. 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.

Arrival Of Kintaro Ryu

We arrived at the Daidouji's palace right before the Kintaro family came. Luckily, Tomoyo-san did not smell after our hug, there wasn't any time for her to change.

Kintaro-san was a very handsome man in everyone else's opinion. Like Ruby Moon, his hair was a light shade of copper red and had brown eyes. He was slightly shorter than me but had a more muscular build.

I heard that he came to court Tomoyo-san, and he sure started fast. For the entire evening, he was right beside Tomoyo-san, making a private conversation with her impossible.

Since there was nothing for me to do, I left to seek out Sakura-san and Xiao Lang.

"Evening both of you."

"Hiiragizawa. How's life?" Xiao Lang asked.

"It's fine, tad boring though. How are you and Sakura-san doing?"

"We're good Eriol-kun. Ano, Where's Tomoyo-chan? I haven't seen her since we arrived." Sakura-san asked.

I pointed to the dining table where Tomoyo-san and Kintaro-san were having a rather intimate conversation.

"Didn't they just meet? Why is that Kintaro holding Daidouji-san's hand? And you're standing here talking to us? What is wrong with you Hiiragizawa." Xiao Lang demanded.

"You're too over-protective. I don't know what they're doing but I don't have any intentions of interrupting. Tomoyo-san seems to be having a good time. And I'm not her boyfriend or anything so why should I bother about who is holding her hand?" I replied, irritated with the situation.

Actually, I had tried to steal Tomoyo-san away, but Kintaro-san wouldn't budge.

"They've only met for what, one hour and he's already holding her hand and you! Eriol Hiiragizawa aren't bothered by that??" Xiao Lang spat, obviously worried about what Kintaro would do to Tomoyo-san.

"No, I'm not bothered. If you'll excuse me."

I turned around and walked off to get a drink, preferably with alcoholic content.

"Vodka please, I'd like it strong," I told the man. It was a good thing Daidouji-sama liked drinking, enough to get a bar.

I finished off the glass in one shot and asked for another.

Why didn't I really believe myself when I told Xiao Lang I wasn't bothered by Kintaro holding Tomoyo-san's hand?

Maybe you're jealous, a part of my mind told me.

I shook my head and thought, 'Why the hell would I be jealous??'. I drowned another glass of vodka, and then another.

After six, I was beginning to get a little drowsy. 'Time to stop,' my brain said.

"Fuck," I cursed under my breath. I had turned my head to the dance floor and saw Kintaro dancing with Tomoyo-san, and that guy was holding her too close.

I turned another way, just to see my parents. Mother was looking at me in a weird way. I lifted my seventh glass of vodka in their direction and gulped that down too.

'What the hell am I angry about?!' I asked myself.

'He's holding your Tomoyo-san too close...' whispered a part of my heart.

My Tomoyo-san? My? When did she become mine?

Frustrated, I drowned my last glass and slammed it down onto the counter.

It got the attention of some people but dear Tomoyo-san was too caught up in what Kintaro was now whispering into her ear to notice.

I stood up, brushed aside a lady who said something about being pleased to meet me, and stalked out of the room.

I needed to think. What the hell was wrong with me?!

I jerked open the door leading out of the palace, snapped my fingers for a carriage and went on my way back home.

-----Meanwhile----

"Syaoran-kun? What happened to Eriol-kun.. I think he had at least eight glasses of whatever he was drinking, ignored Lady Hino and just walked out of the dinner like that," Sakura asked.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling it has to do with Kintaro getting too close to Daidouji-san," Syaoran replied shrugging his shoulders.

"It definitely has something to do with them," Nakuru said, popping out of nowhere.

"Nakuru-san! How long have you been here??" Sakura asked her.

"Long enough to know what's happening Sakura-chan. I saw master on his way out, and he sure wasn't happy. He almost slammed the door off the carriage."

"I think master likes Tomoyo-chan! Why else would he be so upset over seeing them together," Nakuru continued.

"Nani?? That Hiiragizawa liking Daidouji-san?? They're just best friends, aren't they?"

"I don't think so Xiao Lang. This morning, he ordered ninety-nine bouquets of roses to be sent to Tomoyo-chan," Nakuru said.

The group went quiet and turned to look at  Tomoyo, who seemed oblivious to the situation. They didn't think she knew Eriol had already left.

"I think we should go after Eriol-kun," Sakura suggested.

"Hmm.. Then let's go Sakura-chan," Nakuru replied, grabbing Sakura's hand and half dragging her out of the room.

"Daidouji-sama!! We're leaving early! Good night!!" Nakuru screamed across the room to the host of the dinner who politely nodded his head.

It caught the attention of Tomoyo, who looked up to see Nakuru, Sakura and Syaoran leaving.

Puzzled, but thinking that they were just tired, she went back to what Kintaro Ryu was saying.