Naoko, could you have Yamazaki and hmmm… who can I spare right now, maybe not Chiharu, she'd probably start straggling Yamazaki before they even left the auditorium

Disclamer: The standard blurb, I won't bore you.  Please Review

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Chapter One:  News of A Crisies

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It certainly was crowded with people, certainly more than usual. But then again, this year's school arts festival was going to be the best ever, thought Tomoyo as she pushed her way through the crowd of people who had gathered in the central courtyard of Tomoeda School complex, on her way the theatre where her best friend waited for her, But then again anything in which in a Diadouji was in charge of was always a bit splashier than normal.

"Tomoyo, over here!" shrieked a green-eye, golden light brown haired girl, who was jumping up and down as if trying to get Tomoyo's attention through the throngs of people that separated them.

"Sakura, what is it? Shouldn't you be backstage getting ready for your performance?" asked Tomoyo, once she reached her best friend who awaited her just outside the school theatre.

"I have plenty of time Tomoyo, to get ready. Don't forget you said that you wanted to give me a hand getting ready?" reminded Sakura, as she gave Tomoyo an exuberant hug in greeting.

"'Sides I have news that just couldn't wait to tell you backstage." she added with a sly grin, "Eriol is back in town."

"Eriol Hiiragizawa? You're kidding. For how long?" repeated Tomoyo in disbelief.

"Yes, Eriol Hiiragizawa. No, I'm not kidding, and you'll have to ask him for how long yourself. He's just inside the theatre, talking with Yamazaki and the others. You know catching up on things, the usual. Come on, Tomoyo, let's go on in and say hi."

"I will in a couple of minutes." So he's back after what almost 5 years of nothing, and not even a letter or phone call from England from him. But then again it's not like I actually expected him to keep in touch or anything, right. Seeing that we were only just classmates who just happened to get together every now and then. Yet, it would have been nice. Really nice. I wonder what happened between him and Mizuki-sensei? I guess I should go inside right now and say hello to Eriol, as a classmate. I should be able to do something like that easily. "Sakura, is it okay if I go ahead. I have to check a couple of things with Naoko about a couple of things before we start the play."

"All right. I have to wait for Syaoran to arrive anyways, because he wanted to see me before we start, but he wouldn't tell me what it was about though."

"Maybe Syaoran just wants to surprise Sakura-chan" Tomoyo said cheerfully, "I'll see you in about 15 minutes backstage okay."

"All right." Agreed Sakura and waved goodbye to her best friend as she made her way inside. "Now where are you Syaoran?"

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Tomoyo had only taken less than handful of steps into the school theatre when Naoko came running up to her.

"Tomoyo, we have a major crises developing, you had better come quick."

"What is it Naoko? What's wrong?" sighed Tomoyo, looks like my friendly reunion with Eriol will have to be put on hold until I take care of this little matter.

"It's the costumes that you made for Sakura, they're gone! The Wardrobe mistress can't find them anywhere. I know you would like to know because seeing that Sakura is one of our major stars and everything…" Naoko trailed off.

"Is that the only problem?" asked Tomoyo calmly.

"Well there is a problem with the lighting, some idiot fooled around with the lighting board and now it's not quite working. The Sound system isn't working like it should be. Which the weird thing, since everything was running smoothly after the last dress rehearsal last night. It's like a supernatural being has taken over the theatre threatening to shut down the play tonight. You're taking this rather well, Tomoyo."

"Naoko, your imagination is running off with you again. But maybe that's why you're such a good playwright, and not such a good stage manager," teased Tomoyo " But to the urgent matters at hand, do we have a backup list for the lights?"

"Yes, I have it right here," said Naoko quickly flipping through the huge pile of paper in front her, "But Tomoyo, that isn't the problem the lighting board isn't working, and we've tried the backup already and it not working as well. I've already checked and there's no back-up to the back-up lighting board. What are we going to do, Tomoyo, the performance is less than two hours away!!!"

"First of all Naoko, breathe there isn't a need to panic right now," said Tomoyo, grabbing Naoko and pushing her down into a nearby chair, " even though I can understand the circumstance why you would be pushing the big red panic button. But still we need to approach these problems with a clear head. Okay."

"Okay!"

"Now to solve this light problem, hmmm…" Tomoyo started pacing and after several minutes, pulled out her cell phone and started dialing a number, and giving Naoko glance said, " I think I have a solution to almost all of our problems."

"Hello, this is Tomoyo Daidouji calling. Yes I'm Sonomi's daughter, that's not important. Look I need the best lighting board you have. Yes I know you probably need to check with my mother, which is why I'll cut through all the red tape right now. My mom gave me her full permission to use whatever I wished for this production. I don't care if you have to disconnect a hundred cables to it, but I wanted that lighting board here yesterday. Got it. Now one question, is Philip Muzki in today. Uh-huh, I see, could you get him on the phone please or at least patch me through his extension. Hello, Philip? Tomoyo here. Things are going about as smooth as can be expected for a production this size. I know, but I need a couple of favors, first who was that light technician I just talked to? hum-um, I see. Could you tell him that I have permission from mom to use anything I need for this endeavor, because I know she cleared it with you as well as the station manager a long time ago and I know you are the unofficial second-in-command. And second, is there any possibility that you have a spare soundboard control system that is compatible with our school's sound system. What is the model? It's a pitchtone, you do! That's great! Could you bring it over to the school auditorium? How long do you think it would take to hook up? I see about half an hour. When can you get here? Um-humm, okay see you soon. Bye."

"Well, what's going to happen, Tomoyo?" asked Naoko anxiously.

"Naoko, could you have Yamazaki and hmmm… who can I spare right now, maybe not Chiharu, she'd probably start straggling Yamazaki before they even left the auditorium. That won't work. Who can we spare…hmmm? I know get Rika and him get one of the caretakers to open the receiving gates so Phil and Takashi could drive the remote with our back-up to the back-up equipment in?"

"I'll get right on that," affirmed Naoko, and left to do her tasks.

Now about Sakura's missing costumes, well I guess that means I'll have to get her to wear the costumes I made. I feel bad for Rika though, I mean she spent so much time on them. I wonder where they went though. I better give Samantha a call to bring the costumes I made here so Sakura will have something nice to wear for the stage, when I finally get this monster on the road. … Hmmm, I haven't seen Eriol yet, and Sakura said that he would be just inside… but I don't see him anywhere. Maybe I should ask Sakura if she was sure it was Eriol that was back. She thought as she started dialing her head bodyguard's cell phone number.

"I'm afraid to interrupt this flurry of activity of yours seeing that you're so busy and everythiing," commented a voice dryly from out over nowhere, "but I just wanted to wish you luck and to say hi."

Tomoyo whirled around as a figure stepped from the shadows that were around the back of the house portion of the theatre.

It was Eriol.

"Eriol," stammered Tomoyo, "I didn't see you there."

"Obviously seeing that you were doing damage control at the time. How have you been doing, Tomoyo?"

"Well enough, I suppose," she replied nervously, "Eriol, I can't really talk right now because if the problems that are surfacing are solved now, it's going to blow up in our faces and I can't let that happen. But you'll stay for the performance, won't you? I think Sakura and the others still would be pleased if you did."

"The ever vigilent Tomoyo standing watch over her best friend Sakura's happiness,"commented Eriol dryly, "Don't you ever get tired over being so noble? When are you going to start looking after yourself?"

"I really don't have time for your little games right now Eriol," snapped Tomoyo, feeling that he had hit far too close to the truth, "I'll talk to you later" and stalked off, completely unaware of what she had just revealed to Eriol, who still remained where he was during the short converation with Tomoyo.

"Hmmm…. It seems that Miss. Daidouji is still sensitive about the subject of Miss. Kinomoto." he murmurred to himself softly, "Looks like I came back at the right time. But certainly a lot of work needs to be done before I can proceed." And went outside to see if Syaoran and Sakura had met up with each other yet.