Author's Notes: I'm so sorry I didn't update earlier but I had to finish another chapter of my other fic. I promise that I will try my best to update more often considering that I plan to finish this by the end of June. The flashbacks from episode 5 and 6 and from the previous chapter were inevitable. You will remember that episode 5 and 6 pertains to that 'incident three summers ago' and therefore plays a big role in Nokoru and Suoh's relationship.

Thank you to the people who have reviewed and I hope you will continue to support this story. You have given me the strength to still go on with this.

The translations of the Japanese words I used are at the ending. The flashbacks are italicized.

Disclaimers: CLAMP Gakuen Tanteidan does not belong to me. Only the story line is mine.

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Until When

Chapter Six

"Your kohai [1] is quite impressive. I seemed to have underestimated him," the redhead woman said, smiling. "However, the real professionals are coming. It's better to give up now, boy."

"Giving up is not in my vocabulary," Nokoru said behind him.

He heard the blonde's footsteps come closer. He had to admire how calm Nokoru still sounded despite the fact that they were surrounded by professional killers and kidnappers.

"Besides, I have a strong ally with me," the blonde added, latching his hand on Suoh's arm.

The ninja's golden eyes widened at the gesture, a blush creeping up on his cheeks.

"Takamura-kun," Nokoru whispered. "You're not afraid of the dark, are you?"

"Takamura-san? Daijoubu desu ka? [2]" asked the lavender-haired girl beside him. "You seem so spaced out tonight."

Suoh had to blink once or twice before he got out of his reverie. He then let out a small smile to assure his girlfriend.

"Gomen nasai [3], Nagisa-san," he said. "Daijoubu desu. [4]"

Nagisa returned his smile before turning her gaze back towards the scenery surrounding them. That's right, Suoh remembered. He was out with Nagisa on a park near the restaurant where they had eaten earlier that evening.

"It's really dark when there's no moon, na Takamura-san?" Nagisa said, wanting to break the ice.

"Takamura-kun, you're not afraid of the dark, are you?"

"Takamura-san?"

Golden eyes blinked once again, focusing, only to see Nagisa's concerned face.

"Hontou ni daijoubu desu ka? [5]"

He closed eyes and sighed. There was no point in staying with Nagisa that evening if his thoughts were on someone else.

"Gomen nasai, Nagisa-san. I'm just tired today. Is it alright if we end the evening early?"

There was something wrong with her boyfriend, she was not blind to see that. Ever since that day he went home after that vacation with only the members of the tanteidan, Suoh had been very different. He was always staring out in space; always occupied with his own thoughts. She wanted to know what the matter was but thought it best to just wait until the ninja wanted to open up.

She smiled. "I understand. Let's head home."

But until when will she wait?

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(Suoh's POV)

I sighed for what seemed like the nth time that night.

Something was really wrong with me. Sighing wasn't my style. But ever since that night, I couldn't help but sigh for there was nothing I could do but that.

Especially when I was around Kaichou.

It had never been like that between Kaichou and me. It was like the air between us was strained.

When Kaichou and I were together, even working was fun. His mere presence was comfortable; it felt like sunshine.

"Takamura-kun, you're not afraid of the dark, are you?"

A smile escaped my lips as the memory of that day came into my mind again. I could remember how his voice sounded so confident and how I admired that in him even until now. He was calm and I could even hear the smile in his voice. He trusted me so much in the short expanse of time that he has known me, saying that he has a strong ally with him.

And then he latched his hand on my arm.

He felt warm, I can remember. He was smiling as if he wasn't afraid of the twenty or so people surrounding us.

And I blushed.

Being physically close to someone was something new to me and the fact that I barely knew Kaichou that time weighed greatly. But something told me that the blush didn't only concern that nor had little to do with that for that matter. There was something about Kaichou himself.

Kaichou's touch was warm.

He almost felt like sunshine.

"Takamura-kun, you're not afraid of the dark, are you?"

Afraid of the dark? How could a trained ninja be afraid of the dark?

But at that particular moment, that wasn't the thought that had entered my mind.

How could I be afraid of the dark when the sun was beside me, basking me in its warm glow?

Until now, I have not resolved the real reason why I blushed but deep inside me, I knew needn't be bothered. It almost seemed like Kaichou's place near me was meant to be.

It felt right.

"Forgive me, Takamura-kun. I promise to keep my distance from you in the future."

I shook my head and smiled. "Iie [6]. I will stay by your side. You may be the one I was destined to meet. I'll always stay by your side and protect you."

Imonoyama-sempai's eyes widened slightly at my proclamation. Then he smiled.

"Ah."

Yes. Everything was right.

When Kaichou was around, everything felt right. Even if everything had gone wrong, he would just smile and everything would be all right again.

It would only take just one smile.

But now, the smile was gone.

Ever since that day, the student council had been silent. There was no laughter, no jokes, no lame excuses to get out of work. He would just sit in his chair and review the files and sign them. He did everything as if he was a robot. And after signing everything, he would walk out of the room and leave without even a word to Ijyuin and me.

It was as if, there was a solar eclipse.

Imonoyama Nokoru, the sun of the whole CLAMP Gakuen, was in the dark.

I missed the sun. It felt so cold without him giving off warmth to everyone without a second thought. He would give his services free of charge, no matter what the cost was.

He was every woman's knight in shining armor.

And I was the knight's sole protector.

While he swore to protect all the ladies in the world, I swore to protect him with all my being. I swore to protect him from everything even at the cost of my life.

But I had failed.

"Then tell me, Suoh. Can you protect me from loving you?"

All this time, he loved me. All this time, he just gazed from afar why I slipped away from his hands. All this time, he just smiled and encouraged my relationship with Nagisa-san, not minding if his heart was breaking every single second that I spent with her. All this time, he never said anything.

And all this time, I never knew.

How could I have been so blind as not to see the pain in his eyes? How could I have been so insensitive as not to feel how hurt he has been? How could I have been so stupid not to see pass his mask of smiles?

I have failed my one.

"But who is your One, sempai?"

"Imonoyama Nokoru," I stated clearly.

"What does it mean that Kaichou is your One? What does it mean that someone is your One?

I blinked. Why is Ijyuin asking me this all of a sudden?

"You know the answer to that question, Ijyuin."

He looked straight into my eyes, determination burning within those gray depths. "I want to hear it from you, sempai."

Stubborn as Kaichou as ever.

"My one is more than someone I protect. Me one is someone I can give my life for, my one is someone I am willing to give my whole being to."

Ijyuin suddenly stood up from the bed and walked pass me, towards the door. But then before he opened it, he stopped and glanced my way.

"Your whole being? Then that includes your heart?"

I nodded.

"But where is your heart, Takamura-sempai?"

Indeed, where was my heart?

Two images flashed before my mind: Kaichou and Nagisa-san.

Kaichou was like the day, sunny and bright. He was warm. He gave you this feeling of wanting to live. He gave you something to smile about even when the rain was pouring.

Kaichou knew when to make me laugh. He knew when to stay silent and just walk beside me. He knew when to push and when to wait for me to just tell him. He never made me feel like a bodyguard. He wanted me to just be an ordinary boy, a friend. He saw me not as Takamura Suoh, the ninja. He saw me as Suoh, his friend.

And somehow, he knew that it was what I wanted all along.

But sometimes, he could just be a pain in the neck especially when he neglects his work.

Nagisa-san, on the other hand, was like the night, mysterious and calm. She gave you this feeling of wanting to sit back and relax. There was a sense of comfort in those mysterious depths.

She was always silent as if she was content on just being by my side. She never pushed me to do anything. She was just there, to be with me to appreciate the beauty that surrounded us.

Nagisa-san was fragile. She was like a fairy that needed to be cradled with utmost care. And sometimes, I felt that I had to be strong for her. For if I was not, she would break.

However with her, I don't need words. I could just sit beside her and it would be alright.

But still, the question remained. Who had my heart?

I closed my eyes. Indeed, who weighed more?

I shook my head. What a dumb question!

I loved Nagisa-san. And my heart belonged to her.

Yeah. That's right.

Kaichou has a place in my heart because he was my first friend and because he's my one. And although I do feel guilty of not being capable of offering my whole self to him, I know he will understand.

Yes. He will.

And the moment he does, this guilt in me will vanish.

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But somewhere deep in his mind, Suoh knew that he wasn't being completely honest with himself.

For he knew that the guilt in his heart had nothing to do with not being able to offer his whole being to his One.

It went beyond that.

Tsuzuku…

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Translations:

[1] Junior

[2] Are you alright?

[3] I'm sorry.

[4] I'm alright.

[5] Are you really alright?

[6] No.