WOow! I've uploaded another chapter how many years have passed! yay! First of all, I want to greet anyone who stumbled upon my worthless fic A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I love you all so much! Anyway I won't delay you any further! Drumroll please! drumroll Presenting…. "Chapter 2: Return of an old friend" by yours truly!

Disclaimer: None of CCS is mine. All that's mine is this plot.

Tomoyo sighed, enjoying the crisp autumn air by herself as she descended down the stairs in front of her school. She could hear in a distant some of the Tomoeda High Cheerleader's chant, and she felt a little smile play across her lips. Even though she doesn't like cheerleading that much, except designing their uniforms, she was enjoying hearing the familiar rhythm and music. They were preparing for the International Cheerleading Competition, which they won champion from the last year. Sakura, being the head cheerleader and choreographer, cannot be absent, that's why she was walking home alone for today.

Tomoyo continued walking, her ponytail bobbing slightly behind her. Normally, she didn't mind Sakura's practices, but due to Sakura's upcoming wedding, she decided to spend all of her spare time with her best friend. Sakura, hearing Tomoyo's plan, agreed and the two of them took a vow under the cherry blossom tree behind their school.

Despite of their solemn vow, the wedding still have a way of coming in between them. Hotel arrangements, wedding rehearsals, pictorials, family meetings, etcetera.

Tomoyo sighed again, then for a moment, she felt so horribly lonely that she thought she would break down right in the middle of the street.

Instead of going through the main road, she decided to trek a little and go to their favorite place. The Penguin Park. Nobody knew that even though they are already 16, they still got to Penguin Park from time to time, playing like kids, shooting a movie with her Sony Ruvi, everything.

Tomoyo placed her bag neatly on the foot of the slide and sat down on one of the swings, surveying her surroundings. Even though the Penguin Park has been famous during their days, it was now abandoned, with a lot of weeds growing around, graffitis covering every inch of the king Penguin that is still standing at the center of the park.

She gripped the chain of the swing tighter. A lot of fond memories happened here, and it seemed wrong that Sakura isn't here with her.

"Sakura-chan, do you think you can pose a little by that tree?" Tomoyo said aloud, holding an imaginary videocam in front of her. "You look kawaii Sakura-chan, now smile!" Tomoyo smiled, in her mind's eye a cute Sakura was smiling sheepishly back at her, wearing one of Tomoyo's famous designs.

Tomoyo's smile started to fade. She sighed and started to swing a little. She thought of Sakura and her violet eyes started to tear a little. The imaginary Sakura in front of her wasn't smiling at her after all, but at Li. Li walked up to her and took her beloved friend away.

Tomoyo grind her foot forcefully and stopped swinging. She was crying now. Twice in one day!

'What will the press say if the see the cool, composed, daughter of a multi billionaire Daidouji Tomoyo crying her eyes out?' She smiled ruefully at herself.

"Life's not fair." Tomoyo whispered to the now setting sun. She stood up, dried her tears, and after staring a little at the descending sun which felt like her life, retrieved her bag and started to trek back home.

"Tadaima (Welcome home) Dadouji-dono" a maid greeted her in the front hall.

"Hi, Kiffy." Tomoyo greeted monotously, sliding out of her coat. "What's new?"

Kiffy took her mistress's coat and bag and followed her upstairs. "Well, your dinner is ready in the dining room."

"Not hungry." Tomoyo grunted.

"The Lifestyle magazine editor in chief went and delivered your last photos personally." Kiffy continued, handing her a large white envelope.

Tomoyo accepted the envelope then threw it in the nearest trashcan.

"And there were several phone calls for you."

"Let's hear them." Tomoyo said, fishing a key from her skirt pocket and unlocking her bedroom door.

"Your singing instructor said you recital was moved to next Tuesday."

Tomoyo stopped and stared unbelievingly at her maid. "Next Tuesday? Already?"

Kiffy simply shrugged. "That's what he said."

"Who else called?"

"Your mother, she caught an early flight to Paris."

Tomoyo sighed, not bothering to reply. She doesn't see her mother much, not that she mind. After all, she has always been like that ever since she can remember. She pushed her oak door and threw herself down her bed facedown, Kiffy still babbling behind her.

"The president of Tokyo fashions wants to congratulate you on your last fashion show. The model from Ford international is confirming your appointment, Sakura-chan wanted to ask if you can come at her place tonight at 8:00 for dinner, and-"

At the mention of Sakura's name, Tomoyo bolted up, forgetting any tiredness that sent her facedown on her bed. "Sakura called?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

She grabbed her coat from Kiffy's arms and raced out of her room, ignoring Kiffy's yell, "Mistress! You have one more message!"

Tomoyo grabbed her hat from the bronzed hat stand standing near the front door. Without waiting for the butler to open the front door, she pushed it open, jumped in her red sports car and raced off, not noticing a lone figure by the trees, watching her.

Tomoyo stepped out of her car and knocked on the Kinimoto's front door. After waiting several minutes, she let herself in.

"Hello? Sakura-chan? Kinimoto-san? Touya-kun?" Tomoyo called, removing her shoes and peeping inside the dining room. No one was there, although there were plates and food set up.

"Funny. I thought Sakura said there would be dinner tonight." A frown crept on her pretty face. She heard some voices upstairs and her frown deepened.

Tomoyo climbed the stairs, and there were definitely familiar voices, although she can't hear Sakura's voice.

"Sakura-san, open up."

"Come on Sakura, there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Baka Kaijuu (Stupid monster), stop irritating everyone else and come out of the bathroom this instant!"

"Aahh, Touya-kun, I don't think it's helpful."

Tomoyo saw the 4 gentlemen outside the bathroom door. Kinimoto Touya huffing at a corner with Yukito beside him, Syaoran rapping the door urgently, and Sakura's father trying to talk her daughter and failing miserably.

"Um..good evening?" Tomoyo said, uncertain.

All four turned toward her.

"Ah! Tomoyo-san! Welcome!" Fujitaka said, smiling at her. Although there's a crisis underhand, one musn't forget to be polite.

"Yes, good to see you everybody. Where's Sakura?" Tomoyo asked, bowing at him.

"Kaijuu's in the bathroom. She doesn't want to go out and the Li's are about to come any second!" Touya interjected, shooting a glance at the still locked door.

Tomoyo sighed and rapped smartly on the door. "Sakura, it's me, Tomoyo."

"Go 'way." A muffled voice came from the bathroom.

"She doesn't want to come out Tomoyo! What if she stays there forever? Or until our wedding day? What if she doesn't want to marry me anymore? What if-"

"Syaoran! Stop it! Get a hold of yourself!" Tomoyo said, shaking Syaoran by his shoulders. She's coming out of that bathroom right now whether she like it or not!" With that, Tomoyo turned on her heel and stomped right out of the house. She went directly under the bathroom window, took a deep breath, and started to climb the trellis.

Yukito, Touya, and Fujitaka, whom followed her, yelled out but she ignored them, and focused on the window above her. Finally, she reached the window, and rapped on it.

Sakura looked up and was startled by her friend.

"Sakura if you don't open this window right this instant I'm gonna fall any second and you'll end up having no maid of honor at your wedding!" Tomoyo shouted, sweat trickling on her forehead.

Sakura immediately got up and opened the window. Tomoyo swung her long leg and got inside. The three men sighed in relief.

"Okay girl, tell me what's your problem." Tomoyo said, slumping down the floor, still breathing hard from her climb.

"Tomoyo-chan, Syaoran…he said…" Sakura choked, her shoulder's trembling.

"What? Syaoran? What did he do?" Tomoyo tensed up, her fists balling in rage.

Sakura turned to her friend, collapsing in her arms and focusing her watery emerald eyes to her friend. "He..said…he..didn't….his mother…doesn't…eat…spaghetti!!!" Sakura howled, her body racked with violent sobs.

Tomoyo held her for a while, stunned. "Spaghetti? What does that have to do with anything?"

Sakura stopped crying for a while. "Well, if she didn't like my spaghetti, she would have a bad first impression on me. And if she had a bad impression, she might stop Syaoran from marrying me. And where would I be?!?!?!" Sakura cried again and bury her face in her best friend's lap.

Tomoyo tried to hide a smile. She stroked her friend's auburn head and said soothingly. "Don't worry Sakura-chan. I happen to know that mother-in-law's ALWAYS like spaghetti."

"Really?" Sakura asked, her voice small and trusting. She looked at Tomoyo with hope and trust of a child.

"Hai. Now stop crying and don't believe what Syaoran said. He's just teasing you." Tomoyo retrieved a fresh handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her tear stained face.

Sakura took the handkerchief from her friend and stood up, wiping her face all the way. "I have been silly again. I'm sorry." She said, smiling a little.

Tomoyo also stood up and hugged her friend. "It's okay to act silly if you're scared. I understand."

Sakura returned her hug. After a while, she released her and gave Tomoyo a wobbly smile. "Do you mind if you unlock the door? I'm just going to wash my face for a while before I face Syaoran."

Tomoyo blinked, then in a hollowed voice, said "Sure Skura-chan."

Sakura smiled her sweet smile and squeezed Tomoyo's pale hand. "Thank you."

Tomoyo mutely nodded and unlocked the door. Before she could turn the knob, Syaoran came barging in and gathered his beloved in his arms. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I hurt you! I love you so much Sakura! Really I do!"

Sakura's tears flowed again and she hugged Syaoran back. "I'm also sorry! I still love you!"

Neither of them noticed Tomoyo silently picking up her handkerchief and easing out of the bathroom, leaving the lovers alone.

"You sure you don't want to have dinner with us, Tomoyo-san?" Touya asked. The Lis are already there, Fujitaka and Yukito was entertaining them and the couple haven't came down yet.

"It's okay Touya-san. I have a lot of work to do." Tomoyo said, giving him a fake smile.

"Take care Tomoyo, don't strain yourself too much." Touya said sternly, holding up Tomoyo's coat as she slipped into it.

"All this came from the man who works 24/7." Tomoyo said, laughing.

Touya smiled gently and kissed her on the forehead. "That's enough. Now get out of here."

"Okay, bye Touya-san!" Tomoyo gave him a wave and slipped in her car, then drove off.

"How's she holding up?" A voice asked behind Touya as he closed the door.

"Pretty good, you won't guess that she's actually cracking inside."

Yukito sighed and leaned to Touya, resting his blond head on Touya's massive shoulder. "Poor Tomoyo-san. I wonder where she finds the strength."

Touya didn't reply, his head full of the younger girl.

Take care Tomoyo. Don't do anything rashly.

He watched as her car pulled up the driveway. His eyes followed as she got out of the car, handing her keys to the butler and stepping inside her house.

"Looks like mademoiselle Daidouji returned home." Kiffy commented behind him.

Startled, he let the curtain dropped and smiled at the maid. "It seems so."

"I'm sorry you have to wait so long. I tried to tell her that you were coming, but she raced out before I could say another word."

"I know. It's alright. Your company has been lovely, Kitty."

"Kiffy." She corrected the handsome stranger, her heart thumping loudly. As soon as her mistress went to the Kinimoto residence, this young man rang the doorbell. He gave her a heart stopping smile and said simply "We spoke on the phone. I'm supposed to meet Daidouji-san. Is she here?"

"The older one or the young one?" Kiffy asked, her face feeling hot.

The man gave a bell sounding laugh and winked at her. "The young one of course."

Kiffy let him inside and for hours they talked. He was hilarious, polite, amazing, and to top it off, handsome. She found herself wishing her pale mistress sleep at Sakura-chan's so that they can talk some more.

The guy's eyes darted at the window again, and Kiffy found herself wondering who this young man might be in Tomoyo's life. 'An ex boyfriend, perhaps?'

"Kiffy? Where are you? I'm home." Tomoyo called out.

"Mistress!" Kiffy exclaimed, throwing the door open. "Mistress! Someone is here to see you!"

Tomoyo cast her weary eyes on her maid/personal assistant. "I thought I told you that I accept no visitors after 10:00, no matter who it is." She said, striding in the living room. After a busy day, all she wanted was to sink at her bed and sleep.

"But, he said he's a close friend, and that you were expecting him."

Tomoyo's pace quickened, anger seething inside her. She stopped and glared at the stranger's back. "Good evening stranger. Come and face me." Tomoyo called out.

As he turned, Tomoyo felt her breath caught. This was no stranger. Even though he's now 6'2 tall, wearing a black tuxedo and no glasses, she'll know that smile anywhere.

"Good evening Daidouji-san. Surprised?" Hiirigizawa Eriol asked, smiling mischievously.

And everything went black.

Yay! Another chapter finished! Woah, Eriol's back! Hmm, I wonder what will happen?!?!? Getting interesting… Stick around and you'll know!  Adios, till next time!