"Tomoyo Captor Sakura" by: Ren-chan Part I: Morning Breaks Author's note: My first attempt at a fanfic. I don't know how this will go because I am making it up as I go along. It will be done in parts. I predict it will start out slow but will pick up pace. I hope you enjoy my fic. Beware of grammatical errors. I'm assuming you know Tomoyo's situation, have seen a good part of the series, and know some Japanese language and/or culture. I may use them. This first part is from Tomoyo's point of view. I'm planning to change point of view from time to time. Well, let's see how this goes. I use the characters as close to their personalities as portrayed in the manga and anime series. (I'm still not sure how to do Cerberus's Osaka accent, so its in standard.) This is subject to change: story and title depending on how the story goes. This is a draft kinda. I decided to put it up anyway because I want my work up and known to the world. Besides, won't it be great to see how the amateur writer grows and changes? =P Tomoyo, Sakura, and company belong to CLAMP-sama etc etc. I'm just imagining what would happen in the future. Send comments and critizisms (be gentle) to renchan@lodoss.org I wake to the light touch of her foot against my own. I smile to myself and turn around in my bed to stare at the beautiful face of my best friend. Her hands lay folded together on top of my pillow, gently touching my nose. I feel myself blush slightly by her touch. I sit up in bed and stretch. I head to the windows and pull away the curtains allowing the bright sunshine to poor into my room, greeting the new day. She still feels comfortable sleeping in the same bed with me at sleepovers like when we were children. All these years we've been together, we've grown closer. I know her as if she were me and she knows me as if I was herself. But still, as I kneel next to her side, gazing longingly at her sleeping face, she still doesn't know. She still doesn't understand. But it's alright. As long as I'm with her, as long as I can make her happy, see her happy, let me be there for her, it's alright. Even if she never understands how much- "I love you, Sakura-chan," I whisper to her as I stroke her short, soft brown hair. She smiles and stirs a bit in her sleep. She didn't hear me. She's such a deep sleeper. I wonder what she's dreaming about... "Tomoyo-chan.." I look at her bewildered. Did she just say my name in her sleep? I shake my head to shrug out any hope of her loving me the way I love her. She is going out with Li-kun, afterall. I supported their relationship, and still do. He makes her happy and that's all I'm concerned about. As long as Sakura is happy- "Tomoyo-chan.." I stiffen as she repeats my name. Slowly her eyes open to see mine looking over her. She slightly blushes as her eyes shine brightly even with my shadow looming over her. She gives me the sweetest smile I've ever seen her give me. I melt inside with complete joy. I move back, tilting my head down feeling my pale skin blush from head to toe. "Good morning, Tomoyo-chan." "Good morning, Sakura-chan." She looked out the window and smiled happily. She hasn't changed a bit since then. Sakura-chan is the same as we first met and through the times of our adventures in capturing the Clow Cards, now turned Sakura Cards. She is the Card Mistress. Her cards leap out of her bag and surround her lovingly, greet- ing her good morning. Kero-chan pokes his head out from the covers of the bed sitting up yawning. He blinks his little, dot eyes as he floats from the bed. He floats around muttering about how he wished he didn't wake up from his great dream about giant cakes made of chocolate. The Sakura Cards float back into the Book and float towards Kero, glowing brightly. "Good morning, Sakura. Good morning, Tomoyo. Ne, can we have breakfast? Daidouji- san makes great pancakes! Oh, can she make the blueberry ones or the banana ones? How about some strawberry shortcake, too?" He continues to babble about sweets while Sakura-chan and I smile at each other. "Hai. I'll ask her to make some as soon as she comes," I reply. "Wai! Wai!" exclaims Kero-chan as he dances in the air in joy. "Tomoyo-chan, can I use the bathroom first? I won't take long." I nod to her and watch her leave the room. I walk to my desk and pull out one of my numerous sketch books with drawings of dresses and costumes. Most of them with a detailed Sakura-chan wearing them. I sigh as I stare at the recent sketch of her in a halter top complimenting her figure under an open button-down, denim double-pocket breasted, short sleaved shirt. With that she wears a matching cargo denim short shorts and knee high combat boots. This is less extravagant than the costumes I used to make for her as a Card Captor. Nowadays, I design a lot of everyday clothes with Sakura as my model. She doesn't mind at all. That makes me extremely happy. Sometimes she gets Li-kun to pose and try on some of the men's designs I make. I am planning to go to the fashion a school, after all. Men's clothes designs should be in my portfolio. I sit back in my chair and stare at the sketch of Sakura-chan in complete awe. "That's a nice design. You got Sakura's features down perfect from head to toe." I gasp startled, noticing Kero-chan hovering over my shoulder. I nod to him as he studies my drawing. His face turns slightly serious. He folds his arms, taking a deep breath. I look at him curiously, wondering what he's thinking about. "Tomoyo," the guardian beast begins,"I've noticed how you look at Sakura." He pauses as if he's choosing his words. "I know how you feel about Sakura." I stare at him, slightly shocked. I take a deep breath and smile sadly, not quite meeting his gaze. I know when I was younger I was pretty obvious. All I ever did was tape her, draw her in flashy costumes, and talk how cute and perfect Sakura was. I try to be more subtle now that she has Li-kun. I don't want to burden her with my feelings. "I realized it awhile back. It's pretty obvious when you two were younger." He pauses again and continues. "Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with it. If I did, I would've consulted Sakura about it." I tense up and look at him in fear at the idea that he could've told her his suspicions. "Relax, I haven't said any- thing about it." I sigh in relief. "Thank you, Kero-chan. It means alot that you don't mind about my feelings for Sakura and that you haven't told her about it." The little beast hovers down, sitting on the desk. "No problem. I'm just worried about you that's all. Sakura can be... oblivious to things like that." He pauses again. "I don't think Sakura would mind. She speaks highly of you and holds you dear and stuff." Another pause, as if stopping himself short from saying some- thing further. "She wouldn't hold your feelings against you." I smile happily at that. I notice that he is starting to tense up. "Sakura is really involved with that brat." Another pause. "I think he knows, too. Don't get upset. I don't think he wants to touch the subject either. But he knows you won't do anything to jeopordize their relationship. Afterall, you got them together and supported them until this day. He might say something to you about it. Err... Just don't think about it." The door opens to reveal Sakura-chan all freshened up. She smiles to the both of us. She looks at my drawing with a little sweatdrop on her head. She studies it more carefully and smiles. "You're really talented, Tomoyo-chan. I'm flattered that you know my features so well and make great clothes for me. I hope you get into that art school you want. You make the best designs." I blush slightly at her compliments as I smile brightly. "Thank you so much, it means alot to me." She nods and begins to change behind me. I blush even more as I look away, even though we've changed in front of each other numerous times. "So what are we going to do today?" "A picnic in the park with Syaoran. It's been awhile since we've all been to- gether. He's making lunch. We gotta be there at two so we can kill some time in the shopping area right after breakfast." She turns to me and holds my hands in hers. "Please help me pick out a present for him for our two-year anniversary. I know you're good at these things." I smile, holding in the slight pain in my heart. Two years... Two years they've been going out. I brought them together. And she's smiling more brightly since then. There's no way I could tell her how I feel. Li-kun is going to be with us. Will he confront me after what Kero-chan said? "Of course, Sakura-chan. I'll help you." She smiles brightly. "Thank so much! I love you, Tomoyo!" She hugs me tight, then holds my hands again, tighter yet so gentle. "I'm so glad you're my best friend. You're always there for me. I don't how to make it up to you." I was about to say something just as we heard the door knob turn. Kero-chan quickly does his stuff animal impression as the door opened to reveal my mother on the other side. She smiled brightly just as she always did when Sakura-chan came over. She loves her just about as much as I do because she looks soo much like Nadeshiko-san. I look at her as she notices Sakura-chan holding my hands. "Good morning, Tomoyo." she says happily to me with a conspiring wink. "Good morning, Sakura-chan. What do you two want for breakfast?" Mother wants me to be honest with her and try to win Sakura-chan's feelings. I know she doesn't want me to end up like her and Nadeshiko-san. But I won't, she's happy and secure with him. Mother will never understand how much seeing Sakura happy makes me happy. I wouldn't have set them up if I didn't think I could stand her being with another. Besides I know he'll protect her and will take great care of her. "Blueberry or banana pancakes would be nice. Maybe some croissants and strawberry jelly." She nods to me and grabs Sakura by the arm. "Ok! Sakura-chan, why don't you help me while Tomoyo gets ready? Don't take too long, ok?" Mother drags her down the hall insanely happy while I smile, glad that Mother gets to spend time with Sakura as well. I know she misses Nadeshiko-san everyday and seeing Sakura reminds her of her. Kero-chan flies happily around the room as I quietly walk out the room towards the bathroom. I begin to remember all the times I would tape Sakura in her adventures, the late nights I spent making her costumes, and all the times I tried to get her to understand my feelings. She's still as dense as I remember. I also remember how I would root for Li-kun as he tried to confess his feelings for Sakura. Back then all I could think about was Sakura in all her glory in my costumes capturing them on film and getting her and Li-kun together so I could emerse myself in joy seeing Sakura even more happy. But lately all I can do is imagine us together.. happy.. No, I have no magic to protect her like Li-kun has. How could I ever bear her a beautiful child? What about her having a "normal" wedding? But I love her just as much, possibly even more than Li-kun. Why am I thinking about this? All that matters is Sakura happy. Why should I ask Sakura for so much? Her friendship is enough. I shake out any further thoughts of doubt about Li-kun and Sakura-chan. I open the bathroom door and think about what Sakura should give to Li-kun. * * * Back in Tomoyo's room, Kero-chan flies around the room impatiently waiting for food. For one minute he thinks of Clow Reed and sighs as he remembers the things he had go through, comparing them with Sakura's situations. "Sigh.." Unknown to him, outside on the roof, is a transperant image of a smiling Clow Reed and another transperant image of a woman with wings. "This is the last test, if it should even be called a test. But is this really necessary?" whispers Clow. The woman nods and smiles warmly as they gradually fade into the morning light.