagine anyone being able to resist your charms. I know I never
rlm@0: could."Giggling, Sakura slid closer to her friend, twirling Tomoyo's
rlm@0: hair around her fingers. "But you never tried. I'm sure you could if
rlm@0: you wanted to. You're the prettiest, smartest, most talented girl I
rlm@0: know. I'm still surprised you haven't found someone better
rlm@0: yet.""There can't be anyone better than you. You're the one I love.
rlm@0: Everything about you..." Tomoyo kicked herself after the words had
rlm@0: escaped. Yeah, good job. How was Sakura supposed to believe that
rlm@0: Tomoyo would be okay when Sakura married Syaoran if Tomoyo still
rlm@0: believed Sakura was her perfect person? Well, it was out now. Sakura
rlm@0: already knew that she loved her. But Tomoyo didn't want Sakura to
rlm@0: think she could never fall in love with someone else. She didn't want
rlm@0: to make Sakura feel guilty. "Hoe... Tomoyo-chan, you always say the
rlm@0: sweetest things," Sakura crooned, burying her nose in Tomoyo's hair.
rlm@0: Tomoyo's eyes closed while she nuzzled the wonderfully soft hair,
rlm@0: enhaling Tomoyo's wonderful scent. Tomoyo shuddered almost
rlm@0: imperceptibly against her. The Cardmistress loved hearing that, even
rlm@0: if she felt guilty about having Tomoyo's love so completely. But it
rlm@0: was such a wonderful sensation knowing that the other girl loved her
rlm@0: so much, that Tomoyo would see her as an angel. Tomoyo was the most
rlm@0: amazing girl she knew. Having Tomoyo see her like that always made
rlm@0: her feel like she could move mountains. "We should get home, Sakura-
rlm@0: chan," Tomoyo said after taking a moment to compose herself. "It's
rlm@0: getting late." Gracing Sakura with her patented smile, she dug in her
rlm@0: purse to pull out her cellphone, quickly dialing her bodyguards. Even
rlm@0: as she spoke into it, she could feel Sakura's gaze caressing her skin
rlm@0: and her hair being twirled around Sakura's nimble fingers. It took
rlm@0: some effort to keep her voice steady on the phone. "They'll be here
rlm@0: in a few moments," she said at last, turning her eyes once more to
rlm@0: the pretty brunette against her side. Her heart nearly stopped when
rlm@0: Sakura slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "We should
rlm@0: probably go wait outside for them," she suggested. 'Because if we
rlm@0: stay in here, I don't know what will happen. If I can get you home
rlm@0: and in bed, then everything will be fine. You're dating Syaoran. I
rlm@0: will not damage that. I love you too much to damage that,' Tomoyo
rlm@0: thought, even as Sakura walked her to the door. It felt so very good
rlm@0: to be in Sakura's strong arms, held against her side. Tomoyo let
rlm@0: herself give in for the time being, resting her head on Sakura's
rlm@0: shoulder. Sakura smiled happily as she felt Tomoyo's long hair spill
rlm@0: down across her back. The warm breath from the heiress felt so good
rlm@0: on her shoulder. She couldn't resist nuzzling Tomoyo's hair one more
rlm@0: time, enjoying the way it tickled her nose. Stepping out into the now
rlm@0: frigid outdoors, the Cardmistress protectively pulled Tomoyo closer.
rlm@0: Melting into her grasp, the heirss placed a hand against her heart,
rlm@0: standing neslted in Sakura's arms as the snow fell like pieces of
rlm@0: clouds from the heavens. The two stayed that way until the limo
rlm@0: finally arrived, Tomoyo enraptured by the feel of Sakura's heartbeat
rlm@0: against her palm. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Climbing in, Tomoyo leaned back against the seat, trying to will her
rlm@0: heart to regain some sense of normalcy. That night had been like a
rlm@0: surreal dream, taking her on a tour of a heaven that could not be. If
rlm@0: only she could have taped it! She sighed, slipping her sandals off
rlm@0: her aching feet. At least there would always be the memories, though
rlm@0: CDs last twice as long and are ten times clearer. She needed to hire
rlm@0: someone to follow them around constantly to get everything on tape.
rlm@0: The best things always happened when she just happened to be away
rlm@0: from her trusty camcorder. Whatever god lived in the heavens above,
rlm@0: he certainly loved irony. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Tomoyo was yanked out of her daydream as her bare foot was pulled up
rlm@0: onto Sakura's lap. Staring blankly for a moment, Tomoyo could only
rlm@0: watch as the brunette began to rub her foot and ankle. Her toes
rlm@0: wiggled absentmindedly as she watched Sakura. First priority: Hire
rlm@0: someone to bring her camcorder along at all times so when dreamy
rlm@0: things like this happened, she'd have proof they weren't just a
rlm@0: wonderful dream she was having. "Do your feet hurt?" Sakura asked.
rlm@0: Tomoyo nodded weakly. The brunette rubbed more intently, trying to
rlm@0: massage the tenseness out of them. "Mine would get like that after
rlm@0: lots and lots of track. And yours are so much more delicate. It must
rlm@0: hurt a lot more for you." "It was worth it. I got to dance with you
rlm@0: for so long. I'd do it again even if they'd fall off," Tomoyo
rlm@0: promised, watching the curious Cardmistress. Sakura made a face,
rlm@0: working on Tomoyo's delicate foot with both hands, caressing over the
rlm@0: soft skin and rubbing wherever she could get. "I hope not. You have
rlm@0: such cute feet. I'd hate to see anything happen to them." Tomoyo
rlm@0: stared at the roof of the limo for a moment, borrowing from Sakura's
rlm@0: library a word she thought expressed the situation perfectly.
rlm@0: "Hoe..." Sakura giggled and continued caressing Tomoyo's foot. Her
rlm@0: fingers slowly began making their way upward, over her ankle and up
rlm@0: the back of her leg. "Your skin's so soft, Tomoyo-chan. You feel so
rlm@0: nice. It's not like this when I'm with Syaoran." Sakura giggled,
rlm@0: shaking her head. "I mean, he feels different than you. Well, his
rlm@0: legs, anyway." Her hands continued to climb higher until they were
rlm@0: rubbing the sides of Tomoyo's thighs under the dark haired girl's
rlm@0: lavender skirt, Sakura's body pressed nicely against Tomoyo's.
rlm@0: "Everything feels different with you.""That could be because I'm a
rlm@0: girl. I hear boys and girls do feel a bit different," Tomoyo
rlm@0: reasoned, trying to look as composed as possible under the situation.
rlm@0: Sakura's hands felt deliciously good against her bare skin, warm and
rlm@0: strong against her soft thighs. Little flitters of reason struggled
rlm@0: to take hold, telling her to stop Sakura from doing anything else,
rlm@0: that Sakura was drunk and shouldn't be this close. But it felt so
rlm@0: wonderful. And she hardly had the heart to deny Sakura anything. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "You feel so much better. You make me so hanyaan, Tomoyo-chan.
rlm@0: 'Everything will always be all right.' But it only feels all right
rlm@0: when I'm with you," Sakura explained, her weight holding Tomoyo's
rlm@0: slender form underneath her. That swirl of feelings that she felt
rlm@0: when Tomoyo was close to her felt like a hurricane now, something
rlm@0: powerful and unstoppable. There was some magic about the heiress that
rlm@0: sparked something deep inside of her that no one else could touch. In
rlm@0: her current state, Sakura's thoughts were a swirl of emotions and
rlm@0: feelings, logic lost somewhere along the way. There was only the
rlm@0: fragile, pale girl undernearth her and the storm of feelings she sent
rlm@0: through her. Tomoyo looked up at her, pink lips and stormy blue eyes
rlm@0: framed by her raven hair. Sakura pressed further into the smaller
rlm@0: girl, her lips finding Tomoyo's. She kissed her friend softly, loving
rlm@0: the way Tomoyo's feathery lips felt under her own. Tomoyo was still
rlm@0: mildly out of it because of her own drink at the bar, but she knew
rlm@0: she was much more lucid than Sakura. Or, rather, she had been before
rlm@0: Sakura had kissed her. Tomoyo was rapidly becoming drunk off of
rlm@0: Sakura, off the taste of Sakura's lips against hers and the feeling
rlm@0: of Sakura's body pressing against hers through their clothes. So she
rlm@0: wasn't overly surprised to find herself kissing back shortly, her
rlm@0: hands climbling up Sakura's back even as Sakura's hands began
rlm@0: questing over her own body. Sakura was kissing her. Sakura was loving
rlm@0: her. And it felt so wonderful. Her body squirmed as the brunette's
rlm@0: hands quested over her thighs, caressing over her panty-clad lower
rlm@0: half. Her own deft fingers were busying themselves with Sakura's top,
rlm@0: sliding it down and exposing the Cardmistress's bra. Tomoyo's eyes
rlm@0: drew in the whole picture before her, her heart jumping with joy at
rlm@0: the sight. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kissing Tomoyo quickly escalated to much more, Sakura was pleased to
rlm@0: see. Though the logic that may have stopped her from all this was
rlm@0: curiously absent, the emotions and feelings that surrounded her
rlm@0: spurred her on further. She blushed slightly as she felt Tomoyo
rlm@0: unclasp her bra, letting it slide forward and out of the way. Her
rlm@0: blush grew as she watched Tomoyo's gaze move over her bare chest. Her
rlm@0: embarrassment was shortlived, however, as Tomoyo's hands swiftly made
rlm@0: their way to Sakura's chest, fingertips caressing over the soft skin.
rlm@0: Sakura purred as she pressed closer to Tomoyo, kissing her pale
rlm@0: friend deeper. She wanted to pull Tomoyo closer, to kiss her more, to
rlm@0: make love to her. She wanted to never let her go. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Owwwww..." Sakura awoke the next morning to an angry headache.
rlm@0: Moving made her feel even worse. Her feet ached and the sheets felt
rlm@0: odd against her. Blinking groggily, the Cardmistress forced herself
rlm@0: to sit up. She immediately wished she hadn't. Her head swam and for a
rlm@0: moment she thought she would pass out. It slowly passed, but her
rlm@0: headache returned with a vengence. The sheets rustled against her
rlm@0: bare skin, a strange feeling for her. The only time she'd been in bed
rlm@0: naked, she'd been sleeping with Syaoran. Her eyes slowly widened, the
rlm@0: headache that had been impeding her thinking now being pushed
rlm@0: forcefully to the side. The night before... Tomoyo... in the car... 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Kero didn't bat an eyebrow as he floated in, carrying a mug of
rlm@0: steaming tea. He'd seen Sakura get dressed enough growing up that
rlm@0: seeing her in just a sheet wasn't particularly bothersome. "Tomoyo-
rlm@0: chan says to drink this. She says it'll make ya feel better." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Taking the cup, Sakura held it close in her hands. Did she...? Had
rlm@0: she...? With Tomoyo? The sheets slipped down as she took her first
rlm@0: sip. "Hoe..."