Author: Nayru Ikari, now better known as Yuzu-chan.
Title: Kiseki no Umi
Fandom: Cardcaptor Sakura
Genre: Romance/General
Pairing: Eventually Eriol/Tomoyo
Rating: PG-13
Title meaning: Sea of Miracles
Chapter title meaning: Blue Apple, Red Plum
Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura and it's characters belong to Clamp and various other Japanese companies. They do NOT belong to Nelvana, since I'm using the original names. I'm sorry, but I detest Nelvana and it's names.
Nayru's Rants: Today's the 15th, I had my birthday on the 13th and in two days, it's the norwegian national day. So, I just hardly have the time to write this. I was hoping to finish this chapter and the epilogue before the weekend, but it seems like it'll be two weeks. Not that I mind. ^^ Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter Nine; Aoi Appuru, Aka Ume
Tomoyo's eyes fluttered open. She turned over and could see her ebony black hair flowing out beside her. It looked like waves on the white sheets. Tomoyo smiled and raised herself up a bit. In a chair by the bed sat Eriol, fast asleep. His glasses had slightly slid off his nose and his hair fell into his eyes. Tomoyo noted that it had grown a lot the past six months. He looked older that way.
He stirred slightly in his sleep, but didn't wake up. The door creaked open and Tomoyo shifted her attention to Nakuru and Kurage who entered silently. Nakuru smiled at her, seeing her awake and was just about to greet her, but Tomoyo pointed to the sleeping Eriol. Nakuru looked at her master and her smile grew a bit wider.
Tomoyo got herself up from the bed as quietly as she could and tiptoed out of the room after Kurage and Nakuru. Well out in the hall, with the door closed securely behind them, they could talk.
"You were out for five days, Tomoyo-chan." Nakuru said, her eyebrow raised. "And Eriol-sama was by your side the whole time."
Tomoyo could feel herself flush. Eriol had been so caring for her since he'd come back to Japan. He was so sweet... She realized then that she had fallen for him. Not because she needed him, though she did, for he was a cliff she could hang on to, but because he cared. Because she couldn't not fall in love with him.
"That was very sweet of him." Tomoyo said rather quickly, trying to hide her obvious embarresment. Nakuru and Kurage just smiled.
"Tomoyo-sama," Kurage started. "You should probably get dressed before walking around any further. I presume, by the goose bumps on your skin, that it is rather cold in that night-gown?"
Tomoyo nodded. "But.. This is Hiiragizawa-kun's house. My clothes are in my home."
Nakuru waved her hand. "You will borrow some of mine. I don't have use for them all." Tomoyo thanked her and Nakuru led her to her room. Before they dissappeared out of sight, Kurage called after them "Kinomoto-chan, Li-san and Li-chan will be arriving shortly. Be prepared to greet them."
Li...chan? Tomoyo thought fleetly before she was wipped off by Nakuru into a large room and forced to try on a number of outfits.
"You look stunning, Tomoyo-chan!" Nakuru squealed, eyeing her master piece. What they had ended up with, wasn't really what Tomoyo had had in mind when Kurage had suggested she'd dress, but it was cute, she had to admit.
The light-blue material flowed out from her waist when she was asked to twirl again. Tomoyo enjoyed the feeling of silk against her skin. It was oddly warm, though you wouldn't think it by looking at her. The stockings she wore also gave warmth and Tomoyo felt comfortable in the navy-blue jacket. She gave Nakuru a smile of gratitude and was about to open the door before the other female grabbed her wrist.
"You're not getting out without me doing your hair first." Nakuru giggled. It was so nice to have someone female in the house. Eriol and Spinel Sun were fun but... she had missed Kaho when she'd left. She missed someone to giggle and squeal with. Someone to talk to in late nights. Nakuru was really glad Tomoyo had come into Eriol's life, as more than just a friend. She knew they cared for eachother. Now all she needed was for them both to admit it.
"Your hair is so pretty, Tomoyo-chan." Nakuru ran her fingers through the dark thick locks before picking up the brush. "So fitting for you."
"Thank you, Akizuki-san."
"Call me Nakuru, will you? Before long, I will be calling you mistress." Tomoyo looked questiongly at Nakuru, but the older female fell silent and continued to braid Tomoyo's hair in a twist at the top of her head.
Tomoyo watched Nakuru in the mirror as she stuck pins into the bun. A few hair strands were left to hang from the twist.
"You know.. I used to have complexes about my hair. I thought it to be so plain and japanese. Sakura's auburn really fascinated me. Neither her mother or father had that colour." Tomoyo smiled. "And everybody told me my hair was beautiful. I never believed them, until now."
She turned around in her chair to face Nakuru. "I-I didn't want Uen-san to die." Tears sprouted from her eyes. "I wanted her to be happy. I wanted..."
But then, Nakuru surprised both herself and Tomoyo by hugging the younger girl tightly. "She was happy. She was reunited with her sister and she knew you'd take good care of Yuu-san and Suta-san. It was her turn to die, Tomoyo-sama. Don't fuzz over it."
Tomoyo sobbed into Nakuru's chest. "Did.. Did you know I loved Sakura back then?" Came a muffled question.
Nakuru smiled slightly. "Hai. I knew. I saw you were lonely then, Tomoyo-sama, but you're not anymore."
Tomoyo withdrew her head from Nakuru's wollen sweater and looked at her questionly. "How do you mean?"
"You have Eriol-sama. I know you care for him."
"Is it that obvious..?" Tomoyo muttered, the blush returning to her cheeks.
"No." Nakuru winked. "But I have a personal gift for these kind of things. You also light up every time I mention him."
Nakuru surveyed the red-eyed girl a bit before looking out of the window at the melting snow. "Did you know we spent six weeks in that castle? Time ran slower there than outside. We got a real nasty shock when we got out and heard birds chirping. I'm afraid you've all missed some of your school year. Don't worry, you'll be able to catch up. We've talked to your headmistress. She said it was alright. You'll be getting late night classes though." Nakuru reassured her.
Tomoyo relaxed. "Um, Nakuru-san? You wouldn't tell anyone about my.. feelings towards Hiiragizawa-kun, would you?"
"Well, I wasn't, but since I know he feels the same, I just can't shut up about it." Nakuru smirked at Tomoyo's shocked expression. "Oh, I didn't tell you? Eriol-sama is in love with you. I did say I have a personal gift for these things, didn't I?" She winked. "But now, I think it's best if we join the company downstairs. I'm positive Sakura-chan has arrived by now."
"But, Nakuru- Don't tell h-" but Tomoyo never got to finish her request before someone stumbled in the door. It was Sakura, followed by Syaoran and.. Meilin?!
"Meilin-san!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "What- what-?"
"Tomoyo-chan!" squealed the overly-excited girl and practicly glomped a startled Tomoyo. "It's been so long!"
Syaoran slipped his arms around Sakura's waist. "She came as fast as she could when I told her what has happened the last weeks. We've all been worried about you, Tomoyo-chan. You were out for so long."
"Arigatou... minna.." Tomoyo smiled at them, still embraced by Meilin. The black-headed girl let go after another squeeze. "Do you know, Tomoyo-chan? Syaoran proposed to Sakura-chan!"
Tomoyo's eyes fled to Sakura and Syaoran, both smiling uncertainly at her. Her gaze dropped to Sakura's left hand. On Sakura's finger was a gleaming green emerald.
Tomoyo squealed louder than Meilin ever had and hugged Sakura and Syaoran by turns. "I'm so happy for you!" She repeated over and over. And, even though she didn't realize it yet, she wasn't sad Sakura would be forever lost to her. She had someone else now.
"Yes, we were all rather surprised by that statement." Came a low tenor from the doorway. Eriol entered, followed by Kurage, Spinel Sun and Safaia. Kero poked his head out of Sakura's bag.
Tomoyo's heart started racing for no apparent reason [just the fact that she loved- hold on, when did she decide she loved Eriol?] and the flush returned at full power to her face. She hoped that no one noticed it, though most of them did. Except Eriol of course.
"When are you planning on the wedding then, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked as she dried off the plate she was holding. Sakura handed her another one, full of soap and water.
"Well, we were both thinking next spring. And Yelan-san insisted we hold it in Hong Kong, though I didn't really know if father would approve. But he said he'd always wanted to go there. Tomoyo-chan, I want to ask you something.." Sakura stopped in her dishwashing. They could hear the chatter of people out in the dining-room. Tomoyo heard Spinel protest as Nakuru stuffed a cake down his mouth, then a slight hick, announcing the little black animal as drunk. She smiled.
"What is it, Sakura-chan?"
"Well... Would you be my maid of honour?" Tomoyo stared at Sakura.
"Is that even a question?!" could be heard from the kitchen before the clatter of a plate that broke against the tiles and high squealing. Syaoran caught phrases as 'Hai!', '..make your dress!' and 'What colour theme?' He smiled as he knew what Sakura had asked Tomoyo to do.
Later that same night[Sakura and Syaoran had left, taking with them Meilin and Kero], Nakuru dragged Kurage, Safaia and Spinel out of the living room. She had watched both Eriol and Tomoyo a number of times during the night, and to her satisfaction, she had seen them both stutter and blush when they spoke, or just looked at eachother.
She figured they needed some time alone.
Tomoyo stood up, brushing herself off. "I guess it's time for me to leave. Thank you so much for letting Kurage and Safaia stay here. They will live with me as soon as mother lets me move." She laughed. "I wonder what she would say if I came home with a man and a living stuffed animal."
Eriol rose as well. He brushed his hair out of his eyes. "No problem. It's just nice having theme here." His heart skipped a beat as Tomoyo smiled. "Your mother won't wonder were you've been, she has been on buisness this whole time, so don't worry about that."
"Thank you."
Eriol's blush worsened as Tomoyo smiled again. She was walking towards the door. If he didn't do something now, he would never get the chance again. And if what Nakuru had told him was true... If Tomoyo really did care for him as he did for her, then... Eriol threw caution to the wind and spoke. "Um... can I call you Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo started and turned around. For the first time that night did she note his blush. It was so adorable, she realized. His misty eyes were filled with uncertainty, certainly not something Eriol was used to. She giggled slightly. "Only if I can call you Eriol."
"Mh." He confirmed. He didn't have the guts to do anything else, he realized. He went to get her coat, but never got that far. Tomoyo's hand came sneaking up in front of him as he passed her and he stopped abruptly.
"Um.. Eriol..kun..." Tomoyo glanced up at him. She didn't know if it was possible, but if so, her cheeks got an even darker shade of crimson. He too, supported this colour. "A-"
She stopped. She couldn't say this. Maybe she could show it to him instead. Yes, that sounded like a good idea.
Eriol's eyes widened as Tomoyo placed her hands on both sides of his face and led his head down to his. Moments later, he could feel the soft touch of her lips on his. He let her stand like this for quite some time, enjoying every second of it. When she finally let him go, Eriol was on the verge of suffocation.
"Um..." He repeated after her. "That was quite a kiss."
She smirked. "That wasn't a real kiss." She felt bolder now, as if nothing mattered anymore. "This is, though."
And once again, Eriol found himself in his bliss. The ebony-haired beauty before him was kissing him in such a bruising passion that it almost hurt. He didn't complain, though.
When they broke apart a second time, Tomoyo slipped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the hollow of it. She felt his arms sneaking their way around her waist and she smiled.
"Aishiteru."
And that one word made his heart stop.
Nayru, once again: Woho! You go Tomoyo! Well then, just the epilogue to go! *weeps* It's almost finished! I had so much fun writing this. ^^ Though I consider Eriol-sama as mine, I can more than gladly lend him away to Tomoyo-chan. ^^
Well then, review!