rlm@2:  
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: The Jealousy Card:
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: By Stirling Twilight and Amazoness Duo
rlm@2: stirling_9@hotmail.com
rlm@2: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:      Sakura took a deep breath of fresh air as she started 
rlm@2: rollerblading down the street. It was a beautiful day, and the sun 
rlm@2: was shining brightly. A soft breeze gently blew over her as she 
rlm@2: made her way to school. She blushed lightly at the thought of 
rlm@2: Yukito waiting where he usually did before school. Sighing, she 
rlm@2: felt a pang of sadness at the thought of who he was waiting for. 
rlm@2: She slowed down, finally coming to a stop, as her brother rode by 
rlm@2: on his bike.  As long as he was happy, right? Tomoyo had once 
rlm@2: told her that what really mattered was that the one you loved was 
rlm@2: happy, even if they weren’t with you. 
rlm@2:      Waiting a few moments to make sure her brother and Yukito 
rlm@2: were well on their way, Sakura started rollerblading again, a little 
rlm@2: slower this time. She was glad Yukito had found love, but would 
rlm@2: she ever find it herself? She had thought she loved the older boy, 
rlm@2: but after her talk with him, she wasn't so sure anymore. He had 
rlm@2: told her that her feelings for him were like the ones she had for her 
rlm@2: father. Oddly enough, besides short bouts of sadness over him, she 
rlm@2: seemed to be doing pretty well. Maybe she was just being mature 
rlm@2: about it. But could there be something else to it? Could it be that 
rlm@2: maybe she was falling for someone else? Thinking for a moment, 
rlm@2: Sakura tried to figure who such a person could possibly be, but 
rlm@2: ended up dismissing the idea. She was happy for Yukito, Sakura 
rlm@2: decided, and that was all.
rlm@2:      Her spirits noticeably higher, Sakura flashed a smile at the dark-
rlm@2: haired girl waiting for her at the front gate of their school. "Hi, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan!" she said, skidding to a stop in front of her best 
rlm@2: friend.
rlm@2:      "Ohayo gozaimasu, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said happily. "How 
rlm@2: did you sleep last night?"
rlm@2:      "Pretty well.  I had a strange dream, but I can't remember it 
rlm@2: now. You were in it. And Li-kun.  And I was worried about you 
rlm@2: for some reason," Sakura trailed off, trying to remember more of 
rlm@2: her dream.
rlm@2:      "I'm very glad I was in your dreams, Sakura-chan, but don't be 
rlm@2: worried about me," Tomoyo said thoughtfully. "It was just a 
rlm@2: dream. And, in any case, worrying about it won't do any good. You 
rlm@2: should try to relax."
rlm@2:      "You're right," Sakura agreed. "I wish I could remember the rest 
rlm@2: of it, though. I feel like I’ve forgotten an important warning about 
rlm@2: something. Like it was a premonition." She pulled off her 
rlm@2: rollerblades along with the rest of her protective gear. Standing 
rlm@2: back up, she walked side by side with Tomoyo towards their 
rlm@2: classroom.
rlm@2:      "If your dream was a warning about something, I'm certain that 
rlm@2: you will eventually figure it out," Tomoyo said with a reassuring 
rlm@2: smile.
rlm@2:      Sakura found herself smiling back. 'I always do feel better after 
rlm@2: talking to Tomoyo,' she thought to herself. "Thank you, Tomoyo-
rlm@2: chan."
rlm@2:      "Whenever you want to talk, Sakura-chan, I’m always here for 
rlm@2: you. I love talking to you, and if it helps you, I'm happy." Tomoyo 
rlm@2: took her seat next to Sakura's and started pulling out what she 
rlm@2: would need for class from her backpack.
rlm@2:      Sitting down in her desk, Sakura grinned to herself. She felt a 
rlm@2: lot better about things now.  She wasn't worrying about her dream 
rlm@2: or her sadness over Yukito for the moment. Looking through the 
rlm@2: window, she watched the late students getting to school. She 
rlm@2: closed her eyes, basking in the warm sunlight as she waited for 
rlm@2: class to begin. This day could be a good one after all.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:      "How does this look?" Tomoyo asked tentatively as she handed 
rlm@2: Sakura a sheet of paper from her notebook. Sakura carefully took 
rlm@2: the paper, finishing up another bite of her lunch at the same time. 
rlm@2: She sweatdropped when she saw the sketch of herself in a costume. 
rlm@2: There were several different views to show the whole costume, 
rlm@2: including the large bow in back.  "What do you think?"
rlm@2:      "It's... nice," Sakura said, not quite knowing what else to say.
rlm@2:      "I think it would look really cute on you, Sakura-chan." 
rlm@2: Tomoyo grew starry eyed as she blushed at she thought of Sakura 
rlm@2: in the finished costume. "Do you think it could use more lace?"
rlm@2:      "No, no, I think it's fine the way it is," Sakura said hastily. Her 
rlm@2: troubles with wild Clow Cards had ended when she became the 
rlm@2: Card Mistress, and now with things settling down after Eriol, there 
rlm@2: really wasn't much of a need for her to go out as a Card Captor
rlm@2: anymore. But Tomoyo still made plenty of costumes for her, 
rlm@2: getting Sakura to come over to her house and try them on so the 
rlm@2: dark-haired girl could at least videotape her in them. She was 
rlm@2: happy to humor the dark haired girl, even if it was a bit strange 
rlm@2: wearing all the different costumes. Tomoyo seemed to love 
rlm@2: videotaping her in them so much that it was the least she could do 
rlm@2: for all the help and friendship the dark haired girl had given her.
rlm@2:      "Every time I finish a new costume, when I look at it, I get the 
rlm@2: feeling that something isn't right. It doesn't seem really finished. 
rlm@2: But when I finally see you wearing it, Sakura-chan, it's like the last 
rlm@2: piece of a puzzle has fallen into place. You complete them."
rlm@2: You complete me, Tomoyo wanted to add.
rlm@2:      Sakura blushed as Tomoyo smiled gently at her. For a second, it 
rlm@2: felt like she and Tomoyo were the only ones there. The feeling 
rlm@2: slowly faded and Sakura noticed all her classmates busily chatting 
rlm@2: through lunch. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or saddened that 
rlm@2: the moment had ended so quickly.
rlm@2:      "I'll start working on this one when I get home," Tomoyo 
rlm@2: finished. Her head tilted to the side, a worried look spreading over 
rlm@2: her face. "Sakura-chan, are you alright?"
rlm@2:      "Hai… I'm fine," Sakura said, laughing nervously. For some 
rlm@2: reason, she felt awkward all of a sudden. Glancing around a bit 
rlm@2: while she ate some more of her lunch, she noticed Syaoran walking 
rlm@2: by, on his own as he often was. "Li-kun! Why don't you have lunch 
rlm@2: with us?" she asked happily. Syaoran paused for a moment before 
rlm@2: accepting, sitting beside the two girls.
rlm@2:      "I really hope we don't have much homework tonight," Sakura 
rlm@2: said conversationally. "It's my night to make dinner."
rlm@2:      "I hope so, too. If you need to pick up ingredients or anything, I 
rlm@2: could come with you before you go home," Tomoyo offered 
rlm@2: helpfully.
rlm@2:      Sakura smiled at her. "Thanks, Tomoyo-chan. I don't think I 
rlm@2: need anything, though." She placed a hand on her chin, trying to 
rlm@2: make sure.
rlm@2:      "Sakura..." Syaoran interrupted.
rlm@2:      "Hoe?" Sakura turned to Syaoran who was now staring straight 
rlm@2: ahead. Tomoyo turned to look at him as well, putting aside the 
rlm@2: sketches.
rlm@2:      "There's something I want to tell you," Syaoran said slowly.  He 
rlm@2: was really nervous, even though he'd probably never admit it to 
rlm@2: himself.
rlm@2:      "What is it?" Sakura asked curiously. Tomoyo smiled at him, 
rlm@2: knowing what it was that he wanted to say. She nodded slightly, as 
rlm@2: if urging him to go on.
rlm@2:      "I... I..."
rlm@2:      "Syaoran-kun, are you feeling okay?" Sakura asked worriedly.
rlm@2:      "It's about Sakura-chan, right, Li-kun?" Tomoyo suggested 
rlm@2: gently, trying to help him along.
rlm@2:      Syaoran nodded emphatically.  Sakura looked more and more 
rlm@2: interested as she waited to hear what he had to say. 
rlm@2: Syaoran rounded on Tomoyo and asked her pointedly, 
rlm@2: “Can you go?”  He wanted to be alone with Sakura if he was going 
rlm@2: to tell her. 
rlm@2: 	The dark haired girl smiled and nodded. Picking up her 
rlm@2: notebook, she walked over to a nearby tree. She felt almost as 
rlm@2: nervous inside as the Chinese boy. This was it. He would finally 
rlm@2: tell Sakura, wouldn’t he? Maybe it was about time she did as 
rlm@2: well…
rlm@2:      Syaoran watched her go before turning back, to meet the green 
rlm@2: eyes that were watching him in confusion.  He gathered his breath 
rlm@2: and in one long exhale managed to force out, "I... I... I like you!" 
rlm@2:      Sakura blinked in confusion several times. "You what?"
rlm@2:      Syaoran stood up, made an obvious effort to composes himself, 
rlm@2: lost the battle and made a hasty retreat back towards the classroom. 
rlm@2: He nearly bumped into Naoko in his hurry.
rlm@2:      "What did he mean?" Sakura asked aloud. She just couldn't 
rlm@2: figure out what on earth Syaoran was trying to do, telling her that 
rlm@2: he liked her and then running away.
rlm@2: Tomoyo leaned towards her, having returned unnoticed.
rlm@2:      "I think Li-kun was trying to say that he loves you," Tomoyo 
rlm@2: explained in a soft whisper.
rlm@2:      Sakura's face turned a deep shade of crimson as realization hit. 
rlm@2: She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but nothing came out. 
rlm@2: After a few false starts she finally got out, "But... but... how?"
rlm@2:      Tomoyo smiled brightly at her friend. "That's not hard, Sakura-
rlm@2: chan. It's easy to fall in love with you. It's telling you that’s the 
rlm@2: hard part."  Standing up as the bell rang for the end of lunch, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo offered Sakura her hand. Sakura, still in shock, let the 
rlm@2: other girl help her stand. She tried to walk, but stumbled a bit. 
rlm@2: Tomoyo arms went gently around her waist, steadying the 
rlm@2: brunette. Smiling gently, she helped her back towards the 
rlm@2: classroom, not letting her own inner turmoil show.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:      It was a bit colder after school, but the weather was still 
rlm@2: pleasant. A gentle breeze meandered past the two girls on their 
rlm@2: way home. Sakura was still having trouble coming to grips with 
rlm@2: what had happened earlier with Syaoran. She was so worried, she 
rlm@2: wasn't really aware of where they were going. Tomoyo was 
rlm@2: silently leading her home, trying to give her best friend time to 
rlm@2: think.  Though it was still early in the evening, Sakura felt
rlm@2: tired, exhausted. She just wanted to lie down so that she wouldn't 
rlm@2: have to think about anything. Questions kept racing through her 
rlm@2: mind. How could he? Was he serious?
rlm@2: What should she do now?
rlm@2:      Sakura, walking slowly, noticed all of a sudden that Tomoyo 
rlm@2: wasn't at her side anymore. She turned around and saw the other 
rlm@2: girl standing there, her long, dark hair
rlm@2: fluttering behind her. Sakura looked at her with surprise.  Her 
rlm@2: friend seemed deep in thought.
rlm@2:      "Tomoyo-chan?"
rlm@2:      Tomoyo looked at her, but didn't answer right away.  Sakura 
rlm@2: felt a pang of nervousness. It was such an unusual attitude in her 
rlm@2: friend...
rlm@2:      "Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said at last, startling Sakura a little, "do 
rlm@2: you remember when I said that I loved you?"
rlm@2:      That was an easy one, Sakura thought. Tomoyo had told her 
rlm@2: that many, many times. "Un!" she nodded.
rlm@2:      "You looked happy, Sakura-chan, and you said that you loved 
rlm@2: me too. And I said: 'But Sakura-chan doesn't mean the same thing 
rlm@2: as me.' Do you remember?"
rlm@2:      Again, Sakura nodded. 
rlm@2:  "After that, I told you that I'd explain everything later. Isn't that 
rlm@2: right?"
rlm@2:      Sakura's eyes lit up with remembrance. "Oh yes, I remember! I 
rlm@2: wondered so much about that, I couldn't figure what in the world 
rlm@2: you were talking about."
rlm@2:      Tomoyo smiled gently. "Well, I think I will tell you now, 
rlm@2: Sakura-chan," she said. "Truth is, I'm a little nervous about this. I 
rlm@2: don't know if the time is right, I'm not sure you will understand." 
rlm@2: She paused for a moment, and then added softly, "But I'm going to 
rlm@2: give it a try anyway."
rlm@2:      Sakura looked at Tomoyo intently.  She felt very excited all of a 
rlm@2: sudden. The dark-haired girl sounded so serious it was a bit scary, 
rlm@2: but an overwhelming curiosity gnawed at her.  After all, she 
rlm@2: thought, this was Tomoyo.  Whatever she had to say, it couldn't be 
rlm@2: anything bad, could it?
rlm@2:      "What is it? Please, Tomoyo-chan, tell me!" Sakura begged, her 
rlm@2: face bright with eagerness.
rlm@2:      Tomoyo took a deep breath and slowly released it. She gazed 
rlm@2: deeply into Sakura's beautiful green eyes. "Sakura-chan, we've 
rlm@2: been very close for a long time now, and I want you to know that 
rlm@2: you've always been the most important thing in the world to me."
rlm@2:      Sakura smiled happily at her. "You are a very important friend 
rlm@2: to me too, Tomoyo-chan." She let out a sigh. She was glad it 
rlm@2: hadn’t been anything big. She’d had enough surprises for one day.
rlm@2:      Tomoyo sweatdropped and decided to try a different approach. 
rlm@2:      "Whatever I do, wherever I go, I'm always thinking about you, 
rlm@2: Sakura-chan. It's like..." she was having trouble finding the right 
rlm@2: words. "You make me think of an angel, Sakura-chan. You are like 
rlm@2: a heavenly angel sent down to this earthly realm to fill the lives of 
rlm@2: humans with light. I feel like I would never be able to repay you 
rlm@2: for the joy you've brought into mine.  That's the way I feel, in my 
rlm@2: heart, when I think about you."
rlm@2:      Sakura felt a rosy blush spread all over her cheeks.  She 
rlm@2: lowered her gaze, forced out a shaky little laugh and rubbed the 
rlm@2: back of her head. "I... I... Oh, Tomoyo-chan, it's nothing like that! I 
rlm@2: mean, I'm not an angel. I'm not heavenly or anything. I'm just..."  
rlm@2: Sakura paused briefly, as if gathering her thoughts, then looked 
rlm@2: back up and smiled at her friend, a genuine smile this time. "You 
rlm@2: say the nicest things, Tomoyo-chan. I feel all warm and mushy 
rlm@2: inside when you say that kind of thing, even though I'm not the 
rlm@2: way you say. Thank you so much! You're my best friend in the 
rlm@2: whole wide world, and I'm really, really glad that you're happy 
rlm@2: when I'm around."
rlm@2:      Tomoyo sighed softly. This was sooo much harder than she 
rlm@2: thought it would be. Part of her just wanted to stop, put on her 
rlm@2: trademark happy smile and tell Sakura that they were late and that 
rlm@2: they should be hurrying. She knew Sakura would then dismiss 
rlm@2: everything Tomoyo had just said as "some more of Tomoyo's 
rlm@2: weird stuff", and things
rlm@2: between them would return to normal. It would be so easy, she 
rlm@2: thought, backing off and leaving love confessions for another day. 
rlm@2: But she couldn't do that, not this time.
rlm@2: Not when she had already come this far.
rlm@2:      "Sakura-chan," she started again, trying to find stronger words 
rlm@2: to express the feelings in her heart, "I'm always happiest when 
rlm@2: we’re spending time together. And whenever I'm unhappy, all I 
rlm@2: have to do is think about you to feel better. When I see you 
rlm@2: wearing one of the dresses I make for you, my heart feels like it's 
rlm@2: going to pound out of my chest in joy. Being with you, doing 
rlm@2: things with you is my idea of heaven. You mean so much to me. I 
rlm@2: can't bear the thought of not being able to see you. I want to be 
rlm@2: with you, always, forever."
rlm@2:      Sakura blushed again, redder this time. Tomoyo was always 
rlm@2: saying strange things around her, and she knew she should be used 
rlm@2: to it by now, but this... this was like all of them rolled into one. She 
rlm@2: wasn't sure what to say, or if she should just wait for her friend to 
rlm@2: continue.
rlm@2:      Tomoyo was blushing a little, too. She had said so much, and 
rlm@2: yet, she could tell, just by looking at Sakura, that she still hadn't 
rlm@2: gotten her point across. "I know you were surprised, today, when 
rlm@2: you found out about Li-kun's love for you, but I understand his 
rlm@2: feelings all too well.  Since the day I met you, you have been like 
rlm@2: the sun in my life, outshining everything else. Sakura-chan, cards 
rlm@2: aren't the only magic you have at your command.  I've been under 
rlm@2: your spell for a long time."
rlm@2:      Sakura didn't realize she'd been holding her breath until her 
rlm@2: lungs started to ache for air. She was blushing as red as a peony 
rlm@2: now, and she was starting to find it difficult to stand still. She felt 
rlm@2: weak in the knees from the nervousness building up inside her.
rlm@2:      "Sakura-chan, daisuki desu wa," Tomoyo declared with earnest 
rlm@2: feeling, and then, before her innocent cousin could once again 
rlm@2: misunderstand those three simple words,
rlm@2: she continued, "And I don't mean just as a friend. I love you so 
rlm@2: much more than that. Sakura-chan, I'm in love. I'm in love with 
rlm@2: you, I love you. Do you understand what I'm
rlm@2: trying to say?"  Tomoyo took Sakura's hands in her own and gazed 
rlm@2: again into those dazzling emerald green eyes.  "I love you," she 
rlm@2: repeated softly, her own stormy blue eyes trying to convey every 
rlm@2: bit of the feelings inside of her.
rlm@2:      "To... To... Tomoyo-chan..."  Sakura barely managed to get out. 
rlm@2: Her heart was thudding a mad tempo in her chest, and she was sure 
rlm@2: her eyes looked like saucers. The shock of Syaoran's confession 
rlm@2: felt like nothing compared to what she was feeling at this moment.  
rlm@2: She had thought that, after Syaoran, nothing in the world could 
rlm@2: surprise her anymore. Oh god, had she been wrong!  She knew that 
rlm@2: she had to say something, she could tell the other girl was waiting 
rlm@2: for her to say something, but her mind had gone completely blank. 
rlm@2: First Syaoran and now Tomoyo? It was too much for her. She felt 
rlm@2: like her whole world had been turned upside down.
rlm@2:      "Tomoyo-chan,” she stammered, “I... I... I'll talk to you later," 
rlm@2: Sakura finished, a little lamely. Turning around too quickly, she 
rlm@2: almost stumbled. Tomoyo's hand on her shoulder barely helped her 
rlm@2: regain her balance in time.
rlm@2:      Waving to Sakura while the brown-haired girl hurried off, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo called, "Bye, Sakura-chan! Sleep well!"
rlm@2:      Glancing over her shoulder, Sakura caught a glimpse of 
rlm@2: Tomoyo's smiling face. She managed a faint smile of her own and 
rlm@2: waved back weakly before turning back around.
rlm@2: Her mind felt sluggish as she tried to sort things out.
rlm@2:      What was she supposed to do? Nothing in her life seemed to 
rlm@2: make sense anymore. Breaking into a fast sprint after turning a 
rlm@2: corner, Sakura ran all the way back home, totally unaware of the 
rlm@2: fading glow that followed her.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:      “Oh, so the monster’s home,” Touya said conversationally as 
rlm@2: her heard Sakura come
rlm@2: in through the front door. He put down the job ads he’d been 
rlm@2: reading, ready to see his
rlm@2: sister’s angry face.  He was shocked to see her disappearing up the 
rlm@2: stairs.  “Sakura?” The
rlm@2: small glimpse of her hadn’t offered much of an explanation as to 
rlm@2: why she hadn’t argued
rlm@2: with him, but she had looked rather distraught. Worse than he’d 
rlm@2: seen her in a long, long
rlm@2: time. The house was silent again, except for the rustling of the 
rlm@2: newspaper on his lap.
rlm@2: “Well, she’s heading into high school now.  She’s probably just 
rlm@2: getting overemotional about 
rlm@2: something,” he told himself, not quite believing it. Telling himself 
rlm@2: not to worry, he went
rlm@2: back to looking for another job, but he kept glancing up towards 
rlm@2: her room, wondering
rlm@2: what was really wrong.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: "Kero-chan?" 
rlm@2: "Hmm?" 
rlm@2: Sakura shifted her arms on the open window ledge trying to get 
rlm@2: comfortable. She could see the moon behind the leaves and the 
rlm@2: Jade Plate swam for a moment in the wetness that suddenly 
rlm@2: appeared in her eyes. 
rlm@2: "Kero-chan...." 
rlm@2: Kero-chan clicked his tongue and glided to her side. 
rlm@2: "Sakura" he chided, "You haven’t finished a sentence yet 
rlm@2: tonight.  What's happened?" 
rlm@2: She sighed and pressed her eyes against her pajama sleeve. 
rlm@2: "Kero-chan, I had a dream last night." 
rlm@2: "Ah", the Seal Beast breathed in pleasure.  Sakura's dreams 
rlm@2: always carried a great deal of portent.  He drifted to where he 
rlm@2: could look at her. "What did you dream?" 
rlm@2: "I dreamt that Tomoyo-chan and Li-kun were in danger, and it 
rlm@2: was because of me."  She paused, breathing hard, and then the dam 
rlm@2: broke.  "I was so upset, and all through the dream I kept talking 
rlm@2: and nothing was coming out of my mouth. I wanted to tell them 
rlm@2: today at school, but I didn't know how, and I thought that maybe I 
rlm@2: would find a way, but every time I tried the time was wrong, and 
rlm@2: then Li-kun wanted to talk to me alone, and then Tomoyo-chan 
rlm@2: said..." 
rlm@2: "Clow Card!" Kero-chan yelled spinning towards the open 
rlm@2: window.  "Hurry!" 
rlm@2: “Card?” she stammered in surprise.  Obviously this was the day 
rlm@2: for it, and how very like her dream it all seemed… her talking and 
rlm@2: no one was hearing her.  With a sigh she gathered a few things and 
rlm@2: climbed out onto the tree.  It occurred to her as she descended that 
rlm@2: she should call Li and Tomoyo, but she also felt that being alone 
rlm@2: would be nice too.  At least with a Card to capture she wasn't just 
rlm@2: sitting and thinking. How long had it been since she’d been out 
rlm@2: Card Capting anyway?
rlm@2: Once out of sight of her house Sakura drew out the Key and 
rlm@2: joined Kero-chan in the air.  He flew purposefully, as if he knew 
rlm@2: where he was going.  Sakura saw, in her mind's eye, the many 
rlm@2: videos Tomoyo had taken of the Seal Beast.  Smiling at the 
rlm@2: thought she was suddenly very sorry she didn't call the dark hair 
rlm@2: girl.  Tomoyo would forgive her, there was no question, but at the 
rlm@2: same time Sakura also knew that no matter what her mood, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo would never exclude Sakura from something that would 
rlm@2: give her pleasure.  Before she realized what was happening the 
rlm@2: phone was in her hand, and the redial pressed.  But what to tell 
rlm@2: her?  Sakura had no idea where they were going. 
rlm@2: "Look!" Kero-chan cried, stabbing a paw downwards.  Sakura, 
rlm@2: phone to her head, looked down, and saw Li running in the same 
rlm@2: direction they were flying in, his glowing Lasin Board held before 
rlm@2: him. 
rlm@2: "Sakura-chan?" 
rlm@2: Momentarily disoriented Sakura realized the voice was 
rlm@2: Tomoyo's and the source was the phone.  "Tomoyo-chan!" she 
rlm@2: yelled over the wind, "We're near the clock tower, after a Card...." 
rlm@2: "I'm on my way," and she was gone. 
rlm@2: Sakura tucked the phone back into her pocket and drew closer to 
rlm@2: Kero-chan. "What should we do?" she mused aloud. 
rlm@2: Kero-chan turned towards her, smiling broadly, "Card Capture 
rlm@2: Sakura..." 
rlm@2: And he was gone. 
rlm@2: Sakura suddenly found herself standing in a room. The Key was 
rlm@2: in her hand. The room, a sort of box,  had no door, no windows 
rlm@2: and the walls were a sickly green.  Across from her Li stood, 
rlm@2: looking equally as surprised and Kero-chan was nowhere to be 
rlm@2: seen. 
rlm@2: "Li-kun?" she began, but no sound reached her ears.  He too 
rlm@2: opened his mouth, but she heard nothing.  Stepping back she 
rlm@2: pulled out the Sword Card, exchanged the Key for the Sword and 
rlm@2: swiped at the nearest wall.  It had no effect. Li also began trying 
rlm@2: attacks on the room, with the same effect. She moved closer to 
rlm@2: him, her hand reaching for him, and just as she touched his arm her 
rlm@2: hand went threw his as if he were a ghost.  Alarmed she drew 
rlm@2: back...he didn't seem to be aware of her.  He suddenly turned and 
rlm@2: appeared to be smiling at someone behind her.  Sakura looked back 
rlm@2: and saw Tomoyo, video camera in hand, looking at Li with a look 
rlm@2: that sent a chill through Sakura.   Rushing to her side Sakura was 
rlm@2: almost weak with relief.  She called Tomoyo's name, heard 
rlm@2: nothing, and stopped short.  Slowly she extended a hand… it 
rlm@2: passed threw Tomoyo without any resistance. Tomoyo and Li 
rlm@2: crossed the small room, intent it seemed, only on each other.  
rlm@2: Sakura drew back in confusion as the two came together in a 
rlm@2: passionate kiss. 
rlm@2: Nothing more than shock made Sakura sit down heavily.  Sword 
rlm@2: slipped silently from her fingers.  What did this mean?  What was 
rlm@2: happening? Her mind reeled at the sight.  Closing her eyes for a 
rlm@2: moment, hoping it was a dream, she opened them again.  In the 
rlm@2: center of the room stood Tomoyo and Yukito, kissing. 
rlm@2: "This is a dream," she screamed soundlessly, desperately, 
rlm@2: "Tomoyo-chan loves me and only me, she told me so!  Only me!  
rlm@2: None of this is real!" 
rlm@2: Raising her head once more she found herself confronted by Li, 
rlm@2: sword in hand, and Tomoyo clinging to his side.  Li was looking at 
rlm@2: her with unhidden hatred.  He raised the sword, and Sakura had 
rlm@2: just enough time to exchange the Sword for Shield as he swung at 
rlm@2: her.  The sword rebounded, sending a shock through his arm.  He 
rlm@2: staggered back, disbelief evident on his face. 
rlm@2: "Why?!" Sakura screamed mentally, her mouth forming the 
rlm@2: word.  Drawing herself up to her knees she studied Li.  He was 
rlm@2: panting, and still looked angry, but he didn't continue to fight.  
rlm@2: Could it be that he knew he was fighting a Card?  That had to be 
rlm@2: the answer. They were trapped within an uncaptured Card, and she 
rlm@2: had to figure out what the Card was. 
rlm@2: Suddenly the pieces were fitting.  She was seeing something 
rlm@2: that would make her… what?  Angry?  Jealous?  They must be 
rlm@2: experiencing something similar.  Li would see… 
rlm@2: Sakura sucked in her breath.  Li would see Sakura and Tomoyo!  
rlm@2: No wonder he turned on her!  But no, why fight Sakura, unless 
rlm@2: Sakura looked like Tomoyo to him.  That would explain his 
rlm@2: surprised look at being rebuffed by Shield.  Sakura acted quickly, 
rlm@2: bringing out Mirror, "Show me what Li-kun is seeing" she 
rlm@2: commanded.  In the disc Mirror held Sakura saw exactly what she 
rlm@2: expected.  In the place where she knelt on the floor cowered 
rlm@2: Tomoyo; a Sakura, assumably Tomoyo, was being crushed to Li’s 
rlm@2: side by his arm around her waist, and she looking horrified, weakly 
rlm@2: fighting to reach the figure on the floor. 
rlm@2: She locked eyes with Mirror and felt the color drain from 
rlm@2: her face, "Show me what Tomoyo-chan sees," she mouthed.  A 
rlm@2: chill went through her at the thought of what she was about to see. 
rlm@2: The first thing she saw was herself. She was smiling 
rlm@2: happily, seemingly without a care in the world. Two arms were 
rlm@2: around her waist, holding her tight. They belonged to Syaoran, 
rlm@2: who was uncharacteristically grinning. Lying on the floor in shreds 
rlm@2: was one of Tomoyo’s costumes for Sakura. Sakura instantly 
rlm@2: remembered it as the design Tomoyo had shown her earlier that 
rlm@2: day. Syaoran pulled up an ofuda, chanting briefly before throwing 
rlm@2: it on the tattered costume. Sakura’s counterpart in the Mirror just 
rlm@2: laughed as the costume burned, snuggling closer to Syaoran. She 
rlm@2: stopped watching when the images kissed. 
rlm@2:    Tears ran down Tomoyo’s pale cheeks as she looked on 
rlm@2: helplessly.   A steel band crushed Sakura heart at the sight and she 
rlm@2: lashed out at Mirror, blinded by tears of rage and sorrow.  "No!" 
rlm@2: she screamed over and over, "It's not like that."  She rose to her 
rlm@2: feet, picked up Sword and continued to rampage about the little 
rlm@2: green room.  Li and Tomoyo ignored her and again embraced as if 
rlm@2: nothing had happened.  Sakura stopped at the sight, and a sob 
rlm@2: escaped her. 
rlm@2:    "Tomoyo-chan…" 
rlm@2:      As if she had heard her name the ghost Tomoyo turned her head 
rlm@2: and smiled at Sakura, Li too smiled at her, but then the couple 
rlm@2: locked eyes again and kissed.  Sakura decided that this had gone 
rlm@2: on long enough.  She pulled out Darkness.  If they couldn't see 
rlm@2: each other the spell just might be broken. 
rlm@2:    "Surround Li-kun, Tomoyo-chan and myself in a darkness that 
rlm@2: we cannot see through." 
rlm@2: Instantly the room was gone and she stood alone in a vast night.  
rlm@2: Hesitantly she tested to see if the Card was still working. 
rlm@2:    "Tomoyo-chan?" she said, and heard nothing.  It was still 
rlm@2: working.  Obviously she had to name this Card to overpower it, 
rlm@2: like she had had to do with Mirror.  Drawing herself upright she 
rlm@2: closed her eyes and yelled with all her might, "Jealousy!" and the 
rlm@2: sound broke on her deafened ears like a storm.  Suddenly the green 
rlm@2: room broke like glass into a million tiny pieces.  Before she could 
rlm@2: do anything they gathered to her right, and were gone.  She quickly 
rlm@2: recalled Darkness and found herself on the street below the clock 
rlm@2: tower facing both Li and Tomoyo, who were looking around 
rlm@2: dazed.  Li seemed to come back to himself first and turned to 
rlm@2: Sakura with a look of raw hatred.  Sakura, shocked, took a step 
rlm@2: back in alarm.  Li looked from her to Tomoyo, and Sakura 
rlm@2: instantly knew she had to act, and quickly. 
rlm@2:    Sakura was fast, but Li was faster. 
rlm@2:    Li drew out an ofuda and threw it at Sakura even as she invoked 
rlm@2: Shield.  The glowing paper landed on her arm and she couldn't 
rlm@2: move.  Li grabbed Tomoyo roughly by the arm and began dragging 
rlm@2: her away. 
rlm@2:    Tomoyo looked back at Sakura, who was struggling against the 
rlm@2: spell.  "Sakura-chan!" she yelled helplessly. “Sakura-chan!”
rlm@2:    "Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura screamed back in anger and frustration.  
rlm@2: "TOMOYO-CHAN!"
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:    Syaoran landed on a rooftop far away from the immobilized 
rlm@2: Sakura. He shoved Tomoyo from him when they landed. She tried 
rlm@2: to keep her balance but fell to her hands and knees. “You…” he 
rlm@2: growled. “You’re what’s keeping me from her. You’re what’s 
rlm@2: standing in my way.  She and I are supposed to be together, but 
rlm@2: you keep getting in the way.”
rlm@2:    “No… That’s not it. I just want Sakura-chan to be happy.” 
rlm@2: Tomoyo looked up at the angry gaze he directed at her and shrank 
rlm@2: back. “I love her. I just hope she would be happy with me.”   She 
rlm@2: knew it was the wrong thing to say to the enraged boy even before 
rlm@2: she uttered it, but it was the truth. 
rlm@2:    “How could she ever be happy with you?” Syaoran sneered. 
rlm@2: “You just get in her way. She’s only your friend because she pities 
rlm@2: you.”
rlm@2:    Tomoyo shook her head. “No, she’s my best friend. We care 
rlm@2: about each other. We’ll always be friends…” Her mind raced. 
rlm@2: Nothing seemed certain to her anymore. The horrible images of 
rlm@2: Sakura and Syaoran came flooding back to her mind, threatening 
rlm@2: to overwhelm her. Syaoran’s hand grabbed her arm, hauling her 
rlm@2: back to her feet. The dark haired girl winced at the sudden 
rlm@2: explosion of pain the cruel movement brought. She flinched as he 
rlm@2: clutched her arm tightly.
rlm@2: 	“I want you to leave her alone. To leave us alone. Do you 
rlm@2: understand?” Syaoran hissed angrily. He dragged the limp girl 
rlm@2: against his chest, shaking her hard.	Tomoyo, her dark hair flying 
rlm@2: wildly about her, closed her eyes tightly.  This only brought back 
rlm@2: earlier images. “No,” she said, trying to make him understand,  “I 
rlm@2: won’t leave unless Sakura tells me too. She means everything to 
rlm@2: me. I love her!” Looking at him defiantly, she tried desperately to 
rlm@2: bring up happier images of Sakura, ones she treasured and kept 
rlm@2: dear to her heart.
rlm@2: 	Angrily, Syaoran shoved the dark haired girl backwards. 
rlm@2: Tomoyo gasped as she fell, landing hard on her side. “Don’t you 
rlm@2: dare stand in my way. She will be mine!” he howled.
rlm@2: 	Keeping her eyes clamped shut, Tomoyo desperately ran 
rlm@2: memories over and over in her mind. When she first met Sakura, 
rlm@2: when Sakura had come to her house for the first time, when Sakura 
rlm@2: had first worn one of the costumes she made, the first time she’d 
rlm@2: videotaped Sakura with her camcorder. She waited quietly for what 
rlm@2: Syaoran would say next, but nothing came. Cautiously, she opened 
rlm@2: her eyes and looked around. “Sakura-chan!” she yelled, catching a 
rlm@2: glimpse of the brown haired girl. Forcing herself to her feet, she 
rlm@2: couldn’t help but smile as she ran to her friend. She stopped dead 
rlm@2: in her tracks, her eyes growing wide, when she saw Syaoran 
rlm@2: standing behind her. 
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s spirits sank as the two kissed.  Somewhere, in 
rlm@2: the back of her mind she could hear someone scream, “NO!”   She 
rlm@2: shut her eyes, wishing the vision would disappear, but it remained 
rlm@2: when she looked again.  She took a few slow steps towards them, 
rlm@2: her heart aching with each step. “Sakura-chan…. I’m… I’m happy 
rlm@2: for you,” she said quietly.  Sakura looked directly at her, giving her 
rlm@2: an icy stare that chilled Tomoyo to the bone. “Sakura-chan?” she 
rlm@2: asked weakly, “Why?”
rlm@2: 	Sakura didn’t find her worthy of her notice as she bestowed 
rlm@2: all her attention on Syaoran. The two shared a deep kiss, ignoring 
rlm@2: the forlorn Tomoyo, as if she had simply ceased to exist. 
rlm@2: 	Dropping to her already scratched knees, Tomoyo’s small 
rlm@2: body was wracked with sobs. “Sakura-chan….”, she whimpered, 
rlm@2: clutching her stomach.  She couldn’t bear it. Why was this 
rlm@2: happening?  Glancing back up, Tomoyo saw things had changed.  
rlm@2: Sakura was wearing a wedding dress and Syaoran a tuxedo.  A stab 
rlm@2: of pain shot through Tomoyo’s heart.  Sakura had promised her 
rlm@2: that she could make her wedding dress when they day finally 
rlm@2: came, but that wasn’t anything she’d make for Sakura.  Looking 
rlm@2: through her tear blurred vision, she could see her camcorder 
rlm@2: smashed on the floor near them, the film pulled out.  Blinking back 
rlm@2: her tears, Tomoyo could see things had shifted once again. Sakura 
rlm@2: now held a baby.  Sakura and Syaoran’s baby. 
rlm@2: 	Unable to stand watching anymore, Tomoyo struggled to 
rlm@2: her feet.  She stumbled away from the scene, half delirious from 
rlm@2: the power of the Card and her visions.  “You don’t need me 
rlm@2: anymore, do you, Sakura-chan?” she asked the thin air.  Again, 
rlm@2: from somewhere, came the same scream of “No!”  Had she 
rlm@2: dreamed it?  Tomoyo felt numb all over.  Nothing seemed to 
rlm@2: matter anymore.  The person that mattered most didn’t care about 
rlm@2: her at all.  And she’d lost to Syaoran.  She felt… jealous of him.  
rlm@2: She wished she could be the one to make Sakura that happy.  She 
rlm@2: just prayed Sakura would always be happy as she stepped up on 
rlm@2: the ledge of the rooftop. “You don’t need me anymore, Sakura-
rlm@2: chan.  You don’t even want me as a friend.  But you’re happy.”  
rlm@2: She smiled sadly, blinded by her tears.  “I’m glad. I’m glad that 
rlm@2: Sakura-chan is happy.  Please stay that way, Sakura-chan.  I love 
rlm@2: you.  Forever.  Maybe I can be your guardian angel,” she added 
rlm@2: hopefully.  With that, Tomoyo stepped off the ledge into 
rlm@2: nothingness.  She kept her eyes shut tight as the ground raced to 
rlm@2: meet her.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	Syaoran watched, shocked by the sudden turn of events. 
rlm@2: He’d intended to make his point clear with Tomoyo, that she never 
rlm@2: get in his way with Sakura, but she had turned suddenly and started 
rlm@2: looking off at something only she could see. After talking to 
rlm@2: herself, the dark haired girl had thrown herself off the rooftop. The 
rlm@2: screams of the Seal Beast had surprised him, but Syaoran couldn’t 
rlm@2: locate the magical animal no matter where he looked.  He blinked 
rlm@2: several times, still confused, and unsure about what had just 
rlm@2: happened. “At least she won’t get in my way anymore,” he said to 
rlm@2: no one in particular.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 	The world seemed to slow as a small dark haired girl 
rlm@2: plummeted through the air. Further and further she went, the brief 
rlm@2: amount of time slowing to a near stop for the girl as everything 
rlm@2: seemed to move in slow motion. “Sakura-chan...” she whispered, 
rlm@2: one last time, her eyes shut tight. Her heart felt as if it had been 
rlm@2: ripped out of her chest. Her whole world, her whole reason to live, 
rlm@2: had been crushed in the matter of minutes. She was looking 
rlm@2: forward to an end to her pain, to the end of her torment, to 
rlm@2: oblivion. And Sakura, her dear Sakura, would be happy. 
rlm@2: 	A sudden impact shocked Tomoya back from her thoughts 
rlm@2: and her fall was suddenly interrupted as two arms wrapped around 
rlm@2: her tightly, fumbling desperately to hold on to her, gripping her 
rlm@2: like a pair of steel bars. “Tomoyo-chan!” a voice cried in terror, 
rlm@2: over and over in a hysterical pitch.  Her mind wondered what was 
rlm@2: happening, as the wind on her face gave her the impression of 
rlm@2: climbing upwards. The voice, close to her ear and frantically 
rlm@2: calling her name, was Sakura’s.  Tomoyo could feel her friend’s 
rlm@2: breathing coming in a labored pant as they raced skyward.
rlm@2:  Opening her eyes slowly, Tomoyo blinked several times in 
rlm@2: confusion. Wasn’t she supposed to be dead by now?  She took a 
rlm@2: second to glance around, and found herself in the arms of the Card 
rlm@2: Mistress, whose wings were working hard to finish the arc of 
rlm@2: Saukar’s dive.  Seconds later Saukar touched down on a rooftop, 
rlm@2: deposited Tomoyo on her feet and dropped to her hands and knees 
rlm@2: beside the dark haired girl.
rlm@2:  Maybe she was dead, Tomoyo thought.  Maybe this was 
rlm@2: heaven. “Sakura-chan?  Why?  Why did you save me, Sakura-
rlm@2: chan?” Tomoyo asked, her mind reeling.  “I did this for you.  
rlm@2: You’re happy.  That’s all I wanted.  You didn’t need me anymore.”
rlm@2: “No, Tomoyo-chan.”  Sakura heaved herself into a kneeling 
rlm@2: position, her hands clutching for the small girl.  She embraced her 
rlm@2: friend, crushing her to her chest, “I always need you,” she sobbed, 
rlm@2: “You’re my best friend. You mean so much to me. I don’t know 
rlm@2: what I’d do if you were gone.”  She blinked back the stinging tears 
rlm@2: in her eyes as she looked up at the dark haired girl.  Her body felt 
rlm@2: cold all over from the recent shock.
rlm@2: 	“But, Sakura-chan, you… I would only get in the way.  
rlm@2: You aren’t even happy as friends anymore. You have what you 
rlm@2: want.  I hope you and Li-kun are very happy.” Tomoyo mustered a 
rlm@2: pained smile before turning away. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura bolted to her feet and seizing her friend, shook her 
rlm@2: hard. “No! Tomoyo-chan, listen to me, it’s the Clow Card.  The 
rlm@2: Jealousy Card it’s still affecting you!  We’re best friends, nothing 
rlm@2: will ever change that. I know you want me to be happy, but losing 
rlm@2: you would definitely not make me happy. And I want you to be 
rlm@2: happy, too.”  The Card Mistress sighed, looking deeply into 
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s stormy blue eyes. “Tomoyo-chan, you have to fight this.  
rlm@2: Please?  For me?”
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo held her head, confusion flooding her mind. 
rlm@2: Glancing towards the roof’s edge, to Sakura and back, she 
rlm@2: shuddered, unsure of herself.  Finally giving out a small cry, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo threw herself into Sakura’s arms. “Oh, Sakura-chan, I’m 
rlm@2: so sorry….” The dark haired girl sobbed. “I just… I thought you 
rlm@2: hated me… that you didn’t need me anymore… and that you were 
rlm@2: happy with, with…  him…”  Her sobs overwhelmed her and she 
rlm@2: feel silent, leaning heavily against Sakura. 
rlm@2: 	“Tomoyo-chan, it’s going to be okay,” Sakura said 
rlm@2: soothingly, hugging the limp girl close to her. Tomoyo’s hot tears 
rlm@2: rolled onto her shoulder, soaking into the cloth of her pajamas. 
rlm@2: “It’s just the Card.  I could never hate you, Tomoyo-chan.  You 
rlm@2: know that.  You’re my very important person.”  For a second, 
rlm@2: Sakura wondered where she had heard that before, but she quickly 
rlm@2: shrugged it off, not having time to worry about it. “Please, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan, don’t cry.  It’s alright now.”
rlm@2: 	The dark haired girl took another shuddering breath before 
rlm@2: standing up on her own. “Thank you, Sakura-chan.”  A small, 
rlm@2: genuine smile formed on her soft lips. “I always knew you would 
rlm@2: come save me if anything happened.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura smiled back, relief filling her soul. “Of course I 
rlm@2: would, Tomoyo-chan.  I’m not about to let you get hurt by 
rlm@2: something like this. Or anything, for that matter.  I don’t want to 
rlm@2: see you hurt, Tomoyo-chan.” 
rlm@2: 	Before the Card Mistress could think to ask Tomoyo if she 
rlm@2: was ready to go home, a sword slashed the air between both girls. 
rlm@2: Tomoyo gasped and Sakura jumped back, her staff in hand. She 
rlm@2: got ready to get a Card out just in case. Between them stood 
rlm@2: Syaoran, hatred and jealousy flaring in his eyes. “Li-kun!? Fight it, 
rlm@2: Li-kun! It’s just the Jealousy Card affecting you.”
rlm@2: 	“Fight what?” Syaoran spat angrily. “I saw the two of you. 
rlm@2: She’s trying to steal you from me. She’s trying to get in the way.  
rlm@2: To come between us!” Raising the sword, he swiped at a stunned 
rlm@2: Tomoyo. 
rlm@2: 	Sakura lunged forward, her eyes wide with fear of what he 
rlm@2: might do. Her staff barely blocked his sword inches from the dark 
rlm@2: haired girl. “Li-kun, don’t do this!” she pleaded as Tomoyo sank to 
rlm@2: her knees.
rlm@2: 	He leapt backwards, landing in a fighting stance. He held 
rlm@2: the sword straight up in front of him, his eyes falling closed as he 
rlm@2: began to chant. Energy surrounded the blade.
rlm@2: 	Sakura barely had time to throw herself in the way of 
rlm@2: Tomoyo when she realized what he was doing. “Shield!” she 
rlm@2: yelled desperately as his attack came flying towards them. The 
rlm@2: burst of lightening dissipated against Shield, leaving the two girls 
rlm@2: unhurt. Sakura glanced at Tomoyo, assuring herself that her friend 
rlm@2: was unharmed when another attack hit…and another and another. 
rlm@2: “Li-kun! Leave her alone!” she screamed, “Don’t hurt her!!” 
rlm@2: Sakura wondered how his rage could be so focused on the dark 
rlm@2: haired girl behind her.  “She’s never been anything but kind to 
rlm@2: you!”
rlm@2: 	Syaoran narrowed his eyes as he began chanting again. 
rlm@2: Sweeping the sword down, a burst of wind struck against Shield. 
rlm@2: “How could you know?” he demanded.  “She blinds you with her 
rlm@2: hero worship, but she keeps coming between us.  She’s why you 
rlm@2: don’t returned my feelings.” 
rlm@2: 	‘That’s what this is all about isn’t it?’ Sakura asked herself 
rlm@2: as she braced herself for his next attack. ‘They both… They’re 
rlm@2: both in love with me.”  Then the realization struck her with the 
rlm@2: force of an express train.  It was Sakura herself that had created the 
rlm@2: problem, literally!  As Card Mistress her feelings and desire were 
rlm@2: made manifest in the form of Cards.  Somehow she had created the 
rlm@2: Jealousy Card without even thinking about it.  That’s how Jealousy 
rlm@2: got to them both so easily, and so strongly! ‘This is all my fault.’ 
rlm@2: “Stop this!” the Card Mistress yelled. 
rlm@2: Turning to face him as she rose, Sakura pulled out Windy 
rlm@2: and sent it spilling before her.  “Bind Li-kun!” she yelled, bringing 
rlm@2: the Key down on the Card.  The resulting rush of air quickly 
rlm@2: surrounded the startled boy, pinning his limbs tight against his 
rlm@2: body.  Sakura didn’t hesitate as she twirled the Key over head 
rlm@2: again, Windy almost drowning out her command “…Sakura 
rlm@2: Card!”  The Card Mistress brought the Wand down on the softly 
rlm@2: glowing green dot within the rushing wind.  The Jealously Card 
rlm@2: lifted out of Windy and floated to her waiting hand.
rlm@2: For a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the 
rlm@2: wind rustling past them.  Sakura recalled Windy and turned to face 
rlm@2: Syaoran, hoping the danger was now over.  Utter silence claimed 
rlm@2: the rooftop for a moment. Then the clatter of Syaoran’s sword 
rlm@2: against the roof broke the silence.  His mind started to clear from 
rlm@2: the haze of jealousy the Card had managed to place over him. 
rlm@2: “Sakura” he stammered, his faced blossoming to a brilliant 
rlm@2: crimson, “... I… I don’t know how I… I don’t know what to say… 
rlm@2: I’m… I’m sorry.”  He lowered his head.
rlm@2: Sakura let Shield fade away, but remained standing 
rlm@2: protectively in front of Tomoyo. “I’m not the one you intended to 
rlm@2: kill,” she said quietly.  A second silence descended, this one 
rlm@2: fraught with embarrassment.  Sakura looked at her friends and 
rlm@2: came to a decision.
rlm@2:  “Fine,” she said, almost to herself.  She was tired of 
rlm@2: fighting. Tomoyo and Syaoran looked back at her quizzically, 
rlm@2: wondering what she meant. “Fine. You both want to know who I 
rlm@2: love, don’t you?  Stop this, then.  I care too much about both of 
rlm@2: you to watch either of you get hurt.  The Jealousy Card was using 
rlm@2: both of you.  And it’s because of me, because of your feelings for 
rlm@2: me!  It’s still getting to you both because of me.  So I want to put 
rlm@2: an end to this.” Sakura took a deep breath before continuing. “I 
rlm@2: will make my decision tonight. I’ll tell you both tomorrow the one 
rlm@2: who I love.”
rlm@2: 	Syaoran looked up at her, his face still scarlet, “Tomorrow 
rlm@2: you’ll….”
rlm@2: 	Sakura nodded, cutting him off. “Hai. Tomorrow I’ll tell 
rlm@2: you both which one I’m in love with.”
rlm@2: 	Bending down, Syaoran retrieved his sword from where it 
rlm@2: had landed. Without a word he turned and leapt into the darkness.
rlm@2: 	As soon as he left, Sakura collapsed to her hands and 
rlm@2: knees. The battle, the Card, and her own nervousness about what 
rlm@2: had happened earlier that day had finally taken their toll.  She 
rlm@2: glanced over when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She saw 
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s concerned face looking back down at her. Before the 
rlm@2: dark haired girl could say anything, Sakura threw her arms around 
rlm@2: her friend with a tearful howl. “Tomoyo-chan! Oh God, I almost 
rlm@2: lost you so many times tonight. You had me so worried. I’m so 
rlm@2: sorry you got dragged into all this. If I hadn’t called you, none of 
rlm@2: this would have happened.” She gently rocked back and forth, 
rlm@2: cradling the dark haired girl against her. 
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo sighed softly. She liked having the other girl so 
rlm@2: protective of her, but she hated seeing Sakura so worried about 
rlm@2: things. “Sakura-chan, I’m fine. It’s all over now.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura scrubbed her face with a free hand, trying to dry the 
rlm@2: tears that continued to threaten.  She untangled her arms from her 
rlm@2: friend’s neck.  Using her wand to help her weary body stand 
rlm@2: upright, Sakura looked out at the dark night sky. “No. Not yet. I 
rlm@2: still have to find out who I…” She blushed at the thought. In her 
rlm@2: mind she could see the boy who had been her rival, but had turned 
rlm@2: out to be her greatest help with the Clow Cards. She could also see 
rlm@2: her best friend, the girl that had always been there for her. She let 
rlm@2: her head drop sadly. She had no idea how she’d make a decision 
rlm@2: by the next morning.
rlm@2: 	“Sakura-chan,” Tomoyo said softly, her voice barely above 
rlm@2: a whisper. Sakura looked so fragile standing there. “Sakura-chan, 
rlm@2: please don’t worry too much about tomorrow. Just make the 
rlm@2: decision that will make you happy.”
rlm@2: 	Sakura turned back to her skeptically. “And I won’t have to 
rlm@2: go rescuing you from jumping off buildings if it’s Li-kun?”
rlm@2: 	Tomoyo shook her head. “You said we’ll always be 
rlm@2: friends, remember? That’s all I need.  It’s what makes me happy.”
rlm@2: 	Smiling a little, Sakura felt her spirits lifting. “Thanks, 
rlm@2: Tomoyo-chan. We will always be friends,” she reconfirmed, “It 
rlm@2: makes me happy too.”
rlm@2: 	“No matter who you choose tomorrow, I’ll always be there 
rlm@2: for you, Sakura-chan. And I’ll always love you.” 
rlm@2: 	Sakura felt her cheeks burn as she blushed.  She was still 
rlm@2: nervous about the idea that her best friend could be in love with 
rlm@2: her.  But, putting that aside she invoked Fly, unfolded her wings 
rlm@2: and turned towards Tomoyo. “Are you ready to go home?”
rlm@2: 	“Hai, Sakura-chan.” Tomoyo smiled. 
rlm@2: “I’m so tired, but I doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight.” 
rlm@2: Sakura sighed and lifted off into the sky. 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Once Sakura had left Tomoyo on the terrace outside her 
rlm@2: bedroom the Card Captor rose and allowed herself to drift.  Kero-
rlm@2: chan was still missing, but she had more on her mind than the Seal 
rlm@2: Beast, who was more than capable of taking care of himself.  With 
rlm@2: a soulful sigh she glanced down at the town, with its the clock 
rlm@2: tower silhouetted against the moon.   The clock proclaimed the 
rlm@2: hour to be 1 AM.  Morning already, Sakura realized with a sigh.
rlm@2: With a thought the Sakura Cards in her pocket floated into 
rlm@2: the air, forming a circle around her.  She felt their presence, their 
rlm@2: love for her, and she drew comfort from it.  It was a warm feeling.  
rlm@2: Like when she had her arms around Tomoyo-chan.  
rlm@2: She paused mentally.  
rlm@2: No, not like it.  It was different.  It lacked a sort of 
rlm@2: excitement.  There was more to the feeling of comfort she had 
rlm@2: when she had hugged her friend.  Sakura’s mind raced away, 
rlm@2: trying to put into words the feeling that was suddenly so very 
rlm@2: important.  But try as she might she could not find an expression 
rlm@2: for that feeling.  
rlm@2: With a thought her wings vanished and she began to fall.
rlm@2: “Float!” she cried over the wind, and didn’t wait for the 
rlm@2: Card to answer her command before she turned in the circle of 
rlm@2: Cards, looking for the one she wanted.
rlm@2: “Illusion!” she yelled, as the wand came down on the Card 
rlm@2: named.  “Show me my heart’s desire.”
rlm@2: Even as she said it she knew she was cheating, but her 
rlm@2: mind, exhausted from the earlier battle, and everything else, was 
rlm@2: becoming desperate.  She could fly around all night waiting for the 
rlm@2: lightening bolt that was Tomoyo-chan to strike her…
rlm@2: Sakura sat down hard, in midair, as the air left her body.  
rlm@2: She drew a deep breath, her eyes fighting to focus.  She sat stunned 
rlm@2: for a long moment, trying to mentally collect herself. Before her 
rlm@2: Illusion was beginning to take form, but she no longer cared to 
rlm@2: wait for the outcome.  Recalling the Cards she resumed her wings 
rlm@2: and flew as quickly as possible back the way she came.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: Tomoyo stood right where Sakura had left her.  Her hands 
rlm@2: were pressed to her chest, and her eyes, watching the sky.  At first 
rlm@2: Sakura was unsure that her friend had seen her return, but as she 
rlm@2: alighted Tomoyo turned her face towards the Card Mistress.  She 
rlm@2: bore a look of serene peace that lifted some massive, unknown, 
rlm@2: weight off of Sakura’s shoulders.  Neither one spoke.  Sakura felt 
rlm@2: her wings fade and the weight of the charm around her neck.  
rlm@2: Silently she walked to her friend, who stood unmoving and 
rlm@2: watchful.  When they where within inches of each other Sakura 
rlm@2: stopped, and stood swaying for a moment.  Slowly she sank to her 
rlm@2: knees and slipped her arms around Tomoyo’s small waist.  
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s head fell back as she awaited the words that would 
rlm@2: transform her life.  Sakura, her head pressed against her friend’s 
rlm@2: hip, allowed her mind to express the feelings it couldn’t before. 
rlm@2: “It’s you,” she whispered.
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s eyes rolled closed, tears spilling onto her cheeks.
rlm@2: “It’s you,” Sakura repeated, no longer surprised.  “It will 
rlm@2: always be you, it has always s been you.”
rlm@2: Tomoyo’s fingers unlaced themselves and found a new 
rlm@2: home in Sakura’s hair.  At the contact Sakura looked up at her 
rlm@2: newly discovered lover.  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she wondered 
rlm@2: aloud.
rlm@2: Tomoyo lowered her head to face her friend.  She smiled 
rlm@2: through her tears, “You needed to learn for yourself,” was the 
rlm@2: whispered reply.
rlm@2: “Are you sorry it took me so long to realize?” 
rlm@2: A sad smile played on the dark haired girl’s lips, her voice 
rlm@2: was a mere sigh, “I was willing to wait a lifetime for you… 
rlm@2: Sakura.”
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:  Kero-chan stood in the air before Li.  They had both seen 
rlm@2: everything that happened, and now Kero-chan was ready to defend 
rlm@2: the lovers if the need arose.  Li watched them for several long 
rlm@2: minutes before he tore his eyes away to look at the Seal Beast.
rlm@2: “I’ve lost,” he whispered, “… everything.  The Cards, the 
rlm@2: girl I love… everything.”  
rlm@2: Kero-chan’s tail whipped menacingly, “And what are you 
rlm@2: going to do?”
rlm@2: Li frowned.  “Do you think I would attack them?” he 
rlm@2: asked, in a sort of shocked anger.
rlm@2: Kero-chan allowed his silence to speak for him.  Li turned 
rlm@2: his back on the scene and disappeared into the night.
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: The day dawned crystal clear and Sakura was out early.  It 
rlm@2: was her morning to clean the classroom, and she knew Tomoyo-
rlm@2: chan would be waiting for her.  
rlm@2: It had been a week since they had come together as a 
rlm@2: couple.  ‘One week, six hours and 15 minutes,’ Sakura thought as 
rlm@2: she pushed herself harder, racing the clock for extra seconds in the 
rlm@2: company of her friend.  More than friend, she corrected herself 
rlm@2: with a smile.  As she rollerbladed, she relived, for the thousandth 
rlm@2: time, the feeling of Tomoyo’s hands on her as the dark haired girl 
rlm@2: helped her to rise from her position of worship at her friend’s 
rlm@2: waist.  Felt, again, as Tomoyo’s hands gathered her own, and then 
rlm@2: drew her into the dark bedroom.  Sakura had wanted, so much, and 
rlm@2: had slept, so long! She blushed, even now, thinking of it.  Not a 
rlm@2: good opening for a lifetime together, she mused, but Tomoyo 
rlm@2: didn’t seem to mind.
rlm@2: As she came within sight of the school Sakura could make 
rlm@2: out the form of Tomoyo waiting for her near the gate.  She raised 
rlm@2: her hand and waved wildly, the joy in her heart becoming one 
rlm@2: thought, one word…
rlm@2: “Tomoyo-chan!”
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2:  
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: 
rlm@2: