CHAPTER 4

***Disclaimer…don't own anything, don't sue me please…
The men followed behind her until they got to the ballroom. It was decorated with pinks and greens. Everything was perfect. It felt just like a ball for a princess, and in a sense it was. There was already a small crowd at the foot of the stairs, but before the four of them knew it, Sakura had knocked Syaoran on to the ground.

"Sakura-chan!! You're worse than Meiling! Get off of me!" Syaoran demanded. Sakura got up to her feet and bent down to help him up.

"Sorry Li." She looked down as he shook off her hand and sort of smiled that half lopsided smile that he always does.

"Kaiju, is father here?" Touya grumbled, not approving of the scene in front of him.

"Sakura…" Sakura spelled out, "Sa-ku-ra…that's my name, not monster!!! Father is down in the kitchen. I'm going to take my guests to the party." She turned around and her skirt swished around her. Tomoyo giggled. Sakura turned back around and looked at her friends pale face. "What's so funny Tomoyo-chan?"

Tomoyo stopped herself from giggling anymore. "It feels just like we're in fifth grade again. You wearing my dresses and all."

Sakura smiled politely. "Come this way please." Sakura led them into the depths of the party. It had picked up a good thirty people while the group was talking.

The party went on and Tomoyo declined offers for dances just so she could talk to a few people that knew her. Syaoran was dancing as best he could with Sakura, but continued to step on her feet and toes. Sakura smiled every time he apologized for hurting her. Finally, Sakura led Syaoran off of the dance floor and on to the balcony. Tomoyo took note of the time on her small silver wrist watch. It was about seven thirty. The two had gone out to watch the sun set.

Tomoyo walked around the room a couple times and caught a glimpse of the happy couple. Syaoran stood behind Sakura, lacing his arms in front of her and she held his hands there…both of them smiling. Tomoyo set her glass on a table and walked to the restroom. When she got there, she set her purse on the cool white porcelain and looked at her reflection. She traced the line of her jaw and over her eyes in the mirror and then sighed. "This is the reflection of someone who's given up on herself." Chiharu barged in two seconds later.

"Tomoyo-chan, they're ready for you to sing and the cake is done." She smiled and then walked out of the room.

Tomoyo groaned and walked out of the restroom. She was brought face to face with a huge painting…of a bride on her wedding day. She was caught in a trance by the painting. The bride had a perfect dress, long white and flowing, and a strange fluster in her cheeks. Not only that, she had the most amazing smile. It was perfect, made it look like she would be happy for the rest of her life. Tomoyo sighed and walked on towards the ballroom.

As she turned the corner, a figure came out of the shadows and grabbed her around the waist. She was about to scream but another hand found its way to cover her mouth and muffle her screams. Tomoyo was then pulled against the wall, but before they did anything else, she bit down as hard as she could. Both hands let up as she opened her eyes and recognized the figure.

"Daidouji-chan, you still have the same bite."

"Hiiriagizawa? What the hell are you doing here?" Tomoyo turned her head to look at him straight on. His dark hair and blue eyes glistened as he watched Tomoyo look at him. "Where's Kaho?" She asked mockingly.

"She's not here. I left her in England. Where she belongs." He pulled her closer to him. "No need to be so formal Daidouji-chan. Just call me Eriol." He pulled her even closer into a tight hug.

Syaoran came out into the hall and saw the two of them, and Tomoyo trying to get free of his grasp. He ran over and pulled Tomoyo out of Eriol's grasp.

"Ah, Syaoran. You seem to be up to your old habits."

Syaoran just scowled and wrapped his arm around Tomoyo to steer her away from the misted shadow. The two of them made their way towards the ballroom and applause filled the air as Tomoyo made her way to her position next to Sakura. The cake was brought out, all three layers of chocolate frosting and cake in front of the happy auburn haired woman. Tomoyo took one look at her candle lit face and began to sing a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday, not moving her eyes from Sakura's face. She smiled once more after she finished the song and then backed away so Sakura could serve the cake.

She stepped back from the crowd and went to the table of drinks, seeing that everyone else wanted cake. She watched the random conversations and then heard that the presents were about to be opened. She took a glass of champagne and made her way to a balcony. She sat down on the stone floor and looked up at the star filled sky, glass in hand.

"Here's to our last moments wasted." She toasted to the stars. She sat there and listened to the party, the traffic outside, and the wind howling between the buildings. She heard Sakura open her gifts and squeal with each new surprise. Tomoyo knew who was coming up and her blood ran cold. All noise stopped. She could feel Syaoran go down on one knee, and that's when the rain started. The rain came down with a rush and pulled parts of Tomoyo even further down. She could feel her hair coming loose and turning into a dark cascading curtain over her shoulders.

A couple more seconds passed and Tomoyo's dress was getting even more ruined, as well as a friendship. Tomoyo took another sip as she heard multiple gasps from inside. She knew the question was asked. She looked up to the sky, tears mixing with the rain on her face. She wasn't ready for what was happening. She didn't ever want to be the third wheel, but if they were happy, that was all that mattered.

"Tomoyo-chan?" She brought her head back down to Syaoran standing in the door way or the balcony. "Come inside, Tomoyo-chan. You'll catch a cold if you don't warm up." He motioned for her to come in.

"No." Tomoyo answered gruffly. "I'm just fine out here." She muttered as a piece of hair stuck to her face right beside her eye.

"Fine." Syaoran walked outside and kneeled in front of Tomoyo. She looked to the sky and shut her eyes tightly. "Tomoyo-chan?" Syaoran whispered. She opened her eyes to see him in front of her on one knee, holding the ring box in his hand. "Tomoyo, will you marry me?"
AN- Okay…sorry for the wait. I got a little side-tracked on my new story called Artists Perspective. Please review me…if I don't get at least five reviews...the story'll end right here…but there's lots more to go through!!!

Love, Jenna