Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

A/N: The second chapter guys!! I want you all to take Eriol's and Tomoyo's relation slowly. Tomoyo's past love is discussed though not in detail, wait for next chapter, their Anniversary party. This chapter is...well read it to find out. A long chapter, sorry!

On with the story...

Pretending in Love

Chapter two

Tomoyo held herself tightly rocking back and forth. Her gaze flicked to the show case she had decorated with adoration. Many expensive gifts, ones from her mother, Sakura and Syaoran, ofcourse, from Eriol stood glaring at her quite blatantly. Her interest settled on the silver framed photograph of Eriol. It was a black and white and he looked painstakingky handsome. She'd often wondered how Kaho could leave a long haired, cerulean eyed and the most powerful sorcerer in the world! Eriol, now, had long flowing hair that reached his mid back and some locks framing his face, his deep set eyes and that sardonic smile, made him attractive but did nothing to hide the animalistic virility that gleamed in his features.

How could she? But then, hadn't Tomoyo resisted his charms...okay if you call Eriol's features as charming. She knew it was far from just charming. But today, somehow, after all these years, she had slipped. Not that it mattered, it was Eriol after all. She had a hard time coping with him after meeting him after a decade.

Sure they'd been friends but once Eriol left Tomoeda, never to return back, his touch was limited only to the Kinomotos. And the Li clan in China. She would hear of him from Sakura and that was that.

Ofcourse, in their world of magic that was non existent to other normal humans, she was just a mere human. She would often feel like Li's vibrant cousin whose spirits had been nearly squashed by the inmitable Wolf dubbed Syaoran, Meilin. Sakura's power grew and she was aware by the passing years, that inside her cousin, a slow passion was beginning to form, ofcourse the recipient of those feelings were Syaoran. She had almost broken, if the wet pillows that maids frowned upon for several months after their engagement had been made official, but for that man.

Tomoyo then hesitantly shifted her gaze to a amethyst crystal colored rose, it seemed to reach her heart and give a violent squeeze. It hurt. She realized that when she felt hot tears. She still felt the same. Eriol's episode now, didn't affect her much, she decided. Looking at the rose, it hurt like hell. As if the wound is still fresh and she felt herself bleeding. She shut her eyes to block thinking of that damned man. Who'd played with her...or Tomoyo willingly went to him. Sakura didn't hurt as much this man had hurt her.

Then came Eriol as she was wandering the streets of Italy aimlessly.

Not that she recognized him, it was he who'd recognized her. She was surprised at first and almost slapped him for 'groping' her as she put. Then the next morning, she found that the company she was working for was actually Eriol's!!

She had to face him the next day, and she had quite sobered up. She knew she was going to beg for the job and she'd do anything to preserve her independance and she needed this job. If she were jobless, in Italy, she would be left again to look for a job, wandering the streets, penniless and the thought shook her. Okay, so she'd beg.

But she didn't have to, she apologized first and Eriol smiled that same mysterious smile.

"Aren't you a long way from home, Daidouji-san?" He asked politely.

"Yes, Hiiragizawa-san. I am working on my own, you know...gaining experience before I take on Okaa-san." She said and was nervous.

Eriol's smile never left his face.

"Is it so Daidouji-san? Then why is your mother sending search parties to find you? She even contacted me." Eriol said and Tomoyo fight hard to keep up her composure.

Too many things at the same time. She wouldn't show the stanger in front of her that she was lost.

"What I said is true Hiiragizawa-sama. Its upto you now. But I would appreciate if you wouldn't judge me..."Tomoyo was cut short.

"Say what! I will make a deal with you. You work here, have your life the way you want it. For now, I can see you are running away but I am not going to say anything. But atleast you aren't all on your own. I am here, the company that is. I have to get back to England soon. I will keep my mouth sealed." Eriol said and got up. Tomoyo smiled gratefully.

"Thankyou. Again, I am so sorry for what happened yesterday. I seriously thought that someone was chasing me and...well, sorry." Tomoyo said and smiled.

"You couldn't say that Daidouji-san. Quite sure I knew I was chasing you but I very well deserved your mugging!" Eriol said and winked, throwing Tomoyo off-gaurd.

Okay...so this is not the same English boy she knew a decade back. This was...a man who was different and she was right, he was a stranger.

She nodded not trusting her tongue as she went out and closed the door behind her.

From there, she worked and eventually, her mother's spies found her. But she was clever enough to negotiate with her mother and in time, she found herself working with Eriol himself, eventhough he lost his patience with her sometimes, life had certainly taken some unexpected turns.

Eriol became her best friend and she became Eriol's best friend. She was able to solve banters of Nakuru and Spinel-sun and she found London suited her. It had become her home. Sometimes, she found herself in the recieving end of her friends' family.

But what led to their marriage was...

"Oh Tomo..." Tomoyo stopped in middle sentence as something went through her.

She knew, it was Eriol, but he had promised he wouldn't use his magic on her!

That was the last thing she remembered as she slipped into a dreamless slumber. Eriol let himself in and looked at the sleeping form. She was plopped royally on the foot of the bed, he bent to place her properly but decided against it.

He took out his buzzing cell and found it was his descendant.

Eriol smirked. Syaoran!

Tomoyo woke up to the morning sun's rays warming her face. She bolted upstraight and a hand flew to calm her pounding heart. She looked around and something floating in the air caught her eyes. It seemed like a note and she rolled her eyes as a smiled formed on her lips.

"Eriol??" She whispered a question and the note flew to her. She opened it and her smile widened.

"Dear beautiful Tomoyo,

Goodmorning! It was a long night I suppose and I apologize for my lecherous behavior. Although I won't deny that I derived immense pleasure in working you up!

Anyway, getting to the point, my Lady, your dress will be brought by Nakuru by the time you finish this letter. And sorry, for putting you to sleep. But I don't understand why you were crying?

Let me make it upto you dear Tomoyo, after tonights party. Sakura and Syaoran are here already.

How does Switzerland sound?

With lots of love,

Eriol."

And just then, the bell rang and Tomoyo giggled. Instead of 'with lots of love', she thought, that Eriol should have written 'magically yours'. Tomoyo stopped before the door and pondered at that thought. She shook her head as if to clear befuddled thoughts and opened bracing herself for the hug-attack.

Sure.

"TOMO-CHAN!!!!" Nakuru's high pitch voice peirced the calm sunny morning and Tomoyo was hugged with a bear embrace. Ofcourse, Tomoyo choked.

"Okay Nakuru. Please leave the Mistress alone. She is choking, you imbecile!"Spinel-sun's voice thundered and Nakuru left Tomoyo and Spinel was behind Tomoyo steadying her swaying form.

"Ha! You are just jealous Suppi-chan!! If you wanted a hug, you could have as well told me!!" Nakuru piped and Spinel visibly grimaced.

"Come on in!!" Tomoyo said as she held Nakuru's hand.

"Woow...Tomo-chan! I never knew you could do house keeping too!" Nakuru chirped and Tomoyo flushed with pride!

"Thank you. Now I will freshen up and you can help yourself with the breakfast, I am sure your Master must have taken care of...no don't look at me like that. He put me sleep yesterday and I slept...feels like ten years!" Tomoyo said and made it to her room.

Ofcourse, Eriol's gaurdians knew what was their relation. They didn't have many guests so other's thought they were the normal couple.

"Put something for your badly chapped lips, Tomo-chan! All work and not taking care of yourself...is not so good." Nakuru said and Tomoyo froze.

"Okay." Tomoyo managed and ran to the bathroom and looked at the mirror.

Her eyes widened. Now that would be noticeable in tonights party! How was she to know that Eriol's kisses would be so...she shook her head. She had a busy day ahead of her. After all she was a career woman!

Eriol was waiting for the fax that would add another company into his vast Empire. The Empire, Tomoyo helped him build!

Tomoyo...he was just wondering. He tried hard to concentrate on his work but his thoughts flew to the amethyst eyed beauty who almost warmed his bed. He'd returned after his jangled nerves settled down and was troubled to find her crying! But it didn't take a genius to realize that she was not crying because of him. He knew that she had loved Sakura but...there was some one else, he was sure of it. He cast a spell and she fell asleep. When he settled under his blankets, it smelled soft jasmine reminding him that Tomoyo was there, all willing today, beneath him. He could still taste her and he willed himself to fall asleep. Today some how her walls were breached and he was just surprised that how it happened.

His eyes flicked over to the marriage photograph nestled amongst various files that needed attention.

Their marriage...

Tomoyo's mother was forcing her to come back to Tomoeda. And Tomoyo's spirits were getting crushed as the days passed. Eriol had watched Tomoyo put on a brave front all these three years and now he knew, she was falling apart again. And he too knew, that running the company wouldn't be the same without her. 'The Sun' was Tomoyo's as much as it was Eriol's. Both had built it and now...

"How about you become my partner, Daidouji-san?" Eriol asked as she was stuffing her bag to catch a flight back to Japan.

"That wouldn't help Hiiragizawa-sama. I could as well work from there if that were the case." She said softly crying.

"Its not all that bad. You have your experience now, it will be fine." Eriol said.

"Mmm. I know, but you wouldn't understand." Tomoyo said as she seated herself next to Eriol. Nakuru was pouting in the back seat, not at all happy with Tomoyo leaving. Spinel for once, agreed with Nakuru.

Eriol understood very well. He knew that returning to her mother was not troubling her but some thing else. And he had never seen her so afraid, ready-to-break state before.

He helped her getting the bags and waited for her. Nakuru and Spinel chose to stay in the car.

Eriol entered the air port with Tomoyo in tow.

"I want you to be happy, Daidouji-san." Eriol said and she smiled. Tears were still there and she hugged him.

"I will miss you. Very much. I don't want to go, Hiiragizawa-sama." She said and people around thought that they were lovers!

Something in Eriol snapped into action and he held her close. Tomoyo's crying stopped at this gesture and looked up at him.

"Then don't go." Eriol said and she blinked.

"Nani?" Tomoyo squeaked.

"Marry me Daidouji-san. Then you can stay here, with me, Nakuru, Spinel-sun. With us." Eriol said looking into her eyes intensely.

"But...I can't Hiiragizawa-sama. Its..."Tomoyo struggled. She wanted to say that she was not in love with him.

"No. Not like that. Look, you don't want to go and I need you to be here." Eriol said and Tomoyo's brows fused.

'He needs me?' Tomoyo frowned.

"Our company is our baby Daidouji-san. Our marriage is an advantage for both of us. You can stay here and our matrimony will be an impetus to our 'Sun'." Eriol said and all along Eriol was holding her tightly.

But that didn't convince Tomoyo but she managed to miss the flight as Eriol sat down to explain the plan.

By the end of it, Eriol was carrying a sleepy Tomoyo back to her own apartment. He opened the door and she snuggled closer to him. He placed her on the bed and switched off the lights to let her be.

He turned and she caught his hand.

"Yes, Daidouji-san?" He asked softly.

"What about the ring??"She asked sleepily and Eriol smiled. And he knew, by this time, even Tomoyo was watching him.

He took her left hand and she sat up on the bed. He joined his fingers as if to hold a ring and Tomoyo's eyebrows went up. There was no ring. But suddenly there was light flooding the room and Tomoyo gasped.

For Eriol was slipping around her ring finger, a beautiful looking ruby ring surrounded by little diamond studds.

"Is that okay...Tomoyo?" Eriol asked and she looked at him sharply because he had taken her name! And how...soft it sounded from his lips.

"Yes...Eriol." She said as if testing how his name sounded on her lips. Eriol smiled, he liked the way his name sonded with a foreign slang to it.

Eriol smiled at the memory. Not that he would ever forget it. Actually, even he hadn't seen this coming. Tomoyo just came out of nowhere in his life. And he knew that it was the same for her. But both were happy.

The fax reached him and he smiled. Time to call Tomoyo and let her know this happy news.

He waited as it rang and it was a cheery voice of Nakuru's he heard.

"Hello Nakuru!" Eriol said and there was loud screech on the other end. Eriol slowly shook his head. When was Nakuru ever going to learn but he had made it this way.

"Eriol??" Tomoyo's voice boomed and he smiled again.

"Good news. We nailed the QuickSilver sports company!" Eriol said and could feel the warmth of her smile even from his ofice.

"Wow! Congratulations then...to us!!" She said and Eriol agreed.

"Tomoyo...are you ready to meet some guests?" Eriol smiled into the phone.

"Okay Eriol, I can see you smiling 'that' smile. What guests?" She asked and a door bell answered her.

"Eriol!!" Tomoyo thundered mockingly as if accusing him for the door bell.

"Hey!! Not me, its Sakura and my cute little descendant!" Eriol said and he heard a irritated growl.

Syaoran had heard him. Sakura and Tomoyo laughed at this.

Sakura hugged Tomoyo from behind and spoke.

"Hey Eriol!! We were hoping to catch you guys together!" Sakura said.

"I will be there dear Sakura. Give me two hours. I will finish this and come." Eriol said.

"Typical Hiiragizawa! You just don't know any manners." Syaoran ground out. Still, Syaoran didn't like the idea of Tomoyo being married to Eriol.

"Ah!! Syaoran. How are you, ma chere?" Eriol asked teasing him.

"Eriol!!" Tomoyo and Sakura cried together and Eriol laughed while Syaoran shook his head as he sat down.

"I give up." He said and smiled at the two women.

"Bye, girls. I promise I will be back soon." Eriol said and the girls did the same.

Sakura turned Tomoyo to look at her and then again hugged her.

" I missed you so much Tomoyo!!" Sakura said and Tomoyo smiled at Syaoran who was grinning at her.

"Mmm...me too. I miss video taping you and designing for you!" Tomoyo said and Sakura laughed looking at her once more.

Her laughing faded and Tomoyo was painfully aware of the part which was under intense scrutiny.

"Your lips Tomoyo-chan...whats wrong with them??" Sakura asked a look of puzzlement on her face.

"I don't know...I woke up to find it like this." Tomoyo said and she noted Syaoran's grin widen. She blushed and turned again.

"Well take me to your room. I will help ya." Sakura said boucning off and Tomoyo directed her.

Syaoran was still looking at her and Tomoyo smiled.

"Li-kun!! Why are you staring at me like that?" Tomoyo asked and Syaoran shook his head.

"So Hiiragizawa is being hard on you!" He teased and accepted the coffee that was served by Nakuru. Tomoyo helped Nakuru with the cakes and cookies.

"Why are you so red, Tomo-chan??" Nakuru asked and Syaoran grinned once more.

Okay...Eriol when will you get home? Tomoyo thought as Sakura returned with a cream in her hands.

Tomoyo gasped at her reflection and Sakura and Nakuru had proud satisfied faces.

"You like it?" Nakuru asked and Tomoyo nodded.

"I love it. Its beautiful..."She whispered.

"It has to be. Its my gift to you afterall." Sakura said and Tomoyo nodded.

It was a white corset dress, strapless with expensive Chinese silk and amazing baby pink floral patterns. Nakuru and Sakura stood at her side and took an end each and raised their hands and suddenly Tomoyo looked as though she'd sprouted wings.

"Its...big!!" Her eyes went wide. It really had a big elaborate skirt. Tomoyo took it from them and flapped them gracefully...it was an amazing piece of work!

"Yeah...cool don't you think?" Sakura asked and she nodded.

"Okay. Take it off and we'll decide on your hair style. And perfume...and sandals...and everything else." Nakuru chirped and Tomoyo slipped into the bathroom before shouting again how beautiful this dress was.

"Ofcourse. Its Yukito's creation afterall!!" Sakura's chirpy voice echoed from the closed door and Tomoyo snapped up as if struck.

Yukito???

She looked at her and couldn't help seeing Yukito's smiling face behind her. She didn't realize she was crying and she wiped at them angrily. He still had the power over her. And that explained the color of the dress. Yukito had always said she was a white angel and she knew that he knew who this dress was for. She took off the dress and slumped back on top of the toilet seat. She held her head that was pounding madly...

Yukito...Yukito...Yukito...or was it Yue? She knew the person she fell in love with. It wasn't Yukito...but it was Yue. Her heart twisted remembering the moon gaurdian's cold features that had shattered her already wonded heart. Thats when she noticed the front of the dress...it went as if wings were draped and she knew...it was Yue's handiness. And it was Yue who designed this dress.

Wounds reopened and she closed her eyes. She laughed at her weak heart that still ached for him.

Even after all these years...she wondered why Yue had...entertained her...or used her...or...she didn't exactly know why Yue behaved like that. Made her fall hopelessly in love with him and then break her completely. His efforts were amazing for she still loved him. But she wouldn't think of it now. He was in the past and now...it was her Anniversary day. With Eriol. Dear Eriol...

And her beloved friends and she had to be with Eriol for Kaho would be there too. And she knew that Eriol strongly felt for Kaho even now.

Enough of tears. She put on a sincere smile as she washed her face and opened to two bubbly friends who smiled at her brightly.

She smiled back. Her life was rocking!

Tomoyo was swaying to a Ronan Keating tune when Eriol returned. Eriol just stopped at the kitchen door as Tomoyo swayed her hips as she was cooking. Eriol smiled and went back, not disturbing her. When he got his shoes off and shirked off his coat, he thought he should let her know she was there.

"Tomoyo, where are the others?" Eriol asked and Tomoyo jumped.

"Don't do this again!!" Tomoyo whispered holding her throat.

"Are you always this jumpy or..."Eriol couldn't finish.

"No, its you." Tomoyo smiled as she took off the apron to reveal a lavender shirt and a faded jean. Her hair was put up in a bun and she washed her hands to join him.

"Coffee?" She asked and he refused.

He went near the balcony and looked outside. He sat down on the tiles before lying on the floor completely and closing his eyes. This was his favourite spot. Near the spacious balcony that allowed the cool breeze of the Thames river to flow in along with the scent of flowers on the trees. And the indoor plants that decorated the balcony that appeared green thanks to Tomoyo.

He felt Tomoyo join him lying next to him. Thier bodies weren't touching.

"Have you seen the dress?" He asked and Tomoyo clicked her tongue.

"Yes. And the others have gone out sightseeing. Just the river I think. You are early." She said and he turned to look at her.

"Yes. They are here because of us and I guess I felt guilty about leaving them alone with you." Eriol said.

"Ofcourse. You can not imagine how I managed to convince Sakura that my room was indeed our room and the other is where Nakuru sleeps in." Tomoyo said smiling and Eriol sighed.

He reached for her and pulled her to him. It was a funny feeling, Tomoyo thought, to be sliding along the tiles and she felt the sudden warmth of Eriol's body.

"Your lips..." He murmured apologetically.

"Oh no. Don't worry. Sakura is on it. See...some cream of hers." Tomoyo lifted her chin to give Eriol a better view.

The lips were swollen and chapped at some places. Was he that hard on her?

He ran his thumb over her lips and was aware of the slightly alarmed gaze of Tomoyo. He smiled inside.

But the trembling lips were too much of a temptation and he could feel Tomoyo's disturbed breathing.

Tomoyo cursed her racing heart and cursed Eriol for his hot breath on her lips were making her brain to shut out completely.

She'd been with him for such a long time and why was she feeling like this...now???

Eriol closed the gap between them and pressed his lips to hers. He gently carassed them and parted his lips to touch her swollen lips. He gently sucked on them and was aware of Tomoyo's tightening grasp on his shirt as well the other hand which was clasped with his own above their heads.

Eriol's other free hand came to rest on her soft cheek and stroked it, coaxing her...

Finally she parted her lips willingly and met his eager tongue with her own.

They didn't realize it but their kiss had become intimately passionate, hard driven by heated desire and lust. Eriol's hand that rested on her cheeks now went to her back, pressing her close to him and to adjust, Tomoyo's hand that was clutching his shirt wound around his neck bringing his face more close to him.

"Oh my!!" Nakuru breathed as Spinel-sun openly gawked at his Master and Mistress.

As for Syaoran and Sakura, they were speechless. Sakura was smiling madly but Syaoran had a little frown on his face.

"Now I believe your theory Master Li, where Tomoyo got her swollen lips from..." Sakura gushed.

It was Eriol who realized that they had company and pulled away and Tomoyo sunk into him gasping for air. Eriol's eyes closed at the sensation of Tomoyo's lips against his throat and her hand that was around his neck still pinning him to her.

Both were to dazed to be embaressed by their audience, since they were still reeling from their own passion. Both longed...to see what it lead to without anything to stop them. But both realized that it was they who would stop it and it would always be stopped and they will never know...because sooner or later, their past would surface and they would recoil from their passion.

"Eriol!" Syaoran's surprised voice washed over both of them.

Eriol let her go reluctanlty to look at the four of them and he realized why they had stricken expression on their face.

Both were glowing...in faint blue.

Again. Which was confusing and...it had never happened before.

A/N: Okay fellas...I have used some magic in this chapter and in the next, it will be 'magical' as any CCS stuff should be!! Next chapter confrontation of past lovers and highly tensed atmosphere...

Review guys...please...it really boosts me up!!

A sneak peek into next chapter:

(Don't burn me over my choice of Tomoyo's past that is Yue, I promise I have a solid reason...haahaa)

"You look beautiful in this dress, my white angel..."Yue's voice sent shivers down her spine and had a sesational effect. Tomoyo opened her eyes to find they were dancing in a secluded space and she could see the moon shine bright. She looked up and was startled to see Yue instead of Yukio and they stopped swaying to the music.

"Yue..."Tomoyo breathed and he pressed his lips to her to which she went rigid as if in shock.

He withdrew to show his twinkling eyes and lips that were parted in a cynical smirk.

"My name still sounds loved on your lips, Tomoyo...and white is always is your color..." Yue said lifting her off the ground as wings emerged from him...

...Eriol grabbed Tomoyo from one of the thugs and jumped up and he was floating in the air. Tomoyo's eyes were red with crying and she wimpered looking at him. Her amethyst iris contrasted the redness. His heart twisted and blind rage filled him and his hair grew wild, breaking free from the confines of a band and they flew up. Tomoyo shut her eyes clinging to him.

"Tomoyo...look at me."Eriol said and she looked up.

He looked at her torn dress that was bloody and messy. Since it was in white, it showed the mess quite blatanlty.

He touched her dress and ran his hands all over her and Tomoyo closed her eyes and felt her hair getting loose from the tight buns. When she opened her eyes, she realized that her bloody mouth was not like that anymore and she slowly looked down. Her dress was a great mixture of lavender and purple and the flower patterns were all black. She looked up at Eriol.

"This is you...Tomoyo..."Eriol smiled his boyish grin...