Disclaimer : I don't own CCS. CCS is owned by CLAMP.

Thank You for being very patient, sweet, and supportive. You guys really are the best, thank you to : Midnight Ghost, Malu Daidoji, Death101 – Fox Version, Annoymous Amethyst, sweet-sunflower, tomoyo-amethyst, Shanaa12, chainedheart999, Shenhui, Snow Charms, animefan88tv, xiLynnx, Oncinlity, kryuzei, bshinigami, mysticalphoenix-avalon, cheng, James Birdsong, skybluescramble, AniManga19930, ChEF purple burp, Mackie, reichimassu, Krissy (wow! thanks for reviewing three times for a chapter), Yami Asakura, SasuTenJi1010, renyun, pyl, and meow. I am sorry for being such a lazy ass…

The Misfortunate Tale: Beauty and the Beast (NOT)

Chapter 12

The Path We Take

Beta-ed by : Aoi Itsuki (thank you very much, as always)

Her time paused.

Like a doll, she remained still.

Her smile was present; it had been on her face so long, she faked it.

"Are you alright?"

No.

"Yes."

.

.

.

Time was chasing him.

He was running, and he kept falling, falling, and falling.

His smile was gone; he was too busy to escape reality to maintain a smile.

"Are you alright?"

No.

"Yes."

.

.

.

Mizuki Kaho left for England not so long after the separation of the Daidouji heiress and the former curse-bearer. Kaho claimed that it wouldn't be a long trip and that she only needed to take care of her job in England for a week or two. Upon hearing this information, Eriol only nodded in understanding. When he took her to the airport, he could only mutter a soft 'be careful' and then gave her a polite peck on the cheek.

A part of him wondered why he didn't have any problem with letting his love interest go.

Could it be because he had realized that he had all the time in the world? His curse was gone; he could show her his affection anytime, he could love her anytime. Was that the reason why he didn't find it necessary to be overly protective?

…

He couldn't exactly decipher the answer.

…

And truthfully, he wasn't really that interested to find out either.

Tomoyo thought that exam week in her college would distract her thoughts from certain things (namely, Hiiragizawa Eriol), but she proved herself to be wrong. Not only she couldn't prevent her stubborn mind from thinking of the blue-eyed sorcerer, but she also couldn't find the occasion to properly study. She wasn't sure about her exam result –she wasn't even sure whether she had really filled the answer sheet or not. Technically speaking, her overall performance throughout the whole semester would help her pass the subjects, so she really didn't have to worry about her grades.

But still…she just didn't (couldn't) worry about those other things.

And how long had this had been happening?

…

3 days.

.

.

.

10 days.

.

.

.

14 days.

.

.

.

Tomoyo lost track in counting not so long after.

.

.

.

Until he came.

Araide Kaze

"How long are you planning to be like this, Tomoyo?"

The raven-haired girl blinked and she naturally almost denied, almost put up that same fake smile again. Kaze came up to her in campus on that cloudy Wednesday, after the last period. He had heard the story from Sakura and had even witnessed himself how broken Tomoyo was. It pained him. He knew he had vowed to himself to move on from her, but this would never change the fact that she was his precious friend.

The girl apologetically smiled at him. She had never wanted nor intended to bring burden to her friends. Sakura had expressed the same concern before (Tomoyo forgot precisely when, but she could remember how Sakura just sat there before her in her room –too afraid to say anything, yet understanding enough not to bombard the heiress with questions). The guilt was inevitable, but at the same time, Tomoyo just couldn't bring the natural cheer to herself.

"W-we all want you to move on…" Kaze said, no, pleaded. "I'm not asking you this to make you start it all over with me again. I'm not asking you to f-forget him. I'm just…asking you to love yourself more. Sakura hates to see you like this. And even that…even that now I'm trying to move on from you, I still hate to see you like this."

His words were not unheard. His message and sincere heart were not meant to be ignored. However she knew she couldn't really give him the proper answer. She was not sure of many things lately.

The brown-haired guy exhaled a confused sigh. What could he do to make her understand? Sakura couldn't do it. He wasn't sure if he could do it either. The answer was obviously there: only him, only Hiiragizawa Eriol could bring her back again. But that bespectacled guy had his own problems to handle, Kaze bemused. If only Hiiragizawa could love her back, things would be much easier. Sometimes Kaze couldn't understand what made a girl as smart and as considerate as Tomoyo to be that…foolish. Absentmindedly, he muttered, "…you really love him, do you?"

For the rare time since her decision to leave Eriol, she opened her mouth to speak. "I do. Very much."

If there was a thing that she could be certain of, it would be that simple fact.

Kaze shrugged. "W-why don't you ask him to love you?" He knew it was an idiotic question –she would never be that blatant to ask that kind of question.

"…Love can never be forced, Kaze."

"But he…" there was doubt that lingered in his throat. He knew that in the end he would only make himself a loser and his rival a hero, but then…he decided that it really was not his concern. After all, Kaze had decided to give up on Tomoyo. His purpose in coming to her at the moment was only to bring her old her back. He had to let it out. "He cares a lot about you. I've seen him these past few days. He… looks as disoriented as you are. He must be very worried about your condition too."

The guy recognized more reactions coming from the girl –reactions that he realized could only be invoked by the mention of that person's name. Hope was on her amethyst eyes for a split of second, but it disappeared as fast as it appeared. "Eriol is a kind person. But that's more reason why I can't ask him to love me, Kaze. I don't want him to love me just because of guilt or worry. I don't want him to feel that way."

"Then don't make him feel that way!" he snapped. "Don't make him worried. Don't make Sakura worried. Don't make me worried!"

He couldn't understand why anger just rose that easy. Perhaps it was disappointment, or perhaps it was only a broken heart –a broken ego. But above all, he supposed the ire was what resulted from his disbelief towards her. Love was not all about happy things, true. Love was about sacrificing, about giving. Tomoyo was never wrong. Selflessness was the proof of love. But on the other hand, Kaze believed that there was the other side of love. "L-love is what makes you stronger. It's what makes you a better him, you found love. And in love you found strength. To love someone…is to love yourself when you're with him."

"...but I'm not with him," Tomoyo pointed out.

Kaze blinked as he realized his mistake. He blushed as he muttered the rant, "I-I'm sorry for my insensitivity! B-but I really believe t-that basically the rule is still the same! I-I mean…you love him even when you're not with him. Y-you…" he groaned in defeat, ready to accept the fact that he had humiliated himself again in front of her. But before he could say another apology, he heard the melodious sound of her soft chuckle. Timidly, he looked up at her to notice how she smiled and how much he had missed that sincere expression.

"It's weird, but…in some way…your theories are again not that bad," Tomoyo slowly mused.

"Ah, I'm s-sorry, I-I know that I always say the stupidest things and –"

"You're not listening, Kaze," she spoke softly. "In fact, your…theories are always interesting. To love someone…is to love yourself when you're with or without him…." She trailed and tried to sink the words into her soul. It would be lie if she said that words could heal her that easily. Philosophy was always a dear friend, but it was a friend that had to endure trials and troubles. Kaze's idealism might not always be true, but…

She couldn't understand exactly why; perhaps…she wanted to believe in his words.

Loving Eriol had given her joy –it was the moment that she cherished, because loving him…really made her happy.

Happiness.

She loved him. She loved him for who he was. She loved him for how he made her be.

How long had she wasted herself since her decision to leave him? Tomoyo cursed herself as she suddenly remembered all the idiocies that she had conducted the past weeks. Skipping an exam, ignoring her friend, starving herself… Kaze was right. She could not let people be worried about her. She could not let him be worried about her. Leaving him did not mean that she stopped loving him. And loving him was what made her beautiful; loving him was what made her happy, loving him was truly what made her accept and love herself back.

Her love to Eriol would never bring her misery. Her love would only bring her strength.

How could she forget that?

Her trains of thoughts were momentarily disturbed as she realized that Kaze was still incoherently mumbling his apologies (she was not even sure why should he apologize). Slowly smiling, Tomoyo then spoke up to her friend again, "…Thank you, Kaze."

His mouth gaped open as he couldn't believe what she was saying to him."I-it's not exactly my original theory or anything… I mean –"

"Loving myself also means to realize that I am so gifted to have good friends. So, thank you."

"I-I really didn't –"

She grinned. "Just accept my gratitude, will you?"

In defeat (after all, how could he win against that warm smile?), Kaze embarrassedly muttered, "You're welcome."

It was the 5th Tuesday since Eriol last saw Tomoyo and almost a month since he last met Kaho.

After the ex teacher had finished her business in England, she was back again in Tomoeda. The airport was full of people, but Eriol realized that Kaho always had her way to be in the center of admiration. He noticed that she still looked as radiant as always –completely the opposite of his current condition. His gloominess was something she also noticed immediately. The red-haired sighed. Several weeks, apparently, were not enough to bring his old him back. And there Kaho felt the contradiction. On one hand, she hated to see her best friend like that, but on the other hand; his broken self was a proof of something that everyone could tell.

Everyone…but himself.

"Eriol?"

He stopped carrying her suitcase to glance back at her. "Yes, Kaho?"

She smiled warmly. "How about dropping in our favorite tea shop? I've been missing that tea during my stay in England."

"Are you sure you don't want to drop off your suitcases and take a rest first in my house?"

"You need a change of mood," she decided, linking her arm with his and dragging him away –an act of persuasion without much rejection from the male.

The tea shop she had referred to earlier, thankfully, was located near the airport. It was so close that they (she) chose to just put her suitcases in his car, and they had a walk to the tea shop instead of driving the car. It was not that he was not aware of her secretive behavior, but he supposed he could trust Kaho enough. Almost submissively, Eriol followed her lead to enter the warm tea shop, sit in their usual spot, and let her order their usual drinks. He felt how she was babysitting him, but again, he couldn't neglect her persistence.

The waiter came back not so long after with their orders: chamomile tea for her and Darjeeling tea for him. Robotically, Eriol spun his teaspoon in his drink. He realized Kaho's concern on his awkwardness and he decided to at least start a casual conversation. "So, how was your work?"

"The problem's solved, for now," Kaho sighed. "But I think I will have to go back to England again next month. Probably, I won't be able to visit Tomoeda as often."

His interest was strangely mild. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

He continued to stir his teaspoon before breaking the news to her. "I'm planning to go back to England too, soon."

The Priestess gazed at her companion. "I thought that your business in London was just fine."

"Yes. But it's not like I have anything to do in Tomoeda again now," he shrugged carelessly as he sipped his tea.

"Are you sure?"

"…Positive."

"But...what about Tomoyo?"

It might have been only for a split of seconds, but Kaho saw it: the way his fingers clenched tighter on the cup's handle and the way his eyes darkened. His words, however, conveyed a contrary message. "There is nothing between us. Our partnership, our deal, it's done."

"She helps you a lot, you know."

"I know that, Kaho. And I am truly thankful for her great aid. But I just have nothing to do with Tomoeda or her anymore. Just that."

The red-haired lady leaned back to the chair. "You're not being honest to yourself."

No matter how big a respect he had for the Tsukimine Shrine Priestess, Eriol couldn't help but to feel slightly irritated of her persistence. He had heard that kind of implication a lot. Ruby Moon had often purposedly commented of 'this certain idiotic man who let his chance of happiness slip away' (she never mentioned the name, but he had a strong feeling of whom the Moon Guardian was speaking of). Spinel wasn't as vocal as his companion, but he recognized the way the feline was gazing at him –it was the kind of look to stress out his agreement of Ruby's object of commentaries.

"…"

"What are you afraid of anyway?" Kaho questioned again, almost mercilessly.

Eriol thought that he originally would ignore the question, but his mouth answered it in a spontaneous fashion. "…The vain."

"What vain?"

He sighed. "I've… sacrificed almost everything for this. To get rid of the curse, I purposefully hurt other women, I used and manipulated the others, and I also… betrayed her. For my dream. For you. For our happiness. And I just… well… I've come this far."

"You're right. You've come this far. You've gotten rid of the curse."

Eriol nodded. "And that's why… with this happiness I possess now, I won't trade it with anything and –"

"What happiness, Hiiragizawa Eriol?" The woman cornered him. "What sort of 'happiness' that you traded for such honesty? For a little truth to yourself?"

"…I'm not lying to myself."

"You're denying something."

"I'm not."

Kaho smirked in amusement. "Trust me, your stubbornness will get you nowhere."

He seemed frustrated. "What do you want me to confess? What do ALL of you want me to admit? I don't have anything to hide!"

"Is that so?"

"It is!"

He leaned back in tiredness. Eriol didn't really like to have this debate (or any debate) with Kaho. Her way of thinking would always open up some things that he had left uncovered.

…

Things that he had chosen to bury deep inside.

…

Wait.

Not that he hid anything anyway…

…

…

"I wonder what Tomoyo is doing now," Kaho spoke. Eriol grimaced at this. Kaho's choice to change the subject (or to bring the certain subject out again) didn't make his foul mood any better.

"I don't know. And not that I care."

"I met Mrs. Daidouji in England a week ago. She said that her daughter's grade is getting better this semester. The funny thing is the girl had even skipped an exam."

"Oh, really?" he spoke with sheer interest.

"Sakura mentioned that there was a guy, Tomoyo's ex or something, who visited the girl often."

His fist unconsciously clenched tight, but managing a stoic expression, Eriol only muttered carelessly, "Good for her."

"I want to visit Tomoyo too soon. There are a lot of –"

"Kaho," he interrupted her sayings. He hated to do that, but if it was necessary to stop her from saying anything related to Daidouji Tomoyo, he would do so. "Don't talk about that girl again. And what is it that you want me to say?"

"The truth."

"The truth?" he nodded before speaking again. "The truth is…I love you, okay? Can't you just accept that fact?"

"I know you do. I love you too, as my companion, as my best friend. And I suppose that as the reincarnation of the wise Clow Reed, you have to understand the difference of each kind of love."

"My love for you isn't like a friend's or a brother's love. It's not and –"

His words were cut when he felt her grabbing his collar and almost uncharacteristically, she pulled him forward so that his lips met hers. Her kiss was quick –not more than a peck –, but he panicked already and pushed her back. "Kaho!"

The red-haired woman smiled in victory.

"See? You don't want me to kiss you, because you don't have that kind of feeling for me anymore."

Still flustered, the guy tried to make a retort. "I-it's not that!" He cleared his throat. "It's just that we're in public place and you kissed me too fast and…"

"Admit it. You don't love me that way anymore."

"No. No, I love you, Kaho. I really do…"

"I'm your precious friend. You're my precious friend too. But she's your soulmate. She is the one that belongs to you only, as how you belong to her only."

He let out a hollow laugh. "Who are you talking about?"

"You know whom I talking about."

"Tomoyo is out of our context!"

"I never mentioned that it was Tomoyo, didn't I?" Kaho pushed even more and was secretly enjoying her sweating friend.

The bespectacled man looked defeated, but if he wasn't headstrong, then he wouldn't be Hiiragizawa Eriol. "I just got that impression since you were always –"

"Eriol," Kaho cut him this time. Her patience had limits too. "You often regard how your curse and your story resemble the tale of Beauty and the Beast, don't you?"

He shrugged. "So?"

"Yet you fail to realize the little detail in the tale."

He didn't know why she suddenly related their arguments to fairytale, but he let her do it. "Which part?"

"Do you know how the Beast got rid of his curse?"

The dark-haired man snorted and replied in robotic manner. "He had to find a girl that truly loved him. That was the only explanation of how he was freed from the curse."

"You do miss the detail, then," Kaho said with a triumphant smile.

If he could earn her love

In return of his own unselfish love…

He was silenced.

Kaho smirked as she put her chin on her palm. "Yes. It's not only when Belle falls in love with Beast, but it's also when Beast falls in love with her too, that he could be freed from the curse."

"…"

"Your Curse works the same; you just forgot that little detail."

"…"

"In other words, the disappearance of your curse is a proof that you really have fallen in love with her," the priestess leaned back in satisfaction.

His wide eyes and his surprised, parted lips were worth all the troubles she had to endure to debate with him.

Tomoyo thought that she had learned a lot of things these past few months ever since Hiiragizawa Eriol came into her life. Those things (although they were not exactly new things for her) still felt like familiar yet foreign sensations. It was a funny feeling, like she was brought to a place which she had visited countless times before, but that time, she visited it with new glasses, new paradigm. She supposed that was how Eriol was making his way towards her: how he made her treasure things that she already knew she owned, but never really paid attention to before.

She was not ashamed to admit that the lesson that he taught her the most was to fall in love. Well, she admitted that she still shivered involuntarily and blushed a bright red whenever she thought about her feeling, but it was never a feeling that she regretted. Even after nights of depressed tears, even after days of broken hearts, Tomoyo knew that falling in love with Hiiragizawa Eriol was something that she would not trade for anything in this world.

"In him, you found love. And in love you found strength."

Kaze had told her that. It was the encouragement that reminded her how falling in love with Eriol had made her stronger, not weaker.

She chose to believe it.

Denying her love to him would never make the pain go away.

So she would continue to love him.

…And she would continue to face the truth.

He was not meant to love her, but that was alright. Loving him was enough –she didn't need him to reciprocate the feeling.

Acceptance brought strength.

In return, time healed her heart.

And now, she knew she would soon be able to stand up, forget Hiiragizawa Eriol, and go on with her life.

Yes, she could do that.

She would not forget her love to him.

But on the other hand, she would take the step into reality…into the attempt of healing her broken heart.

Into an attempt to love herself.

This was her first step to move on.

This was her first step to truly gain that kind of strength Kaze had told her she would acquire.

And to have the strength, she needed to sacrifice her own curiosity.

So when later that night Hiiragizawa Eriol's name appeared on her phone's caller-id, she half-heartedly turned the device off.

…

Right.

…

With this, she could move on.

To Be Continued