Last Time: Madison and Tori went on their first date together. Six weeks later, they're still dating and Sakura still doesn't know about them. Then the unexpected happens. Eriol shows up at Sakura's window and reveals that he's returned to Japan, this time to stay. So what happens now?


Making a Choice: Part 3


Li Shoran kept dialing Sakura's number, but he got no answer. It was odd. She was out on a Friday night without him. He suddenly started to feel lonely. Sakura went to who-knows-where. Madison was out AGAIN, also to who-knows-where. And Meilin was still in Hong Kong visiting family. Li was by himself.

There was nothing he could do, so Li just sighed and thought about taking advantage of this time alone. He didn't have this chance very often. If it wasn't Meilin, it was Madison or her mother, Sonomi, breaking the quiet of his guesthouse. So Li just decided to enjoy the solitude for now. He lied down on his bed, until he heard something tapping on his window.

Li got up and wondered what (or who) was doing the tapping. It might have been a little bird. Or it might have been Sakura, getting back at him for always scaring her out of her wits every time he came in through her window. Either way, Li had to find out who it was. So he got up and opened his window. He was about to stick his head out, until…

"Hello!"

…someone's head popped up in front of Li, scaring him nearly half to death. Li was so taken by surprise, he tripped backwards and fell on his back. He looked up to see whose head it was, and gasped. It was…

"Eriol?!"

It WAS Eriol. It was evident by that familiar smirk. To say this was unexpected would be a huge understatement. Last he heard, Eriol was still in England. When did he come back?

"Did you miss me?"

Li got up and dusted himself off. "When did you come back?"

Eriol climbed in through the window. "I got back a few hours ago. And this time…I'm not leaving. I'm here to stay."

Li walked over to close the window. "Does anyone know you're here?"

"I DO!"

Li screamed and tripped himself up again when Sakura unexpectedly popped her head up. He had no idea she was right there. He figured it was a better idea to just stay down there on his back. Li was a little afraid to see who was by the window next. But Sakura just climbed in and helped Li to his feet.

"Sorry about that," Sakura said sheepishly. "But now you know how I feel every time you scare me."

Li just didn't say anything. He just got up and looked at Eriol again. The British boy hadn't changed much. He was just as he was when Li last saw him in England a few months ago. Of course…Eriol hadn't seen him. Li and Sakura were both hidden while on that trip to England. The only one he saw…was Madison.

That made Li realize something. He couldn't possibly be the last one to know Eriol was here…could he? "Does Madison know you're here?"

"I was hoping to surprise her," Eriol answered. "Is she here?"

Li scratched the back of his head. "Um…no…she went…somewhere."

"Where does she keep going, Li?" Sakura asked. "It's like every time I call her, she's not home."

"She doesn't tell me," Li replied. "It's pretty much anybody's guess where she goes…and why she doesn't tell anybody."

"You don't think she's getting into trouble, do you?" the now-concerned Sakura asked.

"I'm sure it isn't that," Li said coolly. "I'm sure she'll tell us…after the reunion."

Eriol let out a chuckle. "I'm sure she will. But…I don't want any of you around. I want this to be a private moment." He shot Sakura a glance. "That means you, Sakura."

"But I want to see it," Sakura pouted. "Madison got to watch all my private moments with Li."

Li raised an eyebrow and smirked Sakura's way.

Sakura sweatdropped. "Well…maybe not ALL of them. But you know what I mean."

"That doesn't matter," Eriol said, unshaken. Then he eyed Li. "Keep her in here, Li."

Li walked over and lovingly put his arm around Sakura. "I'll try."

Eriol grinned. "Good. Suppi and I will wait…actually…maybe I should leave Suppi here."

Just then, Kero flew out of Sakura's pocket. He was heading for the window. At first, Li thought it was just hearing the name Suppi that got him heading for the hills. But he sensed something else was bothering the stuffed animal.

Sakura could feel it, too. "Kero? What's wrong? Where are you going?"

Kero looked back. "I'm hot. I need some fresh air, you know what I mean? Besides, I want to leave you two alone. I mean you ARE in love, so…why would you want ME around?"

Kero didn't let anyone else get a word in edgewise. He flew out the window. The sudden anxieties exhibited by the stuffed animal left everyone feeling a little more curious.

"What's with him?" Eriol asked. "He's acting weird."

"Maybe it's Suppi," Li thought.

Suppi flew out of Eriol's pocket and towards a small coffee table. "I'm sure it's not me. He's just being a little shy. Still, though…in the state he's in, I'd better stay far away from Kero." He looked up at Sakura and Li. "If you two want a private moment, then don't mind me. I'll just go read somewhere." Suppi flew over and reached into Eriol's pocket. He pulled out a book and flew into…Li's bathroom.

Li sweatdropped. "He's…potty-trained?"

So overtaken by the heaviness of that remark, Sakura smacked Li behind the head. "He's a guardian beast! Guardian beasts don't use the toilet!"

Eriol snickered. "I'm sure Suppi just wants some privacy…or wants you two to have some privacy…or maybe both. Either way…I'll just go now. I'm sure Madison will be back any minute. And won't she be surprised to see me at her front gate."

Eriol climbed out the window and presumably went to the front gate to wait. Li spied Sakura trying to walk out the door, but he held her in place.

"Li!" Sakura whined. "I want to go see this! It'll be SO romantic!"

Li grinned and kissed Sakura. "Leave them alone. We have enough romance…right here."

Sakura just gave in. Li and Sakura kissed, but Sakura accidentally tripped on Li's ankle as she stepped back. She fell back and hit her head on the bathroom door. Li bent down to see if she was ok. She was just fine. It was the one behind the bathroom door who wasn't so fine.

"Do you two mind? Can I get some peace and quiet, please? Are you two always this noisy when you make out?"

At the snide Suppi's words, Sakura and Li only sweatdropped…before they continued making out.


~--------------------~


Kero had to fly fast. He knew exactly where Madison was and that meant bad news. She had to be out…with Tori. If she came back with Tori and found Eriol, then there would be a lot of trouble, not to mention awkwardness. This was the day Kero was dreading since the day Madison had that talk with him. Kero was sorry he ever told her to go out with Tori.

He flew for about five minutes before he found Madison and Tori walking alone through the empty street. Kero knew what to do now. He hid behind a fire hydrant and waited for them to pass by. Sure enough, there they were, and Kero almost couldn't believe the sight before him.

Tori affectionately had his arm around Madison and she tenderly leaned onto his shoulder. They looked like such a lovely couple. Kero had seen it so many times from Sakura and Li, but didn't expect it from Madison. Or if he did…maybe he expected it from Madison…and Eriol.

As much as Kero hated to spoil the moment, he had to get her attention. So he called out quietly to her.

"Madison!"

Nothing. She didn't hear him. And Kero couldn't yell any louder, lest he be heard by Tori. Kero had to think of another way. So he thought of the perfect idea. Kero rushed over to climb a tree. He saw Madison and Tori walking below him. So when they were directly under him…Kero fell over…hoping to land in Madison's purse. Unfortunately, he missed his target and fell into an open sewer.

Kero sputtered and got out of the filthy sewer. He climbed out of the open manhole and looked around. They were gone. This couldn't have gone any worse.

Kero missed his opportunity and now Madison was in for a HUGE disaster.


~--------------------~


The night couldn't have gone any better. It was a magical night of dinner and dancing that Madison just enjoyed more than anything. It was the most fun she had since…her last date with Tori. Not only that, but she was growing a lot more attached to him. She found herself wanting to be around him a lot more. It seemed like together they would be able to handle anything.

Finally, the couple walked up to the front gate. They gazed into each other's eyes under the starry sky and let a few seconds of silence do the talking.

"I had a wonderful time," Madison said softly. "I'll never forget tonight."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Tori said warmly. "I'll call you when I get home, ok?"

Madison sighed deeply. Something was bothering her. Tori put a finger under her chin and directed her gaze towards his.

"What's wrong, Madison? You can tell me."

"It's Sakura. Do you think maybe…it's time we told her?"

"Are you sure?" Tori asked uneasily. "I mean…it would be kind of a shock to her. How do you think she'd react?"

"That's the whole problem," Madison sighed. "We don't know how she'll react. I mean…it is a pretty big thing to find out that you're best friend and your brother are dating."

Tori smiled. "It doesn't matter. I think all that matters is that we're happy together. It shouldn't matter what Sakura thinks. I really like you, Madison."

"I feel the same way," Madison replied.

"We'll tell her soon, I promise," Tori told her. Then he and Madison kissed deeply. "I'll call you. Good night, Madison."

"Good night, Tori."

Madison watched as Tori walked down her street and out of sight. It had been so long since she felt this good…so…close to someone. She didn't want that to end. She cherished Tori's affection and it was something she really treasured.

As Madison walked through her front gate, the only thing she could think about would be Sakura's reaction. There was no telling how Sakura would react to the sudden emergence of Madison and Tori's new relationship. Would she be happy? Would she be angry?

Would she throw Eriol in Madison's face?

Madison still couldn't get Eriol out of her mind. She wondered how she could keep seeing Tori, yet continue to have feelings for Eriol. It was the hardest thing in the world…to care for two guys.

Madison could only thank God that Eriol was still in England.


~--------------------~


Madison and Tori kissed. Madison and Tori kissed…each other. Madison and Tori kissed each other…

…and Eriol saw the whole thing.

Eriol was behind a bush near Madison's front gate and he hoped to surprise her. But the only one who was surprised was Eriol…and not in a good way. The love of his life had kissed another man. Eriol felt his heart shatter into a million fragments.

Eriol was heartbroken. Had Madison forgotten what they shared in England together? Had Eriol been away too long. Does Madison even love him anymore?

He didn't want to find out that night. All Eriol wanted to do was go back to the apartment…and think about what's happened.


~--------------------~


The sight before Kero tore away at him. He could see Eriol in the distance walking home dejectedly. Kero knew that he must have found out. Especially since Eriol was walking alone. He must have been so broken-hearted that he forgot he left Suppi back in Li's room.

Another thought hit Kero. If Eriol found out…did he and Madison confront each other? If they did, then Madison had to be completely torn apart by this. He had to check up on her. He would have the time. Kero knew that Sakura and Li could go all night having a romantic evening if necessary, especially with the way they lose track of time. So Kero flew up to Madison's window.

Madison didn't look sad at all. In fact…she looked ecstatic...like the innocent ten-year old girl Kero first met. Something about that bothered Kero. Maybe she didn't know. And if she didn't, it would be the unfortunate task of the guardian beast to inform her.

"Hi, Kero!" Madison said cheerfully. "What's up?"

Kero hesitated. This had to be done delicately. "You…didn't notice anything outside just now?"

Madison's cheerful expression was fading. "I…didn't see anything. Should I have seen something?"

Kero knew he had to come clean. She had to find out sooner or later. If she didn't find out from him, she'd find out from Sakura or Li. Or worse, she might find out from Eriol himself. No. Kero knew this whole thing was his fault, so he had to say it.

"Madison…………he's back."

Madison's face became completely somber. The tone in Kero's voice told the whole story. She sat on her bed, looking despondent. She seemed to know just what this meant.

"Did he…?" She couldn't even finish the question out of fear for the answer.

Kero nodded. "He did. He saw the kiss; he saw everything."

Madison's eyes were filling up with tears. "No! I didn't want to hurt him! Kero, I care about him!"

Kero immediately tried to console Madison. "Madison…it's not your fault. I'm the one who told you to go out with Tori. If anything, it's my fault."

"No, it isn't, Kero," Madison shot back. "Don't say that. It's not your fault at all. I'm the one who chose to go out with Tori and…now I've hurt Eriol. Kero, I care about him! I have to talk to him!"

Madison got up and tried to rush for the door, but Kero immediately cut her off. "What? You can't talk to him now! After what he just saw? You can't talk to him right now…not right away. You have to give it a day at least. I don't think he'll want to talk to you."

"But I have to talk to him!" Madison cried. "I have to tell him that I care about him! I have to REMIND him I care!"

Something hit Kero at that moment. "You feel something for him, don't you? Affection?"

Madison nodded. "I still feel something for him."

"But if you DO feel something for him, then what about Tori? I thought you felt something for him, too."

"I DO!" Madison wailed. "This is so confusing, Kero!"

Kero patted his friend on the shoulder. "Look…it'll be ok. I kinda helped get you into this mess. I'll think of something. In the meantime, you can't go see Eriol. Not until some of this blows over…somewhat."

Madison raised her head, filled with tears. "Thank you, Kero. I really want this to turn out ok. But…I'm just not sure."

There wasn't really anymore to be said. Then an idea hit Kero. If Madison went to see Eriol, then things would be awkward. But what if KERO went to see him? With an idea, he bid Madison good night and flew out the window. He WOULD go talk to Eriol and all he had to do…

…was follow Suppi home.


Next Time: Kero follows Suppi to Eriol's apartment and finds Eriol mulling over his relationship with Madison. Is he ready to call it quits, or is the fight for her affection just beginning? And…how long can Sakura and Li be kept in the dark about this entire thing? Come back tomorrow to find out.


Any comments so far? Tell me what you think thus far by mailing me at AmericanCaptor@hotmail.com and don't forget to review below.