rlm@2: Dear Sakura: Broken Dreams
rlm@2: by Amazoness Duo and G.P.
rlm@2: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2: pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Tomoyo’s carefully constructed
rlm@2: plans had all collapsed in such a short time. The wreckage of her
rlm@2: hopes and dreams, of her well planned efforts for Sakura, had her
rlm@2: lonely heart pinned helplessly to the floor. She was lost and afraid,
rlm@2: alone in an endless maze of despair that she had no hope of escaping.
rlm@2: Sakura’s beautiful new life was on the verge of ending tragically
rlm@2: because of Tomoyo’s recent trip to Hong Kong. She had given into her
rlm@2: feelings for Sakura and now the woman she loved was about to lose
rlm@2: everything because of it. Her plan to leave Sakura’s life quietly, to
rlm@2: fade away from Sakura over time had also been dashed by the
rlm@2: Cardmistress’s sudden appearance in Tomoeda. Everything Tomoyo had
rlm@2: done, she had done for Sakura. But it had all been for nothing, her
rlm@2: effort and prayers amounting to little more than broken dreams.
rlm@2: Despite how hard she had tried, how much she had given, it hadn’t
rlm@2: been enough. She hadn’t been able to safeguard Sakura’s beautiful
rlm@2: life that she herself had played a part in orchestrating. After all,
rlm@2: had she not played such an integral part in getting Sakura with her
rlm@2: prince, Syaoran, would they have come together on their own? But now
rlm@2: it all teetered on the brink, threatening to crush both Tomoyo and
rlm@2: Sakura underneath its weight. 
rlm@2: 	All the dark haired heiress had ever wanted with all of her heart
rlm@2: had been Sakura’s happiness. Everything she had done had been for
rlm@2: those ends. From pushing Syaoran to tell Sakura his feelings and
rlm@2: later helping Sakura understand her feelings for the Chinese boy.
rlm@2: Fading out of Sakura’s life had been just another part of her plan
rlm@2: for Sakura’s happiness. To leave so that she couldn’t threaten the
rlm@2: wonderful life Sakura was leading with her beloved. But Fate had
rlm@2: cruelly stepped in right when things seemed to be perfect. Tomoyo had
rlm@2: finally crafted the beautiful life she had always envisioned for
rlm@2: Sakura. The woman she loved was happily married and protected and
rlm@2: would one day have a gorgeous child. It had all been set up. All
rlm@2: Tomoyo had to do was to slip away from Sakura’s life and hope that it
rlm@2: would always be joyous for the Mistress of the Cards. Tomoyo had
rlm@2: tried so hard, but it seemed that her hard work had never mattered at
rlm@2: all. Her remaining presence in Sakura’s life had possibly damaged it
rlm@2: beyond repair, had left Sakura’s shimmering future in doubt. The
rlm@2: lavender haired girl hadn’t even been able to escape before the
rlm@2: damage became too great, Sakura reaching Japan before she could
rlm@2: disappear forever. 
rlm@2: 	“All I want is for the person I like to be happy. If they can be
rlm@2: happy, then that would be my greatest wish,” Tomoyo whispered to
rlm@2: herself, as if she were once again repeating to Sakura her reasoning
rlm@2: for not going after the one she loved. But now the words sounded
rlm@2: empty, hollow. If she didn’t have the knowledge that Sakura was
rlm@2: happy, then what did she have? The heart of her beloved Mistress of
rlm@2: the Cards couldn’t possibly survive the death of her happy life,
rlm@2: could it? So Tomoyo was left with nothing at all, not even the hope
rlm@2: for her friend’s future. Her lonely heart was stripped of even that,
rlm@2: the one thing that had made her life worth living, that had given her
rlm@2: empty life some substance. The heiress had gambled and lost. She had
rlm@2: placed her bets and now was the time that debts must be paid. Her
rlm@2: gamble for Sakura’s happiness had fallen through. So in a way, it was
rlm@2: her own fault that the brunette was on the brink of losing her new
rlm@2: and wonderful life in Hong Kong. She had been one of the driving
rlm@2: forces behind Sakura’s marriage to Syaoran, to her moving to Hong
rlm@2: Kong. And ironically, she had been the one to bring it so close to
rlm@2: ruin. 
rlm@2: 	Bare feet shifted on cold metal as a pale ghost of a woman looked
rlm@2: out into the cold night sky. Above lay the sparkling stars in the sky
rlm@2: while below lay the shining lights of the many buildings that
rlm@2: stretched out endlessly into the dark horizon. Wet tears dripped down
rlm@2: her chin, falling past her feet, tiny diamonds dropping from up above
rlm@2: like rain drops. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had never gone
rlm@2: to Hong Kong if this whole thing could have been avoided. Maybe she
rlm@2: could have slipped from Sakura’s life without hurting her darling
rlm@2: brunette. Maybe the beautiful life that lay before Sakura could have
rlm@2: been saved. Not that it mattered what might have been. That possible
rlm@2: future now lay in ruins and the future awaiting Sakura and Tomoyo
rlm@2: looked to be a dark and stormy one indeed. Involuntarily, the dark
rlm@2: haired girl’s mind went back to her cherished kiss with Sakura. What
rlm@2: had been a secret dream she had held dear from the time she had been
rlm@2: a child now seemed like the beginning of the end. What had begun as a
rlm@2: farewell trip with her friend had become something much more. Tomoyo
rlm@2: had intended to try and distance herself from Sakura so it would be
rlm@2: easier to part from her life, but the brunette hadn’t allowed it.
rlm@2: They had instead been closer, more intimate than they ever had in the
rlm@2: days when Sakura had been back in Tomoeda. This had, for once, taken
rlm@2: Tomoyo by complete surprise. So off guard had she been that she had
rlm@2: made the mistake of giving into the love that her heart was always
rlm@2: drowning in, kissing Sakura that one night in the garden. It had been
rlm@2: one of her fondest wishes come true, to hold Sakura close and to be
rlm@2: able to kiss her friend with all the fire that burnt in her heart.
rlm@2: And the night had felt so magical, so dreamlike. It had been her one
rlm@2: chance to give her heart to Sakura. But now it seemed that it had
rlm@2: condemned the two, slowly but surely destroying everything Tomoyo had
rlm@2: worked so hard for. But even then, Tomoyo couldn’t fully blame the
rlm@2: sweet kiss they had shared, the tender moment locked deep within her
rlm@2: heart. 
rlm@2: 	Wind whipped long lavender hair around almost violently in the dark
rlm@2: night. Tears sparkled dimly as they fell past the dark locks of hair.
rlm@2: Tomoyo felt trapped, boxed in, trapped as surely as any of Sakura’s
rlm@2: Cards had been. She was crushed by the enormous weight of the mistake
rlm@2: she had made. Stealing Sakura’s kiss held with it a high sentence. It
rlm@2: held with it the power to destroy both Sakura’s life and her own. And
rlm@2: the pale heiress couldn’t live with the thought of her dream,
rlm@2: Sakura’s happiness being obliterated because of her giving in to her
rlm@2: heart. It hardly seemed fair that such a small thing had caused so
rlm@2: much damage. Why should Sakura suffer because of Tomoyo’s longing? A
rlm@2: long time ago, Tomoyo had thought that she could just be happy as
rlm@2: long as Sakura was. Now she realized that wasn’t true. She wanted
rlm@2: desperately for Sakura to be happy, but it left her so lonely and
rlm@2: cold inside. That realization had come with a terrible price. Giving
rlm@2: into that pain, giving into her loneliness had brought about an end
rlm@2: to the happy life she had always wanted for Sakura. It reminded the
rlm@2: lavender haired phantom of an ancient myth she had once heard long
rlm@2: ago. It was of a man who fought his way to Hades to bring back the
rlm@2: woman he loved. He had come with such bravery, such courage that he
rlm@2: had been allowed to take her back on one condition, that she follow
rlm@2: behind him and that he couldn’t look back to her until they reached
rlm@2: the surface. And so the pair traveled all the way back to the surface
rlm@2: together like that, the woman right behind him. So happy was he to
rlm@2: see the light, to finally have the woman he loved back, the man
rlm@2: turned to see her. But to his horror, she had not fully gotten to the
rlm@2: surface. In moments, she was returned the Hades. The man, distraught
rlm@2: by his lover being torn from him after nearly having her back, was
rlm@2: left alone and tormented. He killed himself shortly thereafter.
rlm@2: Sakura had been terrified by the dark tale, but Tomoyo had found it a
rlm@2: sad example of the pain love could cause. Now she saw herself in the
rlm@2: same situation. She had led Sakura to her happy life, had finally
rlm@2: left her with the happiness she always wanted for Sakura. But having
rlm@2: been so close to leaving Sakura with this happiness, Tomoyo had
rlm@2: allowed herself to look back, to give in to her feelings. And in that
rlm@2: brief moment, she had ruined it all. Sakura’s happiness was being
rlm@2: stripped from her, right in front of Tomoyo’s eyes.
rlm@2: 	But did Sakura have to suffer for Tomoyo’s mistake? No, the heiress
rlm@2: had decided. She had come to the conclusion that the only way to save
rlm@2: Sakura’s happiness was to leave her life, to disappear from the
rlm@2: brunette’s thoughts. But before she could fade from the only one she
rlm@2: could ever love, Sakura had rushed to Japan to stop her. Now Tomoyo
rlm@2: was trapped, unable to do anything to stave off the ruin that awaited
rlm@2: them. Her careful plans lay useless at her feet, leaving her with
rlm@2: nothing. Or did it? She had wanted to fade from Sakura’s life
rlm@2: quietly, to slip away in the least painful way possible. Now that
rlm@2: wasn’t an option with Sakura here in Japan for her. But that didn’t
rlm@2: mean that she couldn’t still save the brunette’s happy life. Tomoyo
rlm@2: knew that she herself was the catastrophe facing Sakura. If she
rlm@2: remained, the Mistress of the Cards could lose everything. Her
rlm@2: husband, the baby that Syaoran could grant her, the life and family
rlm@2: in Hong Kong that she now had. Tomoyo had sacrificed so much for
rlm@2: Sakura’s happiness, ignoring the pain and loneliness in her own heart
rlm@2: as long as Sakura’s genki heart was fulfilled. The thought that she
rlm@2: was what could ruin that horrified her. It was such a sickening
rlm@2: twist. Staying could only hurt Sakura, bringing an end to her life in
rlm@2: Hong Kong. So Tomoyo would have to leave it, to escape before she
rlm@2: could cause anymore damage. Maybe Sakura could still keep her happy
rlm@2: life, could still hold onto it if Tomoyo wasn’t there to confuse her.
rlm@2: It pained Tomoyo that she couldn’t leave quietly, slipping away into
rlm@2: the night like she had planned. Sakura would undoubtedly find out
rlm@2: about her suicide, especially with her in Japan. But Tomoyo saw no
rlm@2: other options open to her. In order for Sakura to live, she had to
rlm@2: die. Her own life held nothing but pain in her future if her
rlm@2: beautiful Cardmistress were to lose everything. And she wouldn’t let
rlm@2: Sakura be punished for Tomoyo’s own innocent sin. This was her only
rlm@2: way to escape Sakura’s life and save her friend’s happiness. Sakura
rlm@2: allowed her no other options. The auburn haired girl wouldn’t let her
rlm@2: go otherwise. If the heiress was dead then Sakura wouldn’t be so
rlm@2: confused about the feelings in her heart, seeking solace in her
rlm@2: husband. Eventually her memories of the lavender haired girl would
rlm@2: fade away, leaving her with nothing more than a faint remembrance of
rlm@2: her guardian angel from long ago. And she would grow happy and old
rlm@2: with her husband and as many children as Fate would bless them with.
rlm@2: Away from the pain, safe from the loneliness, Tomoyo prayed that she
rlm@2: would be able to watch Sakura from up above, to see the happy life
rlm@2: that her death would ensure. It was a high price, one that had to be
rlm@2: paid in blood. But it was one that the lavender eyed woman would
rlm@2: gladly pay if it meant she could stop the catastrophe awaiting her
rlm@2: dearest Sakura. 
rlm@2: 	Clutching the teddy bear Sakura had made for her against her chest,
rlm@2: Tomoyo gazed into the darkness, the dim lights blurring into streaks
rlm@2: through her tear filled vision. Her numb, slender fingers grasped
rlm@2: onto a slightly bloodied picture of Sakura. It had been the same
rlm@2: picture that her picture frame had held before she had smashed the
rlm@2: frame to jagged shards. Her beautiful Sakura smiled happily, frozen
rlm@2: forever in that simple image. She had fled her house with only these
rlm@2: two possessions in the early hours of the morning. Sakura’s sudden
rlm@2: appearance had struck her like the blade of a knife, wedged deep into
rlm@2: her heart. It had shattered everything. Curled up in the darkness,
rlm@2: Tomoyo had cried for hours while holding onto the teddy bear she had
rlm@2: named Sakura. The pale woman had thought desperately of a way to fix
rlm@2: things, but nothing but despair had managed to penetrate her troubled
rlm@2: mind. So she had ran. Just as she had planned on doing before with
rlm@2: her planned out escape from Sakura’s life, she had run. She hadn’t
rlm@2: known at first where she was running to, how she would escape the
rlm@2: Mistress of the Cards, but she had finally found herself here. It
rlm@2: seemed fitting, to end up where some of Sakura’s most important
rlm@2: moments had been. If anyone had noticed the distraught barefoot girl,
rlm@2: they hadn’t said anything. How she had made her way to Tokyo Tower,
rlm@2: even Tomoyo wasn’t exactly sure. But she stood there nonetheless,
rlm@2: soft bare feet dirty and bloody from all of her walking. Her
rlm@2: nightgown fluttered in the increasing wind, her dark hair seeming
rlm@2: alive as it moved about her. 
rlm@2: 	“Sakura-chan wouldn’t even recognize me, would she?” Tomoyo
rlm@2: whispered softly into the teddy bear’s ear. She held it gently,
rlm@2: lovingly, her tears rolling onto the soft cloth of its head. This
rlm@2: gift from Sakura was all she had left, the only thing she could hold
rlm@2: onto. It was her only companion at the end of her long and painful
rlm@2: road. There was some measure of relief in that, in knowing that it
rlm@2: was almost over. The cold, tangible pain inside of her was
rlm@2: unbearable. It cut through her viciously, tearing at her weak and
rlm@2: fragile soul. Her heart was pierced deeply, her love for Sakura
rlm@2: making the pain only more acute. She had to wonder if Sakura would
rlm@2: recognize this wretched, lonely girl about to throw herself off of
rlm@2: Tokyo Tower. Sakura had always seen what Tomoyo had portrayed for
rlm@2: her. In all the years they had known each other, Tomoyo had tried to
rlm@2: never show Sakura her fears, her pain, or her tears. And certainly
rlm@2: not her loneliness. She had always been happy for Sakura, always
rlm@2: offering her a smile. Sakura didn’t know what lay beneath that
rlm@2: smiling exterior. The Cardmistress hadn’t been allowed to see beneath
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s masks. Tomoyo had worn them for her, had always smiled for
rlm@2: Sakura’s sake. She had never wanted to burden Sakura with her
rlm@2: problems, with her own pain and tears. Only the briefest of glimpses
rlm@2: had been given to Sakura of the inner turmoil that lay beneath her
rlm@2: happy façade. But that had been part of the problem. Discovering
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s loneliness that night in the garden when they had shared a
rlm@2: kiss had sparked Sakura’s indomitable determination, forcing the
rlm@2: energetic brunette to try and find out who Tomoyo loved and to fix
rlm@2: the pain she had seen. Tomoyo had burdened Sakura after all in a way
rlm@2: she had never wished to. And she hated herself for that, for allowing
rlm@2: herself to let Sakura see her that way. It had been one of the
rlm@2: deciding factors in what had begun to ruin Sakura’s life. So she had
rlm@2: tried to hold onto her masks for as long as she could, to hide the
rlm@2: shadows from Sakura. She had been doing that since she had been a
rlm@2: child, always keeping up a mask of happiness for Sakura, never
rlm@2: letting her see the cold, lonely child beneath their constraints. But
rlm@2: now she was entirely without her masks, having left the broken shards
rlm@2: behind. She felt naked, unable to hold back the grief that held her
rlm@2: heart in a viselike grip.  They had finally broken, and with them, so
rlm@2: had the girl underneath. Tomoyo had only been able to handle so much
rlm@2: before her soul began to splinter just like the glass in the picture
rlm@2: frame. She had tried to write Sakura a goodbye note on the back of
rlm@2: the picture she held, to try not to worry her with her death, but it
rlm@2: was impossible for her. Her masks were entirely gone. She couldn’t
rlm@2: hide her pain any longer. Sobbing in frustration, Tomoyo had finally
rlm@2: given up, leaving only a half written apology on the back of the
rlm@2: picture of Sakura. 
rlm@2: 	Hugging the teddy bear in her arms as tightly as she could against
rlm@2: her trembling skin, Tomoyo sobbed against the bear named Sakura’s
rlm@2: head, her hair draped over the two of them as the wind grew eerily
rlm@2: calm for a moment. “I’ll miss you, Sakura-chan. Please take care of
rlm@2: her for me. I want... I need Sakura-chan to be happy. So I have to go
rlm@2: away for that. I need to fade away from her life. I don’t want to
rlm@2: hurt her like this. I wanted to move away before I did this so it
rlm@2: wouldn’t hurt Sakura-chan or mother. But there’s nothing else I can
rlm@2: do. I need to do this for Sakura-chan. It’s my last chance to save
rlm@2: her happiness,” she whispered quietly, tears soaking into the bear’s
rlm@2: head. Gingerly kissing the top of the teddy bear’s head, Tomoyo set
rlm@2: it down gently near the edge. The small bear seemed to be looking out
rlm@2: at the city spreading out below them, its tiny ribbon flowing in the
rlm@2: returning breeze. 
rlm@2: 	“I love you, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said louder as she stood up. Her
rlm@2: pale skin glimmered softly in the moonlight, her lavender hair
rlm@2: falling about her like tendrils of the night itself. Clasping her
rlm@2: hands together in front of her, the pale woman looked like a grieving
rlm@2: angel. She had stood by in Sakura’s life for years, always content
rlm@2: with loving her friend from afar. She had done so not because she had
rlm@2: been embarrassed to say anything and not because she wasn’t brave
rlm@2: enough to tell the brunette. No, it had been something much deeper
rlm@2: than that. She had done it precisely because she loved Sakura. She
rlm@2: had watched her grow closer to Syaoran, had watched the one she loved
rlm@2: with all of her heart giving her heart to another. Tomoyo hadn’t
rlm@2: burdened Sakura with her own feelings, had instead tried to nurture
rlm@2: Sakura’s heart towards another. Because she believed that the
rlm@2: Mistress of the Cards, her sweet auburn haired best friend, had
rlm@2: chosen her princess long ago. Just like in the play they had done so
rlm@2: long ago, Sakura was the noble and determined prince. Syaoran was her
rlm@2: princess. And Tomoyo wouldn’t, couldn’t fight that. She had no wish
rlm@2: to. As long as Sakura could be happy, that was all that mattered. So
rlm@2: she had stayed in the background, watching as Sakura had fallen in
rlm@2: love with a little push from herself, had watched as the two had
rlm@2: begun a relationship. When you love someone so much it hurts, that
rlm@2: they become your entire world, then it becomes their happiness, not
rlm@2: your own, that matters. Maybe she could have had Sakura with the
rlm@2: amount of control she could wield over the brunette. But it would
rlm@2: never be worth having Sakura if she wasn’t happy. So if someone else
rlm@2: could have Sakura’s love, could thrill her and fill her with joy at
rlm@2: the world, then that would be Tomoyo’s goal in life. And so even if
rlm@2: it hurt, Tomoyo had given her all to make sure that Sakura would be
rlm@2: happy with Syaoran. And she would safeguard that now. Forever.  	
rlm@2: 	Alone. In one way or another, Tomoyo had always been alone. Sakura
rlm@2: had never really seen her, never looked past her masks. They had
rlm@2: always been close, but Sakura had never looked through to the girl
rlm@2: beneath her cheerful exterior. And besides Sakura, Tomoyo really
rlm@2: hadn’t had any other friends. Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika had all been
rlm@2: Sakura’s friends. Friends by the common association with Sakura
rlm@2: maybe, but nothing more. It had been so easy for Sakura to make
rlm@2: friends with her warm and loving nature. But it had always been
rlm@2: something difficult for the more introverted heiress. Sakura had been
rlm@2: her first real and best friend. And she had cherished that deeply.
rlm@2: But it left her so alone because of how in love she had fallen with
rlm@2: Sakura. Because she could never show her everything that lay in her
rlm@2: heart. And though her mother cared about her deeply, the
rlm@2: businesswoman had always been so busy with work. Tomoyo had always
rlm@2: loved the times they could spend together, but they had been few and
rlm@2: far between at times. But now that loneliness would finally come to
rlm@2: an end. She could slip away. She had always been in the background,
rlm@2: so no one should notice after a while that she was even gone. It was
rlm@2: finally over. 
rlm@2: 	Taking a step forward, Tomoyo looked up at the stars above. She
rlm@2: wondered where Nadeshiko was up above. The beautiful woman was almost
rlm@2: certainly an angel now. She would have to ask her to keep an eye on
rlm@2: her mother. Maybe she could be Sakura’s angel. She had always wanted
rlm@2: nothing more than to watch her beautiful best friend smile joyously.
rlm@2: If she could keep an eye on Sakura after her death, she could watch
rlm@2: all that she would be missing in life. To see Sakura live her happy
rlm@2: life, to see her have children and grow old with the one she loved,
rlm@2: that would be all she could hope for. If she could be Sakura’s angel,
rlm@2: she could always be with her. And Sakura could finally be happy.
rlm@2: There would be no more danger of her ruining her dearest
rlm@2: Cardmistress’s gorgeous life. Death held no fear for the lavender
rlm@2: haired woman. It held release in it’s grasp, and salvation for the
rlm@2: happiness she wished to protect. She could finally escape her
rlm@2: loneliness and torment, leaving them as well as her masks behind. 
rlm@2: 	Dark tresses waved in front of Tomoyo, nearly blinding the quiet
rlm@2: phantom as the wind began to pick up violently again. Tomoyo took no
rlm@2: notice of the gale, her hands held tightly to her chest. Her battered
rlm@2: heart whispered it’s endless love to Sakura amidst the rustling of
rlm@2: the wind. “Goodbye, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said softly, taking a last
rlm@2: glance at the steadfast teddy bear. It was time to go. But her love
rlm@2: would never leave her. Eternity awaited, calling to her. Turning back
rlm@2: to the city lights that continued to shine like beacons in the
rlm@2: darkness, Tomoyo stepped forward onto the edge of the structure. The
rlm@2: wind threatened to throw off the small toy designer, angrily shaking
rlm@2: her with all its might. But the girl waited patiently, tears still
rlm@2: dripping below. Pulling up her bloodstained picture, Tomoyo’s fingers
rlm@2: gently traced over the smiling Sakura. Behind her tears, Tomoyo
rlm@2: returned the smile to her beloved. In an instant, the picture
rlm@2: disappeared. The lavender haired woman’s heart skipped a beat as her
rlm@2: tear streaked eyes darted for the small object. It floated a few feet
rlm@2: away from her, fluttering in the heavy wind.  “Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo
rlm@2: called out, reaching out for the picture, her frozen moment of
rlm@2: Sakura. Tired, bare feet pushed against metal as she grasped for the
rlm@2: metal. And with that, the world gave away beneath her. The pale woman
rlm@2: plummeted from Tokyo Tower, falling for what felt like an eternity,
rlm@2: but seeming like nothing more than precious seconds. Releasing a weak
rlm@2: sob, Tomoyo clutched her hands to her chest. Dark hair streaked
rlm@2: behind her as the angel took flight, diving to the world below. Her
rlm@2: soul had been broken a short time ago. Now her body would join it,
rlm@2: broken on the pavement below. It would finally be over. Her eyes
rlm@2: closing, her mind shifted through countless images of her beloved.
rlm@2: She was going to die, but her thoughts went immediately to the woman
rlm@2: she loved. ‘Please don’t cry, Sakura-chan. It makes me sad to see you
rlm@2: cry,’ she begged the brunette as the pavement rushed up at her like a
rlm@2: bullet train. 
rlm@2: 	A cry reached Tomoyo’s ears, but it was indistinguishable over the
rlm@2: howl of the wind. It roared like an angry beast, fighting merely to
rlm@2: prove it’s existence. Her eyes closing tightly, Tomoyo saw Sakura’s
rlm@2: cute face smiling softly at her. “Sakura, I love you,” Tomoyo
rlm@2: whispered seconds before plowing into the concrete below. 
rlm@2: 	“TOMOYO-CHAN!!!” Sakura screamed as she alighted next to her
rlm@2: friend’s lifeless body. Her wings disappeared in a storm of feathers
rlm@2: as she collapsed next to the broken and bloody body of the gentle
rlm@2: heiress. Horrified, Sakura reached out with shaky fingers, turning
rlm@2: Tomoyo over. The sight immediately made her wish she hadn’t. Tomoyo
rlm@2: had always been the most gorgeous woman Sakura had ever known, her
rlm@2: graceful beauty always touching Sakura’s heart. But now she lay
rlm@2: broken, shattered. Her best friend was gone, and what was left behind
rlm@2: was a painful reminder. With shaking hands, Sakura brushed back
rlm@2: fluttering lavender hair from Tomoyo’s face. Stormy blue eyes looked
rlm@2: at her lifelessly, their sparkle completely vanished. Tears burst
rlm@2: forth from Sakura as she shook her head violently. “No!! Please,
rlm@2: no..” Tears spilt down her cheeks, dripping to the broken woman
rlm@2: beneath her. She had been too late. She had been flying the entire
rlm@2: day, searching in a frenzy to find Tomoyo, her mind single mindedly
rlm@2: set on finding her best friend. It had taken her forever to finally
rlm@2: find her, and it had only been at the last possible moment when she
rlm@2: had seen Tomoyo’s body tumbling through the air. She had lost. She
rlm@2: hadn’t been fast enough. Bitter sobs wracked her body as she held
rlm@2: onto what was left of Tomoyo. Bloody lavender hair pressed against
rlm@2: her face as she continued to cry. The pale woman’s words echoed
rlm@2: through her mind like an accusation. ‘I wasn’t afraid because I knew
rlm@2: Sakura-chan would save me.’ Yet for all of that faith, Sakura had
rlm@2: failed once again to save her best friend. Had, in fact, failed for
rlm@2: the last time. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura cried weakly into Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: hair. “I love you.. Please don’t leave me alone..” Just like always,
rlm@2: she had been too late, and Tomoyo had paid the price. Too late...
rlm@2: Sakura blinked back a fresh surge of tears as she weakly got to her
rlm@2: feet. No, not too late. She couldn’t be. She wouldn’t let herself be.
rlm@2: “I’ll save you, Tomoyo-chan. Just like you always said I would. I
rlm@2: promise,” Sakura whispered as she numbly pulled out her staff. She
rlm@2: had once chance. She was too exhausted to use much more of her power.
rlm@2: So she would have only one chance at this. The staff twirled in her
rlm@2: hands as she tossed a Sakura Card into the air. “Return!! Bring me to
rlm@2: before Tomoyo-chan fell!” She cried out above the bestial howl of the
rlm@2: wind. She wouldn’t let this be the end. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	Dark tresses waved in front of Tomoyo, nearly blinding the quiet
rlm@2: phantom as the wind began to pick up violently again. Tomoyo took no
rlm@2: notice of the gale, her hands held tightly to her chest. Her battered
rlm@2: heart whispered it’s endless love to Sakura amidst the rustling of
rlm@2: the wind. “Goodbye, Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said softly, taking a last
rlm@2: glance at the steadfast teddy bear. It was time to go. But her love
rlm@2: would never leave her. Eternity awaited, calling to her. Turning back
rlm@2: to the city lights that continued to shine like beacons in the
rlm@2: darkness, Tomoyo stepped forward onto the edge of the structure. The
rlm@2: wind threatened to throw off the small toy designer, angrily shaking
rlm@2: her with all its might. But the girl waited patiently, tears still
rlm@2: dripping below. Pulling up her bloodstained picture, Tomoyo’s fingers
rlm@2: gently traced over the smiling Sakura. Behind her tears, Tomoyo
rlm@2: returned the smile to her beloved. In an instant, the picture
rlm@2: disappeared. The lavender haired woman’s heart skipped a beat as her
rlm@2: tear streaked eyes darted for the small object. It floated a few feet
rlm@2: away from her, fluttering in the heavy wind.  “Sakura-chan!” Tomoyo
rlm@2: called out, reaching out for the picture, her frozen moment of
rlm@2: Sakura. Tired, bare feet pushed against metal as she grasped for the
rlm@2: metal. And with that, the world gave away beneath her. The pale woman
rlm@2: plummeted from Tokyo Tower, falling for what felt like an eternity,
rlm@2: but seeming like nothing more than precious seconds. Releasing a weak
rlm@2: sob, Tomoyo clutched her hands to her chest. Dark hair streaked
rlm@2: behind her as the angel took flight, diving to the world below. Her
rlm@2: soul had been broken a short time ago. Now her body would join it,
rlm@2: broken on the pavement below. It would finally be over. Her eyes
rlm@2: closing, her mind shifted through countless images of her beloved.
rlm@2: She was going to die, but her thoughts went immediately to the woman
rlm@2: she loved. ‘Please don’t cry, Sakura-chan. It makes me sad to see you
rlm@2: cry,’ she begged the brunette as the pavement rushed up at her like a
rlm@2: bullet train. 
rlm@2: A scream hit her ears, taking her by surprise. Dark lashes fluttered
rlm@2: open, sending diamond tears into the wind. It took her a moment to
rlm@2: see the source, a small angel rushing up towards her, shimmering
rlm@2: wings beating rapidly behind her. The angel’s beauty left Tomoyo
rlm@2: breathless as the distance between then dropped away. The lavender
rlm@2: haired woman idly wondered if the angel was Nadeshiko, coming to meet
rlm@2: her. It was hard to make out the winged woman in the darkness. Still
rlm@2: stunned by the ethereal beauty that darted her way, Tomoyo let out a
rlm@2: final prayer. ‘Please let me be Sakura’s angel,’ she pleaded. 
rlm@2: 	But Tomoyo’s wish lay incomplete, the air knocked out of her as she
rlm@2: stopped short of the ground below. The angel held onto the lavender
rlm@2: haired woman tightly, her grasp actually bruising the pale flesh
rlm@2: beneath her nightgown. Wings beat heavily as they tried to stop the
rlm@2: pair’s downward momentum. Struggling desperately, Sakura slowly began
rlm@2: to slow their descent. Her eyes closed tightly as she tried to focus
rlm@2: on nothing but the task at hand. With Tomoyo in her arms, she found
rlm@2: that extremely difficult, especially with the nature of how she had
rlm@2: found the woman. But somehow everything managed to fade away. There
rlm@2: was nothing but the moment, the action at hand. Emerald eyes opening,
rlm@2: Sakura looked forward, pouring out everything she had in one last
rlm@2: ditch effort. Wind whipped at her, pounding into the two woman,
rlm@2: weakening Sakura’s wings as they struggled to stay aloft. Her heart
rlm@2: pounding thunderously against the pale woman in her arms, Sakura felt
rlm@2: her wings falter briefly as she tried to push forward. Sweat burned
rlm@2: at her eyes as fatigue slowly sapped at her body. Panic began to
rlm@2: overwhelm her, but she forced it away with all of her might. She
rlm@2: could see a bright light ahead of her, awaiting them. It was
rlm@2: gorgeous, deep and illuminating. She struggled to reach the light,
rlm@2: forcing herself forward despite the pain that gnawed at her weakening
rlm@2: body. She thought she saw someone in the light, a woman with long,
rlm@2: dark hair and angel wings. ‘Tomoyo?’ Sakura thought weakly to
rlm@2: herself. But that couldn’t be. Tomoyo was still in her arms. Sakura’s
rlm@2: eyes widened after a moment. ‘Mama?’ The woman watched her intently
rlm@2: as Sakura desperately fought to reach the light and the ledge of the
rlm@2: Tower. She could see the teddy bear she had given Tomoyo resting on
rlm@2: the ledge, watching out along with her mother. Almost... Sakura
rlm@2: strained the last of her strength into a final push to reach the
rlm@2: ledge. The world pushed away beneath them as she flew upwards. One
rlm@2: hand shot out, reaching for the metal. It slowly edged closer. Her
rlm@2: fingers brushed the cold, but blessed metal of the Tower. With some
rlm@2: sort of handhold, she could force her tired wings to get them the
rlm@2: rest of the way up. Her fingers grappled for a better handhold. To
rlm@2: Sakura’s horror, the tower seemed to pull away from her questing
rlm@2: fingers. A sudden gust of wind had caught her wings and forced her
rlm@2: away from the tower. With no strength left, the two woman plummeted
rlm@2: once more. 
rlm@2: 	Air buffeted a fatigued and despondent Sakura as she clutched
rlm@2: desperately onto Tomoyo. It wasn’t fair. She almost had it. She had
rlm@2: almost saved Tomoyo. Just like Tomoyo had said long ago, that Sakura
rlm@2: would always come and save her. She had almost been able to. But just
rlm@2: like always, Sakura had failed her. And so she paid for that failure
rlm@2: with her life as well as Tomoyo’s. Her arms clenched onto the cold,
rlm@2: pale woman, tears sparkling in her eyes. She had thought that she
rlm@2: could save her this time. But at least, she thought, she could be
rlm@2: with Tomoyo this time. She wouldn’t die by herself. They would go
rlm@2: together, in each other’s arms. But even with that, Sakura couldn’t
rlm@2: help but feel defeat grip her soul. She had promised she would save
rlm@2: her, had wanted to come and save her best friend once and for all.
rlm@2: She couldn’t fail. It wasn’t right. She had finally come to save
rlm@2: Tomoyo from her pain and loneliness, had finally understood that
rlm@2: their hearts were entwined with red ribbons. But she hadn’t been able
rlm@2: to offer up her heart to the gorgeous dark haired woman, hadn’t been
rlm@2: able to make up for the years of neglecting just how important Tomoyo
rlm@2: was to her. Tears fell scattered to the stormy wind as they both
rlm@2: dropped. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura called out as she clung to the dark
rlm@2: haired woman. No, things couldn’t end this way. Not when she finally
rlm@2: understood her heart. Not when she finally understood who she loved.
rlm@2: She couldn’t let her terrible mistake from years before end like
rlm@2: this. She had caused Tomoyo such pain through her confusion about her
rlm@2: own feelings and her marriage to Syaoran. But she had vowed to make
rlm@2: that up to her, to love Tomoyo with all of her heart, to heal her
rlm@2: lonely heart. She had to offer her heart to the dark haired woman, to
rlm@2: finally truly save her. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo’s heart had nearly stopped in her chest. Sakura was here?
rlm@2: Sakura had found her? No, that wasn’t how it was supposed to be.. She
rlm@2: was supposed to die, to free Sakura from the burdens that lay over
rlm@2: her. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she stayed in the brunette’s arms.
rlm@2: Sakura wouldn’t let her leave. She wouldn’t let her escape. No matter
rlm@2: how hard she tried, everything kept moving towards the inevitable
rlm@2: destruction of Sakura’s happy life. Tomoyo hadn’t even been allowed
rlm@2: to kill herself, to end the pain and to save Sakura. What was she to
rlm@2: do now? How could she hope to fix things now? Despair flooded through
rlm@2: her in a wave, her sobs shaking her against the auburn haired woman.
rlm@2: If Sakura saved her, then she would be trapped here to see the loss
rlm@2: of Sakura’s happiness and to deal with her own pain. But if Sakura
rlm@2: didn’t save her, they would both die. That wasn’t what she wanted at
rlm@2: all. She was supposed to be the one who died, not Sakura. The
rlm@2: Mistress of the Cards had so much awaiting her. She couldn’t die now. 
rlm@2: 	Feeling the dark haired woman shuddering in her arms, Sakura felt
rlm@2: her own heart twinge in pain. This woman, the best friend she had
rlm@2: ever had, her support when things were too much for her, her bravery
rlm@2: when she had couldn’t force up any, her mother when she had none, her
rlm@2: confidante when she had secrets that no one else could here. Tomoyo
rlm@2: had always been everything for her. The pale woman had given her
rlm@2: everything she could ever ask for, never thinking at all that Sakura
rlm@2: should ever repay her for the love and support that she had always
rlm@2: poured out to Sakura so constantly. Sakura had to make up for that.
rlm@2: She had to finally make amends for what she had done. And more
rlm@2: importantly, she had to let her heart go free. “Windy!! Please stop
rlm@2: our fall!!” She called out, her staff hitting into the Sakura Card.
rlm@2: Her power was still weak after using the Return Card and having used
rlm@2: Fly all day long so she didn’t know if it would be strong enough to
rlm@2: carry them to the ground. 
rlm@2: 	Flying through the air, the magical woman that was Windy shifted
rlm@2: past Sakura and Tomoyo, slowing the fall against the strong gale that
rlm@2: fought back against her. The two tumbled through the air, reaching
rlm@2: ever nearer to the ground. Windy struggled against the wind as the
rlm@2: two fell together, exerting what power she could. Their descent
rlm@2: slowed, but they continued to fall. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura felt the ground rushing up to meet her and shifted under
rlm@2: Tomoyo. The two hit the ground hard, the wind sliding them along
rlm@2: across it for a second. Pain burst through Sakura’s shoulder and
rlm@2: lower back in a dazzling display of fire and ice. Flame burned at her
rlm@2: weary muscles as she lay under her best friend, panting heavily. It
rlm@2: took her a moment to realize that she had succeeded. She had saved
rlm@2: Tomoyo after all. Well, not necessarily. But they were both alive, so
rlm@2: it was a start. Taking a deep breath, she released it into Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: hair. Burying herself against the lavender haired woman, Sakura felt
rlm@2: hot tears fall down her cheeks, sliding down Tomoyo’s neck. “Oh,
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan!! I thought I was going to lose you...” she cried out.
rlm@2: After her failure before, it seemed a miracle that she was here with
rlm@2: her friend. It was almost as if Tomoyo had been brought back to life.
rlm@2: The fact that she was sitting there, holding onto Tomoyo beneath the
rlm@2: Tokyo Tower just as she had been before when Tomoyo had died hit her
rlm@2: with a startling suddenness, bringing fresh tears spilling down her
rlm@2: face as she cried against the pale woman. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo shifted in Sakura’s embrace, holding onto the sobbing woman.
rlm@2: Her own cold tears fell bitterly to the floor below. Escape had been
rlm@2: snatched from right in front of her. There was no way she could kill
rlm@2: herself now. It would hurt Sakura too much, especially after that.
rlm@2: But she felt profound despair eating away at her. She had failed and
rlm@2: now Sakura’s happy life would come collapsing around the both of
rlm@2: them. And there was absolutely nothing she could do but drown in her
rlm@2: own sorrow. “Sakura-chan..” Tomoyo whispered, her soft voice
rlm@2: cracking. “Please don’t cry..”
rlm@2: 	Shaking her head as she sat back to look at Tomoyo, Sakura wiped at
rlm@2: her tearful emerald eyes with the backs of her hands. “Oh, Tomoyo-
rlm@2: chan.. I thought... I thought..” A shuddering breath escaped the
rlm@2: brunette as she looked long and hard at the dark haired woman in
rlm@2: front of her. Tomoyo looked beyond despair. Her stormy blue eyes were
rlm@2: bloodshot, her tears still falling from her chin. Her deep eyes
rlm@2: looked hollow, weak. As shattered as Tomoyo had been when Sakura had
rlm@2: found her the first time. That realization sent a chill down Sakura’s
rlm@2: spine. She had never seen Tomoyo like this before. She had caught a
rlm@2: glimpse of it back before they had kissed, but this was utter
rlm@2: hopelessness. “Tomoyo-chan..!!” Sakura cried out as she grappled onto
rlm@2: the dark haired woman again, burying her head against the crook of
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s neck. Just what had she done to Tomoyo? The woman looked
rlm@2: lost, alone. Shattered. Was it her fault? Had she slowly done that to
rlm@2: Tomoyo? The thought terrified her. How could she have caused such
rlm@2: damage? No wonder Tomoyo had been about to die. For her, she reminded
rlm@2: herself. Tomoyo had been trying to protect her to the bitter end.
rlm@2: “Tomoyo-chan, I know. I know how you feel.” She felt Tomoyo tense in
rlm@2: her arms at her words, but she just held onto her tighter. “I know
rlm@2: what I’ve done. And I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Tomoyo-chan. I
rlm@2: had no idea. But that doesn’t make up for what I did. I never knew
rlm@2: how important you were to me. But I do now. I know why you were going
rlm@2: to.. to k..” Sakura trailed off, unable to continue that thought.
rlm@2: Images of a dead Tomoyo returned unbidden in her mind. She blinked
rlm@2: back burning tears. “And if you still want to, I won’t stop you,”
rlm@2: Sakura whispered. She felt Tomoyo’s head shift against her at that,
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s own tears falling against her. “But if you do, please hold
rlm@2: your hand out to me. Because I won’t be without you anymore. If
rlm@2: you’re going to die, I want to die with you. Because I can’t live a
rlm@2: life without you. I’m sorry it took me so long to understand that.”
rlm@2: Moving back slightly, she looked into Tomoyo’s tear filled, stormy
rlm@2: blue eyes. Her own emerald eyes looked back at her with a firey
rlm@2: determination. She meant every word of what she said. Forcing Tomoyo
rlm@2: to live for her sake wasn’t right. If the pain was too much for her,
rlm@2: then.. “I’ll follow right behind you, whatever you decide,” Sakura
rlm@2: continued. 
rlm@2: 	Choking back a sob, Tomoyo looked away. She couldn’t keep staring
rlm@2: into those emerald orbs any longer. Her body shuddered as her fists
rlm@2: clenched up. Sakura knew? Panic began to grow in her heart, but
rlm@2: Sakura’s words played over again and again in her mind. Part of her
rlm@2: still wanted to die, to escape the pain and her own lonely heart.
rlm@2: Sakura would allow her to leave? But how could she if Sakura herself
rlm@2: would be following? “Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo whispered softly, her voice
rlm@2: barely audible above the wind. “I just want you to be happy.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura ventured a weak smile, reaching out shaky fingers to brush
rlm@2: away some of Tomoyo’s tears. “You make me happy,” she whispered in
rlm@2: reply. Jade eyes blinked back tears as she met Tomoyo’s eyes once
rlm@2: more. “Tomoyo-chan, I’m sorry for all of the pain I’ve caused you.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo began to argue the point, but Sakura shook her head, cutting
rlm@2: the lavender haired woman off. “I’m sorry for not knowing my own
rlm@2: heart. I let everyone else tell me who I loved without looking
rlm@2: myself. And I didn’t realize the damage it caused. I thought everyone
rlm@2: else knew my heart better than I could. But I know now that that
rlm@2: isn’t true. No one could tell me who I loved. I had to find it out
rlm@2: for myself. And I finally did. I finally figured it all out.” The
rlm@2: brunette smiled a little more proudly. “Tomoyo-chan, I love you. I
rlm@2: know that now. You’ve always been the one who made me happy. When
rlm@2: you’re not there, I.. It isn’t like when I’m with you. I don’t feel
rlm@2: strong enough. I don’t have all of Tomoyo-chan’s love and support to
rlm@2: back me up. So how can I keep going?” The Cardmistress took a deep
rlm@2: breath as she watched Tomoyo. “I can’t be happy without you. So I
rlm@2: want to be with you, wherever you go. I love you, Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2: 	Shock crossed Tomoyo’s face as her lavender hair fluttered in the
rlm@2: wind. Her mouth opened slowly, but nothing came out. Never had she
rlm@2: believed she would hear those words. They were a fantasy, something
rlm@2: that had been a vivid and beautiful dream but nothing more. To hear
rlm@2: Sakura utter them, to see those emerald eyes looking at her with all
rlm@2: honesty. It seemed that her whole life had been built around her love
rlm@2: for Sakura. But she had always been in the background, loving her but
rlm@2: never being loved. Helping her to find the love that she herself
rlm@2: could not have. She had no doubt that she herself would do anything
rlm@2: for Sakura, but the thought that Sakura would do the same, follow her
rlm@2: even in death, simply astounded her. Releasing a pent up sob,
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s pale body shook lightly. This was all too much. She didn’t
rlm@2: know what she was supposed to do. She held her head weakly, her eyes
rlm@2: shutting out the world around her. But it was Sakura’s words that
rlm@2: finally shattered her confusion. ‘You make me happy’. ‘I want the one
rlm@2: I like to be happy,’ Tomoyo had said long ago. “Sakura-chan!!” Tomoyo
rlm@2: got out as she held onto Sakura tightly, dark hair draping over the
rlm@2: both of them. “I’ve always loved you,” the lavender haired woman
rlm@2: whispered into Sakura’s ear as she poured all of her remaining
rlm@2: strength into simply holding onto the Cardmistress. 
rlm@2: 	Resting her head against Tomoyo’s, Sakura let her eyes fall closed.
rlm@2: She felt drained from everything, but the pale woman’s embrace
rlm@2: comforted and soothed her weary spirit. She buried her face in
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s lavender hair, delighting in the intoxicating scent. It was
rlm@2: over. She had finally managed to save Tomoyo after all. After all
rlm@2: those years of waiting, she had finally reached her princess. No, it
rlm@2: wasn’t over. Not in the least. Things were just beginning. Sakura
rlm@2: didn’t know where things would go or what would happen, but it hardly
rlm@2: seemed to matter. If Tomoyo was with her, she could overcome
rlm@2: anything. “Everything will always be right. I promise, Tomoyo-chan.”
rlm@2: 	Silence reigned for long moments, the only sound the howling of the
rlm@2: wind. Tomoyo shifted against Sakura, her broken heart rejoicing.
rlm@2: Maybe.. Maybe she wasn’t all alone. And maybe she could make Sakura
rlm@2: happy after all. Besides, she knew Sakura better than anyone else.
rlm@2: And devoting her life to Sakura sounded like the most delicious
rlm@2: punishment for nearly leaving Sakura’s life. Her nose brushed
rlm@2: Sakura’s ear as she moved against the other woman, content to immerse
rlm@2: herself in their embrace. “Sakura-chan makes a very cute angel.” The
rlm@2: two giggled together, laughing into the dark night. Everything had
rlm@2: been so painful and so desperate for so long. It felt so nice to let
rlm@2: it all leak away, to let go. Tomoyo’s heavy eyelids fell closed. She
rlm@2: felt exhausted from the long night and the emotional torment that had
rlm@2: held her tightly in its grasp. It felt peaceful in Sakura’s arms,
rlm@2: warmer than she can imagine being in a long time. “I’ll make you
rlm@2: happy, Sakura-chan,” the lavender haired woman vowed in her soft,
rlm@2: gentle voice. 
rlm@2: 	“I know, Tomoyo-chan. I know,” Sakura replied, finally allowing
rlm@2: herself to relax. All of the chaos of the past few days had nearly
rlm@2: been too much for her to handle, especially without Tomoyo’s support
rlm@2: to make it through it all. It felt so nice to know that it was
rlm@2: finally gone. Her princess was rescued and all was right with the
rlm@2: world. Not a bad days work. Her old life may be left behind, but
rlm@2: Sakura felt a thrill at the new life that lay ahead of her. Whatever
rlm@2: promise or perils it held, the brunette would be happy to face them. 
rlm@2: 	Watching Sakura silently, Tomoyo sighed in contentment. The girl
rlm@2: she had loved for so long was now right in front of her. Her love
rlm@2: wasn’t hidden any longer. She smiled lovingly at Sakura, cupping the
rlm@2: slightly surprised brunette’s chin. Licking her dry lips, Tomoyo
rlm@2: allowed herself to repeat what had shortly before felt like a
rlm@2: grievous mistake. It was a slow, soft kiss that warmed Tomoyo’s heart
rlm@2: and soul. It felt like all of the unfinished feelings and the
rlm@2: uncertainty of their last kiss was finally washed away. It wasn’t a
rlm@2: farewell kiss, or even a gesture between friends. This was a new
rlm@2: beginning. Tomoyo’s hands rested gently on Sakura’s warm cheeks while
rlm@2: Sakura’s arms wrapped around her waist. She could feel Sakura’s blush
rlm@2: fade away as Sakura began kissing her back. Sitting back, Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: hand went to her own cheek as disappointment colored her expression.
rlm@2: “Oh no...”
rlm@2: 	Sakura looked at Tomoyo hazily, her lips still warm from Tomoyo’s
rlm@2: brief presence. She wanted to lean forward and continue the
rlm@2: delightful action, but the lavender haired girl’s expression shook
rlm@2: her out of her stupor. “Huh? What’s wrong Tomoyo-chan?” Her heart
rlm@2: began to beat in panic. She had thought everything was finally
rlm@2: resolved.
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo’s fingers reached out and tugged lightly on the costume
rlm@2: Sakura was wearing. “Sakura-chan finished my last costume? And wore
rlm@2: it? And I didn’t get to get any of it on video?” she said in utter
rlm@2: despair.
rlm@2: 	Sweatdropping, Sakura tilted her head to the side. She should have
rlm@2: seen that coming. “Tomoyo-chan..” Sakura blushed slightly as she
rlm@2: leaned towards Tomoyo, her lips halting inches away from the pale
rlm@2: woman’s. “I’ll let you videotape me as much as you want in it.
rlm@2: Later.” Leaning the rest of the way, Sakura kissed the gentle
rlm@2: heiress, all the anguish from the time they had first been apart
rlm@2: months ago melting away at the slow but luxurious kiss. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo returned the kiss with all of the pent up love that had been
rlm@2: buried in her heart for over nine years. Sakura made a soft sound as
rlm@2: the kiss became more passionate, only spurring Tomoyo forward. Seeing
rlm@2: Sakura in her last costume, seeing it finished, it all made the
rlm@2: moment even more perfect. She had felt so sad when she realized she
rlm@2: wouldn’t be making anymore costumes for Sakura anymore. But Sakura
rlm@2: had come to her rescue wearing it, having finished it some time
rlm@2: before. Sakura had saved her body and her lonely, broken soul. Tomoyo
rlm@2: lost herself to the kiss, to Sakura’s sweet embrace. The Tokyo Tower,
rlm@2: the surging wind, the night sky, it all faded away as surely as
rlm@2: Tomoyo had intended to. But she no longer had such drastic desires.
rlm@2: All she wanted was to stay there with Sakura, to love her. Pulling
rlm@2: away slowly from their kiss, Tomoyo smiled happily. But this time,
rlm@2: she hid nothing from the brunette. Sakura held onto her on the cold
rlm@2: ground, but neither seemed to notice. They had both reached this
rlm@2: point from such different places. Tomoyo had always known the love in
rlm@2: her heart, but had hid it to protect the one she loved. Sakura hadn’t
rlm@2: known her own heart until it was almost too late, but she hadn’t been
rlm@2: able to hide it in the least. Despite the different roads traveled,
rlm@2: it didn’t matter. Because from now on, they would be travelling the
rlm@2: same road together. 
rlm@2: