By: CherryBlossomz008
Disclaimer: I *sob* don't own *sniff* CCS. Why not?!? Wahhhhhh!!!!!
Teardrops slowly trickled down the porcelain face of 18-year-old Daidouji Tomoyo. She sobbed on, crystalline droplets forming, revealing her long concealed agony.
Oh Kami-sama, what have I done to deserve this? Why, after all these years of happiness, am I left standing here, alone, defeated?
*Flashback*
"Hoe?" Kinomoto Sakura looked up, startled, to a void of darkness. She then notices a weird flashing red glow to the side of the gaping hole. "Hoe!"
"Relax, Sakura-chan, and smile at the camera!" a familiar gentle voice came drifting behind the darkness. Sakura peered around the camcorder, relieved to see the cheery face of her friend.
"Konnichiwa, Tomoyo-chan! What are you doing?" Sakura puzzled quizzically as she watched the raven-haired girl with astonishment. Suddenly, a large shopping bag appeared before her, along with the ever-beaming face of Daidouji Tomoyo.
"Mou, Sakura-chan, did you forget the Spring Dance? Li-kun asked you two days ago, remember? With my help, you two are going to be the most kawaii couple ever!" proclaimed an ecstatic Tomoyo, her eyes becoming starry, completely oblivious to the tomato-red face of Sakura next to her. Suddenly, she snapped back to reality. "That's why I came over today, so you could try out the keirii outfit that I worked so hard to make you!"
Sakura really didn't want to test out another one of Tomoyo's daring costumes, but after one glance at her best friend's eager pleading face, she didn't have the heart to refuse. Not that she had a chance anyways, since Tomoyo shoved her in the bathroom a moment later, shopping bag and all. "How do I get myself roped into these things?" wondered Sakura, as she slipped into Tomoyo's "kawaii" outfit. Briefly glancing in the mirror, Sakura gave a sharp intake of breath. Was that lovely tenshi before her herself?
Meanwhile, Tomoyo was pacing impatiently around the room, fervently anticipating the revealing of her masterpiece. "I'm ready" came the faint call. Whirling around, Tomoyo came to an abrupt stop. "Is there something wrong?" Sakura called out, when she saw her friend rooted to the spot.
"Iie…" Tomoyo managed to croak out. Never, in all her wildest fantasies, had she imagined her koishii Sakura-chan look so radiant. In a simple flowing mauve gown embroidered with scattered hand-stitched pink cherry blossoms, combined with a lacy lavender shawl and pale, glittery slippers, Sakura would be the belle of the ball. With gently falling auburn hair framing her rosy, slightly flushed cheeks, Tomoyo was sure that no man alive would be able to stand against Sakura's charms. Suddenly, Tomoyo felt a wave of regret at making the dress so lovely. Uncontrollably, her body began shaking uncontrollably as a tsunami of tears flooded amethyst eyes.
"Doshita no, Tomoyo-chan?" inquired Sakura, concerned. "Gomen if I did anything, onegai, tell me what's wrong, so I can help you fix it!"
She's always so good, so perfect. I don't deserve her; she and Syaoran are destined. My precious cherry blossom…
After what seemed an eternity, Tomoyo looked up. "Promise me one thing…"her voice came out as a whisper. "Nani?" Sakura's head cocked to one side, nonplussed. Kami-sami, she was so beautiful!
"Promise me," Tomoyo tried again behind gritted teeth, "that no matter what, we'll always be together." Sigh.
The anxious expression on Sakura's adorable face dissolved into a bemused grin. Simultaneously, her sweet, tinkling laughter rang out and filled the room. "Is that what's been troubling you, Tomoyo-chan? Of course we'll be together forever, we're best friends, ne? You shouldn't worry yourself so much, you'll develop wrinkles." Still chuckling, Sakura turned and began strolling away.
*End Flashback*
But that never happened. Your love for Syaoran exceeded all prior attachments, and you left me here all alone.
*Flashback*
"Sumimasan, Tomoyo-chan…" the newly wed approached her friend awkwardly. "You know how Syaoran-kun is dedicated to his Clan, and, well, since I am the Clow Mistress and now the wife of Syaoran-kun, the Li Clan has invited me to rule beside my dear husband. I just can't refuse; if I do, then Syaoran-kun will never get another chance to lead his Clan."
Tomoyo stared at the auburn haired girl in disbelief. No, you said you would never leave me, that we would always be together. You lied to me, Sakura, you…
"We'll never lose touch, I promise. You're still my best friend, nothing can change that, but now I have a new family that demands my attention. I hope you'll understand." Sakura ranted on, still fearfully gazing at Tomoyo as if afraid she would burst into tears. No, no, no…
Barely suppressing her anguish, Tomoyo managed a small smile. "I hope that you and Li-kun are happy together, Sakura-chan. Don't worry about me, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." With that final goodbye, she turned away. That was the last time she saw her best friend before she moved away.
*End Flashback*
Reluctantly Tomoyo rose from the park bench to begin the long walk home. Back to the present. Back to the harsh, demanding reality, where nothing is what it seems.
After all these years, I still love her. Why? She was the one who married, who moved away from Tomoeda, who left me behind to bite the dust. But underneath her passionate fury, Tomoyo knew that no one, not even Sakura, was to be blamed.
Dejectedly she shuffled her way to the Kinomoto residence. Ever since her mother died, she had lived there, regardless of the fact that Sakura left. Fujitaka and Nadeshiko had both loved Sonomi, so gladly they accepted Tomoyo into their depleted family circle. Her mother…
*Flashback*
Tomoyo had just arrived home from a long day of school and was worn out. "Tadaima!" she wearily called out, to no one in particular. That's strange, where is everyone? Usually the moment the gate opens someone is there to take my backpack and help me in. Today, the house seems deserted!
Suddenly, she detected movement from the corner of her eye. "Wait!" the harsh command stopped the guard in his tracks. "Where is everyone?" Tomoyo inquired, tone immediately softening when she saw the man's ruddy face streaked with tears.
"It's mistress…she's…" the guard broke down unable to continue.
"Okaa-san?" asked Tomoyo with furrowed brows. "Where is she? What's happened to her? I demand you to answer me!"
Once more the guard attempted to regain his power of speech, choking out, " The company owed a major debt, and when mistress found out that she would have to sacrifice the company to pay it all off, her heart failed her. She's in the hospital right now…" There the man stopped, and strode away sniffling.
What?!? My beloved okaa-san, in the hospital, nearly at the gates of Death? Don't worry okaa-san, I'm coming! (An: Yeah, I know, corny line, but hey, deal with it)
When Tomoyo reached the hospital, a depressing sight faced her. Guards and servants were scattered all over the parking lot, the waiting area, everywhere, and not one of them beheld a dry eye. Uh, oh, I hope I made it in time… Tomoyo rushed to the emergency room, not bothering to ask directions. She would find her mother on her own.
When she finally discovered her mother's whereabouts, Tomoyo gasped. In the hospital bed before her was a sallow faced, dying woman, so unlike the mother that had loved and raised her. Tomoyo had half a mind to set forth back on her search expedition when the woman in the bed spoke. "Tomoyo…daughter…" came the breathless whisper. "Come closer."
Obediently, Tomoyo edged forward, until she was crouching next to the woman. "Tomoyo," her mother strained, "you've been a wonderful daughter to me. Someday, you will find your own love, and live a fruitful life. Promise me that you won't grieve, that you will have the heart to continue on the journey of you life. Goodbye, daughter. Aishiteru." At 6:39 p.m., October 3rd, exactly a month after Tomoyo's sixteenth birthday, Daidouji Sonami passed away to a better place.
*End Flashback*
Remembrances of her dear mother brought a fresh wave of tears to the desolate young woman's eyes. Aimlessly she wandered, not minding where she was going, when she collided head-on to a man in a business-like suit. "Gomen nasai," Tomoyo muttered, eyes briefly glancing up. Unexpectedly, she found herself lost in pools of midnight blue.
Glossary of Japanese WordsSorry if my Japanese is all broken up, but I hope that this lil' glossary will help. If you discover any misused/misspelled words, tell me! Arigato!
Kami-sama: God, or actual meaning, almightly master
Hoe: Sakura's expression used in times of excitement, surprise, etc…
Konnichiwa: Hello/ Good afternoon
Mou: Geez
Kawaii: cute (a very popular phrase of Tomoyo's)
Keirii: pretty
Tenshi: angel
Iie: no
Koishii: beloved
Doshita no: What's wrong
Gomen/Gomen nasai: I'm sorry
Onegai: please
Nani: what
Ne: isn't it
Sumimasan: Excuse me
Tadaima: I'm home
Okaa-san: mother
Aishiteru: I love you
*Author's Note*
Yea! I finished my first chapter! Oooooooh…wonder who the mysterious man is! (As if y'all didn't know) This is NOT my first experience w/ fanfiction, but it is my first story, so if it's awful, then tell me. Comments praises, and flames *glare* will be gladly accepted, though if you flame me, please tell me why, or I'll just dismiss you as "one of them." Special thanks to all my friends who encouraged me to write. If I get enough reviews, I'll update, if not, I'll still update. Ja ne, minna!