LOOK SMART

Chapter Thirteen

By: mad NUTZ

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Li had been standing outside of the room and he had heard everything. He couldn't understand what his cousin was thinking, why he would say all of those nasty things to someone he loves, or at least thought he loved.

"I hate you." Her words were clear and somehow echoed endlessly in his mind. He held his breath as the door suddenly opened violently and a crying Tomoyo came running out.

"So, it is true." Li thought to himself becoming more confused than ever. "What is this?" He suddenly emerged from the shadows and stood at the doorway. Eriol stood there, motionless and expressionless.

"What happened?" Li asked, his voice unwavering and firm. Eriol did not respond.

"Aren't you going to run after her?"

Silence.

"Why did you say those awful things? Why did she run out crying? Even I backed down and gave up pursuing her because you are my cousin and I thought.... I thought you loved her! So, why? Why did you... to someone you love..." Li fumbled with his words as a million questions came rushing into his mind. However, what annoyed him even more was Eriol's plain expression as he still stood in the same exact spot.

"Dammit! What the fuck is wrong with you?" Li. at that time. wasn't the type to have outbursts let alone curse. He was the quiet yet mysterious type that usually kept to himself. He was taken aback as he witnessed a tear fell onto the wooden floors. 'He's crying?' Li asked himself. This was the first time he had ever seen him cry. However, this angered Li even more.

"Why are you crying?! Run after her!"

Silence.

"What the hell is going on? Don't tell me you actually asked him?"

Eriol moved, the first time in what seemed forever, he stepped into the light and out of the shadows. His eyebrows were furrowed as it was evident that he was struggling to fight back the tears. Then his right hand finally became visible to Li. It was bloody and almost beyond recognition. His brown eyes looked away as it pained him to know Eriol had lost two loves in one night.

"I asked, no, I begged him to call off the engagement. I told him I loved Tomoyo and if he refused then I would give up everything just to be with her. This...," Eriol began, his right arm trembling from the pain, "This, I expected from him. But what came next was too cruel, even for him. "

"Eriol..." Li uttered, searching desperately for the right words to say.

"After practically destroying my right hand, he said extra precautions are needed as a consequence for my disobedience." Eriol fell to his knees, tears now flowing freely from his eyes. "He said if I didn't make her... Tomoyo... I had to make her hate me! Otherwise he was going to hurt her and everyone she loves! How could I let that happen Li? How? To the woman I love, I would rather make her hate me a hundred times more than to let her suffer like that because of me..."

He stood there silent. He watched Eriol, someone who was once seen as untouchable, now falling apart before him. He was kneeling, crying, begging God to save him. Such a pain he expressed that even Li had to hold back his tears. 'His own father...' Li couldn't believe it himself. Although, he was well aware how strict his uncle is, to do this to his own son is unforgivable. He clenched his fists, already determined to make things right. Even if that meant sacrificing his own happiness.

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"After much planning on my part, the three of us are able to be here today." Li had finished telling the true version, reminiscing that night as if it only occurred moments ago. His eyes hesitantly gazed over to Sakura. He could only imagine what great shock and anger she was in because of all the secrecy.

Li had also hoped he was not wrong to think this way. He knew there could be something between the two of them, but after this was that even an option? Graduation was nearing which also signaled their stay in Tomeoda coming to a close. Oddly enough, Sakura was neither shocked or mad. Her majestic green eyes welled up with tears.

"Sakura?" Li uttered almost in a whisper.

"So cruel..." she mumbled in-between her sniffling. "I-I understand why you didn't say anything for so long," she said looking into Li's eyes. Those eyes, he didn't know what to do when she stared at him like that. "It wasn't your place to say anything."

Sakura turned to Tomoyo, both girls full of emotion and eager to have their friendship back.

"I'm not mad anymore," Sakura shook her head only to solidify that everything was forgiven. "But no more secrets, your pain is my pain." Tomoyo could no longer hold back her happiness and jumped onto Sakura with open arms, making both of them fall off the couch.

"Tomoyo!" Sakura squealed out of surprise but found herself hugging her back just as tight.

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"Ahh!" Li fell onto his large puffy bed, as he stretched. "Home sweet home!"

"You know, this is really neither Meilin's, mine, or your home." Li didn't need to turn around to figure out who it was.

"Yeah, yeah." Li waved off as he rolled over, then propped himself up on the edge of his bed. His hair was more tousled than usual and his school uniform hung loosely on his body.

"Thank you." Eriol was very serious, as usual, but sincere at the same time.

"Whatever," Li got up off the bed then walked passed him and strolled into the kitchen. Eriol followed as well, as he was very pleased about finally being able to talk to Tomoyo after so long. He just wanted Li to know that. While taking out a cup and something to drink from the fridge Li began to speak.

"I didn't tell her to come over today to listen to you out of the goodness of my heart. And I certainly didn't do it for you."

"Sakura, right? I figured as much." Eriol grinned and chuckled a bit. He's going to go through the same shit he went through. He laughed merely because he hasn't learned from his mistakes.

"Don't laugh, unlike you I know what I'm doing." Li responded to Eriol's smugness.

"Do you? I mean, do you REALLY? Because it's clear to me you haven't been paying attention for the last three years. I AM his son, if he can do what he did to me, what do you think he'll do to you?"

"Correction, you WERE his son! As far as uncle is concerned you were never born."

"A fact that has been brought to my attention on a daily basis by our very presence in this town. And each time I'm reminded, I am glad and full or sorrow at the same time. You can continue to tell yourself that you asked Tomoyo to come over today for the sake of Sakura, but we're here in the first place because of me. Li... What you're doing for me--"

"That's enough Eriol." Li's voice was stern and had an air of authority. His eyes were bold as he stared at Eriol, his facial expression emotionless. Today was a long and stressful day, and he had no strength to have another conversation of this nature. "True, we are here because of what happened, however, that is partially the reason. That night when apart of you died something within me changed, I can't explain it."

"I see..." Eriol said sighing. With his words he was now able to be at ease. Although, Tomoyo was his primary concern, he had also been worrying about Sakura. From the first moment he had met her in their living room, he knew Li already had an interest in her. Who knew he would have fallen so hard for her? He didn't want her to go through what Tomoyo went through, and he didn't want Li to lose something important again.

"Well, as long as YOU know what you're doing, I can sleep better at night." Eriol waved, signaling he was going to get some sleep.

"Heh heh heh..." Li chuckled devilishly as a mischievous grin somehow found its way to his lips. "Yes, get some sleep! You'll need strength for what I have planned for tomorrow! MWUAHAHAHAHH!!" Fire blazed in his eye as a pair of horns and a tail grew. "He'll never know what hit him!!"

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AN: So what do you think? I know it's short and all but I figured Li and Eriol were the type of people that knew what the other was thinking and doesn't really like talking all that much. And for some reason I completely disregarded the Meilin subplot. She was suppose to somehow be involved in THE event but I forgot!!! P And I didn't really like it being all serious too much which is why I added in the last part. Was it funny? Most likely not! R & R