Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Tomoyo's not so nice adventure ❯ Tomoyo's not so nice adventure ( Chapter 1 )

With Shaoran back, Sakura was more than out of her mind. She had waited for three long years and now, finally, he was back. She felt that there was not enough space in her heart to keep all the happiness inside it, and was just too happy to afford herself any bad thoughts.

Tomoyo had observed everything from a distance, she was happy for her friend and cousin, for having got the love of her life back after all that time, and had enjoyed with Sakura the moment. She had seen Sakura's mood change into a way happier one; a mood she had never known to exist in Sakura, but definitely was a good one.

But maybe Sakura had been too into herself and Shaoran's return that she didn't notice that Tomoyo had changed as well. She had grown a bit sadder, and not gradually, but all that went before Sakura's eyes and she didn't even notice. But Tomoyo had tried not to show her sadness in front of her friends, for fear of spoiling their moments and so on, but internally, she was feeling devastated. She had discovered something. Something that she couldn't get out of her mind, and maybe not even accept. True, she had eye for things, and could notice when someone was feeling bad, or when two people were in love with each other. But she had managed to miss a feeling of her own.

She felt lonely.

Deep inside her she knew that she also wished for a boyfriend, one like Shaoran perhaps, but definitely not him! The Eriol type wasn't bad either, but she knew very well also that she couldn't just CREATE a boyfriend. No matter how many fantasies she had, she knew that a dream man was the last thing that would appear! She knew that if she started specifying on the type of man she wanted, she might spend the rest of her life searching, ignoring potential boys that actually could turn out to be BETTER than her dream man. So she never really thought about making one.

Shaoran and Sakura loved spending time together with Tomoyo, like it had been in the past, before he returned to Hong Kong. They would still go to that park with the Penguin King and slide down just for fun. They would also meet with Chiharu, Yamazaki, Rika and Naoko. Rika seemed, to Shaoran, a lot more grown up than she ever did, she was like a true woman trapped in the body of a thirteen year-old. Chiharu and Yamazaki were just the same like always, he still told a lot of nonsense, and she still tried to make him stop. Naoko still insisted on telling her ghost stories, but maybe Sakura didn't get so scared like before.

After so long, some new students had joined the group, among them was Yoshiko Nakajima. She was taller than the rest of the girls and was very pretty. Lately, she had become the person for whom Tomoyo designed most of the dresses, as she was the daughter of a very rich man who had parties every weekend and, of course, expected his daughter to look her best. But Yoshiko wasn't the kind of person that had her wealth up her head and thought of others as less than herself. She appreciated friendship more than anything else and was, in some ways, like Sakura.

What was keeping Tomoyo the busiest now, was her fashion show. Yoshiko's father had seen the quality of Tomoyo's dresses and wished to make that talent known all around Japan and, if possible, the world. Sonomi had not agreed in the beginning so much to that, for fear that her daughter would be exploited by others, but after talking more with Mr. Nakajima, she had agreed and was helping her daughter greatly to prepare, and kept on encouraging her not to give up. She also recognized Tomoyo's great talent, and even wore some of her creations to work. When her co-workers asked her where she had bought the clothes she would just say that Tomoyo had made them for her, and no more. Some did not believe it, others found it hard to do so, but had faith in the pretty girl with long hair that meant the world to their boss.

The long-awaited show would take place in three weeks, and Tomoyo still felt like she wasn't ready for it, that she was running out of ideas. Most of her creations had been wore by Sakura during her Card Captor times, but there was no way she would fit into those anymore! No way! She had grown a lot as well, just like Tomoyo. So Mr. Nakajima had arranged for some elementary school girls to model them at the show. Among them was Naoko's little sister Akiko.

But now, sitting in the park by the lake, with Sakura, Shaoran and Yoshiko, Tomoyo felt really uneasy. She felt lonelier than ever, and she wished she could do something about it. Yoshiko's boyfriend soon joined the group. Akira was already in High School, in junior year, so he was already a good sixteen year-old lad. He was the son of one of Mr. Nakajima's colleagues, and upon meeting Yoshiko, couldn't keep her out of his mind. Luckily for him, she had the hearts for him as well, and they had been going out for seven months already.

"Are you okay Tomoyo?" Yoshiko asked. "You look sad."

"Are you stressed because of the show?" Sakura asked. "It's coming closer and. . . well, I guess I'd be nervous."

She laughed nervously a bit, holding tightly Shaoran's hand. He squeezed it tenderly and they smiled at each other. That made Tomoyo feel even worst. Not jealous-like. . . meaning that she wasn't jealous of THEM being together, but jealous of their happiness. To top that, Yoshiko and Akira were hugging and he was whispering things in her ear.

Tomoyo couldn't take it anymore.

She got off the bench and looked at her friends.

"Look, I think I have to go home prepare some more. . ." she laughed wickedly, "they want me to make a speech for the fashion show, and I have no idea what I could say, so I am going to ask my mother. . . she'll be home early tonight!"

With that she took off.

But she didn't head home. She sat on another bench by the Penguin King, and observed how minutes later, the two couples separated to enjoy a bit of privacy.

Tomoyo felt bad. Not only was she feeling lonely, but she also felt like a burden to her friends because they had to stay together because of her. Maybe they had wanted the whole time to take separate ways, but she had been there and they couldn't. A tear fell from her eye, and then she burst out crying.

It was somehow unfair.

She was being selfish, she thought, for keeping them from enjoying themselves. And because in a way she would have wished Shaoran hadn't come back, not yet, to say it somehow, because that took her best friend away. Not completely, but of course they wanted to make up for the time they had been separated.

It got colder, and then the rain started pouring.

She finally decided to go home after some time, and decided to ignore those `selfish feelings' and go on preparing for her fashion show. There was lots to do, and little time to do it. . .

* * *

Tomoyo bowed in front of the audience in the fashion show, and then a lady dressed in red brought her a bouquet of flowers, and she bowed again. She was happy, she was successful, and she knew that all the desperate nights she had spent had been worth it.

Sonomi was clapping as hard as she could. She was so proud of that girl she had raised alone! Her own daughter was so popular and successful at the age of sixteen, and had been so for the past three years since her first fashion show. She was now among the best designers for children's and teen's clothes, and also for costumes.

In the audience were also to see Sakura, Shaoran, Rika, Naoko, Chiharu, Yamazaki and Yoshiko, Akira was in college now, so he wasn't able to attend the fashion show, but he hadn't missed any other one before that. They had all grown up, and the couples still held on, as if time hadn't gone by so much! Tomoyo was still single, but she didn't care that much anymore. She was satisfied with what she had, she loved designing and hanging out with her friends, and helping them out when they had problems. She liked being available for them at all times, and she thought that if she had kept on listening to those stubborn loneliness feelings she would just have crawled off and hidden under her bed, and would have separated herself from her dear friends. She had gotten used to being with them even if they decided to kiss or something, she enjoyed it either way, knowing that her friends were happy, she had always been happy because of that!

After the fashion show, Sonomi took them all for dinner. Tomoyo radiated from happiness, she couldn't believe that the place, being so big as it was, had been completely crowded, and still more people had tried to get tickets to see her show. She now even used professional models for her shows and her designs sold well in stores in Japan and recently they were reaching Europe and the United States.

"You were wonderful tonight!" Sakura praised her. "Your designs were amazing!"

"I liked that dark blue one with the double skirt," Yoshiko said. "It was so cool!"

"Thank you," Tomoyo said, turning red a bit.

"It's incredible how people just love your stuff," Shaoran said. "My sister Fanren keeps on calling me, telling me to ask you for the patterns of a dress of yours. She wants to wear it for Fuutie's wedding. And Fuutie is wondering if you could design her a little something. My mother says she'll pay you greatly if you can do that. She wants you to dress Shiefa and Feimei as well. . ."

Tomoyo started laughing.

"Of course I can do that! I mean, it's YOUR sister the one getting married!"

"Oh. . . you are all invited, by the way. . .she's marrying this Korean fellow, really nice guy."

"A wedding?!!!!" Yoshiko was so happy, Naoko and Chiharu screamed as well. "That's so awesome! I can hardly wait!"

"Can I design dresses for you all?" Tomoyo asked smiling.

"Isn't that a bit too much?" Rika asked.

"No, of course not! You are my friends, and I am happy when I can do things for you! And besides. . . I always wanted to have a fashion show with my friends in it, it would be so nice if afterwards you guys modeled. . . if you want I mean. . ."

"Model?!!!!" Chiharu could hardly belive THAT. "Of course I'll model!!!!"

Sonomi only smiled. She knew that her daughter had great friends, and she enjoyed watching her with them. For a girl who had grown up without a father, she had been quite well acquainted with the nature of boys thanks to her friends most of all. Sonomi just wondered, why Tomoyo had never come up with a boyfriend like her friends had.

For the next few days, Tomoyo had been busy between examinations and designing the wedding dresses. Fuutie had come from Hong Kong with the rest of Shaoran's sisters so that they could help Tomoyo with their own tastes and wishes. Ieran had managed to settle ALL of her daughters and herself into Shaoran's apartment, and the poor boy felt totally surrounded by women!!!

Everything was going right for Tomoyo, but then, two days before the examinations, catastrophe stroke. . .

"Are you sure you didn't leave it at home?" Sakura asked.

"No! I had it with me today! I am sure of it! I was showing Yoshiko some pre-designs I had done for her dress, and then it was gone!"

"But, might Yoshiko not have it?" Shaoran asked.

"I don't think so, she left the cafeteria before I did, and then I had something else to drink and kept on drawing on it."

"You might have left it in the cafeteria then," Sakura said.

"It's not there. . . I looked for it already."

Tomoyo was about to cry. The notebook was full of her newest designs, including the wedding dress and the dresses of her friends and Shaoran's sisters. EVERYTHING! And somehow she had managed to LOSE it!

She went back to her locker, thinking that she might have left it there. But now, it wasn't there. She tried to put the events in order: First, she had gone with Yoshiko to that cafeteria in the corner to lunch, and that had been where she had last seen her notebook, or at least remembered it. Then, Yoshiko had left, and Tomoyo had followed ten minutes after and went to class. After that, was that she had realized the book to be gone. . .

`Oh, gosh! Where is it?!'

All saddened she went back home. She needed to take a long bath to relax, and then maybe sleep for some time. Yeah, then she would have a clear head and would remember where she had *misplaced* the book. Maybe she had given it to someone or left it somewhere, but she just didn't remember.

Said and done, she undressed and went into the hot bathtub prepared with apple-scented bubbles. How she loved aromatherapy. . . sometimes she would invite the girls for a nice *pool party* in their huge tub-pool with different kinds of aromas, especially if the girls had special occasions coming up, like an anniversary with their boyfriends or a party or whatever. And they always had fun, and their boyfriends always commented on their nice scent.

After the bath, she put on her pajamas and was ready to go to bed for a while, when she heard a knock on her door. She opened, and there was one of the servants, waiting.

"Yes?" Tomoyo asked. "Anything happened?"

"I hope I didn't wake you, miss Daidouji," the servant said. "Sorry to disturb you, but there is someone at the door, who would like to speak to you."

"Do you know who it is?" Tomoyo asked.

"No, miss, I have never seen him before."

"Very well, tell him please that I'll be done in a sec."

"Yes, miss."

The servant left, and Tomoyo went to her closet. Who could it be that the servant didn't know? The servants knew perfectly well the people with whom Tomoyo hung around with. Maybe Eriol was in town. . . and that servant was rather new and didn't meet him yet. . . but no, he would have told about it before. . . She put on a dress designed by her (like most of the stuff she had) and headed downstairs to the living room, where the servant should have directed the visitor.

As she came down the stairs, she saw the person at once. She didn't know him, but he looked familiar, but she didn't know from where.

The visitor had also seen her at once, as she started going down the stairs. He didn't think that the one known as Tomoyo Daidouji would be this girl. He had heard of the famous designer Tomoyo, but he didn't think that the notebook he had found would be HERS precisely. He also thought the notebook belonged to some older woman. Maybe it was her mother the one to whom the notebook belonged.

Tomoyo approached and took a sit in front of the young man. She checked him out, trying to recognize him. He seemed tall, and had dark brown hair and brown eyes, his skin was light and his smile was soft. He was slender, but not skinny, and he certainly looked friendly. He was dressed in blue jeans and a dark green polo shirt with long sleeves. But now, Tomoyo didn't know him.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

"Are you Tomoyo Daidouji?" he asked.

"Yes, and you are?" she hoped that his name would tell her who he was.

"Yamato Kitazumi."

The name still didn't tell Tomoyo much.

"I work at the pizza place near the Tomoeda High School, I wait there during lunch time and dinner time."

Now Tomoyo remembered, that's where she had seen him!

Yamato started looking around in his bag and took out a little blue notebook. Tomoyo's heart skipped a beat. That was her designing notebook! Her eyes grew wide and a smile formed in her face.

"Where. . . where did you find that?!" she asked, astonished.

"You left it on the table when you went to put your tray away, and apparently forgot it. I realized only after you had left. And since I had to stay at work, I didn't come at once, and then I had classes, so I only came after that. And now I will basically have to run back to the cafeteria to start working at five thirty."

Tomoyo stared at the clock that was on the wall some meters behind Yamato. It was quarter past five.

"I thank you for bringing me the book," Tomoyo said smiling. "It means the world to me."

"I hope you don't mind that I looked through it, I liked your drawings a lot."

"It's okay," Tomoyo said.

Then it hit him. . .

"Wait a minute. . . you aren't that young designer, are you?"

Tomoyo only smiled.

"Oh, Lord!" Yamato stood up, shocked. "I am sorry. . . I had no idea. . .! You see. . . I don't look at fashion shows and stuff. . . but. . . well. . ."

"Don't worry," Tomoyo said smiling.

Yamato smiled back and stood up.

"I guess I'll go now, have a nice evening."

"You too," Tomoyo said and accompanied him to the door.

Yamato walked out the door, and made his way down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he turned again to Tomoyo and smiled.

"Apple," he said. "Smells nice "

Tomoyo blushed.

And he was gone.

She stood there, by the door, for a long time. Usually, when they had the pool parties, Akira and Shaoran would notice immediately the nice smell on their girlfriends, but no one ever commented on Tomoyo. And today, a complete stranger had. Out of the nothing.

When she finally could put two and two together, she closed the door and went back to her room. . . hell, she wasn't going to sleep right now! She had her notebook back, so she could go on designing. That is, if she could concentrate. (^_^)

When Sonomi returned home that night, she found her daughter playing the piano, with her notebook by her side. Obviously having a break from designing and making the patterns for the clothing and stuff.

She looked so happy and relaxed that Sonomi wondered what had happened.

Tomoyo greeted her happily and kept on playing, and when she was done with the song, she played Sonomi's favorite song for her.

"You are so happy today!" Sonomi said. "Anything special happened today?"

"I lost my design notebook, but the guy that works at the cafeteria near the school brought it back to me, and I am happy about that. Can you imagine what would have happened if I had lost that?"

"Oh, dear! Luckily it was brought back to you! And I have news for you."

"Really?"

"Yes, guess who has invited us for dinner."

"Hmm. . . let me think. . . Sakura?"

"No, but she will be there as well."

"Great uncle?" she asked, her eyes shining.

"That's right! Go get ready."

Tomoyo jumped out of the piano seat and ran upstairs to comb he hair a bit and get a jacket. Then she came back downstairs quickly, put on some shoes, and left with her mother and the bodyguards to her great uncle's mansion.

The Kinomotos where there already, and Touya and Sakura were having a battle of wills, like always. Fujitaka greeted the two as they came in, and told them that Mr. Amamiya would be downstairs soon, he had gone get something.

When Mr. Amamiya finally showed up, Sakura and Tomoyo were already in deep conversation. Tomoyo was telling her all about her found notebook.

"And he went all the way to your house just to bring it to you?" Sakura asked.

"Yes! And he had to go to work right after that. I hope he made it on time."

"That's a nice fellow," Touya said. "What did you say his name was?"

"Yamato something. . ."

"Something?"

"Yeah, I can't really remember. It was something with K, but I am not sure what it was anymore."

"Do you know anything else about him?"

"Just that he works in that cafeteria."

"Wait. . . is it Kitazumi?"

"Yes! It is Kitazumi. You know him?"

"Yup, he goes to my university. He's a first year."

"How do you know him then? You are a fourth year," Sakura asked.

"He's in the football team as well," Touya said. "Pretty good player."

Mr. Amamiya conducted them to the dining hall and they had a luxurious dinner. Delicious everything was, and Mr. Amamiya was in a really good mood. When the dessert was served, he asked for the word.

"I have asked you all to come tonight, because there is reason enough to celebrate. I have received a call from Touya today, informing me that he has been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a full scholarship to do his masters degree there. As you might recall, we were processing that application, in hopes that Touya could proceed with his superior education in a prestigious university."

Touya smiled. Fujitaka looked at him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Fujitaka asked.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Touya said. "I didn't want you to know what had happened until all of us were together. And as Sonomi and Tomoyo are part of the family. . . I thought it would be best to say it over here."

"I am so proud of you son!" Fujitaka stood up and Touya as well, and they hugged.

"Congratulations," Sonomi said, happily. "I know Nadeshiko would be really proud of you."

"She is," Fujitaka said and smiled. "She is."

Only he could see Nadashiko there, with her white wings, sitting at the other end of the table, smiling happily.

Later that night, back in her room, Tomoyo looked into her notebook again. She realized, then, that she had designed dresses for all, except one for herself. She would have to do that after her examinations, which were coming really close by each ticking of the clock.

She went to bed imagining what kind of dress she would like to have.

The two days of examinations were so tough that they all thought they would die after them, and they were merely mid-terms! It seemed as if the teachers had decided to make all of them harder than the usual finals, almost as if they were trying to fail everyone. But luckily, they all passed with good grades.

That afternoon after the last mid-term, Tomoyo found herself in the cafeteria again, having a chocolate milkshake with Sakura and Shaoran. She was discussing with them about Sakura's dress, and Shaoran couldn't help trying to imagine Sakura in it. Tomoyo showed them the drawings, and Sakura smiled.

"I am going to wear that?" she asked happily. "And then model it in your show?"

"Yes," Tomoyo said. "Do you like it?"

"It's lovely! You have no idea how I miss wearing those things you used to make for me when I was the Card Captor."

"By the way, Sakura," Shaoran said, "my sister was wondering if you could take care of the flowers for the wedding."

"Well, I can do it with the Flowery, if that's what she means."

"That's exactly what she means."

"Ok, I'll do it."

A waiter approached the table and brought them the bill. Tomoyo took it and Sakura and Shaoran protested.

"Let us see!" Sakura asked.

"No," Tomoyo said, smiling. "I am inviting today , you invited last time, it's my turn."

Sakura and Shaoran had no other option but to comply to her wishes.

"Here," Tomoyo said giving the money to the waiter.

What the waiter returned her was a smile.

And Tomoyo stood up quickly.

Sakura and Shaoran had no idea of what she was doing. Why had she suddenly stood up like that?

"Hi," Yamato said. "Thanks."

He gave her the change.

"Hi. . ." Tomoyo said and took the money.

"How have you been?" Yamato asked. "Any more designs?"

"I had mid-terms, finished today," she answered, "had hardly any time to design anything."

Sakura and Shaoran looked at each other and smiled tenderly.

"Well, I hope it all went well. And good luck with designing."

"Thank you."

Tomoyo sat down again, without taking her eyes off Yamato. He smiled again and left to tend on other clients.

Tomoyo looked back at her friends, and they smiled at her, almost understandingly.

"What?" Tomoyo asked.

"We saw that. . ." Shaoran said smiling evily.

"What do you mean?"

"The way you looked at him," Sakura said.

"No! You guys are imagining things! He's the one that found my notebook! I am just grateful to him."

"Yeah, right."

"Hey, I am telling the truth!"

"Yes, I believe you," Sakura said and smiled. "We were just joking."

Tomoyo laughed.

"How can you imagine such a thing? Come on!"

After that, they had some days with classes, and the dresses were made. The wedding would take place during Shaoran's holidays, which came three weeks later. They would fly to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, be there for the wedding on Friday night, and would be back in Tomoeda on Sunday evening.

Monday and Tuesday were days for the girls to try on clothes and final fixing by Tomoyo.

On Tuesday evening, the phone in the Daidouji Mansion rang.

"Miss, it's for you," a servant brought her the phone to the terrace, where she was reading.

"Thank you," she said taking the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi there, Miss daidouji?"

"Yes?"

"This is Yamato Kitazumi, how are you?"

"I am fine," Tomoyo answered a bit shocked, "and you?"

"Oh, I am fine. Miss Daidouji. . ."

"You may call me Tomoyo."

"Ok. . . Tomoyo. . . I was wondering. . . would you like to watch a movie tonight?"

"Huh?" Tomoyo didn't know what to say. "Where?"

"At the university, we're having a movie night, and I thought you might enjoy it."

"When?"

"It starts at seven thirty, would you like to come?"

"Well. . ." Tomoyo didn't know what to say, she knew that she had to wake up early the next morning to fly to Hong Kong, but she didn't want to say no to Yamato, since he had returned her precious notebook. "Okay."

"Should I pick you up or will you come?"

"I'll come, where do we meet?"

"Very well, I'll wait for you at the east entrance of the university, okay?"

"Ok, I'll be there at seven fifteen. Do I have to bring anything with me?"

"Just your smile," Yamato said. "Eh. . . I mean. . . no!"

Tomoyo laughed.

"I will see you there."

"Ok, bye."

"Bye."

Tomoyo wished so much she had said no. She was so tired, and had planned on going to bed early that night. But it was too late now. It was six thirty, and she still had to get ready, and quickly, because it would take her at least twenty-five minutes to get to the university because of the traffic.

She rushed up to her room and looked around the stuff she hadn't packed for Hong Kong. She didn't know what kind of clothes would be okay for a university, she was only sixteen after all. SO she decided on a skirt with a nice little jacket. Now the hair. . . she didn't know whether to tie it up or let it loose. . . Hmm. . . maybe she should tie it so she wouldn't look so young. . . Wait, what was she saying? She was younger than the University people. . . so there wouldn't be any problem with her looking younger. . . man, she was feeling nervous. . . the only university people she usually dealt with were Touya, Yukito and Akira, but that was it!

The bodyguards drove her to the university, and at seven fifteen she was there. Yamato was waiting for her near the entrance, with another boy.

One of the bodyguards went down of the car and opened the door for Tomoyo, then walked with her to where Yamato was.

"Call when you want to be picked up, miss," the bodyguard said.

"Yes," Tomoyo said smiling. "Thank you."

"Hi," Yamato said. "Nice to see you."

"Nice to see you too," Tomoyo said.

"Come in, please. We should start getting places, otherwise we won't find good ones."

"Okay."

The found actually quite good places, and there, Yamato introduced her to some of his friends. Among them was a guy who wasn't so tall, Maybe just a few centimeters taller than Tomoyo. His hair was black and his eyes were green. He caught Tomoyo's attention.

". . . and this is Naoki," Yamato ended the introductions. "Guys, this is Tomoyo Daidouji."

"Hi!" they all said.

The first movie started, and when it was done, it was nine only. There would be a fifteen minute break before the next movie started. Tomoyo didn't know if to stay longer, as she didn't know at what time the next movie would end.

"Would you like something to drink?" Yamato said. "I'll invite you."

"A juice will be fine," she said.

"Okay, I'll be right back. Guys, don't bother her too much!"

The boys started talking between them, not really to Tomoyo. All except for Naoki, who came to sit down with her.

"Hey there," he said. "Are you having fun?"

"I am enjoying," Tomoyo said, her heart beating fast. Boy, was Naoki handsome!

"Good! I heard from Yamato that you go to the Tomoeda High School."

"Yes, I do."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Nice! As you may know, we're all nineteen."

"Wow. I feel like a kid almost."

"You don't have to "

Man, Naoki was sooo nice!

Yamato returned after a while with the juice, and found Tomoyo and Naoki talking animatedly.

"Where the guys friendly with you?" Yamato asked giving her the juice."

"Yes," she answered. "I have been talking here with naoki."

After the second movie, Tomoyo called the bodyguards so they could pick her up. It was quarter past eleven.

"You want to go already?" Yamato asked.

"I have to wake up very early tomorrow, I'm sorry."

"Are you going somewhere?" Naoki asked.

"Hong Kong. My friend's sister is getting married."

"Wow! I hope you have fun there!"

"Thank you, Naoki," Tomoyo said smiling at him.

Yamato looked at her, then at Naoki.

"Is that why you designed a wedding dress in your notebook?" he asked.

"Yes," Tomoyo answered, looking at him.

A while after, one of the bodyguards came to look for Tomoyo. Obviously they hadn't been far when Tomoyo called them.

"Shall we go, miss?" the bodyguard asked.

"Yes, let's go."

She took a final look at Naoki and waved goodbye.

"Nice girl," Naoki commented when the car was gone.

"Yes," Yamato said.

The next morning, Tomoyo awoke by a knock on her door. She went to the door, without paying any attention from the clock. She opened, and there was Sakura, all dressed up, ready to travel.

"Aren't you ready?!" Sakura asked.

"Huh?" Tomoyo was still half asleep. "What do you mean?"

"Hello! We're going to Hong Kong today!"

"Ha?! What time is it?!" Tomoyo was scared.

"It's well past the time you should have been on your feet. We're leaving really soon."

"Oh, dear! I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry, just tell me where your stuff are and go get ready."

Sakura saw her friend run to her bathroom and smiled. She knew very well why Tomoyo had overslept, and therefore she had come over. Touya had told her that he had seen her at the movie night last night with Kitazumi, so that she would most likely oversleep.

Tomoyo couldn't forgive herself, she was always so careful with everything, and now, she had almost spoiled the whole Hong Kong trip! She shouldn't have gone to the movie night, she just shouldn't have gone! But then again. . . she thought of Naoki's green eyes. . . what the heck. . . she had enjoyed, and the trip wasn't spoiled. She smiled to herself and finished getting dressed. She combed her hair and ran out of the bathroom.

Sakura was waiting for her near her bed, with the suitcase by her side. She wondered why Tomoyo suddenly had that smile on her face. Hmm, she should have asked Touya for more details. . . maybe something had happened with Yamato! Would Tomoyo tell her? She wondered. . .

"Let's go," Tomoyo said. "I am ready."

They walked down the stairs and went right into the little van that was waiting for them outside. Touya was driving.

"Sorry for being late," Tomoyo apologized to her friends.

At the airport, Tomoyo wanted to go to the bathroom, and asked Sakura to come with her. She was quite happy.

"Sakura-chan," she said, "there is something I want to tell you!"

"What is it?" Sakura asked, knowingly.

"Last night I went to a movie night at the university and. . ."

"Yes, Touya told me he saw you there with Yamato Kitazumi."

"He invited me, and since he had found my book I didn't want to say no."

"So. . . what did you want to tell me?"

"Well. . . there is someone I like. . ." Tomoyo turned red.

"Kitazumi?!" Sakura asked smiling.

Tomoyo negated.

"Huh?" Sakura was confused. "Then, who?!"

"His name is Naoki Kobayashi. He's a classmate of Yamato's."

Sakura didn't know what to say. Her mouth was open.

"Re. . . really?"

"Yes."

Tomoyo was even more blushed.

"THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!!! TOMOYO-CHAN!"

Sakura was happy that finally Tomoyo had found someone to like.

"And. . . how is he?? Tell me more!"

Tomoyo told her all about it, the break between the movies, and how much they had talked, and about what, what he looked like. . . etc.

"He is a dream-guy!" Sakura exclaimed.

In Hong Kong, they were received by Fanren and Feimei at the airport. And then they were brought to Shaoran's place. The last arrangements for the wedding were taking place, and Tomoyo went around fixing dresses of the Li family and making the final adjustments to Fuutie's wedding dress. Sakura also had her share of work the day of the wedding. With the help of the Flowery, she made ALL possible flower arrangements, plus Fuutie's bouquet.

Everything went smoothly through the ceremony, and then the banquet and party started. After dinner, the couple danced their first married dance and then the rest of the guests followed. Tomoyo, Rika and Naoko found themselves without a partner to dance.

Naoko was utterly frustrated because of that, Rika was as calmed as always. But Tomoyo was like in heaven, watching the bride dance wearing her dress, and the sisters dancing, and the mother, and Sakura and Yoshiko. . . it was too much happiness put together! Eventually, Naoko and Rika were asked to dance while Tomoyo was helping Fuutie take off her veil so it would be easier to dance.

She was back sitting where she had been, and was rather like day-dreaming of Naoki, when a young man stood in front of her.

"Would you like to dance with me?" he asked.

"Why. . . sure," Tomoyo said and took his hand.

"My name is Sung Li, I am the bride's cousin."

"I am Tomoyo Daidouji, Shaoran's friend."

"Oh, yes, the one that has done all the dresses, very nice work, miss Daidouji."

"Thank you."

In Sung Li, Tomoyo found a great dancer and partner for the night. He never tired, and danced all kinds of music, he was also fun to talk to, and all. His two kids were also roaming around the dance, and he told Tomoyo that his wife wasn't in condition of dancing, as she was in the last stage of her third pregnancy.

On Sunday, they all returned to Tomoeda, and had dinner at Tomoyo's house. They all commented on the success of the event and were all satisfied with what they had bought and how they had liked Hong Kong.

To Tomoyo's surprise, there were flowers for her in the living room. They had arrived just before they had. Her mother showed them to her, and asked her who it could have been. Tomoyo looked for the card, in high expectation that they would be from Naoki. But when she found the card, and read it, she was rather disappointed. . . they weren't from Naoki. . . but from Yamato.

The card read:

Miss Daidouji,

I hope your trip to Hong Kong was relaxing and that you had fun. Welcome back to Tomoeda!

Kitazumi Yamato

But Tomoyo, bein the way she is, rapidly discarded her disappointment and smiled. She thought of Yamato as a sweet guy.

"How did he know that I would come back today?" Tomoyo asked smiling. "He has excellent timing "

"Maybe he talked with Touya," Sakura said, "since both of us left together. . . I guess he knows I am Touya's sister. . ."

"Yeah, maybe."

"It wasn't like that," Sonomi said, smiling.

"No?" Tomoyo asked.

"No. The boy dropped by with a friend of his on Friday evening, they were looking for you. I think they wanted to invite you to some event at the university. So the butler told them that you were still and Hong Kong and would only return tonight."

Tomoyo's heart beat faster.

"Who was the friend?" she asked.

"His last name was Kobayashi," Sonomi answered. "You know him?"

"Of course I know him!"

Sonomi smiled. She had understood what Tomoyo meant with that *of course!* she had said

She was as happy as she could get at that moment. He had come look for her! True, with Yamato, but it was still something! She was feeling quite strange, like she had never felt before. More than anything, she felt a bit uneasy, and that feeling was the one she carried on for some days. Until one of those, she found herself with Yoshiko and Naoko at the cafeteria. To her surprise, not only Yamato was there, but Naoki as well, and he also was a waiter.

Naoki made his way first to the table, and greeted Tomoyo.

"Hi! Now I also work here," he said, "since Monday."

"Great!" Tomoyo said. "I guess we'll see each other more then "

"I guess so too. What can I get you ladies?"

Naoko and Yoshiko were totally amazed. And Naoko's heart beat like mad. She always told herself that she wouldn't like a guy whose name was Naoki, because it was too similar to hers and she would feel stupid. But in this case, she would make an exception. Naoki was too hot!

Yamato was so busy at the cashier that he could only observe, from a distance, how Naoki talked to the girls, brought them their food, their drinks, their bill, and how he waved them goodbye. But he had been ascended to cashier, so he couldn't leave the place. He wished so much, that very moment, he were the same waiter who got paid less, but could come closer to the costumers. Man, if only he got that stupid scholarship. . . he wouldn't have to need more money!

As he saw Tomoyo smiling at Naoki in such a beautiful way, he knew that, from that day on, Naoki was his rival for Tomoyo's attention and, on the long run, her love. And he knew quite well that in the economic field, he couldn't compete with Naoki, he wasn't one of the poor boys of the university, in fact, he was the richest in the class. And he knew that Tomoyo, being from the kind of family she was, would bot date a poor guy. The mother would most certainly NOT allow it.

He sadly saw the girls stand up and walk to the door, then exit. He went back to the accounting he had to do to try to forget what had happened. So into himself he was, that he totally didn't notice that there was someone standing in front of the counter. The person seemed so much as if she had wanted to say something, but. . . he didn't notice. And the person didn't trust herself to say something, so she didn't, and left the place with a sad face.

"Why would he be angry at you?" Yoshiko asked.

"I don't know, but he didn't even look at me," Tomoyo was confused, she didn't know what she had done to him. "He totally ignored that I was there."

Later, Naoki and Yamato were walking back to the university, Naoki made Yamato know that he had messed up.

"What do you mean?" Yamato asked.

"Tomoyo-chan was standing in front of the counter, and she wanted to talk to you, and you totally ignored her."

"What?"

"Yes, she was there."

"Oh, no. . . she must think that I am angry or something!"

"Why would she think that?"

"I don't don't. . . I just think she might think that. . ."

"Oh, come one Yamato, you're imagining things. . ."

"Maybe you are right."

"You've got the hearts for her, don't you?"

Naoki laughed, he knew he had guessed.

Yamato was silent. But then, he started wondering something, and it kept him uneasy for a while.

"Say, Naoki," Yamato said, "you are a privileged person. . . what made you take the job at the cafeteria?"

"Well, you see man, being rich basically gets boring at times, and I need some sort of distraction. . ."

"So, you took the job to distract yourself?"

"Not exactly."

"Then?"

"To find distraction."

"What do you mean?" Yamato wasn't liking this.

"You met Tomoyo-chan in that cafeteria, so I thought, I could meet a girl of my own as well. You know, a fresh schoolgirl."

Naoki said it so bluntly that it scared Yamato.

"You are trying to tell me, that you are looking for a girl just to sleep with her?!"

"Damn right man, schoolgirls are the easiest sort to do that."

"You asshole!"

Naoki turned to Yamato, furious, and punched him in the face. Yamato wasn't just going to stay like that, so he looked straight at Naoki.

"You can't do that Naoki, you just can't!"

"Oh, yeah? Just wait, and you'll see me doing!"

"You really are an asshole!"

"Don't you dare insult me again, you poor trash!"

With that, Naoki punched him again. Yamato, trying his best to protect himself, and taking into account that he had not started the fight, punched Naoki in the face as well, tearing Naoki's lower lip.

"You'll pay for this, Kitazumi, just wait for it!"

Naoki ran away.

With that, Yamato left.

That evening, Naoki came to Tomoyo's house, with a bandage on his face. Tomoyo, upon seeing him, ran to him.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"I had a fight with Yamato today, That fool!"

"What happened?"

"I told him that you had been standing there, and that he hadn't talked to you, and that you might think he was angry at you, and you know what he said? He said that he wasn't, that actually he didn't care about you at all. He said that what he wanted was just to lay you flat. That's all he wants from high school girls. I told him he was a total asshole, and for that, he punched me in the face and. . . well, you know, I had to punch him back. He is really angry at me now."

"Oh, dear!" Tomoyo couldn't believe it. Yamato would do that? But Naoki had that punch in the face, and he said it so honestly and looked so pained that she couldn't do much but try to believe him. Her senses would have usually told her that there was something wrong, but Naoki's cute face didn't let her sense be on high alert for those details.

"Tomoyo-chan. . . I meant to tell you something else. It's just that I don't know how you'll react since. . . we don't know each other so much but. . . would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"Huh?" Tomoyo couldn't believe that he was asking her that. True, they didn't know each other basically at all. . . but they would have time to get to know each other better. . . this was a moment when all of Tomoyo's rationality went down the trash can. "Yes! I'd love to!"

From that day on, Tomoyo wasn't any longer the one without a boyfriend, because she had Naoki-kun, like the others called him. But she was still a little shy with him. They had kissed already and all, but no more, because she hadn't wished that.

Touya once and again expressed Sakura his fears about that relationship, he really didn't trust Naoki, since the first time he had seen him. Plus, he had heard from others in the team, that Yamato and Naoki had had a fight, and since both of them were in the team. . . it came to complications once in a while, because Naoki would show himself aggressive towards Yamato. Others thought that this was because of the punch Yamato had given him and torn his lip, but Touya wasn't so sure about it, he had more faith in Yamato than anyone else.

Sakura had tried to tell Tomoyo about it, but to no avail, Naoki would always find an excuse. . .

"Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said, "can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Why, sure," she said. "It was the day Tomoyo and Naoki would turn three weeks.

"If you are going to tell her some more nonsense that your brother has told you, you are losing your time. I am sure Yamato has been making up stuff again. He doesn't know how to get attention anymore! Besides, he has something against me, because he's so poor and has a hard time paying his tuition fees. . ."

Sakura didn't know what to say, and kept silence for a long time.

"Actually, it is not about that," she said.

"Your silence only assured me more that it was about that," he said smiling mischievously, "don't try any games little one, no success there honey. Let us go to the movies, Tomoyo-chan. I have a surprise for you afterwards."

To Sakura, that didn't sound to good.

"Tomoyo-chan. . .!"

"Come on, Tomoyo-chan. I want to show you the new hotel."

"Naoki-kun, I want to talk to her!" Sakura knew then, that it wasn't going to be any good. "Tomoyo-chan!!! Wait!"

"I said come on!"

He took her hand and pulled her over.

"Tomoyo-chan!!! Be careful!"

"Keep on walking."

"But Naoki, she wanted to tell me something!"

"Just keep on walking!"

Sakura started going behind them and, upon seeing this, Naoki started running towards the bus. He pulled Tomoyo on it and the bus drove away before Sakura could reach it.

"Naoki-kun! What was that? Sakura was running after us, she looked like it was something serious! Why didn't you let her tell me? You never let her tell me anything."

"She wanted to tell you bad things about me, again, I am so sure of it. I have the impression that your friends don't like me."

"You think so?"

"Yes, definitely."

To be honest, Tomoyo wasn't liking him that much anymore either. She was bothered by the fact that her friends were warning her about him, she knew that if the river made noise, it was because it brought rocks with it. She also disliked the fact that he was around her all her free time, and she was running behind in preparing the next fashion show. The tailor was ready to start sewing more dresses, but Tomoyo hadn't designed any for the past three weeks. The show would take place in a month, and they would need a lot of time to finish all the dresses.

They went to a nice movie theater, and watched a romantic movie. Afterwards, they had a little walk in the park, and then he conducted her to a hotel of his father's chain. It had opened barely two days before.

"I wanted to show you how magnificent this hotel is, it is really nice."

"Yes!" Tomoyo said, meaning it completely. The place was almost magical!

Naoki gave her a tour through the whole hotel, showing her the spa, the gardens, the swimming pool, the sauna, gym. . . in short, everything that was there. At the end of the tour, they were sitting at the lobby.

"Would you like to see the rooms?" he asked. "They have a beautiful pent house."

"Oh, I'd love to see it ^^" Tomoyo was so innocent.

"Very well, let's ask for the keys."

Sakura, at that very moment, was at the university, looking for Touya. With Shaoran gone for a while, Touya was the only man that could help her now. She knew that if Naoki brought Tomoyo to a hotel, it wouldn't be good. She found Touya on the football court, with some members of the team.

"Touya!!!!" she screamed. "Touya!!!!!"

"Look there, Kinomoto, it's your kid sister."

Touya turned and saw Sakura's red and tired face.

"What happened?!" Touya asked.

"It's Tomoyo. . . ! She's in danger. . .!"

"What happened?" Touya asked.

"It's that Naoki, he took her to a hotel and. . . I am afraid he might do something!"

"Ok," Touya said, "get that card of yours. . . the Fly, and we'll go get Yamato. Let's go!"

Sakura looked in her bag and took out her cards. She took the Fly from the bunch and summoned it. Then, they flew over to the basketball court, where some boys were playing.

"Hey! Matsumoto!" Touya yelled. "Have you seen Kitazumi?!"

"He's in classroom 174, I think, he was there when I last saw him about fifteen minutes ago!"

"Thanks man!"

The kept on flying until they reached the classroom and Touya jumped down. Sakura stayed on her stab and wondered, what she could do to win some time. . .

"Help me Clow! What would you have done?!"

If only Kero-chan were there, he could advise her. . .

Yukito came running, he had been called by Touya, and transformed himself into Yue.

"Yue!" she could send Yue over there! But that would take long as well. . . she still needed time, and was losing it! "Get Kero-chan and let's find Tomoyo-chan!"|

In the hotel, Naoki was showing Tomoyo the room, every single detail in it. Tomoyo was fascinated, she had left her jacket on the hook downstairs and looked around freely, with Naoki closely behind her.

`Lucky me,' Naoki thought, `she's wearing a skirt ;)'

Sakura was still struggling with herself when Touya and Yamato appeared. Then, it hit her! Before flying down to pick them up, she stood on the stab and summoned the Windy. She picked up the boys and flew towards the new hotel. The Windy was creating huge wind currents, but that didn't seem to be enough, so she summoned, mid-fly, the Earthy as well. She knew it would be rather extreme to summon the Earthy and create a catastrophe, but if that wasn't enough, she was ready to summon the Fiery as well.

An earthquake started shaking Tomoeda, it wasn't so strong, but noticeable. Meanwhile, they flew onwards. Yamato was rather puzzled, wondering how Sakura had done that. Yue was flying beside them, along with Kerberos.

In the hotel, Tomoyo jumped and hugged herself of Naoki, who hugged her back. The quake started getting stronger.

"Tomoyo-chan. . ." he said. "What if we die here?"

"Huh?" Tomoyo was terrified to hear that.

"What if it all ends here?! Would you like to die being. . . a virgin?"

"Naoki. . ." Tomoyo wasn't liking this that much.

"Come on, Tomoyo-chan, we're all grown ups here. We know what's right!"

"Naoki. . . no!"

"You mean, now?"

"No, Naoki!"

Naoki jumped on her and threw her on the bed, he positioned himself on top of her, so she couldn't move, and started opening her shirt.

Right then, Sakura and the others arrived.

"Look for her, Yue!" Sakura commanded.

"Yes, master."

Yue started searching around for Tomoyo, but the hotel was very big. So Sakura summoned the Shadowy, the method she knew worked to find Tomoyo, and they followed.

Yamato was more than confused, but he kept silent, all he wanted was to get quickly to Tomoyo and rescue her from what he was sure Naoki was doing to her.

"Leave me alone, Naoki!"

"Not now, my little one! If we die here, I'll let you die happy!"

"I won't be any happy! Leave me a. . .!"

Naoki covered her mouth.

"You shut up! I am going to take you here, right now! That Yamato will never dare to insult me again!"

Tomoyo looked confused into Naoki's eyes, with tears in hers.

"Yes," Naoki said, letting her mouth free, "I am taking revenge from that idiot, damaging what he loves the most!"

"Leave me alone!" Tomoyo started screaming again. "Noo!!!"

"Scream all you want," Naoki said, pinning her down stronger, "nobody will come, they will all think you are scared because of this quake!"

Tomoyo started thinking then. . . the quake had been too long already, that could only mean that it was not natural. . .

"A card!" Tomoyo exclaimed.

"A what?"

Naoki tore her shirt open.

"Oh, very nice!"

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!'

A shadow came into the room, followed by Yue and Kerberos. Immediately after, Sakura, Touya and Yamato came in running. The quake had stopped.

"Quickly! Sakura!" Touya said.

"You like this, don't you?" Naoki yelled to Yamato. "Never dare to insult me again! This is my revenge!"

She summoned the Shield around Tomoyo, and Naoki was thrown backwards. Kerberos jumped on him and pinned him to the ground.

"Take this tiger off me!" he yelled.

Yamato was about to explode, and they all noticed that.

"Yamato!" Yue said. "Go get security!"

"Yes," he said, and ran off, not really wanting to leave Tomoyo alone.

Sakura ran to Tomoyo and hugged her. Tomoyo cried.

"Hold him," Touya said to Kerberos and Yue, and approached the girls. He took off his coat and put it on Tomoyo's shoulders. He then lifted her and hugged her close to his chest.

She couldn't stop crying.

"Security is coming," Touya said, "Yue, Kerberos, back to your other forms."

"But what about this bastard?" Kerberos asked.

Yue transformed himself back into Yukito and took Tomoyo from Touya, then Touya got ready to catch Naoki, if he tried to escape when Kerberos turned back into Kero-chan. And held him tightly.

Yamato came in with Security and, when they saw Tomoyo, and then Naoki, they simply couldn't believe it! The son of the owner?

"She got hurt when the quake started," Naoki lied. "I didn't do anything!"

Tomoyo just kept on crying, and a glance at her was enough for Security, to know that he was lying to them. Touya handed him to them, and they took him out. A doctor was among security, as Yamato had insisted on having one come as well.

The doctor had Yukito put Tomoyo on the bed, to check her, and then had everyone leave the room and wait in the hallway.

"Sakura-chan. . ." Tomoyo called. "Let her stay."

So Sakura stayed, holding Tomoyo's hand.

Outside, the men were standing against the walls, all except for Yamato, he was almost hitting his head against the wall, screaming at himself internally.

"Hey man," Touya put a hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"He did it to revenge from me, it is my fault."

"It is not, he is an asshole! And hey, we came on time, she's fine!"

"I hope so. . ."

The doctor finally came out, and let them in. Touya and Yukito went to stand in front of Tomoyo, who was now sitting on the bed, Sakura hugging her.

"She's okay," Sakura said, "the doctor cured some scratches she had, and gave her a pill to calm down. He also said that, as there had been no penetration, there was not risk of pregnancy."

Tomoyo was silent, and only nodded. She was looking at the floor.

"Do you want to go home?" Touya asked.

Tomoyo nodded again.

Sakura took out her key and made it a stab, then summoned the Fly. Touya picked Tomoyo up and sat down on the floating stab, Sakura was on it already. Yukito and Kero-chan turned again into their other selves and Yue went to the hallway to look for Yamato, but he wasn't there anymore.

"He's gone," Yue said.

"Let us go, then," Touya said and they flew away.

Back in her own bed, Tomoyo could just stare into space. She couldn't forgive herself that she had been so wrong, and so blind, to let Naoki come into her life, and destroy it. Sonomi was by her side, as well as Sakura.

Touya and Yukito returned to the university and looked around for Yamato. He was sitting in the football field, by the goal area, staring into space.

Touya sat down in front of him.

"Hey Man," he said.

Yamato didn't reply. He had an angry expression.

`Kitazumi."

Nothing.

"Yamato. . ."

Still no reaction.

Touya lost his patience and got up, picking Yamato along. When they were both standing, Touya lost no time in slapping him hard on the right cheek.

"You are not going to win anything by staying here!" Touya yelled. "No matter how much you go around it, you cannot change the past! So don't try! We made it on time there, and she's fine! She'll have to recover from the trauma, but she's okay!"

"It's my fault!" Yamato yelled at last. "I cannot look into her face again!"

"It's not your fault! And I don't want to hear you EVER again saying that! Put yourself together man! Tomoyo-chan is at home, needing care! Only you can explain her what happened exactly! I wouldn't be surprised if Naoki lied to her all along!"

"Touya-sempai, I can't!"

"Yes, you can, and you will, damn it!"

He slapped Yamato again, this time, harder.

With the burning cheek, Yamato looked at Touya, with a determined face. He took Touya's hands off his collar and turned to leave. When he was ten steps away, he turned to Touya again and smiled.

"Thanks man," he said. "I guess I needed that."

And he ran off.

Touya smiled at Yukito, and Yukito back at him, knowingly.

Yamato went home and wrote a letter to Tomoyo, explaining her everything, and apologizing for the damage that she had suffered because of him. He sent it to her along with a paper rose his sister had helped him make, as he couldn't afford anything else. His sister brought both things to Tomoyo's door and handed them to the buttler, who delivered them directly into Tomoyo's hands.

He would have done it personally, but he had gotten a call from the office, and he had to be there. The secretary informed him, that his request for the full scholarship had been revised and his grades taken into account. His scholarship will enter into effect that same day. He couldn't believe it! He had finally gotten that scholarship! His mother would be really proud.

Tomoyo read the letter with great interest and understood it all, she saved no cold feelings towards Yamato, that was for sure. And Tomoyo, being the way she was, was recovering rapidly from the shock. Her friends had supported her along with her mother.

Sonomi considered that it would be wise if Tomoyo took a break, so she was sent to her great uncle's mansion, where she would continue with her studies per mail, far away from all the happenings.

Being in the tranquility and quiet of her great uncle's mansion, and spending long afternoons with him, Tomoyo got back on track for designing. She had lots of imagination flowing right now. In a few days, she had a new fashion show prepared. She also had the Lis come for the show, to model the dresses, being the grand finale, Fuutie's wedding dress.

Everything was coordinated from the mansion, the tailor had come there, to plan and start the sewing with all his assistants. This time, Tomoyo had insisted on helping as well, and she spent a lot of time sewing as well, sitting close to her great uncle, whose care and love encouraged her.

When Shaoran returned from Hong Kong, he brought Tomoyo a dark blue Chinese dress that his mother had made especially for her in thanks for what she had done for her daughters. It had taken her a long time, because she was no designer, nor a professional tailor, but in the end, she was satisfied with her piece. It was really elegant, and Tomoyo had loved it.

"I will wear it for the fashion show," Tomoyo said.

"That will make her happy," Shaoran said.

Getting back to designing had brought the happiness back to Tomoyo, she felt whole again, doing what she liked the most, and sharing with her friends.

She had wished so much that Yamato would come to visit her to talk, and make sure he didn't think she blamed him for what happened, but she didn't want to leave the mansion, and she hardly did. She sometimes sent him messages with Touya, and asked the girls to greet him if they saw him at the cafeteria. Sometimes they came back telling her that he had said hi back, or had sent her greetings. Once, they even returned with two pieces of cake that he had bought from that same cafeteria for Tomoyo, the chocolate-banana cake, the one Tomoyo always ate when she was there, she basically loved it.

Tomoyo had received it happily, and enjoyed it with her great uncle. He had enjoyed it as well, marveling at the delicious taste it had.

The day of the fashion show came, and everything was ready. IT was the first time in a month that Tomoyo had left the mansion, but she appeared there, between her mother and her great uncle, followed by her uncle and cousins, Fujitaka, Touya and Sakura.

The usual show went like always, with many fabulous designs and with much applause. Towards the end, Tomoyo walked slowly along the scaffold, wearing the beautiful Chinese dress Ieran had made for her. She had a microphone with her.

"Good evening everyone," she said, "I thank you all for coming tonight to see the fashion show I hope you are all enjoying and liking what you see. Usually, the fashion show would end here, but tonight, I have a special presentation prepared. I would like to present to you what I'd like to call the Li collection. That is, if the Li family allows me to do so. This special collection was created for the wedding of the eldest daughter of the Li family from Hong Kong, Kim Fuutie. But before this special shows starts, I want you all to take a look at the dress I am wearing. This dress was designed and made, personally, by Mrs. Ieran Li, the head of the Li family, for me. And tonight, I want to specially thank her for it. Thank you, Li-sama. I really appreciate it Now, everyone, please note that the Li collection will be modeled by the people the designs were made for, so, no professional models here, except for the one that will model my dress . So, with no more delays, please enjoy the Li collection!"

There was clapping all around the room, and Tomoyo vowed and left the scaffold.

The lights went off, and then, a single spotlight was pointed towards Rika.

The Li collection was modeled greatly, the audience saw Rika, then Naoko, then Sakura, then the model in Tomoyo's dress, then Chiharu and Yamazaki, and then Yoshiko and Akira. For the grand finale, Ieran Li, Fanren, Feimei and Shiefa walked down the scaffold, and then, they parted at the end, two on each side of the scaffold, and the spotlight pointed at the start, and there came Fuutie, in her beautiful wedding dress, holding Shaoran's arm.

Then, all came back to the scaffold and vowed. After that, they all stood by the sides and Tomoyo walked back in, holding the arm of her grandfather. Standing at the end, she bowed again, and they all waved. Little pieces of silver paper fell from the ceiling and the people clapped wildly. They stood up and cheered further.

Finally, Tomoyo felt completely recovered from what Naoki had done to her, she felt loved by those around her, and she felt happy having her creations around her.

After the show, they were ready to go back to Mr. Amamiya's mansion, where they would celebrate. Yukito was invited to come as well. Before Tomoyo went inside the limousine, Touya stopped her.

"What is it cousin?" she asked.

"There is someone who wants to talk to you," Touya said. "Come back inside with me, he didn't dare to come out."

Tomoyo wondered. . . could it be? She took Touya's hand, and he led her back inside. There, sitting on the edge of the scaffold, was Yamato Kitazumi, dressed in a suit, and holding a white rose in his hand.

"Yamato?" Tomoyo asked Touya.

"That's right," Touya answered. "Go ahead, I'll wait here."

"Ok."

She walked slowly down the aisle and between the chairs until she reached the place where Yamato was. He jumped down from the scaffold and offered the rose to Tomoyo.

"Congratulations," he said, "it was a great show."

"Thank you," Tomoyo said.

"I am sorry that I came without an invitation, but Touya told me that you were going to present the designs you had in that notebook I found and. . . well, didn't want to miss the chance to see them completed."

"How did you get the ticket then?" Tomoyo was wondering, but not angry.

"Your mother. Touya sent me to her."

"Good! I am glad you came "

"That's what I wanted to tell you, Miss Daidouji."

"You can call me Tomoyo "

"Okay. Now, I guess you have to go, so I won't take your time anymore. Congratulations again."

He tended his hand to her, and she gave it to him. Upon feeling her hand in his, he shook it, and started walking to the door.

He went out, and Touya came in. He found Tomoyo staring towards the door.

"Shall we go?" he asked.

"Yes," Tomoyo answered, holding the rose tightly.

Two nights afterwards, there was a visit from Yamato to Mr. Amamiya's mansion, and he met Tomoyo in the terrace, where she was drinking tea with her great uncle. Watching the pouring rain fall.

"Hi," he said.

"Would you like to sit down?" Mr. Amamiya asked.

"No, thank you sir, I'll be brief, I have to go back to study. I have to get good grades to keep my scholarship."

"Very well, then. Go ahead."

Tomoyo was looking at him as well.

"I wanted to tell you that I had a visit from Mr. Kobayashi, Naoki's father. He asked me to give you this," he handed her a letter. "He said he was very sorry for what his son had done a month ago, but that he had had trouble accepting what he had done. He also told me that you can count on him for anything you want, that he'll serve you cordially. He said that Naoki was proposed house arrest, and he will stay there, with no chance of going out anywhere, for four years."

"Thanks for telling me," Tomoyo said.

"Glad I could serve you."

He vowed to leave.

"Wait," Tomoyo said. "There's something else I meant to ask you."

"Yes?"

"When Naoki was. . . trying to. . . you know. . . he said something. He said that I was what you loved the most. . . is that true?"

Yamato looked at her.

"Yes."

And he left.

The butler conducted him to the door, and then closed it.

Tomoyo was still standing there. . . without moving. She then looked at her great uncle and he nodded.

"Go ahead, honey."

She ran across the house and opened the door. Without thinking about the rain, she jumped down the stairs and then ran, uncovered, in the direction of the gate, Yamato was reaching it quickly.

"Is that it?" she asked. "That's it and no more?"

Yamato turned to her. And saw her wet hair falling around her body. He was wearing a raincoat, so he wasn't wet inside. He looked puzzled.

"Will you leave just like that?" she asked.

He didn't know what to say.

She reached him and stood there, letting the rain fall on her.

"Tomoyo. . ."

"If what he said it's true. . . why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't deserve you, I couldn't prevent you. . .!"

Tomoyo looked at him, seriously.

"It wasn't your fault! And you know that! And. . . why do you say you don't deserve me? You deserve me a million times more than that bastard Naoki!"

"Tomoyo. . ."

"And what if I want to deserve you? What if I want you? Doesn't that matter?!"

"Tomoyo. . ."

"I was blind, Yamato, very blind. But now I can see, I can see it all! I know what my heartbeat meant back then, I know why I never felt truly happy with Naoki, I know why I ran all the way here, to catch you!"

Yamato looked at her.

"I love you, Yamato."

He couldn't believe his ears. He leaned and pressed his lips on hers, and hugged her tightly. She put her arms around him as well.

After a while, she let go, and so he did.

"I guess you have to go back to study now," she said, sadly.

"I only said that, because I couldn't bear to stay long, and watch you, thinking I couldn't have you by my side. I finished exams already."

Tomoyo laughed.

"Would you like to come in?"

"I would love to "

Tomoyo took his hand and guided him back inside. There, she ran quickly upstairs to change, and then, the two of them joined Mr. Amamiya for tea and cookies.

* * *

Tomoyo stood in front of a little girl who had green eyes and dark brown hair, she was fixing her dress, which she had made a mess while running around and playing with other kids. The little girl was merely three.

"Now, Nadeshiko-chan," Tomoyo said, "go along "

Tomoyo fixed her own dress, a wedding dress, and went back to the party. She saw in the distance how Nadeshiko was talking to her parents, Shaoran and Sakura, and then joined the other kids, which included Chiharu's and Yamazaki's kids, Rika's and Yoshiyuki's kids, Naoko's son and Yoshiko's and Akira's twins. She smiled.

There was something she hadn't told Yamato yet. . .

He took her hand and they started dancing, other couples joined shortly after.

"I am so happy this day finally came and that everything went well," Yamato said and kissed her cheek.

"It can only get better," Tomoyo said.

"You bet "

"Yamato. . ." she said, "when do you want to have kids?"

"As soon as possible," he answered, "why? Do you want to make the first one tonight?"

"That would be impossible," Tomoyo said smiling.

"Why?" Yamato wondered.

"Because. . ." Tomoyo said and smiled, "the first one is already on the way."

"Really?"

"Yes," Tomoyo said smiling.

"Great!" Yamato said and kissed her tenderly.

The End