Disclaimer: I don't own ANY of the CCS characters although I wish so bad that I own Eriol!!!!
yadayadayada: This is based on the short story by Isabel Allende of the same title, from her book "The Stories of Eva Luna." Absolutely one of the most beautiful and tragic love stories I have ever read. I thank my English professor for assigning our class to read it ^___^
A/N: I was rather surprised that some of you thought the previous chapter was the last one! It isn't, this one is ^^ Didn't I warn y'all this ain't gonna be a happy ending? *grins evilly*
As for the whole the whole I-hate-you-five-seconds-ago-and-now-I-love-you thingy with Tomoyo (does that sound familiar Caty-chan? ^^), here's what my dearest beta reader Caty-chan (YAY! *glomps*) has to say about that:
"If you think about it, all those years she might have developed a love-hate thing for him, at least that's the way I see it. Sudden things make the story more real-life-like, when ever you are in a situation such as that one, either you don't do anything at all, or you do something you never thought you would, and that's just what lovely Tomoyo-san did!"
Very well said :)
Also, that's really what happens in the story…so…
I'm sorry if this chapter didn't come out as fast as some people would like it to be ^^ I had a hard time writing this. I kept hemming and hawing…anyway…
I love the reviews! And the reviewers ^^ er, or is that reviewees?
KyteAura – I should give you an award for guessing it right! Haha!
nasia – Nah, neither of them got sick ^^ read on and find out!
Stacey Janice Elton – that was my favorite line hehe! Thanks for your two-in-one review :P
silverg3r – again that was not the ending ^^ hehe! Thank you for thinking so!
Ranka – Thanks!
Fuu – that was such a nice compliment *cries*
GoodGurl – LMAO! You are so funny! Thanks for your reviews! Your reviews after every chapter cracked me up ^___^
meemee – actually I have the same reaction when I was reading the story. I was like "ohhhh…huh? What was that?" The turn of events was really shocking ^^
The Great One – waaaaahhhhh was it STILL short?! I can't make it any longer!!! The short story itself was like, just 6 pages or so.
Aoi Angie - *sobs* really, you think so?! I am SO relieved to hear that ^________^ thank you so much!
Sunshine – I'm a sucker for romance, see :P romantics of the world unite!
cm2 - *thinks thoughtfully* yeah, I am evil, but not that much ^^ that was not the end!!! OMG yes read the story itself, it's really beautiful.
night – what can't you believe? ^^
Kasumi Izukawa – I did wonder where you went ^^ hehe
Bishounen lovah – YES, pinoy ako! Bwahaha! And I thought I should stop writing angst so much, really…
Pierce-Reader21 – That's a nice plot, but I'm sticking to the original one ^^
Nikki Miyazawa – now that is the nicest review I've had in a long time! I am honored to have received a review from a critic extraordinaire such as you. (Hey, that rhymes!)
iceland – Why would Eriol have revenge on Tomoyo?! He was the bad one! ^^
On with the fic! Sorry for the long A/N *sheepish grin*
REVENGE
Chapter 5
Both of them lifted the floodgates on the love they have never released, and allowed themselves to drown in its rivers. They spent every waking hour with each other, strolling in the gardens while talking among themselves, not avoiding the fateful night, which brought them together now. At dusk, they would both sit by the piano, with Tomoyo insisting that she teach Eriol how to play. He was actually quite a fast learner, and in no time at all, it was Eriol who was playing while Tomoyo sang. They made such a lovely pair that everyone around them would sigh happily, glad that their dear Tomoyo had found happiness at last. No one ever remembered the horrors that happened ten years ago, a fact which made them both relieved. The past should be left behind and forgotten. It was easier to focus on the present, especially now that they have each other.
After dinner Eriol would stay in the best hotel in town. He practically lived there now, not wanting to be too far away from his angel. He had this nagging fear inside that something bad would happen if he would stray far away from her arms. Whenever he would return to his home, he would take her with him. They had actually talked about living together, and they couldn't decide whether they will live in her mansion or in his.
Marriage…that will happen, of course. Eriol couldn't think of any other person to spend the rest of his life with other than Tomoyo. Asking the question itself was a different matter altogether. One night, when he had finally summoned his courage, he had just knelt in front of her, took out the little velvet box which contained a ring with a single diamond on it, when she jumped up and flung herself at him, sobbing, "Yes—oh, yes!"
**
It was two days before the wedding.
When the news got around that their beloved Tomoyo was finally getting married, the whole town plunged into celebration. Each house was splendidly decorated, but the most splendid of all was, of course, the Daidouji mansion. This was where they would be getting married. Eriol was quite uncomfortable with the idea, but Tomoyo insisted. "This is where it began, and where it ended," she said softly. "And this is where we'll begin again. It's the start of something new, Eriol. We mustn't let the past haunt us."
It was two days before the wedding, and Tomoyo Daidouji was standing in front of the mirror, trying on her wedding dress. Eriol had some very pressing matters to attend to back in his estate, and he hesitantly left her side, promising to return before dusk. The dress was pure white, long and flowing. She placed a crown of roses on her hair and stared at herself for a long time. Finally, she turned around and dismissed the seamstress who was in her room with her.
The seamstress bowed and left the room. As soon as the door fell shut, Tomoyo leapt up and locked it. Gathering herself, she marched backed in front of the mirror and stared haughtily at herself.
"We must not let the past haunt us…You are such a liar, Tomoyo," she hissed at her reflection. "It's been haunting me every day, and it will for the rest for my life!"
In a rush of anger, she turned and slammed her fist into the mirror, breaking it into thousands of pieces. Her hand was all cut up and bleeding, but she did not take notice. "Why?!" she screamed, her head thrown back. "Why won't you let me find happiness, Father?! Why did I promise to avenge you?" She was sobbing now. "Revenge…it is not sweet at all, Father. I know now. The best way to take revenge of what happened to both you and I would be to live my life to the fullest and to overcome the past. I have done both, Father. But still you are not at peace. That is not the revenge you had in mind at all."
She slid down onto the floor, resting her head against her knees. "I know what you want me to do, Father. But I won't do it. I can't do it. I LOVE HIM!" she screamed out.
Tomoyo glanced around the room, searching for something, but not knowing what. Her eyes fell upon the pair of scissors that the seamstress had left behind. She stood slowly and picked it up. She crossed the room, unlocked the door, and left.
The sun was setting on the horizon. Nobody had seen where Tomoyo had gone.
**
"Master Eriol!"
Eriol had just arrived when one of the servants nearly threw herself upon his feet. "Master Eriol! You have to help us! It's Mistress Tomoyo!"
Fear seized his heart. "What about Tomoyo?!" he asked frantically, grabbing the servant and shaking her. "What happened to her?"
The servant trembled. "We — we don't know, sir! She's gone — missing!"
"What?!" Eriol sprang into action. "Alert the whole town. You there, take six servants with you and cover the grounds. You, check all the rooms of this house. You, check the stables. The rest — just join in the search! We will not stop until she is found! Is this clear?"
Eriol himself had gone into the study and sat down, forcing his mind to think. Could she have been abducted? It was unlikely. She must have gone somewhere of her own free will. But the question was, Where? He closed his eyes and thought.
Then it hit him like lightning.
He knew where she was.
Please, God, not in there…
He bolted from the study and ran like he had never run before. He was making his way to the room where once, ten years ago, he had seen an angel wearing a crown of white roses on her hair, blood staining her white flowing dress as she cradled a dying old man in her arms. The memory burned vividly in his mind. He reached the room, pulled the knob and found it locked. He banged hard on the door.
"TOMOYO! Tomoyo, open the door!" He didn't care if he was acting like a madman right now. Something's not right, he could feel it. He banged on the door again. Receiving no reply, he shouted, "Stay back, I'm coming in!"
Eriol took a few steps backward before slamming his whole body into the door. Pain shot through him, but he took no notice. It took him a couple more times before finally forcing the door open.
***
This room—it was where it all began, and where it will end. Once again, Eriol Hiiragizawa thought he must have been dreaming when he saw the angel with the crown of roses on her hair. But this time, the dream had turned into a nightmare. For the angel was sprawled on the floor, the crown of roses reduced to petals by her side, her own blood staining her white, flowing dress.
He stumbled forward. As he gathered Tomoyo Daidouji into his arms, he let out a strangled cry that pierced through the stillness of the night.
And Eriol Hiiragizawa knew there was no escape. Death was not an answer. He would live to be a hundred years old, and he could never erase the memory of the only woman who had touched his heart and made him pure.
THE END
A/N (again): WAAAAAAAAH, I actually finished a fanfic! *sobs* It's been great writing this. Lots of love to all who gave me encouragement! That includes those who reviewed!
hugs and kisses, EneriRenie