Daphne: Hehehehehehe!!! Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! All the reviews made me laugh!!! ^__^ Well, anyway, I just want to inform you of something, so please...

***READ THE BELOW, NOW!!!***

Many of you have been asking for an Epilogue for my story, "Avalanche Kisses", and I have decided to write one. So please, watch out for it, and review when you see it!!!

I think that's all, so onto the story!!!

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LOVE OF AGES

by: Daphne Li

Chapter 10.

~*~*~*~

Eriol shifted uncomfortably in his chair. By the time he got home tonight, Tomoyo would be out with Robert Roderick. On a date with Roderick. *Alone* with Roderick.

Ugh! It was happening again. Why did he worry so much over her? Tomoyo was a grown woman...almost. She knew her limits and she could take care of herself. Right? Yup! Then why was he so worried? Robert seemed like a decent...person. He would take care of her, right? Yup. So why did his teeth clench every time he thought about the idiot?

'Must. Stop. Thinking. About. It.' Eriol said in his mind, closing his eyes.

'I wonder if she's getting ready for her date right now..." Oops. Well, there went that idea. So he was worried. Big deal. So he hated the thought of Robert Roderick being near his best friend. Completely understandable. So he was jealous that another man had gotten her first...

"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM?!?!" Eriol shouted, rocketing from his chair and beginning to pace around his office. He had to stay after work for a meeting, and probably wouldn't get home until eleven...plenty of time for her to be home, right?

"Eriol?" Kaho stuck her head into the room, her face worried. When she saw him pacing, she entered with alarm in her eyes. Eriol didn't seem to notice her. His mind was busy trying to process that thought that had come so suddenly across his mind.

"Eriol?" Kaho asked again, gently putting her hand on his shoulder. Eriol turned a startled face towards her.

"What?"

"You were shouting. Are you all right?" Kaho asked softly, running her hand over his chest. Eriol moved out of her reach and nodded.

"I'm fine." He muttered, stalking over to the huge window and gazing out, his face in a frown. Kaho came up behind him and he felt her arms start to slide around his waist. He shifted uncomfortably, but she didn't release her hold.

"Then why did you yell?" She asked, her breath blowing coldly on his neck. Eriol shifted out of her arms (trying not to be rude), and moved towards the door.

"I just have a lot on my mind. I need some time alone." He said, his hand on the doorknob. Kaho's hand came out and covered it.

"You need comfort, Eriol. I can give that to you." She murmured, kissing his cheek. Eriol stiffened, remembering what Tomoyo had told him. It only took a few seconds before Kaho had his suit-coat unbuttoned. He turned and glared at her.

"What do you want, Kaho?" He asked coldly, feeling almost disgust running through his veins. Kaho stepped forward seductively.

"Isn't it obvious, Eriol? All I've ever wanted was you." She whispered, running a finger down his cheek. Eriol moved away.

"What about Touya? What about your feelings for him?"

"A simple crush. That's all it ever was. I just didn't realize it until I met you. Then everything changed." She murmured, looking at him with her big brown eyes. What used to make Eriol blush, now made him wince.

"Out of my office. I don't want to see you in here again." He growled, walking over to the door and jerking it open. Kaho seemed un-ruffled.

"I'll make you see, Eriol. I'll make you see that you love me." She murmured as she walked past him. Eriol hissed and slammed his door shut, gaining many stares from nearby employees.

"Tomoyo was right." He growled, looking for something to pound, throw, anything! He picked up a pillow from his leather couch and threw it at the wall. It bounced harmlessly off, and he picked it back up, smothering a yell with it. He threw himself down onto the couch like a little boy, and buried his head in the pillow, trying to sort out his thoughts.

The entire time Kaho had been trying to seduce him, the only person he could think about was Tomoyo. His best friend. His confidant. His partner in crime. His childhood companion. His first love. His only love...

"Oh, gods. I love her." It was a statement. Not a comprehension, but a true awareness of what had been all along.

He loved her.

He always had.

He always would.

An image of Tomoyo, with her long, luxurious hair rippling down her back, her amethyst eyes sparkling into his own, her soft laugh echoing in the background, filled his mind. He groaned and turned over onto his back, looking up at the ceiling.

Plenty a time he had hugged her and felt what he thought was love for a friend flow through him. Many times he had looked at her and wondered what she saw in him, what made her want to be his friend. She was an angel and he was a monster-turned-prince...but still a monstrosity all the same. So why did she still care? Why had she in the first place, when she had first met him?

His thoughts refused to settle, and he was beginning to get a headache.

"Eriol?"

"What?" Eriol snapped, opening his eyes. Tyson entered the room, frowning.

"You all right, buddy?" He asked, walking over to the couch and looking down at Eriol in slight amusement. Eriol growled.

"I'm fine."

"Good. Just to let you know, Naoko just called me. Milly and Sonomi got some crazy idea to take everyone out to the country for the weekend, so everyone but Tomoyo and Naoko went. Naoko's staying over at my house, but Tomoyo's going to stay at the Hotel de' Ritz, tonight."

"Wait, isn't that where Roderick is staying?"

"Yeah, but Tomoyo called and asked me, to tell you, to go ahead and check up on her. She also told me to tell you that her mother made the arrangements. I could practically hear her rolling her eyes as she said it, too." Tyson laughed. Eriol nodded.

"I'll take her up on that. So, you and Naoko are going to have separate rooms, right?"

"Of course!" Tyson exclaimed, blushing. Eriol raised an eyebrow.

"And you'll sleep in your own beds, right?"

"Ugh! Yes, Eriol, as much as it kills us, we decided to save the rest of it for marriage...if that ever comes." Tyson's blush was beyond red now, and Eriol laughed.

"Good. Anything else you need to tell me?"

"Yes. Your meeting's in five minutes."

"SH*T!"

~*~*~*~

"That was a lovely dinner, Robert. Thank you." Tomoyo commented as they walked back to their rooms that night. Why her mother had booked her a room in the hotel, Tomoyo had no idea, since Eriol's home was plenty nearby. But her mother's logic wasn't always tops, either...

"And I couldn't have had a lovelier companion." He answered pompously. Tomoyo stifled a smile. While at the restaurant, she had made sure to keep away from the wine, since she never really liked the stuff. He, however, had ordered a whole bottle, and drank over half of it. Luckily, he wasn't driving home.

"Why thank you." She said, trying not to roll her eyes. He nodded and lead her to...his rooms.

"Robert, my rooms are down a level." She reminded him. He turned, as if surprised.

"I know. I just need to give you something." He answered. Tomoyo was skeptical, but followed him into the room. He offered her a seat on the couch and then left the room, allowing Tomoyo a sigh of relief. He came back some time later, with something in his hands.

"I got this for you." He stated, handing it to her. Tomoyo frowned in confusion as she saw what it was; a bridal magazine.

"Wh...what is this for?"

"Our wedding, of course!" He declared. Tomoyo felt herself go pale. Was he still on about that?

"Robert, you're a very nice man and I like you..."

"I know you do, Tomoyo. That's why I know that you'll marry me." He murmured. There was a sharp knock on the door, and Tomoyo rose in relief.

"Sit. They'll leave after a moment." He murmured. Tomoyo went even paler as the person continued to knock, but received no answer. As Robert had said, the noise stopped abruptly, and there was silence. Then he turned to her with a predatory look.

"As I was saying, I know you love me. And I love you." He murmured, coming closer. Tomoyo stepped back.

"I don't like you, Mr. Roderick. I only did this for my mother's sake. And I was a fool. I have no intention of marrying you, and I certainly don't wish to look through bridal magazines." Tomoyo shuddered. Something about him was frightening her.

"Tomoyo, lovely. You do love me. I'll teach you to love me." He muttered, grasping her arm before she could say a word and smashing his lips against hers. Tomoyo struggled, panic seeping into her veins. The panic grew as she felt his other hand begin to feel at her through her clothes. Tomoyo pulled back and tried to scream, but he smothered the sound with his bruising lips.

Terrified tears streamed down her face and she struggled in his grasp again. But his arms held her still as he attacked. Tomoyo sobbed silently, feeling her mind drifting off into blackness.

She didn't know exactly what happened next, only the door flew open, Robert was thrown to the floor, and she was pulled into warm, gentle arms. She buried her face in the person's chest and cried, as voices surrounded them.

"He won't bother the lady again, sir." Came a voice.

"Good." This one was from the person holding her, and it was familiar.

"Eriol?" She whimpered out, not daring to look up. The arms tightened protectively around her, and she felt herself being picked up, bride-style.

"It's me." He murmured, as he carried her out of the room and down to the ground-floor where several policemen were standing, as well as a waiting limo. Eriol gently carried her to the limo and put her in, telling the driver to hurry home. Tomoyo lay, still crying, in his arms as the car pulled away.

"How did you know?" She finally whispered. He put a finger to her lips.

"Shhh. Rest, Tomoyo-tenshi. You've been through so much." He murmured. Tomoyo sighed in exhaustion and she allowed her senses to swim away into darkness.

~*~*~*~

When she finally came to, she found herself back in her own bed, Eriol sitting in a chair by her side. He hadn't noticed that she was awake, yet, so she studied him for a moment. His hair fell across his forehead in disarray, and his eyes were emotionally tired as he gazed at the wall across from him. As if he felt her gaze, he turned and shot her a smile, the tiredness melting from his eyes.

"What happened?" Tomoyo asked. Eriol grinned.

"You fell asleep."

"You know what I meant." She said, raising an eyebrow. He smiled.

"I went to check on you. You weren't in your room, but the man at the desk said you had come in, so I got suspicious. I found out where your date's rooms were and went up, but you didn't answer. I got worried and went back downstairs for help. It turns out that a bunch of policemen were going home from a convention of some sort, so I stopped them and they, along with the manager of the hotel, helped me to get into the room and subdue your...lover." He added this last bit teasingly, and Tomoyo frowned at him.

"You're the one who punched him?"

"The one and only." He stated, paling under her fearsome glare. Then, before he could say anything, she had put her arms around him and was half- laughing, half-crying.

"Oh, you darling boy! What would I do without you. I was so frightened and he wouldn't let me go...oh, Eriol! It was horrible!" She moaned, burying her face in his chest. Eriol sat on the edge of her bed and held her close as she cried.

"In all the times I've known you, you only cried once. And that was when I left. Why are you crying now?" He asked softly. She shivered.

"Because I was so foolish. I should have never entered his rooms." She cried.

"Why did you?"

"He told me he had something to show me...and boy did he." This last part was cut off by a choking sob. He gently kissed her forehead, and Tomoyo stiffened, suddenly remembering the whole of last night and what had kept her up so long. Pain filled her heart as she realized that everything he did, saving her and bringing her home...it had been done out of *friendship*. A pain-filled sob rose to her chest and she buried her face in his chest again, scrunching her face against the force of the wail that was trying to overtake her.

"Tomoyo, what is it?" He asked as she jerked away from him. She buried her face in her pillows as her body shook against the force of the suppressed wail.

"Nothing." She choked out, tears falling hot and salty down her cheeks. Oh, how she wished he would leave!

Eriol, sensing that this was no longer about Robert Roderick, watched her in alarm. Her body was shaking with sorrow, and yet she was not making a sound. His heart wrenched as he looked at her, and his hand gently found her back, rubbing it gently. Tomoyo stiffened and a tiny squeak emitted from the pillows, but no other sound.

Then Eriol felt a silkiness twine around his fingers and he realized that her hair had come undone, cascading down her back and twining around his fingers. He felt its impossible silkiness with breathless wonder, then moved his hands to run through her hair.

If only she could be his! If only he could be what she needed.

"Eriol..." The name sounded strangled as she said it, and one of the suppressed sobs followed it before she could bite it back. With a pain in his heart far greater than any he had ever felt in his life, Eriol gently pulled her up and forced her to look at him.

"Tomoyo, please! Please tell me what's wrong." He whispered. Tomoyo's head lulled back as she desperately tried to avoid his eyes. But his hand caught her chin and he forced her to look at him. The wail that she had held back was now returning with full force, and Tomoyo fought against it, both emotionally and physically. She wrenched herself out of his grasp and swatted his hands away as they tried to return.

"No, Eriol! NO!" She cried, her sorrow nearly making her crazy. Eriol was openly alarmed now, and his heart broke in two as he saw how close she was to the brink of agony. Her face was contorted with anguish and she twisted away as his hands reached for her once again.

"TOMOYO! STOP THIS!" He finally shouted, unable to contain himself anymore.

"I can't! I can't!" She wailed, throwing herself back onto her bed. If they had actually been thinking clearly, they would have realized just how much this looked like a child throwing a tantrum and a father trying to calm her. But this was grown up; between two people who had had too much stress and pain and sorrow and misery in their lives. This was the result.

Eriol watched helplessly as Tomoyo's pain overcame her and she fell onto the bed, unable to do anything but cry. He had to do something! Anything! Anything to get her calm so he could figure out what was wrong. So he did the first thing that came to his mind.

He kissed her.

~*~*~*~

Tomoyo couldn't help it. The wail left her body with a shout of glory, and she fell back, weakness overtaking her. She could feel the sobs wracking her body and she could sense Eriol's eyes on her. But she couldn't meet his eyes. Those eyes that could make her do anything. Those eyes that spoke volumes to her as a child, but had been shielded from her as an adult.

Then her cry was smothered in its flight. A pair of warm, soft lips were covering hers, keeping the sobs from leaving. Smothering every last one of them that filled her chest. Delighted shivers filled their place and Tomoyo lay still, trying to forever imprint the feeling of his lips on hers, into her memory.

Once he had started, Eriol found that he could not pull away. Her lips were like the sweetest candy known to man. Impossible to describe, yet impossible to resist. He now saw why Robert had been kissing her when he opened the door. But this was a different situation, and it was with him!

Finally, after several minutes, he was forced to pull away. Tomoyo lay still, dazed and silent. Her eyes opened wide, and she stared at him with her beautiful amethyst eyes. Eriol melted under her gaze, and guilt filled him at what he had done. He was worse than Robert! He was someone she had trusted and he had just broken that by kissing her and ruining her trust for him.

"Tomoyo, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He groaned, moving further back and lowering his head.

"Why?" Tomoyo asked, her voice catching. Eriol's shoulders slumped.

"You needed to calm down, Tomoyo." Was all he could manage, his head still lowered. A soft finger suddenly touched his cheek and traced up his cheek- bone.

"Why, Eriol?" Came her sweet voice again, this time with a waver in it. Eriol looked up. The tears had quickly ceased, but her breath was still catching quite a bit and her voice wavered. Meeting her eyes, Eriol saw that they held sorrow, wonder and questioning. He realized that he could never lie to her...but he couldn't tell her the truth, either. She was his best friend and he didn't want that to end.

"You're my best friend, Tomoyo. I can't stand to see you in all that pain. I had to stop it somehow. I just did the first thing that came to my mind." He muttered.

Tomoyo's heart twisted. She had hoped that the kiss had meant something to him, as it had to her. That was the reason she had stopped. She thought that maybe, just maybe he loved her...just a little bit...

Tomoyo then made up her mind. She was done with pain. She was done with sorrow. All her life she had pined for him. It was time for it to end. Whether or not it made him hate her, it didn't matter any more. Just as long as the pain went away.

"I made a promise to you, Eriol, before you left Japan." She murmured. Eriol looked over at her in confusion. She hadn't made any promises...had she?

"I promised that I'd love you forever and ever. Do you remember that?" She asked, her eyes pleading. Eriol's eyes widened, as an image of her standing over his stretcher, entered his mind.

"Yes." His voice was not even a whisper. Tomoyo sighed.

"That has never changed, Eriol. I kept my promise. I love you still." She whispered, her eyes down-turned. Eriol felt a bolt of shock rush through him, and his mind whirled. She loved him?

SHE LOVED HIM!!!

"I made a promise that day, as well." He murmured into her ear, as he moved closer. Tomoyo shivered and turned wide eyes at him.

"I promised that I would love you as well, Tomoyo-tenshi." He admitted.

Then his lips covered her's once more. Tomoyo sat in shock, that quickly melted away into pure bliss. He loved her! Eriol's mouth gently caressed hers, leading her into the second sweetest kiss of her life (the first being the first time Eriol kissed her).

"Really, Eriol? My Eriol." This was a statement. Tomoyo snuggled into his arms, her eyes still wide with all that was happening. In just minutes her dream had become a reality. And in just minutes her life had become a whole lot more complex.

"Yes. But I don't deserve you, Tomoyo. I really don't. I am just a want-to- be normal person, who used to be a monstrosity. I don't deserve anything I have right now, really." He said, looking ashamed. Tomoyo's indignation lit up and she pressed her lips to his in a punishing, yet wonderful kiss.

"Don't you say that. You are not a monstrosity, even then you weren't! You were a boy who was misunderstood. But to tell the truth...you were rather adorable. No, really! You were so kawaii with your dark hair falling over those blue eyes that showed a soul that wanted so desperately to escape from inside your body. You were...are...beautiful." She murmured, pressing father-light kisses to his forehead, temples, eyes, chin, lips. Eriol moaned at her treatment and sighed in satisfaction.

He gently guided them both down so they could lay on her bed, and rest their heads on her pillows. She, however, seemed quite content with resting her head on his chest, so he wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled down at her.

"I love you, Tomoyo." He whispered as they began to drift off. Tomoyo smiled sweetly and snuggled closer.

"I love you, my Eriol." She whispered.

Forever and ever.

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