rlm@2: Author’s notes: Hello, minna-san! ^-^ This is a short story that I
rlm@2: wrote in one night, so I apologize if it jumps around too much. ^^;;;
rlm@2: I wrote this after someone mentioned that I should write another
rlm@2: fairy tale based CCS story. I thought that Cinderella would fit
rlm@2: perfectly. ^-^ As always, the story didn’t always go where I intended
rlm@2: it to. ^^;; But I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out. ^-^ I
rlm@2: don’t own these characters, but if I did, I certainly wouldn’t have
rlm@2: left poor Tomoyo without her Sakura, so that’s why I’m writing these.
rlm@2: ^-^ If you have any comments, please e-mail me. ^-^ I hope you like
rlm@2: it! 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: If the Shoe Fits
rlm@2: by Amazoness Duo
rlm@2: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	“Hurray! Hurray! Tomoeda!” schoolgirls chorused together, batons
rlm@2: whirling in the air above before landing in deft hands. The sun beat
rlm@2: down on the group of cheerleaders, the heat of the warm spring day
rlm@2: taking away most of the cheer and exuberance of the girls, leaving
rlm@2: their chants somewhat lifeless. But still the pressed on, the
rlm@2: oppressive heat taking its toll on the weary students. They had a lot
rlm@2: of practice left to do in order to have some of their routines ready
rlm@2: for the next school game. Their timing would have to be perfect in
rlm@2: order to captivate their audience. But for the time being, they
rlm@2: needed only a single cheerleader to delight their audience of one. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo watched the cheerleading practice from the grass a short
rlm@2: distance away. Her dark skirt fluttered lazily in the meandering
rlm@2: breeze that brought the only relief to the afternoon sun. Her
rlm@2: attention rested solely on a cute brunette who was still struggling
rlm@2: with the last bit of the routine. Camcorder in hand, the pale heiress
rlm@2: dedicatedly recorded her best friend’s every move on videotape. The
rlm@2: better to watch and rewatch it all later, of course! She didn’t often
rlm@2: get a chance to watch Sakura’s cheerleading practice what with her
rlm@2: own choir practice at the same time. But her choir teacher was sick
rlm@2: for the day. Rather than going home early, Tomoyo was happy to stay
rlm@2: and watch Sakura’s practice. The way Sakura moved was simply
rlm@2: breathtaking. Every twirl of the baton, every cartwheel, every swish
rlm@2: of pompoms fascinated the dark haired girl. Sakura moved so lithely,
rlm@2: so gracefully. And more than that, Sakura genuinely enjoyed such
rlm@2: things. Tomoyo had decided that it must give all of Sakura’s energy
rlm@2: someplace to go, which was why Sakura always seemed happy while she
rlm@2: was being athletic. The auburn haired girl was a sight to behold at
rlm@2: whatever she was applying herself to, whether it be track or
rlm@2: cheerleading or soccer. Well, except when she got distracted. Which
rlm@2: Sakura was prone to doing. Then she’d often lost track of what she
rlm@2: was doing. But even that was incredibly cute in Tomoyo’s eyes. 
rlm@2: 	Shifting on the dry grass, Tomoyo felt the hot sun against her pale
rlm@2: skin. She was vaguely concerned about getting sunburned, not because
rlm@2: it would be painful but mostly because she knew it would concern her
rlm@2: lovingly overprotective mother if she found out. She knew she should
rlm@2: probably move, but she was reluctant to give up such a perfect spot
rlm@2: to videotape her beloved Sakura. Setting her school hat on her pale
rlm@2: thighs, the dark haired heiress continued capturing her friend on
rlm@2: film. Zooming in on Sakura’s content face, Tomoyo let out a blissful
rlm@2: sigh. While most of the other girls were ready to quit, Sakura was
rlm@2: enjoying the chance to move her body, even under the merciless sun.
rlm@2: It was just one of many things Tomoyo loved about her best friend.
rlm@2: And besides, Sakura made such a cute cheerleader. Every little
rlm@2: beautiful movement by the Cardmistress made Tomoyo’s heart dance.
rlm@2: Resting a hand on her cheek, she followed Sakura as the other girl
rlm@2: went into a cartwheel. From the rustle of skirt to Sakura’s legs in
rlm@2: the air to her tousled hair as she returned to her feet, Tomoyo
rlm@2: captured it all. Her favorite part of all was the small, sweet smile
rlm@2: of success on Sakura’s lips as she finished. Sakura wasn’t out here
rlm@2: to compete or to show off. She was out here to have fun. She liked
rlm@2: being able to see what she could do. And Tomoyo loved being able to
rlm@2: watch. 
rlm@2: 	‘If only I could videotape Sakura-chan all the time. If I could
rlm@2: catch every precious second of her life on videotape, then I could
rlm@2: treasure every shining moment forever,’ the dark haired girl thought
rlm@2: with a sigh. ‘But then if I was videotaping every second of her life,
rlm@2: I would never have time to watch it all. Hmmm... I’d have to watch it
rlm@2: while she slept,’ Tomoyo decided at last. She continued to follow
rlm@2: Sakura as the brunette got into formation with Rika and Naoko. Taking
rlm@2: a moment away from her assigned task, Sakura waved her fingers at
rlm@2: Tomoyo, a cute smile on her lips. Tomoyo returned the smile warmly,
rlm@2: her heart lighting up at the small gesture. She waved back, panning
rlm@2: out to get a better view of Sakura. Though she did love choir, Tomoyo
rlm@2: was grateful to have the day off to record Sakura’s practice. No
rlm@2: matter how much she loved singing, it couldn’t begin to compare to
rlm@2: her love for the auburn haired girl. “You can do it, Sakura-chan!”
rlm@2: Tomoyo called to her friend as Sakura prepared herself. Sakura may be
rlm@2: the one cheerleading, but Tomoyo was Sakura’s personal cheerleader.
rlm@2: She was there to support the auburn haired girl through everything,
rlm@2: to give her the confidence she needed to overcome anything. She was
rlm@2: always there to help her beloved Sakura. 
rlm@2: 	Looking more sure of herself, Sakura took a few steps back to get
rlm@2: ready for her running start. Tomoyo watched quietly, eager to see
rlm@2: Sakura succeed. Even if she failed, Tomoyo knew that Sakura wouldn’t
rlm@2: give up on it. It just wasn’t the brunette’s style. Sakura had a
rlm@2: burning determination within her that just waited for the right times
rlm@2: to come out. And it always thrilled Tomoyo when she could see it make
rlm@2: its way to the surface. It burned with an emerald fire in Sakura’s
rlm@2: eyes. Sighing again, Tomoyo raised the camcorder to get a good
rlm@2: glimpse of Sakura’s face. ‘Sakura-chan is so beautiful,’ she thought
rlm@2: dreamily, tracing the athletic girl’s face in her memory as she
rlm@2: lowered it back to prepare for Sakura’s movement. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura was everything to Tomoyo. She was a beautiful, gentle
rlm@2: princess. She was a brave and courageous prince. She was a fun and
rlm@2: energetic best friend. She was Tomoyo’s one and only true love. The
rlm@2: dark haired girl had fallen in love with Sakura shortly after first
rlm@2: meeting her. It was almost a love at first sight. And what had
rlm@2: started out as tentative feelings for this genki girl who had
rlm@2: befriended her grew stronger and deeper with each passing day.
rlm@2: Everything they had been through had made the heiress love her friend
rlm@2: ever more and more. Sakura was Tomoyo’s most cherished treasure, her
rlm@2: heart’s single desire. Whether it was fate that she fall for the
rlm@2: daughter of her own mother’s lost love or if it was simply an amazing
rlm@2: coincidence, Tomoyo knew that she had fallen deeply in love with her
rlm@2: energetic best friend. And it was something that held Tomoyo
rlm@2: helplessly caught in its strength. But even with her whole heart
rlm@2: singing to her beautiful best friend, she could not yet speak it to
rlm@2: the brunette. Sakura wouldn’t yet understand her feelings, wouldn’t
rlm@2: begin to comprehend how she felt. So she would wait for now. Someday,
rlm@2: somewhere, she would explain her heart to the Cardmistress. Maybe
rlm@2: after Sakura was happily married or maybe when she would ask Sakura
rlm@2: out herself if things didn’t pan out with Syaoran. But for the time
rlm@2: being, she would live her life as one huge ‘I love you’ to Sakura.
rlm@2: The brunette might not hear the words, but Tomoyo put her love into
rlm@2: everything she did. And someday, maybe Sakura would hear the song
rlm@2: from her heart. 
rlm@2: 	Girls clapped cheerfully as Sakura landed lithely on her feet.
rlm@2: Smiling, the brunette put a hand behind her head. She smiled over at
rlm@2: the girl who was videotaping her. She always felt like she could
rlm@2: accomplish anything when Tomoyo was around. Tomoyo always gave her
rlm@2: that extra little bit of encouragement she needed. Just knowing that
rlm@2: the dark haired girl was around made her feel like she could do more
rlm@2: than she could on her own. Maybe it was because Tomoyo had so much
rlm@2: confidence in her. Or maybe it was because she knew that she had all
rlm@2: of Tomoyo’s support behind her, no matter what she did. Whatever the
rlm@2: case, Sakura was grateful for it all the same. 
rlm@2: 	The coach finally called an end to the days practices, sending the
rlm@2: gathered girls holding pompoms and batons on their way. Sakura
rlm@2: hurried over to her pale friend, still smiling happily. She had been
rlm@2: trying to get that last jump right for the past week. “Arigato,
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan! Thanks for staying to watch!”
rlm@2: 	“You were amazing, Sakura-chan! You moved like a beautiful jungle
rlm@2: cat, so graceful on your feet,” Tomoyo replied, slowly getting up and
rlm@2: smoothing out her skirt. “I was happy to watch you, Sakura-chan. I
rlm@2: wish I had the chance to more often.”
rlm@2: 	“You already watch Sakura-chan almost all the time, Tomoyo-chan,”
rlm@2: Chiharu added, followed by Rika and Naoko.
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo sighed, a hand resting on her cheek as she gazed longingly
rlm@2: at Sakura. “Almost all the time isn’t enough. I want to watch Sakura-
rlm@2: chan all the time.” The gathered girls laughed while Sakura blushed a
rlm@2: dark red, sweatdropping. Tomoyo merely smiled sweetly, Her stormy
rlm@2: blue eyes never leaving her cutely blushing beloved. 
rlm@2: 	“Tomoyo-chan... Why do you want to watch me all the time, anyway?
rlm@2: There are lots of more interesting things out there,” Sakura
rlm@2: ventured, holding her pompoms behind her head. It always embarrassed
rlm@2: her to hear Tomoyo say such things. She always thought it was sweet
rlm@2: of the dark haired girl, even if it was strange. But she’d known
rlm@2: Tomoyo was a little strange for nearly as long as she had known her.
rlm@2: What she didn’t know what why Tomoyo thought so highly of her. She
rlm@2: couldn’t quite understand it. 
rlm@2: 	“Some people go to movies, some people read books, other people
rlm@2: watch sports. They do these things because it makes them happy. I
rlm@2: watch Sakura-chan. That makes me happy.” Tomoyo placed her camcorder
rlm@2: in it’s carrying case and smiled as she turned back to Sakura. “And
rlm@2: there isn’t anything more interesting to me than Sakura-chan.”
rlm@2: 	“I wish Yamazaki-kun was that loyal. I don’t even know how he feels
rlm@2: half the time because he’s always making up stories.” Chiharu
rlm@2: frowned, her hands on her hips.
rlm@2: 	“So you’d rather Yamazaki-kun talk about you all the time like
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan instead of telling tall tales?” Rika teased.
rlm@2: 	“That would be much better than him spending all his time lying
rlm@2: about everything. Then I’d at least know he liked me. I’m tired of
rlm@2: having to guess all the time.” Sighing, Chiharu scratched the back of
rlm@2: her leg with her shoe. “So who are you going with to the masquerade?”
rlm@2: she asked curiously.
rlm@2: 	Rika blushed faintly, smiling nonetheless. “Oh, I’m not going with
rlm@2: anyone. I think I’m just going to help Terrada-sensei with the food
rlm@2: and drinks and all.”
rlm@2: 	“I’m not going with anyone either. I’ll just go by myself. Maybe
rlm@2: I’ll meet my prince charming there,” Naoko answered. “You never know.”
rlm@2: 	“What about you, Sakura-chan?” Chiharu asked, turning to the
rlm@2: puzzled brunette.
rlm@2: 	“Hoe... Masquerade? When is that?” Sakura asked in confusion. She
rlm@2: couldn’t remember anything about that. When had all this happened?
rlm@2: 	“You didn’t know? Terrada-sensei mentioned it this morning,” Rika
rlm@2: supplied, pushing back some hair from her eyes. 
rlm@2: 	“Sakura-chan was catching a quick nap. She was up late last night
rlm@2: so I didn’t want to wake her,” Tomoyo answered, smiling softly. 
rlm@2: 	“Oh. Well, it’s this Sunday at the school. I heard it’s going to be
rlm@2: romantic. It’s supposed to be for couples, so there’s going to be
rlm@2: dances and games and things. I’m going with Yamazaki-kun.” Chiharu
rlm@2: glanced around for the boy in question, but her boyfriend didn’t seem
rlm@2: to be anywhere in sight. She sighed, frustrated. She would just have
rlm@2: to call him that night. Ignoring her frustration, she turned her
rlm@2: attention back to Sakura. “So who are you going with?”
rlm@2: 	“I don’t know,” Sakura answered, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by
rlm@2: the whole situation. It wasn’t fair that they spring something like
rlm@2: this on her at the last moment. And even worse, she didn’t have
rlm@2: anyone to go with. What was the good of having a nice romantic
rlm@2: masquerade ball when she had no one to go with? 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo watched Sakura thoughtfully, a hand on her chin. Sakura
rlm@2: didn’t look too happy about this turn of events. And she certainly
rlm@2: couldn’t blame her. It would be too sad for Sakura not to be able to
rlm@2: go to the ball. Her mind worked quickly. There had to be something
rlm@2: she could do for Sakura.
rlm@2: 	“What about Li-kun, Sakura-chan? You could always ask him,” Rika
rlm@2: suggested hopefully. 
rlm@2: 	“He’s already going with Meiling-chan,” Tomoyo said absentmindedly,
rlm@2: her mind still puzzling over the matter. “She got him to promise just
rlm@2: after the announcement.”
rlm@2: 	Chiharu giggled, grinning. “She probably threatened to hurt him if
rlm@2: he didn’t take her.”
rlm@2: 	“That’s probably what you’ll do to poor Yamazaki-kun if he doesn’t
rlm@2: go with you, too,” Rika added, giggling herself.
rlm@2: 	Chiharu ‘harumphed’, crossing her arms. 
rlm@2: 	“I have to get home. It’s my night to make dinner,” Sakura said,
rlm@2: feeling a little dazed. The other girls waved to her as she got her
rlm@2: bag, heading out past the front gate. A nice romantic ball. And she
rlm@2: had no one to go with. Her shoulders slumped at the thought. There
rlm@2: was always the hope that someone might ask her, but who would? It
rlm@2: wasn’t like Yukito would ask her to a dance at her school. 
rlm@2: 	“Sakura-chan, are you all right?” Tomoyo asked concernedly,
rlm@2: startling her auburn haired friend. 
rlm@2: 	“Tomoyo-chan... I didn’t see you there. Gomen nasai.” Sakura smiled
rlm@2: weakly, the smile fading quickly. “I don’t think I’m going to the
rlm@2: masquerade. It sounds like fun, but I don’t have anyone to go with.”
rlm@2: Sighing, the brunette, blinked back the wet sting of tears. She felt
rlm@2: Tomoyo take her hand, the dark haired girl’s gentle fingers entwining
rlm@2: with her own. She wasn’t feeling well at all. Her heart had dropped
rlm@2: after finding out about the ball. It reminded her too much of how she
rlm@2: didn’t have anyone to be with. Everyone else was falling in love, but
rlm@2: she was all alone. Where was her prince? 
rlm@2: 	“I’m sorry, Sakura-chan. I really think you should go. I think
rlm@2: you’ll have fun. You may not have anyone to go with, but I know
rlm@2: you’ll meet someone there who would be more than happy to spend some
rlm@2: time with you,” Tomoyo offered, squeezing Sakura’s hand softly. It
rlm@2: was horrible to see Sakura like this, to see her genki spirit so sad.
rlm@2: Sakura was very emotional, so everything affected her greatly. And
rlm@2: Tomoyo always watched the rise and fall of Sakura’s heart. It hurt
rlm@2: her to think of Sakura being sad for long. Even seeing Sakura near
rlm@2: tears now was like a painful stab to her heart. She stopped where she
rlm@2: was, still holding Sakura’s hand. “I know you will. So please don’t
rlm@2: be sad. It makes me sad to see you like this, Sakura-chan. I want to
rlm@2: see you smile. I want to see your eyes sparkle.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura looked down for a long moment. She wiped at her eyes with
rlm@2: the back of her hand. Smiling slowly, she looked up to meet Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: pretty indigo eyes. Yes, Tomoyo was right. This wasn’t anything to be
rlm@2: sad about. And maybe she would meet someone while she was there. Like
rlm@2: Naoko had said, you never know. “Un. You’re right, Tomoyo-chan. And
rlm@2: you’ll be there with me, so even if I can’t go with the one I love,
rlm@2: we can at least have fun.”
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo shook her head, her long, dark hair swishing from side to
rlm@2: side. “Gomen, Sakura-chan. I won’t be able to go that day. I need to
rlm@2: help mother with something.” She caught Sakura’s eye before Sakura
rlm@2: could look down again. “But please go, Sakura-chan. I know you’ll
rlm@2: have fun. I promise. I’d love to go with you more than anything, but
rlm@2: I can’t this time.”
rlm@2: 	Sighing, Sakura nodded. “If you say so, Tomoyo-chan. But I still
rlm@2: don’t think it’ll be any fun without you there.” She squeezed
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s soft hand back. If Tomoyo thought so, then she would go,
rlm@2: even if she was doubtful. She sighed again, brushing back her hair.
rlm@2: “Tomoyo-chan, you’re so lucky that you haven’t fallen in love with
rlm@2: someone who didn’t love you back. I still feel bad about Yukito-san.” 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo hugged Sakura warmly. “I know exactly how you feel, Sakura-
rlm@2: chan. It’s a lonely feeling, isn’t it? You want to be with them with
rlm@2: all your heart, but you know you can’t. All you can do is pray for
rlm@2: the best for them. And love them with all your heart.” The young
rlm@2: heiress slowly pulled away. “Arigato, Sakura-chan. Please enjoy
rlm@2: yourself. And if someone asks you to dance, please do.” Tomoyo smiled
rlm@2: brightly before letting go of Sakura’s hand. Her limousine was
rlm@2: waiting back near the school. “Bye, Sakura-chan!”
rlm@2: 	Sakura blinked in confusion, waving to her eccentric friend. “Bye,
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan!” She didn’t know what Tomoyo was suddenly so
rlm@2: enthusiastic about. Well, she better hurry home to finish dinner.
rlm@2: Shaking her head, she went about deciding what to make for dinner. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	“Hmmm...” Sonomi took a step back from her daughter, looking at the
rlm@2: younger girl thoughtfully. With a sigh, she set the needle she was
rlm@2: holding down. “Tomoyo-chan, you do not make a very good boy. You’re
rlm@2: just too feminine to make a decent boy.”
rlm@2: 	Looking down at her mother’s handiwork, Tomoyo shifted a bit. “I
rlm@2: think you’ve done a wonderful job, okaa-sama. I don’t think Sakura-
rlm@2: chan will notice.” She smiled appreciatively, looking back up at her
rlm@2: mother.
rlm@2: 	“If she needs a date for the dance, I don’t see why you can’t take
rlm@2: her as a girl. You would look so much prettier in a nice dress
rlm@2: instead of a tuxedo.” Picking up the needle again, Sonomi knelt in
rlm@2: front of her daughter, going back to her sewing. It was difficult for
rlm@2: her to see Tomoyo as a boy even in the outfit. She tried to tell
rlm@2: herself that it was simply because she had known Tomoyo for the
rlm@2: younger girl’s entire life, but she doubted it. 
rlm@2: 	“I’d rather go in a dress, too. But then Sakura-chan would just
rlm@2: think it was us going as friends. I want her to have a nice, romantic
rlm@2: ball that she’ll remember forever.” Tomoyo clasped her hands
rlm@2: together, looking off into the distance. A soft sigh escaped her as
rlm@2: she came back to the present. “Sakura-chan’s lonely now. She needs a
rlm@2: nice romantic moment to spark the love that’s held deep in her heart.
rlm@2: And I can’t do that if I go as myself. Sakura-chan doesn’t understand
rlm@2: about girls liking girls yet.”
rlm@2: 	Sonomi chuckled softly, pulling the thread through again. “I didn’t
rlm@2: understand it myself back when I was her age. All I knew was that
rlm@2: Nadeshiko-chan was the most wonderful person I could think of. I knew
rlm@2: I felt very strongly about her, but I didn’t know that I was in love
rlm@2: with her back then.” Sonomi sighed, her eyes closing as she brought
rlm@2: up an image of her beautiful cousin, a perpetual smile on her
rlm@2: eternally young face, as if she had been frozen in amber. 
rlm@2: 	“You didn’t understand back when you were our age?” Tomoyo asked
rlm@2: curiously. She had heard stories of her aunt, her mother’s only love,
rlm@2: for her entire life. But she had always assumed that her mother had
rlm@2: always known of her love for the other woman. Tomoyo herself had
rlm@2: known rather early on that she was in love with Sakura. It was a
rlm@2: surprise to hear that it had taken her mother a while to understand
rlm@2: what these feelings were. Those beautiful feelings of love. The most
rlm@2: lovely torture imaginable. Tomoyo had always held them close to her
rlm@2: heart, cherishing the love she had for Sakura.
rlm@2: 	“We’re not all as perceptive as you, Tomoyo-chan. It took me a
rlm@2: while to find out what those feelings were. So I wouldn’t be
rlm@2: surprised if it takes Sakura-chan a little while to figure it out
rlm@2: herself. She reminds me a lot more of myself than of Nadeshiko-chan,
rlm@2: even if she is Nadeshiko-chan’s daughter.” Sonomi finished her
rlm@2: sewing, stretching as she stood up. ‘Hopefully Sakura-chan will
rlm@2: figure it out before it’s too late. I know that I didn’t. Maybe if I
rlm@2: had...’ Ending that thought, the businesswoman smiled at her
rlm@2: daughter. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. It had taken her
rlm@2: mother some time before she had understood her feelings for her
rlm@2: cousin. Could the same be true of Sakura? She knew that Sakura was
rlm@2: too young to understand her feelings for her, but did this mean
rlm@2: Sakura may not understand her own feelings as well? Sakura did often
rlm@2: get confused about such things. She was very emotional, but the poor
rlm@2: brunette often had a difficult time understanding her own heart. The
rlm@2: possibility left Tomoyo’s heart weak at the prospect of being the one
rlm@2: to make Sakura happy. If only...
rlm@2: 	“It’s so cute. Most girls fall for people like their father. Now my
rlm@2: little girl’s falling in love with someone like her mother. How
rlm@2: sweet.” Sonomi grinned, brushing back some of her daughter’s hair.
rlm@2: She didn’t get to spend much time with her darling daughter because
rlm@2: of her job, but she was always happy when she got the chance to be
rlm@2: with her. She didn’t get nearly enough time to tease the younger girl
rlm@2: about Sakura. Of course, she understood exactly how Tomoyo felt about
rlm@2: the brunette. It reminded her so much of herself and Nadeshiko when
rlm@2: they had been younger. Which is why it always pained her to see
rlm@2: Tomoyo ready to let someone else be with Sakura. Her daughter had
rlm@2: told her that it was so Sakura would be happy, but Sonomi could think
rlm@2: of no one better suited to that job than Tomoyo. No one knew Sakura
rlm@2: better than Tomoyo. None of them had a better understanding of
rlm@2: Sakura’s heart, not even Sakura herself. If anyone could make Sakura
rlm@2: happy, Sonomi was sure it was her daughter. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo giggled in response. “She even runs like you. And she’s so
rlm@2: cute when she does. She has this beautiful determined look in her
rlm@2: eyes.” Sighing deliciously, Tomoyo stepped down from the pedestal she
rlm@2: was standing on while her mother had fixed her outfit. “How is it?”
rlm@2: she asked, turning around. 
rlm@2: 	“You look like my precious Tomoyo-chan in a tuxedo,” Sonomi
rlm@2: answered truthfully, raising an eyebrow. “But I guess that can’t be
rlm@2: helped. I wouldn’t want you to look like anyone else anyway. If you
rlm@2: keep your hat on, then you should be able to pass for a boy at least.
rlm@2: Hopefully Sakura-chan won’t notice that it’s you. Or maybe she will
rlm@2: and she’ll still spend the night dancing with you.”
rlm@2: 	“Arigato, okaa-sama,” Tomoyo said at last, taking a look in the
rlm@2: mirror. Closing her stormy blue eyes, the young heiress clasped her
rlm@2: hands together. “This is perfect. Even if it’s for only one night, I
rlm@2: can try to make Sakura-chan happy.” 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	Sakura sighed inwardly, leaning against the wall. She wanted to
rlm@2: apologize to Tomoyo. Here she was in a gorgeous ball gown Tomoyo had
rlm@2: made for her, and she was spending the whole time just watching the
rlm@2: other couples enjoy themselves. It felt like such a waste of Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: beautiful gown. She really hadn’t wanted to go at all, but she had
rlm@2: promised her best friend that she would. And seeing the gown that
rlm@2: Tomoyo had spent so much time working on made sure she couldn’t back
rlm@2: out of it. But now that she was at the ball, she just wanted to go
rlm@2: home. She didn’t even have Tomoyo to talk to. It just made the whole
rlm@2: thing feel pointless. She didn’t know if she could take another
rlm@2: friend walking by and asking if she was having fun. Rika was dancing
rlm@2: with Terrada-sensei at the moment and even Naoko was dancing with
rlm@2: someone. She tried not to watch as Meiling and Syaoran danced by.
rlm@2: Oddly enough, she didn’t really mind that Syaoran was there with
rlm@2: Meiling. She seemed much happier to have him, really. But it was
rlm@2: exactly that type of love that left Sakura feeling so desolate. She
rlm@2: didn’t have that, not even with Yukito anymore. She didn’t like not
rlm@2: being in love. It was too lonely. It was like living life without a
rlm@2: dream in one’s heart, no light at the end of the tunnel. 
rlm@2: 	The doors to the gym slowly opened, a boy Sakura didn’t recognize
rlm@2: entering the room. She couldn’t say what caught her attention, but
rlm@2: only that there was something different about him. Pushing up the
rlm@2: small mask around her eyes, she took a closer look. He was very pale,
rlm@2: with some dark hair showing from underneath his hat. He worse a mask
rlm@2: like everyone else at the ball, so it was difficult to tell if she
rlm@2: knew him or not. He did look familiar, though she couldn’t place him
rlm@2: exactly. She looked away when she saw his eyes meet her own, a faint
rlm@2: blush on her cheeks. She felt embarrassed to have been caught
rlm@2: staring. 
rlm@2: 	“Hello,” a soft voice said, catching Sakura’s attention.
rlm@2: 	Looking up, Sakura saw the pale boy in front of her. He smiled a
rlm@2: warm, soft smile, his eyes closed as he did. Sakura felt herself
rlm@2: relax in his presence, not feeling as embarrassed anymore. “Hi,” she
rlm@2: replied, pushing her mask back up. She still didn’t know who he was.
rlm@2: Her mind hurried to figure it out. He was pale and had dark hair. Was
rlm@2: it Eriol? But didn’t he need glasses? Maybe he was wearing contacts
rlm@2: or something. But it didn’t feel like Eriol.
rlm@2: 	“Would you like to dance?” the mysterious boy asked, holding out an
rlm@2: ivory hand to the Cardmistress. He blinked his stormy blue eyes open,
rlm@2: watching Sakura’s hopefully. 
rlm@2: 	It took Sakura a moment to realize she had accepted. By the time
rlm@2: she did, they were already hand in hand, headed for the dance floor
rlm@2: with the other students. She forced away a faint blush that darkened
rlm@2: her cheeks. This was just one dance. She didn’t have to feel
rlm@2: embarrassed about it. But she couldn’t help but be a little nervous
rlm@2: as they passed the other dancing, costumed students. Why wouldn’t she
rlm@2: be? Some mysterious boy had just asked her to dance. As if it wasn’t
rlm@2: bad enough just to be asked to go dancing in the first place.
rlm@2: Glancing over at him again, he smiled softly, taking away Sakura’s
rlm@2: worry. She returned the smile as they reached the dance floor. 
rlm@2: 	Slowly, the two began to dance, moving about the dance floor in
rlm@2: tandem. Sakura was amazed by the boy’s grace, his movements drawing
rlm@2: her along fluidly. She quickly lost herself to their dance, a
rlm@2: beautiful dream of swirling and movement that captured her soul. All
rlm@2: nervousness she had had earlier fled as they moved about together.
rlm@2: She didn’t know what it was about him that put her at ease, but it
rlm@2: certainly did its job. She found herself enjoying the dance
rlm@2: immensely, fluttering about in the beautiful gown Tomoyo had made for
rlm@2: her. They moved fluidly together, as if their thoughts were one.
rlm@2: Sometimes he would lead and sometimes Sakura would lead, switching
rlm@2: every so often as they did. 
rlm@2: 	The other students faded away as they danced, becoming nothing more
rlm@2: than part of the backdrop of the dance. The lights receded into the
rlm@2: barest hints of stardust, swirling around them as they continued to
rlm@2: dance. Sakura watched him as they swayed about, finding herself at
rlm@2: ease even so near to him. His eyes were warm, his smile so charming.
rlm@2: It wasn’t like Syaoran’s scowl at all. In fact, it was almost like
rlm@2: Yukito’s smile, soft and caring. But there was something else in it,
rlm@2: too, something that Sakura couldn’t quite put her finger on. It made
rlm@2: her feel happy and content. As if it filled her up with some unknown
rlm@2: energy. She couldn’t quite understand what it was, but she liked it.
rlm@2: She sighed happily to herself. 
rlm@2: 	When the next song finally ended, Sakura got ready to take the lead
rlm@2: again. She was a little disappointed when he smiled apologetically at
rlm@2: her. She felt ready to dance the night away. It was so much fun,
rlm@2: letting her body move about in time with the music, following and
rlm@2: leading this mysterious boy. “Gomen nasai,” he said in his soft,
rlm@2: musical voice. “I would love to dance with you forever. You’re so
rlm@2: cute when you’re dancing. But I think I need to take a break for just
rlm@2: a bit. My feet need a short rest.” 
rlm@2: 	Sakura blinked herself out of the dreamy haze she had been lost in,
rlm@2: focussing on the pale boy in front of her. A slow ache worked its way
rlm@2: from her own abused feet and sore legs. Just how long had they been
rlm@2: dancing? She smiled in response and nodded. “That’s a good idea. I
rlm@2: could probably use a break, too.” She felt silly for having been so
rlm@2: lost in their dance. How could she have lost track of everything like
rlm@2: that? But somehow it didn’t really seem to matter with him. She
rlm@2: followed the dark haired boy outside, the realization of the pain in
rlm@2: her feet suddenly making it much more acute. Stepping outside, she
rlm@2: took a seat next to him. To her surprise, the moon was out, the stars
rlm@2: shining brightly. They had been dancing for hours. No wonder she was
rlm@2: so sore. Slipping her shoes off with her feet, she rubbed them
rlm@2: together through the stockings she was wearing. 
rlm@2: 	“You’re so pretty in the moonlight,” The boy said happily, his
rlm@2: stormy blue eyes watching Sakura intently. “Especially when you
rlm@2: smile. You don’t know how glad I am to have seen you smiling
rlm@2: tonight.” His stormy blue eyes sparkled in the dim light, his hand
rlm@2: lying on top of Sakura’s. 
rlm@2: 	Blushing faintly, Sakura looked down at her feet. It was
rlm@2: embarrassing, but she liked hearing him say that. It made her feel
rlm@2: good inside. Somehow, she knew that he meant every word of it. She
rlm@2: graced him with another smile, looking back up at him. “Thank you,”
rlm@2: she replied. She wasn’t concerned with who he was anymore. That was
rlm@2: in the back of her mind by now. She was just happy to be spending the
rlm@2: dance with him. She had to remember to thank Tomoyo when she saw her
rlm@2: later. She had been right, as always. “I had a lot of fun tonight.
rlm@2: You’re a really good dancer. I didn’t know dancing could be so much
rlm@2: fun.”
rlm@2: 	He paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. “Dancing is a wonderful
rlm@2: thing. It lets you lose yourself in the music, to move along with it.
rlm@2: It really helps the music to touch your soul. It’s a lot more fun
rlm@2: when you can dance with someone you like.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura blushed brighter at his words. Looking down at their hands,
rlm@2: she took a deep breath. She felt so nice with him. It made her feel
rlm@2: special, magical in a way that the Cards couldn’t make her feel. This
rlm@2: boy made her feel like she was a treasure to be cherished. She loved
rlm@2: that feeling. It made her feel dizzy and ecstatic. She didn’t feel
rlm@2: awkward with him. She liked talking to him, liked seeing him smile at
rlm@2: her. “Do you like me?” she asked, looking down immediately, her
rlm@2: cheeks burning. That was what he had implied, right? But maybe she
rlm@2: shouldn’t have said anything. She didn’t even know who the mystery
rlm@2: boy was. But that didn’t seem to matter. There was just something
rlm@2: about him. It felt so familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger
rlm@2: on it. 
rlm@2: 	The boy blinked for a moment as if taken by surprise. The surprise
rlm@2: quickly went away though, and he smiled. “Yes. I like Sakura-chan
rlm@2: very much. I don’t see how anyone couldn’t.” 
rlm@2: 	Looking up quickly, Sakura’s emerald eyes caught with his own
rlm@2: indigo ones. She found herself captured by them, frozen in their
rlm@2: gaze. She hadn’t known what to expect as his answer, but it shook her
rlm@2: nonetheless. At the same time, she couldn’t really imagine him saying
rlm@2: anything else. It just felt right. She felt like she had known him
rlm@2: for years. Which she may well have. Whoever he was, he made her feel
rlm@2: so special, like a real live princess. She smiled happily, but she
rlm@2: felt another wave of embarrassment hit as she ventured forward. “I..
rlm@2: I like you, too,” she replied, surprised to find that no blush came
rlm@2: to her cheeks this time. Perhaps it was because she knew she had no
rlm@2: reason to worry. His eyes held onto hers with a loving care. He would
rlm@2: hold her heart preciously. There was no fear of offering it to him,
rlm@2: of him rejecting it. It was surprising. She finally met the boy she
rlm@2: liked and she didn’t even know who he was. She had to have met him
rlm@2: before, but which boy in her class he was, she wasn’t certain. But
rlm@2: she couldn’t help how she felt. Sometimes one’s heart and mind
rlm@2: weren’t always in the same place. For Sakura, her heart was much more
rlm@2: important than her mind.
rlm@2: 	This seemed to stun the boy much more than Sakura’s previous
rlm@2: question. He watched her for a long moment, his stormy blue eyes
rlm@2: almost afraid. He stood up quickly, bringing up Sakura’s hand with
rlm@2: both of his own. “Thank you very much, Sakura-chan. I’m so glad you
rlm@2: had fun at the dance. But you don’t even know who I am. You really
rlm@2: shouldn’t say that,” he explained, looking down into her emerald eyes
rlm@2: worriedly. The worry faded away behind a soft smile, as if it hadn’t
rlm@2: been there at all. So familiar. Just like... Sakura still couldn’t
rlm@2: place him.
rlm@2: 	Shaking her head swiftly, Sakura watched the mysterious boy. “No, I
rlm@2: do. I know I do. I feel like I’ve known you forever. You’re so sweet
rlm@2: and kind. You make me feel happy. I like being with you. I like you,”
rlm@2: Sakura repeated, looking up at him hopefully. “It doesn’t matter who
rlm@2: you are. I’ll still like you, no matter who it is. You must know me
rlm@2: pretty well, but I can’t tell who you are. But that isn’t important.
rlm@2: Right?”
rlm@2: 	The boy looked back down into Sakura’s pleading eyes. He smiled
rlm@2: more, placing his hands on her cheeks. “Sakura-chan, I’ll always love
rlm@2: you. If you still feel that way about me when you know who I am, then
rlm@2: that would be the sweetest dream come true. But I can’t tell you who
rlm@2: I am yet. I don’t think it’s the right time. I don’t know if you’re
rlm@2: ready. But you’ve given me a wonderful gift tonight. Hope. That hope
rlm@2: will burn brightly in my heart as I wait for you, Sakura-chan. I’ll
rlm@2: always wait for you.” 
rlm@2: 	Sakura placed her hands on top of his, lost in his deep indigo
rlm@2: eyes. She felt her cheeks flushed against his hands, but she could
rlm@2: only look up at him. She wanted to protest, to tell him it wasn’t so,
rlm@2: but she could only meet his gaze. Slowly, he leant towards her. The
rlm@2: brunette’s heart started pounding faster in her heart, a sweet
rlm@2: longing overtaking her as the soft lips brushed her own. Silky lips
rlm@2: touched gently against her own, leaving her with a petal soft kiss.
rlm@2: She could only sit and watch as he pulled away, the kiss lingering on
rlm@2: her lips. It was so delicate, but she could feel its aftereffects
rlm@2: throughout her body and soul. 
rlm@2: 	“I love you, Sakura-chan,” he whispered, smiling at the dazed
rlm@2: Cardmistress as he let his hands drop from her cheeks. Turning, he
rlm@2: headed towards the parking lot.
rlm@2: 	‘He kissed me,’ Sakura thought, her fingers moving to her lips. It
rlm@2: was much softer than she would’ve imagined, just a delicate little
rlm@2: thing, but it was infinitely more powerful than anything she could
rlm@2: have dreamt of. Closing her eyes, she could still feel the soft kiss
rlm@2: against her lips, could feel the spark in her heart. Blinking
rlm@2: quickly, the brunette forced herself out of her daze in time to see
rlm@2: the pale boy’s retreating form. ‘If he leaves now, how will I ever
rlm@2: see him again? How will I know who he is?’ Sliding on her shoes
rlm@2: quickly, Sakura ran after the boy. “Wait! Please don’t go yet! You
rlm@2: have to tell me your name! I know I’ll like you, whoever you are!”
rlm@2: She called after him. But the boy didn’t stop. He looked back
rlm@2: apologetically and climbed into a black car. Sakura hurried to him,
rlm@2: hoping to reach the car in time. But obviously the car was in a hurry
rlm@2: of it’s own, zipping past her. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura slowed to a halt, her heart drooping in her chest. Her
rlm@2: shoulders slumped as she watched the car fade into the distance. She
rlm@2: didn’t even know his name. When school came the next day, she
rlm@2: wouldn’t have any idea which of the boys he was. She was stuck. She
rlm@2: was back in love, but she didn’t even know with who. She couldn’t
rlm@2: tell if that was better or worse than her earlier predicament of not
rlm@2: being in love at all. She sniffled, alone in the moonlight. How would
rlm@2: she find him again? She just wanted to be with him, to talk to him,
rlm@2: to know he was there. But now she was lost.
rlm@2: 	 Just when she was about to give up hope, something caught her eye.
rlm@2: A shoe lay on the floor near where the car had been parked. A surge
rlm@2: of hope flooded through her. He must have lost it before getting in
rlm@2: the car. He hadn’t been able to retrieve it because Sakura had been
rlm@2: right behind him. He would have had to stay if he had waited to get
rlm@2: the shoe. She picked it up quickly, holding it tightly to her chest.
rlm@2: It was her only possession of his, her only clue. The small shoe was
rlm@2: her only proof that he had been there at all, that her mystery boy
rlm@2: had been more than just a dream. But what could she do with it? How
rlm@2: could she find out who he was with this simple hint? 
rlm@2: 	‘Onii-chan!’ her mind supplied frantically. Her older brother had
rlm@2: worked every part-time job known to man. He would know about the
rlm@2: shoe! He had to. Pulling out her key, Sakura flew home. There was no
rlm@2: reason to stay at the dance anymore. Her prince charming had fled and
rlm@2: she had to find him. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	“Onii-chan! Onii-chan!” Sakura called out, nearly tripping on the
rlm@2: long gown as she pushed through the door. Her eyes quickly scanned
rlm@2: for her older brohter, desperate to find him. “Onii-chan!!” she
rlm@2: called out, frustrated. He had to be around somewhere. She didn’t
rlm@2: feel like waiting. Her heart was still beating rapidly, her mind
rlm@2: still stuck on her mysterious love. Love. Yes, that was it. She did
rlm@2: love him. She hadn’t felt this way about Syaoran. Or even Yukito.
rlm@2: This was stronger than her crushes in the past. This left her head
rlm@2: over heals, her whole soul longing to see him again. He made her feel
rlm@2: complete. Whoever he was. “Onii-chan!!!”
rlm@2: 	“What is it, monster? This better be good. You’re going to wake up
rlm@2: the whole neighborhood with your wailing,” Touya said exasperatedly
rlm@2: as he made his way downstairs. His younger sister hurried to his
rlm@2: side, holding up a shoe in her hands. He smiled inwardly. She really
rlm@2: was growing up. She wasn’t just a little girl anymore. She actually
rlm@2: looked pretty in the gown she was wearing, nearly grown up. But he
rlm@2: would never tell her that, of course.
rlm@2: 	“I need you to tell me about this shoe. It’s very important that I
rlm@2: find out who it belongs to. This boy..” Sakura trailed off, blushing.
rlm@2: “I just need to know about it.”
rlm@2: 	“About a shoe?” he replied, skeptically. 
rlm@2: 	“Please, onii-chan?” Sakura begged, clasping her hands together.
rlm@2: She was desperate. She usually wouldn’t bother with Touya, but she
rlm@2: needed his help. She had to find the pale boy again. She needed to
rlm@2: tell him that nothing would change her feelings, that she just wanted
rlm@2: to see him again. That she couldn’t be happy without him.
rlm@2: 	Touya was surprised by Sakura’s eagerness. He nodded slowly, taking
rlm@2: the shoe before sitting down. “Let’s see..” He frowned, turning it
rlm@2: over. “Who’s shoe did you say this was again?”
rlm@2: 	“Some boy from the dance,” Sakura replied quickly, pressing her
rlm@2: fingers together in embarrassment. The last thing she needed was for
rlm@2: Touya to play the concerned big brother and worry about some boy she
rlm@2: met. 
rlm@2: 	Shaking his head, Touya looked back at Sakura. “This is a girls’
rlm@2: shoe, Sakura-chan.”
rlm@2: “So he has dainty feet!!” Sakura said angrily, kicking her brother
rlm@2: in the shin. She crossed her arms, glaring at him as she waited for
rlm@2: him to continue. 
rlm@2: Gritting his teeth, Touya rubbed his leg. If only Sakura wasn’t so
rlm@2: athletic, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much when she did things like
rlm@2: that. It wasn’t so bad when she was a kid, but now he was seriously
rlm@2: starting to reconsider taunting her. Of course, this time he was
rlm@2: being serious, so it wasn’t even his own fault. “Alright. So he wears
rlm@2: girls’ shoes. That’s not my problem.” He gave his younger sister a
rlm@2: stare of his own before moving on, looking back at the shoe. “It’s
rlm@2: pretty small, so he has to have small feet. A little smaller than
rlm@2: yours, actually. It doesn’t look like it’s been used much, so I’m
rlm@2: guessing it was bought recently. Other than that, there’s not much I
rlm@2: can tell you.” He looked back up to see Sakura storm over and swipe
rlm@2: the shoe from him. He let it go, raising an eyebrow. Apparently
rlm@2: whatever this was had affected Sakura pretty badly. He wanted to ask,
rlm@2: but he didn’t think this was something she’d want to tell her older
rlm@2: brother. “Don’t stomp on those stairs so much, monster. Do you want
rlm@2: the whole house to collapse?” Her only reply was to slam her door.
rlm@2: Sighing inwardly, Touya rested his head back against the couch.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	Sakura slumped on her bed, cradling the shoe in her arms. So much
rlm@2: for that avenue. All she knew now was that he had small, dainty feet.
rlm@2: But who could match that description? Syaoran? No, he didn’t fit. And
rlm@2: he had been dancing with Meiling anyway. Yamazaki? He should have
rlm@2: been with Chiharu the whole night, and he was actually pretty tall.
rlm@2: Eriol? No, Sakura still didn’t think it was him. But then who could
rlm@2: it belong to? She couldn’t think of any other boys that would match
rlm@2: her mystery boy either. 
rlm@2: 	Lifting the shoe up in the air, Sakura turned it around, looking at
rlm@2: it thoughtfully. It was the only thing she had left from the pale
rlm@2: boy. There had to be something she could do with it to find out who
rlm@2: he was. But what? It was too bad he didn’t write his name in it or
rlm@2: his address. Then Sakura could show up with it, giving it back to him
rlm@2: and explaining that he had no need to worry because she still liked
rlm@2: him. But she wasn’t that lucky.
rlm@2: 	“Nice shoe,” Kero commented, looking up from his video game. “Looks
rlm@2: expensive.” Pausing the game, Kero lifted up, floating over to
rlm@2: Sakura. “How did the dance go?”
rlm@2: 	Sakura rolled onto her side, still clutching the shoe. A faint
rlm@2: blush colored her cheeks. “It was fantastic. I had so much fun, Kero-
rlm@2: chan. I danced and danced and danced. And there was this really sweet
rlm@2: boy there that..” She trailed off, holding the shoe to her chest
rlm@2: again.
rlm@2: 	“Ohhhh.. So you met a boy you liked there, huh?” Kero asked,
rlm@2: grinning from ear to ear. “Who was he?” His curiosity piqued, the
rlm@2: Seal Beast landed next to Sakura, poking her in the side with a
rlm@2: stubby paw. “You have to tell me.”
rlm@2: 	Sighing, Sakura rolled onto her back again, her legs held up
rlm@2: against herself. “I would if I could. But I don’t even know his name.
rlm@2: I just know that this was his. But I can’t even give it back to him
rlm@2: because I don’t know who he is.” Sighing miserably, Sakura set the
rlm@2: shoe next to her bed, staring up at her roof. She kept seeing his
rlm@2: smile, warm and gentle. It taunted her every time she closed her
rlm@2: eyes, making her miss him even more. 
rlm@2: 	“Hmm.. That is a problem,” Kero said thoughtfully, flying down to
rlm@2: inspect the shoe. He prodded it with one of his feet, watching the
rlm@2: delicate thing shift on its side.
rlm@2: 	“I know. But it’s all I have of his. It’s the only thing that I can
rlm@2: use to find out who he is,” Sakura lamented, hugging a pillow to
rlm@2: herself. She felt miserable. And alone. She wanted to be with him
rlm@2: again, dancing and smiling and laughing. Her emerald eyes fell
rlm@2: closed, her mind half daydreaming about seeing him again. She hugged
rlm@2: her pillow closer, pretending it was the pale boy. “I miss you
rlm@2: already,” she whispered to it.
rlm@2: 	“I’ve got it!” Kero called out, popping up right in front of
rlm@2: Sakura’s face and very nearly startling the poor girl. “You have his
rlm@2: shoe, right? You know he’s from your class, right? Just try it on
rlm@2: every boy in your class until you find him.” The Seal Beast crossed
rlm@2: his arms, proud of himself.
rlm@2: 	Sakura blinked at the absurd thought, still holding tightly onto
rlm@2: her pillow. What a plan, going from boy to boy and trying on the one
rlm@2: shoe she had of her mystery boy. It was laughable. And yet, it was
rlm@2: all she had. And it made sense. If she could find the boy that fit
rlm@2: the shoe.. “Thank you, Kero-chan!” Sakura said happily, dropping the
rlm@2: pillow as she got to her knees. She squealed happily at the thought,
rlm@2: taking Kero’s small hands in her own. “Sugoi! I’ll get to find him
rlm@2: after all! And I’ll prove to him that I like him just the same, no
rlm@2: matter who he is!”
rlm@2: 	“I knew it would work. I’m full of good advice. You should turn to
rlm@2: me more often,” Kero said matter-of-factly, crossing his arms. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura picked up her little pink cell phone, ready to call Tomoyo.
rlm@2: For some reason, she had the strongest urge to call the pale girl, to
rlm@2: tell her everything that had happened that night. This wasn’t
rlm@2: particularly unusual because she always talked to Tomoyo about
rlm@2: everything. But it was already late and Tomoyo was probably in bed.
rlm@2: Sakura had the urge to call anyway, to wake her up despite it just so
rlm@2: she could hear her voice, so they could talk it all out. She wanted
rlm@2: to hear Tomoyo at the moment. She knew it would make her feel better.
rlm@2: It always did. Or she could even fly to her house. It wouldn’t take
rlm@2: long. And then Tomoyo would probably get her some tea and they would
rlm@2: sit and talk all night long. But there was so much she needed to do
rlm@2: tomorrow. And she would feel awful if she did wake Tomoyo up, even
rlm@2: though Tomoyo told her she always could if she needed to. Working up
rlm@2: the will, Sakura finally put the phone down. She would just tell
rlm@2: Tomoyo all about it the next day. Slipping out of her gown and
rlm@2: pulling on some pajamas, Sakura quickly got ready for bed, though
rlm@2: sleep would be long in coming.
rlm@2: 	
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo stirred as light filtered into the Daidouji home, slowly
rlm@2: pushing away the sleepiness that clouded her mind. She had to be up
rlm@2: to get to school on time as she always did. Shifting around she found
rlm@2: that she wasn’t in bed. Her head slowly pulled up, sleep blurred eyes
rlm@2: blinking tiredly as they struggled to come into focus. She was on the
rlm@2: couch. A hand in her hair told her that she wasn’t alone. She sighed
rlm@2: softly, resting her head back on her mother’s lap. She must have
rlm@2: fallen asleep after telling her mother the whole story the night
rlm@2: before. And her mother had stayed with her all night long, even in an
rlm@2: uncomfortable sitting position. She smiled softly, glad to be near
rlm@2: her mother, even if for only a short time before school. 
rlm@2: 	Memories played back through the young heiress’s mind as if they
rlm@2: had been recorded on one of her videotapes, each image crystal clear.
rlm@2: She could remember dancing the whole night with Sakura, could
rlm@2: remember Sakura telling her that she liked her, could remember the
rlm@2: deliciously soft kiss they had shared. She blushed, a hand going to
rlm@2: her cheek as she replayed that memory again and again. Now only if
rlm@2: she could have gotten that memory on videotape. 
rlm@2: 	All in all, the night had been very nearly perfect. She had
rlm@2: accomplished what she had set out to do. Sakura had had a nice,
rlm@2: romantic night. She had healed some of the loneliness in her best
rlm@2: friend’s heart. But the only problem that lingered was Sakura’s
rlm@2: profession of love. That hadn’t been part of the plan at all. Tomoyo
rlm@2: was supposed to go to the ball as a boy. Check. She was supposed to
rlm@2: make sure Sakura enjoyed herself. Check. Then she was supposed to
rlm@2: leave, giving Sakura renewed confidence that she would find love.
rlm@2: That one was now a little more confusing. She had left Sakura with
rlm@2: the renewed confidence that she had found her love then and there.
rlm@2: But where did that leave Tomoyo? Sakura didn’t even know it was her.
rlm@2: And how could she tell Sakura that it was? Was Sakura even ready for
rlm@2: that? She had left in the hopes of quelling such problems, but the
rlm@2: dark haired girl doubted they would go away so easily. Oh well. Maybe
rlm@2: this meant Sakura could like her after all, that maybe she could
rlm@2: actually make Sakura happy. In a few years, maybe she could even tell
rlm@2: Sakura how she felt. Yes, there was always hope. Now more than ever. 
rlm@2: 	Smiling happily, Tomoyo slowly sat up next to her mother. “Okaa-
rlm@2: sama, it’s time to wake up,” she said softly. 
rlm@2: The older woman stirred, blinking herself awake. Sonomi stretched,
rlm@2: her body sore from sleeping so awkwardly. She smiled sleepily at her
rlm@2: daughter, the younger girl still wearing the shirt from the tuxedo.
rlm@2: “Good morning, Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo leant forward and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you for
rlm@2: everything, okaa-sama.” Standing up, the pale girl hurried towards
rlm@2: the stairs. “I have to hurry if I’m going to get to school on time. I
rlm@2: want to see how Sakura-chan is doing.”
rlm@2: Sonomi watched her daughter disappear off to her room. Smiling to
rlm@2: herself, the older woman finally got up herself. It was so nice to
rlm@2: see her daughter in love. It did her pained heart good to watch
rlm@2: Tomoyo so enraptured by Nadeshiko’s daughter. She only hoped Sakura
rlm@2: would take good care of Tomoyo’s heart. It was a precious gift and
rlm@2: one that Sonomi tried her hardest to protect. But that was something
rlm@2: that was ultimately up to Sakura to hold onto.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: “Ohayo, Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo called out, waiting by the gate at
rlm@2: school some time later. She smiled pleasantly as the auburn haired
rlm@2: girl skated up to her. She could tell that Sakura looked much
rlm@2: happier. That, in turn, made her own heart shine. “You look much
rlm@2: better today, Sakura-chan. I trust things went well at the dance?”
rlm@2: Sakura nodded enthusiastically, pulling off her rollerblades. “It
rlm@2: went perfectly, Tomoyo-chan! You were right. Thank you for getting me
rlm@2: to go. It was so much fun!” The brunette sighed, her hands on her
rlm@2: cheeks as she walked towards the school building with Tomoyo. “I met
rlm@2: this wonderful boy. He was just.. hanyaa.” She blushed at the thought
rlm@2: of him. Shaking her head, she smiled over at Tomoyo. She had been so
rlm@2: anxious about the whole thing the entire night before, but now that
rlm@2: she was with her best friend again, she felt infinitely better. It
rlm@2: was strange how Tomoyo managed to do that. She made Sakura feel
rlm@2: better about herself, about everything. Her simple presence was
rlm@2: enough to do that. 
rlm@2: “So Sakura-chan met a boy she liked?” Tomoyo asked curiously, her
rlm@2: hand on her chin. “It definitely sounds like it went well. I’m glad
rlm@2: you met someone, Sakura-chan. It only shows that your fairy tale
rlm@2: romance is waiting for you. One day your prince will come and hold
rlm@2: you close forever. Sakura-chan deserves nothing but the best.” The
rlm@2: dark haired girl sighed happily, images of Princess Sakura filling
rlm@2: her mind. Yes, this is what she lived for. 
rlm@2: Sakura sweatdropped, laughing nervously. “Tomoyo-chan..” Tomoyo was
rlm@2: always so concerned about her happiness, about Sakura in general. It
rlm@2: was always comforting to know that some things would never change.
rlm@2: “But I know that my prince is out there somewhere. I just need to
rlm@2: find out who he is.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo tilted her head to the side, thoughtfully. Sakura seemed
rlm@2: awfully determined. It took all Tomoyo had not to swoon at the sight.
rlm@2: Sakura was always so adorable when that determined look burned in her
rlm@2: eyes. It was one of the many, many things that Tomoyo loved about the
rlm@2: brunette. But why was she so determined all of the sudden? “What do
rlm@2: you mean, Sakura-chan?”
rlm@2: Fumbling through her backpack, Sakura pulled out a single black
rlm@2: shoe. “This was one of his shoes. He accidentally dropped it last
rlm@2: night. Kero-chan thought I should try it on everyone here to find out
rlm@2: who he is.” Sakura sweatdropped as she explained her plan. It sounded
rlm@2: awfully silly. But Tomoyo merely nodded, watching her.
rlm@2: “That’s a good idea, Sakura-chan. But I’m a little worried. What if
rlm@2: your prince doesn’t turn out to be a prince at all?” Tomoyo asked,
rlm@2: walking alongside Sakura. The auburn haired girl looked back at her
rlm@2: in confusion. Tomoyo smiled and rephrased her question. “What if he
rlm@2: isn’t who you want him to be?”
rlm@2: Sakura shook her head, clutching the shoe determinedly. “I don’t
rlm@2: care who he is. I know I love whoever it is I met last night. I’ve
rlm@2: never felt that way before. It was just.. just..” Sakura trailed off,
rlm@2: unable to come up with words to match the storm of emotions in her
rlm@2: heart. Her hands clenched in front of her, as if she could drag the
rlm@2: words out of thing air. "It was perfect. I felt so happy with him. So
rlm@2: peaceful. And for once it didn’t have anything to do with magic. It
rlm@2: was just him. He was what made me feel that way. I don’t care who he
rlm@2: is.”
rlm@2: “That’s so sweet!” Tomoyo exclaimed, a hand on her cheek. “Sakura-
rlm@2: chan is so cute, lost in her thoughts on love. You really are
rlm@2: perfect, Sakura-chan. You’re willing to do whatever to you can to be
rlm@2: with your love again, ready to sacrifice what you have to in order to
rlm@2: see him again. You’re so romantic.” Letting out a sweet sigh, Tomoyo
rlm@2: watched Sakura lovingly.
rlm@2: Sakura sweatdropped. “Arigato, Tomoyo-chan.” She should have known
rlm@2: Tomoyo would react that way. But somehow, it gave her more
rlm@2: confidence. It made her feel better about her plan. Tomoyo thought it
rlm@2: was sweet of her, romantic. So it wasn’t just some crazy idea after
rlm@2: all. Nodding to herself, Sakura hurried into the school, Tomoyo right
rlm@2: behind her. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:  “Maybe if you curl your toys up more,” Tomoyo offered helpfully,
rlm@2: standing next to a kneeling Sakura as she tried to place the small
rlm@2: black shoe on yet another boy.
rlm@2: “Oww.. This thing is too tight. I don’t even know what this is all
rlm@2: about,” the boy complained, rubbing his foot after he pulled it out
rlm@2: of the shoe.
rlm@2: Sighing, Sakura sat back, her hands resting on the ground. “We’ve
rlm@2: tried just about every boy in class, Tomoyo-chan. I don’t know who he
rlm@2: could be. It hasn’t fit on any of them. I’m starting to worry. What
rlm@2: if I don’t find him?” The brunette was suddenly overcome by worry.
rlm@2: Her plan has seemed so great earlier that day, but now she felt
rlm@2: hopeless. There weren’t many boys left to try, and none of them
rlm@2: seemed like good candidates for the mystery boy. The thought of not
rlm@2: seeing him again was almost physically painful. Sakura sighed,
rlm@2: holding the shoe. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Looking,
rlm@2: up, she saw Tomoyo smiling gently down at her. Her worry ebbed away
rlm@2: slowly as she looked up into loving stormy blue eyes.
rlm@2: “It’s all right, Sakura-chan. I know you’ll find him. Just don’t
rlm@2: give up hope. It doesn’t suit you. Remember, you can do anything.
rlm@2: Everything will always work out,” Tomoyo said softly, giving Sakura’s
rlm@2: shoulder a gentle squeeze before pulling her hand away. She was
rlm@2: rewarded with a soft smile from Sakura.
rlm@2: “Un, you’re right, Tomoyo-chan. I just have to keep trying. He has
rlm@2: to be out there somewhere. And I know he’s in the class. He was so
rlm@2: familiar. I just couldn’t quite remember who he is.” Shaking her
rlm@2: head, Sakura looked back down at the shoe. There was still a chance.
rlm@2: They hadn’t tried all the boys yet. Just almost all of them. She
rlm@2: sighed softly.
rlm@2: “That’s my shoe!” 
rlm@2: Sakura looked up rapidly, her heart pounding. Who was the shoe’s
rlm@2: mysterious owner? Where was he? Had she finally found him? Locating
rlm@2: the source of the voice, she spotted Yamazaki approaching her.
rlm@2: “Yamazaki-kun? This is your shoe?” she asked in surprise. Could it
rlm@2: have been him the night before? Was he her mystery boy? The one who
rlm@2: had so effortlessly captured her heart?
rlm@2: “Yeah, it’s mine. I always like to wear girls’ shoes. They let you
rlm@2: hear girl’s thoughts that way. The ancient Aztecs knew this. That’s
rlm@2: why they invented girls’ shoes back during the 1500s,” Yamazaki
rlm@2: explained. He pulled the shoe on, the small black shoe reaching
rlm@2: slightly past half of his foot. “See? Perfect fit. I always wear my
rlm@2: shoes like this.”
rlm@2: Sakura blinked in confusion, looking back up at the taller boy. She
rlm@2: watched as he got bopped in the head by his frustrated girlfriend,
rlm@2: Chiharu. 
rlm@2: “Why do you always have to make things up?” Chiharu sighed, dragging
rlm@2: him off, leaving Sakura alone with her shoe.
rlm@2: Sakura knelt down next to the shoe again, sighing. “Tomoyo-chan,
rlm@2: what if I don’t find him? What if I look forever for him and he never
rlm@2: shoes up? What if he was just a dream?” Sakura was on the verge of
rlm@2: tears. She felt awful. Her last chance was slowly slipping away from
rlm@2: her. If she couldn’t find him with his shoe, she didn’t know how she
rlm@2: could ever find him again. It was her only clue and it didn’t seem to
rlm@2: be working at all.
rlm@2: Watching Sakura sadly, Tomoyo stepped closer, trying to figure out
rlm@2: what to do. Sakura seemed so sad. There had to be some way she could
rlm@2: help. But what if it only made things worse if she told Sakura? What
rlm@2: if Sakura couldn’t handle finding out her mystery boy was really a
rlm@2: mystery girl? “The most important things are worth waiting forever
rlm@2: for, Sakura-chan. Some things are worth searching an eternity for.
rlm@2: You just have to find out what these things are. They aren’t always
rlm@2: where we look. So we have to keep looking, always holding out hope
rlm@2: that it will be there.” She smiled softly, brushing back some of
rlm@2: Sakura’s hair from the kneeling girl’s eyes. “He wasn’t a dream,
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. I know because every time I’m with you, I think ‘Sakura-
rlm@2: chan is so amazing. She’s so wonderful. I have to be dreaming.’ But
rlm@2: you’re always there when I wake up. Maybe that’s why I videotape you
rlm@2: so much. As proof. Evidence that you’re really real.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s gentle words soothed Sakura’s frightened soul like a
rlm@2: lullaby, playing through her mind again and again. Her musical voice
rlm@2: calmed Sakura’s worried heart, taking away the pain she felt. It was
rlm@2: so soft, so gentle. It played through Sakura like a song. Her emerald
rlm@2: eyes slowly went to Tomoyo’s feet, up her pale legs. An idea struck
rlm@2: with sudden ferocity. Hope bloomed in her heart, followed by the
rlm@2: intense fear that she might be wrote. But she had to try. Scooting
rlm@2: forward, she took Tomoyo’s leg so suddenly that the pale girl almost
rlm@2: toppled over. “Gomen, Tomoyo-chan,” Sakura apologize, the words
rlm@2: barely escaping her breathless mouth. With trembling fingers, she
rlm@2: pulled off Tomoyo’s shoe, letting it fall to the floor. Her heart
rlm@2: pounded in a staccato beat in her chest, her mind focusing on this
rlm@2: last attempt. It all seemed to lead here, even if it spun Sakura in
rlm@2: circles to think it all through. She slowly slid the shoe on, waiting
rlm@2: for it to get stuck or for it to be too big. 
rlm@2: The shoe fit perfectly. Sakura could only blink in surprise as she
rlm@2: moved Tomoyo’s foot around in her hand, amazed at the fit. It was
rlm@2: almost too good to be true. She had found him. He had been right
rlm@2: there, all along, watching her try it on all the others. Her heart
rlm@2: pounded in her chest, as she slowly looked up. Tomoyo was looking
rlm@2: down at her, stormy blue eyes sparkling just as they had the night
rlm@2: before. “Tomoyo-chan.. It’s you.. You’re him! I mean.. her. I..
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura trailed off, unsure of what to say. 
rlm@2: Smiling down softly, Tomoyo helped Sakura back up. “Gomen nasai,
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to cause any
rlm@2: trouble for you,” the dark haired girl apologized, looking into
rlm@2: Sakura’s eyes. She still wasn’t sure how Sakura was taking it, how it
rlm@2: was affecting the other girl. She nearly shrank back at the
rlm@2: frustration that briefly flashed in Sakura’s eyes.
rlm@2: “You were right there all along and you didn’t even tell me? I spent
rlm@2: all day touching people’s feet just so I could find you and you were
rlm@2: right there?” Sakura darted forward, hugging Tomoyo tightly. To her
rlm@2: pleasant surprise, it was much more enjoyable than hugging her
rlm@2: pillow. “If you didn’t want to cause me trouble, you could have told
rlm@2: me this morning that it was you I was looking for.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo giggled softly, her indigo eyes falling shut. Whatever
rlm@2: concerns she had held earlier dissipated like a fine mist. Sakura
rlm@2: wasn’t angry with her. She wasn’t even in shock about the whole
rlm@2: thing. And she seemed to be taking the fact that her mystery prince
rlm@2: was a princess rather well. “I’ll remember that next time, Sakura-
rlm@2: chan.”
rlm@2: “Hoe.. There won’t have to be a next time, will there?” Sakura
rlm@2: asked, feeling exhausted. She had enough searching for her love for
rlm@2: any number of lifetimes. 
rlm@2: “Not if you don’t want there to be, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo replied.
rlm@2: She sighed, resting against Sakura. “But I still found it incredibly
rlm@2: romantic that you would look for me with such cute determination. I
rlm@2: always knew that Sakura-chan could be incredibly romantic at heart.” 
rlm@2: Sakura blushed, still holding onto Tomoyo. But that just furthered
rlm@2: to relax her. The dark haired heiress always had been good at making
rlm@2: her blush, after all. And making her feel loved. She smiled happily,
rlm@2: holding onto her newly found princess, who just happened to have been
rlm@2: there all along. “I love you, Tomoyo-chan,” she whispered softly. “I
rlm@2: told you I didn’t care who you were. I should have known it was you
rlm@2: all along.”
rlm@2: “Oh, Sakura-chan..” Tomoyo replied, her heart nearly bursting with
rlm@2: joy. She hugged the other girl tighter, reveling in the sound of
rlm@2: Sakura’s beautiful words in her mind. “I love you, too, Sakura-chan.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura sighed happily, not wanting to relinquish their embrace.
rlm@2: Slowly, she blinked her eyes open. “Ano.. Tomoyo-chan? If you didn’t
rlm@2: want me to know it was you, why did you kiss me last night?”
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo smiled, her hands on Sakura’s shoulders as she pulled just
rlm@2: inches away. “Because Sakura-chan looked so cute, but a little
rlm@2: lonely, too. You looked like you needed a kiss. Just like now.” Using
rlm@2: Sakura’s blush as her cue, Tomoyo leant forward and gave Sakura
rlm@2: another soft kiss. This time, however, Sakura responded. Tomoyo
rlm@2: blushed herself as she felt Sakura return the kiss with her whole
rlm@2: genki spirit. Closing her eyes tightly, Tomoyo let the world melt
rlm@2: away as the kiss took her to the brink of heaven. Maybe the dance
rlm@2: hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but she was more than happy with the
rlm@2: outcome. If Sakura thought she could make her happy, then she would
rlm@2: just have to try her hardest.
rlm@2: 	Sakura held onto Tomoyo with all that she had as they kissed. It
rlm@2: was even more magical than the one the night before. It filled Sakura
rlm@2: with a swirling typhoon of feelings that threatened to sweep her
rlm@2: away. But she didn’t care. She would be happy to lose herself in
rlm@2: them. She felt so happy, so ‘hanyaa’, just to be with Tomoyo, to have
rlm@2: found her prince. Or princess, as the case may be. Tomoyo had been
rlm@2: right. Some things were worth searching an eternity for. But she was
rlm@2: incredibly grateful that she had found it now.