In this chapter, I took some scenes from the movie to make it all fit. This might happen every now and again, but not a lot. Those scenes are not made up by me.

CHAPTER 3

"Sakura-chan"

"Tomoyo! What's this?"

Tomoyo smiled. "Your costume. I also managed to make one for Yamasaki, but only the design. The school Home Economics teacher sewed it."

Sakura opened the box and saw the frilly pint costume, sewed to perfection with Tomoyo's hands. She looked at Tomoyo right into the eye. "Thank you"

Yamasaki came into the classroom, followed by Chiharu.

"How do you like it, Yamasaki-kun?"

"It's great! So comfortable!"

"Now, you change!" Tomoyo pushed her out of the room.

Sakura walked in. The pink frills came up high to the front and low to the back. Her ankles were wrapped with ribbon and a cute red ribbon was tied around her head. White wings perched on her back.

Tomoyo looked at Meiling, who looked at Shaoran. Shaoran was entranced by Sakura's beauty.

"You're absolutely adorable, Sakura-chan! No one could fit that dress better!"

"It's all because you made it so well, Tomoyo"

"No! You fit it so well! It's beautifu—"

"She is right, Daidouji." Meiling came and put her hand on Tomoyo's shoulder. "I saw you make that dress. No one could have devoted themselves to make a dress like that in such a short amount of time."

Tomoyo smiled appreciatively, but shook her head. "I just have a lot of time on my hands."

Shaoran said nothing. He was too entranced.

That night Tomoyo had an amazing idea fro a costume. She hunched over the fabric in concentration and left Meiling and Shaoran to watch a movie in her home theatre with popcorn. She didn't want Meiling getting any more ideas about Tomoyo and Sakura.

The day of the Nadeshiko festival arrived. Terada-sensei watched the play throughout and said how it was well-done, so many people had confidence.

However…

"But to think there was another Clow Card Left…" Kero said.

Sakura told them there was another Clow card, sealed to keep all the good of the Clow Cards in balance. As the Clow Cards became Sakura Cards, the seal was broken.

"Yeah" Sakura looked down. Tomoyo walked over and crouched next to her.

"Sakura-chan, you look a little pale."

"It looks as if you didn't get much sleep last night" Kero commented. "Are you alright?"

"…Yeah"

"Hey, you talked to Shaoran about this, right?" Meiling piped up.

"Y-Yeah" Sakura lifted her head a bit. Tomoyo sensed Sakura's attention. It went up as Meiling said Shaoran's name. She was smitten.

"Is that all?" Shaoran's voice came through the door of the classroom.

"Yes, thanks. Thanks for all the hard work"

Sakura lowered her head. Tomoyo was about to say something to her when a blink of light flashed out of Sakura's Egg Backpack. Kero flew out of the backpack. "This Presence…"

"A Clow Card!" Sakura shouted.

The whole school shook, and in the middle of the track below their room, a huge black ball covered half of it.

Sakura hurriedly shouted. "SLEEP!"

The magic flittered around and everyone slept except for Sakura, Meiling, Kero, Tomoyo and Shaoran, who ran into the room.

"You alright?"

"Yeah!"

The black ball disappeared to show a huge gaping hole in the ground.

A card, in a blink of light flew out the window, probably SLEEP. Tomoyo gasped. Someone was taking the Sakura Cards!

A little black ball, similar to the large one in the ground, sucked up the card. Tomoyo peered at it to focus on what it really was, but it disappeared.

'Yamasaki!" they heard a cry from outside the classroom. They ran outside and saw Yamasaki clenching his arm.

"I just bumped something" he gasped. Chiharu hunched over him, looking worried.

"I guess you can't go on with the show" Terada-sensei said.

"I'm alright"

"You're not alright!" Chiharu shouted.

'Are we canceling the play?" Someone asked. It occurred to Tomoyo that without Yamasaki, there would be no play, which means Sakura couldn't perform. No!!!

"You can't cancel it" Yamasaki said.

"But with that injury…"

"There is someone, right Li?"

Shaoran said nothing, but recoiled slightly. Tomoyo couldn't believe it. Meiling looked as if she was about to explode in happiness. Sakura blushed, and Shaoran blushed. Tomoyo grinned devilishly.

"Sunlight at dusk casts a red light onto the plains

Just like fire.

I close my eyes and look inside my heart

Who am I waiting for?

I am listening to a voice which comes from the other side of the horizons..."

The huge crowd applauded for Tomoyo, who merely bowed and accepted the bouquet of flowers they offered.

"I'm done!"

Sakura looked at her with a softened face.

"I need to fix your hair and get you ready! If not, I'll regret it forever!"

"You'd regret something like that for the rest of your life?" Kero asked.

"YES! I need Sakura-chan t look perfect for the performance and we're up next!" Tomoyo giggled and brushed Sakura's hair.

"Th-thank you, Tomoyo"

"Ready everyone?" Terada-sensei asked, pointing to a stage lighting schedule. He would be doing the lights and sounds with help of many students. This time Tomoyo would just be videotaping for the class. She readied Sakura's hair and plucked in two recharged batteries for her camera.

'Good luck you two!" everyone cried at Sakura and Shaoran. Then the lights dimmed, and everyone was quiet. Extras ran onto stage without making a noise, and began to dance as the lights went up, accompanied by music.

Tomoyo squeezed Sakura's hand and whispered. "You look gorgeous". Sakura was lead out onto the stage, and Tomoyo suppressed a squeal of delight as she saw her through her camera. Tomoyo took a quick glance into the audience and saw her mother, and many of the family staff with prized television cameras to capture any angle. Tomoyo grinned, but didn't stop taping.

Sakura sat in her throne and looked at her maids.

"The war with our neighbors over the magic stone must wear you out Princess."

"In this ball, everyone wears a mask"

"Please enjoy it to your heart's content"

"Thank you" Sakura said, looking forward. "But I am not a great dancer"

"It's all right!" Meiling chirped. "The best way to improve is to dance with a great dancer. Now, now!" Meiling pushed Sakura onto the main stage. Sakura walked to the front.

'No, I cannot dance with someone I don't know, after all. And I wonder where the Magic Stone is. The Magic stone. Hold it and wondrous powers are yours to command, it's said. My country was been fighting its neighbor a long time over it. If only there were no such thing as war, and the magic stone that causes war is probably better off gone than in someone's hands"

"Indeed" Shaoran walked up to Sakura, wearing an oriental suit. Tomoyo grinned at Meiling, who had come off of the stage.

'I agree"

'May I ask who you are?"
'The etiquette here is not to ask for identities."

"That's right. This is my first time attending a mask ball."

"Mine as well"

Sakura looked with surprise and awe at Shaoran. Meiling stifled a giggle.

"My goodness, how cute!" Tomoyo whispered.

"I've forgotten how to dance with every day being so busy. My attendants brought me here today, as I tend to lock myself up"

"Myself, as well"

Shaoran smiled at her. "Hating war, first ball, we are quite alike."

"Yes"

Shaoran let out his hand gallantly.

"What a gentleman!!" Meiling whispered in awe. "I've seen him polite and all, but never like this."

"It's because he is with the one he can be himself with."

Oops. Meiling shivered, but shrugged it off. "I guess so," she said. Tomoyo smiled.

"Will you dance with me?" Shaoran asked Sakura.

"But dancing is not one of my…"

Shaoran lifted his hand to cup his mouth. "I am not good either" he said in a stage-whisper.

"I am sure to step on your feet!"

"Then I will do my best to dodge yours"

"My! They are acting so well!" Naoko's eyes turned to the glazed happiness of a fantasy story going well.

"It's a great story. Who couldn't act well with it?" Meiling grinned at Naoko. She studied Sakura and Shaoran on stage. "They are doing well, though."

Sakura took Shaoran's hand, and they began to dance.

"So…rooomantic!!!" Tomoyo and Meiling sighed.

"Maybe this play with motivate Sakura to tell Shaoran."

'Maybe, so, Meiling-chan."

They danced with a smile on their faces. Tomoyo sighed again.

"Much better than the princess he was last time." Meiling commented.

"It's looking good!"

The play went on and on, throughout many of Tomoyo and Meiling's sighs.

"Doesn't your arm get tired?"

"Not if it's for Sakura-chan!!"

"You were the Prince of the neighboring country…the country we are fighting?" Sakura's voice asked.

"Princess, do stop crying. A smile suits you more than anyone. Please forgive me for making you so sad. However, I can not stop these feelings." Shaoran looked up onto Sakura's eyes. "I…" Sakura put no expression on her face. "I am in love with you."

Meiling stiffened against Tomoyo's arm. A minute later she relaxed. "Can't help it" she whispered to herself.

Sakura gasped and widened her eyes in surprise.

"Aw c'mon, wasn't it obvious?" Naoko asked.

"You're the one who wrote it" Meiling pointed it out.

"Yes, but…"

"I…" Sakura started. Everyone turned their heads to the stage.

"I am unable to respond to your feelings!" Sakura collapsed onto the bench.

"Do you dislike me?"

"It's not l9ike that!!" Sakura looked down in sorrow. "It isn't…that…"

"It's great!!" Naoko said again. "It's looking so well!"

Meiling had tears in her eyes, but they weren't from her own love. Kero, perched on Tomoyo's shoulder was crying quietly.

"I…" Sakura started again. "I…" she sat up on the bench. No, I cannot say it! I cannot tell you this feeling I have. No…especially you." She got off the bench and ran over to Shaoran, who was still kneeling down. "Please forget everything about me." Sakura's face was close to his. She pressed on further. "Please take me out of your heart." Sakura's tears came down her cheeks and she ran off.

"Princess!"

"Just like the real—" Meiling started.

Suddenly, the lights exploded and fell towards the stage.

The darkness was penetrated by the bright light of many Sakura-cards zooming out of Sakura's dress!

"NO!"

A large black ball appeared in the middle of the audience and when it disappeared, so did everything inside it!

More balls appeared and took away many people, including Naoko. Tomoyo and Meiling ran towards Shaoran and Sakura, alert for anything coming that way. Yue was there, and everything around them was covered in huge sphere holes.

Kero transformed and went towards Sakura.

'Are you alright?"

"SAKURA-CHAN!" Tomoyo ran up to Sakura.

"Everyone disappeared on our end too!" Meiling shouted.

"Is this the doing of the Sealed Card?"

"Looks well like it"

"…I have to hurry and change it into a Sakura Card so everyone will come back!"

"I'll go with you" Shaoran said. Tomoyo then perked up. This was the perfect timing!

'Then please wear these!" Tomoyo brandished her new costume.

"You know, Daidouji, at a time like this…"

'I'd like her to wear it because it is a time like this. I have saved all of the costumes I have made for Sakura-chan." Tomoyo hugged the fabric. "She always came back with a big smile, no matter what happened. Together with the costume I made. So…I'll be sure that she'll be coming back safe and sound!"

Sakura smiled. "Tomoyo…" she reached out for the fabric and touched Tomoyo's hands in the process. Uncontrollably, Tomoyo smiled wider. "I'll do my best and come back with the clothes you made for me." She hugged the clothes. "I promise.

Tomoyo gave Sakura a smile of encouragement. "And, this is for you, Li-kun"

'What?"

"It wouldn't be nice if Sakura was the only one to come back." She whispered in his ear. "Please help her.

"I will"

Sakura and Shaoran took off and Sakura looked at her cards. Tomoyo looked at her through her camera.

Suddenly, more black balls of nothingness came about. Tomoyo saw them getting close.

"Tomoyo! We have to get out of here!" Meiling warned.

Tomoyo looked in a panic. She knew she had to run, but judging by the speed of those things…

"It'll be okay, Meiling-chan."

"What?! Are you insane?"

"Sakura-chan will save us in the end, with Li-kun" Tomoyo looked up at Sakura, who had just noticed them being submerged in a black ball. It was fuzzy and dark, but Tomoyo could just see Sakura long enough to say.

"Good Luck, Sakura-chan. I know you'll win and be with Li-kun."

Everything went blank. Not white, not black, just blank…