Tanjoubi Omedetou, Eriol – kun. : A CCS fic

by: nikki hiiragizawa nikki_hiiragizawa@rurouni.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 12: Shikisai ni Tonda Kekka (Colorful Results)

Sakura clutched her phone, apparently confused. "Are you sure you want to do it, Eriol-kun?" The former Master of the Clow had called her early in the morning, and Sakura cannot see how his plan will work.

"Hai. Are you going to be busy for the rest of the day?"

Sakura thought about her early date with Syaoran but decided to involve herself in Eriol's plan. "Anou, I have a few engagements today, but I am sure Syaoran will agree with me to join you."

"Good. I'll meet you in the Penguin Park in ten minutes, then?

"Ah, matte, Eriol-kun?" Eriol had already hung up. "Maa, what's with that guy?" Sakura proceeded to get out of her pajamas and call Syaoran while it's still early.

~*~

Eriol tapped his finger lightly on his armchair. He looked up as Kaho entered the room. "Kaho, I have a favor…"

"You need the Tsukimine Shrine, right?" Eriol nodded.

"It is the only place I can think of that has gathered enough power to support my plan," he replied as he fiddled with the fireplace's poker.

Kaho frowned, not quite understanding Eriol. "I guess it is alright, since there will be no rituals performed today. Demo, how will it help?"

Eriol's eyeglasses glistened. "You will see." He went upstairs to dress, as Kaho reminded Nakuru and Spinel of the chores to be done while they are gone.

~*~

"Please, Hikaru-san, Tomoyo is still resting." Daidouji Sonomi almost pleaded to the dark-eyed boy as he struggled to continue his attack in Tomoyo's bedroom.

"That daughter of yours has not completed the contract, yet she is already playing around, Mrs. Daidouji." He turned away from the stairs, much to Sonomi's relief. "I shall have to call my father and ask him to cancel our contract with you." He walked away from the toy company owner.

"Matte, Hikaru-san. Tomoyo…I'm sure she can explain…" The only thing that answered her was the sound of door slamming and a car screeching away.

Sonomi looked woefully at the direction of her daughter's bedroom. "I should have known this will happen," she whispered to herself. "I used her for the success of our business." Sighing, Sonomi let her precious daughter sleep as she let the future of the company lie on the hands of Fate.

~*~

"He's late." Syaoran pouted as he traced circles on the ground with his foot. "He ruins our date, and then he won't come early."

Sakura gave him a winsome smile that undid him completely. "Syaoran, we have all the time in the world. Right now, what we have to concentrate on is helping Tomoyo-chan and Eriol-kun get back together."

"Yeah. I sure don't like that Hikaru guy."

"You beat him to a pulp!" Sakura's laugh tinkled as she recalled the incidents of the past night.

The Chinese boy shook a fist in the air. "And I would've done more if only you didn't get so drunk and almost revealed our secrets, Sakura."

"Hoee? Is that why you slept in my house last night?" A black car suddenly pulled over near the King Penguin where Sakura and Syaoran were talking and Eriol came out, clothed in his Clow apparel and holding his staff with the symbol of a sun on top.

"Sakura-san, Li-kun," he addressed the two. "I am sorry to keep you waiting."

"Damn hell you are."

"Syaoran!"

Eriol eyed Sakura and smiled. "I miss your costumes, Sakura-san. It makes life a bit interesting for me." Sakura blushed and Syaoran glowered. It was then that Mizuki Kaho stepped out of the car.

"Saa, shall we go to the Tsukimine Shrine?"

~*~

Tomoyo opened her eyes and slowly stretched. For the first time in months, she felt as if she had the most beautiful sleep either, aside from the fact that she feels a bit exhausted. She yawned as she tried to remember what happened last night.

"Oh Kami!" Her hand roved the other side of the bed and found that no one was there. She looked around. "Eriol?" she softly called. There was no answer. Was it a dream? No. I felt it. It cannot be a dream. Her attention was thrown suddenly to her open balcony window, with its curtains flapping helplessly in the wind. He left…

She got up and draped her robe over her shoulders once more. It was almost impossible to notice that somebody was with her in the room last night. Not a thing was astray, except for one: Tomoyo. She bemusedly smiled as she remembered how returning to the one you really love felt, and was almost cast down the depths of a daydream if only she did not hear the noises below.

"Oh my, I forget about Hikaru!" She hurriedly arranged herself, feeling that this day is going to be very tiring and long.

~*~

Sakura's face showed a bit of doubt. "Will it work, Eriol-kun?"

"Hai. I will take it once you managed to cal the magic."

"Demo, why?"

"I just need to know a few things that will help me win Tomoyo back." Eriol took his place near the Sakura tree at the side of the Tsukimine Shrine as Sakura called on to her wand.

"O Key which hides the power of stars, reveal thy true form before me. I, Sakura, command thee under contract. Release!" Her wand appeared in her hand and she took out a pink card. "Return!"

Eriol felt himself being pulled towards a force inside the tree. Gritting his teeth, he invoked his staff, too and set out to work. He needed to find out a few things to make his plan a little more than successful.

He found himself years back, inside Daidouji Sonomi's office. Tomoyo was there, as well as Hikaru and an unknown man Eriol placed as Hikaru's father.

"I rest the matter in your hands," Daidouji Sonomi said. "It will really be a big help if you could assist our company to…" Eriol's attention faded from the conversation between the parents as his eyes glazed towards Hikaru.

He was staring at Tomoyo, but not that kind that can be described as love. His eyes were like those of a hungry predator eyeing its prey. Tomoyo was leaning out of a window, her attention placed on the buildings and houses that scatter around their house.

Eriol saw Hikaru approach Tomoyo and touch her shoulder. She woke up with a start and politely greeted Hikaru. Hikaru continued that conversation with her and Eriol remembered what his real intention to this place was. He returned to the conversation between the two company owners.

"I assure you that Hasegawa Industries can help you," Hikaru's father said. "However, I do not know how you can pay the cost of production…"

"We need help with the manufacturing only," Sonomi said. "Since the company had experienced decline, we had to stop purchasing equipment for manufacturing. That is why we need your help."

Hikaru's father thoughtfully smoked his pipe, not aware that somebody invisible in the room was smiling knowingly, eyes glinting. His attention turned to his son, and a smile played on the corner of his mouth as he saw Hikaru fondly flirt with Daidouji-san's daughter. "your daughter is very pretty," he remarked.

Hikaru instantly looked at his father, caught his eye and smiled. "Yes, father. She is very kind. Tomoyo-san is." He turned to Sonomi. "May I ask permission to call on your daughter?"

The shock on Tomoyo's face was unmistakable. Even her mother clutched her organizer, her knuckles pale. "Ah, Hikaru-san," Sonomi said as she found that Tomoyo was unable to talk. "You see, Tomoyo is just staying for a while. She is already engaged to Hiiragizawa…"

"I really think we can arrange that, Mrs. Daidouji, yes?" Hikaru's father picked up his hat and bowed to Tomoyo's mom. "I assure you that I can help. Tomoyo-san, I am expecting you and Hikaru will have an understanding soon." They went out.

Eriol gripped his staff firmly. He wanted to hit the Hasegawas' heads with his staff just to knock some sense into their shells. His rage, however, subsided as Tomoyo collapsed into sobs on his mother's lap.

"I am so sorry, Tomoyo," her mother soothingly said, brushing Tomoyo's long hair with her fingers. "I didn't expect…but still, it's the only company that is willing to take a large debt…"

Tomoyo wiped her tears. "It is alright, Mom. I think…we have to do this…"

"Of course not, Tomoyo! What will Hiiragizawa-san say when…"

"I can tell him, Mother. Don't worry. I'll thoroughly explain to him." She quietly freed herself from her mother's hold and ran upstairs.

Eriol had already found what he had been aching to know. Still, he cannot prevent following Tomoyo up her room. He found Tomoyo inside her room, facing her mirror. She was speaking to it, as if it was alive.

"Eriol, there's this guy who really likes me and he needs our help and…" she frowned. "No this wouldn't work." She perked up again and faced the mirror. "Eriol, you know how much I love you, yet I have to do this for our company's sake…No this wouldn't do either. Eriol will think of something stupid and clash with Hikaru-san's company." She pondered for a while as Eriol waited. Suddenly, she looked up again. She took a deep breath. "Eriol, I cannot do this anymore. We are not made for each other. I think…I think we must separate ways…" She smiled victoriously at the mirror even though tears continuously flowed from her eyes. "That will be the best one. I am sure that Eriol won't see a thing or two…" She crumpled to the floor as she uncontrollably wept.

Eriol felt morose in his heart. He wanted to touch Tomoyo right there and there and comfort her, yet nothing can be done just now. "Soon, my dear," Eriol whispered. "A little patience."

Eriol raised himself and he was transported back to where Sakura and the others were waiting. He dropped to the ground breathlessly as using the Return Card even with Sakura's help drained most of his power. "So how did it go?" Sakura wanted to know.

"Great. Really great." He thanked Sakura and Syaoran as he and Kaho went back to his home, to make his final move.

~*~

Tomoyo sat inside her mother's office. "I am so sorry. I guess….I went too far…"

"You did not do anything bad, Tomoyo." Sonomi laid a hand on her, reassuring her. "you just followed her heart."

"But, how can we get our company back, now? This is all my fault." She bowed her head. For once, she did not cry. It seems that more tears cannot be shed.

"We'll see." Sonomi's secretary opened the door.

"Daidouji-sama, Hasegawa-san is here."

Tomoyo released her breath as she warmed her cold hands in her mother's. "Send them in," Tomoyo's mother bravely said.

~*~

Kaho watched with interest as Eriol shuffled through the pages of his phonebook without using his hands. "Who are you going to call?" she asked as she sat behind him.

"Somebody who doesn't know me at all." Eriol seemed to find what he was looking for and invoked his staff. The seal of Clow appeared on the living room's carpeted floor, and the magician picked up the phone. "Hello, May I speak to Mr. Engelberg, please? …My name? Please tell him it is an old friend." Eriol could not hide his smile as the man he was looking for picked up the phone.

"Yes, Mr. Engelberg? This is Eriol Hiiragizawa from Tomoeda."

"Yes do I know you?" The voice on the other line sounded annoyed.

Eriol's glasses glinted silver as he raised his staff. The seal beneath him glowed as he spoke. "We met in the plane to England two years ago. Do you remember? You gave me your card and told me to call you when I need help."

As if by a miracle, the man's voice changed. "Yes, Hiiragizawa-san, is that right? Did I tell you that? What is it that you need?"

"I really need your help. Your company has been known of good manufacturing processes and well-polished equipment, as I have heard?" The seal glowed once more.

"Yes. Oh I remember you! You gave me fist aid when I choked on the plane." Kaho smiled in amusement. "Yes' I am willing to help you. Is it about your business?"

"Hai. It is about my friend's company." Eriol narrated what happened to the company. "I do not wish the Hasegawa Industries to take over my friend's company, so…"

"I will be willing to help you, Hiiragizawa-san. I shall take the last flight today so I can talk to them." Eriol thanked the man graciously and gave the address and hung up.

"That was quite a spectacular feat," Kaho said with recognition as he hung up. "However, isn't it bad to take over people's minds?"

Eriol let his staff disappear and his Clow seal fade. He clasped his fingers together as he smiled at Kaho. "I really applied first aid on that man when he choked. I just did not tell him he never gave me his card. We were just friends on that trip."

"Oh, well. I better move out of here." Kaho stood up. "A new one is moving in right? Thanks to your good memory, the Daidouji family will eternally thank you."

"Stop that. By the way, thanks, Kaho. For everything." Kaho smiled and nodded a farewell as she asked for Nakuru's help in packing up.

~*~

"You must be aware of the reason why we are here.," Hikaru's father said as he sipped the cup of tea served to him. "Our contract is going to be dissolved." Hikaru looked at Tomoyo with triumph.

"Yes, I know." Sonomi bowed her head. I understand that…" Tomoyo did not hear the rest of the conversation as she went out into the garden.

"So, do you have anything to say for yourself?" Hikaru was standing a few feet away from her. "You have committed a grievous mistake, my love."

Tomoyo's eyes blurred but she ignored it. "Aren't you satisfied yet? You can have your aid back, if that is what you want. I no longer want to be your slave!"

"So, you plan on defying me?" Hikaru grabbed her hand as Tomoyo audibly protested. "You don't know what you are talking about, Tomoyo. You became famous again because of me. Without me you are nothing but…"

"Are you done talking?" Eriol slowly strode towards them.

"Eriol!" Clow's reincarnation gently removed Hikaru's grip on Tomoyo and held her hand.

Hikaru fumed but smiled wickedly. "You replace me with that penniless geek? Really, Tomoyo, your tastes are well-defined."

Eriol's eyebrows met. He muttered something and in an instant Hikaru was sent flying towards a flower patch. "You dare abuse Tomoyo and you answer to me."

Flabbergasted, Hikaru cannot move or answer. He was probably scared out of his wits as he hurriedly ran inside. Tomoyo beamed at Eriol. "Thank you. But, I have to find a way to regain our company's glory."

Eriol kissed her quickly and smiled. "Wait for me here." He went inside the house into the living room as Tomoyo waited.

~*~

"Maa, I cannot believe I forgot about our concert." Tomoyo was struggling with her hair. "All I thought about at that time was the company." She fondly looked at her partner. "Thanks to you, we got it back. How can I ever repay you?"

Eriol smiled as he adjusted his tie. "Maybe you can pay me by accepting this." He produced a little black box from his pocket and gave it to Tomoyo.

"Oh my," Tomoyo gasped as she opened it. "You…but…"

"Maybe," Eriol whispered as he crept closer to her. "Maybe you can repay me by marrying me?"

"Eriol…"

"Maybe you can repay him by finishing the song you never got to finish well on his last birthday." Sakura and Syaoran were standing by the door. Sakura dragged Tomoyo out of the room and smiled at her friend. "Come on you two lovebirds. The stage is all yours!"

Tomoyo smiled and held Eriol's hand as they walked up the stage. Confidently, she held the microphone and Eriol took his place by the piano. They never got to practice well, but it is not the practice that matters, but the emotions controlling the performance.

Tonight, Eriol, I shall sing for you…

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Nikki: Yosha! It is FINALLY finished! I'm so glad you stuck with me through all these whopping 12 chapters. I hope you enjoyed the ending. (My friend said It's still a cliffhanger but I do not want another chapter to come because it is unlucky.) Anyway, I tried my best to make it a good good ending without so much conflicts, so there. I hope you were not disappointed.

With this, nikki say goodbye!

PS: Please wait for my Ayashi no Ceres/CCS crossover coming up very shortly!