Full Moon

By MoshiMoshiQueen

Beta Reader: Dark Mirth

"Characters' Conversations"

(Author's Comments)

Back at the party, Eriol listened to the howl and sighed. He let the cool air blow in his face as he ran a hand through his dark locks. His friend was getting himself into deep trouble and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

Ever since he had met Syaoran in college he could tell that he was a troubled young man. Syaoran had never shared the secrets of his past, but then again neither did Eriol.

They didn't talk about their feelings or share each other's troubles, but Eriol had always wondered what had happened to make Syaoran so disturbed.

He never got too close to anyone beside himself. He rarely went on dates, but then again neither did Eriol, but there was a reason for that. Eriol wasn't interested in plots and ploys for his money and power and he didn't need that instant release that a woman could provide. His work had all the passion he needed.

He leaned up against the railing and sighed. So, Kinomoto Sakura was the woman that had troubled Syaoran all of these years. Wasn't it just a bitch that she would show up engaged to another man. Poor Syaoran. The kid never seemed to get a break.

Maybe he should confront the woman and put an end to his misery. Make her disappear… Eriol shook his head. It was obvious that Syaoran and Kinomoto needed to work out all of their problems. There was unfinished business between them and it was obvious to him that the girl was still clearly in love with his best friend. She tried to plaster on a nice smile when Ritsuka was around, but there wasn't any love in that relationship.

So, just what was Kinomoto up to? Or rather what was Ritsuka up to? The charade seemed pointless, but there must have been a reason for the hook up.

Eriol took a moment to reflect on this new revelation when he heard a voice behind him.

"People are starting to wonder…"

Eriol turned around and came face to face with his own personal trouble- Daidouji Tomoyo.

"Where did Syaoran go running off to in such a hurry?" she asked softly as she strolled up to Eriol.

She was dressed in a short mauve colored silk dress. It had two line spaghetti straps and had a V-neck cut that practically cupped her perfect cleavage. Around her neck was one of her own creations. It had an amethyst teardrop at the bottom of a silver necklace. The teardrop was wrapped around two pieces of diamond and above the stones was an intricate weave of silver. There were two similar teardrops at her ears. On her right hand was a matching amethyst ring.

Her skin was so milky white that she practically glowed in the moonlight. Eriol had to swallow slowly before regaining his cool disposition, "He had a previous engagement he forgot about."

She placed a hand on his arm, "Eriol, this is me you are talking to. I don't need the PR bullshit."

A smile twitched at his lips, "Let's just say he saw a ghost."

"A woman?" she questioned as she too began to lean on the balcony's railing.

"A taken woman."

"Is there any other type?" she quipped, "Maybe this will help him."

"In what way?"

"He's always seemed so lost. Its heart wrenching."

Eriol felt his teeth clench, "I didn't know you cared about him that much."

Tomoyo smiled, "Why are you so testy?"

"I'm not," he commented coolly.

"Hmmm. Your shoulders are tense," she said as she started to rub them softly, "Eriol?"

"Yes?"

Brushing back her long, dark locks, she asked him, "Are we going to continue to play these games tonight?"

"What games?"

She continued to rub his shoulders as she stared off into the night. At that very second she heard a painful howl.

"You know how I feel about you."

Eriol turned around to face her and let his mouth open to comment, but she cut him off, "You don't have to say anything. I just don't want to pretend that you don't know any more."

He took her hand in his and said, "I don't want to hurt you, Tomoyo."

She gave him a sad smile, "I know this and that is why I am leaving after Christmas."

"Leaving?" Eriol's face fell.

"It's about time that I put all of my energy into my own work, Eriol. Plus, I just can't keep putting my heart out only to have it crushed. I'm not blaming you because I know that you wish you could love me back."

"Tomoyo, I—"

"Please don't say anything, Eriol. I've made up my mind and I'm giving you plenty of time to find a replacement. Now because I still do work for you, I need to tell you to get on the floor and start kissing asses. You've been out here too long and you need to smooth things over with the other clients. Plus, you need to explain why Syaoran just bailed. You also owe me a dance," she said as she walked back into the ballroom without another word.

Eriol stood on the balcony in shock. How was he supposed to take all of that information? She was leaving him. He had known that she wouldn't stay forever, but this was just too soon.

She just didn't understand… he couldn't show the emotions she wanted. He couldn't love her like she wanted him to. What was he supposed to do without her?

He tapped on the watch she had given him for a moment before placing on his cold mask and entering the ballroom. He didn't have time to think about it. He needed to do his job. He wasn't like Syaoran. He couldn't just run away to think about things. He couldn't show the same emotion that his best friend did.

Eriol caught a glimpse of Tomoyo's face and she sent him a sad smile. He didn't react and she knew he wouldn't. She had even expected to see the cold disposition. It didn't hurt her as much as she had expected.

She knew that she had tried everything to break that icy wall that Eriol had put up and she had failed. It was over and done with. She was going to go down her own path and hopefully move on.

Right now she had her own business to attend to. Syaoran's heartbreak. Tomoyo scanned the room and came face to face with the likely candidate. Kinomoto Sakura- the only newcomer to the event.

She was certainly beautiful. She could see Syaoran falling in love with someone like her. She looked to Eriol to confirm her suspicions. Eriol had his gaze upon her and he nodded. She felt the heat spread through out her body. She couldn't help but be affected by his eyes. Most people just assumed that there was only ice behind those azure orbs, but Tomoyo knew that there was heat… even when Eriol didn't know himself.

Tomoyo picked up a glass of champagne and went to work.

Eriol watched her gracefully walk straight up to Sakura and 'accidentally' trip on someone's foot. She spilt the champagne on Sakura's dress and was instantly apologetic.

"I am so sorry! How clumsy of me! Please let me take you to the bathroom right now and fix you right up!" Tomoyo exclaimed as she took Sakura by the arm and led her to the bathroom. As she made it through the crowd she sent Eriol a look.

What was he going to do without her?

Inside the bathroom Tomoyo was taking care of business. The bathroom was as rich looking as the house was. The walls were painted blue and there was marble all over. There were columns with Grecian goddesses painted upon them and intricate lighting fixtures. The hand towels were spun from expensive silk and were white. There were soaps that cost more than Tomoyo's dress in the shell shaped dishes.

"I'm so sorry. By the way, my name is Daidouji Tomoyo."

Sakura smiled and shook her hand, "It's all right. I'm the queen of clumsiness! My name is Kinomoto Sakura."

Tomoyo was busily wiping off the champagne, "I hate to ruin your beautiful dress."

"It's okay. It can easily be washed."

"I don't mean to be a bother, but was that the tycoon Ritsuka you were with?"

"Yes, he's my...my boyfriend," Sakura commented with a lack of emotion.

"Oh my! How lucky you are. I hear that he is a real catch."

Sakura gave Tomoyo a fake smile and nodded, "Yes, I'm very lucky."

Tomoyo looked at herself in the mirror and pretended to clean herself up, "There are a lot of catches here tonight. Do you know Li Syaoran? I hear that he is also someone who's worth watching."

Sakura paused and took a deep breath. She tried to control her emotions and put on a fake mask, but it was hard to hide something that was still so raw. "Syao- I mean Li and I knew each other when we were younger. I was surprised to see him here."

Tomoyo smoothed out her hair and reapplied her lipstick, "Wow, what a shock! To see him after all of these years! Were you two great friends? I wonder what he was like when he was younger! He always seems so serious."

Sakura chose her words carefully while she wiped at the champagne stains, "He's always been serious."

"That's not a surprise then! It looks like you got most of the champagne out! Again, I'm so sorry about the spill," Tomoyo said as she ushered herself out of the bathroom, "I better get back to my boss now."

"Your boss?"

"Yes, I'm Hiiragizawa Eriol's secretary. He is probably upset by my clumsiness. I hope he doesn't fire me…"

"Oh no! He would do that? Should I talk to him? Tell him that it was a complete accident?" Sakura exclaimed.

"It's really ok. I've been thinking about quitting anyways! You might have just given me a way out," Tomoyo said as she winked.

"Well, okay… if you say so."

"Don't worry about anything. Things are going to work out just fine," Tomoyo commented as she walked out of the bathroom, "Yes, things are going to work out just fine."

Tomoyo pushed politely through the crowd, never taking her gaze off of Eriol. She nodded and said hello to everyone, but she had business to attend to and these people weren't going to stop her. She brushed them off, but as nicely as possible. They would probably just think that Eriol had her working overtime, as usual. What they didn't know was that she had loved every minute of overtime that Eriol had given her. It just meant that she had had more time to spend alone with him.

She sighed at that thought, but continued to walk towards him. He met her gaze and apologized to the gentlemen he was talking to. He walked towards her slowly.

"Tomoyo."

"Eriol," she smiled, "You owe me a dance."

"Yes, I believe that I do," he said as he led her to the dance floor, "So what did you learn about our lovebirds?"

"You were right to think that Sakura wasn't in love with Ritsuka."

"Wait, how did you know I was…"

"Eriol, I've worked with you for over four years. I know when you are thinking that foul play is in the atmosphere and that is what you are thinking… that Ritsuka is up to something."

Eriol moved his hand down to the middle of her back and pulled her closer to him. Their bodies moved as one to the instrumental music behind them.

"Yes, that is what I believe, but…" Eriol trailed off in thought.

"What is in it for the girl?" Tomoyo asked, as if reading his mind.

"Exactly. She doesn't seem to be the type. She was as surprised as Syaoran to see him."

"So, you think she doesn't have a clue."

"Yes."

"I'd have to agree with you. She seems innocent in all of this. She looked pretty torn up in the bathroom. She isn't a good liar either. Every emotion was written upon her face. She isn't use to this world."

Eriol twirled her and brought her back into his arms, "Are you trying to say something, Tomoyo?"

She raised an eyebrow, "Just that she isn't as jaded as most people. She wears her emotions on her sleeve. She seems like a sweetheart."

He narrowed his eyes, "What else did you learn?"

"Syaoran and the girl were friends when they were younger. Something must have happened because they were close. I don't think in a physical way, but you could tell she is still in love with him. I bet they didn't even share their feelings for each other,"

"Well, I mean assuming they knew each other when they were younger. It had to have been when Syaoran lived in Japan. He told me that that was the only place he lived for a long time after his father died. They must have been what… fifteen… sixteen when Syaoran left Japan," Eriol paused as he counted in his head.

"And what does that mean? There is no such thing as young love?" Tomoyo questioned.

"No, it's just that they probably didn't…. anyways this is beside the point. So, something happened and…"

"And Syaoran left for China and then joined you in the university. You know I've never seen you this interested in anyone's past. You usually leave things alone."

"I would be leaving things alone if I didn't smell something funny. I know that Ritsuka is up to something and I want to know what it is. The Kinomoto girl is the key to that."

"So, this has nothing to do with you trying to patch up Syaoran's broken heart."

"You know I don't mess with things concerning the heart."

"Who would know that better than I?" she said as the song ended. She left his arms and started to walk away, "If that is all the service I can provide tonight then I think I am going home. I'm tired."

"Let me drive you home."

"Do you think that is wise?"

"No, but since when am I wise around you?"

She paused for a moment and let him lead her out, "I'm not staying, Eriol. This isn't going to change my mind."

"I know, but I don't know what else to do," he said as they walked out the door with each other.

Eriol helped her into his two-door, blue Ferrari and closed the door. He felt a shiver at the back of his neck and he looked up to see Ritsuka at the window. The man was just no good and Eriol was going to get to the bottom of it… after he tried to fix things up with Tomoyo.

Back in the bathroom, Sakura was still staring back at her reflection. She still looked the same, but had matured a little bit and she had let her hair grow down to the middle of her back. She also knew that inside she wasn't the same Sakura that Syaoran had once knew.

She breathed out a sigh and closed her eyes. She would have liked nothing more than to lock herself away in that bathroom and never come out, but she had made an agreement and she couldn't break it… even though her heart was breaking inside as she stood there.

Why did she have to see him after all of those years? Why did he break her heart all over again?

It was lucky for her that she had grown a tough skin during the ten years he had been away. She was already mentally preparing herself for the battle to come. She needed answers from him and she wasn't going to let him get out of it. She wanted to know why he left. She wanted to know why he had broken her heart.

He had been her best friend… someone who had been there through thick and thin. He had even saved her life. Why did he just leave with no warning at all?

It was ironic that she should find him after she had just made a deal with the devil. If Syaoran had still been around he could have helped her… but she couldn't change things now. She had to keep her end of the bargain.

She smoothed back her hair one last time and checked the mirror to make sure everything was in place. She took a deep breath and then walked out into the ballroom.

Eriol was driving as fast and as hard as he could to Tomoyo's apartment and yet she said nothing. She didn't react to the speed or comment that he was driving recklessly. This only made him want to drive faster. He revved the engine louder and pushed his gears to the limit until they were outside her apartment.

Tomoyo leaned against the door to open it, but Eriol stopped her. "I want to come in with you."

"Eriol, you can't change my mind."

"You need to give me a chance," he said, the lack of emotion still in his eyes.

"I've given you all the chances you've needed. I've been with you for four years. You aren't going to change. It isn't your fault and it isn't mine, but I can't do this anymore," she said as she let her heels fall against the pavement.

"I'm still coming up with you," he pushed on.

She sighed but gave in. She realized there was no stopping him, and in her heart she knew that she wanted this too even though it would hurt her more in the morning. She had learned to put up her own walls when it came to Eriol.

"Fine. I will meet you inside. Do you still have the key?"

"Yeah," he said as he sped off to park. He took a deep breath before leaving his car behind. He was trying desperately to react… to feel something… to for once show some emotion, but he just couldn't.

He just didn't want her to leave. Why couldn't they just continue the way they were… why did she have to ask him for more? For something he couldn't give.

He would die for her… but he couldn't love her. God, this was complicated. He entered the elevator and pressed the third button. He listened to the annoying elevator music and paused for a second before stepping out into the hallway. He walked to apartment 4B and flashed his key to open the door.

Inside he could see Tomoyo was already sitting down on her gray couch with a bottle of merlot. There were two glasses filled and she was sipping on the first. She hadn't bothered to change. She had only left her shoes discarded on the floor next to the couch.

Tomoyo's apartment was just like her. Cool and chic. Her walls were painted a rich plum and the furniture was light colored rose wood. There were white curtains over the windows and her couches were gray. Across from the front room was her kitchen. It was painted gray and had stainless steel appliances. Down the hall was her bedroom and computer room.

He took off his shoes and set them by the doorway, loosening his tie and leaving it hanging on the kitchen's bar. He took off his jacket and hung it next to the tie.

He was mentally preparing himself slowly. He walked towards the couch Tomoyo was sitting on and grabbed the wine glass.

"I gave you these wine glasses for your birthday two years ago."

"Yes," she said, not looking at him, "You did."

He took a sip and placed the glass down. He took her hands in his and made her look at him, "Tomoyo, you've always been the one for me. You know this right?"

"I'm the one for you, but you just can't show it. We've been through this before."

"I don't know what to tell you."

"I've never asked you to explain anything to me."

"Maybe that's the problem. You've never asked anything of me… you've never asked me to explain why I am the way I am."

"Why should I ask you a question that you won't answer? I don't like to waste my life," she said as she shook him off and walked towards the window.

He followed after her and wrapped his hands around her waist. He placed his head on her shoulder and sighed, "Tomoyo, what do you want me to do?"

"Let me go. I want you to just let me leave."

"What am I supposed to do without you?"

"Move on. There are plenty of secretaries—"

"You know what I mean," he said his voice hard, "You aren't just my secretary."

She softened and turned to face him. She ran a hand through his hair and looked at his hardened face and cold eyes, "You aren't just my boss. Let's just stop talking because you know you didn't come here for that and I can't talk about this anymore. I've already made up my mind and there's no changing it."

He pressed his lips hard against her as if he was trying to steal his kisses away from her. If she didn't know him as well as she did, she would believe he was truly made out of ice. His body was as hard as stone and his eyes were almost dead.

The lack of emotion didn't bother Tomoyo. This was who Eriol was and there was no changing it. Even when they made love his eyes lacked emotion.

He tore away her dress and feasted on her breasts. She moaned softly as he moved them to the couch. He let her down slowly as he began to remove his own clothing. She saw his eyes flash and change color and that was enough for her. She knew he at least felt something… even if it was just a glimmer of emotion.

She pressed her hand against his face as he entered her and she murmured, "I love you, Eriol."

He didn't respond. She knew he wouldn't. In the background she heard another loud howl and this time it echoed the same pain she felt. Sometimes she wished she could scream and howl the same way the wolf did… maybe it would help her bleeding heart.

Q and A Section

Q: Wow, Eriol and Tomoyo have a complicated relationship. Is she really going to leave?

A: Yeah, it's time for her to move on with her life.

Q: Without Eriol?

A: Maybe this will give him a boost in the right direction.

Q: Are you going to go back to Sakura and Syaoran in the next chapter?

A: Of course, they have lunch reservations.

Q: So, Syaoran is going to show up?

A: You will just have to wait and see.

Q: How long will it take for you to update the next chapter?

A: Not sure. This one was so quick because I split the second chapter into two parts. Imagine the chapter! It was twenty-three pages long. Anyways, I'm working on Summer Heat right now. So look out for that.

Q: Did you get your idea of Syaoran's transformation from Jacob (From Twilight Series)?

A: I took it into account, but not really. I was more inspirited by the werewolves from Skin Walkers (the movie). I came up with the fanfic because of Twilight though. My werewolves are different.

Q: Were you a fan of Jacob getting with Nessie?

A: No, I actually would have liked to see him with Leah, but it wouldn't have worked because of the imprinting thing. I think that whole situation with Nessie was just… weird.

Q: Are you looking forward to the books from Edwards' point on view?

A: Yeah. I think they will be amazing actually! Well, anyways…I'm actually thinking about writing a Leah/Jacob fanfic, but this is beside the point. I hope you liked the chapter and look out for Summer Heat.