"Sakura's house is definitely a 'no'. That's the first place they'll look for, aside from the fact that Touya will just send me home."

"I guess I'll just sleep in the park." she decided. She looked around her. There are still a few couples walking around, as well as a bunch of office workers.

She inhaled deeply. "This place looks so different at night." She went in the park. After finding a well-lighted spot, she sat down to rest. She brought out her chocolate and began to eat it.

"I wonder if they already noticed I'm gone." mused Tomoyo.

"Hey little girl, what are you doing here all by yourself this late at night?" a nasty-looking man asked. Behind him, his 2 buddies exchanged toothless grins.

Tomoyo instantly felt fear, but she tried to look relaxed. "I'm waiting for my friend." she said matter-of-factly.

The man winked at his companions. "Oh! So you're going on a date! Very well, are you sure this gentleman loves you for who you are? I bet he goes out with you only because you're rich." he eyed her gold bracelet hungrily.

"Thieves!" Tomoyo cried in her mind. "Look, Eriol loves me!" she shouted. Now what made her say THAT?

She screamed when the stranger grabbed her
wrist. "Ok, girlie, if you still wanna see that boy, give us your money now!"

"Let me go! My boyfriend is coming-"

The stranger tried to slap her but a hand stopped him. "What the-"

"Don't you dare her, friend." Eriol let go of his arm. He faced Tomoyo. "I'm sorry I was late for our date, sweetheart."

"H-Huh?" The girl can't believe it! The guy saved her again.

"You meddling brat!" the man aimed a punch at Eriol's face.

The boy avoided it easily. He caught his arm again and looked at him in the eye. "I'm warning you, my friend. I'm a short-tempered person. You wouldn't want to see me mad." he said, a cold cruel glint in his eye.

The thief stepped back. "O-Ok, sorry man. We were just keeping your girlfriend company-"

"Leave!"

The men scampered away.

Eriol turned to the girl. "What are you doing here alone at this time of the night? Were you really waiting for me?" A small smile was playing on his lips.

Tomoyo blushed. "Actually, I ran away. I have nowhere to go.."

His smile vanished. "That's stupid!" he boomed. "That was foolish of you to go out at night alone in these dangerous streets! If I decided against a stroll here tonight, who knows what could have happened to you!"

She lowered her head. "I know, but I don't want to go home."

"Nonsense! You're going home whether you like it or not." he said.

"No! Hiragizawa-kun, I am grateful for what you did awhile ago, but that doesn't mean you can tell me what to do!"

"Very well, if you do not want to go to your home, then I'll take you to my home."

Tomoyo's eyes widened. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. I can't leave a helpless girl all alone in this place. You'll be safer in my house." Eriol spoke with authority.

"No!"

"Your home or mine?"

"Yours." sighed Tomoyo.

Meanwhile back in Tomoyo's house, everyone is frantic after discovering their mistress is gone. All they found is a small sheet of paper in her room saying 
"If you want her, wait for further instructions".

They called the police up.

"The girl could have been kidnapped." Officer Hanasaki, the cop who responded to their call, said.

The maids sobbed. "Poor Ms. Tomoyo! Kidnapped on the eve of her birthday!"

"We'll do as the kidnappers say. We'll wait for their next orders. We might be able to work a compromise then." decided the policeman.

Suddenly reporters burst inside the house. "What's this we heard about a kidnapped birthday girl?" a female reporter asked.

The cook stepped forward to narrate as cameras flashed and tape recorders played.