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 CCS 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 10: Shinko shoku no Namida (Crimson Tears)

Eriol curiously looked at his girlfriend. "What do you mean by 'talking', Kaho?" Kaho came home late, and she insisted that they talk instead of sleeping together instantly. Eriol has no idea what's going on, so he eyed the elementary teacher, expecting something important to be said.

"We have to talk…about me, you, and Tomoyo-san."

Eriol swallowed nervously and carefully answered. "What…What about Tomoyo?"

Kaho heaved a sigh and sat down next to Eriol on their bed. "Eriol, I know. I know how much pain you have endured since we went here, because memories of agony are stored here. I know how much you have struggled to get on with your life…our lives, even if it is too much to take. And I know…that you still love her after what had happened."

"Kaho…I…"

Kaho held up a finger. "Please let me finish. I am not angry with you." She held a pillow close and continued. "At first, I was insecure. Why of all people, can you not forget that girl? I tried to refill those spaces she had emptied within you. But…it seems that I cannot. It seems that you are destined really for each other."

She looked at Eriol. "We have to admit, our relationship was satisfactory, but it never had that certain spark I saw when you and Tomoyo were still together."

He unnerved, but he tried to defend his side. "We…we fight all the time, our relationship, was less satisfactory," Eriol answered.

"Fights…I was wondering when fights will enter our lives." Eriol looked surprised, and Kaho took that cue to explain. "Arguments show how strong the couple can be. A couple that does not experience problems, is not perfect. Instead, it means that the man and the woman are not open to each other. They hide their emotions, their true self, which is why they seem perfect…just like what we are now."

Eriol stood up. "I…I do not understand why we are having this talk, Kaho. I do not intend to leave you because of Tomoyo." He faced Kaho with determined eyes, but the doubtful look on the woman's face made his expression unsure, too.

"No, Eriol. You are ready to leave me. And I am quite aware of that." She paused for a breath. "That is why I am telling you this. You cannot just keep yourself cooped up in your own emotions. You have to follow what your desire is." Tears flowed from her eyes. "I am letting you go, Eriol. You have to understand that I do not do this because I hate you, but because I respect your decisions." She bowed her head and wept.

Eriol stepped towards her and brushed the hair from her face. "I am so sorry, Kaho," he whispered. "I…I didn't mean to hurt you so. It's just that…" He imprisoned the woman in a tight hug. "I am so sorry…How you knew…"

"I know more than you do, Eriol. I am older than you, you know." Despite of the tears, she giggled. "I know you don't mean everything. It is just by chance. If…we are really meant to be, fate will let us meet again, right?" Eriol nodded against her shoulder.

Kaho drew back and Eriol caught her back and kissed her. "Thank you for everything…"

His former fiancée smiled. "Saa, Tomoyo needs you very much. You have to do anything to get her back." A small frown was shown on her face. "Her fiancé….he…he doesn't really love her."

"Yes I know," Eriol said. "But I cannot win her back. Her business…she…the letter…"

Kaho faced him and cradled his face on her hands; "You were not called one of the best magicians for nothing, right?" Smiling, Eriol agreed. He will find a way to win Tomoyo back, Hikaru or no Hikaru.

~*~

Eriol's birthday came. The restaurant where his party is going to be held was very grand, indeed. It was large enough to e occupied by the whole sophomore class. All of Eriol's friends were there, including those people he had met when he was still in Tomoeda High. They were all happy to see each other too, however, one question hung in their minds, since all of them knew about the break-up.

"Nee, isn't Tomoyo-chan coming?" Chiharu asked Sakura and Syaoran.

Sakura shrugged and adjusted the strap on her dress. "I don't know, Chiharu-chan. We haven't talked lately…Nee, Syaoran, the first button on my back was detached again…" Syaoran shook his head. Sakura is trying her best not to look worried but he knew how worried the girl is.

Eriol entered the room and was instantly greeted. Acting like a god host, he wandered around. But still, he let his eyes wander around for any signs of Tomoyo.

"Isn't she here yet?" Kaho asked Eriol as they sat on one table.

Eriol forlornly nodded. "It seems that she isn't coming."

"Could it be?" Kaho bit her lip. "That Hikaru-san did not let her come?" Eriol began to weigh Kaho's remark when Hikaru entered.

"Hello!" He approached Eriol and shook his hand. "Happy birthday, pal," he said with apparent flatness.

"Uh, thanks." He forced himself to ask Hikaru but he could not. Kaho took his place.

"Say, Hikaru-san, where's your fiancée?" Eriol was sure that Hikaru almost glared at Kaho but he smiled.

"She said she was not feeling well, so…" Eriol could almost hear the rest of Hikaru's words when…

"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura was hugging the person by the door. Even Chiharu and the others stood up and crowded around her.

Tomoyo approached Eriol and bowed. "Tanjoubi Omedetou, Eriol-kun." She smiled at Hikaru. "I wasn't feeling well, but since this is the last time my friends and I are going to meet, I have to come." She did not take another look at Eriol although he was dying to tell her how he missed her. Hikaru and Tomoyo took their seats beside Sakura and Syaoran.

"Heya, Sakura-san." Hikaru flashed his best smile at Syaoran's girlfriend. Sakura bowed and murmured a greeting in return. Syaoran wrapped an arm around Sakura's shoulders as Tomoyo bowed in apology.

The party was a formal, yet a very enjoyable one. Eriol had proven to be a great host. Tomoyo, despite of all those conversations and dancing and dining, managed to remain on her seat. "Hey, Tomoyo," Hikaru said. "You want to dance?"

Tomoyo gave him a frown. "You know I am not feeling well, right?"

Hikaru made a face and stared at her. "What are you? Are you pregnant or something?" Tomoyo blushed but did not answer. People turned their heads, which means that Hikaru's voice had been carried only too far.

Eriol had heard it…he had heard every little thing anybody tells Tomoyo. He stared in shock at the purple-eyed girl. What if…what if…

"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura approached her. "We have placed Eriol's presents on the table over there. Aren't you going to place yours there, too?"

"Umm…not really. My gift has to come later." She kept silent and contemplated on her seat. After a while, Hikaru left his seat and continued to torment Sakura. Luckily, Syaoran was there and Hikaru was still keeping an eye on Tomoyo. I cannot let her get away, he thought as Tomoyo sat unmoving.

Kaho finally let everyone sit down as she took the microphone. "Saa, this is now the most important part of the celebration." She smiled at Eriol. "It is now time to give your birthday wishes to my…uhm…to Eriol." Sakura and Syaoran both looked as they heard Kaho's hesitation to call Eriol her fiancé.

Kaho called Sakura forward and she happily obliged. "Happy Birthday, Eriol-kun!" she interjected. "Since I am giving you a birthday wish, then I'll give you my present as well." She moved towards the table of presents and picked up her own. She enumerated her long list of birthday wishes as Eriol happily listened, one eye watching Tomoyo closely.

At last, Sakura had finished her wishes. Syaoran, Chiharu, Rika, and Terada, Naoko, Yamazaki and Hikaru had finished too. Soon, it was time for Tomoyo to give her wish and gift.

Slowly, she walked to the stage. She picked up the microphone Hikaru had left and shakily spoke. "I…uh…I have no material gift to offer Eriol since I believe that memories are the best gift. Since he will be going back to London soon…" she glanced at last at Eriol and sadly smiled at him. "…this will be my gift." She waved a hand and a bodyguard of hers sat on the piano near the entrance. On her cue, the bodyguard began playing.

"I hope this song will help you remember me by, Eriol-kun," Tomoyo said as she got ready to sing. The others watched expectantly. 

haruka na hoshizora ni yume wa mada miemasu ka?

osanai ano hi yori azayaka desu ka?

Can you still see your dreams in the distant, starry sky?

Are they more vivid than they were when you were little?

mune ni afurete tsunoru omoi

nemuri wasurete jounetsu no iro

When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart

to rest, they burn the color of passion.

tatoe tookute mo kitto tadoritsukeru tsuyoku shinjite'ta

ano hi no watashi ga ima mo kokoro de nemutte-iru

I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were.

But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart.

Eriol fixed his gaze squarely on Tomoyo's eyes. Had she been telling him something with the song? Tomoyo did not force herself to smile as she sang. She bit her lip ever so often as if she was about to cry. 

GARASU no bara yori mo hakanakute moroi no ni

yume miru koto wa naze sadame na no deshou

Dreams are more fragile and fleeting than a glass rose,

so then why are we destined to dream?

futatsu no yume ga ai ni natte

ai ni narenai koto mo atte

Sometimes two dreams can turn into love,

but there are also times when they can't.

hito wa hitori da to wakariaitai no ni nante muzukashii

kotoba wa muryoku de toki ni wa gin no NAIFU ni naru

Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard.

Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife.

hito wa hitori da to wakariaitai no ni nante muzukashii

kotoba wa muryoku de toki ni wa gin no NAIFU ni...

Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard.

Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife.

tatoe tookute mo kitto tadoritsukeru tsuyoku shinjite'ta

ano hi no watashi ga ima mo kokoro de nemutte-iru…

I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were.

But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart…

Tomoyo was not able to suppress a sob towards the end of the song. Eriol stood up and started to walk towards the stage. "Tomoyo…"

Tomoyo saw him coming and panicked. Dropping the microphone, she walked towards the other side of the stage and ran towards the exit, all the time swallowing her sobs, but letting her tears flow.

The party was in a state of shock. Even Hikaru was unable to move. When he tried to, however, Syaoran got into his way and warned. "If you ever try to follow him, I'll make sure you'll regret it."

"You try to get in my way…" Hikaru stopped short when Touya approached them.

"Who wants trashing?" Touya asked, meaningfully glancing at the boy.

"Mizuki-sensei," Sakura called to her teacher. "What is going on?"

"Sakura, Eriol is going home." Sakura shook her head in confusion and gave up. Mizuki-sensei picked up the microphone and tried to keep the program going, as Eriol determinedly tried to chase Tomoyo's limousine with his own car.

Home… Tomoyo thought. The best refuge I can go to…what did I do? Why did I behave that way? Now I have endangered everyone. And now I cannot see Eriol-kun anymore. If the bodyguards heard the sobs coming from the back seat of the car, they never said so, but certainly they can see the dark car following them, only they did not bother to tell their mistress about it…

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*Many thanks to Ayashi no Ceres for inspiring me with this…*sob* …song. I would also like to acknowledge AnimeLyrics.com for the lyrics. I have provided both the Romanjii and English versions so that the impact would be better…haha. =^.^=

Nikki: Haay, so much for a birthday, eh. Eriol did not even blow the candles! Anyway, I gotta think of how Tomoyo's business will survive without Hikaru…that is if Eriol and Tomoyo are going to end up together…will they? Okay, I am not evil…don't kill me!!!

Ganbatte ne!

~nikki