Tanjoubi Omedetou, Eriol – kun. : A CCS fic

by: nikki hiiragizawa sailorsjini@yahoo.com

Genre: drama/romance/E and T pairing

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I know you already know this, but in case you don't know yet, I want to let you know that I know CCC is not mine. The wonderful CLAMP ladies own them. Please I do not need anyone suing me… The song "Scarlet", on the other hand, was taken from the series Ayashi no Ceres. It was the opening song and coincidentally, Tomoyo's seiyuu Iwao Junko sang this song.

Nikki: Whew! I just made a fic in time for Eriol's birthday. This is for all you growing E/T fans. If you are other than pleased to see E/T pairings, you better not read this. Anyway, too much talking has got to stop. On with the fic!

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CHAPTER 2: Midori no Kibo (Green Hope)

Eriol fondly glanced at the scenery before him. This is Tomoeda, the town that gave him everlasting joy, but then took it away. He had found the courage to come back after two years of sulking in London. He had come back because the pain he had felt had been erased. He won't be in pain anymore, for the woman he had always loved is now by his side. Due to the circumstances, Eriol has to study here as his fianceé arranges their plans. When he had finished college that would be…then it would be eternal bliss.

"Eriol?" Warm fingers entwined with his. "Let's go see how your old house is faring." Eriol pasted a smile. The house was not old. This will again be the time he will be visiting that rebuilt fellow. He had it reformed for the person whom he thought was the one. Yet, all his efforts were in vain.

She ruined his dreams. She – Daidouji Tomoyo! He had loved her with almost all that he had, yet she never gave him anything in return. Her demands were immeasurable, yet he succumbed. And then, all the while, Tomoyo had been planning to leave him – one day, she asked to be left alone.

That is why he left Tomoeda. The pain and agony he had felt were just all too much. Then one day, the angel of the Lord alighted on him, and gave him another hope. His dreams and efforts, all will not be wasted. The lady of his dreams, the real one, had come.

"Eriol? Daijoubu?"

Eriol smiled at his fianceé. "Nan demo nai. Ikimashou1, Kaho."

~*~

The house looked just the same as Eriol left it two years ago. Only, Nakuru came earlier to dust and sweep the house. He opened the large gate and invited Kaho inside.

The manor looks just the same as six years ago from the outside. Its cream façade gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. A large garden surrounds the manor. Tomoyo had asked for a large planting ground because she loves flowers, but since Kaho doesn't garden, it wouldn't be tended for a while. Eriol cannot bring himself to tend it, not with memories of Tomoyo planting flowers the color of her eyes haunting him.

The rest of the house inside had made Eriol reminisce the past even more. The dainty chandeliers still hung from the ceiling – crystal chandeliers he and Tomoyo had brought together. The pale purple curtains still dressed the wide windows. Tomoyo had been know to anything purple. Even the tapestries and paintings Tomoyo chose herself still adorned the walls.

Eriol and Kaho went up the stairs to enter the bedroom. The bedroom, as Eriol thought, was the very core of those memories. Some of Tomoyo's clothes still hung in the closet. Her soap, bathing things - some were still lying around. Even the scent of her jasmine perfume lingers in the air, her scent, which had before made Eriol intoxicated.

Memories…memories make him sick! He wanted to cry all over again, to regret all those feelings. But he mustn't. Kaho will take over. Kaho will make him forget. After all, he and Kaho got together perfectly well, while he and Tomoyo always fought about something. Kaho…she lets him do what he wants…while Tomoyo had…Tomoyo was…

"Maa, things are so messed up in here. I think I'll have to re - arrange the house soon," Kaho said as she smiled at Eriol.

True.

Kaho will make all of this nightmare disappear.

She doesn't like fancy chandeliers and dark curtains and too much wall adornment. She'll remove those. She will replace Tomoyo's things with hers, and light incense to drown out Tomoyo's perfume. She'll save him from falling to madness. She will.

"Please do so, Kaho." He clasped Kaho's hand in his.

Kaho smiled sweetly and nodded. "I will."

After a while, Kaho left. She had some things to arrange in her own shrine before moving in with Eriol. Eriol was left alone to prepare for his classes tomorrow. College will definitely be interesting, with new people and new experiences. Satisfied, Eriol sat down on his armchair and waited for Nakuru and Spinel Sun.

~*~

Clow's reincarnation smiled as he strolled towards the tall building. It has been a few weeks since he entered this college, and now he is known as Hiiragizawa Eriol: soccer star player, school council member, math association fellow, music club's chief pianist, a good classmate and a heartthrob. His abilities never ceased from coming, and he intends not to stop. He has to prove he can live alone and in glory. He needs to deserve Kaho's love. He needs to be better. He has to prove that there wasn't anything lost in him, because there isn't any loss. He is intelligent, and he could use this mind of his to improve.

Unfortunately that intelligent mind of yours does not give you good advice regarding love, a part of his mind said. Frowning as he thought of 'that person' again, he briskly walked and entered the building.

"Hiiragizawa – san!" A short girl came running towards him. Eriol frowned as he strained to remember this girl's name. He must remember everyone's name now that he is well – known in this school.

Ah, Tomizawa Akiko. She has been following me for days now. Eriol smiled widely at the girl. "Doushite2, Akiko – san?" Akiko blushed as she heard Eriol address her by her first name.

"Anou, sugoi ne.3 You were one of the top scorers in our preliminary exams!"

"Hontou?4" This was no surprise for Eriol. What was surprising is that Akiko dragged his arm towards the wall where the list is posted.

"Hora.5" Eriol's name was second on the list.

Not bad. Second place. Still somebody scored higher than I. Wondering who it was, Eriol let his eyes skim the name on top of his, and he gasped.

"Mou, number 27," a voice behind him said. "And you are number 11?! Have you been studying behind my back, Syaoran?!" Eriol winced as he recognized whose voice it was.

"Maa, Sakura. I…well…we could try harder next time." Akiko looked quizzically at Eriol as his brows met.

My Clow inheritor is here. My cute descendant is here. Don't tell me that…

"Eriol – kun?" Eriol slowly turned around. "Eriol – kun!" A very glad Sakura hugged Eriol. "Since when did you come back? Ureshii na! You're studying here too!" Eriol slowly disentangled himself from Sakura's arms. People were already starting to look at them. Akiko was looking more confused than ever.

"Eh. Long time no see, Sakura – san." He curtly bowed at the couple. Syaoran lightly nodded a greeting. "I have decided to finish studying here before I settle down."

"Oh with Mizuki – sensei, right?" Eriol wondered how Sakura could smile and talk at the same time. "Oh, won't Tomoyo – chan be pleased?" Eriol inwardly frowned as the answer he was not hoping to come had arrived.

"Speaking of her." Syaoran pointed to a crowd walking towards them. Students were crowded around a girl as they pointed to her the list of scores. She was carrying a pile of books that it was hard to see her face. The boys were gallantly offering their help, but she shook her head.

"Tomoyo – chan!" Sakura waved frantically. "Hora! Eriol – kun is here!" The books suddenly dropped on the floor and Eriol could fully see the person behind them. It was Tomoyo, and she doesn't look so pleased. In fact, she was wearing on her face what could only be described as horror.

She was quite different that she and Eriol last met. She had her hair arranged so that it would not stray on her face, with two braids on either side of her head. Her face had been colored with only mascara and lip-gloss, unlike before when she never applied anything on her face. She wore no jewelry except for a watch, which was daintily wound around her left wrist. Her clothes were so unlike before when she wore long skirts and doll shoes. Now she wore a dress with A – line skirt that barely reached her knees. Her clothes accentuated the curves of her body in a very sophisticated way, and Eriol couldn't help but swallow.

Still, nothing could divert Eriol's attention from Tomoyo's expression. She began to raise their eyebrows but kept her composure. Eriol quietly complimented her for not letting her feelings show. Not taking his eyes off her, he moved forward and took her hand.

"It's nice to see you again." He pressed a kiss on her hand, reveling in her shock. Still, she kept composed.

"This meeting is quite surprising, Hiiragizawa – san." Sakura and Syaoran looked at each other, but none of their friends seemed to mind. Akiko, meanwhile, clutched Eriol's sleeve.

"Hiiragizawa – kun, you are friends with Tomoyo – san?" Eriol nodded distractedly. "Sugoi ne. You are friends and both of you are popular and intelligent." Akiko bowed at Tomoyo. "Omedetou, you topped the list again."

Eriol once again saw Tomoyo's sweet smile. "Arigatou. I'm glad I have performed better in my studies than last semester." She narrowed her eyes at Eriol and opened her mouth to say something, but her classmate interrupted her.

"Tomoyo – san, your books…" Tomoyo whirled around and thanked the guys who picked up her books.

"Oh silly me. I forgot about them. Thank you." She smiled as she held out her hands to get the books, while the guys faintly blushed. Just then, another boy appeared from the corner and approached the group.

"Hikaru – san!" Sakura exclaimed. The man named Hikaru smiled and clasped Syaoran's hand in greeting.

"Yo. Practice just ended." He turned to Tomoyo and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"You look tense, Tomoyo. Something the matter?" He took Tomoyo's books from her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Tomoyo automatically leaned on him. "Iie. I just met an old acquaintance." She gestured towards Eriol. "This is Hiiragizawa Eriol, from England. Hiiragizawa – san, this is Hasegawa Hikaru..."

"Her fiancé," he finished for her. From Hikaru's piercing eyes, Eriol understood that Tomoyo had told him about she and Eriol. He decided to remain polite.

"Hajimemashite.6" He bowed at the boy. "I am glad Daidouji – san has found somebody…special," he could help adding. Hikaru did not seem to mind and smiled.

"Yeah. Let's go, Tomoyo?" Tomoyo nodded and bade Sakura and Syaoran farewell. She wanted to leave Eriol as he is, but decoded against it. Instead, she bowed courteously.

"See you around, Hiiragizawa – san." Eriol merely nodded and she went off with her boyfriend.

Sakura and Syaoran reluctantly bade him goodbye too as they went off to their classes. Pasting a smile on his face, Eriol decided to face this day with his usual determination.

Still he couldn't help straining his ears to listen to what people say. Tomoyo is here. And she is popular, no doubt. Her boyfriend is popular, too as the guys who flirted with Tomoyo a while ago instinctively backed away when he appeared. He, Eriol, is just as famous. People started to talk as they went off to their classes and club meetings.

"Nee, I can't believe Hiiragizawa knows Daidouji – san."

"But it is not impossible, considering they have a lot in common. They even behave alike. I'd bet they can be a good couple."

"But wouldn't Hasegawa be displeased?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't. He's not a basketball star for nothing. Surely, he is confident that Daidouji loves him."

"Hmmm…I think they still look good together."

Eriol clenched his fists. How could they say they make a good couple? They didn't even know what pain he has went through! Besides, it's unbelievable that Tomoyo has a boyfriend. Who would dare risk his happiness for a girl like her?! He stormed out of the building and headed for the garden.

"Tomoyo? Is everything alright?" Hikaru looked at his girlfriend with concern. They were sitting comfortably at the school's rooftop and were studying for an exam. However, Tomoyo does not seem to be in the mood to study.

"Hai. I just can't believed how cruel fate is." She leaned back against the railing and emitted a sigh. She just resorted to watching the clouds slowly drifting by above them.

Hikaru deeply sighed and closed the book he was reading. "Tomoyo, we have talked about this before, right? You need not worry yourself much. We know sooner or later this is going to happen."

"I know. But…" Tomoyo was stopped as Hikaru pressed his lips on her. She kissed back eagerly, wanting her fiancé's love, care, and encouragement. After a while, he pulled away.

"I heard Hiiragizawa already has a girlfriend. He wouldn't bother you. Now don't be so tense, honey."

Tomoyo smiled and took his hand in hers. "Thank you. I promise not to worry much." I should be glad with what Hikaru told me…Demo, why do I feel all the more uncomfortable….?

~*~

Kaho eyed Eriol's back as he lay down on their bed facing the window. She could sense something was wrong, because he seemed melancholy over dinner. She shifted her weight, and traced Eriol's shoulder with a finger. "Daijobu7?" she softly asked.

Eriol was quiet for a moment, but he turned and looked at her. "I was just…thinking." He moved his hand to wipe Kaho's brow, but her hand caught his. Kaho placed one of his fingers in her mouth and tended to it slowly, in sweet torture. "I heard Sakura – san and the others are studying in the school you transferred. Is that what's bothering you?"

Eriol kept himself from groaning out loud and answered the question with difficulty. "I was just..well…uncomfortable. I never knew they we're going to be there. The school is not really their prime choice in college when we last talked about it. We…"

"Hush." Eriol was silenced by his own hand as Kaho pressed it to his lips, and then replaced it with her own mouth. "You could transfer to another college if you want."

Eriol let his hand skim Kaho's waist from under the blanket and answered, "I do not think it will be good. If I go away, Tomoyo will be the victor. Besides I have to adjust all over again in a new school. I would not like that."

"Of course," the red-haired lady replied as mischief played on her pupils. "But I would like to want you. Now." Eriol more than happily obliged and disappeared under the covers, making himself forget Tomoyo's face when she is with that Hasegawa Hikaru.

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GLOSSARY of TERMS

Nan demo nai. Ikimashou – It's nothing. Let's go. Doushite – what is wrong Sugoi ne – great Hontou? - Really? Hora – Here; Look Hajimemashite – It's nice to meet you. Daijobu – Are you alright?

Nikki: Whew…It took me 5 hours to write this chapter…I can't bring myself to write it…waaahhhh! Anyway, don't worry, I do not plan to destroy anybody here. Wish me luck on the next chapters…because this is making me depressed….-.-