Disclaimer: I own neither "CardCaptor Sakura" nor "A Little Snow Fairy Sugar". They are all owned by people much more talented than I. :)

Togashi-kun is my own creation, but since he's more of a placeholder boyfriend for Naoko-chan than a real creation, feel free to steal him. (Though, Naoko-sama may strongly object to that...) I guess Powder would be my creation, but the creators of Sugar have just as much claim to her in my opinion. For those who would know such things, that is the name I gave the fairy who saved Saga when she was four, and in this story she is Sugar's mysterious, often mentioned but never seen mother.

Minoru-kun, Hans and Sawaii-san are completely my own creations. Please use them gently, or I won't acknowledge them. :)

I do not write for reviews, but I sure enjoy compliments, constructive criticism, and grammatical corrections. So if you feel like it, please press that little review button, and let me know what you think. - Raya

WARNING: Spoilers for "A Little Snow Fairy Sugar" ahead! You have been warned. There are also some spoilers for CCS, but that has been out in the US longer than Sugar so I don't think you're at as much risk....

Cherry Snow

Part I - Prelude

----------- March 23 -----------

"Sakura-chan!"

Sakura turned away from the bakery window as she heard her name called by a familiar voice. "Rika-chan! Good morning!"

"Good morning!" Rika smiled as she stopped beside Sakura and looked in the window. "Shopping for sweets?"

"Mm... I was thinking that strawberry cake there looks really delicious, but that price seems a little high."

"Well, they do have a reputation for making really good cakes. And I hear the strawberry one is their most popular." She laughed. "Sweets sure seem to disappear around your house. It seems like every time I see you out shopping, you're picking something up."

"Yeah, well...."

"Say, Sakura-chan. You like piano music, right?"

"Hu-e? Sure. I love listening to you play. And that CD you bought me for Christmas was so beautiful. Why? Are you having another recital soon?"

"Haha, no," Rika laughed. "Actually, I was thinking of taking you to a concert for your birthday next week. There's a pianist coming in from Germany who is supposed to be really good. Would you like that?"

"What? Um, sure I would like that. But Rika-chan, wouldn't that be expensive?"

Rika laughed again. "Oh, not really. Besides, it's your 16th birthday, right? Don't worry about it. So, we'll plan on that then. Do you mind if I invite a few other people to come along?"

"Um, of course not," Sakura said, still unconvinced.

"Good," Rika said with a smile. "I believe it will be on Friday night. I'll let you know at school tomorrow. I'd better go now. See you later!"

"Bye!" Sakura said, then watched her walk off. 'Hu-e,' she thought to herself. 'I hope she doesn't go spending too much money on me...' Then, she went back to contemplating the selection in the bakery window.

---------- March 30 -----------

Saga stared out of the window in amazement at the city below. It looked HUGE. And modern. Her face became sad for a moment as she remembered the quaint town she had lived in since she was four. 'It's been over seven months since I've been to Muhlenburg,' she thought to herself as the attention tone pinged. She looked up at and saw the fasten seat belt sign come on. 'I didn't just miss the first snow... I missed all of it.' She sighed, as the captain came over the speaker to tell the stewardesses and passengers to prepare for landing. Then, her face became determined. 'Next year, I'll be home for the first snow. No matter what Hans says.'

A smile followed as she thought of her cold-hating manager. He had insisted on tropical destinations for all of the winter months of this tour. He had whined about coming to Tokyo this early, but he had apparently promised a friend and couldn't get out of it. 'At least I'll get to see the famous cherry blossoms in bloom,' she thought.