Dance With Me
Part 6
Tomoyo sighed as she heard the first words of Hikaru Utada's "First Love" unfurl. Her eyes were glued to the dark-haired boy who was walking away from her, one hand holding Sakura's.
Saigo no kisu wa
Tabako no flavor shita
Nigakute setsunai kaori
The last kiss
tasted like tobacco
a bitter and sad smell
Though Tomoyo hadn't kissed him, there hadn't been any need to. Even without a kiss, she already knew the taste from the sad bitterness that had been crumbled into her heart.
Ashita no imagoro ni wa
Anata wa doko ni iru n' darou
Dare wo omotte 'ru n' darou
Tomorrow, at this time
where will you be?
Who will you be thinking about?
She felt so helpless. She couldn't seem to be able to tear her eyes away from Eriol, even if it was only the back of his head she was seeing. Sakura's arms reached up and wound around his neck, and she was saying something to him that Tomoyo couldn't hear.
Something dark and painful began to burn inside her.
"Hey, Tomoyo?" Syaoran touched her arm, startling her. She had forgotten that he was standing right next to her. Immediately, a wave of shame washed over her. Watching those two, he must be going through the same thing she was. And here she was, completely ignoring him.
Turning to him, she forced on a mask and smiled with all the cheerfulness she could muster. Even though it was nowhere close to Sakura's genuine, radiant glow. He gave her a smile in return, though she knew he must be dying inside. This was what it meant to be brave. "We both have to pretend to be happy...so the happiness of our friends won't be destroyed..." Tomoyo murmured her thoughts aloud.
Syaoran laughed. "You're right. I don't even know why she's out there dancing with him, when we both know she should be-" He paused and glanced at Sakura for a moment, then looked back to Tomoyo. "-here," he finished softly. "I can't hold it in anymore, I really want to be with her. And sometimes, sometimes I swear I can almost feel that she wants to be with me too. So why is she there, dancing with him?"
The look on his face was so weary and wistful that Tomoyo reached over and gave him a hug. Surprised, he returned her hug with gratitude. They both knew what it was like to have their hearts torn out, and not being able to do anything about it. He held her gently as she leaned her head against his shoulder, and they swayed slowly to the song. It was all right...they could share their pain...
But as they turned, she found herself staring at Eriol again, and she felt a pang in her chest. She couldn't help but wish that it was him she was dancing with right now. Heart aching, she squeezed her eyes shut and let the song take over her senses.
You are always gonna be my love
Itsu ka dare ka to mata koi ni ochite mo
I'll remember to love
You taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
Ima wa mada kanashii love song
Atarashii uta utaeru made
You are always gonna be my love
even if I fall in love with someone once again
I'll remember to love
you taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
it's still a sad song
until I can sing a new song
"Look, they're finally dancing!" said Sakura, fixing her gaze on Syaoran and Tomoyo. She was glad to have something else to draw her attention. Uncomfortably aware of Eriol's hands resting lightly on her waist, she wanted to avoid his eyes. This was too embarrassing. As her first dance with a boy, she had no clue what to do except to try not to trip over each other's feet.
Eriol hadn't been looking at her at all and had seemed lost deeply in thought, but his head flew up at what she said. Slowly, he turned until Sakura's view was blocked, and he glanced quickly in the direction she had been looking. Almost at once, he looked away. Sakura couldn't see his face, but she knew something was wrong.
He focused his attention back on her and smiled. "They're...dancing quite close, aren't they?" he commented casually, as if it was no big deal. There was a tiny tremble on the word "close" that gave him away completely.
Those two are just good friends, Sakura reassured herself. Like me and Eriol. Me and Eriol... She considered this. There had been barely any space between Tomoyo and Syaoran; she was practically leaning on him, for God's sake. While she and Eriol were a good three inches apart, her arms hooked awkwardly around his neck. She felt odd and out of place, making her feet step stiffly from side to side.
Tachidomaru jikan ga
Ugoki-dasou to shite 'ru
Wasuretaku nai koto bakari
The paused time is
about to start moving
There are so many things that I don't want to forget about
Ashita no imagoro ni wa
Watashi wa kitto naite 'ru
Anata wo omotte 'ru n' darou
Tomorrow, at this time
I will probably be crying
I will probably be thinking of you
Those two certainly looked nice and cozy together.
Burning at this thought, Sakura suddenly slowed to a stop.
"What is it?" asked Eriol, still holding her.
"Oh, I-I just don't think that..." She looked up into his confused eyes. No. She couldn't hurt him like this. They were already here, might as well finish this.
Smiling brightly, she pulled closer to him and began to dance again. "It's nothing," she said. Tomoyo would hate her for this. Maybe she was already hating her, and was trying to get revenge by dancing with Syaoran. It didn't matter what she did, she had to keep Eriol away from her friend. Sakura had experience with magic before, but what if he tried to hurt Tomoyo? She would never forgive herself. She had to find out the truth, and she had to find out now.
"Eriol?" she said. "Remember back when we were still involved with Clow's magic?"
"When you were Cardcaptor Sakura?" he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Um...yes, that. Well, have you been...using any magic lately?"
Silence.
"Have you?" he asked in reply.
Sakura hadn't expected this comeback. "Of course not!" she retorted. "I abandoned my magic years ago, just like you!"
"No, you haven't." A sudden iciness stung her from where his hands were holding her. Her eyelids began to feel heavy, and her head swam. She felt so tired, she wanted to sleep...
Struggling to keep her eyes open, Sakura had time to realize that it was Eriol who had messed with the Flower card. I...I have to keep him away from the others... But I can't think...can't move...too tired... A pleasant sleepiness blanketed her, and she slipped into it slowly. Tightening her grip on Eriol to make sure he wouldn't get away, she finally let her body fall forward against his. Syaoran...she thought sleepily, and her head slumped against his shoulder.
You will always be inside my heart
Itsu mo anata dake no basho ga aru kara
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever you are still the one
Ima wa mada kanashii love song
Atarashii uta utaeru made
You will always be inside my heart
You will always have your own place
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever you are still the one
It's still a sad song
until I can sing a new song
Syaoran watched Sakura pull Eriol close and bury her head in his chest. His brown eyes began to sting with the pain bubbling up inside him. This was so impossibly hard... He couldn't take it any more. He couldn't stay here and watch this love scene unfolding in front of him. He yanked himself away, splashing a hot tear on Tomoyo's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he choked out, and dashed off toward the gym door, ignoring the complaints of the couples he bumped into.
Tomoyo stood still in shock. The song was over, but Eriol and Sakura were still standing there holding each other. Eriol's eyes were closed.
This was crazy. Tomoyo longed to run outside like Syaoran, but instead, she found herself walking up to the two. She couldn't control her feet. Standing there facing Eriol's back, she did the only thing she could think of to do.
"Eriol!" she cried, pounding her fists against him. His eyes fluttered open, and his face wore an expression of surprise and wonder. Immediately, he let go of Sakura, who seemed to come back to life.
"Syaoran!" were her first words, and she flew out of the gym.
With tears streaming down her face, Tomoyo looked up into Eriol's dark eyes. "I might not have any magic," she whispered fiercely. "I might not be able to call cards or fight evil or fly. But I can see you, Eriol, for everything you are, and I understand, I still want to be with you."
She turned to leave and walked away as fast as she could.
But she didn't get very far, for she walked right into Eriol. Strong, gentle arms enveloped her and held her tightly. She felt his face in her hair, his heart thumping rapidly along with hers.
Crying, she reached up and clung to him as though her life depended on it. Her heart swelled with all the happiness in the world as she heard him say those beautiful words that she had been waiting forever to hear.
"I love you too, Tomoyo."
*****
Nope, it's not over yet! But soon! ^_^ Find out the truth about the magic, and what happens with S+S! Isn't "First Love" a great song? If you haven't heard it, download it now!! I know the song took up a lot of space in this chapter, but I had to put it in, it's so beautiful...^^;; Continue to review, everyone! It means so much to me, every review motivates me to write more and get the next chapter out faster. Thank you thank you thank you!