Disclaimer : I don't own Card Captor Sakura

Notes : I'm a bad author, I know. Irresponsible, too. Sorry for the late post. I struggled with the grammar. I promised I already tried my best to check and fix the grammatical errors, but I'm sure you'll still find numerous errors here. I apologize. But sometimes, I just simply don't know how to fix my grammar. And since I'm working a full time job now, it's kind of hard to focus myself on fanficcing world again. I promise I won't abandon this story, though. Now enough of my rants. Go and (hopefully) enjoy the story.

The Daidouji-san

Chapter 3: Everything She Wants

The morning was colder than usual. I really fought the urge to remain inside my bed. Oh, how I wanted to pretend that there was no school that day. But it had only been the third week of April, and I realized that there was no holiday on the third week of April. Thus, I really didn't have any excuse not to get up from my warm bed. Cracking my eyes open, I then tried to get up. But I realized that my arms and legs felt slightly sore. That must have been the result of heavy laboring ordered by none other than Mr. I-am-too-smart-to-be-true. Up until then, I really couldn't understand why I still followed his orders. Perhaps… because I wanted to avoid his unnecessary action –like when he lied to the rugby club's captain two weeks prior. But another side of me, a bigger one, just reasoned out that I simply was a good girl who followed order.

I am a good girl. I am a Daidouji, and thus I am a good girl.

Besides, like it or not, Hiiragizawa was still my boss. Unless I conducted a coup d'état, he would still be my boss. And the coup d'état plan was actually not only immature, but it could also ruin the Student Council's name. It was enough that the previous President had been suspended. I certainly didn't want to see the credibility of the student organization be ruined because rumors said that its current leader was incapable.

Getting up, I realized that the weather was rather chilly –despite being the third week of April– and I began to sneeze. Once, twice, thrice, and finally I acknowledged the fact that I got cold. Still, that was never the excuse for me not to come to school. After all, I am Daidouji Tomoyo –a diligent student who had never been absent in my high school year. I, of course, didn't plan to ruin that image.

After finishing my morning daily activities (taking bath, getting dressed, rechecking my school supplies, etc.), I went downstairs with a much better mood. The day before, my mother had just come back from South Korea. Despite her exhaustion, my mother was still an organized person who always woke up at six in the morning. This meant I was able to have breakfast with her and –

…

"You're going again, Mother?" I asked once I noticed the suitcases and the luggage that were already prepared near the front door.

My mother was currently on a phone call and she signaled me to wait for a moment –in which I provided her my number three smile (the "Right. I understand" smile). I then walked to the dining room and seated myself. My orange juice was already half empty when she suddenly came to the dining room.

I already knew what she was going to say.

"I am sorry, Tomoyo. I have to go again to Hong Kong."

But you've just come home yesterday.

I didn't say it, of course. Instead, I spoke cheerily, "Hong Kong? That's nice! You'll be able to meet Sakura-chan and the others! I wish I could come too…"

"You still have your school, Dearie. But don't worry, I promise that we'll go there in your next summer vacation. And yes, I will make sure to bring a lot of Sakura-chan's pictures for you too!" My mother grinned happily. "Oooh, I just can't wait to meet Sakura-chan… If only the old sensei isn't there, it's going to better, tch." She flicked her finger in annoyance before she patted my head. "Take care, Tomoyo. And –hey, you're slightly warm. Do you have a fever?"

I placed my hand on my forehead and felt the area to be warmer than usual. "Aah, it's a small cold. I'll just take the medicine and I'll be fine."

"You don't have to go to school if you're not feeling well, Dear."

"I'm alright. There's a rumor of a Math test today, so I have to go to school."

And besides, a certain perfectionist boss would definitely not tolerate sickness as an excuse.

"If you insist," my mother pulled her hand from my forehead. "Okay. I have to go now. Take care."

"You too, Mother. Bye…"

My mother waved her hand slightly before she turned her attention back to her mobile phone and dashed out of the dining room. Not so long after, I heard the sound of the car's engine and that indicated that I wouldn't meet my mother for another month or so. Besides, whenever she went to Hong Kong, it was always longer than her other usual trip. My mother, apparently, liked to see Sakura more than she liked to see her own daughter.

I let out a sigh and tried not to let it bother my formerly good mood. Finishing my breakfast in the exact time as I always had, I then grabbed my school bag and headed to the car to go to school.

"Daidouji-sama, you look paler than usual, are you alright?"

I looked up to see Nina-san with her worried face and began to wonder whether I really looked so sick that people began to ask these kind of questions. I hated it when I looked sick. My complexion was naturally pale enough, I certainly didn't need to be paler, or else people would start to assume that I hated sunlight and garlic and that I sucked blood. Besides, when I caught cold, my eyes always tended to be more bleary than usual –and it was certainly not something that fitted the school princess' (yes, that nickname had really gotten into me, despite its corniness) image.

"Daidouji-sama?"

Realizing that I had let Nina-san's question unanswered, I replied, "Ah, I'm alright, Nina-san. Don't worry."

"But you really look pale! Are you sick?" came another question from another classmates of mine. Well, this classmate of mine –her name was Manami – had a naturally loud voice and a natural talent to get people's attention. And her little screech had made the whole class's attention focused on me.

"Daidouji-san, you're sick?"

"You really should go to the school infirmary!"

"Have you taken the medicine?"

"Hime, do you want me to buy the medicine for you?"

…

And despite how I always treasured all the attentions that were given to me ever since I became a High School student, I couldn't help but to think that that time I really wished everybody would stop making crowds around me. I really…

"Daidouji-san, what's wrong with you? Are you alright?"

And despite the repentance, Hiiragizawa had somehow always managed to make people's attention brought back to him –which, I was sure, was done on purpose. The crowd around me parted slightly as if granting access to Hiiragizawa to get closer to my desk (Who was he? Moses?). I looked up to see his (fake) concerned face and trust me, seeing that hypocrite bastard's face didn't make my condition better at all. But since my layers of pretense were as thick as his, I could let out my reply smoothly, "I am alright, Hiiragizawa-san. Thank you for your concern."

"Maybe you should just go home," he suggested.

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't do that. There's going to be a Math Test today, isn't there?"

"Your condition is more important," Hiiragizawa said with eyes still focused on mine. "It's not like you're going to be able to give your best in the test if you insist on doing it in this condition…"

My other classmates nodded in agreement at Hiiragizawa's comment. While I sensed that my classmates' intentions were truly pure (I thought that they really cared for my well being. Oh, I had such lovely classmates), I knew that Hiiragizawa was aware that I knew his true intention: he wanted me to fail on Math –which, actually, was quite impossible since I always had A for every Math tests that I had taken up until then. Even if, say, I failed in that day's test, I knew that my unblemished records so far would still save my scores. So, I realized that even if I didn't take the test that day, I would still manage to get at least an A- for the final score of Math this semester.

But I am a Daidouji. I didn't want an A-. I wanted at least an A.

In short, I certainly wouldn't give in to Hiiragizawa's fishy suggestion.

"I'm very grateful for all of your concern," I said honestly to everybody, except to Hiiragizawa. "But really, I am just fine. I have taken the medicine, so you all don't have to worry." I smiled my number two smile (The "I am alright" smile). My number two smile had always been one of my most believable smiles –even ever since I was much younger –, so once I let that out, it was easy to gain the trusts from my classmates. They muttered several words before the sound of the rolling door effectively averted their attention. The teacher had arrived and the rumor was right –there was going to be a Math Test that day.

As I prepared my pencil case on my table and re-checked the sharpness of my pencil, Hiiragizawa spoke in a low voice that only I could hear.

"We'll see who the real math whiz is, Daidouji-san."

"And you challenge me in my rather unhealthy condition. Isn't that just unfair, Hiiragizawa-san? But then again, you're that type of coward, anyway."

He smirked. "Good luck with your test, Daidouji-san."

"Good luck with yours too," I spoke as watching him return back to his desk.

I really didn't want to enter the Student Council room this day.

It was not because I wanted to avoid the endless tasks and certainly not because I was afraid of Hiiragizawa. But compared to any other days, I knew that was the moment where I really, really didn't want to see his face. This Hiiragizawa now was a very annoying person that would not tolerate an idiocy (of course, NOT that I was referring myself as one) and I hated the fact how he always seemed to rub salt onto someone else's wound. The thing was, I realized that once I entered this room he would rub the truth on my face, because I knew that he knew how I sucked at the Math Test this day.

…

I really didn't know what had happened to me, but I guessed the cold, the nausea, and the headache had truly affected my performance on the test. I had been alright at the first half of the test, but I supposed my brain had gotten more and more tired as more numbers jumbled into my brain. It had been that awful to the point that on the last two questions, I nearly had had the intention to puke at the sight of more numbers. Time had run out before I could recover, thus I hadn't written down the answers for the last two questions. Hiiragizawa didn't know the detail, but I was sure that he noticed the meaning of my disappointed expression. I had seen him with his usual arrogant expression that had been reserved only for me several times on class that day. And I certainly didn't need him to rub on it again for the umpteenth time while we were working for the Student Council.

"Daidouji-san, you're not coming in?" asked Rima, the Student Council's secretary. I knew I had no excuse not to come inside, so I smiled to her and we entered the room together.

"You two are late this afternoon, is there anything wrong?" his calm and deep voice greeted us the moment we stepped inside. While Hiiragizawa's voice seemed to have a mesmerizing effect to Rima, to me, it sounded like a threat. But I wouldn't back up just because he showed his authority there. I would definitely show him that I wasn't deterred by any of his actions.

"Oh, I am sorry Hiiragizawa-san. Saionji-sensei asked my presence thus I am a little late," I spoke. It was true, Saionji-sensei had asked my presence –even though that the meeting had gone faster than I had originally thought. Hiiragizawa really didn't need to know that I was spending around five minutes staring at the wooden door of the Student Council room though.

But sadly, there was this fact that he was still the reincarnation of the once-greatest Sorcerer in the world. He stared at my eyes and then spoke, "That's a relief. I thought you were late because of your nausea. You seemed a lot sicker after that Math Test."

…

I knew that he knew I had been standing in front of the door. Damn him and his sensing! And what was with the obvious irrelevant mention of Math Test? Was it his way on slapping his victory to my face? In a masked politeness, I replied, "I am alright, Hiiragizawa-san. Thank you for your concern," and gave him my quick smile. Number four, by the way. One that meant "I don't want to discuss it anymore". I sincerely hoped that he would get the message. I supposed that he understood the meaning, but he didn't understand enough to know that I really, really didn't want to discuss it anymore. He would (I knew he would) start another round of silent mockery, but thanks to Rima –who seemingly was another member of Hiiragizawa Fan Club– he didn't really have the moment to do so.

Oh, but he left me jobs. Loads of them. Once I put my bag on my own table in the Student Council Room, I noticed a piece of to-do-list paper. Well, after three weeks of laboring, I was getting used to all of these and I really couldn't complain. Suppressing the urge to sigh, I decided to just start doing the things Hiiragizawa had told me to do. I could see that he had systematically divided the to-do-list in two parts: one that could be done indoor (that meant paper works and more, more paper works) and one that required me to go outside the Student Council Room. I decided to work on the indoor tasks first and started turning on the computer in front of me.

…

Oh, was it just my imaginations, but since when did the words look blurry?

I slightly rubbed my eyes but Times New Romans strangely still looked like Monotype Corsiva.

Gripping the mouse harder, I tried to check the font and yes, it was still Times New Romans. Oh, and why did the screen suddenly look so shiny? Had somebody changed the brightness level? Or –

"Daidouji-san, are you really alright? You are sweating too much!" commented Rima, who had positioned herself beside me even without me realizing it. "Maybe you should just stay here, don't you think so too, Hiiragizawa-san?"

"Maybe I should just stay here, what? Where are you all going?" I asked.

"To survey and give moral supports for the Baseball Club –who's going to go to the national championship tomorrow," Hiiragizawa explained from behind his desk. His eyes were still gazing at the papers he needed to sign. "I've already written it down on your to-do-list, Daidouji-san," he said in such a distasteful tone.

I wanted to re-check the list, but really, the words on that sheet of paper suddenly looked like codes to me. I couldn't seem to read a single word, but I wasn't going to let Hiiragizawa knew about it. So, instead, I replied, "Ah, yes. I see it. I am sorry."

"You really should just go home already, Daidouji-san…" commented Satoshi, the Student Council's treasurer.

In fact, yes, I felt that my fever had gotten worse, and I was about to comply to the idea but two sentences from Hiiragizawa totally changed my plan.

"Yes, you don't seem to be able to do this task, Daidouji-san. You'd better go home."

…

I knew that tone.

He underestimated me. He dared to underestimate me, again.

With a stern will, I responded, "Thank you for all of your concern. But just going for a survey won't burden me. Let's go," and stood up from my chair (and fought really hard not to let them see how my knees suddenly buckled). I smiled to reassure all the council's members, and they seemed to buy it because we all then walked out of the door and went to the school yards together.

The sounds of batting and shouting, the feel of sweats and spirits, and the screaming of girls colored the school yard where the Baseball Club was practicing. The club had always been one of the most popular clubs here in Tomoeda High, and its future appearance in the National Championship really doubled its popularity. Although I strongly supported the achievement, I really didn't need all those screaming from the fan girls besides me. It would probably have been more bearable, had I been feeling well. I was seriously thinking whether telling them to shut up would make my popularity level decreased or not, because seriously I wasn't in a good condition, and their yelling weren't the best prescription a sick girl could have.

But instead, I took a deep breath. I knew that despite anything, I couldn't risk my image in front of the entire school. No way. I didn't care how pretending I was, it was the trait that I held onto strongly anyway.

"You could just shut them off, you know. Don't worry, they will listen to you," provoked Hiiragizawa as he leaned down so that I was the only one who could hear him. I didn't reply to his idea, first because I really needed to learn to ignore this bugging man and the second was because the sneezing that I suddenly did.

"Bless you, Daidouji-san."

I remained silent, the same reasons applied.

"Ooh, look how those bitches were screaming, just like banshees. You're sure you really don't want to gauge their mouths with your shoes?"

I raised my eyebrow to the very uncharacteristically, sinisterly, rude, and harsh words Hiiragizawa had just spoken. He had this very kind-like smile pestered on his face that I was so sure that from outer point of view, he would look as if he was giving me motivational words. I fought the urge to snort and spoke, "My, my, Hiiragizawa-san. Why don't you yourself do it? I'm sure people would appreciate it, especially me. Do this old friend of you a favor, will you?"

"Do you… a favor?" he replied, his kind-smile broadening into one of an unmistakably evil smirk.

…

There was this queer sensation of chill on my spine and the feeling of being eaten up. I had been sure that this was caused by his cosmic power as one of the once greatest Sorcerer alive, but as I analyzed it more and more, it was not his power. It was something much smaller, but equally as dangerous. This had nothing to do with his magical ability, and more as his own personal aura. Like his own presence that was intimidating, superior, and almost wicked. He was like a demon whose clutches were –

"Look out!" somebody suddenly screamed.

My good reflex made me turn around to catch the sight of a ball coming to my direction in such a high speed.

But my apparently-not-that-good reflex couldn't make me catching or even dodging the ball.

I felt a numbing thud on my head and the last thing I saw was the blue sky before it turned all black.

"Tomoyo dearie, you like your birthday present?"

"I haven't opened it, Mother. I plan to open it together with you tonight. You will come… will you?"

"Ah, Dearie…"

I cracked my eyes opened and forced the haziness away. I really didn't understand why I dreamed a lot about my mother that day, but I shrugged it off, concluding that it was always the slightly-lonely effect I had whenever my mother departed for work. Once I cleared my thoughts, I realized that I was in a foreign room which was not so unfamiliar but…

The sight of the desk, the bed, and the shelves of medicine told me that I was in the school's infirmary. Quickly recalling the preceding event, I remembered how I had been hit by the ball into unconsciousness while we had all been standing on the school yards.

…

Oh great.

I must have fallen rather stupidly back then; the school princess idiotically got hit by a ball and fainted. And there were like at least a fourth of the school's population witnessed me there. I slapped my hand lightly onto my face. I really disliked myself right then. I should have been able to avoid that ball/ I meant, I wasn't that stupid in P.E., and my reflex shouldn't have been that bad.

…

It took me five seconds before I sensed the hand on my own forehead was slightly burning. Fever.

I sighed as I leaned back to the bed and tried to rationalize things. It must have been the fever that made me presented myself idiotically before the eyes of so many people…

…

So many?

Contrary to the situation back then, I glanced at my surrounding and for the first time since I woke up, I realized how silent the school's infirmary was. There wasn't a doctor (but I didn't question this –she had been infamous for slacking off on her job. Surely, this would be something I would take care of once my fever wore down) and there was no other person there besides myself. It wasn't that I was expecting hundreds of another 'Daidouji-san, are you alright?' things, but –

"Are you alright, Tomoyo dearie?"

–but… alright… maybe I was expecting it a little. I meant, they were usually always showering me with attentions… Was it possible that one stupid faint made me lose my admirers? Nah, I didn't think so. Besides, it was already 7.12 PM (The school gate is already closed, guess I would have to call for my Daidouji bodyguard again), and it was only normal that the students were already home. This wasn't the matter of losing something or anything. This was just the matter of…

Realizing what was never mine.

I snapped my eyes opened and tried to get off the pessimistic thoughts off my head. My, my, wherewas my Daidouji belief? I am Tomoyo Daidouji, I had everything that I ever wanted. Besides, this was what I needed. A sick person certainly didn't need shouting of 'Daidouji-san! Daidouji-san!' or the low stock of oxygen. Thus, in this condition, I really appreciated that I had the quietness and peace. I really didn't mind this rather silent condition, because basically I was a solitary person anyway. It wasn't as if I was spoiled, it wasn't that I needed care and attention when I was sick…

… and slightly lonely…

…

Damn.

…

"I am a Daidouji and I am strong," I stupidly began to chant to myself. Nobody would catch me talking to myself, so I really didn't have any image to ruin.

.

"Tomoyo dear, I am sorry I have to go to Paris today. Don't worry, I'll send you that bag as a present."

.

"I am a Daidouji and this fever won't wear me down."

.

"Tomoyo-chan… I'm going to Hong Kong with Syao-kun…Promise me to take care of yourself, ne?"

.

"I am a Daidouji and I have everything I ever want."

.

"Daidouji-sama… we're always gonna be your number one fans!"

.

"I am a Daidouji and I am –"

" –One of the stupidest person I've ever encountered," came a sudden voice from the door and I abruptly looked towards the direction and saw how Hiiragizawa Eriol was leaning casually on the doorframe. "Seriously, I was only leaving you for five minutes and you start talking to yourself. The ball must have hit you that hard, Daidouji-san."

It took me three seconds before I found my voice to reply. "What are you doing here?"

Hiiragizawa walked closer to me with a smile so wide that it made his feature rather angelic. This was one of the primary cases of how the world went by: an irony. "Your bag, Daidouji-san," he replied but not really responding to my previous question. I eyed my brown school bag questioningly, if not cautiously.

"Oh yes, there is a bomb inside your bag," he said in sarcasm.

"I…thank you," I said finally as taking the bag and rested it beside my bed. "You…were getting it for me?"

I coughed and hated my sore throat, damn fever. He waited for my coughs to subside before replying, "Does it seem like the other way around?"

"I know…" I replied slowly before sighing and fluttering my eyes closed momentarily. I then posed my next question. "…Were you… waiting for me?"

At this, he didn't reply. I ignored his ignorance, but I tried harder to ignore the unlikely gratitude I was having for him. Somehow I was certain that he had never left my side (except to get my bag) when other people went home one by one.

There was this pregnant pause that was strangely both killing and comforting. It felt awkward between me and Hiiragizawa, but on the other hand, there was something about this peaceful silence that was easing my tired mind. I was almost lulled to sleep if not for the sudden cool touch on my forehead.

"Don't open your eyes," he spoke, and I knew that it was his hand resting on my burning forehead.

I obliged but questioned, "What are you doing?"

"Taking the fever off you," he responded. "I suppose I wouldn't want my job tomorrow to mount up just because my Vice couldn't be present."

"Trying to give me loads and loads more of paper works again tomorrow, Hiiragizawa-san?"

"That's what a Vice is for. Besides, show at least some gratitude."

"Thank you," I found myself muttered the word. "I… really appreciate it."

He didn't respond instantly, and I almost thought that this would be one of the Hiiragizawa-ignoring-me sessions again, but he later added, "You're welcome," he said as pulling his hand back. "I've taken off the fever, but you may need to sleep before you can totally recover."

I nodded absentmindedly before he spoke again, and this time, he successfully pissed me off again.

"And I want to go home. It's either you call your body guards to pick you up in 10 minutes or I will close the gate."

Cracking my eyes opened, I grudgingly took my cell phone from my bag and dialed my body guards to pick me up.

Despite the kindness, despite his acts…

…it was still so easy to dislike one Hiiragizawa Eriol.

To be Continued

Peppermint twertle: Hahaha, yeah, he's a perv. And yes, they're the best pairing. My OTP for years. The biting each other's head off? Hmm, soon? haha. Embarrassing situations? Hmm, don't know about that. I want to, but not sure if I can write it down.

Nigaii: Awwww, thank youuu! *hugs you. And I think you express yourself clearly. My English sucks, but I think yours is good. Hahaha, yeah, I'm experimenting more with the characters rather than the plot in this story. We'll see how they'll develop…

Shanaa12: thank you Vhaa! (I hope I get your name right now, haha).

James Birdsong : Glad if you like it!

woofyy: …I honestly don't have the face to reply to you, woofyy. I think this chapter's grammar is even worse than the previous ones… Oh my, I'm sorry. Explanations are already stated above, but I'm still guilty as charged with the grammar issues…

callmestranger: You know what? That huge worm squirming in your tummy is probably what I always feel whenever I received a review notification on my email. XD. Thank you.. you too, brought excitement in my dull life!

Sweet-sunflower: Thank you. I know nothing much on this chapter (or the next few chapters, as the matter of facts) as I will use these few chapters to introduce characters & background. Then afterwards, we'll move to the real plot.

ReploidCat: Yeah, Eriol is a cheater. Hahaha. But we still love him, don't we?

Redeyes143: Aww, thank youuu. I probably ruin it in this chapter, but I hope you'll still read the next installment…

Nikkiya: Hahahaha, the time will come dear.. Perhaps not now or in the next few chapters. But Eriol will taste his defeat.

Bshinigami: hahaha, I probably would use the usual "lost in his eyes" somewhere in the future, but this review would remind me not to overuse it. Here goes the 3rd chapter, sorry for taking too long!

Amaryllis Star: Because it's Tomoyo. CLAMP made her as a wonderful character to begin with. She's always lovable to begin with. I think if I meet a girl like Tomoyo in real life, I'd definitely admire her. Even if she's bitchy, I'll still do.

Animefan88tv: Thank you for being such a loyal reader… I'm not going to make it from Eriol's POV. Not for the time being, at least. You flattered me too much… I still have so much to learn… and I have bigger responsibility to keep up with your expectation now, hahaha. I'll still try my best though.

Yoorim-ah: Here goes the update! Sorry for being late. Here's the arrogant Tomoyo (with an even more arrogant Eriol) for you….

A/n: I know no real plot so far. I'm still using this chapter to explain more about Tomoyo's character. Next chapter will focus more on Tomoyo's background and how she supposedly has a changed personality. Hope to see you again…