Disclaimer: Don't own CCS... I'm so tired...

Author's blabberings: I'm so sorry I couldn't update earlier. Believe me I was suffering a mild dose of writer's block.And to rub salt in the injury, I've only written a short chapter. You may ask why. Why? Because my PC crashed. Darn, darn, darn! All of my files crashed as well, resulting into major loss of documents so i really have to start all over again. So sorry... This was actually my "soon" to be sister-in-law (hides from kuya leander. she's his crush.) ate eirene is so nice helping me unlike my own brother (ducks from a flying encyclopedia) Haha! You can't hurt me! Anyway, thanks for my very patient reviewers and sorry for the grammar and spelling mistakes...

Seanjen: yep, don't like subic... It's too... plain... And i've been there since who-knows-when!

Sparkling-Ruby: Arigato!

cristal-shian: Yes, they're slightly OOC but in the future they won't be anymore. Syaoran isn't friendly when it comes to Eriol...

Momo-chan: I'm really lost for words...

Majah: Actually, the "blushing" thing is something like a signal... (For what, my little excuse for a sister?) For cutie, mushy scenes, brother! (Eeeww... wait til lexus hears this...)

Pulang itim: Yeah... It was always Eriol+Tomoyo who tortures Syaoran-kun. Now it's Tomoyo+Syaoran. Syaoran-kun can be pretty mean, you know...

Dana Daidouji: I'm so sorry for the typos and grammar errors... My brothers wouldn't help me proofreading.

Itsoniablade: did i get your name right? anyway, the Eriol i'm using reminds me of my classmate Josh... (What? You don't know who Josh is, onii-chan? Tsk, tsk, tsk... You're the only one who doesn't know?)

Gurla-Aya: How do you define help there? In my brother's definition of help, it means pestering non-stop, bugging and annoying.

So... I've hinted it already. This is slightly mushy (gomen, kuya lexus) and cute. At least that's what ate eirene told me... But it's short... Anyway! Just read, okay? My headache is going up another notch in the pain level... Geez! I hate writer's block!

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 9: LOVE BUG ISSUES

Tomoyo and Eriol stood at the lobby of the airport, watching Syaoran as he got himself a boarding pass from the people behind the check-in counter. After a while, the amber-eyed young man walked back to them, carrying one with his passport and ticket.

"Well, I'm off!" he said, shrugging his shoulders. "See you in a week!"

"Or two," Eriol added as an afterthought.

Tomoyo hugged him warmly, patting his shoulder. "Take care, okay?" she said, smiling sweetly. "I asked Sakura-chan to wait for you at the airport."

Syaoran blanched. "She knows?"

"Of course, silly! I told her!" Tomoyo giggled lightly. "Just do a good job and don't mind going home too soon! Hiiragizawa-kun and I wouldn't miss you at all!"

Syaoran threw her a wry grin. "Gee, thanks!"

She smiled angelically. "You're welcome!"

"Passengers of Japan Airlines flight 117 going to Narita please board at gate 8. Passengers of Japan Airlines flight 117 going to Narita please board at gate 8."

"Well, that's my flight!" Syaoran said, grinning at the two. He pulled Tomoyo in a rough hug then ruffled her dark hair in a brotherly-sort of manner. "If Hiiragizawa tries to do something to you…"

"Don't worry! I can handle him!" She gave him a small salute. "I could always call the police."

Eriol rolled his eyes at the both of them. "Right, right!" He pulled the young woman out of his arms by her collar and clasped her to his side. "I'll see you soon, Li. Go home, all right, and don't get married yet!"

"What?" The chocolate-haired Vice President scowled at him.

Eriol smirked. "I just don't want you to get married before I do," he said in a dry tone.

Syaoran gave him a cynical stare. "Ha-ha, Hiiragizawa! Not funny!" He turned around and started to walk away. "I wish if I go back, you're already gone, Hiiragizawa!"

"You wish!"

"Syaoran-kun, don't forget to bring me home something, okay?" Tomoyo called brightly. "But I'd love it if you wouldn't send me a box of cup noodles or something similar!"

Syaoran waved a hand impatiently then disappeared through the other side of the airport. Tomoyo shrugged herself away from Eriol, who frowned at her, an impeccable smile on her lips.

"What?" he asked bitingly.

"Nothing!" She raised her hands in defense. "See? Nothing!"

"You and your weird habits!"

She grinned at him. "Ice cream? Your treat?"

Eriol sighed and shook his head. "All right, all right!" he replied wearily. "You guys are a pain, you know that?"

She giggled. "We know!"

"He's on his way already?"

"Hai! His plane just left here. He'd probably arrive there tomorrow afternoon."

"Perhaps you could give me a more definite time."

"Hmm… Let's see… 11 am to 1 pm most probably."

"You sure?"

"That's what Hiiragizawa-kun told me. The plane would probably stop over somewhere to refuel. After all, it's quite a long journey from here in London to Tokyo."

"Hmm… Do you think I should ask onii-chan to drive me over at the airport?"

"Sure, ask him to kill Syaoran-kun as well!"

"That's mean!"

"Look, you can drive a car as well as me. Ask Uncle Fujitaka to lend you his car. I'm sure he would. It's only Touya-kun who wouldn't lend you his. Or better yet, take my car!"

"That would have been a good idea if I knew where the keys are."

"Oh, right! It's on the key ring behind my door. I left it, just in case I had to come home again."

"Oh, really? Did you think you'd be back soon?"

"Well, no…"

"Hmm… It sounds like you're starting to like it there… I wonder why."

"You shouldn't wonder about trivial matters."

"Of course! I was just curious when you would come to visit us. We're all missing you here."

"I know. I miss you guys too!"

"Anyway, enough with the dramatics. I have to go now, okay? Otou-san's calling me already. And onii-chan's bothering me. He says the phone bill is getting bigger every month."

"Hey, it's not like it's you who pays whenever I call!"

"I know! Anyway, I'll talk to you later, Tomoyo-chan! Maybe tomorrow, when Li-kun arrives!"

"Okay! Ja, Sakura-chan!"

After 12 hours, 3 meals and a half later, Syaoran finally arrived in Narita airport with another annoying jetlag and a headache to boot! He was still grumbling under his breath whilst carrying his bags when he heard a voice that was music to his ears.

"Li-kun!"

Syaoran looked around and saw Sakura waving brightly at him out in the arrival area. He smiled politely at her as the girl helped him with his things.

"I-It's really all right," he stammered as she took his duffel bag.

"Nah, it's okay!" She grinned at him, not noticing that the poor guy was blushing like a red cherry. "Tomoyo-chan told me you were coming so I decided to pick you up!"

"Th-Thanks!"

"My car, I mean, Tomoyo-chan's car is at the parking lot!"

"Right! Do you want me to drive?"

She shook her head smilingly. "Don't worry, I'll drive. You seem tired after your flight," she told him. "You should rest first."

When they reached the car, Sakura opened the back door and placed his duffel bag inside. She then slid inside the driver seat as Syaoran got in the passenger seat.

"What hotel are you staying in?" she asked cheerfully.

"Er…"

Sakura glanced at him and, finally, she realized that the boy beside her was imitating a red ripe apple. "Anou, Li-kun, daijobou?" she asked, worry and concern in her voice.

He forced a smile. "H-hai. Daijobou desu."

She frowned slightly. "Are you sure?" she asked, raising a hand to touch his forehead, not knowing the consequences of what it would do to Syaoran. "You seem to have a fever."

Ah, yes, bitten by the love bug! His conscience snickered evilly at him.

Shut up! He hissed to his conscience sullenly. If Hiiragizawa sees me like this, he'd probably go nuts!

"I think I should bring you to my home first so otou-san could have a look at you," her sweet voice startled him out of his reverie.

He paled. "N-No!" She frowned at him. "I mean, I'm fine! It must be the sudden change in weather! It's really different, you see, the climate and all…"

She nodded understandingly. "Right… I see… But aren't our climates just the same?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. "I mean, we both have 4 seasons, don't we? And whenever it's winter here, then it's also winter in London."

"Uh, right!"

"So then, why…?"

He smiled at her ruefully. "I was bitten by a bug…" he answered sheepishly.

She nodded all the same. "I understand, don't worry. Now let's get you to my home so otou-san could give you a remedy for that insect bite."

Syaoran groaned.

Back in England, Tomoyo was looking out her window, a brush in one hand and a mirror in the other. Eriol was in her office, checking the folders she had just finished working on. Why he was doing it in her office, she had no idea.

"Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun?" she called his attention.

"Hmm?" He didn't even bother looking up from the folders.

She pouted at him. He had been doing that every time she tries to call him and it would irritate her every time.

"Why don't you look at me when I'm speaking?" she whined, waving her brush and mirror in the air.

He raised his gaze at her, an eyebrow cocked. "Is it that important?" he asked impatiently.

"Aren't you wondering how Syaoran-kun is right now?"

Eriol let out a sigh and went back to his work. "Daidouji, Li is capable of handling himself," he replied flatly. "He came from a clan who trains its men martial arts, for Pete's sake!"

"How very concerned you are!" Tomoyo said dryly.

"Look, Daidouji, Li is a big boy now! He can take care of himself!"

"I'm not implying that he might be in danger right now!" She sighed in exasperation. "There is no danger in Tokyo! I've lived there all my life!"

"Then what are you implying?"

She smiled slightly then looked wistfully out the window. "Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun, it must be nice to fall in love…"

Eriol choked on his own… saliva? He looked up in disbelief at the young President. Is there a storm coming? Should he tell the weather station already about a calamity? "I beg your pardon?"

She threw him a withering gaze over her shoulder. "You really are the living reincarnation of Frosty."

"Who?"

"Frosty! You know, the Snowman! At least, he knows what love is…"

He looked indignant. "Of course I know what love is!" he snapped. "I'm not ignorant!"

"Right! I forgot you love your work!" she countered sarcastically.

Eriol stared at her reproachfully. "It's not just my work I love… There's a lot that I love…" he told her. She raised her chin as if daring him to give an example. "Well… I love… I love Nakuru, that's one. And I love the people here in the corporation."

"So you admit you love Evans as well?" she shot back.

"He's an exception of course!"

"Okay… So basically, they're just platonic love. Love that borders around friendship," she replied dully. "How about romantic love? You know, as in the kind of love that is between friendship and lust?"

The CEO came up empty-handed and Tomoyo threw him a looks-like-you-lost look. He scowled, folding his arms in front of him. "Okay, since you're so smug, why don't you tell me who you love?"

"I love my family, I love Syaoran-kun, I love Nakuru-chan, I love Kaho-san!" she answered.

"Where's the romantic part there?"

"At least my world doesn't revolve on account papers and calculators and godforsaken people called advisors and board members!"

"You seem so good at this kind of topic. Why? Have you ever fallen in love?"

She flushed. "Well, not yet, but I've seen and known a lot of people who had fallen in love!" she stammered.

"Then you must know that falling in love isn't something that happens when you want it to happen. Sometimes, it takes years before a person truly falls in love," he said patiently, slapping the folder on the table. "And occasionally, this love that they felt for another person is not returned. Unrequited love, as many may call it. And because of this, they are given a choice: either they let go of their loved-one and see them happy, or just keep it for themselves."

Tomoyo looked impressed. "I didn't know you know things like that," she remarked. "I guess I'm wrong when I called you Frosty."

"I suppose I learned it from experience…" he mumbled.

The young girl froze at his words. "Experience?" she repeated, a smile blooming on her face. "But I thought… No… Don't tell me…"

"Unrequited love…" His reply was almost inaudible.

"Really? But I thought… I mean, you haven't… You've never…"

He smiled ruefully. "Right. I never did get a girlfriend," he replied. "But that doesn't mean I've never fallen in love…"

She looked really delighted. "Who's she?"

Eriol's frown turned upside down. "Nobody."

"Hmm… You really don't have to deny! It's me, isn't it?"

He stared at her disdainfully before going back to his work. He could've finished this if it wasn't for the annoying little girl who kept bombarding him with pointless, senseless questions.

"Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun…"

"I hate you, Daidouji! Is that what you want to hear?" he roared.

She giggled. "Don't worry, Hiiragizawa-kun, I love you too!"

Review, review, review... So... How was it? Good? Bad? Nice? Terrible? ... Thanks to ate eirene for your help! I really appreciate it! Thank you, thank you, thank you... (Bows down and worships her)

That's all for now... I'm still looking for a proofreader. Anyone interested? (No, onii-chan! I don't want you be my beta-reader!) Ja ne!