Christmas Message

Message III: Love & Faith

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"And a Happy New… Year…!"

A round of enthusiastic applause resounded as the song came to an end. The piano player, who had accompanied the singer, rose and took a bow alongside her.

"An excellent performance as always, Daidouji-san."

"The same can be said for yourself, Hiiragizawa-kun."

Eriol just grinned as they both stepped into the midst of their friends.

A few days ago, 16-year-old Sakura had expressed a wish to have a Christmas party complete with a decorated Christmas tree, presents, holly garlands… the works. Just like the ones on television. It would be great fun, she said with a large smile.

With permission from her father and help from her friends, the Kinomoto residence was transformed into a warm, Christmas-sy atmosphere which Sakura's friends patted themselves on the back for on the evening of the 23rd, the day of the party.

In accordance with Sakura's wish, a grand six foot tall plastic Christmas tree stood in one corner. Along with the twinkling, glittering ornaments that hung from the branches was a long cord of lights that wound around the tree, blinking multiple colours. Below, was a huge pile of presents, it's colourful, gaily wrapping hiding the treasures within. The walls were draped with green garlands and red berries, Eriol's handiwork. The red felt stocking decorations had been a joint present from Tomoyo and Rika for the party.

Sakura had specifically warned everyone not to open their presents until the morning of the 25th so as to be proper. Solemn vows that not one inch of wrapping or ribbon would be touched until the 25th were made. In some cases, the vows had only been made after being bribed (Kero-chan), persuaded (Syaoran) or just threatened (Yamazaki). A comment from Touya about how he was going to open his presents right in front of his sister on the 24th instead resulted in Sakura nearly strangling him. Luckily for Touya, Yukito and Fujitaka were on hand. And luckily for Sakura, Touya also promised to open his presents on the morning of the 25th.

At the moment, the time was just around half past ten p.m. The dark haired, blue eyed boy, now aged 16 and at a height of nearly six feet stood by the corner, a cup of punch in one hand as he quietly observed the going-on's around him. The small guest list made for a warm, cozy atmosphere where jokes, teases and laughter abounded.

The night belonged to Sakura who was official hostess of the whole shindig. Eriol's eye turned to the young lady in a rich red dress talking with her smiling father.

With slightly puffed sleeves at the shoulders and ended in a ruffle at her elbow, the dark red of the material seemed like velvet and wrapped itself around Sakura, complimenting the curves that had appeared during the years. The skirt had one layer of petticoat beneath it. A touch of pink lip gloss and some light rose red eye shadow completed Sakura's appearance that took Syaoran a few minutes and a smack behind the head from Touya to get over. He still couldn't help but stare at Sakura at frequent intervals though.

It was a tad overly formal for a small party but no one cared. Anyway, Eriol held the opinion that it suited the occasion completely. It had also earned the youngest Kinomoto the title of "Sakura-hime" the minute she had made her appearance before Eriol.

Something which Li Syaoran hadn't taken to, Eriol recalled with a restrained snigger as he shifted focus to the tall boy trying to politely decline Touya's not-so-subtle attempts to get him drunk on wine and make a fool out of himself.

Then again, he had little reason to complain really. After all, Tomoyo had very gaily declared him "Li-ojisama" once she had seen him. It was quite clear that he had chosen his clothes carefully for the party seeing as it was probably one of his best clothes. A dark green silk Chinese version of a tuxedo, it was with dragons all over. It was taken in slightly at the waist, thus showing off the fact that Li Syaoran had indeed grown to be a rather well built, handsome young man at the age of sixteen.

Make that, a rather well built, handsome young man at the age of sixteen who was taken, much to a lot of girls' disappointments.

In fact, Eriol was aware that his outfit was among the more subdued ones. In a dark blue turtleneck, long sleeved sweater shirt and black pants, Hiiragizawa Eriol was as plain as they came. But he could care less since he was having too good a time. The others too could hardly care about who wore what just as long as they were together and were able to tease each other until they all turned crimson.

"Hiiragizawa-kun?"

Eriol turned. In a cream coloured dress that buttoned at the neck and revealed her shoulders alongside a skirt which flared at the hips that flowed downwards to whirl softly around her knees, Daidouji Tomoyo smiled at him.

Five years had been all it took to transform a beautiful young girl into the radiant young woman now standing before him. Tomoyo had allowed her fringe, once kept neatly cut, to grow and be a part of the rest of her hair. Twin long strands, curled as always near the end, framed the young lady's face. Peach coloured lip gloss and some powder dusted lightly across her face was all she wore.

Eriol smiled. "Yes?"

"Is anything wrong?"

"No, nothing."

She smiled amusedly. "Then why are you just standing there in one corner?"

"Because I don't think I want to get in between Li-san and Sakura-san's brother at the moment. Yamazaki-kun has yet to recover from Chiharu-san's latest attempt to end his life and as much as I like Rika-san, Naoko-san and Chiharu-san, I doubt if they would appreciate my intrusion onto their private talk on how to get people to kiss each other under that mistletoe over there," explained Eriol, gesturing to the innocent looking plant hanging in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen.

Tomoyo chuckled. "Don't you think, Hiiragizawa-kun, it would make a wonderful scene to see a prince and princess share a kiss under the mistletoe?"

Eriol grinned, knowing exactly where this was going. "Indeed, it would be a memorable scene."

"But currently, there aren't any movies with that, are there?"

"Not that I know of. Perhaps, we can make one of our own…?" prompted Eriol, brimming with interested innocence.

Tomoyo grinned widely. "Let's see… we have a prince. We have a princess. We have the mistletoe." The pair of violet eyes sparkled. "What we need now…"

"Is an opportunity," finished Eriol, his grin turning into a smile that most people would deem suspicious. "And if I'm not mistaken, Daidouji-san, you are excellent at creating opportunities."

Tomoyo shook her head. "Actually, I'm more suited to recording the opportunity. But if my memory serves, Hiiragizawa-kun, you are brilliant at directing scenes."

The sparkle in her violet eyes made him chuckle softly. "On the contrary, I'm more adept at watching the scenes being played out."

Tomoyo sighed as she looked mournfully at her camcorder. "Well, if we have only the actors, cameraman and the audience, who shall direct the scene?"

The look on her face as she gave him a small grin was enough to make him laugh once more. "Well… since I can't be mistaken and your memory is working well… might I suggest we be joint directors on this project?"

She nodded with a smile. "Any ideas?"

"As a matter of fact…" Eriol grinned as he eyed Syaoran hovering by the punch bowl and Sakura talking with Chiharu by the Christmas tree. "A very old, tried and true idea."

Tomoyo's violet eyes sparkled again. "Tried and true sounds perfect."

"Wave into the camera, Li-kun!"

Syaoran looked up and scowled at the camera lens. "Daidouji, don't you ever take a rest?"

The girl grinned. "Come on, Li-kun. This is a memorable occasion! Won't you do it for Sakura?"

"What does Sakura have to do with this?"

"Well, I'mgoing to make a copy to give to her. It's her party after all," answered Tomoyo with a smile.

The scowl instantly dissipated into a slightly pained look. "Do I really have to wave?"

"Well, what about a shot of you just smiling for once?"

"…I guess…" His lips stretched into a smile. "Okay?"

Tomoyo had to grin in anticipation. "A little longer, Li-kun. And could you move back a little? I want to catch another different angle of you… just a little more… little more… little more…"

"Daidouji, just how far am I supposed to-"

His back bumped into another person. Syaoran turned.

"Perfect!" called out Tomoyo with an unrestrained happy grin as Sakura and Syaoran wore exact matching expressions of surprise. Now, she pressed the on button. "That's the angle!"

Eriol slipped out of the kitchen and stood beside Tomoyo. He grinned at them. "You know what this calls for, don't you?"

Syaoran glared at him. "Hiiragizawa, if this is some kind of sick joke-"

A sudden squeal from Naoko interrupted Syaoran's threat. "You're under the mistletoe!! Waaaiii!!"

Sakura and Syaoran stared at her. Then at each other. Then upwards.

And realization hit them like a train going at 130 mph hits a large brick wall in the middle of the tracks.

They'd been set up.

"Daidouji!!" roared Syaoran.

"Eriol-kun!!" cried Sakura.

As Yamazaki wolf whistled, Rika and Chiharu cheered Sakura on. Fujitaka and Yukito each took one of Touya's arms and dragged him away from the kitchen doorway.

"So help me, if he kisses her, I'm gonna make sure he's got no lips left to kiss anyone else," growled Touya as he struggled against his father and friend.

Yukito sweat dropped. "Touya, you accepted Syaoran as her sort-of boyfriend some time ago…"

"It still doesn't mean I have to accept the fact that that TWERP is about to kiss my little sister!"

Fujitaka smiled helplessly, wondering what on earth his wife would do.

Encourage Sakura, he knew with a sweat drop.

Tomoyo chuckled at the colour her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend was turning. "Maa, Sakura-chan! Go ahead! There's no one else here but your friends!"

"And a camcorder to record it all for your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren…" added Eriol with a grin.

"Eriol-kun!! Tomoyo-chaan!!" wailed Sakura in exasperation and embarrassment again. Syaoran's skin colour turned even redder, which was saying something since he was starting to look like someone had dunked his face in ketchup.

"Kissu! Kissu! Kissu!" chanted Naoko and Chiharu together. Rika just fell onto a chair, laughing. Yamazaki was sniggering uncontrollably.

"And you better hurry up," said Eriol as nonchalantly as he could without rupturing a gut from trying not to laugh. "There's only one minute left till eleven. And we all have to return home by then."

Syaoran fidgeted as Sakura tugged on her fingers, both not looking at each other.

"Fifty seconds…"

"Ano…"

Sakura looked up, heart beating so hard, one almost expected to see a heart pumping through the fabric of her dress.

"Forty…"

"You…" Syaoran gulped. "You don't mind…"

"Thirty…"

Sakura shook her head vigorously.

"Twenty …"

Syaoran started to lean in, gulping again with his own heart trying to bore a hole through his ribcage.

"Ten …!"

Sakura, face as red as her dress, closed her eyes.

"Three… two…!"

Syaoran's lips brushed against Sakura's.

"One!" cheered Naoko, Rika, Chiharu, Yamazaki, Tomoyo and Eriol.

The two jumped apart and Sakura was swamped by her girlfriends while dazed Syaoran was being shaken by the hand by Yamazaki, Eriol and Yukito. Touya had turned away at the last minute, determined not to see the innocence of his little 'kaijuu' sister be taken away by some… twerp.

They all spent the next half hour picking out their presents and renewing their vow to Sakura not to open their presents until the morning of the 25th. With fond goodbyes and promises to get together again on Christmas day itself, everyone left the Kinomoto residence. Terada-sensei who had come to pick up Rika offered Naoko a lift home. Chiharu and Yamazaki walked each other back to their homes and Tomoyo stuck around long enough to see Syaoran give Sakura another tentative kiss but on her cheek this time before he left. However, this time she let him off and her camcorder remained switched off.

"Shall I walk you home, Daidouji-san so your mother will not worry?"

Pulling on her coat, she turned and smiled gratefully at the blue eyes that crinkled with a smile behind his glasses. "Thank you, Hiiragizawa-kun. That's very kind of you."

Bidding Sakura goodnight, they both took their leave and started to head home, each one carrying their presents.

As he walked along the snowy paths, Eriol smiled. "Do you think you could make me a copy of that tape?"

Tomoyo chuckled. "Of course. I have a feeling Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun would love it."

He grinned. "Ruby perhaps. Spinel may just call it indulging in foolishness."

"Still, it was nice working with you, Hiiragizawa-kun." She smiled.

"We should do this more often," said Eriol, glancing at her. "It seems as though our efforts have a better result when we co-operate."

Tomoyo nodded with a chuckle. "I'll never forget Li-kun's face for as long as I live."

Eriol laughed. "It's amazing how many types of expressions my descendant can produce with one single emotion: embarrassment."

"But my, how wide Sakura's smile was after that," commented Tomoyo with a wide grin.

"I think Li-san was fighting a grin."

Tomoyo laughed. "It seems that way considering how he was biting on his bottom lip so much."

The friendly conversation continued on with chuckling and grinning until they reached the Daidouji home. At the end of the driveway, Tomoyo insisted she could see herself in.

"Thank you again, Hiiragizawa-kun. I'll see you at Sakura's on the 25th?"

He smiled warmly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Goodnight, Daidouji-san."

Tomoyo nodded, smiling at him. "Goodnight."

Eriol stayed there, watching her go up the driveway. As she got to the front door, she turned slightly. With a grin, he waved and she too waved before the door opened and she slipped inside.

Then only did Eriol continue wending his way home, a smile on his face.

"You left a present behind, Eriol-sama!!" cried Nakuru as soon as he stepped into the door. "I can't believe you would be so careless!"

Spinel flew into view with an eyebrow raised. "Ruby won't believe me when I say you left it behind on purpose."

Eriol hung up his coat on a coat rack and smiled. "I didn't forget, Ruby."

"What?! You purposely SNUBBED somebody?! On Christmas?!"

"No, Ruby," answered her master, heading into his library, both of his guardians trailing after. "I didn't snub anyone."

The already puzzled brunette was truly befuddled. "Then…" She raised her hand. "Why'd you leave this behind? You told us it was a present."

Eriol smiled as he gingerly took the gift from Nakuru's hand. "Because it's not finished yet."

Spinel smirked. "I'm guessing this is going to take a while considering how long you've spent making and refining that. To be honest, Eriol-sama, the recipient wouldn't be as picky as you."

Eriol merely smiled as he sat by his desk, eyes still on the present in his hand. "Actually, Spinel, this won't take long. I know exactly how to finish this up."

Nakuru and Spinel exchanged looks then had to smile at the expression on their master's face.

"Well, whatever it is, Eriol-sama, I hope it's worth it."

Hope mingled with slight apprehension in his blue eyes. "I hope so as well."

The next day found Daidouji Tomoyo in a very strange routine.

She was up and awake at six, three hours before school began. After washing up and a quick breakfast, made by herself since the cook hadn't expected the young mistress to wake up until about seven, she'd gone back up to her room and locked herself inside. Then, she emerged, stretching and yawning, and headed off for school at half past eight.

When she came back home at around half past four, she immediately holed herself up in her room, not to be seen again until about six in the evening. This time, she came out to tell Tora, the head butler, that her mother would be home late and to prepare dinner for one. Tora duly noted the information and the young mistress of the Daidouji household went back into her room again.

At about half past seven, dinner was ready. Tomoyo came out and ate her dinner at a leisurely pace and a smile on her face. After finishing dinner, she called the head butler over.

"Tora-san."

"Yes, Tomoyo-sama?"

She smiled at the old butler. "I've to run a short errand. Would you tell Shiro to bring the car around in five minutes?"

"Of course, Tomoyo-sama."

"Suppi-chan, have you seen Eriol-sama?"

"Who's Suppi-chan?" snapped the guardian automatically.

"C'mon, Suppi-chan! Where is he?"

Spinel sighed but didn't look up from his book. "He's gone out."

"Where to?"

"Where else? To deliver his present," remarked Spinel dryly.

Nakuru grinned. "You go, Eriol-sama," she muttered.

Tomoyo sat in the backseat of the Mercedes-Benz, eyes fixed on the small wrapped package sitting on her lap with some nervousness. The chubby teddy bears wearing Santa hats smiled back at her from the wrapping paper alongside the white ribbon tied around it.

She knew it wasn't much but it was something she thought the receiver would like. At least, she hoped it would be liked. After all, it was the thought that counted, right?

Shiro, the chauffeur's voice jolted her from her thoughts. "We're here, Tomoyo-sama."

She looked up and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Shiro. I won't be long."

Shiro nodded with a grin. "Good luck, Tomoyo-sama."

A slight red blossomed across her cheeks. "Thank you."

Getting out of the car, she shut the door and walked up the driveway. Stopping at the front door, Tomoyo took in a deep breath and then rang the doorbell. A few moments passed by before someone opened the door.

A black panther with blue butterfly wings looked up at her, slight surprise quickly covered by a polite query.

"Good evening, Tomoyo-san. What brings you here?"

She blinked then remembered her own manners. "I came to see Hiiragizawa-kun. Is he in?"

Spinel's sharp eyes had caught the wrapped box in Tomoyo's hands and they gleamed. "I'm afraid that Eriol-sama's out…" He said slowly. "Would you like to come in and wait?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't. I was only going to spend a minute here…" Tomoyo smiled and handed her present to Spinel. "Would you put Hiiragizawa's gift under your Christmas tree? And… please don't tell Hiiragizawa-kun I was here."

The panther nodded and took it delicately between his jaws. Putting it between his front paws, he looked up again. "If I may ask, Tomoyo-san, why didn't you bring it to Sakura-san's party yesterday?"

Tomoyo smiled. "I didn't finish it till today. Well, I had better be going…" She was about to turn away when her curiousity got the better of her. "Spinel-san, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Why am I in full form?"

She nodded. Spinel smirked. "Let's just say it's an early Christmas gift."

Tomoyo chuckled. "Merry Christmas, Spinel-san."

"Merry Christmas, Tomoyo-san." Taking the present in between his jaws again, Spinel headed inside and shut the door once more. Padding over to the Christmas tree, he placed Tomoyo's present beneath some other packages so Eriol-sama would have a surprise waiting for him tomorrow morning.

"Who was at the door, Suppi-chan?"

"Who's Suppi-chan?!"

"You are, of course! Now who was at the door?"

"How many times do I have to drive it into your thick, brainless skull that my name's NOT Suppi-chan! Good grief, it's like all you ever think about is clothes, dating and more clothes till you have no brains left."

Nakuru gasped in indignation. "How DARE you, Suppi-chan! That's it! I'm gonna pour chocolate syrup and sugar down your throat!!"

As Spinel hurried to lock himself in the attic where Nakuru couldn't get him, he shook his head.

The things I go through for Eriol-sama…

Tora-san strode over to the door as the chimes of the doorbell echoed through the living room.

"Yes?" He posed to the tall young man standing before him. He looked about Tomoyo-sama's age.

He smiled. "I came to see Daidouji Tomoyo. Is she here?"

"I'm afraid the young mistress is out. Would you like to wait for her inside?"

"…no thank you. In fact, please don't mention that I came."

Tora didn't bat an eyelid as was a butler's conduct. "Very well sir."

"Oh, would you do me one favour?" The young man pulled out a dark blue wrapped box with a silver ribbon. "Would you please put this under the Christmas tree for Daidouji-san?"

Now, Tora blinked. Nevertheless, he took the present with care. "I will."

The visitor nodded with a smile. "Thank you. Merry Christmas."

"… Merry Christmas."

The old butler shut the door quietly and looked at the present in his gloved hand. It wasn't ticking, that much was a comfort.

Tora suddenly was struck with an idea and a small smile appeared on his face. Going over to the living room where the six and a half foot Christmas tree stood, he stooped and gingerly placed the present amongst the others. Straightening, Tora decided that he would do that young man a favour and keep silent.

At least until Tomoyo-sama asked.

Christmas Day dawned pleasant and bright. And in Tomoeda, a certain group of friends were finally able to open their presents. They would get together a bit later but right now, they had gifts to unwrap.

In the Hiiragizawa home, Eriol was just chuckling at the sight Spinel made with Nakuru's gift of a Santa outfit when he espied some chubby teddy bears wearing the same hat on one last present underneath the tree. Raising an eyebrow, he took it, trying to remember who gave it to him.

"…Ruby? Spinel? Is this from either of you?"

Nakuru looked up, giggling at the sight of Spinel. "Nope, not from me, Eriol-sama!"

Eriol frowned and looked back at the present again. There was no label and he didn't remember this in the presents he'd gotten from the rest at Sakura's party.

With a growl, Spinel tossed the hat off him and looked up. The sun guardian smirked.

"What is it, Eriol-sama?"

"…I can't remember who this is from. Very odd."

"No, I mean, what's the present."

"Oh, right…" Eriol untied the ribbon and gently undid the paper. Opening up the box, his eyes blinked in surprise.

He lifted up a navy blue scarf, knitted out of thick, warm wool. It had been dotted with small dots here and there, as if the maker had wanted to recreate stars in the night sky in wool.

Nakuru tilted her head. "Looks warm! Try it on, Eriol-sama!"

Eriol duly wrapped the scarf around his neck, leaving one end to hang over his shoulder. He ran his fingers across the wool and spoke after a few minutes of silent contemplation.

"It's very fine workmanship. A lot of time must have gone into it." His words were slow, as if he were thinking about something.

"It looks handmade," commented Spinel with a smile.

Eriol looked up with a smile of his own. "Spinel…"

The panther said nothing but fixed his master with a look. "Eriol-sama, my paws are not meant for knitting."

"You know that's not what I mean."

Nakuru looked back and forth between them. "What the… what are you two talking about?"

"In any case, I suggest you wear it to Sakura-san's house today, Eriol-sama. It looks quite chilly out there." Without another word, Spinel picked up the book he had received from Eriol as his gift and left the room.

Nakuru stared after the guardian. "Eriol-sama, I think Suppi-chan's just snapped."

Eriol just chuckled as he removed the scarf from his neck. He looked at the item and smiled widely.

"Merry Christmas, kaasan."

"Merry Christmas, Tomoyo."

Mother and daughter hugged once more before Sonomi left for work with a smile. They had spent about two hours of the morning sitting by the Christmas tree, picking out presents for their servants and for themselves.

Tomoyo saw her mother to the door before she returned to collect her presents. She decided to wear the jacket Rika had gotten her to the party later and the pair of gloves from Yamazaki. And naturally, she'd bring along the lovely bag from Sakura. She glanced at the bracelet encircling her wrist and smiled. As always, Sonomi had impeccable taste but to Tomoyo, that two hours spent laughing and joking with her mother was a gift itself.

"Tomoyo-sama."

She turned and smiled. "Yes, Tora-san?"

"I believe this is yours." The butler handed her a present she had missed.

Tomoyo blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Tora-san. You didn't have to get me anything…"

The butler shook his head with a smile. "I'm afraid this one isn't from me, Tomoyo-sama."

"Not from you?" repeated Tomoyo in puzzlement as she examined the package for any labelling. There was none. She looked up again. "Do you know who is it from then?"

Tora shook his head. "Perhaps if you open it, you might get a clue as to who it is."

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow. "Tora-san… are you sure you don't know who this is from?"

"No, Tomoyo-sama." The butler excused himself to carry on with his duties and to chuckle to himself in relative safety. It was true he had no idea who it was from. He just knew it was a young man with no name.

Back in the living room, Tomoyo had settled on an armchair and untied the silver ribbon. Unwrapping the dark blue paper with swirling paler blue lines and four pointed stars printed on it, a darker blue velvet box was revealed. The heiress to the Daidouji slowly opened it up.

There, on a light blue satin cushion was a simple necklace. On a long, delicate silver chain was a pendant made of frosted crystal in the shape of a heart.

What made Tomoyo gasp slightly was the fact that the pendant was glowing with a pale light.

She didn't know how that was possible but it was simply exquisite. And exquisite was something that featured in someone she knew very well.

Tomoyo split into a wide smile as she gently touched the heart.

They met a few feet away from the Kinomoto house at around one in the afternoon.

The two paused with a distance of at least three feet between them, quietly looking at each other.

Before breaking into smiles.

Eriol crossed the space between them. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," replied Tomoyo with a smile. "How are Ruby-san and Spinel-san?"

"Jolly. How is your mother?"

"Working. But she's happy."

Eriol nodded as his gloved hands fingered the dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck. "Did you know, Daidouji-san, I received an anonymous present?"

"Really?"

He nodded again. "This scarf. It's very well made. You can tell a lot of heart and thought went into it."

Tomoyo smiled. Widely. "It looks nice on you."

"I know. I like it." He smiled.

"…I received an anonymous present as well," said Tomoyo as her gloved fingers felt the heart pendant that settled around her throat.

"Oh?"

She nodded. "This necklace. It's very beautiful. I just wonder how the pendant glows like that."

Eriol smiled enigmatically. "It suits you."

She smiled. "Thank you. I love it."

The blue eyed boy grinned. Then had to chuckle at the entire conversation. Tomoyo, knowing just what he was laughing at broke out into giggles alongside him. Soon, both were laughing outside Sakura's house in the snow like a pair of nutcases.

Both Tomoyo and Eriol calmed down soon enough to discover that they were practically in each other's arms, holding one another up in order not to fall onto the snow.

She turned slightly red as she tried to make her arms let go of him, failed and didn't care. "Truthfully, the necklace is wonderful."

"And honestly, the scarf is brilliant." Eriol chuckled as he tried to find another excuse for letting her go, failed and didn't care either.

Some silence passed by as they smiled at each other, suddenly needing no words to express what had been growing in their hearts for a long while now.

As he watched her smile at him, a strange feeling of faith and daring filled Eriol's heart. Tentatively, he brushed away some loose strands of dark gray hair from her eyes.

"…may I?"

She trembled slightly even if she was warm in her coat. But with a smile, nodded.

Eriol bent his head and kissed her on her lips.

He drew away half a minute later, thinking it impolite to kiss someone for too long even if all you wanted to do was make sure your lips were fastened to the others' until they couldn't breathe.

Eriol was pleasantly surprised to find that Tomoyo didn't think it at all impolite as she guided his face downwards again to try this whole 'kissing in the snow' thing again. About one second later, anything to do with the rest of the world was tossed out both of their brains since the kiss was overriding everything.

And from the window of the Kinomoto house, six friends laughed and squealed in sheer delight at the scene going on in the front of Sakura's house.

"No one here but friends!" cheered Sakura with glee.

Syaoran snickered from behind Fujitaka's camcorder. "And a camcorder to record it all for your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren…"

End.

A/N: Dedicated to Imaginator, Alex the 77th, Wen Li, Chia Wen and all of you Card Captor Sakura fans. (smile)

A/N II: "Love & Faith" because of the love between the eight friends and the love between Eriol and Tomoyo. Faith that the other loves you back and vice versa.

A/N III: Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!