Eternal

When Sakura awoke it was eight in the morning. It was really quite an effort for her to try and recall all that happened the day before. After meeting the enigmatic owl. Sakura decided that she would try and find out everything she possibly could about 'that day'.

Though try as she might she could not find Eriol or any other inhabitants. It was now three days since her encounter and all she had to eat was fruits and berries from the bushes on the grounds. The water from the clear lake provided for her needs as well. Though she had problems with going to the restroom since there was not one. She had even attempted to find her way home but an invisible barrier blocked her way and she could not find any means to past it and the doors to the mansion were locked and most likely bolted.

She sighed audibly as her stomach rumbled. Apparently the fruits just were not enough to satisfy her hunger. She began to totter over toward the lake. For some reason the mysterious water of the lake had entranced her the moment she gazed into it. A ripple in the lake made her aware of another.

A graceful swan was gliding across the lake. She watched as with each smooth movement the swan's performance became more complicated. It appeared to be an elegant ballet upon water. The sun began to set as the swan finished its elaborate dance. Sakura clapped forgetting for a moment about the fact that she was applauding a bird. The swan, seeming to understand all she had done flew gently across the lake.

"Good evening." The swan greeted. Sakura stared at the swan for a moment while gaping, finally accepting the fact that most likely all the creatures here spoke. The swan politely ignored the fact that her mouth was large enough to stuff a log of wood in.

"Are you the one Eriol-kun told me about? The girl who was selected? You had better come with me you look like you have been deprived of food for ages!"

Frankly she had eaten the berries but her stomachs rumbled as if the words the bird creature said were true. Plus that also answered the question of following the swan. The swan let its purple tipped feathers touch Sakura's arm signaling her to follow.

Sakura was led away from the mesmerizing lake to a cozy cottage in the middle of the forest. Sakura was curious as to why she had not noticed this cottage before. She had inspected the forest already and could not have missed this. She supposed that the place was completely insane.

"Birds that appear out of nowhere, cottages that hide themselves, creatures that bite you and then disappear and suddenly sprouting ears! What is this place?" She thought to herself. The swan brought her inside and left her to stand in the center of the room. The swan waddled into the other room.

Sakura glanced around the room. The dishes were neatly stacked in piles in a wooden cupboard. The sink was devoid of dirt and grime, in fact the whole place was clean. There was a small table at one side made of polished oak with three matching chairs.

She had a thought that struck her like a lightning bolt such as why the swan would live in a cottage and where exactly the swan was now?

"Hello. Are you hungry?" Sakura spun around to meet the face of the friendly voice of an angel. The girl had lovely violet locks framed her delicate face. She began to wonder why she resembled a porceline doll. Also she was similar to the swan, almost totally exact. The swans aura-Sakura could have sworn-was the exact same color, shade and feel.

The girl with violet tresses sat down on a chestnut table-after taking the food from the stove- and began to feast on mouth-watering food. When Sakura offered to clean up and wash the dishes the girl declined.

"You are my guest and therefore it is necessary for me to clear up." The girl told her.

"But…I don't even know your name!" Sakura protested.

"My name is Daidoujii Tomoyo." Tomoyo smiled once she finished.

"Is the swan your pet?"

"My pet? No! Of course not! You could say that it is a part of me…"Tomoyo's voice seemed to drag on and fade into nothing more than a mere whisper.

"Is it alright to let me sleepover? Where are your parents?"

"My dad has gone on a journey and my mom as well." I looked sympathetically at her.

"Are you lonely?"

"No. Eriol visits me. But I am always glad to receive company." She told me picking up a dish.

"Let me help." I also took a dish and scraped the remains into the bin like her.

"You know I could not imagine living a life without my dad and brother…"

"Your mom?"

"She died when I was really young so I can't remember her. But my father puts pictures of her around the house."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. My mom is in a beautiful place in the sky and is super happy. My Onii-chan (brother) told me that she is there."

"I never had any siblings…"

"I will be your sworn sister!"

"Sworn sister?"

"It means that I will be your sister from now and you won't have to be lonely anymore because you will have me to help fill that place in your heart."

"Thank you." She hugged Tomoyo getting suds all over her.

"Sorry Tomoyo!"

"Its alright!"

"Sworn sister's forever" I smiled.

"Eternal. Eternally." She whispered.

She pondered on what Tomoyo had said while she was led up the stairs to a spare bedroom. It seemed to be an old-fashioned cottage since she had yet to see concrete walls. Tomoyo showed her a comfy bed to Sakura's extreme delight.

The bed was queen size and had a quilt of satin laid on it. It was the most beautiful quilt Sakura had ever seen with its wonderful embroidery and its lovely shade of pink. Though it was the only quilt Sakura had ever seen.

For some reason Sakura did not at all feel afraid about taking shelter with a complete stranger. Or the fact she was staying in an unknown place in the middle of the forest.

She allowed sleep to invade her mind and was out like a light as soon as her head touched the pillow. Sweet dreams danced around her as she dreamed of the day tomorrow.