[Fanfiction] [Crossover] Why Did I Fall in Love With You?
Kyouya always spent Christmas morning with his immediate family. It was tradition.
He had at least three nieces and five nephews by now, thanks to his elder siblings. Their proud grandparents had spoiled them with gifts and attention as long as they proved that they were achievers. He didn't think that his parents would loosen up once they reached their dotage. The children weren't unafraid of their Uncle Kyouya either. He found out that he quite liked them in spite of their tendency to run and cry and make messes.
Perhaps it was the holiday season or the merry familiar atmosphere but he suddenly wished that he had offspring of his own. He was nearing thirty in a couple of years. Maybe it was truly time for him to settle down. Now that he'd chosen Tomoyo as his bride, he was secretly glad that he wasn't going to go to their traditional Christmas breakfast alone next year or the years after that…
Oh, he was glad. It was because he had to endure endless ribbing from his siblings.
"Looks like we'll have a new Ohtori in the family," his oldest brother smirked. Kyouya always thought that he was just a bit crude. "I'll bet you can't keep your hands off her when you get married."
"She's prettier and richer than all of the other girls you've had combined," snorted the second brother. That particular brother was not interested in anything less than compliance to their standards. Kyouya wished that he was joking. "Did you marry her for her looks or her money?"
Kyouya's face darkened. He looked ready to kill. Fuyumi sensed this immediately so she stepped in with a pleasant smile. "Your wives will be pleased to hear the topic of your conversation. I think I hear them now."
Sufficiently threatened, they retreated back to the drawing room where their children and spouses were located. Fuyumi beamed triumphantly. Ohtori women were famous for their wit and beauty.
The youngest Ohtori turned to his elder sister with a grudging look of admiration. She laughed merrily. "Women are very competitive. Our dear sisters-in-law won't be pleased to see the newcomer's assets. I'm glad they weren't included last night."
He nodded in agreement. There was plenty of time to introduce her to them. He didn't worry though. She was perfectly capable of handling herself. After working in the Host Club for years, he was aware of the catty rivalries between women. It impressed him that his future wife was very confident; she didn't need to prove herself to any of them. Maybe his father knew what he was doing…
Their father succeeded in arranging marriages of convenience for all of his children. Most of them were good matches but there was a slight problem with the different temperaments. It was an open secret that Fuyumi didn't like the women that their brothers married but she tolerated them for the sake of peace and tranquility.
Fuyumi took everything in stride and managed her new sisters with a subtle finesse that they distinctly lacked. Kyouya preferred to stay out of their way. His sister smiled at him. "You're the luckiest. Daidouji-san has everything you could ask for. They're just jealous."
He smirked.
"She's a nice girl. I like her," she continued in an approving tone. Gray-blue eyes twinkled. He thought that it was a shame that she didn't want to run any of their assets. Her leadership qualities would have been very, very useful. "I believe that she's a good match for you. I haven't seen anyone manage you so well."
Kyouya raised an eyebrow. She was the only one in the entire world that he would allow to tease him mercilessly. "Is that so?"
"She's very subtle about it," the dark-haired woman said thoughtfully. She watched her husband soothe their little daughter after a male cousin accidentally hit her. Kyouya noticed how her eyes softened. (She really loved that man, that serious and boring shipping magnate.) "I think she's the only woman I'll welcome into our family."
Kyouya kept replaying his sister's words in his head as he made his way to Tomoyo's high-rise apartment.
He was going to pick her up with his driver before they headed off to Tomoeda. She was very excited when she told him that they were invited to her second cousin's house that evening and did he mind coming with her? Of course he didn't. He didn't want to admit it but he looked forward to seeing them again.
His agents came back with the background check and there was nothing out of the ordinary.
Syaoran was a junior partner in an architectural firm and Sakura was a housewife and part-time art teacher at a primary school. They were a normal married couple; even though Syaoran was slated to inherit all of the Li Clan holdings upon his powerful mother's abdication and Sakura owned magical Cards.
The fact that Sakura controlled supernatural beings still hadn't registered completely. He thought that he'd seen enough strange and hilarious things in his lifetime but he was clearly wrong. Very, very wrong indeed.
According to Tomoyo, their family was blessed with a very powerful secret. Sakura Kinomoto nee Amamiya possessed magical powers to control and to protect the original 52 Clow Cards that was created by a sorcerer many centuries ago. She was the declared inheritor so she had complete control over the elements that were contained in the mysterious Cards. That was also why he met a flying plushie and strange, mysterious beings that populated the Li home.
Wait til Tamaki hears about this, he thought with some amusement. He'll love it.
Then he remembered that Tomoyo had sworn him into silence. Kyouya wasn't the kind of person who will break his promise so he would definitely keep his mouth shut. He also realized that being included in the secret made him realize that Tomoyo must really care about him if she shared one of their family's precious legacies.
An unfamiliar ringing tone broke the silence inside the car. He picked up his new mobile phone, courtesy of his fiancée. It was a top of the line model that was specially manufactured by her company so he was going to take very good care of it. He answered the call with a slight smile.
"I'm almost there," he said curtly. She chuckled. It made shivers run up and down of his spine. "Please wait by the entrance."
"Okay." She hung up.
Kyouya looked at his current wallpaper with a small smile. Nobody knew it but he kept her picture as his wallpaper on his phone. It was also stocked with her video performances and a single digital album that she neglected to tell him. He knew that it was strange for other people to comprehend but he possessed a secret sentimental streak. Of course he prayed that none of the Host Club or Tomoyo will find out.
"We're here, sir." The driver announced over the intercom. "Shall I fetch Daidouji-sama?"
"There's no need to do that," answered his boss wryly. The dark-haired heiress had gotten up from her perch in the lobby to approach their car. She was wearing a large smile and a stunning outfit that complimented her romantic beauty. The chauffer opened the door for her and she thanked him graciously. "Why didn't you wait for him to fetch you?"
She shrugged elegantly. In a white sheath dress and matching white coat, she looked like a snow maiden. She was also carrying a rather large paper bag that contained her presents. "I didn't see a need for an escort. I'm so excited I can barely sit still!"
He raised an eyebrow at her laughter. Sometimes he wondered if she was really an heiress of a multibillion company with her lack of airs. It was admirable that she managed to stay so humble and modest. Then he remembered the package on his lap that he had painstakingly picked without help.
Tomoyo was looking at the view out of the window when he cleared his throat. She turned to him curiously. Her blue-violet eyes widened as she saw the medium-sized black box on his hands. With an incredulous look at her fiancée, she accepted it with trembling hands.
"Merry Christmas," Kyouya said quietly. He waited for her response as she opened the box to reveal a marvelous set of jewelry that included a tastefully designed necklace and earrings. It was made of white gold with brilliant amethyst gems that would definitely bring out the blue-violet color of her eyes. He picked them out on a whim because they reminded him of her while he was away on a business trip.
"Oh," she whispered, obviously overwhelmed. It was a magnificent Christmas gift but he was too generous. She couldn't possibly accept them although she wanted to. "Kyouya-san, they're beautiful…"
He looked pleased.
Her next words produced a grim expression on his handsome features.
"But I can't accept them," said Tomoyo apologetically. She closed the box slowly and gazed at him without flinching. His blue-gray eyes were unreadable. It struck her that fiancée would never take no for an answer. He would always get what he wanted.
She really liked that.
Kyouya forced himself to stay calm. He wasn't used to being denied. It was completely unexpected. She was supposed to be flattered that he was devoted to her happiness. Not many women were showered with jewels. Her refusal baffled him. Why did she turn his gift down?
"Why not?" asked her fiancée. His tone of voice was calm and detached. Nothing in his features betrayed his raging emotions. "They suit your tastes."
"Thank you. But I don't think that accepting jewelry from you before our wedding is proper. I'm not comfortable with it," she answered soothingly. It didn't take a genius to know that he was hurt. She looked like she genuinely didn't want to offend him. "I'm really sorry, Kyouya-san."
He glanced at her earnest eyes before he surrendered. It was not easy to argue with a woman who had her own will. She wasn't going to bend her principles that easily. (He also heaved a sigh of relief because it meant that he was going to save more money in the future.) Although his pride was wounded by her hands, they still provided the healing salve.
"I'll take them back to the jeweler," he said quietly. She handed the black velvet box back to him. Blue-gray eyes drank in the bright expression of her face. "What would you like to have for Christmas?"
"I already have it," Tomoyo laughed confidently as she closed her hand over his. The diamonds and sapphires winked in the winter sunlight. As she laced their fingers together, he couldn't help but squeeze it tightly. "See? You don't have to spend anything on me."
Kyouya finally saw her point. With a low chuckle, he lifted their interlaced hands and kissed her knuckles fondly. What an ingenious woman.
+0+0+
As the car pulled over road, Kyouya suddenly had an idea. She was reapplying her lipstick when he cleared his throat. "If you won't accept the jewels, could you wear them for me at least?"
Tomoyo's eyebrows knitted together.
He elaborated. "They're original Hitachiin creations. They deserve to be admired."
Her soft chuckle lingered in the air. She shifted her position so that she had her back to him. "Okay. I'll put the earrings on myself…"
Kyouya watched as she pulled her dark hair out of the way to reveal a delicate pair of ears. He was glad that she couldn't see his face. His fascination increased as she attached an amethyst earring into each earlobe. Pride swelled inside him when he realized how they complimented her alabaster complexion. She glanced at him sideward and smiled.
It was the smile that he loved best. He was free to interpret it as he liked- sweet, sensual and thoroughly seductive. Her voice was low and sweet when she suggested that he could put the necklace on for her.
Cursing his trembling fingers and thanking the gods that she didn't see him, he proceeded to his task. Was it his imagination or did she actually tremble when he had to hug her from behind? Did she sigh when he accidentally breathed into the curve of her neck as he fumbled with the chain? He caught a whiff of her intoxicating perfume as she pulled her hair aside and tilted her head sideways to clear his way.
He couldn't help himself when he kissed her neck very gently. She sighed. The Ohtori heir hadn't forgotten their last impassioned night inside her hotel room. In fact, it often crossed his mind. Muttering another black curse, he drew away. He should treat her like a gentleman, not a rakehell.
Tomoyo snapped back to reality. Blushing furiously, she said loudly. "We should get going."
They got out of the car together and watched it leave. He didn't miss Tomoyo touching her necklace or her wistful smile as she walked ahead of him to ring the doorbell. It made him feel warm inside.
Sakura's enthusiastic voice greeted them. She hugged them both before she dragged them inside. The house was fantastically decorated for the Christmas occasion. She cheerfully pointed out her children's contributions- cute drawings reindeers, elves and the odd mystical beings- that adorned their walls. Carols played all over the house from a mysterious source. It was definitely the best place to spend the holidays.
"Look who's here!" the Card Mistress announced as they entered the living room. The children got up from the floor and flocked to their aunt. Sayuri and Kimihiro were clutching their gifts with happy, innocent smiles. Their mother winked at Tomoyo who held back her smile since the children still believed in Santa Claus.
Kyouya immediately noticed the three other men who were chatting with Syaoran in a corner. Their hostess noticed his shift of attention so she raised her voice slightly. "She brought Kyouya-san!"
Syaoran got up and shook hands with the businessman. He looked relaxed and jovial. Maybe it was because of the eggnog that he was drinking when Sakura wasn't looking. "Come on. I'll introduce you to my father-in-law and my brothers-in-law. They're very fond of your fiancé too. Spoiled her rotten, I believe. Sakura's not the only girl around here."
The dark-haired man followed the architect towards their corner of the living room. He could feel them measuring him with their eyes; he knew a challenge when he met one. "Good evening. I'm Ohtori Kyouya," said the heir with a slight bow.
"This is Kinomoto Fujitaka-sensei," Syaoran said as he gestured towards the tall man who wore glasses and an amiable smile. "He's Sakura's father. He's also a renowned archeologist."
Syaoran turned to the pale gray-haired man who was steadily devouring a plate of brownies and cookies. He looked friendly with his amber eyes and ready smile. It struck Kyouya how much he resembled Fujitaka. Perhaps he was Sakura's brother. "That's Tsukishiro Yukito-san. He's a family friend who also works with Fujitaka-sensei."
That left the tall, muscular man who was staring at him with a poker face. Kyouya realized that he was Sakura's older brother. Whereas Sakura possessed softness and light in her personality, her brother was dark and hard and forbidding. He inwardly wondered how Syaoran got past this particular dragon.
"I'm Kinomoto Touya," said the third man gruffly. His stare was unwavering. "You must be Tomoyo's fiancé."
"That's me," Kyouya replied coolly. "Is there a problem with that?"
The four men exchanged quick glances. Syaoran's expression clearly communicated "what the hell are you trying to do?" to the older man. Touya waved it away as he got up from his comfortable seat. Yukito's warning tone-"To-ya"- didn't deter him either.
"Nothing wrong at all," Touya said calmly. He didn't need to voice his displeasure. "Can't wait to break another pair of eyeglasses…"
The Ohtori heir wanted to retort but he sensed her presence behind him almost immediately.
"Kyouya-san, what are you… Oh!" Tomoyo's interruption was welcome. She took one look at the four men's guilty faces and immediately understood what was going on. "If you are done threatening my fiancé, we can have dinner now."
They laughed uncomfortably as they got up. She sensed that Kyouya was still tense so she waved them away with light chatter and polite smiles. Of course she was grateful that she had three proxy brothers but it was getting ridiculous.
"Where is your mother, Tomoyo-kun?" Fujitaka asked as he herded his sons towards the living room. "I thought that she would come with you tonight."
"She got called away to an urgent meeting. She told me to send her regrets. Don't worry, she sent a particularly repulsive gift for you," she answered pleasantly. The archeologist laughed out loud. Everyone knew about the comical mock rivalry that existed between the old college professor and his brilliant student. "I'll just have a word with Kyouya-san, if you don't mind."
The couple stayed behind in the living room until they were left alone. The atmosphere was tense and quiet. He stood still, refusing to look at her. She bit her lip as she tried to think of a way to break the ice.
They had never argued before. It was going to qualify as their first tiff, their first fight. She honestly didn't know what to do.
"I'm sorry about that," she said levelly. "They're just trying to protect me."
"I'm not a criminal," he replied coldly "and you're not a princess in a tower."
Her sharp intake of breath caused him to look at her. Blue-violet eyes were large and indignant. He got some perverse pleasure in seeing her agitation. There was a fiery tigress inside his little kitten after all.
"Well, I'm sorry if it's not so easy for you! You must be so frustrated right now because you couldn't get what you want so easily. You've got to prove yourself again and again to the people who care about me! What was that saying? Oh, right!" Her words cut right through him. "Only the brave deserve the fair! Here I was thinking that Ohtori Kyouya-san was promising me that he was ready to do anything for me even though it's going to be really hard…"
He experienced an acute pain from his cardiovascular organ when he saw tears forming in her lovely eyes. How he hated it when women cried. He hated himself more when she cried. Cursing himself, he approached her cautiously. They shouldn't argue. It was a small thing, really, what was he thinking?
Kyouya wanted to smack himself. Of course, he wasn't thinking.
Tomoyo didn't fight him when he pushed her hair away hesitantly. She didn't protest when he wrapped his arms around her to pull her close. His fiancé didn't say anything when he kissed her temple and whispered an apology.
"I'm sorry," she whispered back. He stepped backwards and offered his handkerchief. She wiped her eyes quickly and pocketed it. "They're overprotective, aren't they?"
"How many times do I have to tell them that I'm not like him?" Kyouya asked quietly. He tipped her chin up and kissed her soundly. "I keep my promises."
They both jumped at Sakur's knock on the door. She suppressed her laughter because they both looked like guilty teenagers. "Dinner's ready. If you can keep your hands off each other for a few minutes, we'll start."
The trio went to the dining room. Kyouya got the shock of his life when he saw how magic was integrated into their lives. There were mysteriously beautiful women, sprites, imps and fairies that shimmered, glowed, danced, sang and produced everything from flowers to sweets. Keroberos commandeered all of the Cards in his dominion to help out.
Nobody seemed surprised at the magical mayhem that surrounded them. Even the children were at ease.
Kyouya blinked when snowflakes fell down from the ceiling. They landed on his palm before they actually melted away. It was real snow that was created by a dancing being called the Snow. He thought that he'd seen everything when he saw Sakura ask one of the mystical beings-"The Wood!" Tomoyo whispered- to create a small pine tree at her chosen spot. It actually produced a tree that was then happily decorated by real poinsettias by an ethereal being called the Flower.
He glanced at his fiancé who was deep in conversation with one of the fairies. She was giggling as she handed her a small note. Soon, the most beautiful Christmas carols filled the air. Tomoyo looked pleased at her contribution.
"It's an annual tradition. All of the Sakura Cards adore occasions." She said lightly. They watched as Sakura directed the Glow to produce small firefly lights to float in the Christmas tree. Proof of her power was that it changed colors every five seconds. "Sakura-chan is very powerful now. She can use all of her Cards at the same time without getting tired."
Keroberos floated over, munching on a Christmas cookie. He looked really pleased with himself. "Better desserts this year, ne? Ever since Sakura discovered French cookbooks, she's been working hard at it with the Sweet."
Kyouya kept his poker face. He was half-glad that Tomoyo told him about their family secret early in the relationship. He didn't know how he would react if he found out later that their secrets involved managing mystical beings that could destroy the world as they knew it. Indeed, there were stranger things in this world than the Host Club and an unsweetened Honey.
Dinner was a fun and lively affair. Delicious Christmas dishes, mouth-watering desserts and stimulating conversation kept him from getting bored. (Sakura had outdone herself again as Keroberos proudly proclaimed.) His fiancé sparkled in the presence of the people that she dearly loved. Sakura was an accomplished hostess. The male members of the family behaved themselves. And the children were delighted that they could stay up until midnight with their new toys and their uncles.
Tomoyo and Kyouya were occupied with a cutely-dressed Sayuri so they didn't notice the newcomers. The party stood still. The couple didn't notice until Sayuri remarked, "Uncle Eriol."
Her head whipped to the left when she saw the dark-haired mage enter the living room with his wife in tow. Spinel Sun rested on his shoulder. Nakuru Akizuki walked behind them, obviously laden with presents. She still didn't give a flying fig about the rest of the world. The Hiiragizawa couple looked hesitant but determined.
"Merry Christmas!" Eriol greeted cheerfully. "I'm so glad to see all of you again."
Sakura observed her other guest's expressions and interpreted them correctly. Touya was looking at the newlyweds darkly. Yukito smiled at his creator. Fujitaka got up to congratulate and shake hands with his co-professors. Syaoran was carrying Kimihiro and pretended to be occupied.
Tomoyo and Kyouya looked shocked. "It's good to see you too," her second cousin managed to say. "Merry Christmas."
After that, everyone took up her lead. They tried to resume their festivities but they were too shaken to enjoy them. Syaoran gave his wife a Look but she waved it away.
After a light-hearted game of charades, Sakura said that she'll put the children to bed. Touya wrestled with a still-giddy Kimihiro while Yukito laughed behind him. Tomoyo took it upon herself to supervise the dishwashing when she saw that Kyouya was engaged in another conversation with Syaoran. She couldn't breathe whenever she saw how Eriol and Kaho doted on Nakuru or played with the kids. She couldn't stand it.
The heiress was watching the Bubbles play in the kitchen sink when she realized that she wasn't alone in the dimly-lit kitchen. Eriol went to stand next to her. His smile was tentative when he spoke, "How are you, Tomoyo-san?"
"I'm good," she answered curtly. He was staring at her so hard she could feel it on her skin. They were locked in the moment. Neither of them moved.
He was glad that it was dark in the kitchen. She wouldn't see the tenderness and regret in his eyes as he gazed at her profile. As the years passed by, Tomoyo grew lovelier and lovelier. He saw her reach up to touch the exquisite necklace that adorned her throat like it was a talisman that would protect her. So she felt threatened when he was around.
He tried again. "It's been a long time since we last talked. I was hoping that we could catch up."
"There's nothing to talk about," she retorted. She couldn't stop bitterness from seeping into her lovely voice. "I clearly remember that you refused to talk to me before you left for England."
"We have to talk about this. I can explain," said Eriol. If she looked at him, she would see agitation and some regret. "We had a bad breakup but I was hoping that we could move on…"
"Tell that to the marines."
Her pain was unmistakable. He wanted to hug her and to comfort her. He wanted to kill himself. His former lover didn't move from her spot but he could feel her emotions raging like a storm. But he held himself back.
Instead, Eriol tried to focus on what he wanted to say. It was why he had purposely followed her into the kitchen. It was why he went back to Japan. "Tomoyo… I-I'm sorry."
"It's too late for that," replied his former fiancé. "Five years too late, Eriol-kun."
Tomoyo didn't realize that they had fallen into a familiar pattern. It had been so long since they've been alone. Everything about them was wrong. He was married, she was engaged. He didn't love her, she never quit loving him. Even though they'd gone on their separate way, they couldn't stop themselves from going back to what used to be.
Whenever they fought, she thought sadly, they would talk. They never shouted or raised their voices. They were logical people. And they always believed that they should be on the same side.
When did that change? When did that stop? Tomoyo wished that they'd never drifted apart. She suddenly wished on all of the stars that existed in the universe that she could turn back time to snatch him away from the clutches of his former lover so she would always be his number one.
He wished that she would listen. Tomoyo could be very stubborn when she wanted to be. Not to mention that it was obvious that she definitely loathed him now. He watched her touch her necklace nervously. "If only I can have your forgiveness…"
"Don't beg, Eriol-kun. It's unbecoming in a Clow Mage," she said, effectively cutting him off. "You can ask Heaven to throw out all of its angels but I'll never forgive you for what you did to me."
She only said that because she felt ashamed. How could she marry Kyouya when her heart was a traitor? It became clearer to her now. So she willingly stepped back to prevent herself from making any more mistakes.
Tomoyo couldn't lose Kyouya. She willed herself to become angrier, crueler.
Eriol was about to retort when he felt someone pull his collar forward. He forced himself to focus on steely gray-blue eyes. The mage didn't need magic to know that the businessman was intent on killing him. He could defend himself but he didn't have the energy for it. (He already knew that the businessman was eavesdropping.)
"Is he bothering you, Tomoyo-san?" Kyouya asked very quietly. His grip on the mage's collar tightened. White-hot anger danced in his veins. "I can deal with him, if you like."
The threat lingered in the air. Tomoyo cleared her throat and touched his arm tentatively. Her eyes were like the amethysts: deep, mysterious and impenetrable. She spoke like he was a wild animal. "I don't want any trouble, Kyouya-san. It's Christmas."
Kyouya only allowed himself to let his opponent go because she said so. He threw him one last filthy look before he stalked out of the kitchen. The former lovers stared at each other, breathing hard.
It was Tomoyo who broke the silence. She started to walk towards the door without looking back. Then she stopped at the doorway with her back turned to him. "We can't be friends, Hiiragizawa-san. You know that."
She left him alone in the kitchen to find her fiancé.
It wasn't hard to find him. He was sitting a few feet away from the other men. They were making their way through a few bottles of wine so she wasn't surprised to see Kyouya holding on to a glass of rum. He didn't look at her when she sat down on his right in the couch.
Tomoyo leaned sideways to hook her arm around his. She suddenly felt tired after their conversation. It brought her some comfort to be near him.
"Kinomoto-san and Hiiragizawa-sensei are in the den. They were looking at the babies' pictures." Kyouya said carefully. "I was invited by your male relatives to have a few drinks. Then I noticed that you were gone. He was gone too."
"It's not what you think," she said soothingly. "I was washing the dishes when he tried to talk to me."
"Didn't look like it," he retorted. They didn't notice that the men had moved on to the kitchen. Syaoran was looking at them warily.
She was about to answer when a red-cheeked Syaoran thrust a glass of eggnog towards her. Brown eyes looked concerned but determined. He walked towards the others without looking back at them. She took it before taking a grateful sip. Maybe she needed a drink too.
It didn't occur to her that maybe her fiancé was just a little bit drunk. His cheeks were red and he was breathing hard. He didn't protest when she shyly laced her fingers with his. When he spoke up again, it hit her. "The necklace looks beautiful on you."
Tomoyo squeaked when he reached up with his hand to touch the jewels glittering in the dim light. His touch seared into the tender skin of her throat when he missed. She bit back a gasp when he slowly traced upwards- invisible line from her clavicle to her throat. He watched her breathing go hard as he lingered tenderly at the underside of her pretty profile.
She smelled so good that he couldn't stop himself from nuzzling her neck. Everything faded from his mind. He was so focused on his task. Before he knew it, he was kissing her neck lightly. She made such cute sounds that he could help it when he sucked harder on the tender skin.
Seeing her with her with Eriol in the dim kitchen standing so close…
He released her when he was satisfied.
"K-Kyouya-san," his fiancé whispered. Her eyes were unreadable. She reached up to touch her throat hesitantly. His eyes were drawn to where her fingers lingered. "Are you all right?"
He stared at the love bite. Her skin was so pale and so soft that it immediately bruised. In her resplendent white dress and silver necklace, the reddened skin was very visible. A smirk crossed his lips but it was gone immediately.
Tomoyo looked for her relatives and noticed that they abandoned them purposefully. She wanted to disappear from embarrassment. It was then that she noticed that Sakura was approaching them with a mildly uncomfortable Eriol and a coolly beautiful Kaho in tow. Nakuru and Suppi must have gone outside to fetch the car. They looked like they were saying their goodbyes.
She wished that she wore a dress with a collar because the love bite was so obvious. Her smile was more polite than sincere when they stopped in front of them. "Have a good holiday."
Kyouya caught Eriol staring at the light bruise on his lover's neck. He caught his stare and smirked. Tomoyo didn't protest when he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. "I'll see you soon, Hiiragizawa-san," he said pleasantly.
Eriol nodded. He knew a challenge when he heard one. Holding his wife's hand tightly, he nodded to them. "Likewise, Ohtori-san."
As soon as they left with a cheerfully chattering Sakura, her second cousin turned to him with a mock-angry face. "You didn't play nice," she chided. "That was unnecessary."
Kyouya smirked again when she touched the love bite self-consciously. "He needs to know that I can take care of things."
"It's getting late. We should go home."
He watched Tomoyo's retreating back with a curious feeling in his heart. Why did he get the feeling that she didn't want him?
No, he shook his head ruefully, I'm just drunk.
+0+0+
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait! Chapter dedication goes to Scrooge, savantnicholas, geegraphy and ichigocherry. Thank you for staying with the story. To my readers, there are more surprises in store! Just be patient with the pace.