For the sake of this being less confusing, the POV switches from
Sakura to Syaoran after each song line. ^_^; The scene takes place
during tankoubon ten, so there are definite spoilers for it.


----------

Tomodachi
by Meimi

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i was thinking about what's with you today in the cold wind
leaning against a branch, i talked to you
i was so cold as the sun set
i cried
you were silent by my side, as though protecting me
----------

I don't like crying, really.

It really does make me feel weak.

I've felt that so much lately.

I...

I couldn't help Yukito-san. He was vanishing, blurring away into
nothingness, and I saw it and ignored it all. And because I didn't act
on it, Oniichan...he's...

I'm supposed to be the new Card Mistress. I'm supposed to be able to
care for all the Cards, and the Guardians...and I couldn't save
Yue-san.

The worst of it isn't that I failed as the Card Mistress- that's
almost a trivial matter. It's that I wasn't being a good friend. I
promised Yue-san that we'd be close friends...and friends care for
each other...and help each other through troubles, right? And instead,
I acted so self-absorbed that I was ignoring everything my senses were
screaming out to me...


And even now.

Even now, crying into your shoulder, I feel weak.


I feel like I can't get through anything without asking your help
now...from the beginning, you always helped me and reminded me to be
strong...so many times in the past, I think I would have cried forever,
if you hadn't been there. If you hadn't told me, over and over, "Don't
cry. You can't think if you cry. Think."

It's always you who told me not to cry...so why are you letting me
now? Why don't you order me to stop, like you always do? You can
always make me stop.

And then you say I'm acting strong.

But strong people don't have tears trickling down their cheeks.


----------
that mysterious world is reflected in those eyes
i had that feeling
would you call it longing?
i'm sure you told me what it meant to dream
----------

The only thing that ties me to reality is your sadness.

Sadness that I can understand, feel as though it were my own...not
just because it's yours, but because I'm facing the same situation as
you are. Because we're alike right now.

And you're acting so strong. So strong, not to cry at the moment you
were rejected...to keep your sorrow inside you, until now...and a tiny,
faint part of me wants to be happy for myself. Happy that you came to
me with your tears, confided in me, trusted me enough...

But I can't be. I can't let myself be happy like that at the expense
of your sadness.

...so I'll have to try to be as strong you are...and keep my
feelings inside. I'll make sure you never know about the sadness I'm
hiding away in my heart. It'll never add to your own.

So smile.

Let all your sadness come out at once now...so when you smile next,
it won't need to be the forced one you've been showing everyone
today...the mask everyone can see right through.

Cry real tears now- and stop those fake smiles.


----------
if we become seperated
i said just a while before
"i'll be here if you don't forget this wish"
----------

It's amazing- ever since the beginning, ever since we first
met...you've always appeared out of the blue when I needed you most; to
the point that I wonder what I would have done without you. You've
always been the one to help me when I was in trouble, teach me when I
was confused...listen to me when I cry.

Even though you so rarely *talk* to me...just your prescence has
always made me feel better...made me feel like I can do anything,
because you're behind me, protecting me, helping me.

I can do my best when you're by my side.

I want to succeed when I feel your gaze meet my own.


----------
you're faraway
but i don't want to lose
together we're always rivals
----------

And at this moment, I find myself thinking back...far back to months
ago, when all of this began. It seems like an eternity since I first
came to Tomoeda, and saw that carefree, bright-eyed girl who carried
the Clow Cards I'd come so far to retrieve.

It seems more like years ago. So much has changed since that first
day.

...especially me.

I don't know how you managed to make me into a completely different
person- but you did it, bit by bit. We started out in a one-sided
rivalry...with me being the only one who challenged you, and you the
reluctant opponent...

And despite the fact that you didn't even put up a fight, I lost in
the long run.

To your smile.


----------
though you don't rely on me
my darling friend
i won't tell anyone my most important memory
----------

I can never explain to you how much of a help you are to me, or make
it up to you, but...

Just by your being with me now...

I can convince myself that it'll surely be all right.

You said, just now, that I was acting "strong". But I'm not one bit.

You are my strength, Syaoran-kun.

I pull away slightly, not meeting your eyes...and it's almost as
though you don't want to let go of me.

"...naki yanda ka."

"...un..."

I brush at my tears one last time- you've helped me to stop them,
just like you always have before.

I won't forget it again, Syaoran-kun.

Zettai daijoubu yo.

----------
we'll meet again
my darling friend
i won't forget
my darling friend
----------

----------

I honestly can *not* believe I actually finished this, it's been
a work-in-progress for months. O.o; But considering how the
song is Tomodachi from Esca, and I just saw Esca for the first time
two weeks ago...*sparkle*sparkle*...that might have something to do
with it.
Thanks *TONS* to Shi-chan for her lovely preread and catching my
mistakes! *glomps Shi-chan* All C&C would be very much appreciated- arigatou,
minna~! ^^

--Meimi