[Fanfiction] [Crossover] Why Did I Fall in Love with you?
Title: Why did I fall in love with you?
Author: Dark Hooded Eriol the Magician
Series: Ouran High School Host Club / Cardcaptor Sakura
Rating: T
Genre: Romance/ Angst
Status: In-progress
Disclaimer: The song is by DBSK and the characters are made by CLAMP and Hatori Bisco. Support them, please!
Summary: Some of us seek second chances. Will we be brave or will we be cowards again? There is only a choice to do what is right and what is true. Why did I fall in love with you? -KyouyaxTomoyo-
Chapter VI
-0-0-0-
Why did I end up falling for you?
No matter how much time has passed,
I thought that you would always be here (but not anymore)
-0-0-0-
Tomoyo came home to an empty penthouse. Her mother was away again. Sighing, she dismissed one of the senior maids who came forward to help her get dressed for bed. The rest of the maids were resting in their rooms so she did not dare to disturb them.
She wanted some peace and quiet so she went inside her bedroom and turned on the lights. Her mother was not home. As far as she knew, she was at a conference in America. She was alone in one of their most expensive real estate properties but she did not feel any satisfaction.
The dark-haired young woman removed her clothes, shoved her shoes inside her closet and proceeded to her bathroom. She filled the bathtub with bath oils and hot water before she shed her bathrobe. Her fingers swept her dark hair up into a messy bun to avoid getting it wet then she took out her mobile phone from her bag. As soon as the water was at the perfect temperature for her, she sank into the bathtub to soak her worries away.
Her mind was racing. When she came home, she realized what she had just done. She had allowed herself to cry into Kyouya's arms in the middle of the street. She practically begged him to come with her to the wedding. It was very unlike her.
She wondered about what Kyouya was thinking. He might have been caught off-guard by her sudden display of emotion. She knew that he was not the sort of man who would allow himself to express his feelings. He was cool, practical and pragmatic. Perhaps he didn't appreciate her crying into his shirt. But Kyouya had stepped up to comfort her.
Tomoyo's cheeks heated when she remembered how he hugged her. His arms were strong. He could crush her in his embrace yet he hugged her tenderly. She felt safe and secure with him. Although she could not see his face, she heard his heart. It was beating so fast and so strong. It seemed that it was talking to her. And she liked what she heard.
The dark-haired woman shook her head her head as she reached for the cordless phone. It was time to talk to Sakura. Perhaps her best friend would be able to shed some insight. She brightened. That was a good idea. They hadn't talked since she last visited. Sakura would understand. Yes, she always did.
Sakura answered on the first ring. The Card Mistress sounded bright and cheerful. Tomoyo smiled at her best friend's obvious happiness. She wished that she could be happy like that. "Hello? How are you?" asked her cousin. "Sorry, could you hold on? I'm in the living room. They're horsing around and I can't hear a thing..."
"I'm okay," Tomoyo answered simply. Then she heard the noises in the background fade away. A sigh of relief escaped her when she realized that Sakura had left her family to be able to focus on their conversation. She did not expect much from her best friend so she was always overwhelmed when she got more than she wanted.
Sakura's breath hitched before she began. Her voice sounded soft and comforting to help cushion the fall. It was inevitable for them to talk about it. The dreaded event was three days away. Although she considered Eriol Hiiragizawa as one of her best friends, she never quite forgot how he had hurt her other best friend. "Are you going to the wedding?"
"Yes," Tomoyo answered carefully. She lowered her body deeper into the water, relishing the warmth. "I am."
A short silence followed.
That was unexpected, of course. Sakura did not think that she would be able to gather enough courage to come with someone she trusted. But she knew that she had to do something because Sakura would not be around to protect her forever. She would rather have someone so strong and reliable like Kyouya.
She was going to her ex-boyfriend's wedding. Of course, she needed all of the help that she could get. It might look rude to the bride and her groom but she did not care. According to the invitation that they sent, she was allowed to bring a guest,if her mother could not come.
Her mother was very persuasive. She really liked Kyouya for her daughter. In fact, it was Sonomi who had suggested him to be her date to the wedding. Her mother liked his cool professionalism and striking handsomeness. Since she'd sworn that she would find the best for Tomoyo, she was ecstatic that she succeeded.
"I'm coming with Ohtori-san," she added. Her breathing became easier as soon as she realized that it took some weight off her chest. Smiling a little, she said, "He was very kind. We had dinner a while ago with some of his old friends."
"Are they the same people who were with you on the orphanage?" Sakura asked, delighted. She had read all about it in the newspapers. Sakura and Tomoyo had worked together in the orphanage during their high school days so she was very happy to hear about their good luck. She giggled. Tomoyo might not realize it but Kyouya was wooing her with his inventive ways. "They were a handsome bunch of men. It must have been a lot of fun."
"Yes," her friend agreed. An impish smile tugged at her lips. Kyouya was the most handsome of them all, in her own opinion. "What about you? Have you made any arrangements for the wedding?"
"I'm so sorry, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said in her gentlest voice. "But we cannot make it. I've already sent my regrets to them. Syaoran has work and nobody will be left to care for the children. Oniichan and Yukito-san are currently in a trip around the world so I can't ask them to come home. I'm really sorry."
She felt her heart slow down. Sakura was not coming. It took her a full minute to register her friend's statement. Smile, she told herself. Smile. "It's not a problem," Tomoyo said quietly. "It's not a problem at all."
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. "You don't have to worry. Ohtori-san doesn't look like the sort of person who would hurt you. We might expect the opposite. But I can ask Kero-chan to come with you. He won't take up a lot of space and he could bite Eriol-kun..."
"It's okay," repeated the dark-haired heiress. "I'll be fine. Besides, Ohtori-san is with me. He's making all of the arrangements too. I don't know why he insisted on booking the plane tickets as well as the hotel. Does that mean he really likes me?"
The Card Mistress smiled. There was no doubt about that. She didn't miss the soft look in his eyes when she mentioned Tomoyo. She believed that Kyouya will be more than happy to take care of her best friend.
"You're a smart girl. You already got it figured out." Her tone was light and teasing.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," laughed the heiress "but it's not helping."
"Just wait and see," Sakura said confidently. "You've got him on a run already."
-0-0-0-
Tomorrow was the day of the wedding.
She was finally finished packing so she sat down on her bed. Kyouya was going to pick her up in half an hour. He had made all of their travel arrangements so that she wouldn't feel stressed since Sakura wasn't coming with them. She felt calm and composed. There was nothing wrong with attending an ex's wedding, right?
Tomoyo sighed. She lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. If only it was easy. She wouldn't hesitate to accept the wedding invitation if she was sure that she didn't love him anymore. But she had to do it, even if it broke her heart.
One of the maids interrupted her reverie when she knocked on the door. Getting up, she opened it to let her in. "Ojou-sama*, Ohtori-sama is here already."
Her violet-blue eyes widened. "What's he doing here so early? I thought he was supposed to pick me up later."
"He's here, Ojou-sama," the maid repeated, unable to hide her grin.
"Please tell him to wait in the living room. I'll just finish getting dressed." Tomoyo nodded and dismissed her.
She went to her closet to get dressed. Her pajamas were swapped for tight black jeans, a white shirt and a knitted black blazer. She put on her most comfortable black ballet shoes, wrapped a scarf around her neck and put on real diamond earring studs. Since her complexion was fair already, she merely applied some liquid blush on her cheeks and black mascara on her eyelashes. Pouting, she applied a flattering shade of red lipstick. Of course, she did not forget to spray her favorite perfume on her pulse points. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror when she finished. Swiping a pair of designer sunglasses on her drawer, she decided that she was ready.
Tomoyo sauntered into the living room and grinned as soon as she saw her escort. Kyouya got up when he saw her. To her delight, he was dressed in a simple green shirt, jeans and a jacket. He smirked as he stared at her outfit with barely concealed approval.
"Good morning," she greeted.
"Good morning," he replied. His glasses glinted in the sunlight. "I'm sorry if I'm early. I have arranged for us to go out on a private jet and I didn't want us to be late."
Tomoyo's eyes widened. She hastily composed herself and smiled coolly. "You didn't have to go through all that trouble, Ohtori-san."
"You deserve the best," he said simply as he offered his arm. She took it. They exited the apartment with her maid in tow, carrying all of her belongings.
"It's a pleasure to do it."
She smiled slyly. Perhaps attending this wedding wouldn't be so bad after all.
-0-0-0-
They arrived in London, England, with plenty of time to spare. Tomoyo was laughing uproariously at one of his stories when they arrived at the hotel that he booked. He had surprised her yet again by being an attentive host. She never felt worried or nervous or even sad. All she felt was ease and contentment.
"We're here, Ohtori-sama," the driver announced as the car pulled over in front of the hotel.
"Allow me," Kyouya said gently as he opened the door for them. He held out his hand and smiled down at her. She took it and stepped out into the warm sunshine. Her violet-blue eyes widened as she saw the sprawling splendor of the luxury hotel. She should have guessed that he would book the most expensive and most luxurious hotel in all of England.
"O-Ohtori-san, you shouldn't have," she said in a low voice. Turning to her host, a large smile appeared in her beautiful face. "T-This is unexpected. Thank you."
"You deserve the best," Ohtori Kyouya repeated smugly. He tucked her hand inside his arm and steered her inside. Of course, he was not an ordinary mortal. If he learned anything from his Host Club days, it was that a bold gesture would win a lady's heart. Now that there were so many things that were hanging in the balance, he believed that he should definitely pull out all of the stops.
What he didn't anticipate was the genuine delight and appreciation that lit up her eyes when she saw what he prepared. She was as down-to-earth as any commoner. It was as if she was not used to such over-the-top luxuries. The fact made him smile. She was not a spoiled heiress. And he did not intend to marry one.
They were greeted by a smiling doorman and led inside by one of their uniformed attendants. As soon as they reached the receptionist's table, they received an inquiry if they would book only one room.
Tomoyo blushed. She glanced at her host slightly, waiting for his answer. Her artist's eye noted his clean and striking profile with appreciation. She liked how he quirked his eyebrow and how he smirked. From their close proximity, she could also smell the delicious and expensive cologne that permeated her senses. It had been a long time since she had stood next to an intensely attractive man so she was quite overwhelmed.
"Two rooms, please," Kyouya said smoothly. "It's under Ohtori."
The receptionist- a pretty young woman gave him a cloying smile- before handing him a pair of room keys. The young woman at his side noticed this with calm indifference. The young businessman merely smiled again and led her away.
"You've got a lot of charm," Tomoyo murmured as they boarded the elevator. Her host looked at her, slightly surprised. He didn't expect that. "It's no wonder that there are many women who want you."
"It's not the only thing that they want from me," Kyouya retorted coldly.
"I should agree," she replied, looking at him from lowered lashes. "You've got more than charm to offer."
He stared at Tomoyo in a new light. Was she flirting with him? Was she leading him on? One minute she was criticizing him and the next she was praising him... What a devilish woman. Perhaps there was more to the heiress than he thought.
"I'll see you at dinner," she said sweetly.
He watched her walk inside her room and shut the door behind her. Feeling slightly dazed, he went to his own room to ponder on the mysteries of the dark-haired girl.
Tomoyo plopped down on the magnificent queen-sized bed in her new bedroom and rolled around the covers. She allowed herself to laugh in delight. The hotel room was splendid and beautiful. It suited her feminine tastes. She explored the suite and discovered that she had a bedroom, a small living room and a bathroom. To her relief, she found her suitcase and carry-on bag on a corner.
She immediately grabbed her mobile phone to call her mother. Sonomi must be worried. She had never taken a trip to another country without her mother or bodyguards. They must be worried about her. She dialed the number; she was immediately connected.
"Tomoyo-chan!" her mother said quickly. "Are you safe? Did you arrive on time?"
"Yes Okaa-sama," she laughed in response "We're safe. Ohtori-san booked us at The Ritz. It's amazing. How did he know that I love it here?"
"He's got his ways," Sonomi replied mysteriously. Then she perked up. "Is he taking care of you, dear?"
"Yes," Tomoyo rolled her eyes but she was laughing again. "You really like him! Why don't you marry him, Okaa-sama?"
"I'm too old," the Daidouji matriarch retorted swiftly. "It's your time, dear. Just enjoy yourself and have fun. But I would expect you to hold yourself as a little lady. I don't want any word of improper conduct. Remember, your mother always knows."
She giggled. Her mother was very strict when it came to those things. She respected her mother's wishes so she never stepped out of the line. Besides, she didn't think that Kyouya will be capable of the things that her mother was implying...
"Yes, Okaa-sama," Tomoyo said in a sweeter tone. She kissed the receiver. "I'm going to take a nap now. I love you. Goodbye Okaa-sama."
"Goodbye my dear," replied Sonomi. She felt a prick on her heart. Her daughter was growing up. "I love you too."
On the other room, Kyouya was involved in a phone call with his secretary about an unexpected glitch in his plans. He rubbed his forehead to soothe the growing headache. Why couldn't he leave his people in charge for two whole days without any problems?
"Call Tamaki," he barked at Mikuru. "Call him and tell him to deal with it."
"Yes sir," she replied meekly.
"I don't want to be disturbed until tomorrow. He knows that already. I've given you instructions. Are we clear?"
"Yes Ohtori-sama!" Mikuru squeaked.
He hung up the phone and closed his eyes. It was unlike him but he had thrown caution to the wind after she had asked him to come with her. He had left all of his responsibilities to his partner, left instructions to his secretary, chartered a jet, booked the hotel and planned a dozen entertainments to keep her amused. A smile crept up his lips. It was very unlike him. The dark-haired king took out his laptop from his suitcase and got ready to work. He never left anything to chance. Everything should be perfect.
Tomoyo certainly had a way of bringing him out of his shell. She had laughed, talked and amused him on their long flight. She was genuinely grateful to him for taking care of her. He felt manly and important in her presence.
Kyouya blushed when he remembered how she cried in his arms. She was so warm and so soft. He expected her to be cool, calm and collected. She threw that out of the window when she showed him her emotional side. He was surprised but he did not let her see it. She might present a woman who had everything to play for but she was also a woman who had nothing to bring happiness to her. He knew that well.
Tomoyo did not know but he had done a routine background check on her. There was nothing in her lineage, wealth and personality that detracted her. It looked like a typical resume of an heiress to a large company. But what attracted his interest was the fact that she was once involved with a British noble when she was very young.
She had a long relationship with him, according to his sources. They were prominent public figures as well as gifted artists. They were a golden couple. They orbited the same high circles and graduated from top universities. Everyone, according to the private investigator, expected them to get married when they reached their majority.
But when Tomoyo turned twenty-one, they broke up.
There was nothing that the private investigator could find the reason. Tomoyo simply shut up. She did not talk about it. She did not give any statements. All she did was smile and glitter and give the world a facade that was still strong and impenetrable. Eriol then went to England.
Kyouya was content to write him off as an insignificant person until Syaoran Li had helpfully supplied a sketch of his character. He did not want to believe that Tomoyo had loved such a selfish and self-centered person. From what he remembered, Syaoran had told him that Eriol left Tomoyo because he found someone else.
The shadow king felt anger grip his heart. He stared at the handsome young man who was getting married tomorrow. What a fool he was. His mobile phone beeped. Kyouya got up and stretched his legs. There were ten more minutes left before dinner. He should start getting ready.
Tomoyo deserved the best.
Kyouya was determined to make sure of that.
-0-0-0-
Tomoyo believed that nothing can surprise her when she went out with Kyouya. She should have thought again.
They were now seated inside a rather well-known restaurant with the best table. It was a magnificent meal that she thoroughly enjoyed with good conversation. She was grateful that she had dressed up in a simple violet mini-dress that complimented her pale skin and dark hair. He looked smashing in a casual slacks and a nice dress shirt.
She noticed that the other patrons sneaked admiring glances at them. They made a handsome couple that was for sure. She also observed that there was a celebratory dinner at a separate part of the restaurant. There were plenty of well-dressed people but she recognized none of them.
Kyouya kept her entertained with his stories from Ouran High School. She had attended a local high school to his amazement. They were both pleased and surprised. It pleased them to know that they both had something to offer to each other.
"I went to Northwest High School in Tomoeda," Tomoyo started after they finished eating. Her blue-violet eyes were sparkling. "Sakura-chan and I were the most popular girls in school. It's a fairly large school but it's nothing compared to Ouran."
"Why didn't you go to Ouran?" He was curious. Everyone who was anyone in their world preferred to begin early in the most prestigious school in the country. "That's the proper thing to do."
"It's because I didn't want to go," she answered. He was pleased to see steel beneath her sweetness. "I wanted to stay in our small town with my best friends. There are more important things than wealth and lineage."
"Very wise," he murmured as he lifted the champagne flute to his lips. His glasses gleamed in the dim light. They stared at each other before smiling. "How did you get your nickname?"
"It was from a beauty pageant," Tomoyo said, giggling. "I had to stand in for one of the contestants then I ended up winning. Everyone used to tease me. I was always referred to as the Little Queen since I ruled the school."
"You're easily the richest girl there." Kyouya smiled. "Didn't you feel like a fish out of water?"
Tomoyo gave a negligent wave. "There was no preferential treatment. I was simply one of them. I had grown up with everyone so I didn't think I was special. Besides, Sakura-chan was always there. Nobody picked on me."
He had a glimpse of the strong and gentle queen who ruled over her subjects with a velvet glove over an iron hand. She must have been a constant and steady presence in the school. There would be no uprisings or gossips. Tomoyo was so sweet that nobody can hate her, even if they really wanted to.
"You must have ruled the school too," Tomoyo observed. She stared at him, studying his expression. Her eyes lit up. "If Suoh-san is the King of the Host Club then you must be the Shadow King. The president might be the one who has the spotlight but it's usually the vice president who had all of the power."
Kyouya was simply shocked by her polite observation. All of the girls he'd met were pleased and flattered by their club but none of them really understood how it worked. None of them understood the limits of their power. "You could say that," he said in a mysterious tone.
Tomoyo smiled impishly. "I was right. You look like someone who likes to work behind the scenes."
A fitting description, he thought. You're just the same as I am. "Someone has to keep the club working."
She nodded with understanding. "Thank you for the meal," she murmured. "It was lovely."
"You're lovelier," he smiled.
Tomoyo blushed. She received plenty of compliments everyday but it was the first time that she got one from him. It made her face heat up and her heart accelerate. She wasn't used to being the center of attention. To hide her embarrassment, she got up and smiled shyly. "Excuse me. I have to go to the ladies' room."
She fled as soon as he nodded. Blushing furiously, she headed towards her destination without looking in front of her. If she was more careful, she would have noticed a dark-haired young man walking towards her direction.
"Ouch!" Tomoyo exclaimed as she nearly crashed to the floor.
Slightly disoriented, she looked up at the person who had saved her from bruising herself. Then she wished that she had knocked her head and never woke up.
"T-Tomoyo-san?"
Her heart went mad. Blushing even harder, she couldn't look up to meet the man's eyes. Even with her eyes downcast, she could see his expensive Italian shoes and smell his unique cologne. She couldn't ignore the familiar tone of his voice. He was there. After five long years, he was there.
"Are you all right, Tomoyo-san?" he asked again.
Unable to hold back any longer, she raised her head to meet the penetrating blue eyes of Eriol Hiiragizawa.
"I-I'm fine," she replied faintly. Her voice trembled. "Hiiragizawa-kun?"
"It's Eriol," he reminded her with a smile. "When did we become so formal? Are you all right, Tomoyo-san?"
He helped her stand up and checked her for damages. When he called her name again, she felt a wave of memories wash over her. It was unfair. She felt her heart break again when he reminded her about the intimacy of their old relationship. She had a vague feeling that he was being too friendly with her. Summoning large amounts of courage, she gave him a weak grin as she gracefully stepped out of his reach. "I'm fine," she repeated quietly.
Eriol stared at her seriously before he smiled. He was still devastatingly handsome. He was still charismatic. His eyes held her hostage for more than a moment. He had broken her heart and nearly ruined her life but she would forgive him if he simply smiled. She silently damned him for being so charming. "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you for coming in advance. Kaho-san would be delighted."
I bet she would, she thought absently. "I-It's no problem. I hope you don't mind if I brought a friend as my guest."
He smiled again. Tomoyo felt her heart catch at the familiar sight of his devilish grin. She wished that he wouldn't smile so much. It only made it hard for her to look away. Eriol was always a gentleman so he replied, "It's not a problem. Could you sing for us in exchange?"
Her eyes went round like saucers. If she didn't love him so much, she would have smacked him. He was still as dense as ever. Yet because she was a lady, she smiled when she replied. "I would love to sing for the happy couple."
Eriol's smiled widened some more. He was about to come forward and give her a hug when they heard someone clear a throat behind Tomoyo. The mage stepped back when he saw a tall, dark-haired man looking at them.
"Daidouji-san?" Kyouya said steadily. He went to stand next to her with a smirk fimly fixed on his handsome face. "I was wondering where you went."
"I was on the way to the ladies' room when I met..." Her words faltered. Smiling shakily at her date, she tried again. "I nearly fell because of my high heels. Hiiragizawa-san saved me. Oh, let me introduce you to Ohtori-san, Hiiragizawa-san. He's my date to your wedding. This is also Hiiragizawa-san, the groom."
It was strange and surreal. She wondered about what sort of alternative universe she landed in if she was introducing her ex-boyfriend whom she loved very much to her new boyfriend whom she cared about. There was something wrong with this picture. (When did Kyouya become your boyfriend? Her mind screamed. He's simply your date! Not your boyfriend!)
Tomoyo stared in horror when Kyouya stepped forward to shake hands with him. The shadow king was smiling like there was nothing wrong. She immediately noticed the dark look in his eyes before it was shielded by his gleaming glasses.
"It's nice to finally meet you," the shadow king said cheerfully. He smiled with his teeth bared. "I've heard all about you from Daidouji-san."
"Did she? I'm glad she found someone to talk to. I didn't know that she was dating anyone but I'm glad to meet you as well," rejoined the Clow reincarnation. His blue eyes were huge and unreadable but he still looked pleasant and charming. "I've known her for a long time."
Tomoyo gave him a Look. She attempted another gracious smile. "What do you do now, Hiiragizawa-san?"
"I've accepted tenure in a great university with Kaho-san," he answered swiftly. "I'm coming back to Japan."
Kyouya stepped in again when he sensed Tomoyo's unease. He was curious to know more about her previous boyfriend. "You must be a very busy man. But if you come back to Japan, you must make time to meet with me. Are you a good shot?"
The dark-haired mage's smile remained in place. He was so good at this game that he could have invented it. "I am. We'll have to get together soon." His attention returned to the brunette. "How is Sakura-san?"
"She sends her regrets because they couldn't come. I hope you don't mind," Tomoyo retorted.
"That's a shame." His eyes were twinkling mischievously. Content that Kyouya was out now, he added, "I wanted to see Cerberus and Yue again. I was also curious about how my darlings are doing with their new charges."
"They're fine," she said stiffly.
Kyouya grinned at Eriol as he adjusted his glasses. "I think I hear your dinner companions. They must be wondering about your whereabouts."
Eriol's expression remained pleasant and unperturbed. "Would you mind if I excuse myself now? It's our rehearsal dinner and my fiancee might be wondering about where I went."
"Don't let us keep you," Kyouya spoke up. His smile was fixed. "Please go ahead."
The dark-haired mage stepped closer towards Tomoyo and lifted her hand to his lips. His smile sailed straight into her heart. "Please sing for me again, Little Queen. It was a pleasure to see you again."
The pair watched the groom walk back into the room that was set aside for the wedding party. He was tall, handsome and magnetic. Even the waitresses stepped out of their way to admire him. There was no doubt that he walked like he owned the world. Tomoyo released a shuddering sigh.
"Are you all right?" Kyouya asked very quietly. She could imagine the tenderness in his expression but she did not dare to confirm her suspicion. "Would you like to go back to the hotel now?"
She did not protest when he led her away. Eriol was in the same restaurant. Eriol was going to Japan. Eriol was getting married...
When she came to, they were standing in front of her bedroom at the hotel. Kyouya was waiting patiently for her to take out her key. Blushing slightly, she opened her hotel room and then turned to him. "Thank you for a lovely evening," she said quietly.
"It was my pleasure," said her escort. His blue-gray eyes were deep. "Are you still going to sing tomorrow?"
Tomoyo's smile was heartbreaking. "I am. It's my choice.
-0-0-0-
To be continued!
Author: Dark Hooded Eriol the Magician
Series: Ouran High School Host Club / Cardcaptor Sakura
Rating: T
Genre: Romance/ Angst
Status: In-progress
Disclaimer: The song is by DBSK and the characters are made by CLAMP and Hatori Bisco. Support them, please!
Summary: Some of us seek second chances. Will we be brave or will we be cowards again? There is only a choice to do what is right and what is true. Why did I fall in love with you? -KyouyaxTomoyo-
Chapter VI
-0-0-0-
Why did I end up falling for you?
No matter how much time has passed,
I thought that you would always be here (but not anymore)
-0-0-0-
Tomoyo came home to an empty penthouse. Her mother was away again. Sighing, she dismissed one of the senior maids who came forward to help her get dressed for bed. The rest of the maids were resting in their rooms so she did not dare to disturb them.
She wanted some peace and quiet so she went inside her bedroom and turned on the lights. Her mother was not home. As far as she knew, she was at a conference in America. She was alone in one of their most expensive real estate properties but she did not feel any satisfaction.
The dark-haired young woman removed her clothes, shoved her shoes inside her closet and proceeded to her bathroom. She filled the bathtub with bath oils and hot water before she shed her bathrobe. Her fingers swept her dark hair up into a messy bun to avoid getting it wet then she took out her mobile phone from her bag. As soon as the water was at the perfect temperature for her, she sank into the bathtub to soak her worries away.
Her mind was racing. When she came home, she realized what she had just done. She had allowed herself to cry into Kyouya's arms in the middle of the street. She practically begged him to come with her to the wedding. It was very unlike her.
She wondered about what Kyouya was thinking. He might have been caught off-guard by her sudden display of emotion. She knew that he was not the sort of man who would allow himself to express his feelings. He was cool, practical and pragmatic. Perhaps he didn't appreciate her crying into his shirt. But Kyouya had stepped up to comfort her.
Tomoyo's cheeks heated when she remembered how he hugged her. His arms were strong. He could crush her in his embrace yet he hugged her tenderly. She felt safe and secure with him. Although she could not see his face, she heard his heart. It was beating so fast and so strong. It seemed that it was talking to her. And she liked what she heard.
The dark-haired woman shook her head her head as she reached for the cordless phone. It was time to talk to Sakura. Perhaps her best friend would be able to shed some insight. She brightened. That was a good idea. They hadn't talked since she last visited. Sakura would understand. Yes, she always did.
Sakura answered on the first ring. The Card Mistress sounded bright and cheerful. Tomoyo smiled at her best friend's obvious happiness. She wished that she could be happy like that. "Hello? How are you?" asked her cousin. "Sorry, could you hold on? I'm in the living room. They're horsing around and I can't hear a thing..."
"I'm okay," Tomoyo answered simply. Then she heard the noises in the background fade away. A sigh of relief escaped her when she realized that Sakura had left her family to be able to focus on their conversation. She did not expect much from her best friend so she was always overwhelmed when she got more than she wanted.
Sakura's breath hitched before she began. Her voice sounded soft and comforting to help cushion the fall. It was inevitable for them to talk about it. The dreaded event was three days away. Although she considered Eriol Hiiragizawa as one of her best friends, she never quite forgot how he had hurt her other best friend. "Are you going to the wedding?"
"Yes," Tomoyo answered carefully. She lowered her body deeper into the water, relishing the warmth. "I am."
A short silence followed.
That was unexpected, of course. Sakura did not think that she would be able to gather enough courage to come with someone she trusted. But she knew that she had to do something because Sakura would not be around to protect her forever. She would rather have someone so strong and reliable like Kyouya.
She was going to her ex-boyfriend's wedding. Of course, she needed all of the help that she could get. It might look rude to the bride and her groom but she did not care. According to the invitation that they sent, she was allowed to bring a guest,if her mother could not come.
Her mother was very persuasive. She really liked Kyouya for her daughter. In fact, it was Sonomi who had suggested him to be her date to the wedding. Her mother liked his cool professionalism and striking handsomeness. Since she'd sworn that she would find the best for Tomoyo, she was ecstatic that she succeeded.
"I'm coming with Ohtori-san," she added. Her breathing became easier as soon as she realized that it took some weight off her chest. Smiling a little, she said, "He was very kind. We had dinner a while ago with some of his old friends."
"Are they the same people who were with you on the orphanage?" Sakura asked, delighted. She had read all about it in the newspapers. Sakura and Tomoyo had worked together in the orphanage during their high school days so she was very happy to hear about their good luck. She giggled. Tomoyo might not realize it but Kyouya was wooing her with his inventive ways. "They were a handsome bunch of men. It must have been a lot of fun."
"Yes," her friend agreed. An impish smile tugged at her lips. Kyouya was the most handsome of them all, in her own opinion. "What about you? Have you made any arrangements for the wedding?"
"I'm so sorry, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said in her gentlest voice. "But we cannot make it. I've already sent my regrets to them. Syaoran has work and nobody will be left to care for the children. Oniichan and Yukito-san are currently in a trip around the world so I can't ask them to come home. I'm really sorry."
She felt her heart slow down. Sakura was not coming. It took her a full minute to register her friend's statement. Smile, she told herself. Smile. "It's not a problem," Tomoyo said quietly. "It's not a problem at all."
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. "You don't have to worry. Ohtori-san doesn't look like the sort of person who would hurt you. We might expect the opposite. But I can ask Kero-chan to come with you. He won't take up a lot of space and he could bite Eriol-kun..."
"It's okay," repeated the dark-haired heiress. "I'll be fine. Besides, Ohtori-san is with me. He's making all of the arrangements too. I don't know why he insisted on booking the plane tickets as well as the hotel. Does that mean he really likes me?"
The Card Mistress smiled. There was no doubt about that. She didn't miss the soft look in his eyes when she mentioned Tomoyo. She believed that Kyouya will be more than happy to take care of her best friend.
"You're a smart girl. You already got it figured out." Her tone was light and teasing.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," laughed the heiress "but it's not helping."
"Just wait and see," Sakura said confidently. "You've got him on a run already."
-0-0-0-
Tomorrow was the day of the wedding.
She was finally finished packing so she sat down on her bed. Kyouya was going to pick her up in half an hour. He had made all of their travel arrangements so that she wouldn't feel stressed since Sakura wasn't coming with them. She felt calm and composed. There was nothing wrong with attending an ex's wedding, right?
Tomoyo sighed. She lay back on her bed and closed her eyes. If only it was easy. She wouldn't hesitate to accept the wedding invitation if she was sure that she didn't love him anymore. But she had to do it, even if it broke her heart.
One of the maids interrupted her reverie when she knocked on the door. Getting up, she opened it to let her in. "Ojou-sama*, Ohtori-sama is here already."
Her violet-blue eyes widened. "What's he doing here so early? I thought he was supposed to pick me up later."
"He's here, Ojou-sama," the maid repeated, unable to hide her grin.
"Please tell him to wait in the living room. I'll just finish getting dressed." Tomoyo nodded and dismissed her.
She went to her closet to get dressed. Her pajamas were swapped for tight black jeans, a white shirt and a knitted black blazer. She put on her most comfortable black ballet shoes, wrapped a scarf around her neck and put on real diamond earring studs. Since her complexion was fair already, she merely applied some liquid blush on her cheeks and black mascara on her eyelashes. Pouting, she applied a flattering shade of red lipstick. Of course, she did not forget to spray her favorite perfume on her pulse points. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror when she finished. Swiping a pair of designer sunglasses on her drawer, she decided that she was ready.
Tomoyo sauntered into the living room and grinned as soon as she saw her escort. Kyouya got up when he saw her. To her delight, he was dressed in a simple green shirt, jeans and a jacket. He smirked as he stared at her outfit with barely concealed approval.
"Good morning," she greeted.
"Good morning," he replied. His glasses glinted in the sunlight. "I'm sorry if I'm early. I have arranged for us to go out on a private jet and I didn't want us to be late."
Tomoyo's eyes widened. She hastily composed herself and smiled coolly. "You didn't have to go through all that trouble, Ohtori-san."
"You deserve the best," he said simply as he offered his arm. She took it. They exited the apartment with her maid in tow, carrying all of her belongings.
"It's a pleasure to do it."
She smiled slyly. Perhaps attending this wedding wouldn't be so bad after all.
-0-0-0-
They arrived in London, England, with plenty of time to spare. Tomoyo was laughing uproariously at one of his stories when they arrived at the hotel that he booked. He had surprised her yet again by being an attentive host. She never felt worried or nervous or even sad. All she felt was ease and contentment.
"We're here, Ohtori-sama," the driver announced as the car pulled over in front of the hotel.
"Allow me," Kyouya said gently as he opened the door for them. He held out his hand and smiled down at her. She took it and stepped out into the warm sunshine. Her violet-blue eyes widened as she saw the sprawling splendor of the luxury hotel. She should have guessed that he would book the most expensive and most luxurious hotel in all of England.
"O-Ohtori-san, you shouldn't have," she said in a low voice. Turning to her host, a large smile appeared in her beautiful face. "T-This is unexpected. Thank you."
"You deserve the best," Ohtori Kyouya repeated smugly. He tucked her hand inside his arm and steered her inside. Of course, he was not an ordinary mortal. If he learned anything from his Host Club days, it was that a bold gesture would win a lady's heart. Now that there were so many things that were hanging in the balance, he believed that he should definitely pull out all of the stops.
What he didn't anticipate was the genuine delight and appreciation that lit up her eyes when she saw what he prepared. She was as down-to-earth as any commoner. It was as if she was not used to such over-the-top luxuries. The fact made him smile. She was not a spoiled heiress. And he did not intend to marry one.
They were greeted by a smiling doorman and led inside by one of their uniformed attendants. As soon as they reached the receptionist's table, they received an inquiry if they would book only one room.
Tomoyo blushed. She glanced at her host slightly, waiting for his answer. Her artist's eye noted his clean and striking profile with appreciation. She liked how he quirked his eyebrow and how he smirked. From their close proximity, she could also smell the delicious and expensive cologne that permeated her senses. It had been a long time since she had stood next to an intensely attractive man so she was quite overwhelmed.
"Two rooms, please," Kyouya said smoothly. "It's under Ohtori."
The receptionist- a pretty young woman gave him a cloying smile- before handing him a pair of room keys. The young woman at his side noticed this with calm indifference. The young businessman merely smiled again and led her away.
"You've got a lot of charm," Tomoyo murmured as they boarded the elevator. Her host looked at her, slightly surprised. He didn't expect that. "It's no wonder that there are many women who want you."
"It's not the only thing that they want from me," Kyouya retorted coldly.
"I should agree," she replied, looking at him from lowered lashes. "You've got more than charm to offer."
He stared at Tomoyo in a new light. Was she flirting with him? Was she leading him on? One minute she was criticizing him and the next she was praising him... What a devilish woman. Perhaps there was more to the heiress than he thought.
"I'll see you at dinner," she said sweetly.
He watched her walk inside her room and shut the door behind her. Feeling slightly dazed, he went to his own room to ponder on the mysteries of the dark-haired girl.
Tomoyo plopped down on the magnificent queen-sized bed in her new bedroom and rolled around the covers. She allowed herself to laugh in delight. The hotel room was splendid and beautiful. It suited her feminine tastes. She explored the suite and discovered that she had a bedroom, a small living room and a bathroom. To her relief, she found her suitcase and carry-on bag on a corner.
She immediately grabbed her mobile phone to call her mother. Sonomi must be worried. She had never taken a trip to another country without her mother or bodyguards. They must be worried about her. She dialed the number; she was immediately connected.
"Tomoyo-chan!" her mother said quickly. "Are you safe? Did you arrive on time?"
"Yes Okaa-sama," she laughed in response "We're safe. Ohtori-san booked us at The Ritz. It's amazing. How did he know that I love it here?"
"He's got his ways," Sonomi replied mysteriously. Then she perked up. "Is he taking care of you, dear?"
"Yes," Tomoyo rolled her eyes but she was laughing again. "You really like him! Why don't you marry him, Okaa-sama?"
"I'm too old," the Daidouji matriarch retorted swiftly. "It's your time, dear. Just enjoy yourself and have fun. But I would expect you to hold yourself as a little lady. I don't want any word of improper conduct. Remember, your mother always knows."
She giggled. Her mother was very strict when it came to those things. She respected her mother's wishes so she never stepped out of the line. Besides, she didn't think that Kyouya will be capable of the things that her mother was implying...
"Yes, Okaa-sama," Tomoyo said in a sweeter tone. She kissed the receiver. "I'm going to take a nap now. I love you. Goodbye Okaa-sama."
"Goodbye my dear," replied Sonomi. She felt a prick on her heart. Her daughter was growing up. "I love you too."
On the other room, Kyouya was involved in a phone call with his secretary about an unexpected glitch in his plans. He rubbed his forehead to soothe the growing headache. Why couldn't he leave his people in charge for two whole days without any problems?
"Call Tamaki," he barked at Mikuru. "Call him and tell him to deal with it."
"Yes sir," she replied meekly.
"I don't want to be disturbed until tomorrow. He knows that already. I've given you instructions. Are we clear?"
"Yes Ohtori-sama!" Mikuru squeaked.
He hung up the phone and closed his eyes. It was unlike him but he had thrown caution to the wind after she had asked him to come with her. He had left all of his responsibilities to his partner, left instructions to his secretary, chartered a jet, booked the hotel and planned a dozen entertainments to keep her amused. A smile crept up his lips. It was very unlike him. The dark-haired king took out his laptop from his suitcase and got ready to work. He never left anything to chance. Everything should be perfect.
Tomoyo certainly had a way of bringing him out of his shell. She had laughed, talked and amused him on their long flight. She was genuinely grateful to him for taking care of her. He felt manly and important in her presence.
Kyouya blushed when he remembered how she cried in his arms. She was so warm and so soft. He expected her to be cool, calm and collected. She threw that out of the window when she showed him her emotional side. He was surprised but he did not let her see it. She might present a woman who had everything to play for but she was also a woman who had nothing to bring happiness to her. He knew that well.
Tomoyo did not know but he had done a routine background check on her. There was nothing in her lineage, wealth and personality that detracted her. It looked like a typical resume of an heiress to a large company. But what attracted his interest was the fact that she was once involved with a British noble when she was very young.
She had a long relationship with him, according to his sources. They were prominent public figures as well as gifted artists. They were a golden couple. They orbited the same high circles and graduated from top universities. Everyone, according to the private investigator, expected them to get married when they reached their majority.
But when Tomoyo turned twenty-one, they broke up.
There was nothing that the private investigator could find the reason. Tomoyo simply shut up. She did not talk about it. She did not give any statements. All she did was smile and glitter and give the world a facade that was still strong and impenetrable. Eriol then went to England.
Kyouya was content to write him off as an insignificant person until Syaoran Li had helpfully supplied a sketch of his character. He did not want to believe that Tomoyo had loved such a selfish and self-centered person. From what he remembered, Syaoran had told him that Eriol left Tomoyo because he found someone else.
The shadow king felt anger grip his heart. He stared at the handsome young man who was getting married tomorrow. What a fool he was. His mobile phone beeped. Kyouya got up and stretched his legs. There were ten more minutes left before dinner. He should start getting ready.
Tomoyo deserved the best.
Kyouya was determined to make sure of that.
-0-0-0-
Tomoyo believed that nothing can surprise her when she went out with Kyouya. She should have thought again.
They were now seated inside a rather well-known restaurant with the best table. It was a magnificent meal that she thoroughly enjoyed with good conversation. She was grateful that she had dressed up in a simple violet mini-dress that complimented her pale skin and dark hair. He looked smashing in a casual slacks and a nice dress shirt.
She noticed that the other patrons sneaked admiring glances at them. They made a handsome couple that was for sure. She also observed that there was a celebratory dinner at a separate part of the restaurant. There were plenty of well-dressed people but she recognized none of them.
Kyouya kept her entertained with his stories from Ouran High School. She had attended a local high school to his amazement. They were both pleased and surprised. It pleased them to know that they both had something to offer to each other.
"I went to Northwest High School in Tomoeda," Tomoyo started after they finished eating. Her blue-violet eyes were sparkling. "Sakura-chan and I were the most popular girls in school. It's a fairly large school but it's nothing compared to Ouran."
"Why didn't you go to Ouran?" He was curious. Everyone who was anyone in their world preferred to begin early in the most prestigious school in the country. "That's the proper thing to do."
"It's because I didn't want to go," she answered. He was pleased to see steel beneath her sweetness. "I wanted to stay in our small town with my best friends. There are more important things than wealth and lineage."
"Very wise," he murmured as he lifted the champagne flute to his lips. His glasses gleamed in the dim light. They stared at each other before smiling. "How did you get your nickname?"
"It was from a beauty pageant," Tomoyo said, giggling. "I had to stand in for one of the contestants then I ended up winning. Everyone used to tease me. I was always referred to as the Little Queen since I ruled the school."
"You're easily the richest girl there." Kyouya smiled. "Didn't you feel like a fish out of water?"
Tomoyo gave a negligent wave. "There was no preferential treatment. I was simply one of them. I had grown up with everyone so I didn't think I was special. Besides, Sakura-chan was always there. Nobody picked on me."
He had a glimpse of the strong and gentle queen who ruled over her subjects with a velvet glove over an iron hand. She must have been a constant and steady presence in the school. There would be no uprisings or gossips. Tomoyo was so sweet that nobody can hate her, even if they really wanted to.
"You must have ruled the school too," Tomoyo observed. She stared at him, studying his expression. Her eyes lit up. "If Suoh-san is the King of the Host Club then you must be the Shadow King. The president might be the one who has the spotlight but it's usually the vice president who had all of the power."
Kyouya was simply shocked by her polite observation. All of the girls he'd met were pleased and flattered by their club but none of them really understood how it worked. None of them understood the limits of their power. "You could say that," he said in a mysterious tone.
Tomoyo smiled impishly. "I was right. You look like someone who likes to work behind the scenes."
A fitting description, he thought. You're just the same as I am. "Someone has to keep the club working."
She nodded with understanding. "Thank you for the meal," she murmured. "It was lovely."
"You're lovelier," he smiled.
Tomoyo blushed. She received plenty of compliments everyday but it was the first time that she got one from him. It made her face heat up and her heart accelerate. She wasn't used to being the center of attention. To hide her embarrassment, she got up and smiled shyly. "Excuse me. I have to go to the ladies' room."
She fled as soon as he nodded. Blushing furiously, she headed towards her destination without looking in front of her. If she was more careful, she would have noticed a dark-haired young man walking towards her direction.
"Ouch!" Tomoyo exclaimed as she nearly crashed to the floor.
Slightly disoriented, she looked up at the person who had saved her from bruising herself. Then she wished that she had knocked her head and never woke up.
"T-Tomoyo-san?"
Her heart went mad. Blushing even harder, she couldn't look up to meet the man's eyes. Even with her eyes downcast, she could see his expensive Italian shoes and smell his unique cologne. She couldn't ignore the familiar tone of his voice. He was there. After five long years, he was there.
"Are you all right, Tomoyo-san?" he asked again.
Unable to hold back any longer, she raised her head to meet the penetrating blue eyes of Eriol Hiiragizawa.
"I-I'm fine," she replied faintly. Her voice trembled. "Hiiragizawa-kun?"
"It's Eriol," he reminded her with a smile. "When did we become so formal? Are you all right, Tomoyo-san?"
He helped her stand up and checked her for damages. When he called her name again, she felt a wave of memories wash over her. It was unfair. She felt her heart break again when he reminded her about the intimacy of their old relationship. She had a vague feeling that he was being too friendly with her. Summoning large amounts of courage, she gave him a weak grin as she gracefully stepped out of his reach. "I'm fine," she repeated quietly.
Eriol stared at her seriously before he smiled. He was still devastatingly handsome. He was still charismatic. His eyes held her hostage for more than a moment. He had broken her heart and nearly ruined her life but she would forgive him if he simply smiled. She silently damned him for being so charming. "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you for coming in advance. Kaho-san would be delighted."
I bet she would, she thought absently. "I-It's no problem. I hope you don't mind if I brought a friend as my guest."
He smiled again. Tomoyo felt her heart catch at the familiar sight of his devilish grin. She wished that he wouldn't smile so much. It only made it hard for her to look away. Eriol was always a gentleman so he replied, "It's not a problem. Could you sing for us in exchange?"
Her eyes went round like saucers. If she didn't love him so much, she would have smacked him. He was still as dense as ever. Yet because she was a lady, she smiled when she replied. "I would love to sing for the happy couple."
Eriol's smiled widened some more. He was about to come forward and give her a hug when they heard someone clear a throat behind Tomoyo. The mage stepped back when he saw a tall, dark-haired man looking at them.
"Daidouji-san?" Kyouya said steadily. He went to stand next to her with a smirk fimly fixed on his handsome face. "I was wondering where you went."
"I was on the way to the ladies' room when I met..." Her words faltered. Smiling shakily at her date, she tried again. "I nearly fell because of my high heels. Hiiragizawa-san saved me. Oh, let me introduce you to Ohtori-san, Hiiragizawa-san. He's my date to your wedding. This is also Hiiragizawa-san, the groom."
It was strange and surreal. She wondered about what sort of alternative universe she landed in if she was introducing her ex-boyfriend whom she loved very much to her new boyfriend whom she cared about. There was something wrong with this picture. (When did Kyouya become your boyfriend? Her mind screamed. He's simply your date! Not your boyfriend!)
Tomoyo stared in horror when Kyouya stepped forward to shake hands with him. The shadow king was smiling like there was nothing wrong. She immediately noticed the dark look in his eyes before it was shielded by his gleaming glasses.
"It's nice to finally meet you," the shadow king said cheerfully. He smiled with his teeth bared. "I've heard all about you from Daidouji-san."
"Did she? I'm glad she found someone to talk to. I didn't know that she was dating anyone but I'm glad to meet you as well," rejoined the Clow reincarnation. His blue eyes were huge and unreadable but he still looked pleasant and charming. "I've known her for a long time."
Tomoyo gave him a Look. She attempted another gracious smile. "What do you do now, Hiiragizawa-san?"
"I've accepted tenure in a great university with Kaho-san," he answered swiftly. "I'm coming back to Japan."
Kyouya stepped in again when he sensed Tomoyo's unease. He was curious to know more about her previous boyfriend. "You must be a very busy man. But if you come back to Japan, you must make time to meet with me. Are you a good shot?"
The dark-haired mage's smile remained in place. He was so good at this game that he could have invented it. "I am. We'll have to get together soon." His attention returned to the brunette. "How is Sakura-san?"
"She sends her regrets because they couldn't come. I hope you don't mind," Tomoyo retorted.
"That's a shame." His eyes were twinkling mischievously. Content that Kyouya was out now, he added, "I wanted to see Cerberus and Yue again. I was also curious about how my darlings are doing with their new charges."
"They're fine," she said stiffly.
Kyouya grinned at Eriol as he adjusted his glasses. "I think I hear your dinner companions. They must be wondering about your whereabouts."
Eriol's expression remained pleasant and unperturbed. "Would you mind if I excuse myself now? It's our rehearsal dinner and my fiancee might be wondering about where I went."
"Don't let us keep you," Kyouya spoke up. His smile was fixed. "Please go ahead."
The dark-haired mage stepped closer towards Tomoyo and lifted her hand to his lips. His smile sailed straight into her heart. "Please sing for me again, Little Queen. It was a pleasure to see you again."
The pair watched the groom walk back into the room that was set aside for the wedding party. He was tall, handsome and magnetic. Even the waitresses stepped out of their way to admire him. There was no doubt that he walked like he owned the world. Tomoyo released a shuddering sigh.
"Are you all right?" Kyouya asked very quietly. She could imagine the tenderness in his expression but she did not dare to confirm her suspicion. "Would you like to go back to the hotel now?"
She did not protest when he led her away. Eriol was in the same restaurant. Eriol was going to Japan. Eriol was getting married...
When she came to, they were standing in front of her bedroom at the hotel. Kyouya was waiting patiently for her to take out her key. Blushing slightly, she opened her hotel room and then turned to him. "Thank you for a lovely evening," she said quietly.
"It was my pleasure," said her escort. His blue-gray eyes were deep. "Are you still going to sing tomorrow?"
Tomoyo's smile was heartbreaking. "I am. It's my choice.
-0-0-0-
To be continued!