Disclaimer: I don't own CCS

Chapter 3

Christmas Day

Tomoyo served their latest guest his tea. Careful not to make any contact with him, she rushed out of the room and called her mother. Sonomi came into the room and her jaw dropped to the floor. "Get out of my house," Sonomi growled.

Tomoyo's father set down his tea, "I came back to talk with you."

"Where's your Barbie doll?" Tomoyo demanded.

Romel gave Tomoyo an angry look, which made her flinch. "Mom, Eriol's coming soon. Don't let dad come near us," Tomoyo gave him one last glare and left.

…Sakura's house…

Sakura shielded her eyes against the light then hit her alarm clock's snooze button. She shot out of bed and ran downstairs, "Merry Christmas squirt," Touya smirked.

Sakura ran to the Christmas tree and opened all her gifts. She got a ton of clothes, books, and she finally got a brand new schoolbag. She stopped unwrapping gifts, leaving the pink-wrapped gift from Syaoran unopened.

…Daidouji Manor…

Eriol brought Tomoyo up to her bedroom, 'What does he have to tell me that he can't tell me downstairs?' Eriol wondered, 'But then again, I wouldn't want my parents anywhere near us.' They entered Tomoyo's room, and she closed the door. Tomoyo sat down on her bed and waited. Eriol opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. "What is it Eriol?" Tomoyo asked eagerly.

Eriol came closer to her and kneeled down on one knee. "What are you doing?" Tomoyo looked down at him questioningly.

Eriol dug in his pocket and pulled out a ring case. "Oh my God," she gasped.

He opened the case revealing the ring he bought at the jewellery shop. "Will you marry me?" Eriol asked, already knowing the answer.

Tomoyo grabbed him and kissed him contentedly. 'Thanks Kaho,' Eriol thought, for she was the one who told him about this. Tomoyo rested her head on his shoulder, and he felt her tears seeping through his shirt. This was definitely the best Christmas that Tomoyo ever had. Sonomi's voice travelled up the stairs asking her to come down. Tomoyo wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and followed Sonomi's request. Eriol followed her downstairs. Tomoyo walked up to Sonomi and Romel. Eriol noticed their hands were locked. "Honey, we're now a complete family for Christmas," Sonomi beamed.

'I can't believe she took him back!' Tomoyo's thoughts screeched, but she put on a smile, 'Well, well mother. I hate dad, and you hate Eriol. We're going to make a happy family.' "That's great!" Tomoyo did a good job pretending to be happy.

"Who gave you that beautiful ring?" Sonomi asked.

"Eriol," Tomoyo's spirits rose.

Her mother was actually paying attention to her! "It makes a lovely Christmas ring," her father tapped the amethyst.

Tomoyo then knew that she had to tell them the truth, "It'sactuallyanengagementring," she mumbled rapidly.

"I beg your pardon," Sonomi tilted her head.

"She said that it's actually and engagement ring," Eriol answered.

"Oh, honey I'm so happy for you!" her father immediately hugged Tomoyo, "Who's the lucky man?"

Tomoyo looked over her shoulder to Eriol. 'By the look of Sonomi's glare, I'm in trouble. Christmas morning is such a lovely time to die,' Eriol thought to himself.

…Syaoran's apartment…

Sakura opened her gift from Syaoran, and he opened the one from Sakura. They had promised to open each other's gifts together. Sakura gasped once she saw the necklace. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!" she squealed.

She placed a kiss on his lips. The phone rang and Syaoran unwillingly broke the kiss. He picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Syaoran, turn on your TV to the news channel," Tomoyo sounded like she was crying.

Syaoran grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. "Terrible news in the modelling industry. On Christmas Eve, rising star Meilin Li was assassinated at a Christmas party in Hong Kong, along with family member, Yelan Li," the news reporter stated.

Tears were flowing from Sakura's eyes. She had so many memories with Meilin, and knowing that she wouldn't have anymore with her made more tears come. Syaoran hung up the phone and stormed out of the apartment.

…Daidouji Manor…

Tomoyo was recovering from crying in Eriol's arms. "I can't believe she's gone," Tomoyo cried.

"It's okay," Eriol wiped the tears from her face.

"Isn't there any way of fixing this?" Tomoyo asked.

"No, it isn't-" Eriol stopped. He felt a rush of magic coming from the house, "… possible."

"What's wrong?" Tomoyo looked up at him with bloodshot eyes.

He then felt the magic fade away, "Nothing."

…Outside somewhere…

"Syaoran! Stop walking away from me!" Sakura yelled.

He kept walking, "Go away Sakura."

Sakura grabbed his wrist and made him stop, "I'm not happy with what happened either, but you can't shut everyone out."

Syaoran pulled out his sword and held the blade to Sakura's throat, "Right now, I don't care what you say. I don't care!" he pushed her away and kept walking, "Go away!"

…Daidouji Manor…

Sonomi brought Eriol into the kitchen, and away from Tomoyo. "Go ahead and marry my daughter," Sonomi smiled, "But if you do marry her… I will kill her, and you'll be left all alone."

Eriol's eyebrows went up, "You wouldn't do that to your own daughter."

Sonomi laughed, "My family would have done it to Katoya, if-"

"Eriol! I just heard the good news," Katoya gave him a hug, "I know you're going to make an excellent husband."

Katoya released Eriol, and scowled at Sonomi, "What were you saying?"

"Um, nothing," Sonomi smiled innocently.

Eriol stared at the two sisters, 'This family is psychotic.'

…In the other room…

Tomoyo sat down staring at the ring on her finger. 'I can't wait to marry him,' Tomoyo smiled, 'Now I know that he won't leave me ever again.' She was startled when she heard the kitchen door slam. Katoya glided into the room, "Tomoyo! Here's my gift to you," she handed Tomoyo a brightly wrapped gift.

Tomoyo neatly unwrapped the gift, and found a beautiful necklace with a silver heart on it. "Thank you Aunt Katoya," Tomoyo gave her aunt a hug.

Sonomi entered the room, followed by Eriol. "Tomoyo, did you invite your friends to the party tonight?" Sonomi asked.

"Oh, I forgot!" Tomoyo gasped, "Can you come Eriol?"

Eriol gave a Cheshire cat grin and nodded his head. "Come on," she grabbed Eriol's hand, "We have to go to Sakura's house."

…At Sakura's house…

Tomoyo and Eriol were about to enter Sakura's room when they heard her screaming at Kero. "What do you mean it's gone?" Sakura shouted.

"I don't know! The last time I checked the pile was on Christmas Eve," Kero shouted back.

"How could the Shot card go missing?" Sakura yelled.