Been awhile, eh? School is killer and ideasare hard to come by.I decided to move the story along a little. Thanks for the reviews and thanks for reading. I'm happy I haven't got flamed yet, but now that I've said it I'm probably going to '
Chapter characters:
Sakura Kinomoto – 17
Tomoyo Daidouji – 17
Syaoran Li – 17
Eriol Hiiragizawa – 17
Chapter 6 – Betrayal?
A week had past since Sakura came to the Eastern Academy for the Extraordinary and Elite and there were a few days until the Halloween Dance. Sakura had instantly raised the level of standard in many courses. Teachers and instructors were expecting more from their students. Most students stepped up to the task while those who lagged behind despised Sakura for making life more difficult. Sakura and Eriol spent more time together discussing many secrets and what the future holds. Tomoyo started to worry about him because Eriol had started breaking their dates regularly. He made up nonsense excuses about Nakuru or Spinel Sun needing him, or too much homework, or promised to do something already. He didn't even mention their plans for the Halloween Dance. Also, Sakura wasn't really around to vent her frustrations and feelings to.
"Syaoran-kun I need to talk to you," demanded Tomoyo as she dragged Syaoran outside the school to their normal lunch place right after elemental class at the beginning of lunch. Sakura and Eriol had once again disappeared as soon as the bell rang.
"Yeah, what is it Tomoyo? Surely you don't have to try to rip my arm off," said Syaoran, annoyed. She let go him and he stretched his arm to make sure the ligaments were unharmed.
"It's just that Eriol's been disappearing recently and acting weird. He keeps on breaking our dates. It's ever since Sakura came. I can't even talk to her or confront her about it 'because she's always disappears too. So I decided to tell you. I had to tell someone," unloaded Tomoyo in one breath.
"So I'm just a last resort?" he questioned lifting one eyebrow.
"No that's not what I mean. You know what I'm trying to say," replied Tomoyo agitated. There was a prolonged silence.
"Hey! I'm waiting for you to say 'it's nothing Tomoyo, you're just imagining things, it's probably just a coincidence'" complained Tomoyo.
"I'm not sure, 'cause the first day Kinomoto came you say Eriol broke off one of your dates and that very night, coming back from the dojo, I saw Eriol entering Kinomoto's mansion," he replied, still in deep thought. Tomoyo's jaw dropped, she didn't think this was the response she would get.
"Wait a minute, how do you know where Sakura lives?" inquired Tomoyo. Syaoran blushed at this inquiry.
"Well because, her house is on the way to dojo. I practically had to walk her home," he said trying to sound irritated. Tomoyo eyed him suspiciously, but it turned into a Cheshire cat smile. Syaoran turned away from her.
"Well we should go confront them," said Syaoran, trying to get Tomoyo focus off him.
"Yeah, but where would they be?" asked Tomoyo.
"Use your brain. Call Sakura and Eriol and have an emergency meeting at Penguin Park," Syaoran stated triumphantly.
"That's a good idea, but an emergency meeting?" doubted Tomoyo.
"Well it is an emergency if someone's trying to take Eriol away from you," responded Syaoran.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Okay, let's get to the park and call them," decided Tomoyo. They walked to park and called Eriol, who was still at school working on his music, telling him to meet them at the park for an emergency. Then they called Sakura and she was at home. They told her to meet them at the park and gave her directions. Eriol arrived first.
"Hey, what's the big emergency? I came here ASAP, I was worried to death. You seemed so emotional on the phone," he said in between breaths.
"We're just waiting for one more person," Tomoyo said quietly. About 5 minutes later and an eternity of silence Sakura arrived.
"Hey guys! What's the big emergency? I don't sense any danger or anything…" Sakura trailed.
"Well, it's not that kind of emergency," stated Syaoran glaring.
"Then what happened…" asked Eriol.
"Why don't you tell me?" snapped Tomoyo, "Why do you two keep disappearing? It's almost a habit. I'm surprised that you two weren't together right now. During lunch I can't find either of you and Eriol, you keep cancelling our dates."
"Whoa, Tomoyo it isn't what you think. We're just friends. Eriol's just been helping me prepare," responded Sakura.
"Prepare for what? You're already the best in the school. You're even better than Eriol," rebutted Tomoyo.
"Listen it doesn't have anything to do with school. It's really delicate. Both of you will know very soon, everyone will," resolved Sakura.
"That's not good enough! We're your friends! WE should know about you before strangers do," cried Tomoyo. "Eriol I suppose if this secret is more important then we're over."
Sakura's and Eriol's eyes widened. This was too much. They never expected Tomoyo to react in that way. 'I suppose we have no choice,' Sakura told Eriol telepathically. Eriol replied with a 'are you sure' look. Sakura just nodded in response.
"Fine, but you can't tell another soul or you will suffer dire consequences. Not even your parents until I choose to reveal this secret," stated Sakura. She put up a shield and illusion to protect themselves from snoopers. Outsiders would only see the four of them talking about school. Tomoyo nodded in agreement while Syaoran didn't do anything.
"Li-kun if you do not agree then this isn't meant for your ears," she stated. Sakura was about force him to leave but Syaoran stopped her by agreeing to her terms. Eriol sighed heavily. He felt he should have been more careful especially with breaking those dates with Tomoyo. He believed he was very stupid.
"Well here goes nothing. I'm Sakura Kinomoto singer/actress extraordinaire and academically and athletically gifted. Also I'm, according to Eriol, the most powerful being to ever walk the earth," she stated simply, since she was forced to tell them she might as well give them all her impressive credentials. She never really showed off but for some reason she felt compelled to, like she had to impress them or rather Syaoran. Tomoyo's jaw dropped while Syaoran scoffed at the suggestion. "It's true, I'm the Card Mistress and if any of you have a problem with that you'll have to deal with it, I have no time for idiots."
"That can't be. I trained all my young life to become the Clow Master. I now find out that it's all gone to waste just because of some pathetic airhead. Eriol, you knew and didn't tell me! You knew how hard I worked, how I gave up my childhood just to prove I was worthy and capture the cards," Syaoran glared at Eriol, who just kept quiet and averted his gaze out of guilt. "Kinomoto I challenge you! I challenge you to a duel."
"I'd advise against such rash actions, and do not take out your anger out on Eriol. I told him not to tell anyone and he kept his word and integrity," disputed Sakura.
"What? Now lying to his girlfriend and best friend has some sort of honour?" scoffed Syaoran.
"No, as the reincarnation of Clow Reed and my half father, he has integrity. Is that not an unbreakable bond too?" she argued.
"He's your what? No, wait your going off topic. I challenged you and to not accept would mean you don't have a right to possess such powerful items."
"No matter what you do the cards will always be with me. For, I have transformed all of them into Sakura cards and they are directly connected with me and share my mind, heart and soul. They know exactly what I'm thinking, and feeling."
"We'll see about that, we shall duel tonight at midnight in this very park," he declared.
"I'm not sure you're ready for that," suggested Sakura.
"Shut up! I do not need you telling me what to do or judging me just because your some kind of big shot doesn't mean anything," yelled Syaoran. He glared at her harder, but Sakura's eye contact never wavered. She waved her hands in dismissal of him.
"Fine, if you want to crushed again that fine by me," she finished and took off the spell. She walked away from the park fuming at his ignorance.
"Syaoran I don't think that was the wisest move," started Eriol.
"Yeah, so? Nobody cares what you think. You betrayed our friendship," hissed Syaoran. Eriol's and Tomoyo's eyes widened.
"What do you mean? I didn't. Sakura is also a friend, my half daughter. It was her destiny to be the Card Mistress. Yes, you've spent your childhood training for something you couldn't achieve and as soon as I found out what they've taken away from you, I forced the elders to discontinue your training. They have known that another was meant to be the master but their greed was more important to them than your well being. Syaoran that's why you were sent to Tomoeda at the age of ten, to start a real life not the charade you were living before. I really care about you, maybe I should've told you but it was Sakura decision to inform whom she wants," explained Eriol. Syaoran's glare wavered and fell. Eriol had done much for him and no matter how annoying he was he always knew best.
"I understand and I'm just so, so angry, frustrated, humiliated. Mother always tried to get me to be friends with others, but I never listened. I just had my eyes on a sham of a goal," Syaoran said walking away from Tomoyo and Eriol. They both watched his retreating figure in dismay. Long after his figure disappeared a silence loomed over Tomoyo and Eriol. Both of them didn't know what to say.
"Tomoyo…"
"Eriol, you don't have to say anything. I'm sorry for doubting you. I should have had more faith in our relationship."
"No I should be sorry. I expected you to be alright with me disappearing. I shouldn't have lied. I f I couldn't tell you Sakura's secret I could've at least told you where I was. I'm not good enough for you, you deserve better," Eriol apologized.
"It doesn't matter who did what. And you are perfect for me, we belong together. Just, let's be more open and honest. Eriol I've missed you," Tomoyo cried. Eriol hugged her and wiped away her tears. They held each other until the sun started set. At that point Eriol walked Tomoyo home with his arm draped over her shoulders never wanting to let her go.
"It's been a heck of day," stated Eriol as they walked up to her doorstep.
"True and it hasn't even ended," she replied.
"Yeah, there's tonight. Syaoran's and Sakura's duel, I wish he could let go some other way. I know he's scarred for life because of his childhood but it would be nice to him act like child for once," Eriol sighed.
"I know what you mean Eriol-kun I wish for the same. Meeting him for the first time reminded me of meeting an adult even though we were only ten. I don't ever remember him truly relaxing," concurred Tomoyo. The two parted with a soft kiss and a gentle embrace.