1 History Repeats Itself: Chapter Four

-Past-

For weeks Kioko had given him the cold shoulder, avoiding him at all cost. She even took up the habit of eating in the kitchen, claiming that she wanted to learn as much from the cook as possible. However, anyone with eyes can see that's not the primary reason of her sudden change. There was definitely something odd when her father said that she's going to make a fine wife. But Clow felt that he didn't have the right to question her, so he just spent the entire day thinking about her instead.

However, one day when he walked back to the cottage, he saw Kioko's two second cousins, Wattan Miki and Wattan Toki, there with the rest of the Kana family. Her father looked awfully happy as he shook the hand of the young man while Miki gave Kioko an ecstatic hug. As he stepped closer, he heard Miki and Kioko's conversation.

"I can't believe you're really going to be my sister-in-law! This is so great! We've always been like sisters anyway! You know, my brother have liked you for the longest time! Congratulations!" Miki squealed as she gave Kioko another hug. Clow dropped the bucket he'd been holding. The rusted metal clashed to the floor with a loud noise, drawing everyone's attention on him. For a split second, his and Kioko's gazes met.

"Clow, my man! Get out of those black clothes! We're going to have a celebration!" his master greeted him with a pat on the back. He forced a smile and stole glances at Kioko, who had her head down the entire time. "Yup! My pride and joy is finally going to get married! It's about time! I've been waiting for this moment my entire life! Come, meet the lucky man! This is Wattan Toki, my future son-in-law!" With a polite smile and handshake, Clow Reed fought the urge to throw this man across the room. However, he only stared questioningly at Kioko during the entire meal. While everyone around him was rejoicing and celebrating, his heart was mourning and dying.

In the middle of the meal, feeling awfully uncomfortable, Kioko dismissed herself, saying she's not feeling well. Toki, immediately concerned, placed his hand on hers. Noticing their intimacy, Clow winced slightly. "Are you all right?"

"I'm sure I'll be fine. I just need to rest. Still a little dizzy from all the excitement, 'tis all." With that, Kioko had managed to shatter his heart into a million pieces. "Good night," she announced to everyone before retiring to her room. That night, for the first time ever, Clow Reed cried himself to sleep.



-Present-

"I want to break up," the words hit Eriol like a hammer. Staring at her in disbelief, Eriol lost his balance and stumbled backwards.

"W-What? B-but, but what about our wedding? A-and our future? Tomoyo- chan, please reconsider. I-I'll give you everything you've ever wanted!" he said desperately. He was practically begging on his knees. And surely, the Daidouji Tomoyo he knew wouldn't refuse. She would run into his arms and tell him that everything will be all right, that she'll be there for him no matter what.

But this is not the Daidouji Tomoyo he knew. She'd changed. However, in a deep corner of her heart, she'd felt like her world is falling apart. 'No you can't. You can't give me your heart,' her thoughts whispered. "I'm sorry, Hiiragizawa-san. I-I really have to break it off. I'm marrying Touya- kun next month and…" she felt her voice begin to trail off and she knew she needed to get out of there before she lost her last nerve.

"What? You're marrying Kinomoto-san?! When did this happen, Tomoyo- chan? Why?" Eriol asked desperately. This just got worse and worse. He could see his future crumbling right in front of his eyes. Yet, he can do nothing to prevent it.

"Look, Hiiragizawa-san, these things happen. People fall out of love and… they move on. I… know this rude but, I request that you don't attend the wedding because that would just make things that much harder. Bye," she whispered the last word and dashed in the opposite direction. The tears were already spilling down her face and while she was saying those harsh words, her heart cried endlessly and tears poured endlessly from the wound. 'I hope you find happiness with Michiko-san,' her heart whispered as she ran away from it's grave.



-Past-

"Why, Kioko-chan?" Clow asked as he watched the maiden finish her morning sewing. She furiously stabbed the needle through the fabric to hide the shaking of her hands. Failing miserable, she put it down and looked him straight in the eye.

"Please stop calling me that, Clow-san. I'm someone's fiancé now. I'd prefer it if our relationship was more formal so Toki-kun doesn't mistake us for anything more than acquaintances," she said with an aloof manner. She was just about to get lost in those troubled eyes again, when the image of Madoushi-san hugging him came to her mind again.

"A-acquaintances? Kioko-chan, how can you even say that? Please don't marry him. I know you don't love him and you don't have to do this! I-I can take you away from here a-and we can be together forever and—"

"Stop being so foolish, Clow-san! I've made up my mind and I'm going to stick to my decision," Kioko interrupted him. She knew that one more enticing word from him and she'd really elope with him. However, the haunting image came in mind again. 'He would be happier with her,' she thought to herself. "And who are you to say that I don't love him? I grew up with the man and he's always been very fond of me, thank you very much!"

"I know you don't love him because you love me!" he practically shouted as he took hold of her hands. Holding them close to his heart, she could feel the warmth radiating from him and for a split second, she just wanted to fall into his embrace. Instead, she pulled away from him in glared.

"How dare you call yourself a gentleman? Declaring my feelings? I will marry Toki-kun and that's final!" she said as she felt her eyes water. Quickly, she stormed out of the room before any more emotions get involved. 'This is for his happiness, Kioko.

You have to do this.'

-Present-

"Eriol-kun!" he heard someone enter his room. He'd created an artificial night, with dark curtains and black walls. When he turned, he found himself staring at Michiko Hoshi.

"What do you want?" he growled, nearly throwing a beer bottle at her.

"I know what happened and I… I have to confess!" she cried. "I lied! Tomoyo-chan is the reincarnate of Kioko, not me! I'm only the reincarnate of Madoushi, the magician who'd always loved you from afar!" By this time, she'd collapsed on the floor with sobs.

He wasn't as surprised as she thought he'd be. He'd figured this for a while. "Get up and leave. Never let me see you again."

Their wedding had been perfect. Everything was just according to Tomoyo's wishes. From the white lilies to the beautiful music. Touya hadn't once objected to anything she wanted. 'She deserves the best,' he thought as he downed another drink.

-Past-

Years later…

"Is a family portrait really necessary, Toki-kun?" Wattan Kioko asked as her maid piled her long, dark curls on top of her head. "Honestly, and who are we getting to paint us anyway?"

"You will never guess, sweet heart. It's our old from, Clow Reed!" he exclaimed excitedly. Kioko's jaw almost dropped at the mention of his name. "I'm sure you miss your childhood friend a lot," he said as he encircled his arms around her. She turned to him and nodded, kissing him lightly on the lips.

"Mommy, mommy! Look! Aren't I pretty?" a little girl of 5 came twirling in the room.

"Yes, you look gorgeous. Now, shall we go?" she asked eagerly as she stepped in the living room. Just as she had suspected, Clow Reed was standing there waiting, just ask handsome as ever. "Clow-san," she said, acknowledging his presence.

"Wattan-san," he greeted formally. 'Now we're truly acquaintances. Just as you wish. I'd promised to give you everything… But in my heart, you're still my Kioko-chan,' he thought as he glanced at the beauty in front of him. "Now, would you mind standing a little to the right…?"

-Present-

Years later…

"Oh my goodness. Hiiragizawa-san! Can you take over? I have to leave NOW! Tomoyo-chan's in labor!" Touya shouted at his partner across the room while holding the phone. He'd always known that Eriol had a thing for his wife, but he knew that she would stay faithful to him.

"Of course, Kinomoto-san. Have you decided on a name yet?" Eriol asked as another twist mangled his heart. It should be him who's rushing to the delivery room.

"A name! Oh crap! Name...name…name… I know! How about Kioko?" Touya asked frantically. He'd never been a father before and the adrenaline was rushing through his body like crazy.

Eriol froze at the mention of that name. "It's a very fitting name, Kinomoto-san. Now I would rush to the hospital if I were you, before your wife screams her head off," he said as he watched Touya run out of their office. "Don't forget your car keys!" With that, the man ran back in the room, grabbed the keys off his desk and practically tripped out the door.

'History does repeat itself,' he thought as he stared at a picture he'd taken out of his drawer. 'But I'm happy that some things turned out differently. At least Tomoyo-chan and I are still friends,' he thought as he pressed a kiss on the 18-year old that smiled brightly at him many years ago...

AN: This is the final chapter. The next fic I'm writing is definitely E+T to make up for those E+T fans!