A/N: I guess I feel GUILTY right now because I didn't update quickly.

Disclaimer: Do you honestly think I own Card Captors? Hah! Please.


Chapter 7: New ways to think smArt!


Don't you hate it when you feel guilty? Especially when your guilt is focused on the one person you hate the most. I suppose the guilt is part of one's punishment for doing something so wrong and evil that made you feel guilty in the first place. I should be humbly and shamefully accepting my guilt and apologize to the person I sinned against. I should be on my knees, begging for that person's forgiveness in hopes that my guilt will somehow ease. I should be crying and sitting in front of the television, watching A Walk to Remember for the tenth time, and eating ice cream, depressed because of the guilt eating away my soul.

Or, you know. Not.

But this is how I felt as I stood before the exit, which was only ten feet away from me, victory almost in my grasp. Why, oh why, did my REAL conscience decide to kick in now? (Conscience: Hey!) Right when I'm about to win this bet and finally get on with my boring, semi-normal life, I start feeling really sorry and guilty about knocking Eriol Hiiragizawa down! There's someone out there who really doesn't like me.

Them and the whole world.

I swallowed my overwhelming guilt and walked towards the exit, trying to bring out the feeling of relief escaping this dark, scary maze. Each step brought in conflicts that confused me even more. Would I be evil for winning this battle—purely because I played dirty with Hiiragizawa? Step. Should I feel guilty for leaving my friends behind, even if we won? Step. I'm going to win! Step. Step. But at what cost...? Tiny step. I didn't even apologize to him. Back step.

I looked at my surroundings. Unsurprisingly, I was still several feet away from the exit. Where was my pride? Where was my sense in winning? What about the sake of my friends? What about my mom? What about my ice cream?

For some reason, my feet wouldn't move. I suppose it was my conscience taking control of my body so that I could free myself of this sudden guilt and let Hiiragizawa win, but I just couldn't move. A pang of suspicion aroused my foggy mind. Why was there something fishy about this? About my... abrupt guilt? Why did I suddenly grow doubtful when I was only ten feet away from the freaking exit? Something was undeniably fishy around here... so fishy I could smell it...

Never mind. That was the fish I ate for dinner. But...

There was something moving behind me. By this time, my mind was fully aware of the suspicious fishiness and was trying to move my body so I could turn around, but my body wouldn't listen. Well, my feet wouldn't move. It felt like they were glued to the ground, but that was not the case because my shoes were new and totally free of any glue the last time I checked. Besides, I could just take off my shoes and run barefoot out the exit. But it seemed my entire LEGS were immobile too.

Why does there seem like m-a-g-i-c is behind all of this fishiness? And why do I keep referring to my suspicion as FISH? Not all fish are suspicious... except when they start taking all your baits from the flipping barb-like-hook without getting caught and you go home without a single fish because of it. And hey, it wasn't just me. My baby cousin didn't get a single fish either. But then, he was the only one NOT fishing.

I guess I was too worried and caught up in my ironically guilt-free thoughts that I almost forgot about the movement I heard behind me just a while ago until I heard it again.

Almost forgot... Okay, so I did forget, but it really doesn't matter one bit.

I suddenly gasped when a warm breath hit my ear and a deep, almost-warm voice said, "Well, well, Tomoyo Daidouji. I would've thought you'd already gotten out of here, seeing as your previous feelings about wining this bet was pretty clear. But then," a hand rested lightly on my lower back, "you would experience unpleasant visits from your conscience and begin to feel possibly... guilty for tricking poor, little... me. Wouldn't you?"

Everything clicked together. Eriol was using MAGIC to make me feel suddenly guilty and then do something to my feet. He was going to win... I was going to lose... He was cheating.

"You cheater!" I spat out with as much outrage as possible. "You filthy, lying, obnoxious, cheating CHEATER!" All traces of remaining guilt flew out of my head as I struggled to move, trying to get my hands around his cheating, lying neck and strangle him until he died. Of course, my entire body just couldn't function properly, could it? Instead, my entire upper body flopped and somehow landed back into Hiiragizawa's arms with my head on his stomach.

Can anyone say, undignified?

Not to mention extremely embarrassing because my hair was getting mussed up from brushing against his clothes and static electricity was beginning to make itself known in my hair. My eyes were probably wide and twitching at the same time from confusion and rage.

"As much as I'd like to stay and explain to you of my motives—" That's right you cheating scum! Stay and EXPLAIN to me! "—I have to go and win myself a victory..." at this I glared and he leaned down so that his face was close to mine "...and a slave." His handsome face smiled slightly, or in my words, smirked. Stupid, smirking, scum of a sesame seed! Never mind my odd insults! It's the meaning behind it that counts! That elephant!

Normally I would've been flabbergasted and flustered (see, F-descriptions match me better and S-words fit him perfectly!) because his face was only an inch away from mine, and considering our position, would've suggested something so intimate I will not say it, but I was not flabbergasted nor flustered.

I was bull-raging indignant and angry. "How dare you, you beep beep of a beep!" or "Kiss my beep you son of a beep beep!" would have been considerate of my helpless position. But no, instead, I was extremely calm and looked at him straight in the eye and said coolly, "We'll see who wins in the end." Oooh, hear that? I just said, 'we'll see'...just like that!

I guess I must have satisfied him, being the insensitive, sadistic, cheating bastard he was, because he smirked and whispered, "I look forward to it." I glared at him, but it was dark, so it was more of a guessing squint. He pushed me so that I was standing straight once again. And to my horror, he bowed.

No, the bow didn't horrify me, but the freezing of my rigid body did. All I could think of was, THAT BASTARD! He smiled mischievously and winked, walking away. And no, I did NOT blush. I was reddening with anger, that's what. Yeah...

"TOMOYOOO! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Oh. My. Goodness.

Sakura was running past me at full speed, nearly blowing Er—Hiiragizawa away. I felt a surge of hope blossom in me as I watched her run with wide eyes. Could it be...? I wasn't going to lose this bet after all? I could hardly keep from cheering out loud. YES! Go Sakura! GO SAKURA! My cousin! My best friend!

I knew it was too nice of Fate. I knew I shouldn't have celebrated so early. A hedge wall suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of the auburn-haired girl, causing her to crash into it—letting Hiiragizawa stroll past her and exit the maze.

Cheater.

"Seeing as you lost, the victor goes to Eriol Hiiragizawa and his friends. Tomoyo Daidouji and her friends will now serve their part of the bet." I listened dully as Kei Inasu droned on and on about how I lost and Hiiragizawa won. Who bloody cares? It's not as if I'm going to break down and cry in front of my enemy! So what if I'm now a slave to HIM for a whole week? I know already! So if they'd just stop rubbing it in my face like the MATURE boys they are I'd really, really appreciate it.

I looked around at my tired and defeated friends. Naoko was glaring so hard at Kei I feared for his skin and what would become of it. But I didn't really care. And Chiharu was just plain tired. Rika, on the other hand, was strangely energetic, and was smiling, particularly at an extremely battered, almost crying, Yamazaki. Sakura was glaring at E-Hiiragizawa as if he was a lying, cheating bastard—which he was. I sighed slightly, feeling disappointed in myself that I'd let my friends down.

"...You will listen to whatever your master tells you to do, and serve his every need..." And he drones on and on with that silly smirk on his face. Why does all the good-looking guys have that disgusting personality? Kei Inasu was fairly good-looking yet he was cursed to become a Hiiragizawa clone. And I won't even get into Syaoran. Yamazaki was pretty okay, but he was still their friend.

I'm a loser. I let down my friends. I'm such a loser—

Wait. That's right. I'M the loser. ME. Not anyone else. Just me. Oh, ho, ho, I've got it! I can save my friends by sacrificing myself! After all, it's not like they're the ones in this bet! It's just Hiiragizawa and me! Yes! I am brilliant!

"Hold it!" I interrupted Kei The red-blond-head-cutie-with-a-bad-personality. Everybody blinked at me as I held up my palm solemnly. "This bet was only between Hiiragizawa and me—nobody else. So that means the consequences are for only him and me." My friends looked at me with incredulous expressions, but I ignored them. "Therefore, I will be the only one... serving him. My friends will not be involved in this." I looked carefully at the guys, ready to challenge them if they argued. I was not in a happy-happy mood, and I was ready to bite anyone's head off.

"Tomoyo," Sakura started, "is right." I felt relieved in my mind. And then she glared, and my relief waved bye-bye. "But I'll be serving the consequences with her." I turned to gently refuse but she snapped, "No, Tomoyo! I'm going to be a slave whether you like it or not!" Oookay. I kept my mouth shut.

Syaoran stepped forward with a smirk, looking at Sakura's emerald eyes. "I have no objections to Kinomoto being a slave." He glanced at Hiiragizawa, whom I haven't looked at since coming out of the maze. "What do you say?"

I could feel those dark blue eyes on me, but I blissfully ignored it and concentrated on the fungi beside my shoe. I think it's a mushroom, with spots, so it had to be poisonous. Perhaps I should eat it right now and die laughing at Hiiragizawa's face...? Nah. That'd be too cowardly. Something HE would do.

Finally, the blue-haired guy spoke. "...I agree with Daidouji." My head shot up and those piercing dark eyes caught mine. He just agreed with me. What is this world coming to? I immediately grew suspicious. What if there was something behind all this...? Maybe he had an ulterior motive? He tilted his head. "Her friends can choose to do whatever they want, but..." at this his eyes grew darker, and I blanched inside, "she will be my slave." He ended with a nice, trademark smirk.

I don't know if it was the idea of being his slave, or the way he smirked quite darkly, or the way he said 'my' so suggestively, but it made me glare. I should be growing tired by now of glaring, especially at this late at night—

Holy freaking moly. What time was it? My eyes widened as I looked down at my watch, but found there was none. Dang it. Right when I need my Rolex, customized, silver watch the most, it was sitting at home in my drawer.

Home. Oh my goodness, what if my mother was HOME! She'd be freaking out, calling security and the entire police force!

My mind grasped a lesson I learned when I was out camping with Sakura back at the tender age of six. Her father taught us how to read time with only the sun, and a stick. I bit my lip as I looked around for a stick. There was one lying behind Yamazaki. I hurried towards it, and then looked for some sunlight...

Hehe, no, I was just kidding! Eh... it IS night. Of course there'd be no sun! Ha ha ha... ha. Everyone may now applaud for Tomoyo Daidouji and her genius mind.

So instead, I searched for moonlight. Ah! There was a patch right by Sakura. I headed towards it and jammed the stick in the moss, and then leaned back, observing my handy work. So how was I supposed to read it now? Something about the shadow... I frowned in frustration. I was running out of time!

"Tomoyo? What are you doing?"

I ignored my cousin as I stared at my "clock". Which way do you look at it again? I cocked my head, wondering if it was the other side. It was something about the stick's shadow... I think. I was oblivious of the fact that everybody, including my friends, was staring at me as though I were insane. Of course, that observation is a little overdue, as I'm sure Hiiragizawa knows by now. I'm a hopeless cause. But a hopeless cause desperate for the time.

And all the sudden, an object appearing before my face breaks me from my deep thoughts. I blinked. It said in glowing figures, 11:08. Hmm, that was nice to know and all, but I failed to understand why... Who's showing me this? I looked up at the grinning Yamazaki, who looks like he's about to faint. Er, yes, why Yamazaki is showing me the time.

...Shut up, shut up, all of you! I knew it was the actual TIME. I was just... testing my own skills!

I should crawl into a hole while I'm at it.

"Well," I said, standing up with a regal air, "it's getting late. We have to be going now." Come, come,Rika, Naoko, Sakura...! I pivoted gracefully and flounced away with as much dignity as possible.

And walked straight into a tree.


I was the luckiest person to be ALIVE. Seriously. Because if my mother happened to be home when a tired bunch of girls, including her daughter, shuffled into the house at nearly midnight wearing nicely designed clothes, she would've killed me. That is, after disowning my lucky pendant and me. And possibly killing Sakura's father. I think the latter's more probable.

As it was, my mother was not home, and we collapsed in my room without too much trouble (my butler only raised his eyebrow). It was a good thing the girls were sleeping over. Otherwise there would be a lot of parents in town murdering their own daughters. Ack, listen to me. I'm starting to think like...like...Hiiragizawa!

I just realized that the past week my mind's been on Hiiragizawa and only Hiiragizawa. Now isn't that lovely? I'm practically obsessed about him! Nope, this has gone too far. I should just stop thinking about him right now.

Too bad I'm his slave for the ENTIRE WEEK.

Stupid, stupid cheater.

I yawned and woke up, getting up from my bed and stumbling to the bathroom. As I brushed my hair, I wondered sleepily why I was so tired and grumpy. It could be that I was tired because I was grumpy. Or maybe I was grumpy because I was tired. Oh well, it didn't really matter. I finished tying my long, raven hair back into a ponytail and proceeded in waking up my sleeping friends.

I tripped and fell on my bed when the reason for my grumpiness hit me. Eriol Hiiragizawa, the stupid, lying, cheating scumbag. And my new master. My morning was officially ruined.

Soon everyone was awake and brushing up. I requested that our breakfast be brought up to my room, since we were so tired. A few maids carried trays of eggs, bacon, biscuits and other yummy food and we all started eating. It was kind of funny how nobody talked about anything that happened last night. And I kind of preferred it that way, since it wasn't a very pleasant topic whatsoever.

It was peaceful like that for a while, until Sakura just had to ask, "Tomoyo, when are we going over to Eriol's?" I gave her a look that said 'what? Are you crazy?' but she didn't buy it. "We have to discuss the rules and such, don't we?" At this, I was ready to squash the poor scrambled eggs.

"Yes," I muttered, hoping she wouldn't hear it and take my silence for a 'no'. But she heard anyway, and before I knew it, we were standing before a huge, old mansion, which I've only been to once, with Sakura holding my arm tight. Darn her. She even rang the doorbell. My plan was to knock quietly and then bolt after five seconds and pretend we're little pranksters. Obviously she didn't approve of it. I only wish I were as strong and courageous as her.

One day, I'll be able to ring the doorbell with as much confidence.

The door opened. But not before we heard screaming, yelling, crashing, banging, and a whole lot of growling. I was growing nervous and scared. It's no big deal, though. I was just at my enemy's house, ready to discuss how I was going to be his slave. Yup, nothing big.

Low and behold, the tall, blue-haired young man was standing before us. I took one look at him and quickly looked down, vowing never to visit him in the morning like this ever again. You see, the 6-foot male had obviously just woken up because his dark hair was quite messy and his glasses were nowhere to be seen. Not to mention there was a glassy expression in his blue eyes. His clothes were a mess. It seemed he had thrown on the first shirt he'd found, which was a white 'I Love New York' t-shirt, and black sweats. He was barefoot too.

"Yes?" he asked after staring in dull shock at the sight of two enemy girls standing at his front door. I glanced at Sakura from the corner of my eye and saw her trying to keep from laughing. I bit my lip and tried to do the same.

"Um," Sakura started, clearing her throat. "Well, you know the bet last night and the results: Tomoyo and I are here to discuss it." She seemed to dislike what she said, but the image of Hiiragizawa sort of made up for the defeat.

He looked at us with a raised eyebrow, as if wondering if we were serious. I frowned slightly and asked, "What? Is there a problem with that?" He gazed at me for a while and leaned against the doorway. I crossed my arms, feeling slightly annoyed. "Well?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. Life started returning to him because his eyes weren't as glassy anymore. "I don't have a problem with that at all. It's probably the fact that the losers are actually coming here and admitting defeat... well, it's very interesting." A slight smirk tugged at his lips. "You're very eager to become my slave, aren't you Daidouji?"

...It's all right Tomoyo...just count slowly to ten...that's right, deep breath...

Sakura stepped in for me. "No, Eriol, it's the fact that she's trying to be the better person here and fulfill her part of the bet—one which she doesn't necessarily deserve." Her emerald eyes frowned at him as he grinned mischievously. "You really shouldn't cheat like that." Obviously she didn't like crashing into the hedge wall like that. I don't blame her, really.

He shrugged. "Hey, it was your friend that cheated first." I glared at him. Sakura turned to blink at me. She didn't see him wink at me. That little...!

"Tomoyo? You didn't cheat, did you?" I decided not to answer her since I was too busy glaring at the grinning enemy.

"Fine," I snapped. "Then we won't discuss anything." I whirled away, taking Sakura's arm, seething. The nerve of the man! He was saying that I cheated! I was going to win, fair and square! He's the one being a triangle!

"Wait," he said. I wasn't going to wait, but it seemed I had no choice as he grabbed my arm. "Let's discuss now, shall we?" I didn't have time to respond as he pulled Sakura and me into the mansion and shut the door.

A/N: Should I stop here? ...Hmm...nah.

Antiques, antiques, antique, Spinel, antiques, antiques, paintings, antiques, antiques, and oh, is that a mirror? And, what, is that an antique? Antique, antique, antique...and ooh,more bloody antiques. Fabulous mansion, he's got here. Really, I envy him. After all, I only have a mansion too.

What? I'm not really in a good mood. Seriously. If I was a little happier, I would admire the collection of dust he has (see? I'm just not happy) and the layers of old books in that massive library we just past by. For some reason, he didn't let go of my arm until I realized he was still holding it, and even then it was after a minute or so. And for reasons unknown, I didn't exactly mind.

I blame it all on my bad mood.

We didn't say anything, except when he asked politely if we wanted anything to eat, which we politely declined, until we reached the third floor. I began to wonder where he was taking us. I also wondered where Nakuru, his bubbly and cheerful, companion and maid, was. It bothered me because she was usually popping up everywhere by now, wrecking havoc.

I guess Sakura was thinking the same because she asked, "Where's Nakuru?" Hiiragizawa glanced back and turned a corner, passing a huge painting of an... orange?

"She's at the mall, buying presents."

I blinked. Presents? Then it dawned on me. Christmas! The winter holidays were coming up and I'd forgotten about them. I think it's because of Eriol Hiiragizawa. I gave his back a glare and tossed my head. Soon, he stopped before a door and opened it. We followed him, and stopped in our tracks.

Syaoran, Yamazaki and Kei were sprawled on several couches in the large room, snoring fitfully. Sakura and I stared at them in surprise before cracking grins, stifling our laughter. Eriol—Hiiragizawa didn't look at us as he shook them all awake. Sakura nudged me as she covered her giggles, pointing at Yamazaki who was sitting up, his black hair sticking up a few inches.

Finally, one of the sleepy guys spotted us standing near the door and, after staring for a full ten seconds without blinking, yelped, "It's Sakura and Tomoyo!" Needless to say, Hiiragizawa was not a happy victor-who-cheated.

Ten minutes later found all of us sitting around a table on the first floor, with Sakura and me sitting on one side, watching the guys in front of us eating. I felt slightly disgusted as they shoved ham and bacon and gulped down juice without stopping. It's amazing how they manage to get a single bite of food in their stomachs by that rate.

I was pleased to see that Hiiragizawa was not very comfortable with Sakura and me watching his friends eat like animals. My cousin especially found delight in smirking at Syaoran, who didn't seem to care that his enemy was watching him spill food. Perhaps this little visit of submission was not so bad as I thought it would be...

"So, what did you two want to discuss?"

And I speak too soon once again.

Eri—Hiiragizawa seemed to read my expression quite well because he smirked and leaned back in his chair. "Weren't you going to discuss about your servitude to us?" That egotistical brat. I wasn't going to discuss anything with the likes of him! Who cared that it was me who brought up the subject in the first place? Who cares if I'm in HIS stupid mansion?

Sakura spoke up. "Well, since we lost, we want to know what you guys want." She glared pointedly at the guy's grins. "And nothing sick! Perverts." I think they were offended, but that was a good thing. I nodded in agreement.

"So," Syaoran said, "You two are our slaves?" He smirked at us.

Hiiragizawa nodded, a thoughtful look behind his glasses. I think he looked better without them. The glasses. They were like veils over his eyes... I don't know. "Being our slaves mean listening to every word we say, and obeying our every order." He waited for us to reluctantly nod. "Your time is devoted to us and only us for the rest of the week... that is, until the end of Saturday. Got it?" We nodded again, scowling. I was beginning to regret coming face to face with him like this. Maybe then Sakura and I could have avoided him. Or maybe not.

My cousin frowned. "And who exactly am I serving?"

I turned to Syaoran, who was surprisingly not smirking and claiming that he was the master. He seemed to be looking intently at the table, his dark brown eyes in concentration. And was that a hint of red on his cheeks...? I glanced at Sakura, but she didn't notice his odd behavior.

Eriol—Hiiragizawa seemed to take notice of this also, and I thought his eyes caught mine before shifting to Kei and Yamazaki. The two guys were almost asleep in their plates of food. "Well, seeing as the only possible candidate is Syaoran, he'll be your master." I could feel Sakura flinching at the words, but she nodded stiffly.

I suddenly realized what being slaves meant, and since I was sitting right in front of my supposed master in his own HOUSE, and there was an uncomfortable silence surrounding the room, I jumped up out of my seat. Sakura blinked and slowly stood with me. I wanted to get out of the room—no, the freaking mansion—right now. Without looking at Hiiragizawa, I announced, "Well, we'll be going then. Sorry for coming unannounced. See you tomorrow." I turned around, Sakura turning with me as she apprehended my plan.

"But wait..." I cursed mentally at the sound of the voice. "Where are you going?" I didn't turn around for fear of not being able to escape.

"Er, we need to go home. Our parents are expecting us," Sakura explained without much nervousness. I felt relieved with her cleverness. We started walking again when Hiiragizawa spoke.

"It can wait, right? Because we want you to wash the dishes." I could hear the amusement in his voice, but it didn't rub off me. In fact, I wanted to punch his lights out. Once again, the Daidouji violence is rearing its beautiful head. I welcomed it for the first and not the last time.

Sakura and I turned back grudgingly, not looking at the smirking guys, and started picking up the dishes. Just as I was contemplating whether to fling the dish of scrambled eggs on Hiiragizawa's head, an unexpected angel from heaven came bouncing into the room. A certain red-haired, strange-outfit-wearing guardian...

"NAKURUU!" Sakura greeted excitedly and flung herself on the startled maid. Nakuru easily grinned and hugged her back, spinning her around as she ditched her many shopping bags. I blinked, watching them. Soon, Sakura was released and the redhead rounded on me.

"TOMOYOOO!" I felt lightheaded as I was, too, taken for a joy ride in spinning circles. "I haven't seen you two in years! What are you doing here!" We all grinned happily at each other.

Sakura quickly responded, "Well, we were just taking care of some business with Eriol and his friends, and we offered to clean the dishes." I immediately saw where this was going. I mean I could see the wheels rolling in my cousin's head. And man, the idea was brilliant. Better even than mine!

"Yeah," I added quickly, "but we don't have much time to stay. We promised our parents we would be home soon." Nakuru immediately got it. Whether she understood our plan or just our excuse, we don't know.

"Well then, you shouldn't be keeping them waiting!" She tsked at the two guys frowning at the table. I hid my grin when I met Hiiragizawa's eyes. He seemed to be deciding whether to interrupt Nakuru or smile. "What are you two doing, making two guests, never less ladies, do all this work?" She took Sakura and my shoulders and led us out the room and towards the front door. "I'll just take care of all this! Sakura, Tomoyo, make sure you visit very soon!" She winked and grinned. "Besides, you'll want to spend more time with Master and Syaoran! Well, good bye!" She pushed us out the door.

I looked at Sakura as she looked at me. We both broke out into giggles, hurrying away from the mansion. Well, that wasn't so bad. At least we were safe from our 'masters' for today.

For some reason, I felt a pricking on neck and I looked back at the mansion.

At the top window I spotted a familiar face. Eriol was watching me with an unreadable expression. I lifted an eyebrow daringly. He just smiled slightly and mouthed something. I blinked. Then he disappeared.

What did he just say?

"Tomorrow. We'll see. Slave."

I furrowed my eyebrows and turned back. Really, the nerve of that guy. How much more arrogant can he get?

Apparently, a whole lot more.


A/N: So, I finally finished the seventh chapter...all in one day.

Yes, I'm quite proud of myself. You should be too. Well, thank you for the reviews! I'll make sure to list those kind readers. As soon as I take the responsibility to be a good author. Yes, yes, that will be the day, I know.