A/N: I felt a bit guilty as I read over this story. It was much better than I give it credit for in my memory, there are still areas I will admit that are cliched and begging for some improvement, but I reached the end and found that it seemed to it be a bizarrely fitting ending for Sakura and Syaoran, and that perhaps it could be for Eriol and Tomoyo too, so I got to work on this and rushed it out so I can go back to my work assignment slightly more satisfied...It might not fit fully with the rest of the story, and you can probably notice a slight difference in style, but I think it deserved a proper conclusion.
Thanks to anyone who was watching this, and I apoloise for the delay, or even that there isn't going to be anymore chapters! However, I might have a look at some of the other fanfics I've left hanging and see if they're worth salvaging. Though I must say that CCS isn't really my fandom anymore...But who knows? ;)
It hadn't been long after the present giving that Tomoyo took her cue to leave. She hugged Sakura tightly, and whispered congratulations in her ear, as she made up some excuse about helping her mum with some house work.
It was something that had been for seen by Eriol as he slowly stretched his arms out and yawned, "Right, I best leave you love birds to nest," he winked and nudged Syaoran firmly in the ribs, who returned the gesture with an indignant glare.
There was a moment's pause as Tomoyo's face turned to meet the stare of Eriol. Her face showed just how objected she was to his ploy for only a few seconds before she smiled politely at him, "I guess this means we can walk home together?" The tone of her voice was cutting, but subtle; a message that was only picked up by one other in the room.
Better friends than enemies.
*
The evening was warm. Eriol had humoured Tomoyo's desires, and they'd walked most the way in silence. He allowed her to walk a few paces a head of him, as she wished.
Finally, he stopped walking. "Listen," he said.
"Look I'm not-"
"No, Listen." He repeated, "To the world."
Tomoyo's expression slowly grew blank as she realised, and closed her eyes. She focussed on the sounds, the birds, the insects...
"Can you hear them?" Eriol whispered, sending a shiver down her spine, he'd silently crept up behind her, and was breathing gently in her ear.
"Yes." She sighed.
"It's Spring, love is everywhere, it's nature..."
Tomoyo's eyes opened, and she stepped quickly away from Eriol, turning to look him in straight in the eyes. He didn't blink. His eyes were awhirl with a mix of emotions. Longing, desire, sincerity...She smiled, and shook her head, "Eriol," she gazed vacantly over is shoulder, "If there is anything that I've learnt from love, it's that persistency isn't the answer, believe me, I've tried so many times to make someone love me but no matter what I say or do, I can't change someone's will."
The boy's mouth opened to blurt out a clever retort, but was held short as Tomoyo's hand smouthered his mouth.
"Eriol, I like you. You're a good friend, and maybe you could be more, but I'm not ready yet." She sighed, and slowly brought her lips to rest gently on the boy's pale cheek, "Ask me in the Autumn," she winked, "I much prefer it as a season!"
She spared no more time, as she continued to stroll up the street towards her house, "See you soon!" she shouted over her shoulder.
The blue haired boy was for once found lost for words. " –See you!" he blurted quickly back, but too quiet for her to hear. Perhaps he had underestimated Tomoyo.
A wry smile crossed his lips.
I'll never give up.
*
Lets stay friends,
I don't think I can...
Sorry.
Will you ever realise there's something more? Friends are never just friends...
Better friends than enemies.
I'll never give up.
I can't shake off this feeling that's come over me.
It's not like me to feel this...scared...uncertain...lost.
To find myself questioning my ability, my personality, my friends.
It's not like me to avoid contact, to hide away,
to stop caring; but I do.
No matter where I turn, I find myself shrivelling back,
curling myself tight into a ball.
Hiding myself.
It's not like me to care about what people say,
but I do.
Three words are enough to save me,
and three to defeat me.
I've admired from a distance,
and from up close.
I've been there through happiness,
and through distress.
Each time, I felt myself come closer to finding myself, it was in reach.
But three words were all it took.
The smile on your face was enough to give me happiness,
the laughter from your mouth enough to give me hope,
But three words were all it took.
Nothing compares to my feelings now,
after you whispered tenderly in my ear...
"Let's stay friends."