Anything but Me

By lianneharmony

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Disclaimer:

I do not own any characters presently linked with Black Cat at the moment. Everything else you see here is a figment of my imagination.

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Summary:

Sakura tries to keep up with her picture-perfect cousin, Tomoyo, but with her klutziness, her now disappearing social life, and the arrival of a new and unfriendly classmate is making this all the more difficult for her.

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Prologue: Living A Lie

The Importance of Perfection.

The Amamiya family is indeed blessed. Two of the Amamiya granddaughters have been successful with their career: Nadeshiko Amamiya was a relatively successful model in her short career – which she gave up to tend to her young son when he was born, and, for a short time while she lived, her daughter – and Sonomi Amamiya was – and still is – the chairman of Daidouji Corporations, which was a successful toy-making company.

However, as much as the Amamiya family stressed perfection, the lives of the young women in the family were sadly imperfect. Masaki Amamiya (the head of the family and grandfather to the two cousins) had disapproved of the love-match that grew between sentimental Nadeshiko and her young high school teacher, Fujitaka Kinomoto, thus leading to the estrangement of Nadeshiko from the family. On the other hand, obedient Sonomi had complied with her family's choice of husband for her, as the then-powerful Amamiya family wished to forge an alliance with the rising Daidouji family, despite the fact that he (the bridegroom chosen) was a complete good-for-nothing scoundrel. After wasting away his fortune, he disappeared and left his young wife (who was now with child) to settle his debts.

Sakura Kinomoto had, perhaps, inherited her great-grandfather's yearn for perfection. Being a perfectionist is all very well, but there is a danger of carrying it to far to the extremes.

This was precisely the case for Sakura Kinomoto.

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A Day in the Life of a Perfectionist.

Sakura Kinomoto is a perfectionist of the highest order. From academics to co-curricular activities, she tried to keep up with who she thought was a model of perfection, her cousin, Tomoyo Daidouji.

Ironically, Tomoyo felt the same way about Sakura. However, instead of pushing herself to keep up with the other's perfection (as Sakura did), Tomoyo would videotape Sakura, always admiring Sakura's perfection by immortalizing her cousin.

It would make sense that perfectionists find good friends amongst themselves. Sakura, smart and active, found a kindred spirit in Tomoyo, philosophical and artsy. The fact that their mothers too, were best friends and cousins, only served to strengthen their friendship. It was an amazing that a small incident such as lending an eraser had forged a strong bond between the two girls, who spent almost every moment they had together. As children, they used to play dolls together, and now, as teenagers, they continued, with more feminine pursuits.

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Feminine Pursuits.

But what did it mean by feminine pursuit? Tomoyo – pretty and popular – had several admirers. Sakura – equally as pretty and popular – was viewed as a guy's girl; sort of a little sister.

Yes, it was about the daily trials of young teenage girls: make-up, fashion, and last, and certainly not least – boys.

Whilst Tomoyo was willing to let fate decide who her true love should be, Sakura had a plan. The guy she'd like would be tall, soulful and handsome, the traditional prince charming, not unlike how she described her brother's best friend, Yukito.

Of course, she never expected that another guy would enter her life and challenge Yukito. Syaoran Li seemed to her arrogant, prejudiced, and a big bully. Oh, she didn't doubt that he was handsome – and, at times, absolutely sweet – but honestly, he really could hurt a girl's feeling. Not to mention he was very extremist in personality; when he frowned, he was too disconcerting. When he was concentrating, he was too serious. When he gave her a talking-to, he made her feel lowly and unworthy. And when he smiled –

When he actually relaxed and was sweet to her –

She felt –

She didn't know how she felt.

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Author's Note:

Another story. I know I should finish my other fanfics, but this story wouldn't budge. Hope you guys read and review – this story never will leave my head!

Here's looking at you,

lianneharmony