from skybluescramble:

I am home , friends!

It`s been quite long since I posted the previous chapter, ne? As presumed, Japanese high school is REALLY worn me out. But I promised you not to make this story on hiatus, so this is it! :D

Reviews from you all: Seirin, Shanaa12, freyasakura (hey, thank you very much for the advice!), cheng, Krissy, Judex, xArcherx, krazypig91, KiNoMoTo18 (my grammar is sucks, really sorry about that), and Innocent`s Sorrow (thanks for the help! :) love you) really made me happy! Also, thanks a lot for favoriting my fic!

And this chapter is presented for you and my awesome beta-reader, Irrevocable Truth (I`m so glad to know you, really!).

R&R :3

DISCLAIMER:

Not mine.

I`m tired of writing this part.

Is it not clear enough that this site was named fanfiction dot net? =,=

::The Proposal::

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SUMMARY:

Realizing there was no way to escape from the circumtances, Tomoyo took a long, deep breath before saying, "Well.. Sakura-chan, I think I have to tell you something."

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CHAPTER #6: Can You Make A Secret?

RASPBERRY pie, fresh from the oven and still with some white, hot steam looked so tantalizing for anyone who saw it. Even with a very full stomach, or for those who have no appetite, the pie would make their mouth water—wanting to dig in. It was a great relief that the efforts for hours produced such a wonderful piece. Sakura Kinomoto wiped her sweat away from her forehead with gloved hands, sighing in satisfaction as she turned to face Tomoyo Daidouji, who had been there to make the pie with her. Today, she invited the raven-haired girl to come over and spend time together—something that suddenly became so special since there was almost no time left in their schedules. To be honest, Sakura did not really like the idea of growing up nor turning into an adult. Adults` daily life is pretty monotonous in her eyes. Furthermore, it seemed everyone became so distant, too carried away with their own business.

"Done!" Sakura said in joy, removing her apron as Tomoyo did so. "I will clean up so that we can serve this to them soon!"

"I`ll help you." Tomoyo offered her hands.

Sakura shook her head in refusal. "No, Tomoyo-chan. You have a more important task. Please watch over Kero-chan. I think he is playing video games in my room, but the smell of food could send him here straightway."

Tomoyo laughed a sweet chuckle. "Okay. I`m going upstairs."

"Please, To-chan."

As she made her way up to the second floor, Tomoyo`s thoughts strangely flew towards her recent situation. And Eriol, since he could never be torn apart from it. She remembered their most stormy dialogues in the limousine few days ago. It was when he informed her that she didn't need to work again. If she was not mistaken, their chats were like...

"One more thing before I forget. Starting tomorrow, you don`t need to work any longer." Eriol said in a commanding tone.

Tomoyo blinked. She barely understood what he meaning behind those words were, but she could feel bad presentiment about it. "Why?"

"I had told your boss—"

Getting anxious, Tomoyo turned her whole body to face him as she interrupted, "What did you tell him?"

"—that you are quitting your job."

Streaked, Tomoyo stared at him wide-eyed, mouth opening and closing like a fish, but nothing came out from her lips. She felt as if she was struck by lightning in a sunny day. Eriol, paid no care with her state, casually looking out the window and tapped his long fingers against the seat softly. If he wore a suit instead of a pair of jeans and shirt, he would precisely look like young executive ready for important meeting.

"You can`t do this to me." She finally muttered something.

"I did that for you, Daidouji-san."

"I don`t remember asking you," Tomoyo answered, surprised herself at the harsh tone she used.

"Did I need to?" Eriol shot back in a low voice, but somehow she could tell his rigidity. "This is one form of my responsibility, Daidouji-san. I don`t want to argue with you. Period."

"Hiiragizawa-san, you cannot just force other people into your plan!"

"I studied your work schedule. I think that`s too much." He said matter-of-factly. "You should rest, Daidouji-san, otherwise you`ll kill the baby by yourself. Moreover, I will take care of you until you give birth. Why are you being so headstrong about working?"

"Finding them is not cushy," she conceded after cooling down her temper.

"But you are a Daidouji."

"That makes things more difficult." Her expression changed a bit. "Some people overrate it too much so they are reluctant to hire me."

"Everything will be fine, Daidouji-san." Eriol slightly smiled when he told her that. "Just leave it to me from now on."

Her daydream vanished when she reached Sakura`s room. Vaguely, she heard all the noise coming from inside just by standing in front of the door. She caught sounds of blasting gunshots. Probably the Sun Guardian was playing a war game. Truth is, the Kinomoto residence was never totally quiet. Sakura and Touya still had something to bicker about even though they were no longer suitable to do that. Yukito frequently came, sometimes carrying a small suitcase for a sleepover. So did the Clow`s descendant named Li Syaoran. The only different thing was, Syaoran never stayed the night because Touya always threatened to kill him if he dared. Yeah... he was still overprotective whenever it came to Sakura—and her too, in fact. That made her remember. Nobody in her surroundings had known about the pregnancy. Sakura, Touya, Yukito, Kero, Mr. Kinomoto, let alone Kuniaki. She hadn`t told them a part of it.

Was it okay this way? Or not?

Tomoyo shrugged her complicated mind as she walked inside the chamber. "You look so absorbed by the game, Kero-chan!"

SEVEN people—for more accurate details, it was frankly six people with an orange stuffed animal which was whimsically alive—sat around the dining table, looking at the empty large plate that now only had some crumbles left.

"You should make it two or three!" Kero groaned in annoyance. "I still want some of it! The raspberry ~~"

"We made it from leftovers, Kero-chan! You must be thankful that the pie could be done well," Sakura replied, collecting the small plates and forks. Since The Light and The Dark transformed into Sakura Cards, and Fujitaka Kinomoto received some powers from Eriol, Kero hid himself no more. The power Eriol gave gradually gave back Fujitaka`s memory about his past life as Clow Reed. Now they could gather while having dinner, and no one would be freaked out if out of the blue Yue or Cerberus showed their real form.

"We`re going to wash the dishes," said Tomoyo as she followed Sakura to the kitchen, hands full with plastic mugs.

"Thanks for helping, Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura smiled widely, putting all the plates into the sink and pouring soap on the sponge. "It was perfectly delicious! I didn`t think we could make something that tasty from leftovers."

Tomoyo smiled nervously. She dried all the washed dishes with a kitchen towel and put them back in place but her mind was elsewhere. She understood that sooner or later, she had to tell Sakura—and probably also her family—about this pregnancy. The end of her first trimester would come soon. Her stomach would change into a bulge in a few weeks and, knowing Sakura for years made Tomoyo knew she`d better say something before Sakura took notice of her body part`s transformation. It might not obtain a good response... but there was nothing better to be opted. True, it happened accidentally, nonetheless it could be regarded as only an excuse. No less no more. People kept saying "Please believe me!" even though their sayings were total lies, so nobody was able to guarantee honesty.

That`s the reason why Tomoyo prepared herself.

She wanted to say it short, clear and well.

She wanted them not to be mad at her.

She didn't want to be stammering nor looking pathetic.

But above all... she wanted them not to ask too many questions.

Beeeep. Beeeep.

Tomoyo awoke from the reverie when she heard a beeping noise intruding her ears. She reached inside her jeans` pocket and found out that it was the cell phone Eriol gave her that beeped. Hurriedly she pressed the green button to accept the call.

"Hello?"

"How are you, Daidouji-san?" Came a casual tone from the other side. "You said I don`t need to think about your lunch today, so I called you to check. Have you eaten something?"

"Yeah. I am in Sakura`s house right now."

"Really? Convey my greeting to her."

"I will." Tomoyo glanced at Sakura—who stared back with curiosity written all over her face. Argh, her bad presentiment came again.

"Well... see you later, then." He said. "Don`t forget our appointment today."

"I won`t. Bye." She hung up the connection.

"Who was it?" Sakura asked with curiosity.

Without thinking, Tomoyo replied right away. "Hiiragizawa."

"Eriol-kun?"

"Yep." Again, Tomoyo responded without actually paying attention. It was a fault, as a matter of fact, because it made her less conscious about her surroundings. And unfortunately, caused by spacing out, she didn`t realize Sakura approached her slowly from behind until the Card Mistress took the cellphone away from her hands.

"Whoa, Tomoyo-chan! Is it your new mobile?"

Gulping groggily, Tomoyo just nodded as she snapped back into reality. "Yeah."

"When did you buy it?" Sakura looked very interested. She was observing every single detail the cellphone had. Her expression was quite hard to guess but, knowing Sakura for so long, Tomoyo could say that the Cherry Blossom would soon ask another question.

"I didn`t."

Sakura`s green eyes grew wide. "So it is a present? Really?"

A nod.

"Hoeee...! I can`t believe that! To-chan, it`s pretty cool! Not cute but—it`s enchanting!" Sakura still rotated the cellphone, admiring it enthusiastically. "Who gave you this?"

Kick the bucket.

Realizing there was no way to escape from these circumtances (since there were only both of them in the kitchen), Tomoyo took a long, deep breath before saying, "Well.. Sakura-chan, I think I have to tell you something."

"But Tomoyo-chaan ~ you haven`t answered my question."

It was hard to ignore the cheery Card Mistress. Oh, how typical Tomoyo. Sakura was her biggest weakness and she knew that. "It was from Hiiragizawa."

"HOE? He gave you this?" Sakura nearly screamed.

"Yes..."

Now she screamed like crazy. "HOEEEEE? Are you two going out? Why didn`t you tell me, Tomoyo-chan? I am so happy—"

"That`s why, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo interrupted, emphasizing the `why` word. "That`s why I said I need to tell you something."

A pinkish blush spread to her cheeks as Sakura lowered her pitch. Playing with her fingertips in a childish manner, she muttered an apology. "Sorry, To-chan. I guess I was being over excited. Well... what do you wanna say, anyway? I`m listening."

"Not here."

"Why?"

"I don`t want anyone else but you to hear."

"Is it that secretive?"

"For now.. yes." Tomoyo said, and after thinking for awhile she added, "But of course I will tell your family. Later. Today I just—yeah—don`t have enough courage."

"Tomoyo-chan.. you make me worried."

"Sorry."

"So, where do you want us to talk about it?"

Tomoyo went silent.

CLOSING the curtain, Tomoyo sighed heavily. She then leered at Sakura, who was ready with her Star Key and Cards. Well... she had requested her best friend to provide the best space to share a secret. And without hesitation, Sakura simply asked Tomoyo to go to her room. Closed door, windows, and curtains were conventional things, right? Nevertheless, Tomoyo didn`t expect that she would also use her magic.

"Is it okay, Sakura-chan? I seemed to bother you.."

Quickly the Cherry Blossom shook her head. "No, Tomoyo-chan! It`s absolutely fine!" By saying that reassurement, she picked up The Voice from the pile of cards on her desk. Grinning stupidly, Sakura said in an almost-whisper, "This reminded me of our old days. Sheesh... I really want to undergo those experiences again."

The air started to change as Sakura opened her clenched fist, showing the Star Key.

"Key of the Star, with powers burning bright! Reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!"

A blinding flash greeted Tomoyo`s vision while the Key turned bigger and longer until it reached its original form as a staff. Had it not been for her swift reflex to shut her eyes, it wasn`t impossible to lose her sense of sight. Anyway, she wasn`t one who possessed magical power. Tomoyo's specialties were in observation, empathy, sensitivity, and masking her own emotions.

"Make no sound from outside! VOICE!"

Another bright radiance beamed. From the thin, pinkish card a woman spirit came out. After swaying her long hair a bit, she disappeared into a mist.

"All done!" Sakura cheered. She seemed satisfied. "Let`s start now."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Sakura threw a comfortable furry pillow to Tomoyo. She could say the raven-haired Daidouji was quite tense. "Just relax, Tomoyo-chan. Anything is okay. We are used to sharing everything since childhood, ne? Even it`s a stupid, unimportant or almost impossible stuffs like... Clow Cards and magic." She said that as her hands caressed the staff in loving touch. "At first I was questioning it. But now I am happy to be their friends. I met Syaoran, Yue-san, Kero, Mizuki-sensei, and our friendship got deeper by every occurence. You had faith in me whatever happened, no matter how bad it was. So... it`s alright, Tomoyo-chan! Just say what`s bothering your mind."

"Are you sure, Sakura-chan? You are going to believe me whatever I say?"

"Of course! Why shouldn`t I?"

"And you won`t be mad at me or stop being my friend?"

"Don`t be so foolish, Tomoyo-chan."

"Even if what I say is about taking someone`s life?"

"Yeah! But, wait a minute—you didn`t kill people for real, did you?" Her face showed a weird expression because of sudden shock. Tomoyo giggled in amusement, shaking her head gracefully just like her usual style.

"No, Sakura-chan. If I did that, what will you do anyway? Call the police?"

"Sure."

"Wow, you answered it straightaway."

"—and I will visit you at the prison everyday, bringing along delicious food, talking about random stuffs one day long and go home after sunset. I`ll keep doing that until you are free."

Tomoyo stared in disbelief. Those were beyond her prediction.

Sakura smiled, clasping their hands together. "So, what is it?"

The young Daidouji felt her doubt fade away. She pulled out her cellphone once more and spoke in a firm voice. "You were curious about this, right, Sakura-chan?"

"Yup!"

"And I`ve told you that it was from Hiiragizawa-san."

"Yup!"

"But I haven`t explained to you why. Basically, that thing is what I`m going to tell you."

"Is that private enough?"

"If the other listeners are Li-kun, your father, Touya-san, Kero-chan, and Yukito-san... then yes, I would say it is private. At least for now."

"Okay, I understand. Go ahead."

"Hiiragizawa-san gave me this because we have to be in touch for twenty-four hours seven days a week. Well.. it was his injunction, truthfully. Not mine. I never wished to receive a new cellphone—moreover an expensive one. I already have a device with same function." Tomoyo paused, stealing a glance towards her best friend who just smiled and let her continue. It was relieving, though. She gathered confidence as much as she could muster, then said, "I assume you pry about the reason, Sakura-chan. Am I wrong?"

Sakura nodded. "Your birthday is still eight months away, so.."

"It`s not a present," Tomoyo said, supressing a laugh which almost burst. A simple-minded Sakura always could find a way to dilute the tense atmosphere. "He was in London for years and never paid us a visit; why all so sudden would Hiiragizawa-san give me birthday present?"

Sakura went silent. A blush crept up to her cheeks because of embarassment. Yeah... the Daidouji had a point with her latest statement.

"If that's so... what is the real cause?"

Here it is. Tomoyo knew the main question would come but, still, it`s hard to answer. To reveal the truth. To reveal her stupidity (she classified `helping a drunken Eriol back to his room in the cruise` as a gigantic foolishness now). To concede that she is no longer the innocent, unstained Daidouji like she used to be—at least in other people`s point of view.

"Sakura, I-I-I.."

Pause.

Sakura waited patiently without words as Tomoyo inhaled a long breath, trying to control her mind. Emotions rampaged over her and it was hard not to cry. From the day she found out about this pregnancy, Tomoyo had not shed any tears. But now it felt like her bulwark would break just because of a light touch. Pathetic, oh yeah. Depression attacked her as if it were sea waves clashing into coral hills. The sensation of facing Sakura and her mother was about the same. She felt like being able to rip off the mask that she wore everyday.

Yet again, no tear was shed.

"I am pregnant with his child."

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to be continued.

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