A/N: Oh my Gosh! I can't believe that it's actually over! I seriously can't believe it. Wow, I'm almost breathless. It's going to be sad for me to see this fic go... but at least I finished something. Also, I don't own this song, I just felt obliged to post it because it shares my story's title.
Oh, little note, to all ya ExT writers out there, Fairytales is a very nice site run by Megori-chan. The site features ExT fanfics. If anyone of you is interested in posting your stories, I'm sure the hostess would be very happy *nod nod*
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Chapter 12: Viennese Waltz
Escucha el ritmo de tu corazon
From the coast of Ipanema
To the Island of Capri
All the way to Kuala Lumpur
I will follow you wherever you may be
I woke up to Spinel Sun pawing annoyingly at the corner of the bed, meowing softly. A faint stream of sunshine surged through the open window. I mentally cursed; I had forgotten to pull down the blinds during the night. I looked to the digital clock beside my bed, the red digits were proclaiming that is was 7:15 a.m.. I nearly groaned and contemplated to just turning over, digging my head underneath my pillow and returning back to sleep. Not only was it an un-Godly hour of the morning, it was also the one day that I was allowed to sleep in.
Instead, I turned to the window and looked out to the smiling sun (though not directly, that hurts, you know). It was the day after Christmas. Last night it had snowed, covering the ground with a fine layer of white. I smiled at the sunlight, drawing the blankets closer around myself. I had almost forgotten what a real smile was. Tomoyo had changed that.
It's strange. Tomoyo has changed me, completely transformed me, and I didn't even mind. I became a better person without even realizing it. I laughed and cried, I no longer cared about what people thought of me, just as long as I was being myself and not a walking, talking lie. She had taught me to love, showed me that loving was not a crime but a beautiful, glorious feeling. She flaunted her freedom, her passion for life and by doing that taught me to love freedom as well.
I smiled at that, and at the implications of a new day and what things it brought. Spinel Sun came in again, this time more insistent, jumping up on the bed and looking straight at me. I sighed, though not minding the distraction, and petted the little fluff ball.
"What are you up to today?"
Meow.
Of course, I shouldn't have expected a cat to reply to me. Oh well, all good things must have an end. I abandoned my warm bed, though not without some complaining from my still sleeping limbs, and fed Spinel. After, I took a long luxurious shower, savouring the feel of the warm waters smoothing out the tension from my back muscles. I hadn't had the opportunity to enjoy such simple things lately, and before I even realized it, I was missing them. I guess that's another thing that Tomoyo had done for me. She had taught me how to enjoy the little things, not the things people usually dismiss because they are too big for them to handle, but idle things like fresh dew on leaves and the warm water taking away a night's weariness.
The thought of Tomoyo brought another smile to my face, and I didn't even bother to wash it away with the water. I was going to see her today, finally, after such a long time without her. In the weeks (it seemed like years) since last I saw her, I felt like I was going through serious withdrawal and failing miserably. I needed her to sustain myself, like a flower needed sunlight and earth to grow.
From the moment, I first saw you
Knew my heart could not be free
Had to hold you in my arms
There can never be another for me
Later that morning, after a leisurely breakfast and some television, I set off for my destination. I walked down the frozen streets, admiring the play of lights against the fresh snow and the frosted glass in car windows. The atmosphere was serene, happy almost, as if heralding a new beginning, or perhaps an overdue end to a long story. I could barely believe that just a couple of days ago the weather was frothing and churning in expectance of a storm. I could barely believe that a couple of days ago I was seriously considering celibacy.
I passed a small bakery on my way. It was just opening, the scent of freshly-out-of-the-oven pastries wafting to the streets. With a little shrug, I wandered in and treated myself to a nice chocolate-coated strudel, just because. I've decided that I wouldn't look to tomorrow for guidance; that I would accept things as they are and be happy with them. Why bother to be always thinking of the future when you live in the present? What's the point of measuring your life in teaspoons if the next moment could be your last? Treasure what you have now.
I had reached an archaic-looking building, large arched windows facing the street. The steps leading to the entrance were surprisingly empty, I had expected to see a horde of people milling about. With apprehension gnawing on my stomach, I wondered if I was late. I took out the crumpled brochure from my coat pocket, completely ignoring the small box also hidden within the folds of the pocket. The brochure said that the recital would start at precisely noon. The digits on my wristwatch told me it was nearly thirty after. Panicking, I forced open the heavy ornate doors of the building and rushed in.
A couple of nights ago, after a lengthy and meaningful conversation with Syaoran, I had stumbled on an announcement post. I wouldn't have noticed it, had it not had Tomoyo's name in bright, bold letters. The ad announced that the local concert hall would hold a special Christmas performance of the Nutcracker; Tomoyo was Clara. Since then, the gears in my head had been working overtime. I came here today in hopes of talking to her, though I was afraid that she would reject me coldly. Now I was afraid that I would miss her breakthrough performance; the thought was almost horrifying now.
All I need is
THE RHYTHM DIVINE
Lost in the music
Your heart will be mine
All I need is to look in your eyes
Viva la musica
Say you'll be mine
I stealthily made my way to the back of the concert hall, making sure not to attract too much attention. The seats were packed; the sidelines and the back were also crowded with people. I chose a spot from which the entire stage would be accessible to me and settled in to watch. The show itself was rather long but I did not notice the time pass by because all my attention was diverted to Tomoyo on the platform. She completely dominated the stage, ruled the audience and other performers like a beseeching queen. I was completely enthralled.
Before I realized it, the performance was coming to a draw. The curtains were parting for the dance of the Sugar Plum Princess, the stage lights were dimmed, one beam, however, was focussed on a solitary figure in sparkling blue. My breath caught in my throat as I watched Tomoyo descend the make-believe stairs and freeze into a delicate pose. She seemed ethereal, as if freshly plucked from a dream. She pirouetted, and pranced, a creature from a fairy tale, too entrancing to belong to the real world. I watched her lithe body sway to the beat of the lilting music, and I was once again reminded of just how beautiful she was. I would have compared her to a Greek goddess – Aphrodite or maybe Daphne – but I felt inadequate, as if Tomoyo was perfection personified, too beautiful to be compared with a mere myth.
I watched the rest of the show with almost apprehension, too afraid of what the end of the dance implied yet mesmerized into stillness. When the recital ended, I applauded along with the rest of the audience as the dancers graced the stage for one last time. It might have been just me, but it still seemed as if Tomoyo had prevailed over the crowd.
Can you feel the heat of passion
Can you taste our love's sweet wine
Join the dance and let it happen
Put tomorrow's cares right out of your mind
As the music draws you closer
And you fall under my spell
I will catch you in my arms now
Where the night can take us no can tell
I was standing outside the concert hall half an hour later. The audience had dissipated a long time ago, so I was left alone, waiting for what seemed like the end of the world. The muscles in my stomach were knotting together, and I could feel the giddiness in my knees. Some of the performers were filing out of the building, and I knew that it was just a matter of time before Tomoyo, too, would come out.
The doors opened slowly with an almost ominous creak. I bit my lip and watched, breathless, as Tomoyo walked down the steps toward me. It was as if time had frozen. I could physically feel her eyes catch mine, pulling me inside their depths. She seemed hesitant for a moment, afraid and nervous at the same time. With careful, indecisive steps, she made her way toward me, as did I. We met somewhere in-between.
"Hi," we said in unison. I could feel myself flush with embarrassment, I didn't even know how to address her. An uncomfortable silence settled between us.
"Look, what are you doing here?" She asked, sounding vexed.
"I just have a couple of questions to ask of you – for the interview. Will you come with me?" I asked, wary of the coldness in her voice.
Tomoyo looked at me sceptically, measuring up her chances of just pretending I wasn't there. With a sigh, she followed me. I could tell she was as apprehensive about our meeting as I. I couldn't blame her, though. Not after the things I said to her that night. We were walking along the unusually empty street, taking in the crisp air.
"What is it you wanted to ask of me?" she questioned, breaking the tenseness that sunk between us, though she kept her eyes firmly on the ground.
"Well, for starters," I began, trying my darnedest to sound casual, hiding behind my trusty notebook and pencil, "what are you looking for in a man?"
Tomoyo blanched and, startled, looked up to me with wide eyes. "What are you asking?"
"I guess you have no idea how many of your male fans would die for a chance with you," I said tonelessly, adjusting the bridge of my glasses in a studious manner. "In fact, many people had mailed my company, asking what you are seeking in a male companion. Surely you wouldn't want to disappoint your adoring audience?" I smirked at her challengingly, and watched her squirm under my scrutiny.
All I need is
THE RHYTHM DIVINE
Lost in the music
Your heart will be mine
All I need is the look in your eyes
Viva la musica
Say you'll be mine
"I had never considered just looking for a mate," she replied with a competitive grin of her own. "It has always been my philosophy to not look, because inevitably he would find me."
"Then when do you know that the right one has come?" The smirk from my face had disappeared as I gazed intently into her never-ending eyes, suddenly finding myself all alone with her in the all-too-big world.
She, too, was absorbed in my stare, looking up at me daringly almost. "I know that it is the right one when I feel comfortable with that person. When he is able to sooth away a day's weariness, and kiss away my unhappiness. When he can make me feel alive within myself, when he can stimulate me with a single word or touch. I know, that when he smiles, it's just for me and that whenever he does smile, he thinks me the most beautiful woman alive. When he is not afraid to give me his heart, to show me his real self."
"What about love, then?"
"Since when have you changed your mind? I thought you abhorred love and anything that had to do with it?" She asked mockingly. I nearly flinched at the jeer in her voice. True, I had most likely deserved it.
I shrugged and turned my gaze slightly away. "I thought about what you said, and came to the conclusion that maybe it does exist..."
"I see," she murmured. "To answer your question... Eriol, –" I could tell that she was a bit uncomfortable with using my first name "– I do not know how to describe to you the feeling you get when you're in love. I just know, with my heart and my soul that what I'm feeling for this man is truly love. It's the most exhilarating, the most painful and heart wrenchingly sweet feeling in the entire world."
The tenseness around us had dissolved, the barriers that both she and I erected were thrown off, to be replaced with the same familiarity as the one on that fateful night.
"All right then," I replied, pretending to jot something in my notebook.
"Is that all then?" She asked, a bit confused.
I smiled for the umpteenth time that day. I didn't care anymore who caught my smile, as long as I was smiling and she was there to receive the gesture. I glanced almost coyly, teasingly at her.
"Actually, no."
She watched me with curiosity shining in her eyes as I dug into my pocket. I removed the wrinkled brochure, I didn't need it anymore, instead my fingers curled around the small box also hidden in the pocket. I ignored the jolt of nervousness playing in my stomach, and presented the treasure out to her.
"What's this?"
"Just a late Christmas present," I replied with another smile, placing the box in the middle of her delicate palm.
"But I hadn't gotten you anything."
"That doesn't matter," I said with a careless shrug, "I already received all my presents." I let the sentence trail off, leaving her to ponder the meaning.
"Open it."
Gotta have this feeling forever
Gotta live this moment together
Nothing else matters
Just you and the night
Follow on the wings of desire
Now the rhythm is taking you higher
No one can stop us from havin' it all
Tomoyo glanced at the box. I was bouncing nervously on the balls of my feet, ready to bolt at any second. I was afraid of what she would think. That I was too forward? Too clichéd? She made no sound as she inspected her present and I began to chew on my bottom lip in worry. Then suddenly, she smiled up at me, and I could swear I nearly went blind. She was so beautiful, it was almost painful to witness.
I had no more doubts in my heart as she dropped the box to the ground and rushed into my arms like an avalanche. I could hear her whispering my name over and over again as she crushed her face onto my chest. Startled, I realized that she was crying.
"Why the tears?" I asked softly, titling her tear-stained face toward the light. It nearly broke my heart to see her so fragile-like and broken.
She forced back a whimper and smiled up at me again. "It's nothing. It's silly," Tomoyo replied with a shake of her head.
"What is it?"
"I'm just so happy."
"So am I," I replied, and with a grin I lowered my head and stole a kiss. Tomoyo leaned into the kiss, returning it in earnest. She smiled into my lips, though the flow of tears did not abate. Tomoyo is just like a force of nature. One way this instance, another in that. I was glad for that, though. I loved her for just the way she was, with all her eccentricity and flaws; they truly made her perfect. I felt Tomoyo shift slightly in my arms, moulding her body to fit mine wholly. I'm not claiming to be an overly romantic person, nor have I ever thought myself of actually doing something as sappy as this, but even I have my limits. I, too, recognize a good thing when I see it. And right now, I was holding it in my arms, claiming her as mine for the entire world to see. The connection between us was magnetic, it made my heart swell and sing along with the Sunday chimes. I was ready to spend a lifetime – and more– like this.
You are my heart......you are my soul
All I need is THE RHYTHM DIVINE
Lost in the music
Your heart will be mine
All I need is the look in your eyes
Viva la muscia
Say you'll be mine
Off to the side, as if forgotten among the snow, or left there on purpose, lay a small velveteen box. It was an ordinary looking box, the corners were slightly rounded to look more elegant, the velvet was a rich purple, rival only to the colour of midnight. It was also open, letting the bright sunshine spill into its contents. Inside, nestled in a satiny slot lay a small, crystalline heart. If anyone had bothered to pay attention, they would have been awed at the magnificent foreplay of lights. And if anyone had really been a meticulous person, they would have probably noticed the small writing on the side of the crystalline heart. In small, delicate letters, were written two simple words, and, simple as they were, they brought a twinge of happiness to the owner of such a present.
"My Heart..."
Can you feel the rhythm?
Can you feel the rhythm?
Can you feel the rhythm?
Burning .....Burning
~Finis
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Ending notes: Overall, I am not too pleased with this story. I had a lot of improvising, had a lot of corners turned. I originally wanted this story to be an intellectual, philosophical look into Tomoyo and Eriol's character (or was that the second take on the story???). I think I achieved some of that by this story, though not the full extent, and I'm sincerely bummed about that. I am, however, glad that so many of you had enjoyed this lil' thing o' mine. And though I cannot thank every one of the people who reviewed individually, believe me, I appreciate it very much. I loves you peoples!
Merci si beaucoup de pour lire mon histoire! J'espère vous voir la prochaine fois! Adieu!