darkshadow36: Finally, here's Chapter 10 for you to read, everyone! I want to thank those who reviewed, and don't forget the new ones, of course— Kawaii-Syaoran-Sakura, midnight blue, no one, angeeeel, nobody special and tidus2yuna.

Geez, Chapters 8 and 9 were much of the whole terror thing, but this chapter, as you can see from the chapter title, will be quite humorous and suspense, I guess.

Well, here's the 10th chapter--- please don't forget to R&R! Happy reading!

Chapter 10: Hidden Secrets Only The Mind Knows

Many days have passed until the September wind blew…

"Drink this! Drink that! Eat this! Eat that!" Nakuru spontaneously barked at Tomoyo that morning, pointing to three cups of water and three platters of food she prepared.

"But, Nakuru-san," complained Tomoyo, "it's only a simple headache, even just a cup of water would do---"

But Nakuru was too fussy to listen.

"Nakuru," said Eriol calmly with a trace of sarcasm in his voice, "haven't you heard what she said? I'm sure even just a cup of water would be alright for her."

Nakuru glanced at Eriol, who looked calm, but a smile was planted on his face.

"All right, already!" she grumbled, handing out a cup of water to Tomoyo, who drank it gratefully.

"Thanks," she said. Nakuru bit her lip, and then smiled.

"I think I should now leave the two of you alone," she said with puppy eyes. Eriol groaned in disgust.

"Nakuru's still acting like a child," he said as Nakuru walked away, skipping. "One of the weirdest people one would meet in this mansion."

Tomoyo sighed. "Yeah, that's true."

Silence, then---

"Isn't it your birthday tomorrow?" said Eriol quietly to Tomoyo, who was gripping the sides of her seat firmly.

"What? I think I haven't heard correctly," she said, unfocused. "Ah, oh—yes, it is." Then she turned her head on Eriol. "I'm not trying to be rude or anything to ask this, but do you have a gift for me?" She smiled a little.

Eriol nodded. "Yes, Tomoyo-san, and it's just like Syaoran's…" he mumbled.

"What?" Tomoyo said, yet again. She gulped nervously. Eriol laughed.

"Just joking," he grinned.

"What's your gift, then?" asked Tomoyo.

"It's a secret," said Eriol. Tomoyo was surprised to see a sly smile on his face. "In case you're suspicious of my expression, don't worry. So… If you want to know, I'll give you a nice piece of clue. Let's just say—something inspirational."

It was afternoon. Nakuru, Sakura, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Meilin were wearing their outgoing clothes. Spinel Sun and Keroberos were flying above them (they're not in their true forms).

"Wanna go join us, Eriol-sama?" said Nakuru, pouting cutely. "We'll go to the amusement park for some free time."

Eriol sighed. "I think it's better for me to stay here. Just go on."

"I'll stay too!" Meilin blurted out. Nakuru and Sakura frowned.

"Oh, no, you won't," they said together, pulling Meilin with them outside.

"Ok, then, Eriol, if that's your decision," Syaoran shrugged. "We'll be leaving now, then."

Eriol didn't say anything as he watched them go.

He was completely alone. What will he do?

Stare around? Nope, it's not a good idea.

Will he practice controlling his powers? No need at all. He'd been practicing it for the past years already, and he's already tired of smashing things around because of his powers.

Eriol stood up from the couch and roamed around upstairs. When he got bored, he set off to go downstairs again, but then…

Something made him curious as he passed by the open door of Tomoyo's room. He was about to close the door when he saw a violet-colored notebook lying on top of Tomoyo's bed.

He recognized that it was Tomoyo's diary, which was Syaoran's gift for her last Christmas.

"Why did she left the door open?" he mumbled to himself as he sat down on Tomoyo's bed, looking at the diary that laid in front of him.

Should I read it or not? He thought.

Maybe I should read it. He held the diary on his hands.

No. I must respect other people's privacy. I should go down now. He decided to put down Tomoyo's diary, but---

No, no, young lad, a voice in his mind said, read it. Try being a bad boy even just for one day. This wouldn't hurt.

But I don't---

Ha, ha, ha, the voice in his mind interrupted him, I'm sick of seeing you as a gentleman. All of us have our own nature—and we're not always the person we really are, if you know what I mean.

Whoever you are, Eriol retorted back, using his mind, I won't respect your filthy decision.

Oh, come on! The voice in his mind almost yelled at him. Trust in me, dude, even just for once. Tomoyo's diary is a nice book to be read—especially for you. Please, lad, trust in me… this wouldn't hurt at all… I'm telling you now!

All right, you brain head, Eriol finally agreed as he opened the first page of Tomoyo's diary without enthusiasm.

That's it… good lad, said the voice in his mind. That diary's really interesting, though I haven't read it at all yet…

Eriol ignored the voice. He continued reading and felt embarrassed, since Tomoyo always mention his name every now and then on each page.

Is this what you call interesting? He asked the voice in his mind, trying to ignore the red tinge on his cheeks. He never felt something like this. Those two girls are supposed to be just maids… And I have a feeling that everything's going too far…

Well, yes, it's true, but I think everything around you, or us, I mean, is going totally fishy but nice, the voice chuckled. And, don't forget to thank Syaoran… he's the cause of all these heavenly incidents…

Heavenly incidents? Eriol was getting annoyed. He closed the book and stood up from the bed to leave, until…

NO! The voice in his mind yelled. You won't go yet… you have only read the fresh part of the diary! Because of the voice's anger, Eriol was shocked to see when the bedroom door of Tomoyo's room closed with a loud BANG!

Ok, all right! Eriol tried to calm down. Now what?

Read the back part of the diary, the voice laughed softly. It's much more pretty interesting… Please read it! I'm only asking you this as a favor! Please… please…

All right, then, you nosy piece of scum, Eriol opened Tomoyo's diary again, flipping through the pages, until he reached the back part. He was surprised, for indeed, there was another diary note from Tomoyo…

"Dear Diary,

I think it's finally the time to tell you the truth about my feelings deep inside me… And it's my innermost secret, too…

You know very well that what I'm talking about is a guy.

I realized that I love and care for this guy. He's very thoughtful, creative, skillful, wise, caring, cute, handsome (to admit it) and you know him.

That guy was the one whom I've hated for the first time, because I thought he was an ordinary guy—the foolish, prankster type…But when the days passed, I realized that he was not the kind of guy my first impressions are telling me. He's the exact opposite.

Honestly, I really love and care for this guy, and somehow, I wonder too… does he have feelings for me? Of course I won't insist him to love me, 'coz I don't want to love someone who doesn't love me all the same.

I hope I could tell him what's inside my heart.

Now, all right! You want to know who's this special guy in my heart? I should now reveal who he is.

He's---"

DAMN IT!

The doorbell downstairs interrupted Eriol as it rang loudly. He closed the diary quickly and returned it to the way it has been before when he had first seen it, so that it won't be obvious. Then, he went down the stairs and saw Nakuru and the others.

"Why do you still have to ring the doorbell whereas you have the keys?" snapped Eriol, frowning slightly. He was disappointed—since he was already at the last exciting part of the diary…

"I'm sorry, Eriol-sama," apologized Nakuru. Soon, they were all chatting and talking about the incidents that happened to them today. Only Meilin didn't join them.

Eriol was about to go back upstairs to his room when he felt Meilin tugging his sleeve. He turned around, irritated.

"What do you want, Meilin?" Eriol yelled at her. "I'm tired and I don't want fussy people talking to me right now!"

Meilin held on tightly to Eriol's sleeve before he could take a step forward to go. "Eriol-kun," her ruby red eyes flashed, "I want to talk to you even just for a second."

Eriol's eyes bored into hers. "A second?" He almost looked as if he was going to laugh. "Look, a second's finally passed out. It's no use. And will you please excuse me—I need some rest."

Meilin continued to tighten her grip on Eriol's sleeve. "I won't go unless you won't talk to me."

Eriol pulled away from Meilin's grip and said with his eyes flashing in anger, "Then go ahead and tell me what are you going to say! What do you want to say?"

"Um—where have you been?" she asked foolishly.

Eriol scowled at her. "Geez, Meilin, what a stupid question to ask, really! Now, I should get going."

"But, Eriol," Meilin clenched her hands tightly, "I'm just concerned---"

"Concerned? When did you ever became concerned of me?" said Eriol. "Stop that drama, Meilin, I'm getting irritated with it! Maybe I should really get going now!" He stalked away, leaving Meilin shaking her hands in fury.

"Wow, Nakuru-san," said Sakura, "I've just remembered it's Tomoyo's birthday tomorrow. We want to make her feel special, don't we?"

"She'll be really special," Nakuru pouted cutely with puppy eyes. "And Meilin's not gonna spoil it. If she'll try spoiling it, I'll jinx her."

"Well, let's just see what will happen tomorrow, then," Keroberos sighed as he watched Spinel Sun ate sweets. "Why not try inviting another guest—obviously a man; to distract Meilin a little bit… Who knows? She might change her attitude starting tomorrow."

darkshadow36 End of Chapter 10! I really intended not to write the other things written in Tomoyo's diary, because it will make this chapter much longer. Before I forget, Angel Starcalistas, that I'll try doing your suggestion in Chapter 11. However, the 11th chapter might take too long because I still have to try adjusting that chapter to add your suggestion, and I have a load of schoolwork to do.

Now on to the next chapter... And don't you ever forget to drop by a review!