The Sakura-gumi has finally reached their finally year in high school, ready to face the world. Ready yet not so ready to let go of their crushes and true loves, their whimsical past to face the inevitable future.

One heart still hopes and dreams.

One heart still yearns for her real love.

Somehow two hearts will finally have a chance.

Graduation

"Tomoyo-chan, I think next week is a short time..."Sakura Kinomoto said softly. A nostalgic look swept over her face. She tucked away her light brown bangs that strayed to her smooth cheeks. They were sitting together beneath a cherry tree that shaded them from the midday sun while eating their lunch.

After that, it would be graduation. And then they would all start to college and probably never see each other again.

"I know Sakura-chan. It wouldn't be the same for us when we start on college. It's Thursday already." Tomoyo Daidouji remarked. She played with the ends of her dark gray hair sadly. Her emotions were also portrayed in her pretty blue eyes.

Indeed she will miss her best friend Sakura who always met up with her before and after class even though they were classmates since grade school. Or the times they lazily spent just hanging out and talking. It will be very different to start somewhere new without someone you have always known your whole life.

Sakura Kinomoto and Tomoyo Daidouji had been best friends ever since they were little kids. They went through everything imaginable, some experiences weirder than the last. They loved each other dearly. Deep in their heart, they hoped that they'd never to let go of each other forever. But like all good things, it has come to an end. They will part ways after high school to fulfill their own destinies.

"But I'm sure that we will keep in touch, ne Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked hopefully, her emerald green eyes shining beautifully.

"I promise you, Sakura-chan." Tomoyo replied happily. She was very happy that she still has Sakura as a friend although their colleges will be different. Their chosen careers will be very different as well. "I'll always be with you, my Sakura-chan." Tomoyo whispered as she stared at her wistfully.

Sakura however did not hear this because she was caught up in her own thoughts. She was thinking about what might happen to her current relationship to Syaoran Li. Though both promised to write a lot, it would be very hard to maintain their long-distance relationship.

But she loved him with all her heart. He was with her from the capturing of the Clow Cards to the turning of the Sakura Cards. He had grown dearer to her as time passed slowly. She was sure that if her soul mate existed, it was him.

"Tomoyo-chan, have you told...um... your feelings?" Sakura asked rather awkwardly. She saw Tomoyo blush rosy pink. It seemed rather perfect for Tomoyo to fall for someone they had also known the whole of their lives. That someone was Eriol Hiiragisawa.

"Ano... not yet Sakura-chan. But someday, somehow I will..." Tomoyo replied, embarrassed. Her blushing heightened as Sakura started to narrate her approval to their handsome yet eccentric friend.

Eriol Hiiragisawa was a very good friend to them ever and he helped a lot when Sakura was turning the Clow Cards to Sakura Cards. Not only that, he was the reincarnation of the famous sorcerer Clow Reed who created the Clow Cards. He was the second most powerful magician in earth next to Sakura.

He was also one of the heartthrobs of the high school department. From the black hair with the rare bluish sheen that accentuated intense sapphire blue eyes with the deep, magnetic stare. He gave an academic impression because he wore rimless glasses; he rarely hid the fact that he was also an average genius, blessed with a charming and witty nature. He was athletic too even if he didn't join any clubs yet aided them when needed; he stood out in crowds with his relatively tall figure and pale skin. In short, Eriol was the boy in every girl's dream.

Sakura suddenly stopped talking as Eriol passed by, carrying a stack of books. He looked gorgeous under the midday sun. His eyes twinkled when he saw his friends.

"Eriol-kun!" Sakura called cheerfully, waving for him to come closer.

Eriol nodded and strolled to them. He was smiling his usual mischievous smile. "Konnichiwa Sakura-san, Daidouji-san."

Tomoyo nodded in reply as she stared up to him. He seemed so tall to her. She sat with her legs folded beneath her in the well-tended grass with her dark hair freely flowing down her back. She noticed that he looked older with his glasses on.

"Sakura-san, are you finished with your homework?" Eriol said, his fluent Japanese still had a trace of his English accent. He grew up in England with his guardians.

Sakura nodded emphatically and smiled, "Hai. Please help Tomoyo-chan though, Eriol-kun. She's having some trouble."

Tomoyo's mouth dropped open at Sakura's words. She knew Sakura would love to set her up with Eriol. Though she almost always turned it down; it was like the time matchmaking she did when they were thirteen. She'd set her best friend up with Syaoran Li when the boy was far too shy to admit his feelings. Besides Tomoyo knew perfectly well that she didn't need help with her lessons because she was smart.

She desperately tried to signal Sakura that she didn't want to. But all her efforts went to waste because Sakura talked to Eriol casually about her having trouble this past few days. (That was true because she was always daydreaming about her crush.) On days like this, she wished that her best friend was still blissfully oblivious to everything.

"Would you need my help, Daidouji-san?" Eriol asked politely.

Tomoyo concealed a sigh. After all these years, they had never gotten over the barrier and always addressed each other with formality. She wished that he would address her with the same terms that he used with Sakura. They weren't good friends like him and Sakura but more like good acquaintances.

Lost in her thoughts, she nodded.

"It's settled then, we could use the library this afternoon. Meet me up around four?" Eriol asked kindly, his sapphire blue eyes gazed at her. She stared back without any shyness at all.

Tomoyo smiled and replied coolly, "I'd be happy to."

"See you then!" Eriol said and he bowed to the both of them and then hurried on his way. They bowed back and Tomoyo missed her video camera because Eriol was a good subject. She'd love to make a collection all about him.

After he was out of sight, Tomoyo turned to Sakura and smiled. "Thanks a lot Sakura-chan."

"No problem Tomoyo-chan. I know you very well. You like him, he likes you. It would be absolutely perfect!" Sakura said smilingly. It was a lame excuse to work, a transparent ploy to get them together but it might work. She had faith in her skills.

Tomoyo nodded and she urged Sakura to continue eating. She felt very happy; her nervousness and worries had been wiped away. Of course, she wasn't a fool to turn down an opportunity to be alone with her crush to get to know him better.

She loved Eriol for the longest time yet kept it as a secret that only she and Sakura knew. The sweet, painful feelings that swirled inside her like a raging stream to a near painful longing and desire to have him wrap his arms around her and whisper loving words. It was her heart's desire and she was ready to endure all the hardships and hurts of love.
The longer Tomoyo's love for him burned in her heart, the steadier and firmer the feeling of courage. "I must have courage..."

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Next chapter preview:

"Don't you know that it's bad for a lady to walk alone at night?"

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A/N: I decided to tweak the series here and there. It's a cute story and I want to give it justice.