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Accidental

Chapter Nine

Moon Kitty 2005

April 12th, 2006

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It was a sunny day outside as Sakura walked down the path of the park. Her hands were clasped behind her back, and millions of things were running through her head. Things that had to do with Tomoyo, Eriol, and her whole date dilemma with Syaoran.

His asking her had been so unexpected and unnatural that it hadn't occurred to her to say anything. But when she had realized that she had been staring at Syaoran for two minutes straight without uttering a single word, she had blushed and said quietly, "Um... sure."

What the hell was I thinking? she asked herself vehemently, mentally smacking herself. I'm supposed to hate him! Why do I feel so flustered now that he's around? I feel... uncomfortable... but not an unpleasant kind of uncomfortable. I... Do I?

Sakura bit her lip and stared up at the shedding cherry tree, continuing on the stone path as she muttered to herself, "I guess I'd better go get a dress for the wedding."

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Tomoyo smiled and clutched the blanket wrapped around her chest, snuggling further into the couch as she muttered into the phone, "Shameless."

Eriol chuckled on the other end and said, "Hmm... Tomoyo, how long would you say we've known each other?"

She bit her lip and raised her hand, counting mentally on her fingers. "I would say around about two months."

"And we've been talking every day for hours on end."

Tomoyo nodded, making a small noise of agreement as her lips curled upwards yet again.

"Hmm..."

She blinked in confusion. "What is it?"

"Nothing, Tomoyo. Don't worry about it. I was just thinking about something." There was a faint chuckle on the other side of the line and a slight shuffle, and Tomoyo creased her brow, her curiosity piqued.

"No, what were you going to say?"

She could almost audibly hear him say no. There was another slight scuffle and she heard him mutter, "I'm going on break soon where my work is going to totally renovate their office, and I have to take my work home with me and complete it... but I was thinking of taking a little trip."

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow and bit her nail absentmindedly. "What kind of trip?"

Eriol cleared his throat and she could almost feel the hesitance in his voice as he said, "Well... Tomoyo, you know I feel at ease with you and I love talking to you. In fact, your voice brightens up my day immensely... so I was simply wondering... if I could come to where you live and visit you in person? You don't have to say yes, of course. I would completely understand if you were to decline my request."

She simply sat in shock for a few moments, staring at the ceiling in a daze. If she said yes... she could actually see him in person... but... he thought she was Sakura. And whose fault is that? She batted away the annoying voice in her head and whispered into the phone, "Eriol, I trust you. And I would love it if you came to visit."

There was shocked silence on the other end, then his voice when he next spoke sounded like an excited child at Christmas. "Really? That's wonderful. Um... are you sure, though?"

She nodded. "As sure as I'll ever be," she smiled, a pleasant feeling spreading through her stomach. She knew she was in for an ass-chewing from Sakura... but she knew she would help her. She said she didn't want to split them up. Sakura knew that Tomoyo was in love with Eriol...

... she would help her...

... right?

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"WHAT?" Sakura nearly screeched, and the nearby birds that were just minding their own business either suffered from a near heart attack or were startled into taking off and giving up their branches.

Tomoyo grimaced and stared down at her hands which rested in her lap. "I-I'm sorry, Sakura... but I really want to see him and... I can't say that I didn't realize what I was saying, because I knew I was inviting him to come visit... all I can do is apologize. But Sakura... I really do love him." She looked up at her roommate with beseeching amethyst eyes and sniffled a little.

Sakura sighed and her body went limp, collapsing on the couch and running a hand through her hair. "When is he going to be here?"

"In about 3 days... I told him that I was going to a wedding and he said he would be happy if he could come, too... so I invited him. I don't think Chiharu and Yamazaki will mind."

Sakura nibbled on her lower lip and scratched her chin. "Fine. I'll help you."

Tomoyo blinked in surprise and propelled herself up from the couch to stare Sakura down. "Are you serious? Even after all the trouble I put you through? You'd still be willing to help me?"

Sakura smiled up at her and simply said, "Tomoyo... I believe you when you say that you love him. I'm not going to question that. I will help you... but this is going to require some trickiness. A lot of it."

Tomoyo catapulted herself into her arms and began crying. "I can't keep lying to him. I have to tell him the truth one day... but I don't think I'm quite ready to have him hate me."

"Tomoyo, if he truly cares about you, then he won't hate you. He'll be angry... but I don't know. That's between you and Eriol when you tell him the truth... how long will he be staying?"

Tomoyo shook her head. "I'm not sure... I think about 3 weeks or so."

"Wow," Sakura muttered under her breath, shaking her head slightly. "I'll help you... but I have an ultimatum."

She straightened herself and looked at the other girl fearfully. "And what is that?"

"If you don't tell Eriol what's really going on by the second half of the third week... then I'm going to tell him."

She pressed her lips together and nodded resolutely. "I understand. Thank you, Sakura. You're the greatest friend ever." She reached forward to wrap her arms around her, then stood and retreated to her room.

Sakura sighed and drew her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them and staring at the blank TV screen. What am I going to tell Syaoran?

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Authoress Notes

Holy hell! I finally updated! Ackkk! It's been so long... but ya know, I have an excuse (I mean, explanation). :smiles cheesily: It's because I've been having some trouble with my love life... and I'm in love with someone that's all the way across America... but I trust him with my life and I'm with him now! I've been in love with him for three months and I thought he loved someone else... then one day, he asked me out! I almost died! But then I thought, how would my readers and my boyfriend like that? So I stayed alive just to write this! Aren't I great? Sorry it took me so long, though. I apologize profusely. :runs away from angry reviewers with torches and pitchforks: I SAID I WAS SORRY!