Chapter 1 Meeting
It was a very dark afternoon at Penguin Park in Tomoeda, Japan the wind is blowing hard and clouds gathering around indicating it was about to rain anytime soon. You can't hear laughter nor see children running around the park since its dark but there is one little girl wearing a black dress holding a pig stuff animal while swinging . She was alone crying, sobbing. She has her hands on her face while crying her eyes out when someone spoke.
"Are you okay?" said by a little boy with glasses, sapphire orbs meet amethyst.
"Is something wrong? Are you alright?" he ask, the little girl just stare back at him. Eyes red and swollen from crying, lips trembling.
" What is the matter? Are you lost or something?" he ask again, she just shake her head.
"Then what is it? Why are you crying?" he ask, she just stare again then her tears started to fall
"Oh no! Don't cry!" he said and just offered her his handkerchief.
"Here wipe off your tears. A beautiful girl should not be crying." he said and wipe the tears in her face with his handkerchief and notice her trembling upon his touch
"I mean no harm. I just don't want to see you cry. Are you hurt?" he asked, she look at him as she hold his handkerchief then spoke
"No!" she said
"Then why are you crying?"
"Because I will miss my Dad. He gone far away were I could never reach him." she said tears keep falling
"Ohh don't be sad. I'm sure he will come back for you."
"He won't."
"Why not? Doesn't he love you?"
"He does but can he still come back from way up there?" she asked while staring at the dark sky, the little boy became confused
"Up there? Why would-" he try to ask when he realized
"He was taken above by God. He won't be back, Won't he?" she said still staring at the dark sky
"Oh!" then scratch his head
"Ahh, well at least he could watch you from above and you can watch him from down here right?" he said, the little girl just look at him confused
"Ahh, my grandfather once told me when my mother and father was taken by God, they were not totally gone. They were always watching me from above." he stated sitting beside her on the other swing while smiling.
"Umm, Oh look, You see those stars up there my grandfather told me my parents are there. Maybe your Dad is up there too. Look at that new shining star, it must be him waving at you." he said, she look up at dark sky and saw the stars one by one started showing up, then she look at him
"Your right. It is him." she said wiping off her tears looking at him and she smiled he just return the favor.
He was about to ask her name or introduce himself when it started to rain. They ran to cover themselves out of the rain. They went to separate ways but glimpse to each other before the little girl wave at him and get on a black car. He was about to chase after her when
"Eriol!"
"Eriol! Eriol! Eriol!" called by sweet emerald eyes girl
"HIIRAGIZAWA!" shouted by amber eyes boy
"Huh?" he said quite disoriented
"HIIRAGIZAWA!" he shouted and the two face him abruptly
"Ahh!" he said slightly surprise
"Oh its just the two of you. Sakura! Syaoran!" he said acknowledging the presence of his two best friend
"You're day dreaming again! Ever since you went to Japan two weeks ago you been like that. Just like when you came back here in London 5 years ago or us coming here in London 3 years ago from Hong Kong . What's gotten into you? It's so unlike you." said Syaoran
"Of course not. Stop sneaking up on me Syaoran. I swear I could die of heart attack because of you. " he said changing the topic.
"Are you okay Eriol?" Sakura ask in concern
"His fine Sakura. Beside I could never sneak up unto him. His just overreacting and him got surprise? So unlikely. The Reincarnation of the Great Sorcerer Clow Reed? Impossible!" said Syaoran, but Sakura still look at Eriol with worried eyes
"I'm fine Sakura. What are you doing here by the way?"
"Ahh Syaoran and I will be helping Nakuru and Miss Mizuki with the preparation of the surprise party for my brother Touya. We decide to meet up and do things here so my brother won't be suspicious."
"Ahh right."
"What about you Hiiragizawa? What are you doing here?" asked Syaoran
"Well as far I'm concern, I believe this is my House too Syaoran that is reason why I'm here." he answered as matter of fact
"Of course it is." Syaoran answered sarcastically then added. " What I meant is, don't you have an appointment with your arranged fiance to be?"
"W-what?"
"Did you forget? I can't believe you. You forgot again? Grandfather told you, you'll be meeting your fiance/ betrothed to be in 24th day of May around 2:00 pm."
"So?"
"Its the 24th of May, Eriol" Sakura answer
"And currently its 3:15pm" Syaoran stated while looking at his wristwatch
"What?" Eriol exclaimed then look at his watch, it's been an hour since the said appointment, he frown
"S***!" he cursed and jumping off his seat and running to the garage.
"Ahh wait Eriol" Sakura called out but was not heard since Eriol hurriedly put on his helmet and ride on his motorcycle then drove it fast.
"He should have change first."
"Why?"
"Well Isn't inappropriate for him to meet his fiance in a t-shirt, rip jeans and rubber shoes? Plus his riding his motorcycle. He doesn't look like a bachelor meeting his bacherlorette."
"Its fine, his late and I think the lady is long gone. Look at the time its been an hour. Beside, it was just an arranged marriage. It's not like he will go through it. I'm sure whoever the lady is if she is still waiting he will reject her cold, flat and no mercy."
"Your right. It suits well of his character as the Ice Prince of the Hiiragizawa Clan. Quite a heart breaker. Well if he only found someone to be with, his grandfather won't be pushing him to meet future brides to be. "
"Yeah! I'm so glad I found you my Cherry Blossom" Syaoran said while touching Sakura's chin
"Ohh, Me too Little Wolf" she said touching his cheek in return
"Ew!"
"Meiling!" exclaimed the couple
"Could you stop with the public display of affection and lets start with the planning. We been waiting." Meiling stated bitterly
"Sorry Meiling!" Sakura said and bowed
"Your just jealous." Syaoran teased her
"Whatever cous. Lets just go."
Meanwhile in a Italian Restaurant in London
A girl with a long raven locks, wearing a white dress and black high heels is sipping a strawberry vanilla milkshake while waiting. Constantly checking her watch and the glass door to see if her appointment is coming. She finish her drink and taps her finger at the glass table.
"Hmm! 3:30pm. The nerve of that heir!" she said while looking at her watch with displeased.
"Hmp! I don't think he will be coming anytime soon. Oh well." she said and ask the waiter for her bill
"Ahh here Miss. You're going already?" ask the waiter as she handed him the bills
"Yes. What is it to you?" she snap at him, he just bowed as an apology.
"Hmp! My appointment is long gone. It seems he won't be coming." she added with slight irritation.
"But Miss-" the waiter said when she send him a very cold look. If staring can freeze someone she might have freeze the waiter the way she stared at him.
"Umm, Can't you wait a little more? I'm sure Young Master Hiiragizawa has a reason for being late." the waiter said a bit scared of her
"You know who my appointment is?" she asked in a very displeased tone
"Ahh Yes, This is their restaurant Miss."
"Ahh, why am I not surprise? Wait! Why didn't you call him If you already knew I'm waiting?" she asked irritated
"Well Young Master Hiiragizawa is not someone you can easily talk to and-"
"And you think I AM?" she said a bit loud at the waiter
" Arrgghh. I been here one and half hour. Don't you have respect to a lady. You should have confirm if his coming or not. Even before I waited for him this long." she said out of anger
"I'm sure Young Master Hiiragizawa will be coming. Maybe something just came up. I'm sure he has reasons."
"I'm sure he has but my time is precious. I already wasted one hour and half waiting for that self entitled brat. I don't want to wait anymore. Excuse me" she said coldly while standing up and walking out the restaurant.
She was on the street looking up for taxi when someone shouted
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
She was so surprised that she fell down the grass. She got dirt on her dress and her purse got thrown out a bit far from where she fell. She just looked at herself and felt annoyed at the same time irritated to the man who almost hit her. She just stand up and walk to the man in the motorcycle.
"You! How dare you! Are you blind? Can you see I was just standing right here? Irresponsible Jerk!" she said pointing her finger to the guy that almost hit her.
"Sorry but its your fault you look like a child lost in a city" he joke
"Excuse me!" she snap at him. She is not in a mood for jokes.
" I'm not a child you idiotic jerk. I'm already 16, You on the other hand look like a little boy trying to ride a motorcycle for the first time, unsuccessfully." she said mocking him.
"What? Are you insulting me? I'm not a child nor an idiotic jerk. I'm already 17, ugly bitch"
"Who are you calling ugly? You piece of trash. I know I don't look like a celebrity or a model but I most definitely not ugly nor a bitch. You Pest!"
"What? I'm not a pest with this look. You think I look like a pest? Then you are the one who is blind. You sharp tongue- Ice Princess." he said then remove his helmet. His sapphire orbs meet amethyst, he was staring at her when
"Jerk! Dumb-ass" she cursed, without retorting anymore for she witness his handsome feature. He stare at her yet again for he seem mesmerized of the beauty in front of him.
"I ahh, Sorry I didn't mean to. I was in a rush when-" he tried explaining but she cut him off
"In rush? Just because your in a rush you were about to hit me? Ha! I don't buy it even for a second. It's stupidity and irresponsibility. Don't you know you could have hurt me so badly? You could have even kill me! Idiot!" she said with a lot of anger
"Okay, I know that I'm at fault but I not an idiot." he said getting off his motorcycle getting annoyed and irritated to the raven beauty in front of him.
"Really now? I think you are. Your an idiot reckless motorcyclist who is blind by the way. I mean how else could you explain that you almost hit me with your motorcycle. So stupid!" she said mockingly
"Arrggh! Look here Miss" he said getting more irritated
"What is your devil advocate now? Your gonna defend your idiotic act. Don't waste you time I won't listen to your moronic excuses anymore. In fact your just wasting my time. You imbecile!" she stated, completely ignoring he was taller than her and they are bickering in front of the restaurant
"Okay, You! If you weren't a girl. Arrgghh. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I was driving fast since I'm late then came a dog out of nowhere crossing the street. I tried not to hit it so when i suddenly turned I didn't see you and you fell. Sorry! I'm very sorry."
"Whatever! Enough with your petty excuses! Your just a reckless idiotic driver! I don't want to waste my time talking with a pest." she said without listening and grabbing her purse
"Hey you, Wait! I want to-" he said while trying to get her attention
"Whatever! Don't want to hear it. Here a coin just talk to that." she said and get on a taxi
"Miss! Ahh what Cold hearted Sharp tongue Lady. Quite an Ice princess really, if you ask me. And what is with the coin? Ahh! Whatever!" he said and walk back inside the restaurant
"Young Master Hiiragizawa!" said the staff from the restaurant
"Hmm! Where is she?" he said in a very bad mood
"Ahh, you just met her?" said the waiter
"What? What do you mean I just met her?"
"The lady in the white dress."
"The one I was arguing with? The amethyst raven hair lady? The Sharp tongue Girl? That Ice Princess?"
"Ahh, Y-yes Young Master"
"Wow! Glad i didn't have the chance to meet her. I mean sh-"
" Ahh by the way she is Daidouji Tomoyo your fiance. The one your grandfather told you about."
"Huh? That explained the cold hearted attitude." murmur by Eriol
"Young Master?"
"Nothing!" he said
"Ahh, you do remember her right? That-"
"Ahh yes, The one who is arranged as my betrothed. The very first and most important of all. The one staying in Tomoeda now currently here, I see and No one told me she's here waiting." he said looking harshly at the staff of the restaurant. They were all terrified then he just sigh and added
" The only one of the candidates who can make or break this arrange marriage. Great! Just great." he exclaimed dreading whats to come that night because his encounter with the raven beauty will surely be reported to his grandfather and this will not be good.
Meanwhile in the Hotel
"So how was your- What happen Lady Tomoyo?" said her maid Shizu
"Arrggh. Don't remind me. I'm so pissed."
"Lady Tomoyo?"
"Arrrgghh! Worst day. Worst day ever. Aaaaahhh!"
"What ha-"
" You what to know what happen? Well some jerk try to hit me with his motorcycle. The nerve of that- Aaaaahh!"
"Oh! Umm, Well, lets get you clean up first my Lady."said her maid when
"Tomoyo!" called out her mother while wheeling herself up to get to her
"Mother?" Tomoyo call out, slightly kneeling so she can talk to her mother in eye level
"Did you meet him?"
"Unfortunately no. I waited for him he didn't show up or maybe his late, an hour and half so I-"
"Why didn't you wait a bit longer?"
"Mother! I waited one and half hour to be exact. I look quite stupid at the restaurant waiting for someone that might not come. I even got into-" Tomoyo tried explaining
"You should have wait a bit longer. He must have reason for not showing on time."
"Well Mother. You know I don't like the thought of -"
"Tomoyo!"
"I mean Why must I be arranged to be-"
"Tomoyo!"
"I can take care of myself mother. I don't need to be betrothed to someone-"
"Tomoyo we discuss about this. You agree for the sake of the company, yourself and me."
"But Mother what if he don't want to be betrothed to me. I mean they said he was the most sought after bachelor. He rejected cold, flat and no mercy all the candidate ladies to be his betrothed."
"Yes but not all. He hasn't rejected you. Beside your a Daidouji. I don't think he will reject you."
"You don't know that. He could be very picky and I'm not exactly-"
"Tomoyo!" her mother called out and stare at her then hold her cheek
"Yes mother. I will try my best for this to work. I'll set up another appointment and meet him." Tomoyo stated holding her mother's hand on her cheek and her mother just smile.
"I think, you should rest now. Don't worry I will try to work this out Mother. Sayo!" she called her mother's nurse and just take her mother to rest
"My Lady!" Shizu call out
"Ahh its okay Shizu, I will go clean up myself. You can go home for now. Thank you" she walk to her room and to the bathroom. Decided to take a warm bath and after change on her comfy pajamas. She walk out of the balcony and look at the sky with lots of shining stars.
"Hello father, I see you waving again at me. I'm fine don't worry. My situation is getting difficult but I know that mother just wants what best for me. I just hope that-"
"Mistress Sonomi! Mistress Sonomi! Lady Tomoyo!" shouted by Sayo
"What is it?" Tomoyo asked running out of her room and check the current state of her mother
"Mother? Mother? Call an ambulance!" Tomoyo shriek
At Hiiragizawa Residence
The were just at the garden finishing their plan when they heard a motorcycle park at the side of the house.
"Ahh his back" said a cheerful voice of Sakura
"I guess he is. Whose tycoon daughter must he had rejected again?" said Meiling
"Quite cold hearted of him if you ask me. Poor ladies! Hearts broken by our very own Ice Prince." Nakuru commented
"Well you can't blame him. I guess he hasn't found the one for him." Sakura said
"He did find one but they're not compatible." Nakuru commented and look at Kaho Mizuki
"Eriol and I agreed were better off as friends. Beside our relationship was bound to break. After all like it or not were incompatible and there are other factors like our age difference, his memories of Clow Reed that got us connected to each other, my heart since I love Touya and his heart that seems to belong to someone else already." Kaho explain
"Does it belong to someone else already?" Sakura asked
"It seems that way" Kaho said
"Don't know" Meiling and Nakuru said
"Maybe? Anyway forget it. What's more important is to know who could be the crying lady he rejected today? It will be very interesting." said Syaoran smirking
"I guess we ought to find out now." said Kaho
Then he came inside with Frown face holding his helmet.
"You look like the one whose been rejected." Syaoran commented, Eriol just look at him and frown more.
"Eriol? Are you okay?" ask Sakura with concern, he just sigh
"What happen Master?" ask Nakuru, he was about to respond when a car stop in front of the entrance and someone got out of it. Sakura look at Eriol who had become anxious and pale upon seeing the person who got out of the car.
"Eriol? Are you alright?" Sakura asked then look at the person who got out of the car
"Grandfather?" Syaoran exclaimed
"Ahh, Good Evening Grandfather!" Eriol greeted
"Eriol! I think we need to talk about what happen this afternoon. Go to my office now."
"Yes grandfather." he answered, while the old man look at the others
"Good evening Grandfather!" greeted by Meiling Li, Syaoran Li after all there part of the clan
"Good evening Master Leon!" Nakuru Akizuki and Kaho greeted
"Good evening Sir!" Sakura greeted
"Evening! Miss Kinomoto why are you still here this late at night?"
"I was just finishing something. I'll go home now." Sakura said while looking at their plan on the table
"I'll go accompany her grandfather." said Syaoran
"Well you should accompany her but wait after dinner. I think after all your planning, you must starving, eat first. Excuse me while I talk to my grandson." he said as he walk away
"That was terrifying. Grandfather sure is not in a good mood." Meiling commented
"Hiiragizawa what have you done now." Syaoran said
In the office
"Grandfather I-" he try to explain when the old man raise his hand up to make him stop talking
"You were late."
"I know I'm sorry. I forgot about it but I tried to-" he cut him off by raising his hands up again
"You were not wearing a decent clothing for the meeting as well" he said looking at how he dress right now
"I'm sorry!"
"Apologizing is pointless. It already happen." his Grandfather stated, he just bow out of shame. Then his grandfather sigh, Eriol look up at the same time his grandfather spoke.
"I know your the Reincarnation of a Great Sorcerer Clow Reed from the past but it does not mean your still are. You only inherit memories and part of his magic but still your a different person. A person of this time."
"I know It's just that I want to live this life the way I want to."
"I understand but it's not like I'm stopping you or controlling you. Have I?"
"Of course not." he answered, then his Grandfather sigh again then spoke
"You always reject every lady candidate I prepared to you to become your lover. Why must you do such thing? Is it because your still in love with Kaho Mizuki?"
"No. Kaho and I were never in love. I just thought at the time since I inherit Clow Reed's memory but were not. She was just looking for Clow Reed in me thus we agreed to be just mere acquaintances."
"Then, Is it because all the lady candidates I prepared to become your lover are just ordinary mortals. They don't possess magic? "
"No! I don't care if she possess magic or not."
"Then why?"
" Grandfather I don't like the idea of arrange marriage."
"Yet you don't take your time finding one. I told you before if you have someone you love I will stop. Even one girlfriend I will accept yet none. You are the heir of this clan."
"I'm not yet ready to find lov-"
"Very well! Since it has come to this you can't avoid the fact your arranged in marriage with her. Like it or not She will be the one to decide to make or break it. After what happen today, You should make up for it. I suggest you try to make this work."
"But grandfather-"
"Try to make her fall in love you before she turn 18. Maybe by then you fall in love with her too. We will decide about this when she turn 18. If it does not happen I will break the arranged marriage between you two and your free." he said and Eriol look up relieved but confused
"But as you know she was bound with a promise to our clan. Even she break her arranged marriage with you, She have to marry someone from the Clan. Either she marry you or she marry - Ash"
"Wait Ash ? Ash Minagawa? You know tha-"
"That? He is not a very good candidate for her. Because he is just an illegitimate child?"
"No grandfather it's not because of that. It's because -"
"Ahh his character. He is obnoxious, irresponsible, lustful, violent, greedy and possesses dark magic. Is that why?"
"You know exactly grandfather."
"I know but I wouldn't want to marry you off to someone you don't like. Your my dear grandson, my own flesh and blood. Beside there are no available candidates after all your descendant or should I say cousin Syaoran's heart is in hold of Card Mistress Sakura and Kurogane is in mountains no contact with him. Unless your willing to use your magic to find him and make him a substitute betrothed for the Lady Daidouji. Go ahead then." his grandfather stated. There was a long pause, his grandfather was looking at Eriol while he is debating himself.
"Well the options are It's either you or that bastard Ash. If you care for the lady you wouldn't want her to be in clutches of your cousin Ash. Think about it. " he said and Eriol was to say something when the phone rings
RING RING RING
"Your dismissed. Ahh by the way that lady does not possess magic so I suggest you be careful. You might startled her." his grandfather said and Eriol just bow then walked out of the room.
"Phew!" he breath
"So?"
"AHH! GOD! SYAORAN!" he said in surprise
" Syaoran your gonna give me a heart attack! Stop doing that! " he added while holding his chest, Syaoran ignore his reaction and continue what he was about say while leaning on the wall with his arm cross.
"You done it this time Hiiragizawa. From the looks of it our grandfather finally give you an ultimatum. You can still get out of it at least right?"
"And let the poor lady be taken by the b- of this clan, I'm not that heartless."
"Said by the guy who rejected cold, flat and no mercy to almost every lady candidate as his lover. You're quite the heart breaker Hiiragizawa. They even made you a nickname."
"That's a different issue. I know! They called me the Ice Prince for being so cold hearted since I reject all those ladies."
"Yup but there is another one."
"Huh? Another?"
" Heartless Sorcerer. Quite suiting for you." Syaoran said smirking
"Whatever! Shut up Little Descendant"
"Pissed off!" he said then look at him then spoke
"So your thinking of rejecting her?"
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"This one is different."
"How is she different?"
"She has the power to make or break it."
"Then make her hate you so she can break it." he said, Eriol just look at him
"Or you don't want her to break it?"
"I just- Her situation is complicated enough. I don't want to burden her more. I guess I just have to make this work."
"What about the girl in the black dress?" he ask
"What about her?"
"Isn't she the reason up until now you haven't look for a girl. You fallen for her."
"That's just ridiculous and that was 10 years ago who knows if-" before Eriol finish his statement his grandfather called out to him
"ERIOL!"
"What is it grandfather?"
"Ready yourself, we are going to the hospital. Syaoran tell the driver to ready the car."
"Yes Grandfather!" Syaoran said then bow and walked away
"Why are we going to the hospital?" ask Eriol, confused of the situation
"You will know when we get there."
To be continued...
