Tied By Fate
By: pnaixrose
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or its characters.
Chapter 15: Decisions
A certain Chinese boy grumbled as he cleaned the chalkboard in front of the room with a wet rag. It was his turn to have the morning clean up duty at school today. Usually, he wouldn't have minded getting up early. Actually, most of the time he was an early bird. But today, the boy wasn't in the best of moods. That phone call from his sisters and Meiling had soured his mood. It would take forever before he would be able to be content again. And that wasn't even the end of it.
There was still that image he had gotten last night. Sakura was thinking about the person she loved again. Something had come up yesterday. Otherwise, she wouldn't be thinking about Tsukishiro again. After all, when was the last time she had mentioned him?
Syaoran's spirits sank. He just remembered that she had been talking about Tsukishiro yesterday afternoon at lunch.
She probably spent all her time thinking about that damn bastard.
A large splash was heard as he threw the wet rag into the bucket full of water next to him. He had thrown it so hard that it caused most of the water to splash everywhere.
He sighed deeply and began muttering curses in Chinese. Well today was starting out to be a great day, wasn't it? Where was the damn person who was supposed to help him out this morning? Syaoran hoped that the person would come soon. Otherwise he'd probably somehow break the windows.
Still cussing, he grabbed a roll of paper towels and mopped up the mess. "Dammit, Sakura," he muttered, his eyes cast downward, "Why are you doing this to me?"
He heard the door slide open and looked up expectantly. It was probably the person who would help him with the clean up. A girl with long dark hair entered. "Daidouji?"
Tomoyo smiled as she spotted the other teen. "Ohayou, Li-kun," she replied apologetically. "I'm sorry I didn't arrive earlier. My mother is on the leave again today. She's off to England and I wanted to say goodbye before she left."
"It's fine, Daidouji. Glad you're here."
She looked perplexed as she realized what Syaoran was doing in the first place. Wasn't he supposed to be cleaning up, not messing the room up? She grabbed a roll of paper towels and assisted him. "What happened?"
"Nothing. It's nothing," Syaoran answered grumpily. "I just got a little out of control."
"Why's that?"
The stubborn teen simply shrugged his shoulders. "Forget about it. It's not important."
"Are you sure?" Tomoyo asked as her worry grew a bit. "You seem pretty upset. If you decide to talk about it, I'm always here, okay?"
He nodded gratefully. "Thanks."
Tomoyo nodded as she gave him a small smile. But she knew something was definitely wrong. Syaoran was just too stubborn to talk about it.
He surely wasn't too stubborn to let out his anger though.
It was midday now and classes were just about finished. Kinomoto Sakura yawned silently as she tried to pay attention to the teacher. But it was just too boring and she was tired. She hadn't been able to sleep last night. She had been too excited about the date tonight.
Just think! A date with Yukito-san!
Sakura sighed in contentment. A date! Her first date!
Well, it technically wasn't exactly a date. After all, she had just asked him to dinner. He probably thought that she just wanted to treat him before he left for London. But that was okay if he thought that. Sakura was just happy to be spending time with him.
Just the thought of him leaving to London for a long time saddened her.
"Li Syaoran," the teacher said, waking Sakura up from her daydream. "Why exactly are you making faces into the air?" The teacher's frown deepened as she looked at Syaoran with an angry expression on her face. Sakura turned to look at Syaoran who was seated two seats away from her. He didn't look so good. His jaw line across his cheek showed and his eyebrows were knit together. He looked...angry? "I hope you aren't daydreaming there, Li-san," the teacher continued. "You know how I feel about people who don't pay attention.
Sakura gulped. Poor Syaoran. She felt guilty now. Just now she had been zoning off and she didn't get into trouble.
"Gomen," she heard the boy reply. The teacher looked satisfied and continued her lesson.
Sakura kept staring at her friend two seats away. He still looked rather upset and angry. Did something happen? Actually, now that she thought about it, Syaoran hadn't been himself all day. He seemed subdued and was really quiet, even quieter than usual. He hadn't even spoken to her.
Sakura grew worried. Something was bothering him and she didn't even notice! Just because he was hiding his emotions from her doesn't mean that she was blind to all the actions he had given that proved he was upset. What kind of friend was she?
She'd ask him after school. She probably won't be able to help him, but maybe he just needs a friend. You never know. Besides, she hated seeing him upset. For some reason...just the thought of him being sad or angry...saddened her.
As soon as the bell rang, Syaoran picked up his books and hurried away into the hallway. He didn't feel like hanging out with his friends today like he usually did. He didn't even feel like talking to them or seeing them. Especially not her. Oh no. He didn't want to even confront Sakura. Hopefully, he'd be out of this stupid school before any of them spot him.
Syaoran walked briskly, not even stopping at his locker to empty his hands of his textbooks. He just couldn't get the thought of Sakura out of his head. All day she has been thinking of that Tsukishiro and it was getting annoying. It was more than annoying. It hurt. It cut deep into his heart.
Is that all she could do? Does she have to think about him all the time? Does she have to feel so much happiness when she thought of him? Couldn't she think of someone else? Maybe like...
"Maybe like me..." he whispered.
He stopped in his tracks as the crowd of students continued to file out the building. He wanted her to notice him. He wanted her to change her mind and choose to love him instead. But being the one she loves the most...that was an impossible dream.
Suddenly he felt a hearty thump on his back and he turned to see who had patted his shoulder. "Oh," he said as he spotted two figures standing behind him. "Hiiragazawa. Daidouji." He expected them to be smiling and to be inviting him to come with them to hang out, but they didn't seem to be so happy like he thought. They looked grim, even upset. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"What's wrong with us?" Eriol replied as he crossed his arms. "What's wrong with you?"
"Li-kun, you've been out of it all day. You've barely talked to us, you've been avoiding us, and just now, you were trying to sneak away," Tomoyo added. "Is something wrong? You can tell us, you know."
"Yeah, we're your friends."
Syaoran gave a grim smile. He was grateful, but he just wanted to get out now. Nothing they could do or say could make him feel better. Besides, what if Sakura came up right now? "Thanks but-"
"No, Syaoran," Eriol interrupted firmly. "Tell us. You always keep in your feelings, even from the one person you know you don't want to keep your feelings from. If you keep in your emotions any longer, you'll explode and do something irrational. Just tell us. Please."
Syaoran knew it was true. Hiiragazawa was always right anyway. That was probably why Syaoran got angry. He knew what his friend had said was the truth, yet he didn't want to tell anyone his feelings. No, that wasn't it. He didn't have the courage to. "Leave me alone, Hiiragazawa," Syaoran replied darkly. "Just stay away. Both of you."
He impolitely turned around without another look and began to walk away.
Eriol sighed and scratched the back of his head. Syaoran was the single, most stubborn person he had ever met. He was stumped. What was wrong with him? Did something happen back home? No. Eriol didn't think that was what was bothering the guy. It was something here, in Japan. Sakura. Something happened with her. Syaoran hadn't been avoiding them, he had been trying to avoid her.
But what had happened? The only thing that would get Syaoran upset was that Sakura had a date with Yukito. But Syaoran didn't know that.
The answer hit him.
"Tomoyo, you didn't tell Syaoran about Sakura and Tsukishiro-san, right?" he asked.
Tomoyo had a worried look in her eyes. "Of course I wouldn't tell him. He'd get really upset." Her amethyst eyes grew wide as the answer struck her too. "You think Li-kun knows? Maybe he had found out because they have that connection."
Eriol nodded. "I was thinking that too, but probably he probably doesn't know all the details. However Sakura-san is really excited about that date. Maybe he just knows that Sakura is thinking about Tsukishiro a lot."
Tomoyo nodded. That was the answer. Li-kun could feel the happiness Sakura felt whenever she thought of Tsukishiro-san.
Poor Li-kun. It was bad enough when Sakura thought about Tsukishiro-san. If he ever found out that they were going to have a date...
She felt an arm gently wrap around her waist.
"Don't worry. He won't find out. We won't tell him," Eriol said. He knew she was upset and he wanted to comfort the girl that was special to him. But he wasn't even sure himself.
Sakura sighed in frustration as she threw numerous articles of clothes on her bedroom floor. Why hadn't she thought of what outfit to wear the night before? She only had two hours before she would meet Yukito at the restaurant and still, she had no outfit!
This couldn't be happening.
"Hoee! I can't find anything to wear!" Sakura yelled frantically, still throwing clothes into a huge pile behind her. "What am I going to do, Kero-chan?"
A muffled voice replied from a shirt she had just thrown and she giggled. Picking the shirt up, she apologized to her guardian that had been buried under it.
Kero glared at her for a second and then sighed as he flew over to the desk. It was much safer than the floor right now. Why the heck was she going all berserk over one guy? "I don't know, Sakura. You should've asked Tomoyo before."
She sighed in response as she paced back and forth in her room. "I know, I know. I totally forgot. And I tried calling her a few minutes ago but no one picked up. Even on her cellphone."
Kero gave a grin. "Then you're screwed." He couldn't help it. The whole thing was simply amusing.
His mistress glared at him and collapsed on top of her bed. "What am I going to do?"
"Well, you can always wear that outfit Tomoyo got you for your birthday. Well actually she got you a lot of outfits but you can wear that green dress with the flowers on the bottom."
He saw her eyes light up and the guardian sighed aloud. She had actually forgotten about it?
Obviously she had. Sakura jumped up from her bed with stars in her eyes. She grabbed the poor Kero and hugged the living daylights out of him. "Arigato, Kero-chan! I forgot all about that!" she exclaimed happily. "I promise you more pudding from now on, okay?"
The stuffed animal fell from her arms dizzily as she rushed into her closet once more. Moving aside some clothes, she finally found it. The green dress with the peonies. She could've cried with joy!
She grabbed it and put it against her body as she surveyed herself in the mirror. It should still fit. If it didn't then she really had to cut down on the junk food. "Thanks again, Kero-chan!" she yelled as she rushed out of her room with the dress. She was probably going into the bathroom to shower and get ready.
Kero plopped on the floor tiredly and sighed. He had nearly been crushed to death!
"Jeez. Why do girls get so excited over boys?" But then he gave a big grin. "At least I get more pudding."
The amber eyed boy was sprawled on the couch switching from channel to channel. His mouth was formed into a thin frown and his eyes were still ablaze with a tint of jealousy. The boy was obviously still annoyed. He just couldn't get the jealousy out from him. That damn Tsukishiro. Why couldn't he just stay in college? Sakura had been doing fine without him. Syaoran had been getting closer to her. But then Tsukishiro just had to show up, didn't he?
It was then that he felt that tingly feeling again.
She was thinking about him.
Syaoran nearly lost his control. He stopped flipping through channels and gripped the remote in his hand so tightly he thought it was going to break. He couldn't help it. The jealousy was getting stronger and stronger because he was building it up inside of him. But he kept his composure and took deep breaths.
He couldn't let his feelings run wild. He couldn't take down that shield that hid his emotions from Sakura.
That would simply be disastrous.
"-Lis' businesses seem to be getting worse."
Syaoran looked up at the television screen as soon as he heard his name. He had stopped flipping through channels and had landed on the news the exact time they were reporting about his family. Coincidence?
"We have tried to speak to the Li sisters about their little brother's disappearance but only one, Li Fenren, answered."
A picture of his sister came to the screen. There was a microphone in front of her and her expression was unusual for her. Syaoran was always used to seeing her all giggly even though she was the most subdued from his sisters. It was weird. No matter what, she always had a smile on her face.
"Where do you think your brother had gone to? Why haven't any of you tried searching for him?" the reporter asked the Li.
Fenren gave a soft but sorrowful smile. "We've heard from him. He's happier there than he would be here and that's a good thing. I don't want to take away his happiness by forcing him to come back."
"But what about your mother?"
Fenren's smile slowly faded and her eyes avoided the camera. "I-I wish he'd come back, if not for the company, but for Mother."
Great. Jealousy and guilt. What a wonderful combination.
Syaoran sighed and pressed the "Power" button to turn the TV off. He'd had enough of this. He needed to get away from this apartment and just relax.
He had to think...about a lot of things.
Sakura hummed happily to herself as she walked through her favorite park. The cherry blossom park. Except now, there weren't as many cherry blossoms as before. But it was still nice to see all the pink.
She was early for once. It was something that rarely happened and she was proud of herself. She had about twenty minutes before she had to get to the restaurant and she was already halfway there because the park was a shortcut. She breathed in the scent of cherry blossoms and immediately thought of her mother.
"Okaa-san."
She missed her mother. She could barely remember the woman everyone loved and adored but she still missed her. It wasn't that she wasn't happy with just her brother and her father but she always wondered how different it would be if her mother was still alive.
"Okaa-san," she whispered quietly. "I'm going on my first date today."
She often talked to her mother, knowing that somewhere, she would be listening. And it often made Sakura feel better and more relaxed. It calmed her nerves this time also and she especially needed it. She was nervous about the date.
Yukito. He was a nice guy. That's why she was so nervous. She just knew she'd make a complete fool out of herself. But she wanted to go. She wanted to tell him how she felt. Besides, Syaoran had told her that if she waited too long, she wouldn't have the opportunity again.
Sakura smiled at the thought of him. Syaoran-kun was such a great friend. She just wished he could do something for him in return. Today, he hadn't been in a good mood. She had been hoping to catch him after school and talk to him but he had left the building before she could even get to the hallway. Maybe he was just tired and needed to rest.
A swift breeze rustled the trees and coldness pierced her skin. It was pretty chilly out. And here she was wearing a thin layered dress with spaghetti straps. Sakura had thought she had everything ready. She had her beautiful dress, her shoes, her hair brushed and pulled into a bun. Oh well. She was bound to forget something.
It was then she felt him. His comforting aura.
She looked around and spotted Syaoran looking sadly at the cherry blossom trees. Looking at him then, her breath caught in her throat. He was wearing an ordinary pair of jeans and a light jacket but for some reason just looking at him made her heart beat faster. Just like all those times before whenever there was an intimate moment between them. But she fiercely shook the thought away. It was probably nothing.
Sakura smiled and walked over to him. He didn't notice her until she had called out her name.
"Syaoran-kun?"
He picked up his head quickly and finally noticed she was there. She had surprised him, especially with that outfit she was wearing. A pale green dress with spaghetti straps hugged her body perfectly and complimented her emerald eyes. Her hair was in a perfect bun. In one hand she held a small black handbag. It was a simple outfit. No makeup, no anything. Yet she looked so...stunning. He couldn't help staring.
Syaoran had a loss of words. "Y-You look...that dress..."
Her smile faded. "Do I look that bad?"
"O-Of course not!" Syaoran persisted. "You look...beautiful."
A blush quickly came to her cheeks. The way he had said that just...made her feel happy. "Thanks. Tomoyo-chan made it for me."
"She did a good job of it. I-I like the peonies..." Syaoran remarked.
"You're favorite flower right?" Sakura said, remembering what Tomoyo had said when she had made it. That Eriol had told her a friend of his from China loved peonies so Tomoyo had gotten the urge to put them on the dress. How ironic that Eriol's friend would be standing in front of her today.
He nodded, wondering how she knew that. "Yeah."
Sakura gave a light chuckle and looked at their surroundings. "You're...here. I took you here, remember? You had just come to Japan and you said you have never seen cherry blossoms."
He nodded. Of course he remembered. That was the exact reason he had come here. "Yeah." It almost seemed surreal to him. Here he was at a beautiful park with the most beautiful woman wearing the most beautiful dress making her look even more beautiful. If this was a dream, it surely was a beautiful dream.
God. He was becoming so pathetic...
She gave him a sweet smile and they both were quiet for a time. It was weird how they always had these quiet moments. Yet for some reason, even if they were tense moments, they wouldn't mind. For Syaoran, it was heaven to just be alone with her.
"Syaoran?"
"Hai?"
Sakura turned to him with a worried expression on her face. "Have you been feeling alright?"
"What do you mean?" he replied in confusion.
She blushed in embarrassment and shrugged her bare shoulders slightly. "It's just that you've been looking pretty distracted. And in school you barely spoke to any of us," she said. "I've been worried."
Syaoran felt the happiness swelling inside him for a minute. She cared? Sakura cared? "N-No, everything's all right. I've just been tried."
The girl let out a relived sigh and smiled brightly. "Good. I was afraid something bad happened."
Syaoran gave a grim smile. A lot of things had happened. It was almost too overwhelming for him to take in. Sooner or later, he knew what Hiiragazawa said would come true. He'd explode. But he couldn't tell her and get her upset with his problems. He couldn't tell her that his mother was in the hospital, that his clan was in chaos, and that he was deathly jealous whenever she merely mentions or thinks of Tsukishiro. No. He wouldn't tell her anything. "Of course not. Everything's fine."
Sakura was relieved. She had had the feeling that something big was happening in his life. But she must've been mistaken. Syaoran wouldn't lie to her.
Everything was just fine.
"It's really nice of you to invite me for dinner, Eriol. I have to say, you're a great cook!"
The boy just smiled and shook his head. "Ah my precious, I wish I could take all the credit. But Nakuru and Spinel helped out also."
Tomoyo blushed at the slight compliment. She had gotten a lot of compliments from him, but it still never failed to catch her off guard.
She was seated at Eriol's dining table after having a delicious feast he and his guardians had created. It definitely filled her up. But what was she doing here anyway? He had invited her all of a sudden and of course, she just couldn't refuse.
As the host started picking up the plates, she immediately stood and helped out. She should do at least a little work. After all, they did just serve her the best food she had ever eaten.
"Oh please, Tomoyo. You don't have to do anything. I've got it."
Tomoyo just shook her head politely. "What kind of person would I be if I let you do all the work? I'll help out. I'll wash the dishes also."
The two carried the dirty plates into the kitchen and began towards the sink. Eriol chuckled at her etiquette though. Well that was Tomoyo for you.
"No Tomoyo, really. You're the guest for heaven's sake!"
Tomoyo frowned as she carefully placed the plates in the sink. "I won't take no for an answer. Besides, I want to help."
Eriol grinned. "I won't take no for an answer either."
She sighed. Eriol was just so stubborn!
"Well, how about this? We'll both do the dishes," the boy with glasses suggested.
Eriol was relieved when she seemed satisfied with the idea and nodded. It wasn't because his guest wasn't doing all the work that he should be doing.
But he got to spend time alone with her. Nakuru and Spinel were both in the living room watching TV so they weren't going to be able to interrupt for awhile. This was the perfect excuse.
Tomoyo smiled. "I'll only accept if I get to wash. You dry."
The boy laughed. "Fine."
She had a big grin on her face as she turned on the sink to let the water flow. She was with him. Alone. It made her whole body tingle just at the thought of being this close with him. His scent, his cute grin, the way he's such a gentleman...she just couldn't stop thinking about him lately. She knew she should concentrate on trying to hook up Sakura and Syaoran, especially now since Yukito was back for a time being. But she figured as long as Syaoran didn't find out about the date, nothing would be damaged. Besides Tomoyo wanted to spend time with Eriol. She knew it was selfish. But sometimes you need to be selfish.
Tomoyo handed the first plate to him with a smile. It was a weird feeling to be washing the dishes with Eriol. She had never thought of him to be the one who does chores.
Then it struck her once more. Just like so many time before when she'd be having a great time with him. Suddenly, she'd remember. Eriol was half the reincarnation of Clow Reed. The thought made her feel very puny. After all, she was a mere commoner compared to someone like Clow Reed. In fact, now that she thought about it, she felt small compared to someone like Eriol! Eriol was so talented. He could do anything in the world. Not only that, but he was athletic, intelligent, caring... He was so many things.
She suddenly stiffened as she stood there beside him. She loved Clow Reed's reincarnation? Was that alright? Was it allowed?
Then it struck her. Someone that famous and important would never like her. Even if Eriol was a normal boy, he could have so many other girls. Why would he settle for her?
"Are you cold?"
Sakura blinked in confusion. "Hoe?"
Her companion chuckled and took off his jacket revealing a simple white v-neck shirt under and placed it on her shivering shoulders. "You're obviously cold if you're shivering like that. You might get a cold, you know. Even this jacket won't do you any good."
The emerald eyed girl blushed at his kindness as she pulled the jacket closer to her. "A-Arigato. But you know, sometimes I like the breezes, even if it's freezing."
Syaoran was curious. "Why?"
She looked up at him with a sincere smile. "Otou-san said that whenever I feel a breeze that it's Okaa-san talking to me," she replied. She giggled. "And I know I sound crazy but sometimes when I need to talk to someone, whether it be Tomoyo-chan, or Eriol-kun, or Otou-san, or Okaa-san but they're not there, I say it to the air. Onii-chan always said that the person will hear you no matter what. He said that whenever I needed him, I should just say it to the wind and he'll come running," She blushed. She had sounded ridiculous! Syaoran probably thought she was a complete nut now! "Oh wow, I'm sorry," she said, laughing.
Syaoran shook his head with a smile on his face. "I think your brother's right, actually...for once. They say that as long as you say it with your heart, the person you want to talk to will hear you."
Sakura grinned. "So that means that I could talk to you anytime, doesn't it?"
He blushed. "Of course."
Still grinning, she breathed in the evening air. It was comforting to be here with Syaoran by herself. It brought a sense of peace to her. It felt even better than what she felt whenever she was near...
Oh no!
Her eyes widened. "Yukito-san!"
Syaoran grimaced. That name. It sent his heart sinking all over again.
"Oh god. I totally forgot!" she exclaimed as she looked at him. "The reason I'm here and so dressed up is because I'm meeting with Yukito soon at a restaurant!"
Syaoran could only nod as he felt the world crashing down on him. Just her and Tsukishiro? Dressed up? Restaurant? He knew what it sounded like and he took a deep breath in order to get the courage to ask. "L-Like a...date?"
Sakura immediately blushed and shook her head quickly. "Uh...I...no...we're just..."
But Syaoran knew the truth. This was why she was thinking of Tsukishiro all day. Of course. Why had he been so blind? They were dating. He forced a smile on his face as his body tensed. "I-I didn't know. Con-Congratulations."
But for some reason, something felt wrong for Sakura. She should be happy about this date right? After all, a couple of hours ago, she was jumping all over the place just at the thought she would be alone with him. So why didn't she want this date to happen anymore?
Wait a minute. She's wanted this to happen ever since she was young! These are just feelings of doubt. They don't mean anything. "I'm taking your advice, Syaoran," Sakura said quietly. "You said if I waited, I would never get the chance. This may the last time I see him in awhile. So I..."
It hurt. It hurt so much. It was agonizing. But he kept his face straight and his feelings and magic in check. She could never find out how he felt now. It was simply impossible. From here on, it was all fate. Sakura and Yukito would become even closer, then eventually get married and have kids...everything Syaoran wanted. "I-I...yeah...that's a good idea." He gulped and forced a smile, but inside he wanted to cry. "I-I'm happy for you."
Sakura smiled and leaned in for a hug. As she felt his arms wrap around her body, she felt at peace. She felt so happy that it was indescribable.
For Syaoran, it was the complete opposite.
They stayed like that for a minute or two, Sakura bathing in his warmness, and Syaoran longing that she were his. But she wasn't.
It was over.
Sakura reluctantly pulled away. "Arigato. You're a really nice friend." Then she pulled in for a simple kiss on the cheek.
He felt it. It was as if something suddenly exploded within him. As soon as those lips had touched his skin, his heart sped even more. It sucks. He knew she could never be his, yet he still loved her.
And he'll never stop.
"Well, I've better get going," Sakura said as she took a step away.
It was then, more than ever, he wanted to tell her. This was his last chance to be with her. If he let this moment pass, he could just forget about her all together.
"Wait, Sakura!"
She turned.
This was it.
He felt as if he were a balloon with too much air and was about to explode. But instead of air, he was filled up with his love for her. If he didn't tell her now, everything would be finished. That's why he had to tell her. He just had to be with her.
But wait. He knew that it was what he wanted, but was it something she wanted too? Would she be happy with him? And did he really want to ruin Yukito's happiness? Did he really want her to be with a miserable, arrogant, son of a bitch like him?
No. She didn't deserve that...She deserved so much more.
"I-I...I wish you luck."
Sakura gave a gracious smile and began walking away. It had ended. Just like that. He had remained composed, had kept his emotions from flooding, and had a smile on his face as he watched her walk away, the cherry blossoms around him slowly fluttering to the ground.
Eriol gritted his teeth as he listened to the water running through Tomoyo's hands. He knew she had suddenly remembered that he was half the reincarnation of Clow Reed. This happened every time. It hurt him. It hurt him to think that she saw him as a person that was dead. It hurt to think that she thought that she was lowly compared to him just because of the whole Clow Reed thing. But he waited patiently. He waited for her to realize that being Clow Reed in the past didn't matter to him, so it shouldn't matter to her. He had faith in her that she would figure it out but if for some reason she didn't, he planned on telling her how he felt anyway. Besides, he felt that he owed Syaoran to match him up with Sakura first. Eriol felt that it was then that he could truly relax and be happy with Tomoyo. But Eriol couldn't take it anymore. He needed to say it. He needed to say how much he loved her.
He grabbed her shoulders roughly, forcing her to face him as the plate from her hands dropped into the sink and broke with a deafening crash. She had been surprised. Eriol could see it from how her amethyst eyes were wide with confusion.
"That's it, Tomoyo!"
Her eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. What was he doing? Why was he gripping onto her arms so hard? "E-Eriol?"
"I can't take it! I just can't take it anymore! I hate it when you think this way, Tomoyo. I hate it when you think of me as nothing else than Clow Reed. I'm not him. I will never be him," he shouted. But he was really pleading and she realized that. There was something in his eyes that proved that he just wanted her to understand. "Tomoyo, I've been trying all this time to become a normal teenage boy, and I think I've succeeded quite well. Clow Reed is a part of me, I admit that. But he isn't me. I may have remnants of his thoughts and knowledge of his actions but that doesn't mean I don't have my own feelings. It's just a part of me that can never vanish. But it hurts when you think don't deserve me. The real thing is I don't deserve you. Tomoyo, you're amazing. I want you to know that. I just wish that if you do truly love me, tell me. I want to know. I need to know." His eyes softened and his grip on her arms became gentler as he took in the attentive eyes of hers. "Because I love you. I've been patient enough. I think I deserve to know."
Without warning, his lips suddenly captured hers in an instant. Instantly, they both began to relax as they realized what was happening. Their kisses became deeper, more passionate.
But before they knew it, it came to a quick close.
A catchy melody started to play from Tomoyo's pocket. It caught both of them off guard. They stood there, staring at each other's eyes and panting for air. When the cellphone in her pocket didn't cease, she took a deep breath and answered the call as Eriol avoided her eyes and put a hand through his dark hair. He sighed and fixed the glasses that had become crooked throughout the ordeal.
"M-Moshi moshi?" Tomoyo asked.
"Tomoyo? Where are you? I tried calling at home but they said you weren't there," a woman's voice replied.
"I'm at a friend's house, okaa-san."
"Sakura-chan's?"
Tomoyo said, "No."
"Then, Hiirgazawa-kun's?" her mother asked.
Her daughter paused as she and Eriol's eyes connected. They stared at each other for a minute longer before Tomoyo could respond into the phone. "Yeah. Eriol's."
The hurt he felt was numbing as he stiffly stood there in the middle of the park. He hadn't moved, hadn't spoken. It was as if he was just a body standing there with no soul, no spirit.
It was all too much. He couldn't take it a second longer.
He had to get out of this damn town.
He had to get out of this damn country.
...He had to get her out of his damn mind.
He slowly pulled out his cellphone and dialed the numbers slowly. Syaoran couldn't take it. The rejection was just too much to bear. What would he do now that his heart was broken into a million pieces?
He knew exactly what to do.
After a couple of rings, a lady on the other line picked up.
"...I'm...I'm coming home."