Author's Note: I don't own Card Captor Sakura. This is a historical-romance story.

Prologue: It Was Just A Kiss

The light of the chandelier lit the ballroom as some of the visitors were on the dance floor. The women were garbed in their beautiful gowns and as the men wear their best coat and trousers to look dashing at Tomoyo's party. It was Tomoyo's birthday party as she turned twelve years old. She was with Sakura Kinomoto her best friend and second degree cousin. Dressed in a green muslin gown that brings the color of her eyes with ribbons on her dress, her hair tied in a green ribbon as some of her tresses escape of the knot since her hair is short. Tomoyo was looking beautiful herself dressed in a violet muslin gown that matches her amethyst eyes. Her raven hair tied in a ponytail as some tresses fall to the side of her face. Many men have danced with her tonight. She was looking beautiful for a girl of twelve years old.

"I say Tomoyo this is a great party! But I noticed that some of the visitors are your mother's friends, are they not?" Sakura began as she sipped her lemonade. Tomoyo gave a slight laugh to that.

"They really can't turn down mother's invitation for my birthday party. You know my mother, she gets what she wants", Tomoyo replied. Sakura nodded to what her cousin said.

"There you are ladies", a voice said from behind Sakura. They both looked to who it was. "A pleasant evening to both of you, Sakura and Tomoyo". The two ladies smiled as the man kissed Sakura's hand and Tomoyo's.

"There you are Syaoran. I thought you'll miss Tomoyo's party. We were waiting for you, you know?" Sakura began.

"I beg your pardon, ladies. Happy birthday Lady Tomoyo", Syaoran said as his amber eyes looked at Tomoyo. Tomoyo nodded with a smile.

"Thank you my lord. Actually, it was Sakura who was patiently waiting for you", Tomoyo replied. When she looked at her cousin's face she saw she was blushing hard.

"Now Tomoyo this is not the time to tease me", Sakura said as she drank her lemonade.

"Of course, my dear. I beg your pardon", Tomoyo replied as she looked at Syaoran. The two gave a slight laugh.

Ever since Syaoran had moved into London, the Kinomoto and Li family were beginning to be acquainted. Not for long the Li family was introduced to the Daidouji and the three families were like best of friends. But it was already agreed that Sakura will be engaged to Syaoran when she turns eighteen. The two didn't mind because they were attracted to each other.

"I was wondering if I may have this pleasure to dance with the birthday girl", another voice said from behind Tomoyo. Tomoyo turned around to see a dashing gentleman. Dressed neatly in his clothes-his coat was dark blue, his trousers fit to his legs in perfection. His Hessians were neatly polished; his hair was a midnight blue. But what really attracted Tomoyo the most was his eyes-dark sapphire that was hidden through spectacles.

"I don't even think you have met", Syaoran said, looking at the guy. "Have you?"

"No, we haven't been introduced yet", the man said with a smile tugging on his lips. Tomoyo tried her best not to blush so hard to that simple smile of his.

"Allow me to introduce the birthday girl. This is Lady Tomoyo Daidouji and also this is her cousin Lady Sakura Kinomoto", Syaoran added. The man kissed Tomoyo's hand and then Sakura's.

"A pleasure to meet you my lady".

"And would you introduce yourself sir?" Sakura asked, sensing that it took Tomoyo to even ask that for his name.

"I'm Eriol Hiiragizawa, my lady", Eriol replied. "Now that we're properly introduced, may I have this dance, Lady Tomoyo?" he asked as his eyes turned to Tomoyo.

"O-Of course, my lord", Tomoyo replied as she took his hand and led her to the dance floor. Syaoran groaned.

"I was supposed to dance with her in fact. I can't believe that Eriol had made the first move", Syaoran began as he got champagne from a passing tray. Sakura gave a slight laugh.

"Jealous?" Sakura teased. Syaoran rolled his amber eyes like you-got-to-be-kidding.

"Of course not. It's just that its Tomoyo's birthday and I have heard that almost all of the men here have danced with her. As her friend I want to dance with her too but it looks like Eriol's the first one to dance with her. I guess I'll ask her later", he replied as the two looked at the couple dancing. "Eriol's my best friend, actually".

"Your best friend?" Sakura asked, surprised. "You never told me!" Syaoran looked at her, his brow rose in confusion.

"My dear, I have spoken his name once or twice as I recall. You're not paying attention to what I'm saying sometimes, are you?" Sakura blushed to that as she looked at the ground.

"Well, that's only sometimes Syaoran. Anyway, do tell me about your best friend", Sakura said, changing topic. Syaoran nodded as his eyes went to Tomoyo and Eriol.

"Our families are closed friends ever since we were kids. We grew up together in the same town in Aldous. Last year, their family left and went to Europe. His family was also introduced to Tomoyo's family but I guess he and Tomoyo haven't met based from the scene a while ago. They have only arrived two months ago, as I recall. He said they have finished their business in Europe".

"I see", Sakura said, looking at her cousin. A smile crept on her lips. "Looks like my cousin is attracted to him". Syaoran chuckled.

"Eriol can attract any women at any time. He's handsome looking anyway". Sakura looked at him and smiled.

"That's impossible. Because I am attracted to a certain young man standing right next to me". Syaoran's eyes softened as he took Sakura's glass and placed it on the corner.

"Thank you, my lady. I was wondering if you'll dance with me tonight because your cousin is enjoying dancing with my best friend", Syaoran said, offering his hand. Sakura gave a slight laugh.

"It's a pleasure to dance with you, my lord", she replied as he led her to the dance floor.

--

Tomoyo couldn't help but feel her heart beating so fast in her chest. What's happening to her? How come she was acting this way ever since Eriol had danced with her? And she had never blushed this hard in her entire life! It's not like it was the first time to dance with a handsome young man but when it comes to Eriol it was different. She decided to look at the floor instead.

"I was wondering if the floor looks better than me, my lady", Eriol began. She bit her lip as Eriol gave a slight laugh.

"I beg your pardon, my lord", Tomoyo replied, looking into his eyes. The moment she did he pulled her a little closer. "My lord-"

"It looks like that you haven't relaxed ever since I dragged you on the dance floor. Are you not feeling well, my lady?" he asked, concerned written on his face. She sighed.

"I'm feeling all right, my lord. Forgive me for acting so strange lately. I assure you, it's nothing", Tomoyo said as she tried her best to stay calm. Why is it he had been wrecking her nerves lately? She couldn't understand. Could it be…?

"Ah, the birthday girl must be a little bored then for a gentleman like me", he teased as he smiled. She was amazed because of that dashing smile that could make Aphrodite step down on Olympus.

"No, my lord, I am not bored with you, if that's what you mean", Tomoyo replied as she was concentrating on their dance. "I've never seen you before, my lord. I couldn't even remember if our families were acquainted with yours".

"I think Aunt Sonomi hasn't told you yet about us", he said as he gave a sigh. "The Li family and our family are very good friends. In fact Syaoran is my best friend". Tomoyo couldn't believe it! Syaoran is his best friend? Then she remembered something Syaoran saying he has a best friend and left for the country for a while.

"I remember Syaoran mentions your name once or twice. He said you were leaving for the country and didn't know when to come back", Tomoyo said. Eriol nodded to what she said.

"But I didn't expect that we'll be back so easily. My family and I were doing a research in Europe and before we left we were introduced to your family but as I recall I didn't see you in the library the day we were talking to your mother". Tomoyo shrugged to what he said.

"I'm probably with Sakura then to who-knows-where".

"It looks like you were with her. Syaoran told me that your not also cousins but best friends to be exact", Eriol added and paused when Tomoyo smiled.

"That girl is very special to me, you see. I can't smile without her". Eriol shook his head when she said that as she pulled her a little closer and whispered in her ear.

"No, my lady, you'll know that someday you'll meet somebody more special than her that you can't live without him". Tomoyo's brow rose on what he said.

"If your saying that love has something to do this-"

"I don't believe in love. I only believe in fate and destiny". She couldn't believe what she heard and tried her best not to gape at him.

"Impossible! My lord, fate and destiny are almost the same!" Eriol gave a slight laugh.

"Someday, you'll know my lady that the two have different meaning". They were playing another song as the two stopped dancing. Eriol dragged her out of the ballroom. "I'm really honored to dance with you tonight, Lady Tomoyo".

"So am I, my lord. The feeling is mutual", Tomoyo replied. Actually, she couldn't understand why she doesn't want to end this night with a goodbye. Eriol looked at her and smiled.

"I really need to go, my lady. I have a nice time to get to know you".

"So am I". Because she couldn't say anything more and she doesn't know why she loves to be with him, Eriol bends down and kissed her cheek lovingly, making her stunned. "My lord-"

"There'll be a time when we'll meet again". He bowed to her and looked in her eyes. It was like in those fairy tales but now the Prince was saying goodbye to the Princess. "Until next time, Tomoyo". He walked away without looking back and she couldn't find her voice. She couldn't even tell him not to go. She just watched him leave.

"Until next time…Eriol", was all she could say but he could not hear her anymore. It was too late.

To be continued...