"Eriol!!"She looked around the empty studio."He left..again."She sat down the table and looked at the breakfast she slaved over for him but he did not care to even taste."Eriol,why are you doing this to me?"She laid her head on the crook of her arms.Ever since that night in the park,things were never the same with them.He was always out of the house and if ever he's in and she tried to converse,he would only reply in monosyllables.

"My fault."she groaned.She didn't mean to utter Li's name that night.She was just nervous because she thought Eriol might actually kiss her."Idiot!"her mind screamed.

Just then the phone rang.She wearily picked it up."Hello?"

A pause."May I speak with Eriol Hiragizawa please?"

Her heart stopped beating."L-Li!"She lost her grip on the phone.It landed on the floor noisily as Li's voice repeatedly called her name.



Eriol brought out a can of beer as he sat by Kaho's grave."Hi Sweetheart,I'm here again,disturbing your rest.But this time,I came here to just talk."He took a swig."Yeah,talk about one of your former students..remember Tomoyo Daidouji?Yeah,the Nightingale of Tomoeda Elementary School.She lives with me now."Another gulp of beer."She's driving me nuts!I don't know why,but everytime I see her,I feel like embracing her and pushing her away at the same time."He laughed bitterly."Look at me,yakking about my infidelities in front of you.I'm sorry,Kaho.I tried fighting this stupid feeling off,but I simply can't make it go away.That witch must have cast a spell on me."He looked around.Funny,but the world around him seemed to spin so fast."Looks like the beer is taking effect on me already.Good."He carelessly laid himself down the grass."Maybe this way,I can forget her."



Li slammed the phone down,his thoughts in turmoil.What was Tomoyo doing in Eriol's house?He furiously dialed another number."Hello,Sakura?"

"Syaoran!"Sakura exclaimed."Are you in London already?"

"Yeah,and did I ever get surprised!I found Tomoyo."he began.

"Really!"she screamed happily.She sent her husband to UK just to ask their old classmate Eriol Hiragizawa his help in finding Tomoyo.

"Yeah,she's in Eriol's house."he replied.

"WHAT?!"

"I'm as surprised as you are,Honey,that's why I'm going to Eriol's house right now to know what the heck is going on."said Syaoran.



That afternoon,Tomoyo was doing the laundry when she heard a knock onthe door.Thinking it was Eriol,she hurried towards the front door.

"So it was really you on the phone after all."Li said as she threw the door open.

Her face turned white as her grip on the door knob tightened."L-Li!W-what are you doing here?"

"I should be the one asking that.What are you doing here?"he asked,gazing at her intently."What you told me the last time we talked on the phone baffled me.Please elaborate."

A bitter smile."It doesn't matter anymore.You are someone else's man now,and that someone happens to be my best friend."

His forehead creased."What?"

"I love you,Li."

"You already told me that,silly."

"No,listen to me.I LOVE YOU."she repeated,putting more emphasis on her words.

It hit him."T-Tomoyo!"

She rushed to his arms,sobbing."I love you,Li.I love you so much it hurts."

A heavy sigh."No,Tomoyo."

Her violet eyes hazy with tears stared at him."See what I mean?I love you both very much that is why I left.I don't want to be the one to hinder your happiness because you're guilty that you two are happy and I am not."

He didn't know what to do or to say.Her words were a shock to him.Gently,he pulled away.

She moved away too,face full of sorrow."Now that you know,you are free to leave me."

His amber eyes froze in indecision.

She smiled through her tears."Go on."

"I..I can't.I'm taking you back to Tomoeda."he decided.

She shook her head."No,I won't go."

"But everyone is worried sick about you already!"he protested.

"I won't leave!"

"She will not leave!"

Both turned around and saw a grim Eriol looking at them.

"Stay out of this,Hiragizawa!How could you not tell us that Tomoyo is in your custody all these time?"he yelled.

"Because I don't want to."he replied.his voice cool.

Tomoyo could sense the rising tension in the air.She could see that Eriol is not himself while Syaoran doesn't look too cheerful.

"Are you nuts?Why are you tolerating Tomoyo's immaturity-"

Eriol furiously punched the man,sending LI down to the ground,his cheek swollen.Apparently,he didn't expect that one coming.

"Eriol!Li!"screamed Tomoyo as she held Eriol back.

"You insensitive jerk!Tomoyo loves you that's why she supressed her own feelings and ran away!She selflessly gave way just to see you happy!Do you call that immaturity,huh?"he yelled,escaping her grip.

Li stood up and punched him too."Happy?Everyone back home is not happy because they're all worried about her.Are Sakura and I happy?no,because we can;t be happy knowing our friend is not with us!"

"Stop it,both of you!!"screamed Tomoyo,embracing Eriol who's on the ground.

Syaoran stepped back,breathing heavily."I-I didn't mean to-"

Tomoyo hugged the boy tighter."Leave us now,Li!"

The brown-haired boy's head lowered."Alright."Hec turned to Eriol."Hiragizawa,take care of our friend."



"Ouch!That hurts!"Eriol shouted.

"Sorry!Sorry!"Tomoyo patted his swollen cheek."I'll be more gentle."she placed the ice pack back again.

"Why don't you just go back to your room and do what you're bet ay:cry."he snapped.

She subtly pressed his cheek more,causing him to cry out in pain again."Be quiet,or I'll.."

"You"ll what?"he asked in a challenging tone.

Without batting an eyelash,she said,"I'll be Li's mistress."

He faced her furiously."Try pulling that stunt and I'll.."

"You'll what?"

His face reddened."Shut up and go back to work!"

Instead of doing so,she hugged him."Eriol,you are so very kind."

"Tomoyo?"

"Awhile ago when you were fighting with Li,I saw how you defended me,and I realized that you understand my situation more than I thought you do."she paused,"Which is quite a surprise,because that is not characteristic of the Eriol I've grown used to these past few weeks."

Eriol looked down.

"And if there's anything I can do to show my gratitude,tell me and I'll do it.No questions asked."she finished.

He looked at her."Anything?"

"Yes,anything."

"Very well,there is one thing I want you to do for me-"

"I'll do it!"she quickly said.

He looked at her again,sighed and said,"I want to paint you,Tomoyo."

She smiled."It will be an honor."

He held his hand up."No,you don't understand.I would like to paint you..in nude."

She froze.

To be continued...