Last Time: Things got tense. There was a heartwarming reunion between Madison and Eriol. Then Tori showed up. After Madison ran from the scene, Eriol and Tori decided to have a competition for Madison's affection. Winner takes all! Oh yeah…and Sakura found out, too. Can she possibly stay out of this?
Author's Note: I've made this chapter into a little songfic addition; a touch I hope you'll all like ^_^
Making A Choice: Part 6
It had been a while since she talked to Sakura, so sixty-year old Madison Taylor was more than happy to hear from her best friend. They had so much to talk about.
"So how's everything, Sakura? Li treating you well?"
"He's always been the perfect husband, Madison. I wouldn't settle for anyone else."
"You're lucky. You never had…to choose."
"I'm not as lucky as you are. I can't believe the Japanese government made polygamy legal!"
"It's the best thing that's ever happened to me. It could have the worst thing ever for me, but luckily…I dodged a bullet. Oh…Sakura…can I talk to you later? They're coming in."
"Ok, then. I'll leave you three alone. Bye."
"Bye."
Madison hung up just as her husbands came in. It was such a beautiful thing that she was able to marry both Eriol and Tori. She would have been torn apart from within had she been forced to choose. Luckily, she was able to marry them both, because she loved both of them very much.
"How are the two loves of my life?" Madison asked, smiling her kawaii smile that didn't fade with age.
"Madison, Eriol and I have been talking," Tori said.
"We have," Eriol continued for him. "And we've decided that we're leaving you."
Madison almost had a heart attack. "W-What?"
"How long has it been, Madison?" Tori explained. "More than 40 years? The only reason we agreed to this double marriage is because we thought you'd eventually make a choice."
"We can't go on like this anymore," Eriol added. "We've had enough. You either choose one of us, or you don't get either of us."
Madison felt her heart shatter. "I-I can't choose. I love you both…"
love you both…
love you both…
love you both…
~--------------------~
A dream.
Madison woke up in a cold sweat. It was just a dream. That's all it was. She looked at the clock and it read '2:00 AM'. She got up, put her slippers on, and went downstairs. The guards were still on watch, but they wouldn't see Madison come out through the backyard.
She couldn't get what happened earlier in the day out of her mind. They were standing in front of her: Eriol and Tori. Her heart seemed to split apart. One half was leading her to Eriol and the other half to Tori. She had never been this confused in her life. She couldn't take this anymore. She had to talk to someone about it and it was too late to call for Kero. Besides, she knew that calling Kero meant calling Sakura and Madison couldn't go to her with this…yet.
So she decided to take a big risk. There was nothing that told her he wouldn't tell Sakura, but she didn't care at that moment. Madison walked over to one of her guesthouses, which was now the home of…
…Li Shoran.
Madison knocked on the door and a few seconds later, the door flew open. Li's eyelids were half- closed and his hair was tousled (total bedhead). He was obviously sleeping when Madison woke him up.
"Madison…do you have any idea what time it is?"
"I'm so sorry," she apologized. "But I really need to talk to someone."
Shockingly, Li just said, "It's about Eriol, isn't it?"
Madison raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
Before answering, Li motioned Madison to come inside and out of the cold spring night. Madison sat on Li's bed and waited for him to respond.
"You've been acting weird," Li continued. "And I didn't get a call from Sakura telling me how sweet it was that you and Eriol reunited. So I started to get worried. What's going on?"
Madison sighed deeply. "Li…have you ever been torn…between two girls?"
Li shook his head. "No."
Madison sighed again. "I didn't think you'd understand. But…I have a problem…choosing between two guys."
"TWO guys?" Li asked with wide eyes. "But I thought you loved Eriol."
"I DO love him!" Madison squealed. "But I love someone else, too."
"Wait…you love someone else? Is THAT where you've been going these last few weeks?"
Madison nodded. "I've never felt this way about two people before. It didn't get any easier that when I saw Eriol…HE showed up. I couldn't face them both. I just ran and didn't look back. I…can't choose."
Li seemed to be confused. "I thought for so long that you would always love Eriol. Who could just come in and change your mind in only a few weeks?"
"Well…it's not just any guy…and it wasn't just a few weeks I've known him. This guy…is Tori."
Silence.
"TORI?! You like HIM?!"
Madison moaned softly. She should have expected this. Li wasn't always too fond of Eriol and his mischievous ways, but he really didn't like Tori. Madison started to wonder why she even came to Li in the first place.
"I feel so confused. When Tori kissed me on that special night…I felt something in my heart for him. But I also felt the same way when Eriol kissed me back in Japan. I can't choose, Li. And it didn't help at all when Tori caught me kissing Eriol. I don't know what to do. They want me to pick…but I just can't…"
"Madison, calm down," Li cut her off.
"I can't! I don't know who to choose!"
Li let out a small scowl. "Choosing between Eriol and Tori. Personally, if you asked me which one I'd rather see jump off a cliff…I wouldn't know. So I see your problem. You want to know what I think?"
"Yeah."
"Relax. Tomorrow, go out to the park. Go out to the mall. Go ANYWHERE! But just go somewhere so you can clear your head. After tomorrow, I'm sure this will be a lot easier. But just get some sleep and tomorrow…go clear your head."
It sounded like such a good idea. Thinking about this current situation wouldn't do Madison any good. Mulling on this would only tear her apart from within. Li was right. She had to take a day to clear her head.
"Thank you, Li," she said softly.
Li smiled. "No problem. You can really thank me by clearing your head tomorrow."
Sighing contentedly, Madison headed out. "Good night, Li."
"Good night."
Tomorrow would indeed be another day. Maybe after tomorrow…she WOULD be able to think a lot clearer. Lord knows she needed a day to herself.
~--------------------~
The next morning came and Eriol was up early. He hoped to get a head start, before it occurred to Tori to do the same. Armed with…a rose, Eriol came up to Madison's front gate and rang the bell.
No one answered at first. Then, someone finally came. It was one of Madison's bodyguards. When the gate flew open and the bodyguard came out, Eriol was ready to dash inside, but then someone else came out.
It was Li.
"Who is it?" Li asked the bodyguard.
"No one, apparently," the bodyguard answered. "Were you waiting for Sakura?"
"Yeah. She should be here in a few minutes."
Eriol raised his head from the bush. "Li!"
Li found Eriol. He looked at the bodyguard. "You can go. I think I just found our visitor."
The bodyguard obliged and went back in through the gate, while Li walked up to the bush. Eriol let out a smug grin as Li approached him.
"You know who I'm looking for."
"Yeah, I do," Li said. "And she's not here."
Eriol's smirk faded. "What do you mean she's not here? Where is she?"
Li didn't say anything. Eriol wondered why he was staying silent, until he turned his head. Someone else had approached the front gate and found Eriol and Li. It was…Tori. And much to Eriol's chagrin, he was also armed with…a rose.
"Hey!" Eriol snapped. "That was MY idea!"
Tori ignored Eriol and looked at Li. "Where's Madison, brat?"
"She's not here," Li growled.
"Well?" both Eriol and Tori asked. "Where is she?"
"I told her to take a day to herself," Li replied. "You two are putting enough pressure on her. She needs some time to think so I told her to go to the park."
Eriol and Tori leered mischievously towards each other.
"The park, eh?"
"She's at the park, eh?"
"Wait a minute," Li suddenly backtracked. "You two aren't going there, are you?"
"Of course not," both Eriol and Tori said. Though they were both lying through their teeth.
Eriol looked uneasily at Tori. "I…have to go now."
"Yes…" Tori said, equally as uneasy. "Me, too."
Both Eriol and Tori made their ways out, going in separate directions. Eriol looked back and got the feeling that Tori had the same idea he did. More than that, though, he got the feeling that Li didn't fall for any of this. It must have been obvious that they would both be going to Penguin Park…to try and become the only love of Madison's life.
~--------------------~
He didn't like it. Li knew that Eriol and Tori would be going out to Penguin Park to try and find Madison. As much as Li wanted to go out there and interject himself, he was waiting for someone else at that moment. And after another ten minutes passed, Li smiled. Because the beautiful Sakura was approaching the front gate. Li ran up to her and met her with a kiss.
"Li!" Sakura sputtered between kisses. "I just got here!"
"I can't help myself," Li said playfully.
"Li, I need to ask you a serious question."
Li's demeanor turned serious. "Sure. What is it?"
"Did Tori show up here?"
Li was ready to groan. He just got HIM out of his sight and he didn't need to be reminded that he was here. Now something was eating at Li again. So rather than answer, he started walking, but he ran right into...Nakuru and Suppi.
"What are you two doing here?" Sakura asked.
"We're looking for Eriol," Suppi answered. "Somehow, I get the feeling he came over here because he wasn't at the apartment when we woke up. And frankly...we think he might be liable to do something rash in the state he's in."
"Is he here, Li?" Nakuru asked.
Li shook his head. And he just kept on walking.
"Li?" Sakura ran up to her boyfriend and walked by his side. "Where are we going?"
"I'll explain everything on the way. Just follow me."
~--------------------~
There she was. Sitting on a lone bench was Madison Taylor, the most beautiful girl Eriol had ever laid eyes on. He couldn't go on like this. He had to make sure that she loved him and only him. So it was time for the games to begin.
Talk to me
Tell me your name
You blow me off like it's all the same
You lit a fuse and now I'm ticking away
Like a bomb
Yeah, baby
Eriol began to climb a nearby tree. He pulled out his first option: a beautiful bouquet of roses with a card attached. From his place on the tree, Eriol tossed the bouquet towards the bench that Madison was sitting on.
Talk to me
Tell me your sign
You're switching sides like a Gemini
You're playing games and now you're hitting my heart
Like a drum
Yeah, baby
Madison grabbed the bouquet of roses. At first, she let out a soft moan. Eriol remembered what Li said. She came out here to forget this love triangle, but Eriol couldn't take any chances. But then Madison grabbed the bouquet and smiled that sweet smile that made Eriol's heart melt. Madison picked up the card and read it aloud:
"I'll love you forever. Please be mine. Love, Eriol."
Madison beamed after reading the card.
Well if Lady Luck gets on my side
We're gonna rock this town alive
I'll let her rough me up
Till she knocks me out
She walks like she talks,
And she talks like she walks
But at that moment…another bouquet of roses flew towards the bench that Madison was sitting on. Eriol gasped. Those weren't his roses. Madison picked up the bouquet and smiled again. Then she picked up the card and read it aloud:
"I'll love you forever. Please be mine. Love, Tori."
Madison beamed again. But then her joy faded and she got up to walk away, leaving both bouquets behind.
And she bangs, she bangs
Oh, baby
When she moves, she moves
I go crazy
'Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee
Like every girl in history
She bangs, she bangs
I'm wasted by the way she moves
No one ever looked so fine
She reminds me that a woman only got one thing on her mind
Eriol couldn't believe it. She was walking away. He looked up and couldn't believe the sight in front of him. Tori Avalon was on top of another tree on the other side of the bench. He had the same idea. Eriol growled. How dare Tori steal his idea!
Eriol climbed down and tried to follow Madison without being seen. It was time for Plan B.
~--------------------~
Tori dodged a bullet. He couldn't believe that Eriol had the exact same idea that Tori had. Now it was time for Tori to pull out Plan B. It was a hot day, so Madison went over to sit on another bench under the shade, not seeing the love-struck Tori anywhere.
Talk to me
Tell me your name
I'm just a link in your daisy chain
Your rap sounds like a diamond
Map to the stars
Yeah, baby
Tori climbed the tree and had his Plan B in hand. He struggled at first. He wasn't as adept to climbing trees as he used to be back in high school. Before doing anything, Tori looked around to make sure Eriol wasn't around. He hadn't caught up…yet. So Tori acted quickly. He tossed down his envelope, which out of pure luck…landed right on Madison's lap.
Talk to me
Tell me the news
You wear me out like a pair of shoes
We'll dance until the band goes home
Then you're gone
Yeah, baby
Madison picked up the envelope and examined the heart on the front. She opened it up and started to read the little card inside:
"I always wondered if there was a God or a heaven. I know now that's it's true. For in her magnanimous beauty, I have seen a real-life angel. And that angel is you. Please be mine forever. Love, Tori."
Madison smiled…melting Tori's heart.
Well if it looks like love should be a crime
You'd better lock me up for life
I'll do the time with a smile on my face
Thinking of her in her leather and lace
Then something else happened. Another envelope flew over and landed right next to Madison. She pocketed Tori's poetic card and examined this new envelope. She opened it up and read the card inside:
"I always think of you, peaceful as a dove. I go through life dreaming of you, because it's you that I love. Please be mine forever. Love, Eriol."
Madison smiled again…but then she frowned. She walked away again…looking sad.
And she bangs, she bangs
Oh, baby
When she moves, she moves
I go crazy
'Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee
Like every girl in history
She bangs, she bangs
I'm wasted by the way she moves
No one ever looked so fine
She reminds me that a woman only got one thing on her mind
Tori groaned. He looked across at another tree to see that Eriol had arrived just in time. The two glared at each other momentarily, before climbing down. They then went separate directions…each hoping to find Madison before she left.
Tori didn't have many ideas left, but there had to be a way he could express his true feelings. There just had to be something he could do that Eriol couldn't. If only he could think of it.
~--------------------~
Eriol practically cut through all of Penguin Park and found no signs of Madison anywhere. If only he could find her. That's all he wanted. He wanted a chance to show her how much he loved her…without Tori Avalon around. Then he found her.
Well if Lady Luck gets on my side
We're gonna rock this town alive
I'll let her rough me up
Till she knocks me out
She walks like she talks,
And she talks like she walks
Madison was leaving Penguin Park. And she was heading straight for…the nearby coffee shop. Eriol felt more at ease. He didn't want to lose her and fortunately, she would be in the coffee shop for a little while at least. Then an idea came to Eriol.
And she bangs, she bangs
Oh, baby
When she moves, she moves
I go crazy
'Cause she looks like a flower but she stings like a bee
Like every girl in history
She bangs, she bangs
I'm wasted by the way she moves
No one ever looked so fine
She reminds me that a woman only got one thing on her mind
An evil smile came to Eriol. If this was the same coffee shop that was there since before he left Japan…then maybe there WAS something he could do. So Eriol started walking towards the coffee shop, hoping Madison wouldn't see him come in.
Because it was time for a surprise. Eriol hoped it would become a memory that would last a lifetime.
Next Time: Eriol has something in store for Madison. What is it? And what'll Tori do about it? Hint: It will be kawaii (at least IMO). And also…come back for the end of the next chapter, too…because there will be something that will impact the whole story TREMENDOUSLY! So DON'T MISS IT!!
Any comments? I still can't believe I finally found a use for Ricky Martin! Then mail me at AmericanCaptor@hotmail.com and don't forget to review below, because I want to know what you think.
And DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK! I'm putting 110% into the next chapter, so don't miss it!!