CardCaptor Sakura Christmas Tale 2 (2)

Sunday Christmas Eve
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Christmas Tale 2 of 2

Inspired by the original CCSakura fanfic “A Dance to Remember” by Clayton Overstreet. She undid the laces in the back that held it together and carefully pulled it on, loving the feel of the soft fabric against her skin. Then she slipped on the stockings and put her feet into the shoes. As expected everything fit perfectly.

Sakura stood in front of her mirror for a while looking at herself. She felt like a princess and loved the way the dress caught the light and shimmered as she walked. Kero, escaping the watchful gaze of Cloud for the time being, had flown into the room while she was in the shower and was sitting on Sakura's dresser. Sakura smiled at him and twirled in her dress. "What do you think Kero?"

Kero looked her over and gave her a thumbs up (sorta) to which she stopped and looked at him. "I thought you said you usually wasn’t one to judge human beauty.”
Kero blushes. “I don’t need to judge it to know you look great in it!"
Sakura blushes in turn and bows, taking abit of weight off of Kero‘s shoulders unknowingly. "Thanks Kero. I hope Tomoyo likes it." Kero smiled and nods his head up and down furiously. "She likes anything you wear Sakura! Remember that costume she made you when you went after the Illusion card and ended up fighting Mimic?" Sakura blushed at the costume, feeling odd that the rage she usually felt connected to that moment didn‘t rise in her. "I liked that costume. Anyway I just wanted your opinion on this one." She turned to leave the room. "I'll see you when I get back Kero. Good night."

"Good night Sakura." Kero said, flying back to his room where Cloud was already waiting, no doubt some third person shooter was already waiting for him as well as snack foods and sodas for a long gaming session ahead of them. This time, he silently vowed to himself, he was going to beat her. This time for certain!

* * * * * *

Meanwhile
As she walked downstairs she saw the mostly everyone was there. Besides the residence of the house (Sonomi, Fuu the maid, Light & Dark (in their maid outfits), Umi (Water), Gaia (Wood), Windy (who Sonomi seemed to be comforting for some reason) and a few bodyguards) there were also Nina (in her own beautiful dresses), Keiko, Eve (just arrived) and a rather nosy Misho who couldn’t climb on Keiko’s shoulders fast enough to get a good view of the dress. “It’s beautiful!“ she gasped, to which Keiko growled, “Yeah that’s nice and all, so get your frickin’ butt off my head already!!“

Nina only smiled, and nodded her approval giving her a thumbs-up sign. "Nice dress. Very becoming of you.“
Sonomi nodded in agreement. "You really are beautiful, Sakura. You look just like your mother--- bless her heart and soul." She finished, smiling back at Windy who blushed at the sudden attention, yet kept silent. As if on cue, everyone broke into applause (including Keiko who still had Misho balanced on her shoulders, face scrunched up as she regarded the wildly clapping Nekochanian on her back). "Thanks you, everyone!” Sakura spoke loudly, bowing to everyone. “You've all been really great about all of this. I appreciate it, I really do."

“We’ve been good because we’ve been waiting for the big show!” Nina sighed, motioning for Sakura to join them. Sonomi hugged her, wiping a few tears from her face as she did. "I already peeked at my daughter’s dress, but she wouldn’t let me look at yours! I’m so proud of you, Sakura-chan, so very proud.“ (blushes) “It’s like your already family and we haven’t even had a wedding yet!“

“Pwhee?!?“ Sakura suddenly felt all the blood rush out of her as she turned pale, thankfully Sonomi kept talking. “Like we told you Sakura, we're just happy that you and Tomoyo are so happy together and that all that matters to us." Eve nodded her own agreeance and patted Sakura on the head lovingly, "Besides, Nina now has less reason to tease you since she has her own beautiful dress just like yours."

Sakura nodded her head, to which Nina reluctantly did likewise, “I guess.” (a large smile overcomes Nina) “Come here you!” (she grabs Sakura and gives her a little noogie being careful not to disrupt her hairstyle). "Thanks Nina!" Sakura cheerfully cried out as she hugs Nina holds her lightly until Sakura finally pushes Nina away with a look on her face, “Thanks, really, thanks.”
Sonomi smiles down at Sakura. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat? (At least before Nina eats it all)."

“Uh-huh.“ (she mumbles) “Sorry, Sakura, I hope I didn’t wrink…“ (the dress, wrinkled abit, suddenly straightened itself out again and made itself presentable to Sakura’s shock)
“Uh, I did that.“ Eve admits, blushing. “Simple care spell. It’ll keep the dress pretty, stain free, 100% intact and it’ll even withstand the wash.“

At this Sakura smiles at that, realizing that one wrong washing adventure with her not knowing how to care for the dress could have meant it’s demise. Sakura looks at the clock, her heart beginning to race abit. Tomoyo wanted to surprise Sakura so she left early to meet her at the convention center along with Tina (to surprise Nina). "No thank you, Mrs. Dai-- I mean Sonomi-chan.” (Sonomi insisted months ago that Sakura stop being so formal around her and call her Sonomi from now on, though she was still having a hard time remembering to do it.) “There will be food at the dance and I don't want to take the chance of getting anything on my dress."

“There WILL be food, right?“ Keiko asked, looking up at the Neko on her shoulders to which Misho frowned. “Yes, dammit, there WILL be food damn you to heck! One time, ONE TIME that I have a dessert party and she thinks everything I hold with food is going to be cakes.“

"Alright.“ (Now Eve was talking, handing Sakura a small watch which she puts on her wrist) “As you already know Tomoyo and Tina are waiting at the center. This---“ (pointing at the watch) “---is a tracker watch, similar to the one Nina’s wearing right now. It can tell you where someone or something is, how far, and also can give you the quickest course somewhere. It also has a Shield Projector, a homing beacon, a water spell to repel rain or water splashes, and a way to track individuals. Just say their name and it’ll do a tracking search for them and display it on the maps mode.“ “----“ (Sakura rotates the watch about a few times) “Where’s the time.“

“Oh, the time… the time… uhhh, actually there wasn’t enough room on it for that what with all the optional extras and all that… uhhh… Misho’s limo will pick you and Tomoyo up afterwards so no worries about a ride. Nina already arranged a ride for herself and Tina so don‘t worry about them either.“

“Here you go.“ (Keiko pushes a commlink into Sakura’s hand) “Nina already has her‘s in her hidden pocket so you should have one too. Just put that in your purse. It’s a gift from Nina, just so you know, because she wanted you to have it just in case of emergency.“
Sakura nods as she slips the commlink out of sight. "Thank you, Nina. And thank you, Eve, for the watch."

"You’re welcome.“ Nina says quietly, smiling a little as she passes Sakura on the way out. Sakura blushes as Sonomi steps in. "I think Nina cares about you more than she lets on."

“No I don’t…“ (Nina calls out behind her) Sonomi shakes her head and draws Sakura closer, "Alright, alright. But when you get back you have to tell us everything Sakura.”

“Eavesdroppers!” (Nina)

“Where?” (Sakura)

“Living room.” (Eve)

“Ok.” Sakura looked up at everyone and smirks. Nina really did care about Sakura, even if she didn‘t want to admit it to herself in her depressed state that she was in. "I'll tell you all what I think you need to know and you'll like it."

“TOLD YOU SO!!” (Nina cried out from outside) “Now let’s go while I’m still in the mood to try to be romantic here!“
Everyone (including Sonomi) blushed, relinquishing that maybe they wanted more juicy details than even Nina thought they deserved. Everyone suddenly turns on Keiko, who continues to stand to one side staring nonchalantly. After a few seconds she blushes and waves them off. “Alright! Alright! I wanted to know too! Climb off my back--- speaking of which---” (Keiko flips Misho off her back and into the couch and, having rid herself of her excess “baggage“, she walks into the kitchen with Eve behind her to eat).
“It's time to go meet Tomoyo and Tina anyway.” Misho remarked, pulling herself off the couch, a definite frown on her face. “Come on, Sakura. I’m chaperone so we’re taking my limo to the dance.”

The sound of everyone going to eat followed the two out the door as they headed to the car port and Misho’s waiting limo.

* * * * * *

The ride down was pretty exciting for two of the three people in the vechile, sitting in the back of Misho’s huge limo together (Misho was driving tonight because she gave her driver the night off) Sakura only wished she was with Tomoyo, especially since Nina wasn‘t much in terms of being good company.

When they got to the Convention Center, Sakura whistled in amazement. The huge complex was far bigger than the images she saw on the news. When they pulled up to the building a valet took the limo off of Misho’s hands as someone opened Sakura and Nina’s door with two other people escorted the two inside the huge complex with Misho right behind them with her own escort. Once inside they simply had to follow the signs all the way to the dance, which was nearly going to start.

The huge hall that Misho rented was converted into a giant dance hall, with a long table for food and drinks with a Christmas holiday theme, several dozen small tables for people to sit and enjoy their food, and a large area just for dancing. Two live groups (one an instrumental section for slow dances, and one a live rock band for those wanted something faster) was set up, each taking turns with a huge billboard behind them displaying what song was being played or about to be played (again with a christmas theme running throughout).

Sakura glanced anxiously about the huge dance hall while Misho spoke with one of her assistants to insure everything was going smoothly. It didn’t take long for Sakura to be seperated from Nina, the two walking apart in different directions looking for their dates. Minutes later Sakura caught a glimpse of Nina as she was pulled aside by a tall woman wearing a Freeworld Alliance uniform similar to Nina’s regular “dress clothes”, the two talking in seclusion.

* * * * * *

Somebody tapped Nina on the shoulder.
“What do you want Mina.” she responded dully, allowing herself to be manhandled by Mina 00 into a corner for the two to talk. "Tina’s coming out in a minute. One of Misho’s people says she was in one of the center’s private suite’s bathrooms all afternoon trying to make sure everything was absolutely perfect, though I think she was in there hiding from others so they didn‘t try to hit on her."
Nina smiled as Mina 00 pointed towards the door she would be entering through, “She is abit of a stickler for her little flaw, but I love her regardless.“ Nina’s heart began to race as she waited anxiously, her eyes continuing to glance upwards towards where Mina 00 pointed, waiting in anticipation of Tina‘s entrance. Finally she saw the door sweep open in a grandiose manner as Tomoyo and Tina stepped out into the dance hall, bringing everyone to a dead silence as they looked on.

"Woooooow---” Nina stammered, her eyes locked on her, “She’s beautiful."
Tina’s own dress matched her’s perfectly except that instead of it being in a soft aquatic blue with an indigo trim. Trinity, Rebecca’s companion, arranged for elfin aquatic blue silks which is hard to come by delivered to Tomoyo, which she used to make the dress from, laced with Grimmland gold silk. She did the same for Nina, but using rare Elflin forest green silks instead of the aquatic blues. A gold necklace glittered around her neck, laced over the top of her exposed breasts causing Nina’s breath to catch in her throat. Slowly Tina walks towards her, swaying with the soft background music as she did so. The crowd parted giving both women room, forming an open path between both lovers.

* * * * * *

She noticed that Tina had permed her hair so that it shimmered in waves instead of her usual style. Nina nodded her satisfaction with the dress and smiled, reaching out to take Tina’s hand and slowly lead her onto the dance floor as a new slow dance started. She was so incredibly psyched about this whole thing that she could hardly maintain her easy slow pace during the song as she fidgeted to maintain control. It was then that she noticed the necklace around Tina’s neck : a perfect replica of her FreeWorld Alliance communicator pin emblazoned with Nina‘s Lt. Rankings, accurate right down to the finest details.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts as Tina kissed her on the cheek, drawing her attention right back to reality. Once the music shifted again (after a long mesmerizing dance with Tina), they sat down at one of the tables as Trinity lead those dancers with short short skirts through a rousing rock opera tune she particularly loved. Once seated, Tina turned to look at Nina, blushing slightly. "Am I suitable to you?"
Nina quickly nodded her head sharply, her voice awestruck as she held Tina’s beauty in her sights. "You’re more than just suitable, Tina, you’re beautiful."

Tina smiled, leaning over for another quick kiss. "I’m glad you approve, Nina. You look most beautiful in your dress, even better than I could ever have dreamed."
After they kissed the two towards the stage and watched Trinity get the crowd of students jumping with her high stylin’ loud music which had everyone excited and cheering.
“Where’s Sakura and Tomoyo?“ Nina asked, looking about, “They’re on the other side of the group, sitting out this song as we are.“ Tina noted, “Look over there.“

Turning about Nina noticed Xai Shar (the Palominian Judgment) and Meilin walking in next to each other. The two seemed rather mis-matched, with Xai towering a full head and shoulders over Meilin, yet they were very happy being together. Xai Shar was wearing her dress black uniform (Keiko brought it out once when Sakura’s class did Sleeping Beauty for Misho’s yearly Christmas talent show, and explained that it was worn only for special occasions), while Meilin was wearing a beautiful white dress with red Chinese dragons all over it. “She must really be into dragons.“ Nina noted.

First the two waved at someone (“No doubt Sakura and Tomoyo.“ Nina noted) before moving towards a table near Nina/Tina, taking a seat to eat. On the other end of the tables, where Sakura/Tomoyo was, they saw Chiharu walking in with Yamazaki (who Keiko had “affectionately“ nicknamed “Yama the Liar“). “God I hope they’re not dating.“ Nina noted with disdain, to which Tina said “Maybe it’ll make him less of a liar if they were.“

As it looked like the instrumentals were about to play a soft dance next, the two exchanged nervous glances and reached out to touch the other’s hand. They were both plainly nervous about taking the floor for another dance, and some how touching each other’s hand made them both feel better. Nina squeezed Tina’s hand gently, as she returned the gesture in turn, her free hand covering Nina’s hand and patting it softly.
“Well…“ Nina whispered, “…shall we?“

Together they stepped up onto the dance floor and began to dance on the second soft musical score that was played that night. The song was gentle, light and yet sweeping in it’s tones and scoring. The two found themselves simply swept away by it as they danced and danced, the two of them being the only things that mattered at that moment.
As the music ended they found a few of Nina’s friends (chaperones for the dance) who sat with them as they talked and ate. Meilin and Xai dropped in shortly thereafter, Xai catching half the girl‘s eyes as they couldn‘t stop staring at the tall Palominian at the table, her horse like features crinkling abit as she was clearly nervous under the watchful gazes of the lady chaperones.

So, for Xai, it was a good thing when the others dispersed to do their jobs or find other people to talk to, leaving Meilin and herself to talk with Nina and Tina. Tina smiled at them and said, "You all look great." Meilin looked at them, and gestured towards them. "Well we don't have anything on you two or Tomoyo/Sakura, you all look like a matched set."
The two exchange blushing glances as Tina told them that Tomoyo had made the dresses. “We heard. We already complimented her on a job well done and told her that they were even more sure than ever that she'd be a great fashion designer one day.” Xai said.

Nina, glancing about abit as Xai talked, caught a glimpse of Misho standing in the back, wearing her best evening dress (cut extremely low in the back so her tail could hang out unencumbered to swing freely) as she was talking to Miss Mitsuki who had volunteered as another one of the chaperones. Misho, her back shivering as if she could fee her gaze, turned and gave her and Nina a thumbs up. Miss Mitsuki, upon seeing Misho’s movements, also saw them and immediately walked over to talk to them.

“Uh boy, here comes the walking 8-ball again.“ she sputtered, catching everyone’s attention as they noticed her arrival. "My you all look perfectly lovely." She complimented as she reached them, just then behind her Trinity retook center of her stage area and got the crowd back on it‘s feet again. "Alright!! ARE YOU READY FOR JAM AGAIN??”
The crowd roared it’s approval, answering ‘yes’ at the same time. "Then those who love to jam grab your partners and come out onto the dance floor!"
The ones who could (or wanted to) found their dates and headed out to the dance area again, Trinity already warming up for another epic rock opera piece she picked to get the crowd jumping. “That’s Trinity for you.“ Nina sighed, noting that Rebecca was hanging uncomfortably close in the distance next to Sakura, “I’m betting she has a whole dance card filled with energetic songs for the dance. Seems her way, doesn’t it.”

“She’s a hit, no doubt about it.” Xai noted as everyone got into the latest song, “Everyone seems to enjoy her high style of loud music. The lighting effects are particularly nice too, strobe lights, and lasers that had been set up made the room look like it was spinning---” (takes a sip of her soda) “---I thought Trinny was going to drop a bundle of kittens on the spot the minute Misho told her that she wanted the special effects safety checked to make sure nobody had seizures or anything. I was doing the security check and to hear them going at it while I did the walkthrough was abit… surreal to say the least. I mean she nearly went ballistic. I never seen her so wired up about a performance like she was for this one---” (Xai sips again as she speaks) “It finally came to the point that she almost started sleeping with the equipment to make sure it wasn’t damaged (Rebecca put a stop to that though)! That girl can be such a perfectionist at times”

After the song there was a break as Trinity prepared another rousing full out song, during which Nina and Tina headed over to the food table for seconds. Admittedly, the two had skipped out on everything but breakfast and a small lunch so they were famished right now (no doubt similar to what Tomoyo and Sakura were experiencing).
Misho, true to her word, had stocked a fine assortment of food for the dance. The table setting looked like a dining room meal from a Harry Potter movie, with a large amount of food available for any tastes with enough sodas and juices to keep the entire party well supplied in a non-alcoholic way for the entire night.

Tina gathered drinks for each of them while Nina assembled the food. They took their time eating, talking with their friends as they did, and when they were done eating the instrumentals were up again as second, slower song had started. Tina, not to miss a single detail, had already pointed out some of Misho’s “camera pods” overhead, and some of her people shooting footage on the ground, “Tomoyo must be quite the happy camper.“

“No doubt.“ Nina noted with abit of a whistle, noting all the documenting going on in the room. As they retook the dance flook each of them had one hand on the other's waist and the other on a shoulder, looking into each other's eyes the whole time as they took on this new slow dance. It wasn't until much later that they noticed most of the others had stopped dancing that they realized they danced through the whole number without diverting their attention from each other for one second. In fact aside from themselves there was only two other couples left on the dance floor: Tomoyo and Sakura, and Xai and Meilin.
"Why do I have the bad feeling that we’ve been had?"

"Because we’ve been had.“ Tina noted. Suddenly from the stage Rebecca’s voice cut through the music. "It seems we have a bit of a contest on our hands. I have here a request from the majority of the people here to keep playing music until I either run out of music, or one of these happy couples drops."
Sakura and Tomoyo glanced at Xai and Meilin then over at Nina and Tina. Xai looked back with a rather wide smile on her short snout and shrugged while Meilin smiled at them. "I could dance all night long--- you two are up to it, aren‘t you?" Sakura glanced at Tomoyo who smiled and nodded. She looked back at Xai and said, "You're on!"
The assembled kids cheered them on and started clapping their hands to the music. Sakura didn’t want to look away from Tomoyo. Half because she couldn’t tear herself away from Tomoyo’s beautiful eyes, half because she figured Trinity was throwing a major fit and pouting because her “time” on stage was being stolen away.

Occasionally, a few of the dancers joined in just for fun. As they danced to the music the two stared into each other's faces, and with this much closeness between them the topic that had been on the tip of Nina‘s tongue could at last be brought up. The subject of Eliza.

“Eliza and I’ve been together just about forever it seems… I mean I can’t remember a time we weren’t an item until… well… until.” (Nina smiles weakly) “Goddess you’re a damn saint, aintcha.”

Tina - “Huh?”

“Aren’t you angry at me?” Nina asked, faced askewed in confusion, “Aren’t you sick and tired of me bringing her up over and over? Why aren’t you angry at me?”

Tina smiles, and leans closer to her, “I only want to be loved by you. Even if I am second in your heart it’s more than…”

“No, no, no, no.” (Nina) “You’re never second in my heart, but…”

Tina - “How can you fall in love again when the person you swore you loved just stopped loving you one day?”

Silence, almost. As the two danced in silence Trinity organized a “ring dance” about the few slow dancers with hot music just so she had something to do, but that didn’t seem to phase them in the slightest who had campods over their heads playing soft music just for them while they danced under a “hush light” generated from the bottom of each campod (usually for interviews in loud situations) which kept Trinity’s loud music out.

Nina - “She said we’d be together forever, but then she just turned around and left me without warning or cause. Was it something I did wrong?“ (sniffles) “Did I do something or err in someway? Why did she suddenly just stop loving me all of a sudden? Why?“

Tina - “I guess telling you that I’ll love you forever is inappropriate now then…“

Nina kisses her slowly, holding the moment as long as possible as they continued to slow dance. She she looked into Tina’s eyes, the kiss breaking, she whispered “I’d love it if you told me that, even if only to placiate me.“

Tina - “I’d never do that to you. Never.”
They kissed again, deeper, never once stopping their slow dance as they did.

Finally, Rebecca announced the last dance of the evening. Everyone crowded onto the dance floor as a soft, slow song filled the hall. Sakura and Tomoyo moved closer together as well as Nina/Tina, leaning on each other as they danced.

"This has been the best night of my life Sakura-chan. Thank you." Tomoyo whispered in her ear. Sakura smiled and nodded. "Mine too, Tomo-chan. Mine too."
Sakura looked up over Tomoyo's shoulder and saw Meilin leaning against Xai, obviously tired from all the dancing. Xai was doing the dancing now for the both of them, smiling as she led Meilin, holding her up in her strong arms. Sakura grinned at her and winked, to which Xai made a gentle “hush” motion as she put a finger to his lips. Sakura nodded softly and she turned back to Meilin.

On the other end Nina/Tina were still dancing, but it seemed as if the dance no longer existed as they only had eyes for each other, focused firmly on the other as they continued to dance slowly and surely.

Finally the song came to an end and everyone applauded. Sakura and Tomoyo took a seat and rested their legs for a minute. Misho came up and handed Tomoyo her camera back and smiled at them. "You two were great out there. That really set the mood."
Sakura smiled at him. "Thank you Misho." Tomoyo smiled at him, "I hope it wasn't too much trouble taping us like that." Misho smiled and shook her head. "No problem. And just so you know, I’m not planning on selling copies or anything. Everyone who is walking about and filming are just carrying transmitter cams, the actual footage is being stored in a locked down system that only myself and a few people can access. We’ll make the copies and wipe the hard drives clean ourselves so no unauthorized copies are made. That alright with you?"

"Deal.” Tomoyo nodded, giggling abit. “So what are you doing the rest of the night?"
At that Misho shrugs. "Ah. Boring night and there’s nothing good on TV, so I was thinking of visiting my baby sister in Hawaii and seeing how she’s doing. I have a tech shuttle waiting for me on the roof so I‘m going right after I leave the dance. Rena is going to drive you two home in my limo, by the way."

Sakura smiled and checked her watch. "Well it's almost time for the limo to come pick us up. Say hi to your sister for us.“ she nods and turned to walk off, headed towards the private entrance she used when she first entered. As she did this, Sakura and Tomoyo looked around at the people filing out of the dance. Trinity, who was happier than Sakura would have thought she’d be after what transpired, was packing up her guitar and instructing the cleaning staff on packing the band’s things away.
A huge cleaning staff was already packing out the dishes, while a group called “People For The Ethical Use of Party Foods” was packing away the food in time-lock cases (preserving the food) to be sent to Nina’s underground base she kept under Sakura‘s school. Sakura could almost guess the first day back menu for the staff commissary, “Chicken steaks and garlic pasta in a light butter sauce” being one of her guesses.

Xai and Meilin passed them on the way out, Meilin being held up by one of Xai’s arms wrapped around her waist as they made their way to the exit. As they passed, Meilin smiled at them and waved slightly. "You two were great out there. Almost as good as Xai and me." At that Xai smirked, a few of her strong teeth showing through her smile as she leaned over and nuzzled her face against the top of Meilin’s head. Sakura looked at the two and nodded, "Thanks Meilin." As they walked outside, Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and lead her out the huge doors and through the corridors until they reached the front (the signs were now in reverse helping people out instead of in). Rebecca & Trinity were waiting as they stepped outside, the staff eager to help the two in as the driver who brought the limo to the front passes the keys to Rena. She smiles at them as they climb into the back seat.’ As the limo sets off back to the Daidouji Estates, Rebecca makes for some small talk through the limo‘s speaker system. "So did you two have a lot of fun? (Keiko‘s going to faint when she finds out that there was actual food at the event! I had that food group give me some of it so I‘m going to bring it in for everyone to eat.)"

“Pwhee?” Tomoyo smiles at her. "You honestly didn’t think anyone was going to fall asleep without milking us for details about the dance, did you?“

“Yeah---” Sakura nods, blushing. Everyone was no doubt wide awake and curious as heck, and there would no doubt be a ton of questions to answer once they stepped through the front doors. Thankfully they had video of the event to show to deflect their questions for the time being. “It was great, wasn’t it?” Sakura remarked. “It was. Wait until you see the DVD I’ll make of it! It’ll be my best work yet.“

“Tomo-chan---“ Sakura sighed, knowing that Tomoyo was only kidding her--- to a point. She knew in a few days there would be a new DVD up on the shelves of their bedroom and it’d be of the dance. Still, it would be nice to keep those memories alive forever--- those happy memories. Rebecca laughed. "You tape everything!” (silence) “Even Alliance Command doesn’t tape as much things as you. I swear if you didn’t go into animation you would have ended up a TV News Reporter! I'm only sorry that I have to stay over at your place tonight and watch the watery mouths as everyone drools over the footage! (I find displays like that over something so non-hentai to be rather disturbing!) Are you sure you two are alright? Sharing this stuff with them? Not like it’s their business to know, you know that. I could always stop off at a 24 hour store, buy supplies, and “lose” you two and those supplies at Sakura's old house if you‘d rather have the night to yourselves."
Sakura shook her head, "No, that's alright." To which Rebecca became rather silent. She must have been staring backward for a second before focusing on the road, her thoughts mulling over the next thing to say. Then--- "Just checking. Don't worry about it. I‘ll stuff them all full of food and they‘ll fall asleep faster than you can say “Blockbuster“. Anyway, once they’re out like lights you'll have the whole remainder of the night to yourselves. I took Tomoyo to buy you a few new DVDs to watch and--- hold on.“ (silence) “OK. Nina ordered you a pizza and it’ll be sitting in the second cylinder back home exactly 15 minutes after we arrive.“ (again, silence) “Tricky devil hiding a teleporter in the second cylinder like that after Tomoyo left for the dance."

The ride back let Tomoyo and Sakura rest their tired legs, and ponder the “story“ they would tell everyone about the dance. The dance itself? It had lasted for over four hours, but to them it seemed like an eternity. When they got home they all walked inside, knowing what was coming--- What they saw, however, surprised even Tomoyo. At first the house was rather empty, or so it seems. But once Sakura found the note in the kitchen they knew exactly where everyone was. Nina had opened up the downstairs Holochamber and everyone was there broken up into groups of four in this huge simulation of a giant rec room playing Rayman : Raving Rabbids. The strangest thing was seeing Sonomi, fixated on her move, as she was competing against Windy, Umi & Gaia. As they walked in everyone paused their games and all eyes fell upon the two. With a slight smirk Tomoyo presented the video (made on the way home with some equipment in the back of Misho’s limo) for everyone to see. This, of course, was a first cut and Tomoyo would spend all day tomorrow with all the copies to make a better final cut, but for now that all they needed to see. The room was shifted into a theatrical setting and everyone took their seats as the room darkened, and the film began.

Before the two finally managed to sneak off to bed, everyone had given them several rounds of applause and a few standing ovations. Clearly the video was a hit, and this was only a rushed first draft--- they already were anticipating the final cut and talking about it (while playing Rayman RR) as the two snuck away to go to bed to eat the pizza, watch a little TV, and fall asleep.

* * * * * *

Nina sighed, staring upwards at the ceiling.
If that night was meant to finally eliviate her worries about being unfaithful to Tina or vice versa those fears were gone. This was the best night they had in awhile, and yet Nina just knew that it was only the beginning for them. As she laid in bed, holding Tina’s sleeping form snug in her arms, she thought about the dance, and what came afterwards --- and it made her happy. On Tina’s hand was the engagement ring she thought was meant for Eliza, now looking for right on Tina’s hand. The ring seemed to make her happy, and as long as she was happy then Nina was happy too.

Figures she’d be unable to sleep with Christmas on the way, especially now that she got her groove back and felt like Christmas was worth waking up for. That night she only had good dreams, and from that point forward she used her happy memory of that night to push away any bad visions while holding onto the good ones. It was as if that night was made just for them. And, in a sense, it was. All around it was a happy ending.

Except for “Snoozer“, for once she woke up she’d be back on her case again.
Fin