Disclaimer: Should I still post this? I mean, it's so obvious I don't own CCS...
A/N: Elvirna: I'll post the chapter don't worry! Sparkling-Ruby Gem: I'm not being modest. I'm just stating the facts... Anyway. there's always a reason why my characters are like that. Besides, it's kinda nice to imagine Eriol-kun losing a temper, ne? Majah: I'm used to writing short stories so... That's why the chapters aren't that long... Anyway, I'll try to write longer ones in the future.
All right! I'm so tired because of the continuous graduation practice but I'm through until the 5th chaper! I'll update them when I have the time again! Ja!
CHAPTER 2: HER PARTING DECISION
Tomoyo paced around the Kinomoto's living room like a predator stalking her prey, her hands clasped behind her back and her expression unreadable. Li Syaoran and Nakuru Akizuki sat in front of Fujitaka, Sakura, who just came home from school. and Touya, whom Tomoyo called home for back-up. They had just told them the situation and it was an understatement to say that everyone was surprised. Except for Fujitaka, that is.
"What are you trying to do? Break a hole on the floor?" Touya asked her wryly.
Tomoyo ignored him and continued to pace. She had to decide right there and then. Decide if she'd go and take that inheritance or just stay here with her 'real' family and continue her studies. She was restless and pacing was the only thing she could do. She didn't want to injure someone with a vase like the last time she had tried to sit still.
"Er…" Syaoran started awkwardly and in turn earned a glare from Touya. Okay, I'll shut up for the moment.
"Tomoyo-chan…" Sakura said softly, hoping the girl would snap out of her reverie.
Tomoyo stopped and turned to her Uncle who was seated on an armchair. "Why hasn't anyone told me about this?"
Fujitaka sighed. "Because Nadeshiko thought you didn't need to know…" he told her calmly and paused, waiting for her retort. None came and he continued. "And because you never asked about them."
"You thought that I don't need to know who they were anymore?" she replied, her voice dangerously calm.
"No. We thought the reason why you never asked about them is because you were trying to forget the fact that you were adopted. We didn't tell you because we thought you didn't want to be bothered by it anymore. And you were already happy. Nadeshiko couldn't dare make you unhappy and so do I. We were trying to protect that happiness of yours but we were also planning to tell it to you one day. Don't you remember Nadeshiko asking you if you want to talk about them?"
Tomoyo bit her lip. Yes, there were a lot of times her Aunt Nadeshiko would ask her if she wanted to know anything about her real parents, but she would often decline or dodge the question or change the topic. She felt bitter about her real parents for abandoning her and she didn't want their memory to meddle anymore in her life. Why does it have to be her who should suffer?
She collapsed on an ottoman and buried her face in her hands. "What should I do now?"
"We're not forcing you to come with us," Syaoran told her gently. Of course, deep inside him, he was more than hoping that she'd come with them or else hell hath no wrath like Hiiragizawa's. "But we're hoping you would. Still, it's your choice, Amamiya-san, whether you'd like to come or not."
"And what if I refuse?"
Syaoran felt his tongue stuck in a jar of peanut butter. "Er…" Eriol would surely kill him if he goes home with her, but then, it's quite irrational if he forces her to come with them. "As I've said, that is your choice, whether to come or not."
Tomoyo nodded absently. She glanced at her Uncle then Sakura and Touya. "You think I should go?"
"Of course you should!" Sakura said enthusiastically. "I mean, you always told me you want to go to Europe! And this will be a whole new experience for you!"
"Kaijuu is right," Touya agreed. "At least now, you could put your degree into good use."
Tomoyo gave him a wry smile. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Touya-kun!"
Fujitaka placed a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "Whatever your decision is, we'll support you," he told her. "Just follow what you heart tells you. And if ever you come back here, we'll always be here for you."
She gave them a grateful smile. "Thanks, you guys…"
Syaoran smiled slightly at the family in front of him. No one would think Tomoyo was adopted. Their bond was really close that one would believe that they're a real family.
"Maybe we should give you some time to think," he said pleasantly, rising to his feet. "I'm sure this will be a very big decision for you and your family." He glanced at Nakuru who looked reluctant to leave. "We have to get going. We just arrived earlier and our superior wouldn't let us rest until we find Amamiya-san here."
"Thank you very much…" Tomoyo smiled at him and Syaoran nodded.
"If you want, you could stay for dinner," Sakura suggested brightly. "Dad's a good cook and I'll be helping him tonight! You're welcome to stay."
Nakuru immediately brightened at this. "Really?" she perked up at the news, tugging Syaoran's shirt sleeve. "C'mon, Syaoran! You know we can't refuse an invitation to dinner!"
"Akizuki!" Syaoran cried in frustration. Eriol was right. This girl is good when it comes to public relations. "That's a bit rude."
"Aww, c'mon, Syaoran! You wouldn't want to disappoint Sakura-chan, would you?" the auburn-haired girl winked at him.
Li blushed a deep shade of crimson and became another worthy subject of Touya's glare. Tomoyo raised a perfectly-arched eyebrow while Fujitaka laughed pleasantly. Only Sakura blinked, looking very confused.
"I don't quite understand…"
"You don't need to understand what we're trying to say, kaijuu," Touya said dismissively.
"Kaijuu janai!"
That evening, Syaoran plopped on his bed in the acclaimed Tokyo Inter-Continental Hotel, letting out a tired sigh. He couldn't believe a lot of things happened in just one day: they arrived in Tokyo, got shouted at by Eriol, found and met Tomoyo Daidouji and had almost convinced her. Almost.
"I'll give you my answer when we see each other tomorrow."
She had told him that during dinner and at that moment, he felt like a nervous wreck. He didn't know what to expect. Would she agree to come to London? Or would she refuse? Could she really have decided in just one night of thinking it over?
She mustn't refuse, after all those half-lies he told that she, including Sakura, Fujitaka, Touya and Nakuru, believed hook, line and sinker.
But what if she did refuse? Eriol would certainly give him a major earache. Would he fire him if he fails to bring Tomoyo Daidouji back in England or probably force him to resign? Is Hiiragizawa really capable of doing this, firing him from his position, just because he failed his mission to bring back their heiress? He probably could, with the power he was holding right now.
Yeah, and he's using that power in the wrong way.
He didn't want to wait for the answer any longer but he couldn't pressure the young heiress at the same time. She might just refuse and that would be more worse since it will his fault why she said no. At least, if her decision was to turn down the offer tomorrow, it wouldn't be his fault. After all, it was her decision and he did try everything he could to convince her.
Right, as if Hiiragizawa would buy that argument at all.
He sat up and stared at the phone on the bedside table. Should he call Hiiragizawa and inform about the news? Or should he just sleep and think about it tomorrow morning? He pondered for a minute then collapsed back on the bed, feeling as tired as ever.
Nah! I'll just let him find out about it when everything's settled. No use telling him trivial matters such as these.
But later that night, Syaoran regretted not calling Hiiragizawa earlier. In the middle of the night, his hotel phone started ringing shrilly, waking the young man. Muttering profanities under his breath, Syaoran answered the call and grunted a sleepy 'hello'. More profanities issued from his mouth when he found out who it was.
"Li, how did it go!" It was Satan's spawn, none other than Eriol Hiiragizawa himself.
"Damn, Hiiragizawa! Can't this call wait tomorrow!" he snapped irritably, glancing at the clock on his bedside table. "Don't you realize this is such an ungodly hour to call!"
"I always call at an ungodly hour, even in London," Eriol replied wryly. "Besides, the time here is only 5 in the afternoon!"
"Well, for your information, the time here is past midnight! And to add, I still haven't got my sleep! I still have jetlag!"
Syaoran heard someone tutting from the other side of the line and he let out a low growl. "My, my, Li. I never thought that the rumors were true," Eriol said in a sardonic tone. "Men from the Li clan are never morning people. In this case, midnight ones."
A series of Chinese profanities issued from Li's lips. "If that is the only reason why you called, then hung it up already! I'm not interested in your nonsense chitchats about the clan! Furthermore, we are not 'not morning people'! We just hate people who disturb us in the middle of the night, without a valid reason nor a matter of life and death!"
"Right. I'll get to business then, shall I?" Eriol said evenly and Syaoran groaned loudly. "Shut up, Li. Tell me what happened."
"No, I will just hang up this phone line and I will try get back to sleep because as I have said for the hundredth time, I still have jetlag. And as for you, you will shut up and stop bothering me. You will call and ask about this tomorrow!"
Eriol growled from the other line. "No, I will not shut up. And no, I will not call you tomorrow!" he said sternly. "Either that or you're not coming back here!"
"Fine then. Come here and take Daidouji-san back there! Let's see if she'll even put a little trust in you."
"Does that mean—"
"Yeah, yeah! I've tried to convince her and she told me she'll think about it and give me her answer tomorrow. Happy?"
"Good work, Li."
"Shouldn't I get a raise for this?"
But Syaoran knew that was unlikely. If he received a raise, then he might as well expect the moon turn blue and warn the people of the coming of the Armageddon. The only person who hears their pleas for a raise is Madam Daidouji herself. Syaoran wondered if Tomoyo would be the same…
"Although, don't get your hopes up, Hiiragizawa." His mouth continued speaking. "I may have convinced her but we're still not sure if she'll definitely agree on the terms. She may back out at the last minute!" Syaoran could already see Eriol's brows furrowing and frown lines appearing on his forehead. In a few moments, Eriol's legendary temper would finally explode.
"Li! What the hell do you mean by that?"
Syaoran smirked. It's been a long time since he had pissed off Mister I'm-so-cool-and-composed-I'm-not-affected-by-anything. "I'll just call you if I get the answer. Keep your fingers crossed, Hiiragizawa!" He then slammed the receiver on its holder and pulled the line. He knew Hiiragizawa would never stop bothering him until he squeezed the information from him. No way he'd let him do that.
He lay back on his bed, smiling. No ringing phones, no bothers, no Hiiragizawa shouting at him on the phone for slamming it…
A goodnight's sleep, that's what they call it!
He had barely thought about it and had just closed his eyes when his cell phone, his own cursed cell phone, started ringing shrilly. Syaoran placed a pillow over his head to block out the noise but it was really useless.
"HIIRAGIZAWA, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"Let me guess," Tomoyo said wryly when she met Syaoran the next day at the Piffle Princess Café, looking every bit like a harassed person. She had promised not to attend her classes for the day just so she could tour him and Nakuru around Tokyo. Sakura did the same. "You didn't sleep last night."
"Not a wink," he said, yawning widely behind a hand, rolling his eyes. "A stupid blockhead who unfortunately is my Oh-God-I'm-so-perfect boss kept calling me in the middle of the night."
The raven-haired girl sipped her coffee, giggling lightly. "Oooh, tetchy! I guess you guys are expecting too much," she told him and Syaoran blanched. She giggled even more upon seeing his reaction. "Don't worry, Sakura asked me not to break the news so badly." She waved at her honey-haired cousin and Nakuru who were playing DDR at the arcade.
Syaoran drank his black coffee and looked at her intently. "Wait, does that mean you already decline the offer?" he asked, not bothering to hide his worry.
"No…" she replied and Syaoran breathed a sigh of relief. "But that doesn't mean I already agreed, right?" The young man stopped and stared at her like she just grew another head. "Look, I'm still thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons. I can't just decide without considering the facts. If I did that, then I can't be called a good businesswoman."
The chocolate-haired young man nodded deeply. "True, true. A businessman must not conclude immediately without knowing the different details. It's one of the basic rules."
"At any rate, I'll give you my answer anytime today, come hell or high water."
Syaoran sighed. "All right. I understand…" He watched the two ladies danced expertly on the pad. "This must be pressuring you very much. I told you, we're not forcing you."
"But from the sound of your tone, you seemed to be bothered if I would agree or not, as if you're afraid that I might not accede." She held up a hand when he started to protest. "Don't worry, I understand perfectly. Your boss must be pressuring you this much as well."
"That may might as well be the understatement of the year," he muttered. "Hiiragizawa isn't the encouraging type of guy."
"Hiiragizawa? Is that the name of your boss? Sounds like Japanese."
"He's actually Chinese. His mother is part of our clan in China while his father is English. I think." He frowned, thoughtfully regarding Eriol's surname. He never had a thought about it until now. "And he could probably part-Japanese as well, considering how his name sounds…"
Tomoyo giggled just about when Nakuru and Sakura came back, grinning widely. "From the looks on your faces, I'd say you got an SS on the machine."
"Yep!" Nakuru replied cheerfully. "Where are we off to next?"
"How about we go to the main prefecture of Tokyo? Let's go sight-seeing then we could go to Tokyo Tower." Tomoyo glanced at Sakura then at Nakuru and Syaoran. "Is that all right?"
"Sure!"
The three went around Tokyo in Tomoyo's car. They first went to Nishi Shinjuku, the business district of the city, then to the Imperial Palace where Nakuru got a souvenir cat for Eriol. From there, they proceeded to Ginza, where they had lunch, visited the University of Tokyo and went to the Meiji Shrine. Then finally, to Tokyo Tower.
"So, have you decided already?" Syaoran asked Tomoyo as they gazed over the city, leaning heavily on the metal railing.. She stared at him for a moment and he immediately jumped to his defense. "Not that I'm in a hurry or anything…"
She smiled at him then looked back at the view. The sun was almost setting. " Japan had always been my home. Always. That's why I never wanted to leave it…" Syaoran didn't know what to say. He really was clueless when it came to these kinds of talks. "But I guess people don't always find contentment and happiness in their home. And maybe that's why I'm deciding to come with you."
He surveyed her for a minute. "You're not happy here?"
"I can't say I'm not. After all, my family is here. All my loved-ones are here… But I can't help feeling that on the other side of the world, there's another family waiting for me… I feel like there's an empty space in my heart that not even Japan could fill in… If I stay here, then I might never find whatever that empty space is for."
"Aren't you afraid of leaving?"
"Why should I?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the blood-red sun. "Even if something goes wrong, I could always go back. There will always be a family waiting for me here, ne?"
He smiled at her. "Very well. I suggest you pack up your things. We have to leave as soon as possible. Hiiragizawa is one of the people with the shortest patience in the world."
"Right!" She stiffened and glanced at Sakura over her shoulder with misty eyes. The vibrant young lady was chatting incessantly with Nakuru without a care in the world. "And I guess I should start saying goodbye…"
Reviews, reviews, reviews... Ne, ne, ne! How was it? Is it horrible? I know... I know... Just tell it in the review... sigh... I really have to ask my onii-chan to help me with my witticisms is there ever such a word? Ja!