Chapter 4:

Fortune in the works: Inspiration and Invitation

Tomoyo

Tomoyo lied on her stomach, pencil in hand and sketchpad in front of her. She already finished her assignments and some other stuff and was now spending her free time designing.

She twirled the pencil in her hand as she tried to think of something. She's been contemplating for an hour now but she still couldn't think of something. She doodled aimlessly at her pad as her thoughts strayed on what happened earlier.

She smiled.

She really enjoyed it. They had talked for hours debating on possible themes and decorations for his event. She fabricated their ideas on paper and in the end they produced four possible designs. Then she told him the possible materials to use, from cloths to flowers and where to get them at a low price. She even helped him realize the smallest details that he will probably overlook if she hadn't told him. He was so pleased and thankful that he offered to buy her dinner.

And he was such a gentleman.

During her musings she absentmindedly doodled on a dress. She stopped and stared. She got up and went to her table to add certain details to the design. She started to use colored pencils and thought it'll look good in a darker color… midnight blue.

Like his hair.

That cut her up short and blinked. What was that? Why did he suddenly pop in my mind?

She shook her head and continued to finish the dress. As soon as she did she immediately started to draw another one. Oh yeah, she's on a roll.

"This one will be blue then, a deep blue, sapphire…"

Like his eyes?

She bit her lip. Then chuckled as she felt her cheeks warming. She started another one and this time it was alabaster.

His skin is fair. She thought and it was a lovely color.

"I'm getting crazy." She laughed.

Another dress. It was flowy like the wind.

The wind that scattered his flyers.

Another colorful one.

The flyers itself.

A dark pink that reaches the knee.

Like the pink umbrella in the café.

And a dark brown number.

His coffee?

She was positive now that if someone walked in her room they will think that she was sick. She dropped her pencil and touched her cheeks. It was so warm, so they must have been cherry red. She sighed.

After the dinner he offered to drive her home. He asked for further assistance on the designs and she agreed almost immediately, so they will meet again the day after tomorrow. She felt excitement on the prospect of seeing him again and that added fuel to her cheeks. She rested her head in her arms, suppressing the tingling feeling that makes her want to squeal.

Geez, how can he affect me so much?

She lifted her head, her chin still resting on left arm, and took her pencil as she draw another dress. She decided it'll be the combination of midnight blue, sapphire and alabaster.

His dark hair and captivating eyes and his lovely complexion, all in one. She closed her eyes and sighed.

How can a dark haired man inspire her would be next collection?

Dark haired man?

Dark?

A darker color will inspire you soon.

The fortune suddenly flashed in her mind and her eyes snapped open. She dropped her pencil and immediately grabbed her wallet. She took out the fortune and read it. Her eyes widen in realization.

Darker color. She started with midnight blue, sapphire and moved on to other colors that transpired in their meeting.

Darker color. She was positive it doesn't literally meant color. Not just the dark color of his hair or the deep color of his eyes, but Eriol Hiiragizawa himself.

He inspired her designs.

A darker color will inspire you soon.

Wow.

Just wow.

Takashi

He was now busy arranging all that needs for the advertisement for their dance event. They just picked up the stack posters and flyers (A/N: I'm using way too much flyers) from a printing house and was now presenting it to Eriol.

He scrutinized them and he grinned at the design. From what he gathered from him the theme of the dance and its decoration was made possible with the help of the girl whom he luckily met three days ago. He was so cheerful when he related what happened that he couldn't help but tease him.

"Yes, Eriol, it's a flyer and all we need is wind and maybe she will appear." He grinned as Eriol looked at him, eyebrows rose.

"These are okay; we must start handing them out seeing that we only have a week to advertise the dance." He said ignoring him and started handing out stacks of flyers to everyone in the room. "Let's divide it among us and also start telling your friends so word can spread around."

"A lot of people will be going to the fair, Eriol. Why do we really need to go such length advertising it?" he asked, frowning.

"So that they will know." He answered simply. "If you went to the festival and just learned that there will be a dance wouldn't you wish that you have heard it sooner? So you can bring anyone you like."

"Oh," he said rubbing his chin. "So I assume you will bring that girl to the dance itself."

Eriol looked at him stunned. "I haven't asked her yet." He admitted sheepishly. "But I'm planning to." His face turned pink.

"Eriol has a crush! Eriol has a crush!" Takashi sang teasingly.

"Who had a crush?" It was Syaoran. He looked at them and turned his gaze toward Eriol. Are we talking again about the girl whom you fortunately met by chance?"

"Because of the wind and the flyers." Added Takashi.

"And how she's so good at designing." Syaoran continued.

"And how she looked so beautiful and…"

"And how she's so elegant and has great taste."

"How she made your fortune come true."

"Shut up!" snapped Eriol. "It was true though, the fortune said just that. I had a problem and she's suddenly… there."

"Ah…" Takashi sighed mockingly, batting his eyelashes and hands clutching his chest.

"It suits you," Eriol jibed, snorting.

Takashi just laughed. "So Eriol has a date already."

"I haven't asked her yet."

"So Eriol will have a date, already." He corrected himself. "How about you Syaoran?"

"Hn, no one. I don't think I'll bring anyone, actually. Why bother?"

"But this is our event, and I'm sure a lot of girls would be so happy to be with you."

"And have to listen to them squeaking all the time? No thanks."

"Syaoran is so cold hearted." Takashi complained to Eriol.

"Relax Takashi." Eriol said as he patted his shoulder. "It's just that he haven't met anyone yet that will melt his heart." he said it dramatically.

"Riiight, maybe his fortune will come true and…."

"Shut up! Do we have to get flyers, too?" Syaoran asked Eriol, changing the topic.

"Why of course, everyone will." He gave him his share.

"Did you know that flyers were called flyers because when people received them they always threw it away making it fly…"

"Maybe I'll give some to Meilin so he can hand out these to her friends in Tomoeda." Said Syaoran, ignoring Takashi.

"Good idea," said Eriol. "I'm actually thinking of giving some to Tomoyo, too."

Syaoran stared at him.

"The girl, Syaoran, the girl." Takashi reminded him.

"Aaah,"

"Will you stop that," Eriol snapped again but was amused at the same time. "I'm meeting her again later… then maybe I could ask her."

"Eriol has a crush! Eriol has a crush!" Takashi chanted in a whisper while Syaoran laughed.

"I said cut it out." Eriol sighed. "So who're you bringing?"

"What?" Takashi asked confused.

"Who're you bringing to the dance?"

He gulped. "I don't know," he said slowly but his mind had an answer, unfortunately they guessed it because of the slight pink tinge on his face. They grinned.

"How about your neighbour?" Eriol said with a teasing tone. "Chiharu, right?"

"Are you crazy?" he scoffed sheepishly. "She hates me."

"That's because you lie all the time." Syaoran said as he crossed his arms.

"W-well, it's just for fun."

"She doesn't know that when you're still what, seven years old?" asked Eriol.

"Six." Takashi automatically answered. "I was seven."

"Yeah, she believed you and in return became a laughing stock of her friends just because she believed you." said Eriol in a reprimanding tone. "And not just once but three times, who wouldn't hate you for that."

"I know, but that was all in the past, we're older now."

"Did you know that childhood is the building blocks of a person's life? Everything they experienced will be with them when they grow up." said Syaoran mimicking his stance.

He glared at him. "But…"

"And it doesn't help that you still lie." He added.

"And he can't ignore the fact that he still has a crush on her." Eriol said to Syaoran and in unison they began chanting…

"Takashi has a crush, Takashi has a crush…"

"Shut up!" He sighed, laughing half-heartedly at tasting his own medicine. "She wouldn't agree anyway."

"Why don't you try?" said Eriol, his head cocked to the side.

"I'm sure she'll snap at me before I can even ask her."

"Don't be a coward and make a move, or you'll be regretting it for the rest of your life."

Eriol suddenly looked at Syaoran and snapped his fingers. "That's right Taka! This is the perfect chance, a perfect opportunity to reconcile with her. Remember your fortune?"

They both stared at him.

"Not the fortune thingy again." Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"He must've lost it because of the coincidence of meeting someone." Agreed Takashi.

"What does your fortune says?" Eriol asked ignoring their sceptical looks.

Takashi already thought about what Eriol said and was wondering that maybe the fortune is telling him to grab this chance. He pulled out his wallet and extricated the tiny paper strip out, then read it.

"Grab the opportunity and make a move, or regret it in life and brood."

"It'll be no harm to follow that advice." said Eriol gently. "You'll never know."

He looked at Syaoran as if asking him to tell Eriol off. He just shrugged.

He stared at the tiny piece of paper contemplating.

All right. He will try.

A/N: Weeell here's another chapter…sigh.

Thanks so much to those who review…you see I'm a bit paranoid and keep on worrying that I won't meet your satisfaction. And you guys gave me encouragement that surprises me.

lady of zsgolla: Yes, I knew his name is Bugs Bunny! Hahaha but thanks anyway…though what I dunno is that why is he called 'Bunny' when he's clearly a rabbit (All grown up)…or is he…? Hmmm

James Birdsong: When I read your review I was like 'Really?' Sorry I just have this low self confidence that you (readers) might or won't like it, but you told me otherwise and I'm so happy you think that way! ~Faints~ Thanks so much! ~Faint again~

poodle girl (Guest): Now you…yes YOU! Justified what James Birdsong said…THANK YOU! So end your wait and enjoy this chapter…and I'm crossing my fingers hoping you'll like it as well…

I was wondering why your review never showed in the Reviews…but I received email…was it removed?

So there guys, you now know how reviews meant for me (paranoid much) so please DO so…it wouldn't be that hard…and I'm also open to suggestions… So don't be shy and open up your minds!

Now I'll go tackle my mind with Chiharu, Rika and Meilin…now what about Syaoran and Sakura? Hmmm…

(^n^)/

Edited: November 6, 2013