Wish Upon A Star

shika hiiragizawa

Summary:
In a world where mistakes are not allowed, two orphan girls struggle to be free and happy, but The Mistress does not allow them. Suddenly, a man comes to save them. Will they find their happiness or be back at The Mistress's evil clutches? ExT, SxS

--

"She has to go, Sonomi! She can't stay here!"

"But Louis! There must be some other way! She deserves to be happy, Louis... please..."

"I told you -- this is the ONLY way to save her!"

"But, honey--"

"ENOUGH!"

Louis Daidoiji sank into a chair and put his face in his hands. He looked down on the floor, remembering his only child, a baby with a genuine smile that could take his problems away. Pain pierced his heart - it was his fault. His stupid fault. Now his innocent child would have to suffer.

"She has no choice," he said. His voice sounded loud and cold, but inside his heart was breaking.

Moments later, Sonomi, wearing a black veil, laid a sleeping child wrapped in a grayish-blue cloth on a doorstep. Silent tears were rolling on her cheeks. She sniffed as she kissed her only child lovingly on the forehead. She looked at her affectionately for a long time, taking in her features - her pale skin, her round face, her long lashes curved gracefully, and her smile.

"Goodbye..."

She put a hand to her mouth as she began to sob.

"I love you, Tomoyo..."

Taking one last look at her daughter, she left with a heavy heart.

Chapter 1: Torture

"Miss Tomoyo," Amy whispered as she shook the 18-year old gently, "Please wake up."

"Just five minutes, please..." Tomoyo pleaded sleepily as she moved to the other side of the bed. She hadn't had any sleep last night because she was busy chatting with her bestfriend, Sakura Kinomoto. The two talked in whispers and stiffled their giggles that night, because if anyone hears them, especially The Mistress, they'll be dead.

"The Mistress will get mad," said Amy nervously as she peered at the clock on Tomoyo's bedside table, "She might be coming here any moment."

"How about Sakura?" Tomoyo moaned sleepily as she stirred from the bed, rubbing her eyes. She scanned the pink bed on her right, but it was already made up.

"She is already awake, Miss Tomoyo." Amy replied as she helped Tomoyo get up from bed. She led her to the bathroom, where the shiny tub was already filled with water.

"Thanks, Amy." Tomoyo said sleepily. Amy bowed as she left and closed the door behind her. Tomoyo headed towards the marble sink and turned on the faucet. She looked at the mirror and observed herself; she had long violet tresses which reached her waist, large amethyst eyes, a long nose, and pink lips. Her skin was so pale that it looked almost devoid of color.

"Your skin needs to be as white as porcelain," The Mistress's words echoed in her brain, "It should be smooth and beautiful."

It has been eighteen years seen she stayed at The Mistress's home. Since Sakura and Tomoyo were children, they were taught discipline and beauty. There was no room for playing, let alone laughter. If they were even caught slouching, they would be thrown out on the streets.

They had to be perfect in order to survive.

She splashed cold water on her face, trying to brush her thoughts away. Now was not the time to be thinking about all this. Today is a very important day. She had to look perfect, she had to be perfect.

In her heart, she was sick and tired of being someone she was not. She wanted to be free. But she had no choice; this was her only way to live. She had no parents, no relatives. All she had was Sakura. She was the only one who could understand her pain.

As Tomoyo turned off the faucet, she slipped out of her nightgown and descended into the tub. The water was warm and relaxing, but she could not stay there all day to enjoy its warmth. She had things to do.

After scrubing every inch of her body clean, she rubbed herself dry, wrapped a towel around herself and left the bathroom. Amy was waiting for her beside the bed, where a lilac dress was spread.

"Are you done, Miss Tomoyo?" asked Amy. Tomoyo nodded grimly as Amy took off her towel and began to help her in dressing. The dress was made of silk, with beads and sequins sewn into it. Then Amy combed her hair and fastened a lilac barette to it. Tomoyo then walked to the dresser and began to apply make-up. She dabbed a little bit of foundation, some black eyeliner on her eyes, pink on her cheeks, and red lipstick on her lips.

As she looked at the mirror, she saw an amethyst-eyed lady staring back at her. She was beautiful, but empty.

Empty...

She wanted to cry, but their were no more tears left. Instead, she tore her eyes away from her reflection and stood up. She had to be strong.

"Let's go, Amy." said Tomoyo. She tried to keep her voice steady, but it ended up being crackly and panicked.

"Be strong, Miss Tomoyo." said Amy. Tomoyo bit her lip as she took one last look at herself.

Empty.

Like a broken shell, beautiful at first sight, but empty. Useless. Unimportant.

"Yes, Amy." she replied.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and headed towards the kitchen, Amy at her heels. The Mistress and Sakura were already there, and they were busy eating breakfast. Sakura smiled as Tomoyo entered. She tried to smile back, but she couldn't find any reason to. Her heart was filled with too much fear to do so. Her eyes darted to The Mistress, who looked as elegant as always. She was about in her forties, with long, shiny brown hair, icy blue eyes and a rather heavy jawline. Her pale face was filled with make-up and she wore a long black gown. A heavy-looking emerald pendant hanging from a gold chain was dangling on her neck, and her long fingers were adorned with numerous gold rings.

She sat next to The Mistress, who surveyed her from top-to-toe, and nodded at her. She sighed in relief. That nod meant she looked perfect.

"My child, you should eat." said The Mistress in her cold voice, as she passed her some toast. Tomoyo nodded politely as she took some toast into it. It felt like chewing carpet. She didn't want to eat, all she wanted to do was run and escape.

Sakura, who was sitting beside her, eyed her cautiously. She nudged her foot with hers gently, as if trying to tell her to stop being nervous. Tomoyo then straightened her back, emptied her face of all emotion, and nudged Sakura's foot in reply.

Sakura stiffled a giggle, and it ended up being a very violent cough. The Mistress turned to her.

"Are you alright, Sakura?" she asked, "Today is a very important day, so you must be well."

"I'm fine, Mistress," Sakura replied politely.

"Good." said The Mistress, "Now you must finish your food, our guests will be arriving soon."

The two froze at her words.

"Anything wrong?"

"No--Nothing, Mistress." Tomoyo said nervously.

Minutes later, a maid announced the arrival of two gentlemen. Tomoyo and Sakura didn't catch the names, since they never really want to know. The Mistress smiled.

"Well then, hurry up, you two." said The Mistress as she stood up, "Your future awaits."

--

The two women walked behind The Mistress as she headed to the sitting room. Two men were already sitting there, one had chocolate brown hair and amber eyes, and the other one was fat, with long dark hair and gray eyes.

Those gray eyes surveyed Tomoyo as she entered. Tomoyo gulped as she felt the hairs on the back of neck stand up. He smiled maniacally at her. Instinctively, Tomoyo wanted to run away and never see his face again, but she had no choice.

He was going to be her husband.

The other man with the brown hair was gazing out of the window, his arms folded. He did not look at them as the two arrived. Tomoyo had the feeling that he didn't like the idea of an arranged marriage either. There was also a man who had the same chocolate brown hair who sat beside him. He was in his forties, and Tomoyo presumed him to be his father. He was the one who surveyed Sakura, who was wearing a light pink dress. He seemed to be impressed at her looks.

"Welcome to our humble abode," The Mistress started, "These are my... daughters, Sakura and Tomoyo."

Tomoyo and Sakura bowed as they were called. Tomoyo sensed that Sakura was trembling.

"Sakura," she whispered, "Don't tremble."

Sakura nodded as she bit her lip and held her chin up. Finally, the man with chocolate brown hair gazed at Sakura. He rolled his eyes.

"Father, I cannot marry her." he said angrily, "I don't want to."

Sakura was really trembling now; she felt as if she was going to break down and cry. Tomoyo wanted to take her hand and give her friend some strength, but that would make The Mistress mad. She decided to gaze at Sakura, one which was telling her to stay calm. She looked back at her desperately.

"Now, now, son," said his father quietly, "Be polite."

"Pfft... Fine." He continued to stare out the window, as if it was more interesting than them.

"I'm sorry about that," the older man said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Kaji Li, and this is my son, Syaoran Li."

Syaoran bowed curtly.

"He seems like a fine young man," said The Mistress, "I daresay he will get along with Sakura."

"True," said Kaji, "Now why don't you take a walk around the garden while we talk about the other lady here? You are Tomoyo, I presume?"

"Yes." said Tomoyo.

"Go, then."

"But Father--"

"You will do as I say, Syaoran." said Kaji forcefully. The tone was enough to make anyone succumb to it. Finally, Syaoran rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Yes, Father."

He went out of the room. With one last look at Tomoyo, Sakura followed Syaoran, her hands trembling.

"You'll be fine." Tomoyo whispered as her only friend disappeared. Now she was left alone with Kaji, The Mistress, and his ... soon-to-be husband.

"Tomoyo, this is Derrick Mason," Kaji introduced. The man with gray eyes bowed to her, his maniacal gaze not leaving her. Tomoyo averted his gaze from him, disgusted.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Derrick. His voice was silky and full of malice which made Tomoyo feel like throwing up all over the carpet.

"He seems like a very nice person, Tomoyo," said The Mistress.

Nice? Tomoyo felt like screaming. This guy was nowhere near nice!

"Now, shall we go for a cup of tea?"

--

"Tomoyo..." Sakura whispered as the two hurried to their room to retouch, "I can't do this."

"Neither can I," answered Tomoyo. Her whole body was trembling. She tried to brush some more red on her lips, but it was hard to keep her hand steady.

"He's so mean..." Sakura whispered as tears fell from her eyes, "Really mean."

"Well, he's better than Derrick," said Tomoyo as she put her lip brush down angrily, "I have a complete COW OF A HUSBAND!! Would you imagine that?! I think it would just be better if I strip in front of him and get it done with!"

Tomoyo let out an annoyed puff of breath.

"Tomoyo... All I wanted was to be free. I want to know who my parents really are."

Tomoyo turned to Sakura suddenly, whose eyes were already red. Her face was trembling with fear and longing, and Tomoyo felt like crying. She wanted the same things that Sakura wanted. A family and freedom. Can she not have that?

"Sakura..." tears fell down from her cheeks as she sat beside her and hugged her, "I know. That's what I want, too."

"Can't we just escape, Tomoyo? Can't we find our own parents?"

"I don't know, Sakura--" she stopped as she saw that Sakura's trembling face was fileld with determination.

"Do you really want to?"

"I'm game."

--

shika: Hello there! I have another ficcie here... I do hope you'll read this one to. :) Enjoy and Godbless!