To comfort one another
By: CCSobsession
"KAWAII!!!" screamed Nakuru, observing Tomoyo and Eriol asleep.
"Nani!?! AHHH!!" Tomoyo shouted as she woke up. She jumped off the cough blushing. "Gomen nasai Eriol-kun."
"Its ok," Eriol replied, talking in a gentlemanly way. Inside though, his heart was beating very quickly, that was really scary!! He was also very embarassed that Nakuru had caught them sleeping on the same couch in each other's arms.
"KAWAII!!" Nakuru screamed again. "Are you going to marry Eriol-sama, Tomoyo Hiiragizawa-sama!?"
"Iie...its nothing like that Nakuru-san," Tomoyo said rushingly. "We just fell asleep when we were talking, thats all."
"Ok Tomoyo-sama, I made breakfast so come on!" Nakuru shouted, not listening to Tomoyo. "Come on come on!"
"Hai, let's go Eriol-kun," Tomoyo said, still blushing. Eriol stood up and held out his arm, and Tomoyo took it laughing.
Eriol whispered in Tomoyo's ear, "You might wanna watch out for Nakuru's cooking by the way. Its quite dangerous!" Tomoyo opened her eyes wide, acting scared, then laughed. Nakuru turned around and asked, "What are you guys laughing about?"
"Nothing!" Tomoyo said, still giggling.
"C'mon tell me! And you guys'll love my specially made pancakes! I made the recipe!" Nakuru said genkily.
"Own re..ci..pe?" Eriol said fearfully. He had had enough horrible experiences with her cooking, as did Spinel.
"Yup, you'll LOVE IT!" Nakuru shouted. She led them to the kitchen and pushed them into seats at a table. She then handed them both a plate of pancakes.
Tomoyo looked at them, and gingerly sliced up a piece, and put it in her mouth. It tasted just like candy, except it was a LOT more sugary. "Nakuru-san, just a suggestion," she ventured.
"Yes?" Nakuru replied.
"A little less sugar. It may taste delightful at first, but an overdose of sugar is truly not good for you stomach," she said.
Nakuru slowly nodded and said, "But I like seeing Suppi-chan get drunk with sugar!!!" Right at that moment, Spinel flew in.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Eriol-sama, Tomoyo-san, Ruby Moon," Spinel said sleepily. "What's for breakfast?"
"Pancakes," Eriol answered. Spinel nodded and sat down on the table. He took some of Eriol's, and plopped it in his mouth. "By Ruby Moon by the way," Eriol added, a little bit too late.
"RUBY MOON!?!?!?!" Spinel shouted. "NOOOO!! I ALREADY SWALLOWED IT!!" Then, Spinel's cheeks got really pink, and Spinel started bouncing off of the walls again. "MOORE MORE!!!!" Nakuru grinned, grabbed a pan full of pancakes, and started chasing Spinel and shoving them down his throat.
"…Tomoyo-san, here is my average morning," Eriol said tiredly. Tomoyo laughed a little, and said, "Quite interesting indeed."
"How about we go out and get ourselves a real breakfast? I'm sure Ruby Moon won't mind since she is kinda of busy right now," he suggested. "Besides, we can talk a little bit more."
"Sure, that would be delightful," Tomoyo, said smiling. She did have to admit, Nakuru's pancakes were little too sugary to be a breakfast. "But first, I think I'm going to get dressed," she said. She remembered suddenly that she was still in her night gown and quickly went upstairs to change.
Eriol nodded, "And I also need to change as well!" He went upstairs into his own room when suddenly Tomoyo tapped his shoulder.
"Uh…where is my luggage by chance?" Tomoyo asked.
"Oh, I think I placed it in my room," Eriol said.
"Then may I use your room first?" Tomoyo asked.
"Of course, ladies always first!" he said courteously.
Tomoyo giggled and went into Eriol's room. She searched the room until she found her pile of baggage. She quickly changed and told Eriol he could have his room back.
At the Café…
Tomoyo and Eriol sat down across from each other, and they called the waiter. When the waiter came over, they both requested a sandwich and milk (A/N: Yup, that's my version of a scrumptious breakfast ^______^). After the waiter brought it over, they began some small talk and slowly ate their breakfast.
"So, what are you going to do here in England Tomoyo-san?" Eriol asked. "I'm going to some English fashion boutiques, and I hope I can get a job as a fashion designer there. I brought some samples of my clothing for them to inspect of course," Tomoyo told Eriol.
"Is that so? I have a friend who works in an English boutique quite close to here! Do you want to go there, its worth a shot," Eriol suggested.
"Of course! I just need a job," Tomoyo said.
"Then we'll go after we finish breakfast, is that all right with you?" Eriol asked. "Of course! That'll be great!" Tomoyo said gleefully. She didn't expect to have such luck to find a fashion boutique. "But we have to go back to your manor and get the sample clothing, ok?"
"Of course, and I know you will get the job, your designs are quite beautiful," Eriol complimented.
"Not really, everybody said they were, but they always lacked "the spark", I suppose one could call it. They just didn't click in my mind as a masterpiece, but just a piece of clothing. I hope here I can find "the spark"," Tomoyo said seriously, munching on her sandwich.
"Well, England is indeed a new place for you, and you will definitely have tons of new memories and friends. I'm sure that you will find "the spark" here, if you didn't find it in Tomoeda (sp?)," Eriol assured her. He took another bite of his sandwich, and drank the rest of his milk.
"Exactly," Tomoyo said calmly, finishing off her sandwich. "I really do hope I can find "the spark" here, since everything here is so new and different!" She smiled a joyful smile and observed the people bustling about around them. "Eriol-kun…I never asked you, what do you do as a job?"
"Me? Well, I do tons of jobs. I mainly do paintings, and self-portraits. Sometimes, when I'm bored, I do designing in clothing as well, it's a small hobby of mine in fact," Eriol answered nonchalantly.
"Really? Don't you ever think of settling down on just one job?" Tomoyo asked curiously.
"Well, when Clow Read died, he made sure that I would never need any money in this life, so I would have been free to concentrate on Sakura's tests and what-not. But since I am finished with that, I find doing jobs for leisure and amusement quite interesting. Here and there, I just do as I please. I earn money of course, and I donate it to orphanages," Eriol explained.
"You are very kind to donate your earned money to orphanages Eriol-kun!!! Very kind indeed!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
"I have no need for the money, and orphans need it a lot more than me," he said shortly. "Whenever I pass orphanages, I see the pain that they suffer through, without love, without food, without a lot of things. I just wish I could make their lives a little easier. Now, let's go home so we can get your sample clothing for the boutique, shall we?" Eriol said, changing the subject.
"By all means, of course! Do you think I really can get a job as a fashion designer Eriol-kun?" Tomoyo asked anxiously.
"Of course Tomoyo-san. Your gift is sewing, if you haven't noticed already. And from what I have seen at the boutique, your clothing shall soon outshine them all," he said encouragingly. Eriol then paid the bill, and together the two left to Hiiragizawa manor.
"I'm so nervous!!" Tomoyo whispered to Eriol. The young woman's skin was paler than ever, and her eyes were filled with worry.
"Don't worry Tomoyo-san, you will do fine!" Eriol whispered back. "After all, the sample clothing that we chose is magnificently done!"
"Arigato Eriol-kun," Tomoyo said gladly. Eriol was always there to comfort her, be it in love or in fashion boutiques nowadays.
"Your welcome, all I'm doing is telling you the true though," he said back. Then he stood up and he greeted a tall brown-haired lady. "Jane! How nice to see you again."
"Hello Eriol! I haven't seen you for a long time as well, what brings you to my fashion boutique?" Jane replied. Jane was a tall beauty, with her hair up in a bun. She wore fashionable clothing indeed, and her eyes were a deep shade of blue.
"I have brought a friend with me that I think has great promises of being a fashion designer! Her name is Tomoyo Daidouji, and she is right here with me!" Eriol said as he introduced Tomoyo. "She is Japanese, and her designs are very in fashion if you ask me. And oh yes, this is Jane Goodstein. She is the owner of this fashion boutique, and she's a very nice lady."
"Hello Ms. Daidouji, a pleasure to meet you," Jane said kindly.
"Thank you for meeting with me, Ms. Goodstein. Please pardon my rusty English, it isn't exactly my best language. Here are some humble samples of clothing that I make," Tomoyo said shyly, handing over the samples of clothing.
Jane took the clothing from Tomoyo and inspected it carefully. The clothing showed that Tomoyo was experienced with the needle and had a fine taste in cloth as well. "Ms. Daidouji, this clothing is simply marvelous! The colors contrast perfectly, and your style of sewing is magnificent and unique! I would be honored if you were to work in my boutique!" Jane said excitedly. The clothing Tomoyo had produced would definitely be a big hit in England.
"Thank you so much for your kindness Ms. Goodstein!" Tomoyo said joyfully.
"Please, any friend of Eriol's must call me Jane, and in turn may I call you Tomoyo?" Jane asked.
"Of course Jane! I will enjoy working here at this boutique," Tomoyo said smiling.
"See Tomoyo-san! I told you Jane would like your work," Eriol told Tomoyo.
"Likes her work? No! I LOVE HER WORK!" Jane said enthusiastically. "Her original designs and awesome taste of color will definitely bring her far in the fashion world. Don't you agree Eriol?"
"Oh yes, I definitely agree," Eriol responded, grinning towards Tomoyo.
Tomoyo blushed and said, "Thank you, but I don't think I am that talented. I am just glad my work is surpassable."
"You must start right away! I'm sure your clothing will be selling like hotcakes in no time," Jane continued.
"Well Tomoyo-san, I must leave you to go to work now. How about we all have lunch together at the café. The one with the delicious sandwiches? (The one where they had breakfast) Say, around noon?" Eriol suggested.
"Of course, do you agree Tomoyo?" Jane said.
"Oh yes, that would be delightful!" Tomoyo said, smiling.
"Well then I'm off! Good-bye to the both of you, and see you at lunch!" Eriol said. Then he exited the building and went off to whatever work he felt like doing today.
"Now Tomoyo, you must get started. Is it ok if I put your clothing up for display right now? I'm sure many people will like it!" Jane told Tomoyo.
"Thank you very much, and that would be quite kind of you, displaying my clothing! Thank you very much indeed!" Tomoyo said happily. "I would like to show you some more designs I was thinking about from my sketchbook that I had brought with me, would you like to see them afterwards?" Jane nodded her head violently.
"I will meet you in that room over there," Jane said as she pointed to a backroom brightly lit. "I will be back as soon as I put these beautiful clothing up for display."
At the café during lunch…
"Eriol! We're here!" Jane shouted at the blue-haired man seated at a table. The man stood up and quickly smiled. He waved back and shouted hello.
"Come over here, we can start eating lunch!" he shouted.
"Let's go Tomoyo," Jane said smiling.
"Of course," Tomoyo said. She and Jane walked up to the table and sat down. "Konnichiwa Eriol-kun," Tomoyo greeted.
"Konnichiwa Tomoyo-san," Eriol replied. "So what do we feel like eating today?" "I don't know what exactly is the menu today!" Jane said grinning. "Let's ask the waiter what's the special." Jane called over a waiter and they found out the special today was a "variety of assorted sandwiches". All three agreed on ordering them for lunch. The waiter took their order and left.
"So Tomoyo, how did you ever become so good in fashion design? I can't believe my luck to be able to have somebody as talented as you working in my boutique. You are a genius at sewing!" Jane complimented. The waiter then came back with their order of sandwiches and they ate as they talked.
"Well, it was a hobby of mine back in Japan. I used to sew costumes for my friends to wear," Tomoyo explained. Her eyes darkened remembering Sakura and Syaoran, but she kept her smile pasted on her face.
"Really? That's really interesting. But I can't believe that some other fashion people haven't already discovered your talent!" Jane complimented again.
"Well…I just didn't want to tell anybody I did fashion design I guess. I designed some clothing for my plays at my school, that's all. Nothing really public," Tomoyo explained.
"Ahh…I see. So how did you meet Eriol?" Jane asked. "Well Eriol-kun had come to Tomoeda for awhile, and we just met each other since we were in the same class. After he came back here, we kept in touch through some letters. And when I arrived in England, I met him by chance at the airport!" Tomoyo said smiling.
"Yes, it was quite by chance," Eriol said grinning mysteriously.
"Oh my goodness, we have to get back to work now!" Jane said sadly. "Maybe we can talk more later."
"Yes, that would be wonderful. Oh yes, Tomoyo-san, you must stay again for the night. I'm sure Nakuru-san will still want to talk to you and everything! And it would be indeed our pleasure," Eriol suggested. "And all three of us can have dinner together tonight perhaps."
"Oh, thank you so much Eriol-kun!" Tomoyo said gleefully. After arriving in England, she hadn't had much of a chance to get a place to stay at the moment. "And I would love having dinner with you and Jane tonight."
"Oh, I'd love to go for dinner tonight…but I really can't. My husband and I are really buried under taking care of our baby right now," Jane said sadly. "I wish I could, maybe some other time?"
"Yes, some other time," Eriol said wistfully.
"Well we really have to go now Tomoyo, see you later Eriol ok?" Jane said. "Yes, let's go back to work. Jaa Eriol-kun, and I'll meet you at Hiiragizawa manor after my work is done," Tomoyo said.
"Oh no Tomoyo-san, I'll pick you up. I'm not sure if you know the way to my house," Eriol said grinning. Tomoyo realized this as well and nodded.
"Ok, well jaa!" Tomoyo said. Then she and Jane left to go back to work.
Later that night… "Eriol-kun, thank you for showing me around England!" Tomoyo said happily. While they drove to the restaurant Eriol had pointed out some sights and places that were "quite enjoyable to his taste".
"Hardly my dear," Eriol said graciously. "And here we are!"
"This place is truly elegant," Tomoyo said looking at the restaurant they had just arrived at.
"Well indeed the best for my friend!" Eriol said, stepping out of the car. He then opened Tomoyo's door and they entered the restaurant together.
They sat down at a table where they could view the city outside and Big Ben. They ordered and began talking again.
"England is truly a beautiful place," Tomoyo commented. "It is very busy too if I do say so myself."
"Oh yes indeed. It is definitely not as quiet as Tomoeda, but its quite beautiful and busy," Eriol replied.
"Oh and Eriol-kun, I apologize for falling asleep on the couch last night, I must have really bothered you," Tomoyo said in embarrassment, suddenly remembering she had woken up in his arms this morning.
"Not at all, you must have been extremely tired from your journey, I quite understand," Eriol said graciously. He also was a little embarrassed what had happened previously. Then he also remembered why he was asleep that way, Kaho. Involuntarily a tear slid down his cheek.
"What's wrong Eriol-kun!?" Tomoyo said alarmed. She then also remembered he had cried last night because of Kaho. "Its her again isn't it?"
"I just can't seem to forget her Tomoyo-san," Eriol said in despair. "I really miss her!"
"Maybe she just thought it was for the best," Tomoyo whispered comfortingly toward him. "At least she loved you openly for awhile, and I'm sure she still does."
"Your right Tomoyo-san, she must have thought we just weren't meant to be. I should've fret, but our relationship had been for so long, and breaking it off so suddenly just hurts," Eriol said, wiping his cheek.
"I know Eriol-kun, but you must learn to let go," Tomoyo said. 'Or run away,' she thought to herself, remembering Sakura.
"Miss and Mister, here are your meals," the waiter said behind them bringing up their order. He set it down and then left.
"Let's talk about something else more cheerful, ok?" Eriol suggested. The pain was still too fresh for him. "So how was your work today?"
"It was wonderful! I have never worked with such generous and talented people before. Especially Jane, she has an amazing style in sewing that is simply wondrous! I am very grateful that you brought me to such a place," Tomoyo gushed.
"I'm glad to hear that Tomoyo-san!" Eriol said joyfully. He had really hoped that her friend would like that place. He took several bites from his dinner.
"Anyway Eriol-kun, what did you do today?" Tomoyo asked.
"Nothing much, just some painting. Several people wanted self-portraits of themselves, so I obviously obliged," Eriol said. "I was wondering Tomoyo-san, we must really get a place for you to stay, or you can stay at my house! Its quite lonely at my house, not counting my noisy guardians of course. And I don't think that there are any open apartments at the moment. Plus, its quite near your work!"
"Oh that would be too rude of me though," Tomoyo said. "Thank you for the offer though."
"I insist. Let's make a deal, if there are any open apartments or houses you'll move there. But if there aren't any, then you must stay at my manor. It would be very nice to wake up in the morning and talk with somebody sane for a change," he said jokingly.
"It's a deal then, Eriol-kun," Tomoyo said.
"Ok, good, but for tonight, you must stay at my manor. The next hotel with any vacancies is very far. England has been getting a lot of tourists visits this time a year," Eriol said firmly.
"Arigato for letting me stay at your manor!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "You've been way too kind." She took a bite of her dinner finally and said, "OISHII!"
So how did everybody like it? I tried to have E+T moments in it, but I don't think I did that good of a job =P So review review review! And next two review I'll put up the next chapter, after I finish writing it of course ^_^
-CCSobsession