TITLE: When You Need Me
DISCLAIMER: lol. If I owned ANYTHING to do with CCS, do you think I'd be sitting here writing fics??? ^_-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ME: YAY! This is my third chapter! Clap everyone, clap!
*booes and hisses*
ME: *twitches* Ok, fine, I don't CARE if YOU don't like it, I'm writing this for fun anyways! *blows a raspberry* ^.^
KERO: *groans* Stop being rude or NO ONE will read your fic!
SPINEL: 0.o
ME: ............. what's wrong with him?
KERO: MUHAHAHAHA!!! It's the sugar ^.^
ME: Oh, from the candy I gave him? *gulps* Um, Kero, I think we better get on with the fic...... and FAST.
KERO: Uh? Why?
SPINEL: 0.o hehehe.
KERO: Was it just me, or did he give us a creepy look?
ME: He's gonna blow! RUN!!!!!!!!
(Kero and DFS dodge Spinel as he spins crazily around the room, knocking everything over)
ME: *pant* ON WITH THE FIC!
* * * * * * *
*****WHEN YOU NEED ME*****
Chapter 3
Tomoyo shivered, closing her eyes and trying to imagine that his hand wasn't on her shoulder. That he didn't even exist. But he did. The heavy breathing behind her left ear was enough to prove that.
Finally she drew up the courage to pull away, slamming her locker closed and trying to head calmly towards the school door. But she knew she wouldn't make it. Oh, she knew.
~...little do they know, their fates are already sown...~
"Not so fast Daidouji." Brian's voice stopped her, as well as his strong grip on her elbow. Already the rest of the gang was beginning to crowd around. But Tomoyo could only stare at Brian, her piercing gaze fixed on his expression. And right now it was a look of victory and pleasure, with his pale lips curved into a wicked grin. But there was something else flashing in his eyes...... a tinge of anger. Despite the chaos he had caused for her last night, it wasn't over. He still didn't feel like he had one. Maybe because he now knew he could never get what he had wanted in the first place. Her.
"Did you have a pleasant night?"
"Painfully so," Tomoyo responded calmly, pulling her elbow away even though her path was already blocked by two girls and a guy, all dressed in strange assortments of red and black. The guy had a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth, while one of the girls had glasses on, her hair cut short and spiked. Definitely strange.
Brian grinned again, his appearance just becoming more devilish. "I see. You've got some cuts scaring that pretty face of yours, haven't you?"
Tomoyo didn't respond, her face neutral and her eyes focused on his, but cloudy as if she really wasn't paying attention. This was not the reaction he wanted.
"Well, you had your chance Tomoyo!" He shouted, his face growing slightly red as his anger rose. The skull tattoo on his neck throbbed. "But you turned it down, and insulted the Serpents! Don't think your punishment will be gentle!"
"I already know this Brian." Tomoyo said calmly, her gaze still cloudy even though her voice was a bit harsher sounding. "What's your point?"
Suddenly Brian grabbed her bandaged left hand and squeezed hard. Tomoyo cried out in pain, trying to yank her hand away.
"Stop it!"
The gang just flew into fits of laughter as Brian squeezed harder, watching stains of blood show up on the white bandages. Tomoyo cried out again, straightening herself and slapping him hard.
Silence filled the hall as Brian immediately let go, holding his stinging face in pain. Then he looked up, a dark red mark forming on his cheek.
"You...... little...... bitch!"
"Well what did you expect me to do!?" Tomoyo hissed, though the fear was evident in her watery purple eyes as she backed away from the angry and surprised faces, holding her hand gingerly as immense throbs of pain swept through it. It had taken forever to stop the bleeding on her hand, and now it had started all over again, splotching large dots of red all over. Soon there was barely any white left.
But that was the least of her worries as Brian stepped forward again, getting encouraging shouts from his peers as he got ready to deliver a blow to her jaw.
'While I'm injured no less,' Tomoyo thought worriedly, wincing from the pain as she tried to back away further, 'What a coward.'
"Daidouji?!" A voice suddenly rang from down the hall. Without looking the gang dispersed, running out of the building in seconds. They couldn't afford to get caught beating up a student...... not when the police were already after them for a many number of things.
Tomoyo ignored the voice, however, sinking to her knees and holding her throbbing hand close to her chest as if it would stop the pain. Her purple eyes were closed, a single tear streaming down a face that seemed paler and more ghostly then usual.
She felt strong, warm arms wrap around her waist, pulling her up to her feet. Opening her eyes halfway, she tried to walk out of the comforting arms and turn around to face the person behind her, but she couldn't seem to do it. The arms gripped tighter, and a few whispered words, like a melody, flew into her ears. Then no more, as she tumbled into a deep and peaceful sleep.
* * * * * *
Eriol looked down solemnly at the girl in his arms, carrying her down the well-groomed sidewalk and towards his house on one of the grayest days of the year. People would have stared...... they would have thought it crazy. A young man carrying an unconscious young women down streets in the middle of the day. And with a blood-soaked bandage on one of her hands nonetheless. But this wasn't just any young man. If he didn't want to be seen..... he wouldn't be. That's just the way it was.
A frown still playing on his usually mischievous face, Eriol gently pushed a few strands of black hair away from her eyes and shook his head sadly. 'Tomoyo.... you don't understand, do you? You have no clue how bad these people will get. You wouldn't be so calm about this if you knew they meant to kill you. As soon as they get a chance to, they will. You don't understand.'
And yet....... maybe she did. Maybe she knew perfectly well. Maybe there was another reason behind her silence. Tomoyo usually wasn't one to overlook facts.
Pushing open the door to his mansion-like house, Eriol quickly stepped inside and kicked it closed, placing Tomoyo gently down on the couch. Then he closed his eyes, searching for any sign of his guardians. Ruby Moon out with a bunch of guys, she had told him...... most likely CHASING DOWN a bunch of guys. But Spinel was nearby, sitting in the kitchen and reading a newspaper.
"Come here Spinel!" Eriol shouted calmly through the walls, placing Tomoyo's bookbag right next to his by the couch. As he did, a piece of paper spilled out of the open pocket. He picked it up, examining it with a small sad smile, then folding it up and placing it in his pocket. Tomoyo's sketch of all her friends. He'd have to give it back to her later.
Seconds later the small black cat arrived, looking slightly bored and annoyed at being called away from a very interesting article. As soon as he saw Tomoyo, however, his mood changed completely.
"M-master?! What happened?!"
Eriol just shrugged, a secretive frown playing his features as he knelt down next to her and held up her bleeding hand.
"How do we fix this Spinel?"
The small cat immediately jumped into the air, a serious expression in his small eyes. Despite usually being as calm and collected as Eriol, the shock of seeing Tomoyo like this had really gotten to him. Eriol had always known, deep down inside, Spinel was very fond of the pale, quiet girl who always had a smile to muster for everyone, whether it shown in her eyes or not.
In seconds Spinel was gone, searching for bandages and painkillers.
* * * * * *
Tomoyo slowly opened her eyes, blinking slowly to wash away the blurry figures from her vision. She had no clue where she was..... just that someone had picked her up, and then she had fallen into a deep sleep. Growing slightly panicked, Tomoyo immediately sat up, black hair flying around her shoulders as she looked around quickly with wide purple eyes.
As Eriol's smiling face came into view she froze, feeling a surprising jolt go through her whole body. He was sitting next to her on a chair that was just tall enough so that they were level, a knowing look in his slitted bluish-grey eyes, light flashing off his glasses. Spinel sat silently on his shoulder, a more worried look on his face then his master held. For a fact, Spinel was better at showing his emotions then Eriol was, whether that was good or bad.
"You're very lucky Tomoyo" The young man said softly, smiling as he handed her a cup of steaming tea, "I doubt you'd still be in one piece if they hadn't decided to run."
Tomoyo took the tea slowly, noticing out of the corner of her eye that her hand was newly bandaged and felt way less painful then before. She didn't even bother with a smile as she met Eriol's eyes. Her own were hollow and lifeless. He could tell she was too drained to wear her masks, too drained to even pretend that she wasn't annoyed. All she could do was take a sip of the tea, her face mixed with all her emotions at once in such a way he had never seen her. And still a wary glint entered her eyes.
"How much did you see Eriol?"
It was a simple question, and so down to the point that he decided to drop his mask as well, finally frowning. "Enough," he answered steadily, watching her misty violet eyes as she sipped the tea again, "To know that there's something going on that's most likely going to get you killed unless your more careful. Now are you finally willing to talk?"
Tomoyo looked unsure, resting her back against the soft cushion of the couch as she set the tea down on a nearby coffee table and held her hand gently. Eriol was slightly taken aback by the look of confusion and fear in her eyes, but Spinel seemed to know exactly what to do. Leaping off of Eriol's shoulder, the winged cat landed in a ball on Tomoyo's lap, tickling her with his fluttering wings as he purred softly.
Eriol himself looked faintly amused as he stared over at his friend and guardian. Spinel Sun had always been calm and practical, except when either running from Ruby Moon or on a sugar high, and he had always insisted that he wasn't to be treated like a cat, because he was very superior to one. And yet here he was, the same Spinel Sun, rubbing his small head against Tomoyo's arm in a comforting way and purring softly.
What was even more surprising, however, was the affect it had on Tomoyo. Immediately she looked down at the small guardian beast and smiled, a smile that actually reached her eyes and brightened her features. I smile so rare that, for reasons Eriol didn't know, he immediately grew jealous that it was pointed at Spinel and not him.
The girl looked up at him, her smile now turned soft but still there, even though a hint of hardness was taking over her eyes. But this was no mask. And it caused butterflies in the magicians' stomach.
"Okay Eriol, I'll tell you...... if you really want to know."
She received a small nod, and closed her eyes. "What do you want to know then?"
Carefully he chose his words, knowing that a wrong turn could leave him back where he started, and a wrongly stated question would bring back the masks. This would be hard.
"Why is Brian and his gang of Serpents after you?"
There. Simple, to the point. He saw Tomoyo visibly wince. Oops.
"I-I'm sorry, I'll try to reword that-" Eriol began, but she cut him off with a laugh.
"Don't be an idiot Eriol, I'll answer that. It's just not a very appetizing reason, that's all. Brian came to me a couple days after Sakura and Syaoran left for Hong Kong. At first, I didn't even know he was in a gang. All he wanted to do was ask me to be his girlfriend. But..... but I said no. So after a couple more days he tried to force me into it by bringing his gang into the picture. Then when I still wouldn't agree, he told me that I at least had to join his gang, and then everyone else with him started hitting on me for money and.... and I don't know what else. I really don't want to talk about what they wanted."
By now Tomoyo was looking away, avoiding Eriol's intense gaze. So only Spinel, curled up on Tomoyo's lap, saw the flash of something that looked like anger cross his masters face. No, not just that....... possessiveness. But it was gone in a flash, replaced by his naturally calm demeanor, and not a hint of any other emotion showed on his face. Tomoyo continued to speak.
"I got mad at him yesterday though..... I guess it was stress or something. But I got really mad and told him off in front of his gang. I think I might have shocked them just a bit."
Another flash of something passed across Eriol's face. This time it looked like a small smirk, but once again Tomoyo didn't notice.
"But I made a mistake Eriol...... I insulted him and his gang. Not THAT badly, but I guess it made them mad enough. So they said they'd be coming after me from now on........ really not that complicated."
"What happened to your hand Tomoyo?"
After she explained about the glass door and the rock, Tomoyo sat back and hung her head, knowing the question that would come next. The question with an answer Eriol probably wouldn't understand.
"Why haven't you told anyone?"
Closing her eyes and awaiting the look she knew was coming...... an incredulous look that would clearly say 'You gotta be kidding, THIS is the reason?!', Tomoyo silently handed the note that she had found attached to the rock over to Eriol. He scanned it with his eyes quietly, reading over the words in his mind again and again. '...How many ways can a snake get into a maidens castle?...'
Eriol looked up to see her head bowed and her shoulders stiff. He knew what she was expecting...... especially from someone like him who had never really loved and never really had parents. But it wasn't a look of anger or disgrace, but of pity....... and even a bit of pain. But not a look that he'd let Tomoyo see, that's for sure.
"Tomoyo, you know perfectly well you're in danger. If there's really nothing you can do, at least take my advice. Your home won't be a safe place much longer..... and your mom might be in even more danger the longer you stay. When that time comes, my house is open to you."
The girl looked up sharply, violet eyes glinting against the dim light in the room. Not only was Tomoyo surprised that he understood her situation perfectly, but that he had offered his house as a shelter to her. And, after she thought about it, the house of a magician was safer then any other place she could think of. And she smiled. A genuine smile that lit up her eyes and face, a smile that made her look like a younger, more joyful Tomoyo.
'How can she DO that?' Eriol wondered, shooting back a small nervous smile as his insides twisted and his head spun. Yes, Tomoyo was pretty, everyone knew that, even with her sad far away looks and sorrowful smiles. But when she smiled like that....... oh, she was beyond pretty. She was the sun. She was the moon. She was....... Tomoyo. And just being that was perfect in every way.
Eriol shook himself out of his embarrassing and surprising thoughts, holding out a hand to help her up as he stood up himself. "You had better be getting home Tomoyo...... your body guards were waiting outside the school for you hours ago, and I can just imagine the state they're in now. How about I call them over to pick you up? Because you should know I'm not going to let you walk home alone."
The playful tone in his voice made her smile again, but this time she covered it by making a face, even though her eyes were dancing. "You're evil Eriol. You couldn't even have TOLD them that you were dragging me over here to pump me for information? They're probably still sitting there, waiting for me to come out!"
Her response amused him, and he immediately smirked. "Sorry Miss Daidouji, where were my manners?"
"I have no idea," She replied, setting Spinel adoringly down on the couch before walking calmly into the kitchen to go phone her mother. Eriol stared after her for awhile until he heard a small cough from the couch and immediately looked down to see Spinel staring at him, seated comfortably on the cushions.
"What?!" Eriol asked, scowling. Spinel just smirked.
* * * * * * *
T O B E C O N T I N U E D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: YAY! See, that wasn't ALL angstish, was it? I mean, a bit of happiness and fuzzyness and stuff? Right guys?
SPINEL: *smiles* I liked it! I have a role in the fic, and I actually HELP with something...... (hehehe.... and I know something Eriol doesn't ^.^)
KERO: Hey, DFS! How come SPINEL gets a part in this fic?? WHERE AM I?!?!?
ME: Oh....... Kero, you're in Hong Kong with Sakura, of course! You know, yelling, eating, playing video games, eating........ lots of stuff. You're probably having a funner time in Hong Kong then Spinel is in this fic.
KERO: *grins* Hey, see that Spinel? I'M having a better time!
SPINEL: *smirks* Bet YOUR name doesn't appear in the fic ONCE.
KERO: DFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: Um........ ^.^' heh heh......... sorry Kero....... but I do have a surprise for both of you.
BOTH: Wazzat???
(Ruby Moon suddenly rushes through the door)
R.M.: KEEEEERO!!!! SUPPPIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPINEL & KERO: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: Muhahahaha!! Now on to chapter 4!
DISCLAIMER: lol. If I owned ANYTHING to do with CCS, do you think I'd be sitting here writing fics??? ^_-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ME: YAY! This is my third chapter! Clap everyone, clap!
*booes and hisses*
ME: *twitches* Ok, fine, I don't CARE if YOU don't like it, I'm writing this for fun anyways! *blows a raspberry* ^.^
KERO: *groans* Stop being rude or NO ONE will read your fic!
SPINEL: 0.o
ME: ............. what's wrong with him?
KERO: MUHAHAHAHA!!! It's the sugar ^.^
ME: Oh, from the candy I gave him? *gulps* Um, Kero, I think we better get on with the fic...... and FAST.
KERO: Uh? Why?
SPINEL: 0.o hehehe.
KERO: Was it just me, or did he give us a creepy look?
ME: He's gonna blow! RUN!!!!!!!!
(Kero and DFS dodge Spinel as he spins crazily around the room, knocking everything over)
ME: *pant* ON WITH THE FIC!
* * * * * * *
*****WHEN YOU NEED ME*****
Chapter 3
Tomoyo shivered, closing her eyes and trying to imagine that his hand wasn't on her shoulder. That he didn't even exist. But he did. The heavy breathing behind her left ear was enough to prove that.
Finally she drew up the courage to pull away, slamming her locker closed and trying to head calmly towards the school door. But she knew she wouldn't make it. Oh, she knew.
~...little do they know, their fates are already sown...~
"Not so fast Daidouji." Brian's voice stopped her, as well as his strong grip on her elbow. Already the rest of the gang was beginning to crowd around. But Tomoyo could only stare at Brian, her piercing gaze fixed on his expression. And right now it was a look of victory and pleasure, with his pale lips curved into a wicked grin. But there was something else flashing in his eyes...... a tinge of anger. Despite the chaos he had caused for her last night, it wasn't over. He still didn't feel like he had one. Maybe because he now knew he could never get what he had wanted in the first place. Her.
"Did you have a pleasant night?"
"Painfully so," Tomoyo responded calmly, pulling her elbow away even though her path was already blocked by two girls and a guy, all dressed in strange assortments of red and black. The guy had a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth, while one of the girls had glasses on, her hair cut short and spiked. Definitely strange.
Brian grinned again, his appearance just becoming more devilish. "I see. You've got some cuts scaring that pretty face of yours, haven't you?"
Tomoyo didn't respond, her face neutral and her eyes focused on his, but cloudy as if she really wasn't paying attention. This was not the reaction he wanted.
"Well, you had your chance Tomoyo!" He shouted, his face growing slightly red as his anger rose. The skull tattoo on his neck throbbed. "But you turned it down, and insulted the Serpents! Don't think your punishment will be gentle!"
"I already know this Brian." Tomoyo said calmly, her gaze still cloudy even though her voice was a bit harsher sounding. "What's your point?"
Suddenly Brian grabbed her bandaged left hand and squeezed hard. Tomoyo cried out in pain, trying to yank her hand away.
"Stop it!"
The gang just flew into fits of laughter as Brian squeezed harder, watching stains of blood show up on the white bandages. Tomoyo cried out again, straightening herself and slapping him hard.
Silence filled the hall as Brian immediately let go, holding his stinging face in pain. Then he looked up, a dark red mark forming on his cheek.
"You...... little...... bitch!"
"Well what did you expect me to do!?" Tomoyo hissed, though the fear was evident in her watery purple eyes as she backed away from the angry and surprised faces, holding her hand gingerly as immense throbs of pain swept through it. It had taken forever to stop the bleeding on her hand, and now it had started all over again, splotching large dots of red all over. Soon there was barely any white left.
But that was the least of her worries as Brian stepped forward again, getting encouraging shouts from his peers as he got ready to deliver a blow to her jaw.
'While I'm injured no less,' Tomoyo thought worriedly, wincing from the pain as she tried to back away further, 'What a coward.'
"Daidouji?!" A voice suddenly rang from down the hall. Without looking the gang dispersed, running out of the building in seconds. They couldn't afford to get caught beating up a student...... not when the police were already after them for a many number of things.
Tomoyo ignored the voice, however, sinking to her knees and holding her throbbing hand close to her chest as if it would stop the pain. Her purple eyes were closed, a single tear streaming down a face that seemed paler and more ghostly then usual.
She felt strong, warm arms wrap around her waist, pulling her up to her feet. Opening her eyes halfway, she tried to walk out of the comforting arms and turn around to face the person behind her, but she couldn't seem to do it. The arms gripped tighter, and a few whispered words, like a melody, flew into her ears. Then no more, as she tumbled into a deep and peaceful sleep.
* * * * * *
Eriol looked down solemnly at the girl in his arms, carrying her down the well-groomed sidewalk and towards his house on one of the grayest days of the year. People would have stared...... they would have thought it crazy. A young man carrying an unconscious young women down streets in the middle of the day. And with a blood-soaked bandage on one of her hands nonetheless. But this wasn't just any young man. If he didn't want to be seen..... he wouldn't be. That's just the way it was.
A frown still playing on his usually mischievous face, Eriol gently pushed a few strands of black hair away from her eyes and shook his head sadly. 'Tomoyo.... you don't understand, do you? You have no clue how bad these people will get. You wouldn't be so calm about this if you knew they meant to kill you. As soon as they get a chance to, they will. You don't understand.'
And yet....... maybe she did. Maybe she knew perfectly well. Maybe there was another reason behind her silence. Tomoyo usually wasn't one to overlook facts.
Pushing open the door to his mansion-like house, Eriol quickly stepped inside and kicked it closed, placing Tomoyo gently down on the couch. Then he closed his eyes, searching for any sign of his guardians. Ruby Moon out with a bunch of guys, she had told him...... most likely CHASING DOWN a bunch of guys. But Spinel was nearby, sitting in the kitchen and reading a newspaper.
"Come here Spinel!" Eriol shouted calmly through the walls, placing Tomoyo's bookbag right next to his by the couch. As he did, a piece of paper spilled out of the open pocket. He picked it up, examining it with a small sad smile, then folding it up and placing it in his pocket. Tomoyo's sketch of all her friends. He'd have to give it back to her later.
Seconds later the small black cat arrived, looking slightly bored and annoyed at being called away from a very interesting article. As soon as he saw Tomoyo, however, his mood changed completely.
"M-master?! What happened?!"
Eriol just shrugged, a secretive frown playing his features as he knelt down next to her and held up her bleeding hand.
"How do we fix this Spinel?"
The small cat immediately jumped into the air, a serious expression in his small eyes. Despite usually being as calm and collected as Eriol, the shock of seeing Tomoyo like this had really gotten to him. Eriol had always known, deep down inside, Spinel was very fond of the pale, quiet girl who always had a smile to muster for everyone, whether it shown in her eyes or not.
In seconds Spinel was gone, searching for bandages and painkillers.
* * * * * *
Tomoyo slowly opened her eyes, blinking slowly to wash away the blurry figures from her vision. She had no clue where she was..... just that someone had picked her up, and then she had fallen into a deep sleep. Growing slightly panicked, Tomoyo immediately sat up, black hair flying around her shoulders as she looked around quickly with wide purple eyes.
As Eriol's smiling face came into view she froze, feeling a surprising jolt go through her whole body. He was sitting next to her on a chair that was just tall enough so that they were level, a knowing look in his slitted bluish-grey eyes, light flashing off his glasses. Spinel sat silently on his shoulder, a more worried look on his face then his master held. For a fact, Spinel was better at showing his emotions then Eriol was, whether that was good or bad.
"You're very lucky Tomoyo" The young man said softly, smiling as he handed her a cup of steaming tea, "I doubt you'd still be in one piece if they hadn't decided to run."
Tomoyo took the tea slowly, noticing out of the corner of her eye that her hand was newly bandaged and felt way less painful then before. She didn't even bother with a smile as she met Eriol's eyes. Her own were hollow and lifeless. He could tell she was too drained to wear her masks, too drained to even pretend that she wasn't annoyed. All she could do was take a sip of the tea, her face mixed with all her emotions at once in such a way he had never seen her. And still a wary glint entered her eyes.
"How much did you see Eriol?"
It was a simple question, and so down to the point that he decided to drop his mask as well, finally frowning. "Enough," he answered steadily, watching her misty violet eyes as she sipped the tea again, "To know that there's something going on that's most likely going to get you killed unless your more careful. Now are you finally willing to talk?"
Tomoyo looked unsure, resting her back against the soft cushion of the couch as she set the tea down on a nearby coffee table and held her hand gently. Eriol was slightly taken aback by the look of confusion and fear in her eyes, but Spinel seemed to know exactly what to do. Leaping off of Eriol's shoulder, the winged cat landed in a ball on Tomoyo's lap, tickling her with his fluttering wings as he purred softly.
Eriol himself looked faintly amused as he stared over at his friend and guardian. Spinel Sun had always been calm and practical, except when either running from Ruby Moon or on a sugar high, and he had always insisted that he wasn't to be treated like a cat, because he was very superior to one. And yet here he was, the same Spinel Sun, rubbing his small head against Tomoyo's arm in a comforting way and purring softly.
What was even more surprising, however, was the affect it had on Tomoyo. Immediately she looked down at the small guardian beast and smiled, a smile that actually reached her eyes and brightened her features. I smile so rare that, for reasons Eriol didn't know, he immediately grew jealous that it was pointed at Spinel and not him.
The girl looked up at him, her smile now turned soft but still there, even though a hint of hardness was taking over her eyes. But this was no mask. And it caused butterflies in the magicians' stomach.
"Okay Eriol, I'll tell you...... if you really want to know."
She received a small nod, and closed her eyes. "What do you want to know then?"
Carefully he chose his words, knowing that a wrong turn could leave him back where he started, and a wrongly stated question would bring back the masks. This would be hard.
"Why is Brian and his gang of Serpents after you?"
There. Simple, to the point. He saw Tomoyo visibly wince. Oops.
"I-I'm sorry, I'll try to reword that-" Eriol began, but she cut him off with a laugh.
"Don't be an idiot Eriol, I'll answer that. It's just not a very appetizing reason, that's all. Brian came to me a couple days after Sakura and Syaoran left for Hong Kong. At first, I didn't even know he was in a gang. All he wanted to do was ask me to be his girlfriend. But..... but I said no. So after a couple more days he tried to force me into it by bringing his gang into the picture. Then when I still wouldn't agree, he told me that I at least had to join his gang, and then everyone else with him started hitting on me for money and.... and I don't know what else. I really don't want to talk about what they wanted."
By now Tomoyo was looking away, avoiding Eriol's intense gaze. So only Spinel, curled up on Tomoyo's lap, saw the flash of something that looked like anger cross his masters face. No, not just that....... possessiveness. But it was gone in a flash, replaced by his naturally calm demeanor, and not a hint of any other emotion showed on his face. Tomoyo continued to speak.
"I got mad at him yesterday though..... I guess it was stress or something. But I got really mad and told him off in front of his gang. I think I might have shocked them just a bit."
Another flash of something passed across Eriol's face. This time it looked like a small smirk, but once again Tomoyo didn't notice.
"But I made a mistake Eriol...... I insulted him and his gang. Not THAT badly, but I guess it made them mad enough. So they said they'd be coming after me from now on........ really not that complicated."
"What happened to your hand Tomoyo?"
After she explained about the glass door and the rock, Tomoyo sat back and hung her head, knowing the question that would come next. The question with an answer Eriol probably wouldn't understand.
"Why haven't you told anyone?"
Closing her eyes and awaiting the look she knew was coming...... an incredulous look that would clearly say 'You gotta be kidding, THIS is the reason?!', Tomoyo silently handed the note that she had found attached to the rock over to Eriol. He scanned it with his eyes quietly, reading over the words in his mind again and again. '...How many ways can a snake get into a maidens castle?...'
Eriol looked up to see her head bowed and her shoulders stiff. He knew what she was expecting...... especially from someone like him who had never really loved and never really had parents. But it wasn't a look of anger or disgrace, but of pity....... and even a bit of pain. But not a look that he'd let Tomoyo see, that's for sure.
"Tomoyo, you know perfectly well you're in danger. If there's really nothing you can do, at least take my advice. Your home won't be a safe place much longer..... and your mom might be in even more danger the longer you stay. When that time comes, my house is open to you."
The girl looked up sharply, violet eyes glinting against the dim light in the room. Not only was Tomoyo surprised that he understood her situation perfectly, but that he had offered his house as a shelter to her. And, after she thought about it, the house of a magician was safer then any other place she could think of. And she smiled. A genuine smile that lit up her eyes and face, a smile that made her look like a younger, more joyful Tomoyo.
'How can she DO that?' Eriol wondered, shooting back a small nervous smile as his insides twisted and his head spun. Yes, Tomoyo was pretty, everyone knew that, even with her sad far away looks and sorrowful smiles. But when she smiled like that....... oh, she was beyond pretty. She was the sun. She was the moon. She was....... Tomoyo. And just being that was perfect in every way.
Eriol shook himself out of his embarrassing and surprising thoughts, holding out a hand to help her up as he stood up himself. "You had better be getting home Tomoyo...... your body guards were waiting outside the school for you hours ago, and I can just imagine the state they're in now. How about I call them over to pick you up? Because you should know I'm not going to let you walk home alone."
The playful tone in his voice made her smile again, but this time she covered it by making a face, even though her eyes were dancing. "You're evil Eriol. You couldn't even have TOLD them that you were dragging me over here to pump me for information? They're probably still sitting there, waiting for me to come out!"
Her response amused him, and he immediately smirked. "Sorry Miss Daidouji, where were my manners?"
"I have no idea," She replied, setting Spinel adoringly down on the couch before walking calmly into the kitchen to go phone her mother. Eriol stared after her for awhile until he heard a small cough from the couch and immediately looked down to see Spinel staring at him, seated comfortably on the cushions.
"What?!" Eriol asked, scowling. Spinel just smirked.
* * * * * * *
T O B E C O N T I N U E D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: YAY! See, that wasn't ALL angstish, was it? I mean, a bit of happiness and fuzzyness and stuff? Right guys?
SPINEL: *smiles* I liked it! I have a role in the fic, and I actually HELP with something...... (hehehe.... and I know something Eriol doesn't ^.^)
KERO: Hey, DFS! How come SPINEL gets a part in this fic?? WHERE AM I?!?!?
ME: Oh....... Kero, you're in Hong Kong with Sakura, of course! You know, yelling, eating, playing video games, eating........ lots of stuff. You're probably having a funner time in Hong Kong then Spinel is in this fic.
KERO: *grins* Hey, see that Spinel? I'M having a better time!
SPINEL: *smirks* Bet YOUR name doesn't appear in the fic ONCE.
KERO: DFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: Um........ ^.^' heh heh......... sorry Kero....... but I do have a surprise for both of you.
BOTH: Wazzat???
(Ruby Moon suddenly rushes through the door)
R.M.: KEEEEERO!!!! SUPPPIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPINEL & KERO: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME: Muhahahaha!! Now on to chapter 4!