. A F r i e n d .
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS and am not related to any part of it.
Summary: Looks at the trials and hardships of two friends, as they go through the most confusing chapter of their lives, experiencing refreshing and new; never felt before emotions.
DinnerDressed in one of our finest, I escorted Tomoyo-san down the spiral of stairs to the ballroom where the host and guests were. Behind us were Sakura-san and Xiao Lang.
Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, eager queens of other lands came flocking to my partner and I, obviously trying to win the attention of one of us.
"They have daughters and sons, I suppose," I whispered to Tomoyo-san and turned to the conversation of a group of ladies nearby before she could utter a single word about my rudeness, or in my opinion, my perceptiveness.
We were then hauled away into the dining room with the ring of the bell.
At dinner, Daidouji-sama, Tomoyo-san's father, hinted that Tomoyo-san could start looking for a life partner at the dinner. Tomoyo-san, well, she pretended not to show any signs of understanding what her father was saying.
Dinner was uneventful and we proceeded to the ballroom again for the 'party'. Tables lined the walls of the ballroom, filled with tidbits and glasses of wine and champagnes, and juices for the children.
"Dance, My lady?" I asked Tomoyo-san, bowing a little during the process.
"Of course My lord," Tomoyo-san mumrmured and placed her hand in mine as I led her to the dance floor.
Luckily, it was a slow song, Tomoyo-san looked distracted somehow.
"What's wrong?" I whispered in her ear.
She looked up, startled, her eyes in a whirl of confusion. Tomoyo-san shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I don't know," she said softly.
Taking her hand, I took her out of the room and into the garden. She seemed more relaxed in the cool air of the garden.
I could tell she ws tired of the idea of a marriage already, it was visible in her eyes. I wished I could help her then, but there was nothing I could do. Marriage was essential to Tomoyo-san's reputation, but I didn't think she cared much about her reputation.
Sighing, Tomoyo-san sat down on the grass, not caring about her dress. "Father should really stop hinting about this marriage thing. I highly doubt that everyone else did not know what he was talking about. One more, and I think I'll just go mad."
"Tomoyo-san… You know he's doing it for you," I replied. Before she could say anything back, I continued.
"I know, I know. You want to fall in love. You don't want a mere infatuation. Heard it a million times. But think of your parents, I should say they'd love to have some grandchildren."
Tomoyo-san looked up at me, amused, before fully lying down on the grass. It was going to ruin her hair so I quickly pulled her to her feet.
"There is no way I'm going to bring you back into the room with you looking all dirty and ruffled Tomoyo-san. People will think we were doing something out here."
"Oh, let them think whatever they want to. I'd think it would be better that way. Maybe they'll stop bothering me about their over-perfect sons or nephews who would, as they say, be absolutely charming young men."
Saying that, my dear Tomoyo-san went back to her lying position on the grass.
I sighed at her, shook my head for a more dramatic act, and dropped to the grass myself. If she didn't care, why should I?
At least the night sky was beautiful.
"Tomoyo-san?"
No reply. I tried again. Still no reply. I turned my head to look at her, she was already asleep.
"Now I have to carry you back in. It'll make a nice scene, won't it Tomoyo-san?" I mumbled to myself.
I stood up and brushed the grass off my back. Then I looked at Tomoyo-san's sleeping form, she looked so peaceful. Gently, I picked her up trying not to wake the sleeping beauty, then I made that agonizing trip back into the ballroom.
"Eriol!! What happened to Tomoyo??" boomed Daidouji-sama.
"Nothing sir, she just fell asleep outside. Shall I bring her to her room, or would you prefer I called a maid?" I asked, ignoring the raised brows of the guests.
"Ah.. Not again?" Daidouji-sama's voice dropped back to his normal tone, "You may bring her up. When she wakes up, make sure she's still as innocent as she is now, understood?"
God….. Practically the whole room started laughing at Daidouji-sama's discreet way of saying something not.. quite pleasant to my ears.
"I was just kidding son. We all know you won't do that to dear Tomoyo, would you?"
The horror…...
"I think I've embarrassed the young lord enough," Daidouji-sama said with a laugh.
"It's no matter sir, I shall get going then," I replied with little ease.
"Of course. Don't get too worked up Eriol. I think Li-san found this quite interesting?" he said, looking at Xiao Lang's grinning face.
"Hai, hai. Hiiragizawa's face. Precious,sir. You should do that more often sir," Xiao Lang said, half chuckling, half smirking.
I gave Xiao Lang a death glare and walked out of the room, the sound of the guests' laughing still audible from afar.
"All that I put up for you Tomoyo-san," I growled.
Then, I heard a tiny sound coming from her, and I swear, when I looked down, she was smiling.
"Tomoyo-san…... You aren't really sleeping, are you? My dear, you just cost me my dignity out there," I questioned her in a deathly tone.
She looked up at me, eyes dancing with laughter. Then, that little liar I was holding started laughing uncontrollably.
"I wouldn't have done that if I were you Tomoyo-san," I whispered into her ear, her laughing stopped instantly. Exactly the reaction I was looking for. It was payback time.
I put her down to her feet and pinned her to the wall before she could run away.
"It's no use trying to run my dear Tomoyo-san," I whispered.
"Let me go Eriol-saaaann. Onegaaaiii..."
"No way Tomoyo-san. Begging won't work this time. I should teach you a lesson for tricking people."
Obviously, she didn't agree.
My hands bound her wrists to the wall, so she started kicking me.
I had to stop that, and I only had two hands.
"Tomoyo-san, struggling with me will only make it worse," I said into her ear, my voice suddenly dropping an octave.
So I moved closer to Tomoyo-san, my body against hers, cornering her. Dear Tomoyo-san still continued to struggle, and I moved even closer to her, pushing her against the wall. She suddenly stopped moving, her breathing becoming rugged.
Tomoyo-san blinked, the realisation of our close proximity hitting her, and I saw the slightest flash of something crossing her eyes. I couldn't pin-point exactly what it was.
"Good girl," I said when she stopped struggling, and I let her go.
What she did next, took me as a surprise.
My best friend, slapped me.
"Now I know why the other ladies call you the biggest flirt who ever graced the land," she spat, eyes burning with anger and humiliation.
"Tomoyo-san! I'm.." I choked out, the sting of her slap lingering on my cheek, and I reached out to her, only to have my hand slapped away.
"Save it!! Don't ever touch me again!"
Then, she ran off to her room, slamming the door behind her.
I ran towards her room and banged my fist against the door.
"Tomoyo-san!! Tomoyo-san!!! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to humiliate you!"
All I heard was a muffled 'Go away' and the sound of her crying.
I jingled her door knob and found it wasn't locked. I pushed open the door to find her sitting in the corner, the head buried in her arms.
"Please Tomoyo-san..... I shouldn't have done that. Slap me again, kick me, but please don't cry alone... Tomoyo-san please!" I begged as I kneeled in front of her.
It was all my fault. And as she continued crying, ignoring my pleas, I hated myself. I wanted to kill myself for hurting my best friend.
"Tomoyo-san..."
I couldn't help it. I had to comfort her. I took her into my arms.
"If it will make you feel better, you can hit me. I'm so sorry Tomoyo-san,"
"I.. I couldn't hit you again.…..." she whispered.
"Tomoyo-san..... Please forgive me.. I'll do anything."
I placed her on my lap and stroked her hair, what I always did when she cried. Her tears dwindled into hiccups.
"Please smile Tomoyo-san.. Crying doesn't suit you.."
It broke my heart to see her like that.
She looked up, her eyes red and puffy from crying. I wiped away her tears like I always did, but this time, she was crying because of me.
I picked her up, placed her on her bed and pulled the covers up. Kneeling down to the bed, I stroked her face and kissed her on the forehead. She looked so vulnerable.
"Rest Tomoyo-san. I'll leave if you don't want to see me again."
I stood up and turned to go when Tomoyo-san grabbed my hand. She told me not to leave.
"You forgive me?" I asked, trying not to have too much hope.
Tomoyo-san just nodded and closed her eyes.
A wave of relief washed over me and I sat down on the floor, watching her sleep.