Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ My Best Guarded Secret ❯ Chapter 5. ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: Oh, why do we have to do this every time ~.~ Fine, they are not mine. They belong to Nelvana and Clamp.

Warnings: Shounen ai, AU, language, sap, slight angst, humor.

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Chapter 5.

"What a stupid jerk!"

Said Yukito as he sat down at the table. There was a hint of color spread over his cheeks. Yue had taken his seat on the other side.

"What happened?" Inquired Tomoyo. "You just left to see where the waitress was, and you come back all huffing and puffing." There was a hint of worry in her voice.

"Some asshole was trying to pick a fight with Yue." He answered.

"What?!! Who?!" Tomoyo's voice raised a little.

If there was one thing that was extremely frowned upon in their family was if one of them was picked on or bullied. And if that someone happened to be Yue, Tomoyo's temper matched that of Yukito's. Despite her gentle and calm nature, she usually displayed huge amount of anger if someone happened to pick on her brother.

"Ah, it was just this guy. He thought he was a real tough guy with his leather outfit, showing off his muscles, thinking he could pick on Yue. I would have kicked his ass if Yue hadn't asked me to leave." Explained Yukito, giving a pointed look in Yue's direction.

"Although I agree that you should have "kicked his ass", but I think it was better that you didn't." said Tomoyo. "I mean look, we just arrived here today and we don't know anyone. We don't want to start trouble with the inhabitants right away." She went on. "Plus, you didn't want to make a scene in the restaurant, did you?" She then turned towards Yue.

"Are you o.k. brother?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Answered Yue. "As long as I have you two lunk-heads on my back."

The truth was, Yue would easily have been able to defend himself, had this happened a year ago. The events in the time between then and now had caused not only emotional but also some psychological damage to Yue's system. He had been badly brutalized, before he was forced to take a knife to his best friend's chest. Ever since that horrid day, every time Yue had come face to face with a threat, he just froze up. It was as though he couldn't move a single muscle. He would completely withdraw into himself. This with drawl had caused him quite a few troubles in the past. Since he was unable to defend himself, he was picked on quite a few times in his old high school. And since Yukito wasn't always there to protect him, he had come home with bruises and black eyes a lot of times. His lack of self-defense had arisen extreme overprotective feelings in his siblings.

And even just now, when that Touya person (is that what the girl had called him) had him in a grip, Yue couldn't do anything about it. All he could do was stare in his captor's eyes, while he was frozen to the spot. If Yuki hadn't come to bail him out, he probably wouldn't have been able to dodge the inevitable punch, that would've been thrown his way.

"Hey space cadet, a penny for your thoughts?"

Yue snapped out of his stupor and gave Tomoyo a small smile.

"I was just thinking." He said to her.

"About what?" Tomoyo asked.

Since he didn't want to tell her what he was pondering over, he looked around to find something else to say. His eyes landed on Yukito who was looking around himself, slightly fidgeting in his seat.

"Oh, I was just thinking what's taking our food so long to get here." He said to Tomoyo.

At that moment, they spotted Chiharu headed for their table with two trays balanced in her arms. She was followed by another waitress who was also carrying two trays. Chiharu deposited the trays, piled high with food, in front of Yukito.

"Yesss!!! Thank God!! Finally!!"

Yukito dug happily into his food.

The other girl had put the trays in front of Yue and Tomoyo. This girl had shoulder length wavy auburn hair and gentle brown eyes. She gave them a sweet smile.

"Enjoy your food, Sirs, Madam." She said to them. "My name is Rika. If you need anything, just wave your hand and Chiharu or myself will be right there." And with that, they took off to serve other customers.

Tomoyo and Yue also dug into their food with relish, since they too had been starved by now. In the midst of his gobbling down food, Yukito piped up.

"So, as we were discussing before we were rudely interrupted by a stuck-up jerk. I say we start purchasing things we need as soon as possible. I want to get as much done as we can before school starts next week. It's a good thing Mom already enrolled us in Tomeda High, other wise that would've been another thing in our "To Do" list."

It was amazing how Yukito could talk so much and eat at the same time. But this arduous task was no challenge when it came to Yukito.

"Yeah, I also think it's a good idea that we start right away." Added Tomoyo. She was a bit apprehensive about the work that was laid out for her.

"And Mom even asked me to decorate the place, and put everything in order." Tomoyo groaned softly. Then all of a sudden, her eyes lit up and she looked up at Yukito.

"You know….."

"No!!" said Yukito, interrupting her mid-sentence.

"But you don't even know what I was going to say." Tomoyo said in a whiny tone.

"Oh, I don't do I." said Yukito. "Hmm, lets see, you were just about to ask us to help you with all the decorating, weren't you?" he said taking a bite out of his last chicken sandwich.

"But there's so much work that needs to be done." Said Tomoyo, whine factor had had gone an octave too high.

"Oh, of course we'll help you Tomoyo." Yue said, taking a sip of he shake.

"But….." Yukito started to say something.

"We can't expect her to do all the work, now can we." Yue fixed a silver gaze on his brother. "Do you really want her to do all the heavy lifting. Well do you?"

"Yeah, do you?" Tomoyo added.

"Fine, whatever." Grumbled Yukito.

Yue and Tomoyo gave each other a small smile and shared a high five under the table away from Yukito's eyes, over their victory.

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Their weekend was spent unpacking the boxes that they had brought with them. Tomoyo constantly gave them instructions over what should go where. Through Yukito's constant whining and complaining, they got a lot of work done. The sofas were now placed neatly in order around the living room. Most of the kitchen was now equipped with delicate China and Glass crockery. The plastic sheeting of the beds were now replaced with beautiful quilts, and soft fluffy pillows were placed on top. Tomoyo had decided to take the room on top of the stairs. Next was Yukito's room, then Yue's and at the end of the hall was their Mother's room. The bedrooms were still pretty empty save for the beds.

All three of them had decided to hit the stores on the weekdays. They figured it might be a little less crowded and they would be able to purchase things without any hassle. They made a trip to the electronics store to purchase their big screen T .V., equipped with VCR and DVD player. They also put in an order for a large Sony stereo system, with a built-in CD player, with surround sound speakers. They also went and bought dressing tables for Tomoyo's and Sonomi's rooms. They purchased study tables for the boys' rooms. All of this stuff was to be delivered to their house the next day. They had made good use of their Mom's credit card.

When their stuff had gotten there, they made good use of the delivery men. They asked them to put things in their respective places. The delivery men hadn't obliged at first, but they gave in once they got a load of Tomoyo's huge purple, pleading eyes. They were paid a hefty tip, which came from Yukito's pocket albeit grudgingly, for the extra labor. At the end of the long tiring day, Yukito, Yue and Tomoyo collapsed on the sofa in their now completely set-up living room. They all heaved huge sighs of relief.

"Oh My God. I can't believe it." Exclaimed Tomoyo. "It was a lot of work. But we're finally done."

"You said it Sis." Yukito said.

Despite his uncooperative nature, Yukito had actually helped out a lot. He didn't complain "much" when Tomoyo couldn't decide what position would sofas look best in. They only moved it around 5 or 6 or 20 times. He hadn't even flinched when he was bringing in their huge glass tray, that their mother had insisted to bring with them, into the kitchen; only to have it drop on his foot when Tomoyo had banged open the door from the other side. He looked over the fact that he was good as electrocuted, when he was lying on the floor fixing the wiring on the stereo that was placed on the table for the time being, and Yue had tripped over his feet. Yukito and Yue had taken turns driving Tomoyo back and forth from the stores. And now the next day was their little sister's birthday.

"So sis, what do you wanna do for your birthday tomorrow?" Yukito inquired of Tomoyo.

"Oh no. My first birthday without Mom. That's not fair." Tomoyo said sadly.

"Hey, don't count us out completely!" cried out Yukito.

"Yeah Tomoyo, tell us what you want to do. I know it might be a little hard for you, seeing as how may have wanted a big party, it being your sweet sixteen and all. But with the circumstances we're in, we can't really do anything about it." Spoke up Yue.

"Oh, I don't really care for a big party." Said Tomoyo. "Well, since we're new in town and don't know a lot of places to hang out yet, why don't we spend the day at the Mall." Tomoyo asked her brothers. "And you know, that will give you guys a chance to buy me presents."

"Of course. Anything for our little Sis." Said Yue, giving her a soft smile.

"All right!!" Tomoyo said grinning broadly, rubbing her hands. "Boys. Get ready to empty your pockets."

"Oh Man!" groaned Yukito. "What is it with women and their spending habits!"

He was promptly answered with a cushion to the face.

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The next morning, on Wednesday, the Daidouji household was awoken by the shrill sound of the telephone ringing. Tomoyo came running down the stairs, rubbing sleep form her eyes, still clad in her pajamas.

`I've got to get an extension up in my room.' She thought to herself.

Their new telephone was installed just a few days ago, she wondered who had their number already. She picked up the cradle.

"Hello."

"Happy Birthday, Sweet-heart."

"Mom! Hi. Thank you."

"I wish I could've been there by today. But there is still some work left."

"That's all right Mom, I understand."

Sonomi than proceeded to ask how the set-up was going. Tomoyo filled her in on everything they had done.

"This is all great to hear." Sonomi said at the end of the explanation. "I'll be there surely by Saturday. Tell Yukito that I'll be driving his car to Spring Valley, instead of taking the flight. I think taking a long drive will help me relieve some of the stress the hospital is putting me through." Sonomi said wearily.

"Will do Mom. I m glad you'll be here soon. I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, honey. All right Tomoyo, I've got to go now. Give your brothers my love. I'll see you all in a couple of days."

"O.K bye Mom."

She hung up the phone and turned around. As soon as she turned, she was tackled by Yukito and Yue who were charging at her quietly. They both bumped into her and all three of them fell on the sofa. Tomoyo and Yukito's laughter resounded through the house, along with Yue's soft chuckles.

"Happy Birthday!!" Yukito and Yue said in unison.

"Now tell us seriously Tomoyo." Piped up Yukito who had sat up straight. "How old did you turn today? 12? 13?"

Tomoyo, who was still encircled in Yue's arms from behind, laughed again.

"No, you dope-head, I'm 16."

"What? No way!" screamed Yukito. "Come on Yue, let's start putting up the wards against gentlemen suitors who will be coming for our Tomoyo's hand. No one will be able to get past Yukito and Yue, the over-protective-and-somewhat-neurotic older brothers."

Tomoyo was doubled-up in laughter by now. Behind her, Yue's body was shaking with silent laughter of his own. Yukito, too, collapsed on the sofa in a fit of laughter.

All three of them had their breakfast, some of them took longer than the others, and got dressed to hit the mall.

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They spent their day just hanging out and browsing through different shops. They didn't purchase much, just contented themselves with becoming familiar with the Mall, and see which shops were located where.

Yukito brought a huge stuffed teddy bear for Tomoyo. It was a large brown one, with a small red neck-tie, and large button eyes. Tomoyo fell in love with it immediately, and clutched it to her chest. Yue had bought her a small jewelry box, made of glass with small intricate flower patterns painted on the surface. It was beautifully made, and displayed soft music once opened. Tomoyo thanked her brother by giving him a huge, near bone-crushing, hug, and thanked him repeatedly. At Yukito's pouty face, she had then bestowed a similar hug on him.

At the end of the day, they went to an ice-cream parlor, that was located on the first floor of the mall. Yue had decided to pay for their ice-creams. They gave their orders at the counter and stood aside to wait for them.

"I wanted to do so much more for your birthday, Tomoyo." Yue spoke up. Yukito was still standing by the counter waiting for their ice-creams. "Why don't you tell me what else you want, and I'll get it for you."

Tomoyo looked up at him with bright, shiny eyes.

"I would like nothing more, for my birthday, then to have the old Yue back."

Yue just looked at her for a long time. He then spoke up quietly.

"Give him some time Tomoyo. He's still in here somewhere. I'm sure he'll be able to resurface someday."

Tomoyo blinked away the tears that had welled up. She didn't want to worry Yukito, who was headed towards them with ice-creams. She gave Yue a huge watery smile and proceeded to enjoy her ice cream.

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TBC.