Diamond Sky

A/N: Flashbacks are italicized words after four dashes.

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Chapter Ten: Resolution

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The patterns of walking to and from school had changed somewhat since Sakura and her friends entered high school.

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And with the arrival of Hiiragizawa Eriol, it shifted further more.

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Sakura was walking hand in hand with Syaoran, enjoying the private five minutes they usually had before Chiharu and Yamazaki would join them and disrupt the peace. That day, conversation had somehow regarded Daidouji Tomoyo.

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"Have you noticed, Li-kun, that she's been acting odder than usual?"

The Chinese boy frowned. "Not stranger than usual, really. Why?"

"I don't know…" Sakura bit her bottom lip. "It's just that… I don't know, she's different but I can't put my finger on what it is."

"Can't you just ask her?"

"I did! A million times yesterday! But she doesn't know either!"

Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "More likely she does know but doesn't want to tell you."

"Hoe?" Sakura's eyes widened. "That never occurred to me... I guess if she wants to keep it a secret, that's fine. You can't tell even your best friend everything…"

Syaoran raised his eyebrow even higher. "Oh? And your boyfriend?"

Sakura grinned. "You sure you want to know everything?"

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"…no."

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Sakura couldn't help feeling a little hurt.

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"Because I can't. I'll get to know everything about you through all the years we'll be together."

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That earned him a large kiss that no one saw, much to his relief.

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Well… no one human saw it anyway.

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A suspicious looking glass thing retreated into the bushes. The camcorder was switched off and Tomoyo grinned. Behind her Naoko, Chiharu, Yamazaki and Rika stifled laughter.

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Tomoyo waved them on. "Go on, Chiharu-chan, Yamazaki-kun, before they get suspicious…"

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The duo took off with a goodbye wave. Naoko and Rika went off as well. Tomoyo placed her camcorder into her bag and smiled, heading to where she usually met them all before school.

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Her face split into a wide smile as she spotted a familiar figure halfway, seeming as if he was just coincidentally and casuallystanding around even if it had turned intoa dailyhabit for the past month.

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"Ohayo."

She smiled as she got closer. "Ohayo."

Eriol smiled knowingly at the practically glowing expression on his friend's face. "I take it you managed to catch Sakura-san and my ever amusing descendant doing something… cute just now."

Tomoyo giggled. "Sakura-chan is getting bolder with each day. I'll show you later."

Eriol chuckled. "Can't wait to see it."

"And," added Tomoyo as they started walking together. "She knows there's something different although she can't tell exactly what it is."

"I'm not surprised. Sakura-san has always been sensitive when it comes to her best friend." His blue eyes twinkled in amusement. "You really can't keep her out of the loop for long, you know."

"I know that." Tomoyo smiled. "I'll tell her soon. Very soon."

Eriol just laughed in response, highly amused at the tinge of red on Tomoyo's face.

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The duo walked on a little more, the school soon coming into view.

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With a yawn, Nakuru yanked open the front door.

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And blinked to see a woman in a business suit, short hair and a murderous expression on her face.

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"…uh… can I help you?"

"Yes. I'd like to know where my daughter is."

Nakuru stared sleepily, the gears in her head not whirring properly as it was wont to do when woken up in the middle of sleep. "I don't have a mom… at least, I don't think I have, not yet anyway… I think you have the wrong house…"

"This is the residence of Hiiragizawa Eriol-san, isn't it?"

"…yes…?"

The lady folded her arms. "Then, where is my daughter, Daidouji Tomoyo?"

"…oh! Tomoyo-sama! Why didn't you say so?" Nakuru scratched her head. "That's funny. She's usually left by now… uh… hold on, I'll go check…" She was about to run off when she seemed to remember something.

"Uh, come in. I'll go see if Eriol-sama knows where Tomoyo-sama is."

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Sonomi stepped through the door into the foyer and closed it behind her, her glare hardening at a few things.

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One, the thought of her daughter not being here.

Two, the thought of her daughter being here.

Three, the thought of an older girl calling her daughter an honourific usually reserved for the mistress of the house.

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Still, as the CEO of the Daidouji Toy Company looked around, it was a big place. And since Sakura's word could be trusted, Sonomi found herself relaxing just a little. The girl had said that Hiiragizawa Eriol was a gentleman.

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Nakuru came back, looking like she was restraining much amusement. "Uh…" She cleared her throat. "Tomoyo-sama's on her way."

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Sure enough, Tomoyo emerged, apologizing profusely to her mother. Behind her was a tall, dark haired young man, looking as equally apologetic. Sonomi, raising an eyebrow, folded her arms.

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"…Hiiragizawa-san, I presume."

"Yes, Daidouji-san. I'm sorry for keeping Dai… Tomoyo so long. We just lost track of time."

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The sharp eyes and ears of the elder Daidouji caught sight of a slight red across her daughter's cheeks and the sudden change of surname to first name from Eriol. The eyebrow rose even higher.

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"…doing what, precisely?"

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Tomoyo turned even redder. Eriol smiled slightly. "Talking, Daidouji-san."

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The boy was good, thought Sonomi. Not even a slight blush.

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"Very well." She turned to her daughter. "Tomoyo, if you're going to be late, call. I nearly sent out for the police."

Tomoyo bowed low. "Gomenasai, kaasan. It won't happen again."

"It better not." She turned to Eriol. "Good night, Hiiragizawa-san and uh…"

Nakuru grinned from behind Eriol. "I'm Eriol-sama's cousin, Nakuru."

Sonomi decided it was best not to question.

"…Nakuru-san."

Eriol bowed. "Goodnight, Daidouji-san…" His voice trailed off for a minute.

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Tomoyo."

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As fast as she had turned her back and strode out the door, Sonomi did catch the telling exchange of smiles between the two teenagers.

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And as mentioned earlier, she also had sharp hearing which had indeed caught the tone in Eriol's voice. The very fond tone.

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In the car, she had little to say to her daughter until they were nearing the house.

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"Tomoyo, did something happen?"

She looked up at her mother. "Nothing, kaasan. Just the usual. We had dinner and watched my home videos."

"…honestly?"

"Yes, kaasan."

Sonomi nodded and turned away again before smirking.

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"A good kiss, was it?"

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Tomoyo nearly fell over in shock. She stared at her mother.

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"K, Kaasan?!"

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Sonomi turned to her daughter and shook her head as she ruffled Tomoyo's hair slightly.

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"My dear daughter, you've been smiling at nothing the whole way even though I've grounded you for a week. Do you think I'm that clueless?"

"…no," answered Tomoyo in a small voice.

"I know it was a first kiss." Sonomi raised an eyebrow. "I hope it was at least."

A smile crept out despite herself and Tomoyo nodded.

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And despite herself and the fact that she had probably lost her daughter to a male, Sonomi smiled. Some more years of living experience had taught her that love could only add, not tear people apart. It was going to hurt, yes. But if they were happy, it was worth it.

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"How was it?"

"Kaasan, I'm not supposed to kiss and tell."

Sonomi chuckled as the car came to a stop outside the Daidouji house. "Sure a blueberry muffin won't change your mind?"

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Tomoyo just smiled as she got out, the taste of blueberries on her lips.

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"Maybe," she answered as she walked into the house, one arm around her mother's waist, Sonomi's arm around her shoulders.

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Some blocks back, at the Hiiragizawa mansion…

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Spinel was rudely jolted from a good book when Nakuru burst through the doors, bodily picked him up and carried him back to the living room all in three seconds. She couldn't stop giggling for some reason.

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"RUBY!! LET GO OF ME!! I thought you were in bed!!"

Nakuru just giggled incessantly and pointed at Eriol who was sitting placidly on the living room sofa, drinking tea and smiling. Spinel blinked then glared at Nakuru.

"What?! It's just Eriol-sama!"

"Eriol-sama! (giggle giggle giggle) Tomoyo-sama!! (giggle giggle)" The rest were lost in the giggles. Spinel looked at Eriol in exasperation.

"What did you do to Tomoyo-sama? And why are you smiling like that?"

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"THEY KISSED!!" Nakuru finally managed to shriek out before dissolving into more giggles.

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Spinel stared.

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Eriol looked up and raised his cup of tea, fully aware of the goofy, wide, helpless smile that had been carved into his face.

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"Tea?"

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Lunch wasn't a lonely affair any longer.

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Then again, ever since Eriol arrived, it hadn't been such a lonely affair for Tomoyo. And with the recent change of events, it just shifted from comfortable to even more comfortable.

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As she sat by the roof railing, Tomoyo's fingers sketched out an outfit, mind already mapping out where the patterns would go, how it would turn, how it would look…

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Eriol smirked as he looked over Tomoyo's shoulder at the sketch pad. "Somehow I feel better about you making my yukata for next year."

She giggled as her pencil drew in the sleeve ends. "Nakuru's made me promise to use the same material as this year's, Eriol. The same blue-but-red-when-wet material."

He sighed as she giggled some more. "Why is it you always side with Nakuru on that?"

"Because she's cuter than you are."

"Hey now, that's entirely uncalled for." But he grinned nonetheless at the rate she couldn't even hold the pencil straight due to excessive laughter.

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Taking the sketchpad into his own fingers, he plucked the pencil from her hand and began sketching, regardless of a girl shaking in laughter in between his arms.

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Tomoyo calmed down enough to see what he was drawing and she smiled. It was a perfect figure of her laughing as she reclined onto Eriol's impression of himself. The sketched Eriol had his arms around Tomoyo as well.

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"You put my designs to shame, do you know that?"

"That's not true and you know it." He put the pad down and hugged her. As she leaned back on him and he back on the railing, they looked upwards at the clear sky.

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"…do you remember how I said you could call me if you needed a rest, Tomoyo?"

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"Yes...?"

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"You still can, you know. No matter what it is." He looked at her and smiled.

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She smiled back and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "And you can still call me over to help you finish off a big dinner."

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He grinned. "Things haven't changed much, have they?"

Tomoyo settled her head back against his shoulder. "It has in a few ways. A few better ways. You calling me Tomoyo for one."

He rested his cheek on her head. "It takes a little getting used to… but I like it. And coming from you…my first name sounds better than Hiiragizawa-san."

She chuckled. "Eriol."

"See how it rolls off the tongue?"

Tomoyo giggled. "You think the rest of the school knows yet?"

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"Considering the fact that Sakura-san, Li-san, Chiharu-san, Yamazaki-san, Naoko-san and Rika-san are hiding behind the roof door and trying not to make a sound, I'd say pretty soon."

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Tomoyo smiled as her eyes caught her friends failing to restrain large grins and smiles from behind the door. Disentangling herself from Eriol's arms, she got to her feet and called out to them. "Come on out, all of you. We know you're there."

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Sakura bounced on out of hiding and mock-scolded the two for not telling them earlier. "When!? And how long has this been going on?! You two start speaking right now before I lose my patience!" The other girls vigorously agreed with her.

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Grinning, Eriol and Tomoyo explained that it'd been going on for a month and they were trying to take it slowly and with as little fuss as possible. Not that that was about to happen considering the way Sakura and the rest of the girls were grinning from ear to ear with "suspicious intent" but anyway…

Syaoran and Yamazaki had little comment about the entire matter except for the Chinese boy threatening bodily harm if he hurt Daidouji in any way.

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Eriol's eyes twinkled. "My, I had no idea you had picked up Touya-san's protective instincts, my kawaii descendant."

"QUIT calling me that!"

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The bell rang just at that moment, making everyone start to head for class. Tomoyo, amidst teasing and poking, caught Eriol's eye and smiled.

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23rd December

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Buzz buzz.

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"Moshi moshi."

"Moshi moshi, Tomoyo-sama!!"

"Nakuru!"

A giggle. "Just called to say that you might want to look out your window! Jaa ne!"

The Moon guardian hung up abruptly with another giggle. Blinking, Tomoyo set the phone on her desk and opened up her window. What could possibly be outside at half past eight in the evening and in the snow-

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"Eriol!"

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The blue-eyed youth grinned with mischief written all over his face as he stood on the Daidouji lawn, snow covering his head and coat. His hands were stuffed into his pockets as he looked up at her.

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"Can you come down?"

She nodded. "Stay there."

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Minutes later, pulling a coat on and quickly stuffing her cell phone into one pocket, she told Tora she'd be out for a walk.

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"Tomoyo-sama-! A walk-?!" The door shut and the old butler sighed. A walk at this hour and in this weather…

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If Hiiragizawa-san hadn't spoken to him first, he might have run after the young mistress.

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Outside, Eriol swept her into a hug. "Your hands are cold. What happened to your gloves?"

"They're inside. What're you doing here?"

Eriol didn't answer as he pulled off his gloves and helped to put them on her hands. He smiled. "I want to show you something."

Tomoyo let herself be taken by the hand and whisked away to Tomoeda High.

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More particularly, Tomoeda High's snow covered rooftop.

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"Eriol?"

He smiled enigmatically. "I know you're not supposed to open presents yet. But… I couldn't wait to see if you'd like it. Besides I can't wrap this one."

The sky was dark and he gestured upwards. Tomoyo duly looked up.

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And gasped as the sky was lit with a hundred, thousand, million stars. Just like the ones she had seen at the beginning of the year, she thought. Twinkling and glittering, they sat in their positions like tiny celestial diamonds sewn across the dark gown of night. She could see that each star was brighter than the next, winking at her as if they shared Eriol's secret and were happy at the success of his present.

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His arms wrapped around her from behind and she leaned back against him, still awed by the sight above.

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Eriol broke the long, comfortable silence. His voice seemed to smile. "Merry Christmas."

Tomoyo laughed gently as she continued to gaze at the twinkling stars all across the sky. "Eriol... this is just... amazing. It's so much clearer..."

"It's higher up here than either of our houses. And I did a little work of my own to make sure the street lights were dimmed."

"Legally, I hope."

He grinned. "Is there any other way?"

She looked away from the sky and at him, still smiling. "I'm afraid I got you something less spectacular."

"Tomoyo…" His eyes bore right into hers, smiling with its depth.

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"I have you as a present. What could be less spectacular than that?"

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She returned his gaze with a very wide smile and putting his arms around his neck, gently and gratefully kissed him. Eriol very happily put his arms around her and returned her token of affection.

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"…then for our friendship's sake, please forgive me for this."

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Her dark violet eyes could barely see his own deep, blue eyes through the shuddering blurry wall of tears.

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It didn't, however, disguise the soft, unmistakable brush of his lips against her right cheek.

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"Hii, Hiiragizawa-san…?"

He drew away, face burning with shame. "I… I'm sorry. I just…" He sighed deeply, unable to explain what he had just done. His blue eyes, filled with apology and regret, looked back to the screen.

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"…I wanted to show you what I couldn't say."

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And then like a cup overflowing with too much water, things started to spill over.

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"You are what I must keep silent over. So that you will stay. I know… you only want to come this far. And I wanted to stop as friends so I wouldn't hurt you. But of all the things out of my control… what I feel is one of them."

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He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes.

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"I just wish I could take back what I have just done. But I can't. So please… please remember our promise. To be friends no matter what happens."

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There was a long pause and in the room, the only sound was the muffled echo of the drizzling rain, slowly coming to a stop.

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Then, Eriol felt a hand softly placed on his cheek that made him look up. Tomoyo looked back, determined yet fearful.

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"I wanted to only remain friends because… I didn't want to hurt you. I thought… and I know… I can never be Mizuki-sensei. I can't be any actress in any play. That's why I made you promise to be always friends… at least in that way, you wouldn't leave me.Then I wouldn't lose you."

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Her hand dropped into her lap and she looked down at them. They trembled slightly at what she was doing, what she was saying.

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Then another pair of pale hands covered hers and she looked up again, back into the deep blue colour of the boy's eyes that crinkled in a tender smile.

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"You will never be Mizuki Kaho."

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His grip tightened around her hands.

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"But you will always be Daidouji Tomoyo"

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The smile widened.

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"And... I'm in love with you, Daidouji Tomoyo."

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She stared back at him, barely able to believe what she was hearing. Even after his peck on the cheek and his confession, she still couldn't believe that he had actually said what he'd just said.

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"We were both so scared of hurting each other, we did a good job of doing so to ourselves. And I think… its time for us to stop. From the bottom of my heart, you are no replacement. I wasn't looking for any. Yet… you found me."

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Blue eyes that could say more than what lips could utter, looked directly at her. "The question is… will you have me?"

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Tomoyo had no words to say.

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So she didn't say anything.

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She just leaned forward and kissed Eriol gently on his lips, giving him his answer. She felt his hands leave her own and cradle the sides of her face as the kiss went deeper. The smell and taste of blueberries and tea mingled for some time before she drew away to breathe.

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He smiled as his fingers brushed away some strands of her fringe. She smiled back at him and after some moments of silence, found enough of her voice to murmur softly.

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"I think… I'm in love with you as well… Hiiragizawa Eriol."

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It'd been a whole two months since that fateful night. And while there were still the fears and the doubts, they were getting smaller with each day. Tomoyo learned she could be a leading lady in her own style. Eriol discovered that you didn't have to act in only one play. And sometimes, the play wasn't a play at all. It was reality.

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They would always be friends and more.

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They'd also found very good reasons to smile for real.

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And both found out, and kept finding out, that they were better at keeping their promises to each other when they were together.

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Tomoyo drew away eventually and with Eriol's arms wrapped around her waist, both remained on the rooftop where everything had started. They looked up together to watch an early Christmas gift from the heavens above:

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The diamond sky.

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The End.

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Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura (c) CLAMP.

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A/N: Well, that is indeed the end to "Diamond Sky". To tell the truth, I didn't want to let the story end. I was having fun reading your reactions to the story. (sheepish smile) But regardless, every story has an end and this is it.

I hope the end allows the authoress to do a little "free talk" so please bear with me. But if you don't read author notes, then I hope you enjoyed the story!

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Quick Updates: Here's a secret: "Diamond Sky" was all pre-written! Yes! Now you know why it was so quickly updated every three days! (grin) Or every five reviews, whichever came first. (Yes, that was my posting schedule).

It was written from September to November and believe me, it kept getting edited and edited and edited in the course of 'publishing' it. Like chapter 8? "Time After Time" was a last minute addition. (snicker) Not to mention the plenty of editing and shifting in this one... Also, the updating was to ensure this chapter made it by the 20th of December, in time for Christmas or at least, the closest to Christmas Day.

Ending: I guess I didn't really like this ending chapter because even if this is clearly an Eriol x Tomoyo story, I didn't want you guys to find out so quickly about those two getting together. Same reason for Chapter 9's abrupt breakaway. (snicker) And yes, I also think this chapter is rather cheesy. I'm under the impression that the "I love you" moments I write are always brimming with cheddar and Swiss.

Daidouji Sonomi: I admit. I LOVED writing this woman's parts in the story. (cackles) Seriously, there is nothing better than writing Sonomi's reactions to her daughter's antics.

Shameless Plugging: Ahaha... just to let y'all know, I'll be posting up a new story called "Christmas Message". It's actually a three part thing in honour of Christmas that also involves CCS. So, if you're interested, just watch out for it, yeah?

Last Chapter: This is probably the chapter that was updated the latest. (smile) And is it just me or is the second last chapter the cue for everyone to start reviewing? There is no such thing as coincidence after all... (laugh) It's fascinating really but definitely no less appreciated. Which brings me to the next point...

Thank You: Yes, this is where I give my dues. In no particular order, thank you to all the reviewers:

Dementa
RequiemElise
Wallpaper
monkeysme
Ukari-chan
FungiFungusRayne
Danivie
aphrodite24goddess
psychedelic aya
Quickening-Heart
kawaiiness
never-be-normal
wings(of)paper
tear
To-ya
Amberle Elessedil
Elvirna
Silence
Shattered Midnight Dreams
Tsuab
midnite-cherry-blossomz
Maru-chan
yinyin
mave
Sparkling-Ruby Gem
Reiyuka

Guys, you have been the best in reviewing and supporting the story and I thank you most heartily. Please know that along the story, I was looking forward to your reviews every new chapter. If I've forgotten to mention you or misspelled your name, please forgive me. I'm renowned to be rather absent minded. (Muse: Rather?) Nevertheless, please know you are just as appreciated. Thank you once again.

To the will-be reviewers, thank you in advance. I'll be looking forward to your views. (if you read this anyway... (cue sweat drop))

Have a very blessed, Merry Christmas! Peace out!!

God bless,
YunCyn.