A/N: Had to do some editing for it to make sense. In any case, this is dedicated to Jacal Ste. Worme. Thank you for waiting, after all these years.
*** I don't own CCS blah blah, you know the drill. :D ***
Chapter 1: Solitude
Tomoyo longingly looked at the gown she just finished. It was a very pretty gown, with cherry blossoms embroidered on its hem and on the sash that formed a bow at the back of the gown. Sakura said that the sash looked like an obi and that she liked the effect. Tomoyo was glad that her bestfriend liked it.
Just like the old days, she thought. Fifteen years ago, she was also making dresses for Sakura. But a wedding gown is different, she said to herself.
She's happy for Sakura and Syaoran, happier than anyone else. But somehow, the thought that she'd be left alone, again didn't sit quite well in her mind. When her parents died in a car crash eight years ago, she covered up her fears and uncertainties by not showing any emotion. Tomoyo the Ice Queen. She smiled bitterly when she remembered what the people at Tokyo University called her. All the lady lessons her mother made her take paid off. She had always been prim and proper, but she became prim and proper and distant after her parents' deaths. She reached out for her parents' picture on the end-table. I know you loved me, Mama. I just wish that we've spent more time as a family. Of course, she's used to being alone, spending her childhood with her bodyguards, her parents always off to their businesses. Sakura had been the only real family she had. But it had been different since.
Rring...
Tomoyo snapped out of her reverie. She picked her mobile from the coffee table and looked at the screen.
Sakura-san.
"Sakura-san."
"Tomoyo! You won't believe who came to see me this afternoon. Meiling and Eriol!" Sakura practically shouted from the other line.
"Sakura, pipe down," she said with a hint of laughter in her voice, "You nearly broke my eardrums."
"Oh Tomoyo, don't you ever get curious? Meiling and Eriol came to my flat together and you're more concerned with your eardrums?"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry for my lack of curiosity," Tomoyo answered, laughing, "but what's wrong with Mei Mei and Eriol visiting you together?"
"Tomoyo!" Sakura said, exasperated. "They've just met. Eriol arrived only a month ago, and that's when I introduced Mei Mei to him. And now, they're acting all sweet and mushy!"
"Oh… Oh!" Tomoyo said, genuinely surprised. "I wonder how Eriol handles Mei Mei. I never thought of them as a couple. Y'know, with their personalities and stuff, but well, wow."
"You know, they're not really the oddest couple we know. You and Touya…"
It took Tomoyo some time to think of an appropriate answer. His name still has the same effect on her. "What? Are you insane? I mean—I mean, he's you're brother and… and…" Tomoyo couldn't even finish her sentence. That was by far the lamest thing she's ever said, but she was flustered and she couldn't think straight when the subject is him. You barely even talk about him. That should've given you enough time to practice more believable come-backs.
"Okay…" Sakura said, almost to herself, "I understand if you're-"
"Sakura, it's alright. I respect Touya. He's your brother and he had always," she could feel herself hesitate, "always been kind to me. I may not approve of what he's… Never mind." She didn't mean for her last statement to sound as disapproving as it did.
"I know, but that's perfectly acceptable in London. I guess it's acceptable in Europe. But, yeah…"
"Well, I live in Paris but I don't sleep around. Or live with someone," she answered defiantly.
"Oh, Tomoyo, you don't even date! And since you reminded me of your location, I'd really appreciate it if my maid-of-honor delivers my gown to me personally."
"But—"Tomoyo started, but Sakura immediately cut her off.
"No, don't give me your reasons! You should've been back here last week, but you said you were busy. I won't accept that reason again," then changing her tone, Sakura managed to melt Tomoyo's heart, "we really miss you Tomoyo. Even Papa wonders why you haven't come home yet. And I want to share this event in my life with you. Just like when we were young…"
