Hi readers! Thank you very much for reviewing and following this fic so far. Here's the next chapter. I've made it super long just to make up for my late update.

Enjoy reading!

"Hi Tomoyo!"

"Hey Sakura. You look Happy today"

"Yes! And your cupcakes were delicious! We all loved them! Especially Touya!"

Yeah I know. He texted me. But never said anything about 'making up' for it... Tomoyo's mind voiced in disappointment as she said, "Thank you"

"Hey! Guess what! My brother said he'd take us to the beach this weekend. He invited you and guess the unthinkable! He invited Syaoran too! My brother actually invited Syaoran! Can you believe that?!" Sakura said in excitement.

Tomoyo was surprised as Sakura but for a different reason. Her intuition told her that it was Touya's plan to rope her in and still not seem suspicious. And Sakura, being the dense lass that she is, would never notice it, when Syaoran was invited too. She hoped that she didn't blush as she felt she did.

"So what do you say? You're in?"

Tomoyo smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes! Now lemme talk to Syaoran. He might throw a fit but I'll somehow convince him"

Tomoyo sighed in contentment as her friend drifted off towards her boyfriend.

She knew she was going to look forward to the weekend.

Sunday did come after a long wait.

Touya was the first to get ready in the family. It took a bit for Sakura to pick the right set of swimsuit. They were to pick Syaoran and Tomoyo on the way. Touya was driving and his father took the front seat. The back seat was reserved for the teens. After picking up Syaoran he drove in the direction of Tomoyo's bungalow. She was already waiting outside for them to pick her up.

She was dressed in a pretty, knee-length sundress of turquoise color which had prints of big flowers of pale yellow. Sakura went wide-eyed and complimented her friend on her choice of attire and how perfectly suited her. Even Syaoran and Mr. Kinamoto noticed it and nodded in agreement. Taking a deep breathe in, Tomoyo wished Touya a good morning. Much to her disappointment, Touya made not more than a random glance at her and that too for a split second when he nodded in approval and muttered "'Morning" to her open greeting.

He didn't even smile at me. Why is he upset...? Did I do something wrong...? Tomoyo's mind was eating her all the way to the beach. Sakura was the one to talk most of the time, although Tomoyo, Syaoran and Fujutaka had their own share of participation.

Upon reaching the beach, the girls quickly changed to their swimsuits. Touya, who had planned to peacefully check Tomoyo out in that pretty dress she was wearing right after they reached the beach, was disappointed. He cursed himself that he should have had at least one proper glance at her. He was even more tempted when the rest of the gang was complimenting her beauty in that dress. But he knew that no matter how hard he'd tried, his facial expression would have betrayed his feelings, even to his dense sister. So he had no choice but to avoid her when his family was around.

But he was surely surprised to find Tomoyo clad in quite a conservative swimsuit which covered the girl from her shoulders to knee, unlike his sister's which was akin to a bikini. Why would she wear such a conservative swimsuit...? A part of him told him that she did it because of his odd behavior back at the carnival when those guys were checking her out. That made him guilty again. He wasn't a conservative guy at all! It was only Tomoyo who caused him to act weird and may be 'a bit' possessive. If what he felt was true, he knew he didn't deserve such consideration from Tomoyo.

Sakura invited everyone to play beach volleyball. His father excused himself to a book he brought. He simply settled on a beach mat, under an umbrella.

Touya and Tomoyo were on one team while Sakura and Syaoran were on the other. Owing to their heights, Tomoyo took care of the front while Touya took charge at the back. They had such fun during the play. They were almost on a tie but Touya's team won by a wrong serve by Sakura.

That didn't leave Sakura's team disappointed. The gang went for a swim. Kero was hiding himself inside the picnic basket brought by Tomoyo, eating his favourite cake.

After the swim, they all sat together and had the sandwiches, fruits, chips and cakes they brought. Touya stole Sakura's share of cake again and the lass was shooting fiery verbal attacks on her brother. Touya didn't seem to care. He looked as if he was enjoying the whole thing. Tomoyo was really amused but she tried pacifying her friend again.

Then Sakura and Tomoyo together started to build a sandcastle. Both the guys had no choice but just watch them building it apart from giving occasional comments on the architecture. They weren't really interested in the pastime. It was already evening when Fujitaka called them all to get ready for an early dinner at the restaurant.

Touya's heart celebrated that Tomoyo was wearing the Sundress again. As Fujitaka sat at the head of the table, Sakura and Syaoran sat together on one side. It was his luck that Tomoyo sat right next to him on the other side. If he was wary enough, he could sneak glances at the pretty lass as much as fate allowed him to. He was stealthily checking her out at every opportunity he got. She was as perfect as a divine painting...or may be a celestial sculpture that can come alive at it's choice. She was God's perfect creation!

He wanted to tell her how beautiful he thought she was. But he would never say that. It was only after the dinner when he realized that they hardly spoke with each other. He was such a fool. This whole beach thing was only to lure Tomoyo in so that it could have been a date for them both. But he didn't even end up asking her out. What was he going to do?

Fujutaka said that it was about time they got back home. With that the two couples silently regretted the fast-paced closure of the fun-filled day. While the rest of the gang walked ahead, Tomoyo ended up beside Touya. They were not slow walkers. It was probably their scheme to be able to be alone and walk together.

"Thanks for inviting me. I had so much fun" said Tomoyo.

"I had too. But you do know you didn't have to thank me, Daidouji. You're family"

Tomoyo's beautiful eyes went wide with his statement. She was touched.

"Thank you" was all she could muster up.

Touya a made a gentle smile, the kind of smile he'd make for someone he considered special.

Such an infectious smile...! Tomoyo wondered with blush but managed to smile back.

Tomoyo, I want to ask you out. But I seriously don't know how to. I really like you. Hell! 'Like' is such a shallow word. It doesn't tell you anything about how I feel about you... Touya was talking inside his mind.

Touya, for an instant, I thought you planned this beach trip for us! I'm such a fool! Why would you feel anything for your little sister's best friend, especially a girl much younger than you? Touya, please... Please stop calling me over like this... It hurts a lot to have fresh hopes only to be crushed without mercy! Tomoyo's mind voiced.

They joined the others in the car and Touya drive their way home.

It was the following Wednesday when he gathered up the courage to get to the place he just did after deciding to leave office early and work from home. The clock showed 3.05 PM. He was early this time. He decided to wait outside the block in which his sister's classroom was. Any student exiting the building should only be coming out of the entrance at which he was standing. He informed his father over phone that he'd be going to his old school to meet his teachers and that he'd be home around 4.30 types, just in case he happened to have any visitor, which would only be Tomoyo that too was very unlikely as he'd catch her right away after the school bell rang. His father was home that day as he had to work on his project in peace.

During the waiting time, he was sitting and working on his laptop so that he wouldn't delay the report that was due that day. He, perchance, was so intent in his work that only the bell's ringing alerted him about the quick passage of time. He click the send button for mailing his report to his boss and swiftly shut his laptop, ejecting the datacard he used for Internet. He grabbed his laptop shoulderbag and flung it on his shoulder.

Now to catch up with Tomoyo without getting caught by Sakura... Sakura had cheerleading practice after school, so he was sure that he wouldn't find his sister anywhere near Tomoyo. Just as he thought his sister was one of the first few to exit the building who was almost running towards the gym. In another minute Syaoran came out. He sighed in relief that he escaped the sight of the two. Finally, Tomoyo did come out making his heart leap. Before he could make a move, he found a tall guy walking next to her. Touya hid himself behind the corner of the wall. He heard the boy say, "Hey, Tomoyo. Can-can I talk to you for a sec?"

NO YOU CAN'T! Touya's mind growled.

"Ah! Ok" said Tomoyo, much to his disappointment.

From the duo's chatting, Touya realized that the both already knew each other. He was surprised. Daidouji has guy friends apart from that brat and that Yamazaki kid...?!

The guy led her to the open area behind the playground where there was a metallic seat to sit. The boy strategically chose the place because it was deserted and human population was close to zero. As much as disgusted as he felt at himself for stalking them, he was annoyed at how things were developing. As the couple was so into their small talk that they missed Touya following them at a distance and finally hiding himself behind a tree which was behind the seat. He finally noticed how good-looking the boy was. He looked athletic enough to attract a small group of girls at school. His hair was long that it almost touched his shoulders. Must have been a while since he had a haircut. His ears were pierced and Touya hated to admit it but he looked what girls would call being "hot". Touya he was beginning to hate the boy for no apparent reason.

The Juno sat on the seat stretching his arms across the top.

"Have a seat" he invited.

Tomoyo hesitated for some reason.

Juno chuckled, "What's with you, today? It's not like we're sitting together for the first time"

Okay. Touya DECIDED that he was going to hate him for good if he happened to be so close to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo nodded and sat beside him keeping half a feet distance, which she felt was too small, all of a sudden.

Breeze started to pick up, brushing across the thick hair of Juno and Tomoyo. Touya could see Tomoyo's hair brushing on Juno's arm which was behind her back, resting at the seat's head. He was seething on the inside.

"Tomoyo, what do you plan to do after school?"

"...As in today...? Well I do have math homework-"

Juno chuckled and said, "Not that, silly! I meant, after you graduate from school"

That was a good question, Touya felt, because he wanted to know that about her, himself.

"Oh that... I wish to make a career as a singer. I'd like to go to the music school in Tokyo and fine tune my skill sets in playing musical instruments too"

Juno smiled at her in admiration and said, "What about your mother's toy making company...?"

"Hm..." Tomoyo paused as she mulled over the question, "My mother did ask me if I was interested in the business so that I can take charge of her company after doing an MBA in Harvard. But I was honest about my wishes and aspirations about taking music and singing for a career because she insisted that I should be. She wasn't surprised though. She probably saw that coming in me. She was glad that I chose something I love"

"So you chose something you love" he repeated.

"Yeah"

He turned his head, breaking eye contact towards the playground before him as he muttered, "Something you love..."

"..." Tomoyo was silent as she didn't know what to make out of his reaction.

"Tomoyo, is singing the only thing you love...?" he turned his head towards her to meet her in the eye.

Tomoyo blinked. Did he find out? Was she that readable? How did he notice the change in her...?!

"Wh-what do you mean?!"

Juno said, "Tomoyo, lemme be honest with you. I hate playing pointless games with words and beating around the bush. I'm a pretty straight forward guy".

Juno paused for a second before he took a deep breath and went on, "I have something that I love...a lot! Ever since I transferred to this school last summer. And that is you..."

Tomoyo gasped and went wide-eyed which only tempted the boy to have his way with her as he desired.

"I love you, Tomoyo. Ever since I laid my eyes on you..."

Tomoyo hoped that she didn't blush as furiously as she thought she did. It'd be so embarrassing! As for a Touya he hoped that he wasn't as furious as he thought he did. It would only imply that he's fallen in love with Tomoyo.

Before Touya and Tomoyo could realize anything, Juno circled her small shoulders with his right arm and his left hand was on the softness of her right cheek. His face was only inches apart from hers and his eyes were half-closed as his thumb was enjoying the tenderness of her full, pink lips. Tomoyo was too shocked to react. It was that moment when both lips were to meet when Touya snapped.

"What's going on?!"

That startled both the kids.

Tomoyo gasped, "Touya!". How embarrassing could this day get!? And he was going to misunderstand her with Juno!

"What do you think you're doing?!" said Touya as he stood facing the boy, right beside Tomoyo.

The boy got defensive, "Who're you?!"

"I..." Touya's tone dropped. He wasn't prepared for the question. He turned to meet Tomoyo's eyes which somehow gave him the courage to say, "She's going out with me. We're dating"

"What?!" said Juno in disbelief. He looked at Tomoyo for answer. Her silent nod only confirmed the statements.

"I don't believe this! Tomoyo...? My Tomoyo's dating someone...?!"

"I suppose I just demonstrated to you that she's not yours" said Touya impatiently.

"May be...But it's not like she'll never be. This war isn't over yet" said he with a fiery glare at Touya before he ran away from the spot.

Moments later, Tomoyo was the one to break the silence.

"Thanks"

Touya raised his brows as he looked in her direction.

"back there" she said, hinting the danger she was in minutes ago. "I never thought Juno would behave the way he did! He's always been nice to me in the classroom and outside. I wasn't prepared"

"Oh. About that. Why are you so careless around guys like that?!" Touya asked angrily. He knew he shouldn't be getting angry at her as he didn't have any right to. After all, he was only her best friend's brother. But he couldn't help the emotional outburst at the reminder of the scary incident. Her kiss was almost stolen!

"But-But how would I know-"

Touya interrupted by saying, "Can't you figure out a guy's intention when he's around you? Hell! I could guess what his intention was, when he asked you to sit with him!" Oops! Did I just-

"But-hey! How'd you...?" Tomoyo's voice trialed off before she continued, "When did you come...? Why did you come to school in the first place?!"

Touya gulped. His tone went down as he said, "I... I've come to meet some of my old teachers. I promised them I would when I come to Tomoeda" There... But that did not explain how he got where he was standing. Tomoyo was a patient girl. She waited for him to continue.

"I... I-I just thought I could come to the playground before I meet them... Got a bit nostalgic...Was just having a leisurely walk, but then, I saw you and that guy, at a distance, as he sat and asked you to sit with him. I could figure out from his gestures. I made my way to you to say a 'hi' before it all happened"

Never said such a long lie before... Touya avoided eye contact the whole time he was explaining. No way he could lie when he sees those deep, dark amethyst oceans.

Tomoyo smiled warmly at him. She was very happy to have him rescue her the way he did. She didn't regret the incident one bit, simply because it had Touya rescuing her. And he actually said that they were dating, didn't he?! Wow! It's better than all of her daydreams!

"Th-that's not the point here! You've to be more careful, Daidouji. Try to understand. I can't be with you all the time, to protect you. You'll have to learn to protect yourself when I'm not around"

Tomoyo was touched. He was talking like a boyfriend. Where did he learn to speak like that?! From what she knew from Sakura, he never dated anyone after his breakup with Miss Mizuki.

She blushed and nodded with smile, "Yes"

Touya was stunned. That was a beautiful smile. It pierced through his heart and it was aching in want.

"Daidouji" Touya had to tell what he had come for. Especially, when he realized that he had competition. He had to have her before some hot teenage boy stole her away.

"About what I said back there..." he paused for a moment and went on, "about us... Are you mad?"

Tomoyo looked surprised. "Why would I be?"

"We-ll..." Touya drawled. That was pretty embarrassing. He was making something close to confession that too, to a seventeen year old teen. "You know, about what I said about our..." Touya was pointing his fingers at her and him.

He gulped, Man! This is really hard! Am I blushing! Jeez! So embarrassing!

He sighed and shrugged, "Well, if you are then I apologize"

"I'm not mad" came a prompt answer.

"Eh...?"

"And you don't have to apologize unless you didn't mean what you said"

"Eh...?!" to say that Touya was surprised was an understatement.

"What...does that mean?" He asked her.

Tomoyo pointed her temple with her forefinger and said with a playful smirk, "Think". Then she turned to leave saying a quick "Bye".

Touya blinked. "You don't have to apologize unless you didn't mean what you said"

"Hey wait! Daidouji!" said Touya as he grabbed her hand.

"Ah!" That surprised Tomoyo.

Touya smirked. "It took me a minute though. You have a way with words"

Tomoyo smiled with a blush.

"Hey"

"Hm?"

"Will you go out with me?"

Tomoyo eyes went wide and jaws dropped. She was holding her breath unbeknownst to herself.

"Daidouji?" said Touya as he gently shook her shoulders.

She snapped out of it and realized that this was not one of her daydreams again.

"You don't have to answer now. Take you time to think and tell. And... If you don't want to, then just forget that I even asked"

"Yes"

Touya smiled and said, "Let's get you to the entrance. Your driver will be wait-"

"The answer is yes"

"Wait what?!" Touya turned and Tomoyo held his complete attention.

Tomoyo was wearing her blushy smile.

"Are...you...sure...?" Touya dragged. He didn't expect her to accept right away.

"Mmhm!" Tomoyo nodded excitedly.

"Wow. So we're official then" Touya said in surprise, trying to let the fact sink in.

Tomoyo held her hands together and said excitedly, "Absolutely!"

Touya smiled his sweet smile at her as he escorted her to the entrance.

As he saw her at a distance, being surrounded by her bodyguards and boarding the vehicle, he was letting his relationship status sink in across his being.

He got into his car excitedly and drove is way back home. The sky way bright and clear. Birds were chirping in joy and flowers were blooming with life. There was no traffic all the way home.

"Hi dad! How's your project work going?" He greeted and inquired his father with full of energy, surprising the elder man.

"So far, so good. You look happy today. Did your meeting go as planned?"

"It went well" He said as he swiftly climbed up two steps on stairs at once.

"Better than expected" Fujitaka heard his son say from upstairs.

"Well, that's good" mumbled a confused Fujitaka. He knew that something was amiss because his son was unusually cheerful.

Touya got inside his room, locked himself up and climbed his bed.

He took out his cell phone which pinged *PING*

It was Tomoyo. He smiled as he opened the text.

Reached home safely

He texted back.

Good. Was about to call you.

His phone started ringing the next minute and it was her again. He attended the call

"Woah...That was pretty fast"

Tomoyo giggled, "You did want to talk, didn't you?"

"Yeah. I didn't have the chance to ask you out on a date" he said with a smirk.

"About time" she said teasingly.

Touya eyes went wide. He teased back with a smirk, "Sorry. Didn't know you were that desperate"

Tomoyo gasped and said with a blush, "I am NOT desperate!"

Touya made a light-hearted laughter, which Tomoyo thought was the best music she heard in years.

"Ok, listen. Are you free this weekend?"

"... Yes. What do you have in mind?"

"Snowbowling"

"Snowbowling" Tomoyo repeated. She didn't know Touya was interested in such indoor sports.

"Morning at 11. Then lunch at a restaurant of your choice. Then movies, like the last time. Then a walk in the park in the evening followed by fine dining at a place of my choice"

"Wow... So much in one day!"

"Well it is out first official date. So block either Saturday or Sunday for this"

Tomoyo blinked twice. He was so into this and she was so happy. "I'm in" was all she could manage to say.

"Good"

Then they chatted a bit exchanging their experiences at school and work that day. Then they hung up.

Touya was beginning to feel content; happy; excited about his brand new lovelife.

It's not like she'll never be. This war isn't over yet

The sudden remembrance of his little rival ruined his happiness and mental peace. His conscience tried to pacifying by arguing that Tomoyo was already his since she agreed to date him. That must mean that she liked him didn't it? But the logical part of him warned him that the teenage boy was the same class as her. He'd be around her most of her wakeful hours while Touya could meet her only on weekends. It was highly likely that the boy would use his closeness with Tomoyo and try stealing her. He did challenge him back there, didn't he?

Touya thought about what would have happened if he didn't go to school that day. The boy would have stolen her kiss and who knew how'd Tomoyo have taken it all...? She would have gotten infatuated with him after the physical intimacy. After all, she was a teen!

The trail of thoughts his mind ran into got him disgusted. He should stop worrying about the boy and feeling insecure about his relationship with Tomoyo. He had to look forward to his new life with Tomoyo as his girlfriend.

So...? How was is...? Did you like it...?

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