Three days later, just as Sakura had promised, Syaoran and Meilin arrived in Japan. Sakura insisted on going to the airport to pick them up and dragged Tomoyo along with her. The minute they were in sight, Sakura ran to them, hugging them both enthusiastically. Tomoyo was more subdued, smiling as she greeted the friends she hadn't seen in a year. Sakura was right; it was good for them to be back.

The four of them walked back toward the limousine that Tomoyo's mother had provided, talking and enjoying each other's company, when they heard yet another familiar voice.

"I've missed you, everyone. And who is this?"

Tomoyo knew that voice. It sent her heart flying through the sky, and at the same time sent chills down her spine. She did not want him here, not now. She could not move, could not breathe, could not think clearly. Desperately she looked at the others, hoping they would say something. But nobody did. Finally she forced herself to look normal and started,

"Eriol!" she said as she smiled, hoping that her true feelings wouldn't show through. "This is Meilin, she left before you came here. Meilin, this is Eriol Hiiragizawa, he came here right after you left," she knew it sounded awful, she didn't know what else to say. Thankfully, Sakura broke the silence after that, although Tomoyo didn't know what she said. All her concentration was focused on walking normally, trying to control her feelings, to ignore them, to forget him...even though he was right beside her.

She finally became aware of what people were saying again as they were driving home. Sakura started the conversation again, cheerful as usual, even more since Syaoran was there.

"Oh Eriol I'm so glad you came and now Syaoran's here and Meilin too! Oh this is so great it hasn't been this way and you've never met meilin before have you..." She went on talking to Eriol, then started talking to Syaoran again.

Tomoyo was unable to contain her curiosity. "Why did you come, anyway?" she asked.

She turned to see Eriol looking at her with a look she had never seen on him...it reminded her of something she had seen before, she just couldn't think what. By the time he answered, it was gone.

"I have my reasons," was all he said, as the familiar mysterious smile came back on his face.

Tomoyo didn't say anything for the rest of the trip, except for a quick goodbye to Syaoran, Meilin, and Eriol when they left at the hotel, and again when she dropped Sakura off at her house. The look Eriol had given her confused her beyond all reason. It reminded her of something, but what?

Finally, when she was alone in her room that night, did she realize where she had seen it. It was the look she had seen so many times on Syaoran...

...when he was with Sakura.