The CLAMP artists own CCD and this story is in no way meant to infringe on that ownership

The CLAMP artists own CCD. This fan fiction is in no way meant to infringe on that ownership. It was written for entertainment purposes only. This story is the sequel to Change and Revelation, Correspondence, and Research and Discovery. To better understand this story you should read them in order.

Realization and Confrontation

A gentle murmur of low voices filled the elegantly appointed dining room of the newest restaurant on CLAMP campus. The rich ruby colored walls of the restaurant were accented with hand carved gold moldings. Matching red tablecloths covered the tables that filled the moderately sized room. Takamura Suoh shifted on the red velvet cushion of his seat, leaning forward over his menu. Running a long limbed hand over his pointed chin Suoh scanned the list of meals.

"I think I'll try the duck and vegetable soup." Suoh announced shaking a lock of navy hair away from the topaz gems that served as his eyes. A feeling of pleasure opened its petals within him as he watched his friend from across the table. The chairman's head was bent down, golden tresses obscuring Nokoru's face as he scanned the menu.

"This was a wonderful idea." Suoh decided silently as he watched some of the tension drain out of his friend's shoulders. 'Rijichou has been acting very stressed ever since we visited the Modern Technologies Laboratory four days ago. I don't have the faintest idea why the experience upset him so. He has been attacked before and it didn't bother him this much. With his experience in electronics surely he has seen experiments fail before, so I doubt it's that. Even if it was sabotage this time and not really an accident. This incident however, seems to have gotten under his skin for some reason. Maybe it was just because I was hurt. He always has been a very sensitive and caring person. Something like that would bother him. Well, whatever it was, at least he is finally starting to relax. I knew coming to this restaurant would cheer him up.'

"Or maybe I will have the salmon instead. I have been told that it's delicious." Suoh offered pursing his lips as his golden eyes fell onto the menu once more.

"It couldn't be better than Akira's, but I think I may join you in trying the salmon. It does sound very good from the description." A smile tugged at the corners of Nokoru's lips as he folded his menu neatly and set it down on the table.

'Suoh was right,' Nokoru thought to himself, 'I do need to relax. The last four days have been extremely frustrating. I am glad we are finally alone.' The chairman of CLAMP campus felt a twinge of guilt as he thought about the two friends who could not join them. "I wish I didn't feel so happy that Akira and Utako couldn't be with us tonight. I love spending time with them both very much, but this will give me the chance I have been waiting for to have serious talk with Suoh. I wanted to tell him about my feelings for him earlier, but either one or the other of us was too busy with our work or there were others around. I want to tell him this in private and it has been nearly impossible to get him alone. At last, no matter what he decides, I will be able to get this burden off my chest.' Curiously, Nokoru found that his heart was the lightest it had been in days. It was very freeing to know the worrying would be over soon. Very shortly he would know for certain what his friend's reaction would be.

"Then it's decided." Suoh's melodious voice roused the chairman from his introspection. "We'll have the salmon." Takamura continued as he folded his menu stacking it on top of the one in front of Nokoru. "It's too bad Akira-san and Utako-chan could not be with us tonight." He said conversationally. Nokoru nodded in reply and Suoh caught a flash of emotion in the chairman's clear blue eyes that he couldn't decipher. It appeared to be guilt, but was gone almost as soon as it appeared.

Suoh shook his head. 'I must have imagined it.' He thought as he listened to his friend's reply without really hearing what was being said. 'What on earth would Nokoru have to feel guilty about? It wasn't his fault that Utako needed to work late. She had a great deal to do so Akira decided to help her. No, there really is no reason for him to be feeling guilty. I am just seeing things.'

"We'll just have to make sure to take them both here sometime when they are free." Nokoru began to wipe his hands clean with the warm moist towel that had been left at the table for that purpose. 'Now how do I broach the subject?' He wondered as a comfortable silence surrounded the two comrades.

"Good idea, Rijichou." Takamura agreed when he realized his friend had stopped speaking. Pulling himself from his musings Suoh leaned back on his cushion so he could scan the beautiful dining room. At the far end of the room stood a grand piano up on a small platform. Smiling secretly at the sight Suoh glanced back at Nokoru who wore the blank expression of someone who was trying to solve some difficult problem or equation. Used to his friend's quirks he picked up his own moist towel as he waited patiently for Nokoru to return from wherever his mind had journeyed.

"Suoh," Nokoru said when he came back to himself and then paused as all of his carefully planned words flew right out of his head. Striating on his cushion the chairman bravely forged ahead. "Something happened the day we visited the Modern Technologies lab."

"I thought so. You have been worried ever since that day haven't you?" Suoh nodded keeping his tone serious despite the happiness he felt inside knowing that his plan to help relax his friend was working. 'It looks like Rijichou is finally going to admit to whatever it is that's bothering him. Good, the more he holds on to things like that the harder it is on him.'

The gilded mop dropped down to cover Nokoru's expressive eyes once more as the chairman looked down at the table. "Am I that transparent?"

"Only to those who know you well, my friend. You have always put the concern and safety of others above yourself. So it only makes sense that the incident at the lab would disturb you. I knew that my getting shot upset you. But I assure you I am fine. The wound has already scabbed over in another week you won't be able to see anything of it at all."

Taken completely by surprise, Nokoru blinked owlishly at his friend as his mind switched gears. 'For a moment there I thought that Suoh had guessed about the feelings I have for him.' The chairman shook his head slowly. 'No, it's understandable that he would misunderstand why I was worried. After all I have never actually said or done anything to show him how I truly feel.'

Cursing his fair skin Nokoru met Suoh's glance despite the blush suffusing his pale cheeks. "I was worried for you, Suoh. I always am when you are hurt. However, there was something else bothering me as well this time."

Suoh's eyebrows disappeared into his hair in surprise as he tried to think back over everything that had happened that day. "If it wasn't that then..."

"Excuse me." A quiet voice interrupted. Suoh turned to see a beautiful young woman in a lovely Chinese style red and gold dress and an apron. "May I please take your orders?"

"We'll both be having the salmon." Nokoru spoke up, as Suoh remained momentarily speechless. "That is unless you would rather have the duck soup?"

Closing his mouth with an audible clicking sound Suoh shook his head as he continued to ponder what his friend was so worried about. There just wasn't anything else he could think of. "The Salmon is fine." He said distractedly in the waitress's direction.

The waitress smiled warmly taking the platter with the used towels. Bowing to her two patrons she backed away," Thank you very much. I will bring out your tea as soon as I have placed your orders."

Both men returned the smile and dipped their heads politely in reply. Suoh turned serious as he focused on his handsome friend. "You said there was something other than my injury that has been bothering you. What is it?" Suoh asked when the chairman met his eyes once more.

Sighing Nokoru gathered his thoughts as he tired to find the best way to say what he needed to say. There was no easy way to begin. Suoh waited his golden gaze never leaving the chairman's face.

Clearing his throat Nokoru began to speak at last. "It has something to do with the last secret I revealed to you."

Suoh nodded indicating that Nokoru should continue. He had no clue how Nokoru's sexual preference had anything to do with what happened at the lab but he knew that his friend would explain if he were given the chance. Crossing his arms Suoh waited, wondering what Nokoru was going to say.

"When we were at the lab I came to understand. . ." Before Nokoru could say anything else the waitress reappeared with the tea.

"Here you are," She declared happily as she neared the table. She didn't see that one of the cushions was sticking too far out of the booth. Oblivious to the problem, she headed straight for the cushion and lost her balance as she walked into it. The teapot flew into the air and the waitress windmilled her arms wildly as she tried to regain her balance. Like a fly caught in amber, she hung in the air for a moment before gravity reasserted itself.

To Be Continued. . .