Title: The Nightingale and the Phantom of the Red Moon

Author: Tsubame Ongaku

Fandom: Cardcaptor Sakura (AU)

Pairing: Eriol Hiiragizawa and Tomoyo Daidouji

Rating: T

Summary: Tomoyo Daidouji was the talented and only daughter of Sonomi Daidouji, the owner of a toy empire and inventor from Japan. During a party that her mother's business associate was holding, she meets the enigmatic Eriol Hiiragizawa, the Duke of Wylde. With the exchange of smiles, the wheels of Destiny turns. He wanted her. He had always wanted her…

Notes: Another long CLAMP threeshot. I got this idea from watching "Cantarella" by the Vocaloid Kaito Hatsune. I loved the song so much and I wanted to write something from it. It felt very natural to use Eriol and Tomoyo. Nakuru is younger than Eriol here. Though, Kaho is still older than him.

I think many of my readers think I am dead or something. I am not. Just a bit busy but I still plan to finish my unfinished works. I am working on some of them in fact. This is my first AU story. I never thought I'd ever write one. I guess I was wrong…I hope you like it!

The Nightingale and the Phantom of the Red Moon

By Tsubame Ongaku


Chapter I: Sweetest Nightingale

Tomoyo Daidouji gracefully descended the marbled steps to the Earl of Sands' ballroom. Her head held proudly high, not paying heed to the eyes of admiration that seemed to follow her ever move. There was envy too. Certainly. Tomoyo Daidouji was flawless and beautiful from head to foot. What lady of the Polite society wouldn't want her unusual and pure Asian beauty, admirable intellect and wit? Tomoyo wasn't very fond of entering the Polite Circle. It is however, necessary.

"Tomoyo? Tomoyo dear, you've finally come." In the center of the ballroom, Tomoyo finds her mother mingling with some people in the Polite Circle. Sonomi Daidouji throws her daughter a smile and gestures her to come closer. The young girl does and kisses her mother on each cheek politely. "I knew it was you. You made quite an entrance. I thought it was odd that young men by the entrance suddenly grew so silent."

At that, Tomoyo giggled and shook her head at her mother's flattery. "Mother, you exaggerate. Nobody could possibly make an entrance as you can." Her mother was after all a beautiful, successful and confident woman. It was the reason why she moved so effortlessly in these circles. One smile from her and men seem to forget that her mother wasn't of noble birth or a Japanese widow. It was a difficult thing to accomplish. These circles never really liked people of 'their kind.' Her mother never wavered tough, she charmed society to accept her and her daughter. She turns towards the people her mother was speaking to and curtseyed before bestowing a polite smile. "Good evening, my lords. My name is Tomoyo. I am Lady Daidouji's daughter."

"Yes, we have heard plenty from your mother about you. She shares about your beautiful voice, but she never mentioned that you would be just as beautiful." The man grinned, but looking a little amazed. Tomoyo didn't reply. The man was old enough to be her father. Maybe even her grandfather, but she still had to remain polite.

"Thank you, Sir. That is quite kind of you," she took it with much stride, being used to the compliments. Even though she had spent a lot of time in the public eye, she would never grow used to the kind of attention she was given at the moment. However, it did happen often.

Tomoyo looked like one of the rare porcelain Japanese dolls her mother made. Long, dark hair that she was very fond of; dark Japanese eyes and white skin without one blemish in sight. There was an air of elegance and regality about her that many found charming and attractive. It was so natural that many people wonder if she really didn't have a drop of noble blood in her.

Tomoyo was mature for someone her age because she was forced to grow up early. After her father died when she was five, her mother and her had encountered a lot of complications especially with money. Sonomi had no choice but to find a way to support herself and her daughter.

As if to change the subject, her mother asked if she just returned from her trip to Italy. Tomoyo shook her head. "I just returned from Japan and before that, China. I went to see how Sakura and Syaoran were." Sakura Kinomoto… actually she was Sakura Li now, was Tomoyo's cousin. She married Syaoran Li about six months before during her tour in Italy. She was too late for the wedding, so she went to see them in China.

Sonomi frowned. She was quite unhappy that her favorite niece got married. Sakura had reminded Sonomi so much of her cousin, Nadeshiko which wasn't surprising since she was Sakura's mother. "How was she?" she whispered softly.

Tomoyo smiled and touched her mother's hand. "I have never seen Sakura give such a beautiful smile. She is very happy." Knowing that was what all it took to make her mother feel better. It did bring a smile to her mother's lips, though they still looked a bit melancholy.

"Now that you are here, Miss Tomoyo. Why don't you grace us with a song?"

Tomoyo smiled. She was afraid that someone would ask that. In all honesty, she wasn't particularly in the mood to sing for this audience. She was about to speak when someone else suddenly spoke for her.

It was a laughing and teasing voice. "Why, Kilbourne, the young lady had to be exhausted. It would be just cruel to make her sing now."

Tomoyo, without thinking turned to the sound of the voice. Her eyes met a pair of dark and laughing eyes. For a few seconds, her eyes were fixed on those eyes and those eyes that seemed to notice fixed on hers as well. She looked away, fighting a blush.

"Wylde? How unusual to find you here." The one named Kilbourne not only surprised but slightly annoyed. The young man was the last person he wanted to see. "What lured you away from your hermitage?"

The Duke of Wylde, or Eriol Hiiragizawa simply chuckled and regarded the obvious insult as a joke. "Wine, music, dance…" he turned briefly to Tomoyo who was looking at him cautiously. "…women." He whispered the last part, grinning at her. It was in such a playful tone that it was difficult to take him seriously. Just as quickly, he turned again to the bigger audience. "Same reason as anyone."

Tomoyo frowned when he grinned at her. She had met men like the Duke of Wylde before. He was a man that had been born with riches and a title, so he was exceedingly arrogant and annoyingly carefree. However carefree he seemed, no one could argue with the man's brilliance. It didn't make the other men like him any better. In fact, they consider brilliance in such a carefree man a nuisance.

Eriol returned his attention to Tomoyo and reached out for her hand. "Eriol Hiiragizawa. Duke of Wylde." He softly kissed the back of her hand. Tomoyo stared at him without so much as flinching which she was already congratulating herself for. "It is a pleasure to meet the legendary Asian Nightingale."

Those brief seconds that Tomoyo stared at the Duke of Wylde she observed him. She had to admit to herself that he was an incredibly attractive man. He was frighteningly tall. Most probably taller than any man in the room. Pale skin. He was probably the type of person who preferred to stay within his library than dally with fox hunting. Dark English eyes behind round glasses that didn't simply look, they seem to take you apart. That was exactly how Tomoyo felt as Eriol looked at her. It was unnerving and wavering her control. She hated the loss of control.

She gave him a polite smile and curtseyed when she pulled her hand away. "I thank you, my lord."

Eriol chuckled, noticing that the lovely girl had only raised more of her defenses. It didn't necessarily surprise him because she had probably heard of his reputation everywhere. He admitted that he didn't have the most spotless reputation and he knew it. "Please call me Eriol. I tire of such formalities, Miss Tomoyo." He was rich, charming and good-looking, that made him very popular with the females. Females pursued him and he certainly had no problems with that.

She shook her head, that smile still on her lips. "I'd rather not, my lord. I am not acquainted to you enough."

"Then that is something we should remedy, don't you think?" he asked very cheerfully. This earned frowns and groans all around him. The Polite Circle rarely saw the Duke of Wylde but when they did, it was always tiring to them how he regards everything and everyone as a game for the older generation anyway. Some young ladies found it charming. "Maybe if you allow me to call you within the next few days."

Because he was a Duke, she simply nodded. She couldn't refuse. "I would be delighted."

Eriol knew why she agreed but it didn't matter to him. He was not foolish enough to think that he mattered to her. However, he would take advantage of everything he could. The musicians began to play another waltz. He offers his hand to her and bows. "Would you give me the honor of this dance, Lady Daidouji?"

Given a choice, Tomoyo would refuse but she didn't. Not without looking bad in front of all these people. She forced herself to smile brightly and accepts his offer. She hadn't expected him to waltz so beautifully. It wasn't practiced ease as she observed most of the men in the Polite Circle were. She smiled, enjoying the waltz after a long time now. It was strange how natural it felt and how fluid his movements were.

"You are smiling!" he commented, chuckling as he waltzed her around the room. "You know, this is the first real smile I ever saw you give since entering."

Hearing that surprised Tomoyo. He was right, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. "Oh? Are you sure you didn't say that to stroke your own ego?" she replied playfully.

He grinned. That was witty, though he was aware it was an insult. "Ouch. You wound me, my lady." Very easily he pulled the back of her hand to his lips and kissed it quickly. "You certainly know where to hit a man where is hurts."

The waltz ended and Tomoyo was smiling that practiced smile again. She merely let her guard down for a few seconds. It was a small mistake that could be corrected. "I apologize, my lord. I couldn't help myself." Eriol led her to the side and left promising to return. He did and was carrying two glasses of red wine, with the fluid movement that he revealed in his dancing, he gives her the one while sipping the other. "What other things delight you, Lady Daidouji?"

"What do you mean?" Pretending to not know what he meant.

"You have mentioned earlier that it would delight you if I call on you," he reminded her, stopping and guiding her to the side. He was finished dancing, he wanted to talk. "What else delights you?"

Tomoyo smiled. He was certainly persistent. If the circumstances were probably different, they would probably be good friends. It was really too bad. She was enjoying his playful wit. "I am sure you are well aware of my love for music… I enjoy painting. I learned a bit during my trip to Paris as a child and it delights me almost as much as music."

"However, music remains your first love I presume."

"Of course." She responded in the most confident manner. One would almost believe that the question was, 'is grass green?' Pushing a strand of away from her face, she turned to her dance partner with a question of her own. "How about you, my lord? Is there something that delights you?"

He seemed to hesitate a bit before responding, but then smiled back and said, "Gardening."

Tomoyo blinked, not expecting that. "Gardening?"

"You seem surprised." He gave a mock innocent expression. "There is beauty in botany if you must know."

"I agree… but," she began giggling.

"Oh! You mean… you didn't expect a man of my notorious reputation to enjoy scrounging in a garden." It was a part of him that not many people knew about. The gossip people liked to put their teeth into are the dirty gossip. Not many people cared that he had one of the most admirable gardens in town. "If you must know, gardening is a very manly way to spend one's leisure time."

Tomoyo couldn't hold it in, she was laughing now. She never would have thought that this man with such a reputation could be so charming. It gave her reason to believe now why he earned such a reputation. It was such a natural charm. "Yes. Very manly indeed. Pulling out the weeds is such a Herculean feat."

"Alas! But it is…" He replied, holding down his own laughter.

Tomoyo shook her head and touched her cheek, thinking very deeply. "My lord, I must admit… that if circumstances were certainly different, we could be very good friends."

"Oh?" He suddenly said, his voice lowering to a rich baritone. "What if I say that I do not want to be a friend, Miss Daidouji? I believe you aren't blind. You can see my intentions very well without my saying."

"I just can't seem to hide anything from you, can I?" she whispered. "Yes. You have made your intentions very clear… and I am not an naïve enough not to see that. Because I like you, I will tell you now. That I cannot give you anything more other than friendship."

"You are not even going to allow me to try?" He didn't sound disappointed. Serious, yes but not disappointed.

"It would simply be a waste of time. You know that."

"No, I do not. I am not a person who just gives up, Tomoyo. I believe you can see that."

"Yes, I can. But you can fault me by trying to warn you." In the short time she spoke to the Duke, she could tell that he wasn't a simple rake everyone described him to be. "I being a friend to you now. Do not pursue me."

"That is a challenge if I ever heard one." Eriol's eyebrow raised, smiling and looking very much entertained.

"Do you regard everything as a game?"

Sonomi had watched them since they left their company earlier. She knew her daughter well and that smile she presented wasn't a smile she usually gave when she was with one of the gentlemen in the ton. In fact, it was a smile she gave when she was doing one of the things she loved the most.

Singing.

"Tomoyo. It is time to go." Sonomi told her daughter, already turning her back moving towards the exit. All her instincts told her that she took her daughter away from this man. Even she didn't understand why since he looked quite harmless. She didn't doubt that the man had intelligence. She had done business with Wylde before, but that wasn't what made her wary of the man.

Tomoyo gave a low curtsey and excused herself to follow her mother and didn't look back, but she could feel his eyes burning holes into her back. A couple of times, she was tempted to look back but pride kept her. It was odd. In the crowded ballroom, it never bothered her before when they had their eyes on her but his eyes did. They bothered her. Knowing that, she was liking him less and less.

Mother and daughter retrieved their coats and walked towards their awaiting carriage. "He is not as innocent as he looks…" Sonomi whispered to her daughter once they were out of earshot. Tomoyo looked thoughtfully at her mother. She could understand exactly how her mother felt. "There is more to him than what he is showing."

"Yes," she agreed. She then smiles to her mother, a bit amused. "However, his intelligence… it is intriguing."

Each year, she only grew looking more and more like an angel. She was as beautiful as he remembered last seeing her just a few months before during her visit to her cousin in China. What she didn't know that was that Syaoran Li was his cousin in his mother's side. He never introduced himself because it wasn't the right time. He also enjoyed the shadows. From there, he was able to watch the Nightingale where she was the most beautiful.

Tomoyo loved singing under the moonlight. She always sneak out of her room at the dead of night to practice in the Lis' garden. She was so beautiful. Eriol never thought it would even be possible, but he fell more in love with her. The moonlight worshiped her that was for sure. He always hid and watched behind the trees. A willing audience.

Eriol closed his eyes remembering that angelic aria and her gorgeous face. He had waited for this time to come for a long time. Now that it was here, he was not going to let the time just pass.

"Tomoyo Daidouji is just drop dead gorgeous, don't you think so, Wylde?"

Eriol opened his eyes and smiled at the person. He had almost forgotten who he was and where he was. This wasn't the right time to day dream. As beautiful as her dark eyes and porcelain skin were, he had to leave that for later. "The Nightingale? Yes. Very. Are you interested in her, Kilbourne?" his voice was playful and neutral.

Kilbourne tapped his chin, thinking about it. "She is an heiress but I was really aiming for someone with a title this time."

He grinned and began walking away but before he did… "Then I have one piece of advice for you, Kilbourne." His voice had lowered a few octaves. "I suggest that you stay away from her. She is mine."

Kilbourne stiffened. The duke's smile was childish and unchanged, but his voice and threat was certainly out of character. The poor man found himself nodding. He had heard rumors about the duke but never believed them. Hiiragizawa looked very harmless. After hearing his threat, Kilbourne was beginning to rethink that impression. He certainly had the voice of a dangerous man.

Satisfied, Eriol gave him a gallant bow and moved on to mingle with the other guests. He had always detested these parties. As much as possible, he'd find any reason to avoid them. Tonight however, had been special. The Nightingale had made an appearance.

Tomoyo Daidouji was the angel of the Polite Circle. There were even people who would pay good money to be able to get a glimpse of her. She was busy and protected by her powerful mother. Sonomi Daidouji had no title to speak of but she had connections that didn't need a title. It was difficult for the Daidoujis to arrive to where they were now. They thrived. And that was something that Eriol admired about the two Daidouji women. Eriol knew that it was going to be an interesting challenge to outsmart her mother, but the challenge in just part of the thrill.

Suddenly, he saw a familiar face in the crowd. It made him smile politely. It was a woman's face and a very beautiful one. She seemingly floated towards him, smiling. "Eriol? You are here I see." She gave a low curtsey in respect. Whenever this woman walked it always looked like she was floating on air.

"Kaho." It had been a significant while since he said her name. "You look very well."

If there had been one person that almost changed Eriol's mind about pursuing Tomoyo, it had been Kaho Mizuki. Despite his reputation, he wasn't the rake people saw him to be. That was his father's reputation not his. However, it was like a entertaining game. It kept the people of the Polite Circle wary of him and it suited him well. She was beautiful, intelligent and a delightful companion. But even those soft and lovely eyes couldn't make him change his mind in the end. Their affair had lasted for nine months, before Kaho decided to end it when she found that she couldn't claim his heart even after claiming his companionship.

As much as she loved him, she was not a bitter person. One winter night, in front of a warm fire, Kaho told him that it was over. She didn't know who the girl was but she told him, "If you want her, go after her." Eriol had been sad at first but knew that she was right. It was odd how she read him so well. Were his affections for another that transparent? Or Kaho is simply observant?

Kaho had just seen what had just occurred and now she had an idea who the person Eriol held to his heart. She couldn't help but smile. Tomoyo Daidouji was a wonderful choice. A complicated one but wonderful. She could not fault him for choosing her. There was something she found odd though.

She had always thought the girl he loved was someone he knew for a long time. A childhood friend perhaps. Just now, Miss Daidouji didn't act like she even knew Eriol at all. Had she been wrong in her deductions? It was possible, but the way he spoke of the mystery girl so fondly and with familiarity was a bit confusing. It as either Kaho deduced wrong or Eriol was just crazy. He was sly and crafty but Eriol wasn't a lunatic.

"I am, you look fit as well," she told him. She closed the fan in her hands and touched the tip to her lips. "It is unusual to find you here. Here to see someone in particular perhaps?"

He grinned, reaching out to kiss the back of her gloved hand. "How well you know me, my dear Kaho." It had been months and Eriol was not the type to hold a grudge especially when the fault was his. "You saw her, did you not? Isn't she exquisite?"

"You couldn't have chosen anyone better... but you chosen someone challenging indeed," she grinned back, knowing Eriol's love for a challenge very well. "May I ask? How do you even plan to possess her? I am sure she has already heard of your reputation. If she hasn't already, she will. Of course, there is also her…mother to think about."

He gave her one of those mysterious smiles that he sometimes did without thinking. "I might have something or...two up my sleeve."

"Legal?"

He shook his head. "Not exactly, but it will be painless for both parties if all goes according to plan." He touched her chin, remembering how much her company had meant to him, and with expert flick of his wrist, made a deep red rose appear. "I have thought about it a great deal. There is no need to worry. I will succeed."

Kaho took the flower, remembering the other times Eriol had made the flower appear. To him, such magic were like games. In their relationship, Eriol had never been serious. He mentioned in passing before that he did want to marry her, but when he received the telegram from his cousin, Li from China, it was like all plans flew out the window. It was Tomoyo, she knew because didn't she admit that was in China not long ago. The number of coincidences were too great.

... Kaho didn't believe in mere coincidences. He had planned this. Very carefully. Under that playful demeanor was a manipulative man after all. "Please be careful, Eriol. Good luck."

"Thank you, Kaho." He pats her hand in a friendly manner. "But luck won't at all be necessary." Without another sound, Eriol disappeared into the crowd and then into the night.

Kaho smiled again, shaking her head. Sometimes, she wondered how she could have fallen in love with such a complicated man.

"Eriol! You're home."

When he returned home, he found his eighteen year old, Japanese cousin, Nakuru Akizuki chasing after his pet cat, Spinel Sun around the house. Nakuru seemed to be having fun torturing his poor pet.

His cousin, a surprisingly tall and pretty Japanese girl with long, chocolate colored hair and eyes. She arrived from Japan ten years ago when he was only sixteen years of age. She was also quite popular in the Polite Circle because f her prettiness. However, she was notorious for chasing after pretty boys. She is especially attracted to his cousin's brother-in-law, Touya. He came to visit England on business frequently. He never said anything, but he found Nakuru's attention very draining.

Eriol had mixed blood and that irked majority of the People in the Polite Circle. His father, the previous Duke of Wylde was English but his mother was of Chinese and Japanese descent. Syaoran Li was Eriol's cousin through his mother's Chinese side. Nakuru was acousin through her Japanese side. His mother had been a very beautiful and strong woman of the Li family of China. The previous Duke of Wylde met her during one of his trips to China. His father fell in love with her, someone not in the Ton. The union had been greeted with much disapproval. Eriol's father just didn't care.

They were happy.

He learned many things from his parents. The Hiiragizawas were considered unusual because they wanted to be so involved in their child's upbringing. He learned how to be proud and noble from his mother. She sacrificed much coming to England, a land that never really accepted her. She always reminded Eriol that she had the blood of a Li and should carry it with pride. She also taught him how to fight with a spear, sword, bow and arrow. His ability to kill a man however is information that he'd rather keep hidden from the Ton. Or else there would be massive paranoia. She taught him how to be crafty and calculative with his actions.

But, he didn't always spend time with his mother. He spent a great deal of time with his father. His father taught him how to move around the Polite Circle and how to manipulate people subtly. A strange thing to teach a boy but it was crucial because his father knew that Eriol was going to be the next Duke. But he also influenced Eriol's softer side. He taught his son the joys in gardening, reading and music. His father taught him how to play the piano and read notes. At age twelve, he held his first concert in a small concert hall in town.

In demeanor, he was much more like his father. Playful and charming, but under that smile was a very proud and unpredictable man. People never failed to tell him so. As respected as he was, his father had also been quite a notorious rake in his youth. He only changed after he got married.

Another of his favorite lesson from his parents was magic. His parents taught him a bit of magic from their side of the world. For example, from his father he learned how to make a rose appear with the slight of the hand and the magic in mirrors. His mother showed him how to make himself disappear with the use of smoke and how to manipulate fire.

Tragedy struck on the year of Eriol's sixteenth birthday. While he was abroad having his studies, he received an important telegram from his family's solicitor. At that time, Eriol had thought that it was odd for him to write to him. He thought that it would probably be a letter telling him to return home…and it was.

The letter told him that he was the new Duke of Wylde. His parents' ship was lost at sea. They had been on their way to China but they never arrived.

This forced Eriol to grow up early. He learned how manage a business, his lands and hold a title while he was still barely out of school. Things became more complicated with the arrival of his then seven year old cousin. Nakuru's parents died in an accident in Japan. He was her closest living relative. He had to maintain his estates and had a young cousin under his protection. It wasn't easy but it has been ten years and he managed it somehow. He was now as rich as Croesus and much to the people's annoyance.

Chuckling quietly, he entered and rescued his cat clinging to the cabinet for dear life. "Yes, I'm home. And I see that you've scared Spinel half to death." He caressed Spinel's soft fur, trying to calm him down. Eriol found Spinel a long time ago. What attracted him about the feline was its ebony fur and deep green eyes. They were wide and wise eyes and Eriol saw that. He knew that Spinel would never betray him even if the whole world was against him.

Nakuru laughed, not really listening to the lecture at all. "You're so early! Since it was a party I thought it would take much longer." She ran over to him and gave him a tight hug, squeezing the poor Spinel Sun that Eriol was still carrying in his arms. Spinel was so surprised that he jumped out of his master's arms and ran to the still open door.

"Suppi-chan!" Nakuru called out, using the silly name he gave him. But fortunately, the feline was able to get away. "Awww... I wanted to play with him some more."

Actually, Eriol felt thankful that his little pet managed to get away. He will have to make it up to him later. Maybe with a pound of tuna. Tiredly, he stretched his arms. Sleep sounded very tempting that second. Nakuru stopped him at the steps though. Even he couldn't explain how she got there so fast when he just saw her at the living room. She was smiling but looking at him so curiously. "Did you see what you want to see?"

Knowing that he couldn't hide anything from her either, he nodded. "I did." Nakuru was hyperactive and imaginative but no one would say that she was not perceptive. Aside from Kaho, she was one of the most perceptive people he knew. What is more is that Nakuru was one of the very few people that was able to understand him. Though unlike Kaho, she won't ask questions. She was the patient type who would wait for him to tell her.

"That is good. Can we have more of your muffins tomorrow?" The topic suddenly shifting. "I do love your muffins, Eriol." It made Eriol smiling and wonder how much Nakuru knew really.

"I will be happy to, Nakuru." He told her, patting his cousin affectionately\y on her head.

"Will I get to meet her next time?"

The Duke chuckled, shaking his head. His cousin was more perceptive than most people gave her credit for. People thought that his cousin was a pretty little child that knew nothing about the world. "You will. Now, cousin dearest. You need to sleep. Don't you have a morning ride with the pretty boy earl in the morning?"

Leave it to Eriol to remember. Nakuru gasped and screeched. She did have a ride in the morning. It was time for her to rest. She didn't even bother to wonder how her cousin knew about the carriage ride she managed to manipulate the young earl to ask her. "You're right! Eriol, I'm going to bed now! Don't miss me too much now, okay?" With that, she raced up the stairs to her bedroom, leaving Eriol finally alone in his study. It was an odd feeling to be surrounded with such solitude and almost peace. It was a rare drink especially with the arrival of his cousin. He adored his cousin but these rare bouts of solitude were wonderful as well.

He gave a tired sigh, knowing that he should be going to bed as well. But there was someone else that he wished to visit before retiring for the night. He took off his coat and loosened the collar of his shirt while he walked until he came to another room and opened its doors. He chuckles and says, "Have you missed me, darling?" There was silence in the room … because there was nothing in the room except for a beautiful ebony grand piano. Eriol's pride and joy.

"I saw her tonight," he whispered to the piano. His hand caressing the smooth ebony exterior. "Are you jealous, Nadeshiko?"

Kaho always found this habit of his strange. Eriol spoke to his piano, the same way he speaks to a woman. In fact, he spoke to his piano more truthfully than he ever had to any woman. Nakuru even helped him give it a name. They decided on the name, "Yamato Nadeshiko." Nakuru always teased her cousin that if his piano was a woman he'd marry her. Eriol had always grinned. The black exterior though had always reminded Eriol of Tomoyo's lovely long hair but that was something he wouldn't tell Nakuru though. At least not yet.

"You don't have to be, darling." He pulls back the piano seat and sits down. "You are, after all, my first love." He lovingly began to play., his eyes fluttering close. "You have yourself to blame also. You are the one who brought us together in the first place." The soft melody never failed to soothe his nerves.

"I hated it, darling," he muttered as his skilled fingers played. He spoke so truthfully even though the piano never said a word in reply. "I hated being so distant. I hated waiting as the world fell in love with her." His pace grew faster, as if he was being chased by time. He knew that he was running out of time. "I am a selfish man. I didn't like young men flock around her like sheep, however funny it may sound."

He suddenly changed the melody to something even more melancholy. A reflection of his heart. "She doesn't remember me at all. It was… quite sad really," he sighed, feeling slightly pathetic really. "I cannot place any blame on her however. She could not possibly remember something from so long ago."

He suddenly paused, then staring at the black and white keys. "What do you think, darling? Do you think it is time?" He stands up and pulls out a silver key hidden under his dress shirt. It was an old key, but Eriol never went anywhere without it. It represented many of his most important memories. He smiled and turned to the piano. "It is time to bring out the Phantom again, don't you think?"

Tsubame: Here is another story from Tsu-chan. I am getting more and more fond of the Cardcaptor Sakura fandom even though its popularity is not as great as years ago. It doesn't matter. The characters are still as lovable now as they were years ago. I am slowly trying to get back into writing fanfiction. I haven't been writing much for years. This is my first AU. PLEASE review. I need them. I need some kind of motivation to continue. Love it? Hate it? Please? I need to know if I did something wrong.

Listening to: Last Farewell, Haru Haru and Lies by Big Bang; Strong Baby by Seungri and G-Dragon.

Mood: Tired. Anxious.

Working on: 20 Chapters of Rizal to read. 5 exams. 1 oral exam. "Summer School," and "Double Identities." Busy!