BIG Apologies for the long wait! My reason? College. :-(
Thanks to Eileen for most of the storyline for this part; though I did think up of most of it (and you saying "yeah!")…So there! :-) You know I love ya.
Dedicated to Elyssa: Fly free in heaven little angel. :-)
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura. If I did…*GASP* I'd have…[insert lots of super awesome things here].
Game Start!
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Advice
(and other funny things)
A fanfic by Noelle
Chapter Nine: From the Outside Looking In
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Seijou High – During Class
[After the morning formalities, the class has settled into a lesson. This, of course, doesn't mean that everyone is paying attention…]
Tomoyo: (looking at Eriol) *It's odd that he's been frowning so much since we got in…*
Syaoran: (looks at Eriol) *Who knew he'd follow my advice after all? *
Sakura: (looks at Eriol also) *What's up with him? It's like he's pissed? …(thinks) it reminds me of someone… *
Eriol: (frowning) * Errgh…I should've gotten more used to these contacts before putting them in! They hurt like hell! *
[His eyes start to water]
Terada-sensei: …And then the 30-degree angle here compliments this perpendicular edge…
Eriol: Terada-sensei? Sumimasen. May I please be excused?
[He hurries out the door to put some eyedrops in]
Terada-sensei: *ahem* …and at this height and velocity…
Tomoyo: (whispers to Sakura) Think he's ok?
Sakura: (sweatdrops) Um…I'm sure he'll be fine.
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Seijou High – Break Period
Tomoyo: Ne, Sakura-chan…Hiiragizawa-kun looks nice without his glasses.
Sakura: Yeah, I think it's a good change for him.
[Tomoyo pulls out her handkerchief, which has nikuman wrapped inside]
Tomoyo: (offers) Want some?
Sakura: (brightens up) Sure! I'm famished! Thanks, Tomoyo-chan!
Tomoyo: No prob….(gasps) S-SAKURA-CHAN!
Sakura: (surprised and choking) Ch..eergh…choke…n-nani?
[Tomoyo pats Sakura on the back a few times]
Tomoyo: (whispers) It's HIM! He's coming this way! What should I do?
Sakura: (looks around) Um…eto…That's right! Tomoyo-chan, why don't you try dropping your handkerchief?
Tomoyo: (questioning look) Sakura-chan? Isn't that a bit…cliché?
Sakura: Well, you asked me!
Tomoyo: You really can't think of anything better?!
[While the two girls were arguing, Eriol has already closed the distance]
Eriol: (in a sexy way) Hello Sakura-san, Dai—Tomoyo-san. May I sit next to you lovely ladies?
Tomoyo: (surprised) WAH!!!!
[She drops her handkerchief on accident]
[Sakura and Tomoyo stare at it in shock]
Eriol: (looks down) Oh, let me get that for you…
[Eriol bends down to pick it up]
Tomoyo: (weird expression) *Don't tell me…it actually works? * (clears her throat) Thanks Hiiragizawa-kun~~! Y-You're so thoughtful! (smiles cutely)
Eriol: (serious tone) I'd do anything for you, Tomoyo-san.
[Sakura starts inching away from the couple]
Sakura: *Hoeeee…*
[Tomoyo falters a bit under his intense gaze]
Tomoyo: (trying to break the tension) Ano…Hiiragizawa-kun?
Eriol: Eh? What is it?
Tomoyo: (holds out a meat bun) Nikuman?
Sakura: ….
Eriol: ….
[They both sweatdrop]
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Elsewhere in Tomoeda – Around Noon
[Touya is walking down the street holding a piece of paper with an address on it]
Touya: Hmph…I guess I should, I don't have anything else to do anyway.
Yukito: (from across the street) Oh! To-ya!
Touya: Eh? Yuki?
[Yukito, carrying a huge bag of food, runs over to where Touya is]
Yukito: (hefting the bag in front of Touya's face) Want some lunch?
Touya: (sweatdrops) Eh…not really…(thinks) Hey Yuki…
Yukito: (smiling) What?
Touya: (smiles nervously) Help me find this place. I think I'm lost…
*************
Outside Tomoeda TV station – Moments later
[Touya and Yukito look upwards at the intimidating building]
Touya: Wow, Yuki! Who knew you were so good at finding places! (he pats Yukito on the back)
Yukito: Haha, it's nothing. Who did you say you were visiting again?
Touya: Oh, sorry, I forgot. Uhm…you remember Youko?
Yukito: (thinks) From high school? Yeah! She did that play when you were…
Touya: (interrupts him) ANYWAY…let's get inside.
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Tomoeda TV Station – On an open set
[There are various things on the set, with props on it to make it look like the inside of an apartment]
Director: We need a new guy, pronto! That stupid Daisuke! Get the calls out!
Underling: Y-Yes, sir.
Director: Make-up! And someone, fix the set!
Touya: (looks around) *What does Youko do for a living anyway? *
Director: Oh, THERE you are, Youko-chan…at least you haven't left!
Youko: Hehe, don't worry about me, but what about Daisuke? (notices Touya) Oh! Kinomoto-kun! Hi!
Touya: …Yo.
Youko: (excited) And Tskushiro-kun too! It's so nice to see you two.
Touya: Umm…what's with all this? (points to the set)
Youko: Oh, I didn't tell you? I've been working on this TV show lately. Have you ever heard of the show, "Prism?"
Touya: Yeah, my sister watches it all the time. Who knew you were a famous actress already?
Youko: (giggles) Hardly. I've been in the background up until now…it's my big break!
Director: (interrupts everyone) THAT'S IT! (he puts his hand on Touya's shoulder)
Touya: Why… Are… You… Touching me?
Director: (ecstatically) You're our new leading man!
Yukito: (claps his hands) Oh! How wonderful! Huh, To-ya? (he turns toward his friend)
[Touya and Youko both wear equal expressions of shock]
Touya: …
Youko: Sorry about this, Kinomoto-kun…
Director: Somebody give him a script! We're gonna start filming…LIVE!
Touya: …
[Touya promptly faints]
Youko: (blushes) *Maybe it's good he didn't know about the kissing scene…*
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Seijou High – After School
[As the students get out of class, Eriol pulls Syaoran aside for a brief moment]
Eriol: Li…I don't know if this is working or not…
Syaoran: (thinks) Well…since you've already told her about how you feel, why not just wait for an answer?
Eriol: Hmm…
Syaoran: Or you could tell her again, and see what happens?
Eriol: Simple, but true. Thanks, Li.
Syaoran: After all, you don't glare the right way; so…(pats him on the shoulder jokingly) don't try too hard, ok?
Eriol: [GLARE] …
Syaoran: [Smug grin] …heh.
[At this point, Sakura and Tomoyo walk over to them]
Sakura: (smiles) Syaoran-kun? What's keeping you up? I wanted us to walk home together.
Syaoran: (blushes at her) Eh? What for?
Sakura: Well…Yukito-san's supposed to come over tonight so we'll have lots of food…
[Sakura looks around, trying to find an opportunity to pull a 'Tomoyo']
Syaoran: C-can I come?
Sakura: *Just what I needed! * Ok Syaoran-kun! Let's go!
[She grabs his hand and zooms out the door, leaving Eriol and Tomoyo alone]
Tomoyo: (smiles)*Oh, Sakura-chan, you're way too obvious…*
Eriol: Daidouji-san?
Tomoyo: (smiles at him) What is it?
Eriol: (blushes) I know I've been acting strange lately…
Tomoyo: (giggles) …by any chance did you ask Li-kun for advice?
Eriol: [Eriol grin] Nothing escapes you, ne?
Tomoyo: (blushes) *It's nice to see his smile again… *
Eriol: (moves closer) I know I already told you…but I want to tell you again…
Tomoyo: (looks up into his eyes) Tell me…
Eriol: I love you. (smiles) So much that I'd even act like Li-kun for a day.
Tomoyo: (smiles at him) Did you notice my 'Sakura-chan' impression today?
Eriol: Hai. It was very cute. [Eriol grin]
Tomoyo: You know, I did it because…
[She gets on her tiptoes and whispers into his ear]
Tomoyo: …I think I love you too.
[And since she was on her tiptoes already, Tomoyo tilted her face up to his and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips]
Eriol: (breathlessly) Daidouji-san?
Tomoyo: (runs her fingers down his cheek) Sorry for the wait…but let's take it one step at a time…ne, Eriol-kun?
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Kinomoto Residence – Late Afternoon
[The door opens forcefully, and Sakura appears to be in a hurry]
Sakura: Tadaima!
Fujitaka: Oi oi, Sakura-san…what's the big hurry? ….Ah!
[He notices Syaoran standing behind her]
Syaoran: A-ano…(bows)
Sakura: (giggles at his actions) You don't have to do THAT Syaoran-kun! (she takes his hand) Come on! We're gonna miss my favorite show!
[She bolts up the stairs pulling Syaoran along]
Syaoran: EH?!?!
Fujitaka: [Fujitaka grin] …my, my…at least I can get dinner ready.
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Sakura's Room – a little later
[Sakura is parked in front of the TV, Syaoran is sitting at Sakura's desk, and Kero-chan is guzzling cookies]
Kero-chan: (eating cookies) guzzle guzzle CRUNCH!
Syaoran: (gives Sakura a "look") I don't know what's so special about that TV show; you could've taped it…
Sakura: (clearly excited) But I've been looking forward to this show for a long time! There's supposed to be something BIG in this one!
[The show comes back from commercial break in the meantime]
Syaoran: (pale look) A-ano…Sakura?
Sakura: What is it Syaoran-kun? Something wrong?
Syaoran: (points a shaky finger towards the TV screen) Isn't that…that…
Sakura: Oh…Youko-san? I knew she was in this show from before, no biggie.
Syaoran: Uh….but…
Sakura: (gives him a "look" and turns back towards the television) Mou! Syaoran-kun…sometimes you're just so complicated…
[On the TV screen, Touya and Youko are locked in a passionate kiss]
Sakura: (her eyes go REALLY wide) HOE?????!!!
[Long pause…. Sakura's eyes are still glued to the TV screen]
Syaoran: (blushes) Eh…think they like each other?
Sakura: (brows furrowed in thought) ….*Oniichan…what's going on?*
To be continued!
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~End of Chapter 9~
Some Vocab:
Sumimasen – 'I'm sorry' or 'excuse me'
Nikuman – A meat bun. It looks pretty much like fluffy white bread with meat inside. Yummy!
Mou – a sort of 'geez!'
Oniichan – older brother (-chan notes endearment)
Ano / Eto – 'Umm….'
Not a lot of new vocab, so I just put some for review :-).
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Preview for Chapter Ten:
Sakura: Oniichan! Tell me what's going on! I've always thought um…you know…*ahem!* Anyway, that onscreen kiss got me thinking….Ne, Syaoran-kun? *BLUSH* Hoee…Tomoyo-chan! Don't look at me like that! Expect all this and more in: Advice (and other funny things) chapter TEN! Jikai mo, Sakura to isshoni…RELEASE!
Leave it to Noelle! (otherwise known as author's notes)
[pops out of a big sign]
Noelle: Konyanyachiwaaaaa! I'm sorry a hundred times over for making this chapter come out as slow as it did. I was actually ¾ done with it in September; but of course, school came up.
And about the Fujitaka grin, you DO know he's one half of Clow Reed…right? (The other half being Eriol of course). Manga stuff…just a little reference.
Kero-chan: (teary-eyed) How…COULD YOU?!!!!
Noelle: (bows) I'm sorry! I really really am!
Kero-chan: (still teary-eyed) No…not that…*sniff* you didn't put me in the chapter! AGAIN!
Noelle: Oh…THAT. Anyway, I'm not sure when Chapter 10 is coming out, but I'll try my best! (after midterms of course). Just be sure to tell me if you're still interested in the continuation of this story through your reviews! I had a lot of fun writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it as well.
Kero-chan: ….HMPH! Ok kids…umm…(never mind…) Honana! ~