The Snowman and The Swallow

Like I promised, here's the next chappie INSTANTLY up after I finally took the time off busy PLAYING. Yup, exams ALL over. And I'm enjoying well really! Take a look at my latest one-shot ExT fic, I'm No Angel, if you're not short of time. Remember to drop a review after reading this chapter!

Enjoy!

As always,

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!

*

"How come she knows?" Tomoyo asked, a worried frown on her face. Syaoran smacked his forehead, "I don't know! But do me a favor right now by suggesting a place for me to hide at!"

Eriol pointed to the boys' washroom, "You can try there…" Syaoran anxiously nodded and sprang to his feet, "Good idea. Girls can't enter the boys' toilet, right?" Tomoyo giggled, trying to stifle her laughter as Sallie stormed her way towards the locker room.

"DID ANY OF YOU HAPPEN TO SEE THAT BLARDY ASSHOLE!????" She almost screamed and Tomoyo resisted the urge to cover her ears. Eriol shrugged as he pointed to the left, "He went there, I think." Sallie looked at him suspiciously, "How did you know? And Syaoran's your friend. How come you're willing to betray him?"

"He's an airhead block…" Eriol replied flatly. Sallie immediately ran towards the left alley as Tomoyo finally burst into merry laughter. Syaoran peered out from the toilet, "Is she gone?" Eriol nodded, "Get out now, airhead block…" Syaoran heaved a sigh of relief as he stepped out again.

"Holy shit…I thought my job was simply well done. There must be some leak somewhere!" Syaoran exclaimed before he heard his name being called. He turned around as his beloved girlfriend ran up to him.

"Syaoran-kun! What happened? I heard Sallie saw through your tricks!" Sakura asked worriedly. Syaoran laughed, "Oh yeah…But it's no big deal so don't worry. Sallie's just a girl, right?" Sakura smiled as she pinched his nose, "Yeah yeah but make sure you don't get into more trouble!" Syaoran smiled as he kissed her forehead, "No problem."

Sakura looked down at Eriol and Tomoyo before breaking into a huge grin, "Erm, we're not disturbing you two, are we?" Tomoyo giggled, "Nope. But it seems like we're disturbing you."

Syaoran laughed, "You can say that again." Sakura poked him in the ribs. Eriol shrugged, "Then we'll get lost, if that's what you want." Syaoran grinned, "Yup. Sure. We'll appreciate it."

Eriol rolled his eyes as he walked off. Sakura gave Tomoyo an encouraging squeeze, "Ganbatte ne!" Tomoyo shot her a confused look, "Nani?" Sakura laughed before pushing Tomoyo in the direction Eriol walked off, "Just add oil, Tomoyo-san." Tomoyo giggled as she blushed lightly, "Iie, it's not what you think, Sakura-san."

Syaoran leant forward, giving Tomoyo a friendly pat, "You're the only one who can cure him now. You'd better do it." Tomoyo smiled before she turned around and jogged after Eriol.

*

"Eriol-kun!"

Eriol turned around as Tomoyo jogged up to him. He turned back to the direction he was walking in and continued in silence as Tomoyo stood behind him, not moving. He paused before turning around, one eyebrow arched, "What is it?"

Tomoyo broke into a slow but beautiful smile, making his heart unknowingly beat faster, a few pink stains on his face here and there. He uncertainly took a step back.

"What…?" He asked, unsure of the situation.

She laughed softly before shaking her head, "It's nothing. You just look very cute when you're confused." Something hot hit his face and he immediately bowed down his face, his dark blue tresses falling over his eyes.

She smiled, "Are you free now, Eriol?" He looked up, putting his hands in his pockets, "…Why?" She took out a history textbook from her backpack, "Thought you could give me some tuition on history again. But if you're busy, then that's ok."

He nodded, "I'm free now." She broke into a beam, "Then we'll head over to the garden for some free tuition, ne, Eriol?"

He could only smile in response.

*

"You mean it was the Ancient India who invented surgery first?" Tomoyo asked, still rather unsure of what he meant. Eriol nodded as he flipped to the next page, pointing to a particular text, "It's all written down here." She read over the paragraph once before she nodded, "I get it."

"But it was later spread to the rest of the countries when a Western doctor leaked it out." Eriol continued as Tomoyo nodded in understanding. Eriol flipped to the next page, "The rest of the Ancient India's achievements in science and the arts are written down here. But you've got to memorize most of them and from which period they came from. It's rather important."

She nodded again and scanned across the page, "I understand…" She suddenly smiled and looked at Eriol, "You mean you use memorizing for most of these facts?" Eriol shrugged, "Kind of…" She nodded, awed, "That's totally awesome! I can never do that much using my brain to memorize!"

He merely shrugged, "I don't know…I just can. Maybe it's just the gene in me…" Tomoyo suddenly broke out laughing, "You're trying to tell me you're a genius?" Eriol's eyes widened, "No, I didn't mean it that way…" She giggled as she scanned the next page of the history textbook, "I'm just kidding…"

She looked up at the skies just as a few birds flew by. She turned to Eriol, "I really like it out here…It's so peaceful…"

Eriol nodded. She suddenly sat up from her seat, her eyes meeting those blue ones of his, "Remember the valley you brought me to? Plum Blossoms Valley?" He nodded slowly, "Yeah…why?" She smiled, "Maybe you can bring me there someday again? I really miss it there…"

He broke into a soft smile, "Sure…" She looked at him closer, and it took him all the strength to prevent backing away. He willed his eyes to face hers and she smiled, "And when are you going to teach me the piano again? Or have you given up on me?" She couldn't help but tease.

He looked at her for a long while before standing up, "We'll forget about history for now. Let's go book the piano before anybody gets it." Her eyes brightened and she beamed, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Eriol-kun! You're the best!"

His heart swirled again and the same normal twitch played with his heart once more.

You're the best, Eriol-kun!

Arigatou gozaimasu, Eriol-kun!

Ne, Eriol-kun?

Eriol-kun, Eriol-kun, Eriol-kun…

It had always been Eriol-kun ever since the first time she knew him through Shades's 15th Anniversary Day. And she had always been the only one to call him that name instead of the plain 'snowman' everybody in Shades labelled him as.

As much as he wanted to deny the fact, he knew that he was treating Tomoyo differently compared to the others. But he really didn't know why. He knew there was no way he could remain cold and mean towards Tomoyo no matter how hard he tried. She was always the one who made him smile, only the person who could find the key to his world of the mystics.

Eriol steal a glance at the girl beside her who had her hand in his, pulling him to the music room excitedly.

He felt light and for once, he was unsure of what he was doing. But he knew that even he was lost and confused, she was the one who always knew how to make things right again.

She was a friend to him. But he was somewhat afraid, never forgetting the promise he made to his father.

Trust no one…

He shook his head.

It's too late…I've begun to trust and believe her…I'm sorry, Dad…

He looked at her again as they made their way up the stairs.

I have to keep my distance…I have to….

B-But…

Eriol watched as she let go of his hand and settled on the piano bench.

I…I really don't know…

Dad…

Help me.

*

That night, he couldn't sleep.

Eriol Hiiragizawa, that is.

He tried every position possible, tossing and twisting, but somehow, nothing worked. Even Syaoran, the heaviest sleeper around, was getting frustrated. But he slept fast enough anyway, leaving Eriol alone in his shared dorm again.

His mind was tired of thinking of the same person.

Yes, her. Who else?

It was always her ever since he first laid his eyes on her. But he never really quite wanted to know why his thoughts were always centered around her. Perhaps, his brain was faulty…Or perhaps he had nothing to think about…Or perhaps…

He sat up.

There were too many 'perhaps' running in his mind!

Frustrated, he kicked off his blanket and tossed on the other direction. He closed his eyes, opened them, and put on his blanket again.

He sighed before letting his eyes rest on the ceiling above. He didn't know what to do. But whenever he closed his eyes, she was there. Her smile, her eyes, her everything…

He finally retreated and closed his eyes, his mind suddenly blanked.

Eriol…

My dear son…

You don't understand what I mean, do you? I don't want you to lose your happiness just because I thought you not to trust anybody.

This girl…Tomoyo, isn't it? She's a wonderful girl. Don't let what I say go to your head and you start to worry whether you have to keep your distance from her or not.

Just remember and keep in mind that you have to be careful of the people in your life. Sometimes they just end up betraying you.

But you understand Tomoyo more than I do. You know she's a trustful and well-liked person. And if your eyes judged her as a wonderful person, you can't help but trust her, you know it's definitely alright to be her friend, then do it.

Don't let my words destroy your happiness…

But remember, people in life may betray you. You must remember.

But I trust Tomoyo. And you trust her. So just believe her with all your heart. That's all I want to say to you, my dear son.

Follow your heart.

That's all it matters.

"Dad!"

He sprang up from his bed, sweat trickling down his forehead. He immediately jump up and headed towards the window looking out.

It was the usual misty night, with tears of rain trickling down.

He looked at the skies.

Follow your heart…

Believe her with all your heart…

That's all it matters…

Don't let my words destroy your happiness…

Eriol looked down before he smiled.

"You're the best, Dad…Arigatou gozaimasu."

His face lightened up as his eyes met the shining raindrops falling down from the skies.

It seems like he had been influenced by Tomoyo after all… Pink stained his cheeks all over again and just like the 100th time, the twitch happened again.

But it didn't matter. All he knew was that he finally got the answer he had been waiting for a long time.

**

STUPID BUT HOPEFULLY GOOD…

Twist cuming up soon…because I think the romance between Tomoyo and Eriol is getting well enough. So I'm planning the twist VERY soon…watch out for it!

R n r!!!

As always,

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!