She Will Be Loved
Written by Iris Dreamer
DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura belongs solely to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Thank you.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I love University of Virginia. For those who are thinking of coming here, I definitely support your decision! For those who are seniors/juniors out there and have any questions, feel free to ask me. Leave a question and your email address in a review, or you're more than welcome to email me at: colors (underscore) of (underscore) iris (at) yahoo. (Sorry if that's confusing. It's also on my profile.) I'll be happy to answer any questions! It doesn't even have to be UVA questions; it can be just applications in general. I won't mind reading a few application essays if I'm not busy. Not that I'm saying I'm an expert, I'm far from that, but I'm here to offer any kind of help possible. :)
So, as you can all see, I've finally finished "Sort of a Fairytale" and I'm now writing a new story. This one is just going to be a sweet romance story; fun to write and fun to read. Haha. Still sticking to Card Captor Sakura, but I'm thinking of an Inuyasha one soon. Also I've noticed that many have been wondering about the original ending to "Sort of a Fairytale." I, unfortunately, do not have the ending with me here at UVA (its back home and I won't be back home until summer break unfortunately). However, if I have time, I'd love to write up the original ending once more. I'll have that posted as soon as possible? I have lots of work; so cut me some slack. But it would be fun to write. So if you want to read that other ending, please be a little patient. Meanwhile, enjoy this one.
Iris Dreamer
BACKGROUND: He's reached his happiest moment of his life: he has an awesome job, a circle of close friends, a good reputation, and most importantly, the girl he loves is now his fiancée. But happiness is short lived and everything he once had was thrown away and there he meets a girl that totally enraptures him, but this girl is just your normal, in the bad section of the city, prostitute.
DEDICATION: To all my readers. I love you all. Without you guys, I don't think I'd actually write out my stories.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Yume: I hope you continue reading this story!
AnimeObessionFantasy: Haha, yes, I must admit that Sakura was really blunt at the end of the chapter.
Cherry Princess Sakura: Yay to you, one my favorite readers out there who's been a loyal friend. Big hug to you! And I'm glad that you like this story as much as my other stories! You don't know how much that really means to me!
Ashely-chan1: Thanks! I'm glad you find the storyline interesting.
Hououza: First off, since you've done so much for me, I can only return the favor a little bit by wishing you best of luck job hunting. I remember that you told me that you're a computer science major (correct me if I'm wrong. My memory fails me often). I'm sure that you'll be great at whatever job you end up at! And if they don't hire you, I say their lost since you're absolutely great! Haha, funny how you ramble and I babble. I suppose I babble on and on when I write to make up for my shyness in person I suppose. Once again, thanks for the endless amount of encouragement you've given me! And as for the Inuyasha fic, I'm starting it right now actually. But I don't think I'm going to start posting it until maybe after this story; I don't want to keep people's expectations up and not update.
Faraa: Yes, I shall go on! I shall prevail. Haha, ignore my random thoughts. Enjoy this chapter.
Dancer: I try to make my chapters extra long to make up for the lack of updating. This chapter however, may be a little short in comparison. This one's around 14 pages I think. The last chapter was 20.
Daz: Thanks for being the best friend a girl could ever ask for.
Dancer 5: Haha, I'm glad you're thoroughly enjoying this fanfiction.
Aznanimefanxd: I would definitely agree that I am my worst critic; I would say that it goes for most authors out there…. Although the authors out there in are much better than me! I've got major idols here. :)
Fire Temptress: I haven't heard from you in ages girl! How are you? I'm so overjoyed that you like this fic, wasn't sure if it was good or not. Thanks for all the best wishes for this fic as well as college; I really need it! As for emailing you, that would be my ultimate honor, however, your email address needs a bit more info. All you've supplied for me is: livefreelivetrue
Carmen: Thank you for your support! It's readers like you that remind me that I shouldn't give up and I should keep writing. Thanks!
Cyan Moon: I'm honored to know that this is the only CCS story you're reading! Actually, on a side note, I might be moving away from CCS as well, most likely after this fanfiction unless I suddenly think of a story that would really fit the CCS characters. I'm actually starting on an Inuyasha one, although I don't think I'll be posting it on until I'm done with this story since I don't want to post and never update. Hm, what else? Oh yes, thrilled that you like the story! I hope you like this chapter!
The cherry tree: Don't you just love those complicated love triangles? Haha. As for Syaoran knowing her real name, he does know through Tomoyo. A detail I've obviously overlooked. Thanks for pointing that out.
And to everyone else who reads this, or those I've forgotten, thanks for reading and I really hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy reading!
CHAPTER FIVE: Hopes
Tomoyo blinked at the girl standing before her, trying to keep her cool façade while her heart was racing inside. She hoped that her face wasn't flushing as Eriol often told her it did when she was nervous.
"What did you say?" She managed to say without stuttering. "Eriol's my best friend,"
Sakura gave her a small smile. "Interesting how you choose to say that Hiiragizawa's your friend instead of stating Li's your fiancé,"
Tomoyo gaped at how the girl had managed to twist all that she had to say within a matter of a few seconds.
"I didn't mean anything to that order. I naturally assumed that you're thinking that I like Eriol more than I let on, so of course I'd defend my feelings for Eriol first,"
"What are your feelings for Hiiragizawa?"
"Purely platonic," She said defensively.
"I'm not hinting anything, Daidouji-san," Sakura informed her.
Tomoyo sighed. "I suppose I'm just nervous whether I'm doing the right choice or not," She admitted.
Sakura's face remained impassive as ever. "I think I should become a therapist instead of a model," She said wryly. "Let's just go eat dinner before Li-san gets worried about your well-being,"
The fashion designer nodded. "I'd rather you not mention this to Syaoran,"
"We don't talk, so I wouldn't have the chance to tell him anything anyhow," Sakura said, shrugging her shoulders. "But really Daidouji-san, you should talk this out with someone,"
Tomoyo gave a small smile. "Thank you for listening, Kinomoto," She replied, leading the way into the apartment.
Sakura blinked as she watched the older girl walk into the apartment complex. She had to give credit to Tomoyo; the girl was capable of a whole lot and the amount of kindness she had in that heart was endless.
"I was about to come and get you," Syaoran said as he opened the door the same time Tomoyo was about to stick the key into the door.
She grinned up at him. "Were you looking through the peep hole?" She teased.
Syaoran gave her a roguish grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He replied.
Tomoyo laughed, and leaned over and placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Stop acting so tough, Syao," She glided past him towards the living room where Eriol and Meiling's laughs could be heard.
Syaoran watched her go, his eyes not leaving her figure.
"Hey," Sakura called, a roguish smile playing on her lips.
He turned his attention to the speaker, noticing her really for the first time that night. She was dressed in jeans with a black shirt with a wide neckline that left her shoulders bare. Her hair was let down and glowed in the light that shown from inside the apartment.
"Hey," Syaoran answered. "How are you?"
She shrugged. "I should say ecstatic with a job as a model for your fiancé, but everything seems pretty surrealistic. How about you," she asked. "Last time I saw you, you were on the road towards revenge,"
He coughed embarrassedly. "About that day, I never really got to say thank you properly, so thanks."
Sakura waved the comment with her hand. "What I had to do to get you off my back," She answered. "Although now that I'm working with your fiancée, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon."
Syaoran cracked a reserved grin. "Knock yourself out while you're at it," He told her. "Tomoyo's awesome at sticking around."
"I've noticed," Sakura replied. "So, are you going to invite me or are you just going to kidnap my best friend for dinner and leave me standing in the hallway?"
"Are you usually this sarcastic?" But he moved to the side to allow Sakura to walk into the room and closed the door behind her.
"Do you usually have such large mood swings?" She shot back.
Syaoran sighed. "Let's just have dinner, Kinomoto."
Sakura shrugged and walked towards the living room while Syaoran sighed again and watched her go. His eyes lingered on her for a few more seconds before he followed her.
"Saku, I've saved a seat next to me!" Meiling said happily.
Sakura grinned. "Thanks Meiling," She told her as she sat down next to her best friend as Syaoran slid to the seat across from her that was next to Tomoyo.
"Now that we're all here, Syaoran go get the food!" Eriol called from the head of the table where he was situated between Meiling and Tomoyo.
"What? Aren't you supposed to be nice to your host?" Syaoran retorted, but he got up from his seat.
"Actually, the host is to prepare and serve everything," Sakura informed him with a devilish grin that was almost a replica of Eriol's. "After all, you invited us over."
"He's no guest," He muttered as he walked towards the kitchen.
"I like you," Eriol declared, giving Sakura a smile. "You have my vote,"
"On what," Meiling wanted to know.
"As a potential source for underground activity," He told Meiling with a teasing grin. When he saw Tomoyo getting up, Eriol said, "Now Tomoyo, you really don't have to help Syaoran now do you?"
Tomoyo smiled. "Eriol," She warned.
"I'll go," Sakura told them. "Meiling and I brought a gift and I'll take this opportunity to stick it somewhere into the kitchen,"
"You didn't have to!" Tomoyo complained.
"If Li-san is going to act like a host, Meiling and I should act like guests," She told her with a small grin. "Besides, it would only be right to bring something. After all, you are paying me."
"You put me to shame, Kinomoto," Eriol said.
"You live here," She pointed out. "Excuse me, I'll be right back." Standing, Sakura lifted a bag from under the table.
"What did you bring?" Eriol asked, turning his curious gaze to Meiling who was grinning.
"Sakura's absolute best. She's an awesome cook," Meiling boasted.
"Only because you can't cook, Meiling," Sakura said, allowing a small teasing grin to grace her features.
"Hey! I can cook!" She protested, but Sakura just snorted and walked towards the kitchen. Meiling turned to Tomoyo and Eriol who remained at the dinner table. "I can so cook!" She repeated to them.
Eriol cracked a grin. "Of course, Rae-san,"
"You don't believe me," She said as she crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Tomoyo smiled warmly. "Ignore Eriol," She told Meiling. "I'm sure you try very hard at cooking."
"I do! It's not my fault things don't really turn out in my favor. I just don't have any luck at cooking,"
"Cooking is skill not luck," An additional voice informed her. Meiling looked up and gave a glare to Syaoran who had walked in with a tray carrying five bowls of steaming curry and white rice on the side.
Meiling snorted. "What would you know?"
Syaoran raised his eyebrow. "Because I cooked the food you're about to eat," He answered smugly as he placed the five bowls down and carried the empty tray back into the kitchen. Sakura was standing in front of the fridge, a slight frown on her face.
"Need any help?" He asked, walking up behind her.
Sakura looked back, blinking in surprise. "I was trying to find space for this," She raised up a covered plate.
"What is it?" Syaoran asked curiously, lifting the covered cloth. He let out a low whistle when he saw what was inside. "You made this?"
"Do you think Meiling did?" She asked as a teasing grin grew on her face.
Syaoran blinked. He never saw this side of her before. This side of her that was so much more carefree and warm. But then again, the grin was addressed towards her best friend, not him.
"Well, it's certainly impressive. But you do realize that Tomoyo made her special cheesecake?"
She nodded. "She told me, but I just thought that perhaps you and Hiiragizawa-san can keep it in the fridge. It'll last for a few days."
"Thank you," Syaoran said. "You didn't have to do that."
She shrugged. "Just acting like a guest. I've left a smaller portion out for Daidouji-san so she can bring it home with her." Sakura motioned to the plastic bag on the ground that looked like there was still something inside.
"I'm going to have to hide my portion from Eriol then," Syaoran mused as he looked at the crowded fridge.
"They're Hiiragizawa's favorite?"
Syaoran grinned. "Nope, they're mine actually." He peeked at the covered dish again. "Especially cream puffs filled wine flavored cream with blueberries and strawberries inside."
"I'm glad," She said simply.
"Thanks," He told her again. "Now let's see if we can make some space in the fridge."
"Hey! Are you two slowpokes coming for dinner anytime soon?" Eriol demanded. "We're getting hungry staring at the curry in front of our eyes. It's like aroma torture!"
"Then start eating!" Syaoran shot back crossly. "It's your fault that the fridge is completely stuffed anyhow!"
"Want some help?" Tomoyo called.
"I'll handle it, Tomoyo. You guys go ahead and eat," He replied, his tone much softer than it was for Eriol. He turned his attention back towards the cramped fridge.
"We'll just take out the drinks then. I hope no one minds that it's not really cold." Syaoran finally decided. "And we can lots of fruit after dinner as well. I hope everyone has a huge appetite, or else the leftovers aren't going to fit."
"I'm sure you'll manage," Sakura informed him, taking the drinks that he passed to her. He nodded, taking an armful of oranges and apples and placed them on the counter as well.
"I'll carry those drinks,"
"I'm not weak," She told him as she walked past him carrying two liters of soda.
"Right," Syaoran muttered as he followed her back towards the dinning room where everyone had started eating.
"Did everything work out?" Tomoyo asked with a sweet smile when Syaoran sat down next to her. He nodded.
"Yeah, but really Eriol, what's with all the oranges and apples in the fridge?"
"They were on sale," He replied simply. "So how's the fashion design contest coming along Tomoyo?"
"Surprisingly well," She answered with a huge smile. "Mizuki said that we probably have a good chance in winning, not that it really matters. We should be hearing something soon if we get to actually get to model on stage in Tokyo. But I'm really excited about it!"
"You should be," Eriol replied. "How's Mizuki doing?"
"Great. You should stop by one day and say hi to her,"
"I wish I could. But alas, Syaoran's mom does not allow me to cut much slack," He sighed out loud. "Syaoran, how do you stand it?"
"She's my mom," He shrugged. "One gets used to it one way or the other. As long as you listen to her demands, you're pretty much on her good side."
"I need to learn from you," Eriol complained.
"What work are you doing?" Meiling asked curiously.
"Ah, vaguely somewhere in business," Eriol answered. "Something with computers,"
"Mother would have your head if she heard you replying so casually."
"I usually let my business card answer the question of what I do," Eriol said with a sly grin. "Would you like one?" He asked Meiling.
She laughed. "Not really,"
"Kinomoto?" Eriol offered her a card.
Sakura blinked up from her food. "Um, no thanks,"
Syaoran grinned. "Shot down twice in a row, Eriol."
Eriol shrugged in a good manner. "So how are you enjoying modeling Kinomoto-san? I hear heaps of good stuff from Tomoyo,"
"I don't really deserve all that praise, but I really do enjoy it," Sakura answered with a polite smile.
Eriol nodded. "How about you Rae-san? Are you enjoying being a manager?"
Meiling grinned wickedly. "Minus the paperwork and phone calls, I'd say it's pretty awesome. It's totally wicked to be able to show off pictures of Sakura."
"What pictures?" Eriol asked.
"Well, in order to sign up and everything, we needed some photo shoots of Sakura with Daidouji's designed clothing, in order to make sure we weren't some fraud, since this competition is huge. So, I get to carry these gorgeous pictures of Sakura and flaunt them around," She grinned at Sakura who rolled her eyes.
"Kinomoto also has been receiving other calls for modeling as well," Tomoyo added with a teasing grin.
"It's your designs that they're interested in," Sakura said, annoyed at all the attention she was receiving.
"Let the pictures decide shall we?" Meiling countered, clearly enjoying teasing her best friend. She pulled out her wallet and flourished out a few wallet sized pictures.
Sakura gasped. "I thought you gave me all the ones you had!"
Her best friend slowly grinned slyly. "You sneak," Sakura hissed. "I'm using the restroom, excuse me," She stood up and walked towards the bathroom.
Meiling watched her go concerned, but it quickly faded when Eriol caught her attention by whistling at the pictures.
"These are awesome," He said, clearly impressed. "Tomoyo, these dresses you've designed are totally fabulous. If these are the ones you've entered just for the first entry, I can't wait to see what you've designed for the real show,"
Tomoyo blushed. "Really, it's Kinomoto's credit. She's really great at modeling and designing clothes for her simplifies everything."
"Here, Syao, you see," Eriol said, handing the photos to Syaoran.
He reached over and received the pictures. As he flipped through them, he stopped at once that particularly caught his eye. It looked like Sakura was walking and someone had suddenly called her name and she had quickly turned around. The picture caught her in mid turn. Her hair, let down, was a spread out in a slow wave. On her face was a surprised yet delighted smile, as if greeting her best friend. Tomoyo noticed and leaned over to see what picture he has stopped on.
"That's one of my favorites too," She told him with a smile. "Actually Kinomoto was walking towards the bench where we were going to take the photo, but Meiling suddenly called her name. With our talented photographer, this lovely moment was able to be documented."
"This is really great," Syaoran told her, while gazing intently at the photograph. "Somehow she reminds me of someone actually. Another model maybe?"
"Must be your imagination," Meiling interjected before anyone else could say anything when she saw Sakura walking back. She took the photos from Syaoran and placed them back to her wallet.
Syaoran blinked, but didn't say anything.
"Meiling, we really should get going," Sakura said with a polite smile. "After all, we are getting together and working early tomorrow morning, right Daidouji?"
Tomoyo sighed. "As much as I would love this wonderful dinner to continue, I suppose we need to end this. Syaoran and Eriol always work at ungodly hours and they need their sleep as well."
"I knew I should have just made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into shapes of little dinosaurs instead," Sakura complained to Meiling as they finally swung open the door to their small battered apartment they had learned to call home.
Saying goodbyes, instead of taking two minutes, had taken twenty when Tomoyo found out the dessert that Sakura had made for her to bring home. From asking her recipe, it proceeded that Sakura would have to go over Tomoyo's house one day to teach her how to make them. And that teaching lesson had extended to having another dinner at Tomoyo's place, with the boys in tow of course.
Meiling laughed. "Stop denying the fact that you liked all the attention," Her best friend teased.
"You're just saying that because you get to eat more of my cream puffs," Sakura huffed, an annoyed scowl on her face.
"Who can resist such good dessert?" Meiling said grinning. "Remind me why we didn't open a bakery instead of our past jobs,"
"Because we didn't have the money to rent a store and all my past baking jobs only required me to sell the desserts, not make them," Sakura answered automatically.
"Oh, right," Meiling nodded her head in recognition. Just as she was about to say something, a ringing in the tone in the beeping music of Brittany Spear's "Toxic" broke her chain of thought.
"What's with the weird music choice?" Meiling demanded, looking around for the source of blasted annoyance.
"I'd say interesting choice of cell phone ring," Sakura informed her, handing the girl her cell phone.
Her best friend stared at it repulsively. "Ugh, must I answer?" She pleaded.
"The faster you answer, the faster the music ends," Sakura replied, a teasing grin on her face. "Have you been letting the photographer's thirteen year old daughter of play with your phone again?"
"I seriously need to have a real girl talk with her one day," Meiling said, picking up the phone.
"Hello?" She paused, her face lighting up. "Oh! Takeda-san, this is wonderful hearing from you. How are you?" Her tone had taken upon a crisp, business edge.
Meiling shot Sakura a V-sign with her left hand and proceeded to walk into the kitchen. She grabbed a pen and her legal pad lying on the table. Her demeanor quickly evolved from a playful mood to down right serious as she nodded her head as she replied to the person on the phone while jotting down some notes on the notebook. Sakura watched, amusedly, at how being a manager had really transformed her friend.
When Sakura came back from taking a shower and was dressed comfortably in her pajamas, Meiling had just hung up the phone with the biggest smile on her face.
"Are you going to tell me the great news or are you just going to wait until your face bursts from smiling so hard?" Sakura teased.
Meiling laughed and threw a pillow halfheartedly at her best friend, which plopped pathetically two feet in front of Sakura.
Getting up from her seat, Meiling jumped in front of Sakura with glee. "We got into top twenty for the competition! They love us! We're actually going to be on stage in Tokyo competing!"
"That's awesome!" Sakura squealed happily, hugging her friend tightly as they jumped up and down with glee. "Call Daidouji-san and tell her the good news!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Meiling said frantically as her phone rang again. "Hello?" She asked breathlessly.
"Wait, who is this?" She asked. Meiling's eyes widened largely when she heard the reply. "Oh my god, don't tell me that you're," She paused.
"Wait! How did you get my number?" Meiling demanded, getting out from her shock. For a moment Sakura wondered if she should do something, but while she was thinking, Meiling was acting back to her normal, hyper self. Within seconds she had launched herself to Sakura's arms, bubbling with joy.
"Um, Meiling,"
"You talk to him!" She said, grinning happily.
Sakura raised her eyebrow and took over the phone. "Hello?" She asked tentatively.
"Hello," A distinctly male voice replied from the other end. Sakura blinked.
"May I ask who this is?"
"I should be asking the same thing," The man replied, but chuckled. "However, since you asked first, I'm Tsukishiro Yue, a retired photographer."
"Who exactly are you and why are you calling?"
"Shouldn't you tell me who I'm talking to first?"
"I'm Sakura Kinomoto,"
"Ah, Nadeshiko and Fujitaka's daughter,"
"You knew okaasan and otouson?" Sakura whispered.
Tsukishiro replied, his voice amiable and warm. "I'm an old friend of Fujitaka's. We worked together as photographers as a hobby long time ago. I'm afraid I lost touch many years ago, unfortunately, when Touya stop writing. How are the both of you?"
"We're okay," She said briskly.
"I'm sorry I've lost touch," He apologized again. "I was thinking about meeting you and your brother this weekend maybe? I would love to talk to you and see how you're enjoying being a model. Your mother would have been most proud,"
"Um,"
"I understand it's a bit sudden and you might have plans," Tsukishiro said hastily. "I was just so excited, because I saw your name for the fashion show in Tokyo. I was apprehensive about accepting the job of being a job, but the decision has allowed me to maintain contact with you and Touya again. For that I'm most grateful."
"But please do call me if you need anything or you change your mind," Tsukishiro said warmly.
"Thank you,"
"I have a few old things of Nadeshiko's and Fujitaka's also if you'd like to come over one day and get them. They're mainly just old photos,"
"Someday," She said. "Thank you Tsukishiro-san,"
Meiling was smiling at her when she hung up. "Isn't that the best news that you've heard in ages?"
Sakura shrugged. "I don't know what to think of it," She replied honestly. "I don't remember a Tsukishiro that okaasan and otouson knew. He said he knew Touya and kept in touch until Touya stopped writing,"
Meiling gave her friend a hug, knowing the reason behind why Touya had stopped writing. "So how's Touya doing lately?"
"If we win this fashion show and with the money I'll get, I'll be able to finally pay for his surgery and medications," She admitted.
"That's great!" Her best friend said, grinning.
Sakura smiled a small smile. "Yeah, I can't wait to hear him call me kaijuu," She smiled wistfully.
"Don't worry! We're going to win this fashion show and then Touya will be all better! And hey, you aren't doing the dirty work to get him money anymore, Saku."
"Yeah, but Touya will still kill me if he knew," Sakura responded. "Besides, if I don't win, I'd probably have to resort back to dirty work. Touya needs those fees soon. In addition to the medical bills he's running up, the doctors tell me that he can't say in coma that much longer without the surgery,"
"Did they give an estimate date?"
"End of the month," She whispered. It was already the 20th and next week the fashion show would take place. If she didn't get the money then, she didn't know what she would do.
"This is a gorgeous place you live in," Sakura praised as Tomoyo opened the door to welcome her in.
Tomoyo smiled. "It's really not that beautiful as you put it," She responded modestly. "Please, come in. I can't wait to get started,"
"Thanks," the model said, walking inside the neatly decorated apartment. "Where would you like me to place the materials?"
"Oh, just in the kitchen would be great," Tomoyo said, leading her to the kitchen. "I can't wait to learn how to make cream puffs. Eriol and Syaoran raved about them continuously."
"You give me too much credit, Daidouji-san,"
"Oh please, call me Tomoyo-chan," The older girl said. "Really, I should have kept it at a friendly basis to begin with. After all we are friends,"
Sakura blinked. "If you insist," She replied graciously.
"So, are you excited about the fashion show, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked as they started to make the cream puffs.
She shrugged. "It is quite exciting,"
Tomoyo laughed. "You don't sound all that enthusiastic Sakura. Anyhow, I can't believe that we made top twenty. This will definitely open a lot of windows of opportunity for all of us."
"Really?"
"Well, for one thing, it does establish us at a certain rank above others and we'll be easier to get our own company and everything, but it's going to take a while to build up a good solid foundation,"
"And if we win?"
"That will be a whole different case completely." The fashion designer replied. "It would mean that we have triumphed over various brand names that have already had a solid basis in the fashion designing market. Not only would we receive a large stipend to start our business, publicity is already knocking on the door,"
"But I'm not really expecting us to win," Tomoyo continued as she mixed the batter. "This is a sweet enough victory. Besides, in time, we'll be as great as they are, or even better right Sakura-chan?"
"I'll be working with you afterwards?" She asked surprised.
"A fashion designer can't get by not having a head model after all." She grinned. "However, I don't think we'll be one a full-time job right afterwards. After all, your paychecks come from me personally and largely funded through the program. Winning each level gets us a sum of stipend to work with. I've been splitting it three-way even."
"But,"
Tomoyo smiled. "A model and a manager are crucial. Without a model, my clothes would be left on the hanger, and without a manager, I would have no chance to show my designs on a stage."
"And besides, Sakura-chan," The older girl paused. "We all need the money right?"
"Thank you," Sakura said gratefully, her head bowed.
"Don't act so polite," Tomoyo scolded motherly. "What are friends for anyhow?"
"How can you call us friends? I'm simply one who works for you,"
Tomoyo simply gave her a smile that was so understanding that it almost broke through all the barriers she had set around herself. Staring at the girl before her, Sakura did nothing to stop the warm arms that pulled her into a warm hug.
It had been a while before she had trusted someone else.
Sakura choked on her emotions as she returned the hug.
"Thank you," she paused, collecting herself, "Tomoyo-chan."
And that would conclude this chapter. I hope it was interesting. Not that much movement plot wise as one would have expected probably. Anyhow, with the chapter done, please leave a comment/review so I can know how to make the chapters better, etc. Any advice would be lovely, thank you.
Moving on to important matters that you're all dying to know about: when will be the estimate arrival time for my next chapter. Unfortunately for you, fortunately for me (although it goes both ways for me), my first year of college is about to come to an end. I don't know if my tears at the end of the semester will be of happiness or of sadness; perhaps a little of both. Anyhow, unfortunately for you readers, that means I won't be updating for a while. I have two midterms, four papers, and four finals to fight from now until May 14th. Thus I'm not going to be able to update anytime between then. I might little paragraphs here and there if I think of something, but nothing that concerns long periods of time and many pages. Sorry about the delay!
On a positive note, as some may already know, I'm currently working on an Inuyasha fic if you're interested in Inuyasha. I've been craving to write one in ages, and I'm deliriously happy that I've actually started on my first chapter. I don't think I'll start posting it (not that I'm done with my first chapter yet. I only have like 12 pages down) anytime soon because I don't want to disappoint people with my lack of consistent updating and I'm no longer the youngster I used to be, to handle the feat of juggling two stories at once. Ah, how I miss my youth. Haha. So yes, those interested in a future Inuyasha fic that's mainly a sweet romance story, look forward to it around summer I suppose.
With that aside, I hope you liked this chapter! Some questions being filled in and new characters are being introduced (i.e. Yukito and the reason why Sakura became an erotic dancer). This story is actually more drawn out in some sense than I planned. Hm. Actually, it might speed up some more with the upcoming chapter. I don't want to draw this story out so much that it ruins my original intentions.
For those in high school, good luck with upcoming AP exams. For those in college like me, the year is coming to an end so good luck with those paper and tests. For those who don't fit into those two categories, good luck with everything that you have to deal with, whether that's school, work, or personal issues!
iris dreamer.