The Sakura-gumi has finally reached their final year in high school, ready to face the world. Ready yet not so ready to let go of their crushes and true loves, there whimsical past to face the inevitable future.

It's always in mornings

When people's hearts are tender,

It's between the dusk and morn,

When young lovers find each other…

oOoOoOo

Tomoyo walked down the front steps and into the brilliant sunlight. Her mind was spinning with thoughts and worries. She clutched her bag and a couple of paper bags containing various books and plans.

Last night, the music teacher had called and appointed her to sing a solo in the graduation ceremony in addition to being in charge of the decoration of the gym. She really had no choice but to comply because it was a big thing to sing for her most important people on that day.

It wasn't the added work that gnawed at her. She wished that she was asked sooner so that she would've been more prepared. It was Monday. She had approximately five days until Saturday comes along. Her teacher should've asked her last week. She should've practiced singing since then.

Singing was only one of her many talents. Being beautiful and smart didn't mean she wasn't talented. She was blessed with the voice of an angel. Her exquisite soprano was the crowning glory of the music club. She was the favorite pupil of the music teacher as well because she always won in competitions. The rewards of her labor were always a solo concert.

She wondered what kind of song would suit their graduation. The right song would set the tone of the graduation ball. She should be careful. Perfectionist to the core, Tomoyo decided to practice everyday after school until Saturday.

"Ouch!" She winced as she stubbed her toe on loose gravel. She bit her lip and then giggled to herself.

I'm distracted, Tomoyo thought idly. The sunlight warmed her easily and brought a delicate blush to her cheeks. Summer was approaching and with it came the sweltering heat. There will be trips to the beaches, to the parks, or somewhere else to escape and amuse oneself. Summer was a season set aside for fun and happiness. It was her favorite season. She wanted to spend summer with her friends.

Tomoyo opened the gate and stepped out of the estate. She headed towards the bus stop to wait for a bus. Ever since she convinced her mother that she was old enough to not have any bodyguards, she walked free.

"Good morning Tomoyo-san." Eriol Hiiragisawa greeted quietly. She visibly jumped and looked sideways to see him dressed in his school uniform. He was leaning on a lamp post with his arms folded across his chest and his left leg propped cockily against it.

"Ohayo," she greeted back with a warm smile.

"Waiting for the bus?" Eriol inquired casually. She nodded swiftly and let him approach her. Her artist's eye took note on how the sunlight played in his hair, his glittering blue eyes and how he carried himself. She had to admit that he sometimes took her breath away.

"Mind if I wait with you?" Eriol asked as he stood beside her. His height was overwhelming to her five foot five inches. She thought that he towered over her. "You look absolutely stunning today."

She blushed at the compliment. "Thank you."

They waited for fifteen minutes but no bus came in sight. Tomoyo checked her watch repeatedly, wondering what may have happened to her usual bus ride. She also wondered on why Eriol decided to show up on this particular bus stop when his house was only a few blocks away from school. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that he purposely went to fetch her.

"It's still very early," Eriol said and a corner of his lips twitched.

"Yes." Tomoyo muttered, as she shifted her bag and things on one hand. It was quite heavy.

"Mind if I carry that for you?" he asked pleasantly. By the look in his eyes, she knew he wasn't joking. He extended a hand and waited for her answer.

"Oh, thank you," she murmured, obviously embarrassed. She handed the extra paper bags to him. "Chivalry isn't dead, is it?"

"With me, it isn't." Eriol smiled charmingly. She tucked away a stray strand of dark gray hair and shyly smiled as she realized that he was, as she thought, secretly staring at her. She knew he was staring and she thought she must be pretty stupid not to notice where the drift of conversation was heading. Then she must be really stupid if she didn't meet his challenge halfway.

"I suppose we should start walking to school now." Eriol suggested casually. Tomoyo glanced at her watch. Seven forty. They would not make it anyhow if they walked now, they will be late.

"No. No time." The heiress said softly. She scanned the area once more before she saw her house. A smile spread itself over her lips.

"Why Tomoyo-san?" he asked blankly.

"We'll go by car. Come on!" Tomoyo said swiftly. She didn't notice the gleam in his eyes.
She went to her house with him on her heels. She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the other side of the mansion to where the garage was. They passed the stretch of wide lawns and shrubberies of roses. It wasn't easy because she lived in such a big place.

They stopped right before it where two maids were sweeping the fallen leaves. They bowed respectfully and obeyed Tomoyo's request for two of her bodyguards to drive them to school.

After they left, Eriol grinned at her. "You have a fine sense of command and a wonderful garden."

Tomoyo laughed. "Do I?"

He nodded and smiled to her his warmest and most dazzling smile. He turned his attention to the fine rose blooming beside him from a pot. Its petals were just unfurling to reveal the deep red and its fragrance. "It's beautiful."

Tomoyo strolled to where he was and watched the flower too. Indeed, it was beautiful. But they didn't admire it for long because her bodyguards had arrived to escort them inside the car. Eriol sat beside her. She was very sure that they would be telling her mother about it but she didn't care.
"What time is it?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, seven forty six," Tomoyo replied absent-mindedly. She glanced at him and then her eyes widened.

Eriol had cupped his hands and was chanting a spell. Slowly, fine glowing particles gathered in his hands to form a shape. He chuckled as she watched, slightly entranced by the rainbow colors that was forming itself into a red rose.

"For you, Tomoyo-san," he said with a quick bow.

Tomoyo knew that he was one of the greatest magicians and he could use his powers for good or evil. But he was a good person and she was a witness to the sweetness of his magic. She took the rose and stared at it, shocked and pleased. "T-Thank you, Eriol-kun," she murmured, blushing furiously.

"No. Thank you, Tomoyo-san." Eriol shrugged and he smiled enigmatically. "Take it as my token for our friendship."

Tomoyo gazed at his eyes and knew that he was serious; she did not know how to react. She returned his smile and looked out the window, knowing that they were at the last block to school and waiting for the red traffic light to turn green.

The car started forward suddenly and Tomoyo was thrown sideward only to hit Eriol after the impact. She gripped the rose's stem tighter as the car resumed its speed and sat down again.

"Are you all right?" was his first question.

"Yes, I'm fine. How about you?" she replied, taking deep breaths. Her cheeks were flushed and suddenly her worried face became more interesting. They looked at each other awkwardly. She murmured a hurried apology which he laughed off. He was slightly shaken at the thought of having her in his arms once again.

Both arrived at the school unscathed and right in time. There were still students hurrying inside the buildings and a few classmates waiting for their friends, including Sakura and Syaoran.

"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura called, waving to them as Eriol got out of the limousine. They could see her encouraging her boyfriend to do the same. Syaoran looked as though he still hadn't quite forgiven her yet.

Eriol opened the door for her and offered a hand for her things; she let him carry it for her. He was smiling. She stepped out of the car and overlooked one little rock and tripped.

With quick reflexes, he quickly darted forward to catch her. He cannot help but bury his nose into her soft hair that smelled like pretty young lavenders in bloom. Helping her back to her feet, he asked again if she was all right.

"Yes, I think," Tomoyo replied, blushing furiously, "It's the second time today that you have to catch me. I'm sorry."

"It's no problem. It's not everyday I can catch an angel." Eriol whispered with another enigmatic smile.

"Excuse me?" she said faintly, afraid that she didn't hear right. A rosy blush crept up her cheeks.

"Oh, nothing," said Eriol, trying to laugh it off. He was obviously embarrassed. He gestured to Sakura and Syaoran who was standing behind her and greeted them a good morning.

Tomoyo courteously greeted them. She realized that he was transparent of his emotions too. Though he wore an enigmatic grin most of them time, she can see his emotions flit in and out of his face before he buried them again. It was an intriguing thought.

'Well anyway, let's go. We are late." Syaoran said quietly. He took his girlfriend's hand and squeezed.

"Oh! Let's get out of here," Sakura said and she grinned as Tomoyo turned to Eriol. He insisted to carry the paper bags for her. Syaoran stood beside her as they watched them arguing in the sunlight, absolutely smug to see the mysterious and annoying Eriol squabbling with the sweet and angelic Tomoyo.
In the end they decided not to be noticed that they had seen Eriol hold Tomoyo's hand while gently dragging her after him. They were both laughing and seemed extremely at ease with the other.

Maybe their relationship is blossoming after all.

oOoOoOo

Sakura and Tomoyo were the first ones to go out to lunch. Syaoran was held back by a club member while Eriol was nowhere to be seen. The girls left after Syaoran insisted that it was fine.

They reached their favorite spot under the cherry tree. Tomoyo spread out a lovely pink blanket on the grass for them to sit on. Sakura chatted while she served their lunchboxes. She had to smile when she noticed an extra lunchbox wrapped with a blue handkerchief on Tomoyo's side.

"Did you make that for Eriol-kun?" she asked, pointing.

Tomoyo blushed as she nodded. "He mentioned that he wanted to eat with us sometime. I don't know where he's disappeared to but I hope he joins us."

"A man shouldn't let such good food go to waste," giggled Sakura. They ate in silence for several minutes before she spoke up. "I'm very glad that you're becoming friends with him, Tomoyo-chan."

The Daidouji heiress smiled. "Me too, Sakura-chan. He's a really great guy. If I can't ever tell him about my feelings, I think I'll be content to be his friend."

"That's sad though. We should tell them before it goes away. Who knows? It might turn out better than expected." Sakura said seriously. Her best friend smiled at the rare display of wisdom beyond her years that Sakura possessed. "That's what I realized when I almost lost Syaoran."

It was so many years ago. When Sakura realized her feelings, she didn't waste time. She'd glimpsed a world without love and she didn't want it. So she made a gamble that she won because her beloved adored her too. Many people still think they were lucky with their fairytale.

"I know," the dark-haired girl murmured. "I know I should. As I get to know him, I like him more. But he's got someone else in his eyes."

They fell silent.

She smiled brightly in spite of the sadness that bubbled up inside her. "We cannot bring dates to our graduation ball, can we?"

Sakura shook her head. Then she smiled mischievously. "I'm glad that my date is my favorite classmate."

"You're just lucky." The heiress laughed. "Li-kun is going to go back to Hong Kong, isn't he? What are your plans?"

The Card Mistress lay back on the blanket. She stared up at the tree with a thoughtful smile. Her best friend knew that she was thinking about the right words to say. "He is. Aside from getting a degree, he has to learn more magic. We've survived that before. We'll write lots and lots of letters… I've already asked him to get a computer so we can chat online. Or we'll call each other a lot. It's hard, I know, but we'll be fine."

Tomoyo smiled down on her best friend. She was proud of her best friend's strength inside and out. "You're going to endure it well, I know."

"We had quite a lot of time together. It won't hurt to be apart." Sakura giggled. "If I cannot bear it, I'd use the Fly Card to go there."

"Why use up your magic when I have mine?" The Daidouji heiress teased. "You have a passport and I have a plane. You'll be there in a few hours."

They laughed together.

"Touya-nisan approves of the arrangement," Sakura pouted. "He cannot accept the fact that I'll marry Syaoran someday. We've talked about it before."

The dark-haired girl sat up straighter. She smiled encouragingly. "You'll make a lovely bride, Sakura-chan."

"So would you, Tomoyo-chan," the Card Mistress smiled back "But it'll be a while before that happens. I told him that I want to enjoy myself first before we get married or what."

"That's really wise," the heiress agreed.

"So tell him, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura urged. Her emerald green eyes twinkled. "I can see that he likes you back."

Tomoyo stared at her best friend before smiling back. Their conversation was interrupted when Eriol and Syaoran showed up. They were sincerely contrite for making their girls wait but they were lovingly forgiven.

She watched the scene unfold with loving eyes. Lunch with her friends was definitely an activity that she will definitely miss.

oOoOoOo