Chapter 3: Getting to know the woman behind the mask

"Tomoyo-chan, what do you think of this?" I asked, holding up a tiny human head with long hair. "It is a real shrunken human head and was used as a sign of bravery during cannibalistic times."

She crinkled her nose. "Disgusting."

I laughed and returned the shrunken head into its case. "I assumed that," I replied and headed to sit beside her on the couch.

It has been two long months since Tomoyo has been added into my household. As expected, Daidouji Sonomi was not pleased, but she learned to accept her daughter's wishes. The police also returned my dear Nakuru as soon as she was caught sleeping in the baggage area. I, of course, was able to clear it all up, but Nakuru was banned from airplanes for the time being.

"I don't understand why you keep collecting these oddities, Eriol," said Tomoyo, taking a sip from her cup of coffee. "Don't you think you have enough?" she motioned to the other items in my living room.

I picked up a jeweled pocket watch in the shape of an eye. "I don't think so Tomoyo-chan. Aren't you amazed at how beautiful the human ancestry is?"

She took a long lingering look at the shrunken head case and gave a decided shake of her head. "I never imagined the human race to be so . . . vulgar."

I gave her a grin and offered my arm, which she took. This wasn't unusual at all. We had an unspoken agreement to have this little chat every night and after that, I had to bring her to her room and check if there were any chances of her living. Of course, her health always remained the same, but we could wish, can't we?

After doing this nightly ritual, I called Spinel Sun to keep me company and requested Nakuru (I could not bring myself to order her) to take care of Tomoyo. She happily agreed and bounced towards the sick girl's room.

"Spinel Sun," I said, not at all looking at the black cat, who placed himself on my lap. "Do you think there's any way for me to heal Tomoyo?"

Spinel gave me an exasperated look and sighed. "Must this be the conversation again tonight? I'm quite tired of it."

I, too, gave a sigh. "I just can't help feeling sad that I am the one who gave her the fatal disease. I can't help feeling so helpless when I learned that I couldn't do anything."

"It isn't your fault."

"I know."

"So there," he said, finishing off the conversation and flying off onto a small cushion and falling asleep. I was amazed at how well he could do that.

"ERIOOOOL!" an ear-piercing scream woke me up from a nightmare I was having. I have forgotten the dream, but it still made me shiver. "ERIOOOOL!" the voice rang in my ears. It was Nakuru.

"What is it?" I shouted back

Spinel Sun gave me an angry look and flew to throw the door open and scream some curses at Nakuru. Being satisfied, he flew back to his cushion and slept.

I threw on some clothes and went out to see what Nakuru was shouting about. There was one problem, however, I could not find my glasses.

I searched for it everywhere, but it seemed to have disappeared. Half-blinded, I warily descended to find out what my creation woke me up in this ungodly hour for.

"Eriol," she said with as much patience as a mother would have, speaking to a three-year old. This confused me and irritated me quite a bit.

"What is it Nakuru?" I asked, my patience growing thin.

She sighed and looked at me. "You should never leave your glasses around Eriol." She waved the spectacles in front of my face.

I growled, grabbed it and shoved it on. I glared at her before noticing the stifled giggle from our lovely guest. Tomoyo was watching our peculiar antics . . . again.

I sighed and sat beside her as she laughed some more. "The look on your face . . . it was priceless Eriol!" she said as she gave another bell-like laugh.

"Thank you ever so."

"You're welcome."

She continued picking at her food. I didn't notice I was staring at her until my ever so helpful creation cleared her throat. "Any preferences on the food Eriol?" she asked giving me another pointed look. I was, of course, confused. I seemed to be confused a lot these days.

"Coffee."

Tomoyo then turned to face me, an odd look on her face. "Coffee?"

I nodded and then, to my surprise, she laughed.

"Did Nakuru wake you up that badly, dear Eriol? You never drink coffee at the morning, evenings, yes, but never mornings."

I was mildly surprised. That was an observation that not even I took notice. Once I thought about it, I realized that she was right and I gave a laugh myself.

Nakuru frowned at us. "You two seem to laugh a lot this morning."

I happened to realize that as well but wisely said nothing. I watched as Nakuru bounced off and then haply glanced at Tomoyo, she seemed to be thinking. I hated to see her thinking. It seemed that she was the only one I couldn't understand. Even Syaoran was easier to get through.

"Whatever is the matter, Tomoyo-chan?" I asked as she looked at me oddly. That only meant trouble.

"School."

"School?" I echoed.

"School," she confirmed.

Again, I was confused. "What about school?"

She took a deep breath and giggled nervously. "I want to go to school, Eriol. I want to live as normally as possible."

I was stunned. I never expected to hear such words from a dying girl. I finished my cup of coffee and gave her a piercing look. She seemed to be serious.

"It's dangerous," I finally said.

"I don't care."

"You can't," I decided and grabbed the newspaper lying near us.

I didn't look up when she stomped off towards her room.

"My, that went well," a small and sarcastic voice said. I looked up and saw Spinel Sun glaring at me sourly.

"She cannot go to school."

"Why?"

"It's dangerous."

The flying cat gave me a look and sat on the table to glare at me. "Do you think a dying girl cares what is dangerous? The way she figured it, she is going to die anyway, why not have a good time."

"What if I can heal her?"

"You can't," was the tart reply.

I groaned and knew that Spinel made a point, I wouldn't admit it though.

"ERIOL!" I heard a scream and saw Nakuru marching towards me. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY DEAR TOMOYO-CHAN?" she growled and glared daggers at me.

"It seems that not only I disagree with you," said Spinel, his voice deeply amused.

I groaned weakly again and hid behind the newspaper.

After an hour, I found myself in front of the room of Daidouji Tomoyo getting ready to apologize. I hesitantly knocked on the door and soon found my self-face to face with an annoyed girl.

"Ah . . . Daidouji-san . . . gomen nasai," I said with a slight bow of my head. I looked up again and saw her face in a contorted form of amusement and irritation.

"Gomen nasai?" she asked, her voice sour, but not angry. "I never thought I'd hear you apologize, Hiiragizawa-kun. When do I start calling you Eriol again?"

I looked at her, confused, before realizing that I used her last name unknowingly. I apologized for that and eventually, we were friends again.

"So Eriol, when do I start my schooling?" she asked, daring me to answer her.

I never thought I'd give in to anybody, much less a girl. "As soon as I, Tomoyo. I fixed everything and you'll join me in school."

She gave me a grin. "When is that?"

I suppressed a groan. "Tomorrow."

"Perfect."

~

A/N: Here it is. Nothing interesting really, but Eriol is starting to get to know Tomoyo better. I'll post the next chapter if you people want me to. Ciao!