Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. :-)

Enchanting

"Kawaii…"

"Great, she's alone. This is your chance to talk to her!"

"What? Now?" sounding flabbergasted.

Which was then reciprocated with a skeptical, "Of course now, baka! When would do you do it then?"

"S-soon," was the nervous response.

"Oh, you mean when pigs fly?"

"Well forgive me, master, for not being a good disciple."

Eriol suppressed a soft chuckle as he continued to overhear the conversation of his two male classmates on his right, Azumi-kun as the skeptic and Yamada-kun as the dumbfounded disciple. Based on his deduction, Yamada-kun can't seem to have the courage to approach this girl whom Eriol believes, he likes and assessing Azumi-kun's impatience, the infatuation has not been dealt with for a long…long time. From the corner of his eye it seemed that the skeptic was about to tear out his own hair in frustration with his friend's turtle-slow pace. Yamada-kun stood up after a few minutes of persuasion from Azumi-kun although it looked liked threatening from Eriol's standpoint. It was not in Eriol's nature to intrude (please add a bit of sarcasm to the word) but several years after Sakura-chan inherited his cards, life got, let's just say—a little boring. Witnessing this slice of life was nostalgic for the magician, remembering how his Chinese descendant confessed his love to the new Mistress of the Cards.

Eriol watched as Yamada-kun headed towards the front row where two clusters of girls gathered, though he recalled Azumi-kun mentioning that the lucky girl was alone. His eyes scanned for a lone female figure and found her erasing the board. Ah, no surprise there, another victim to her charms. If Tomoyo-san wished for a harem of men, they would gladly line-up to apply and Eriol can imagine Azumi-kun fighting tooth and nail to get a slot for his timid friend.

Yamada was ready to get her attention the same time as Sakura lead Tomoyo to the back of the room showing her the new teddy bear she made for Syaoran.

The flustered boy looked back to his aggravated friend as if asking, "What do I do now?"

The said aggravated friend glared at him in return, meaning: "Then follow her!"

"Right," Yamada said with finality, breathed deeply and trailed behind Tomoyo and Sakura.

Sweat began to trickle down his back as he got nearer the object of his affection. He swallowed an invisible lump in his throat prior to croaking, "A-anou… Daidouji-san…"

Since the two girls were engrossed with the improvement of the handmade teddy, they heard nothing.

Mischief danced in Eriol's blue eyes when he decided to give unsolicited help. As mentioned before, Eriol does not intrude. "Tomoyo-san," he called rather loudly.

Yamada jumped in surprise while the owner of the head of violet hair turned to the magician, "Hai, Eriol-kun?"

"I think Yamada-kun wants to say something to you."

Eriol could hear Azumi muttering, "Talk, baka!"

Tomoyo and Sakura smiled at Yamada who sequentially went red. "Anou, Daidouji-san, you're a member of the school choir right?"

The heiress blinked for a moment and answered, "Yes I am, Yamada-kun."

"Uhm…well then, have a nice day!" the silly boy said apprehensively, bowed and quickly stormed out of the classroom.

Both girls eyed his retreating form with wonder. "What was that about?" Sakura asked her predecessor. A small snicker escaped from Eriol's lips while shaking his head. On his right, an irate Azumi smacked his palm against his forehead and went after Yamada.

-0-

Sakura nudged Tomoyo lightly on the ribs upon spotting the love-letter-filled shoebox of her cousin. "Ne, Tomoyo-chan looks like your fans are at it again," she teased.

Tomoyo laughed it off as she transferred the letters into a paper bag. The pile at home continues to grow into a small hill and finding time to read them all deemed impossible thus her problem about storage of these demonstrations of affection remains unsolved. The day she stepped into high school was the day these letters began to pour out of her shoebox. For some reason they find her attractive but as Tomoyo perceived it, Sakura-chan is much cuter than she is. Then add her boring lifestyle to the mix, it is not as fabulous as these boys might think.

"Tomoyo-san, choir practice starts at four," Eriol reminded her. He noticed the paper bag in her hand. "That looks heavy, I'll carry it for you."

"Ie, ie, I'm fine, Eriol-kun. Domo."

"I've got to run as well. Syaoran-kun promised to help me shop for 'Tou-chan's present. Ja ne," she waved at her cousin. "Eriol-kun, take care of Tomoyo-chan for me okay?"

The magician bowed formally to the Mistress of the Cards, "With my life, Sakura-chan."

Sakura giggled and ran out to meet Syaoran.

"Eriol-kun I believe Sakura-chan meant just watch out for me," Tomoyo corrected during their walk to the music room.

"Well, you never know, ninjas just might appear out of nowhere and kidnap you. Since I promised Sakura-chan to take care of you, it is my duty to deliver you from these wicked men."

The songbird laughed at the visualization. "Ninjas? I think you've read too many 15th Century history books, Eriol-kun. Besides, what would these ninjas accomplish by kidnapping me?"

"There's destabilization, chaos, anarchy to name a few. Your family could definitely instigate that."

"Eriol-kun, you make it sound like I hold Japan in my hands," Tomoyo mused. "And my family's business is toy making and not arms dealing."

"Can you not imagine, if you were kidnapped, your family will cause an uproar by stopping the production of toys. Then children will cry due to disappointment, parents won't be able to calm them down since no toys are made. They will blame the government for this and will attempt to overthrow the Prime Minister." Eriol explained it with such dignity Tomoyo almost believed it to be true, to think it's worse than Yamazaki-kun's fabricated trivias.

Tomoyo now laughed so hard, her sides started to hurt. "Eriol-kun, that is just terrible." The whole thought was so absurd but definitely entertaining. "Then I should thank Sakura-chan tomorrow for placing me in your protective custody."

The magician looked at her long enough to make her feel uncomfortable. "Now I understand," he said.

Tomoyo looked at him quizzically, "Understand what?"

"Why you are so enchanting."

Despite the numerous praises received in the past, never has Tomoyo been flustered by just one compliment…except now. It made her believe she is as enchanting as Eriol put it. She could almost feel the capillaries of her face dilating causing that embarrassing flush. Thankfully they reached the music room in time and Tomoyo was spared from responding to his last statement.

A/N: Survey- should I continue this or not?