Chapter ten: The masked stranger.
(Ok I admit it this was partially from Sailor Moon, but it's also based on the stage show Phantom of the Opera, so sit back and enjoy.)
Sometime later, Tomoyo opened her eyes. She wasn't tired or feeling sick, for which she was grateful, but she was puzzled as to why she had woken up. The moon shone through the window and left a pale slab of light on the carpet. She sat up slowly, searching the room with her eyes. She couldn't see anything wrong, and yet . . something wasn't right. You didn't have to have magical powers to know that something was different.
Tomoyo brought the bed cover up to her chest. "Who's there?" she said, not in a nervous voice, but in a soft whisper. She wasn't frightened for some reason. Her heart was beating slowly and steadily. A warm feeling was creeping up over her, like another blanket, reassuring, stroking her bare arms. She sank back against the bed head, sighing unconsciously in pleasure. "Who's there?" she murmured again, closing her eyes.
"Do not be afraid."
Her eyes flew open at the voice, and she sat up, more shocked than scared. She hadn't expected an answer. Tomoyo had always anticipated something like this happening from knowing Sakura and Shaolan so well, but she'd never expected an actual person to be involved.
"I'm not afraid," she replied, squinting into the darkness.
Something moved by the curtain. A figure stepped out from the dark shadows into the moonlight. He wore a cloak wrapped around his figure, dark blue satin from what Tomoyo's experienced eyes could see. A black domino mask wrapped around his face. He threw his cloak off and she saw a black waistcoat over a dark blue shirt, made of silk. He seemed to have a very good figure, wide shoulders and slim waist, with long legs. He moved with animal grace as he walked towards her bed. Tomoyo felt herself go cold with excitement, though she didn't know what to expect.
The man leaned over her, so that she sank back down against the pillow, gazing into eyes that glinted in the darkness. "Good," he whispered, leaning down and gently touching his lips to hers. Tomoyo's hands flew up and grasped the wide shoulders. Her eyes widened at the muscle beneath the material. She pulled away, gasping, even though the kiss had been no more than a brush of skin against skin. "Who are you?" she whispered.
"A great admirer of yours," he answered, taking her hand and proceeding to kiss every single one of her knuckles . . then her fingers . . then her palm, which he placed against his cheek. His face felt smooth, with a slight hint of bristle.
"Won't you even give me a name?" she whispered, feeling her heart begin to pound. She could smell his aftershave, dark and musky, Poison by Dior she recognised her sent her favourite mans after-shave. Her fingers curled, clutching the bed sheets.
"Ely," he whispered, then he reached up and pulled out his hair, which fell around her like black curtains, cutting her off from everything, thick and impenetrable. All she could see was the pale skin of his face, his dark eyes, burning hers with their unrelenting gaze. He looked down, and she could almost feel the heat down her neck, her chest, her stomach.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.
"Why? Because I cannot contain myself any longer, lady," he whispered, brushing his lips against her cheek as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.
Tomoyo wanted nothing more than to close her eyes and give in to the magic that was now surrounding her, but an image suddenly flashed in front of her eyes, of Eriol temping his hands and watching her. Her heart twisted painfully in love. Much as she was tempted to let this dark stranger seduce her, she had to remain faithful, for herself at least, if not for him.
She pushed him off with a great effort of will. "I'm very flattered," she murmured, tears forming in her eyes. "But I love someone else. He's just across the hallway, and although he doesn't know, I won't betray him for anyone." She looked up. "Not even you."
Ely smiled at her. He kissed her on the cheek. "I understand my lady. Perhaps we shall meet again."
She looked up to reply, but he had disappeared. Tomoyo sighed: she wondered if Eriol was up. She needed to get her tapes back anyway. She wandered across the hallway, pulling her kimono on, and knocked on the door. No answer. She opened the door and stepped in. Her mouth opened and stayed open.
Eriol stood before the mirror, gazing at his reflection. He was wearing a dark blue satin cloak. He sighed, and swung it off, revealing the black trousers, a black waistcoat, and a dark blue silk shirt. He brushed back his long, thick, black hair. "Well, that was definitely the most stupid idea you've ever had," he muttered, pulling it into a bun at the nape of his neck.
"Eriol-kun."
Eriol actually jumped. He turned around, looking even paler than usual. "Tomoyo-chan," he said in a whisper.
Tomoyo stepped forward. "I just . . came to pick up my tapes," she said shakily, crossing to where they were lying on top of the television. She picked them up, then looked at him. Her eyes narrowed and her lips trembled. She flew across the room and slapped him. The force of her hit on his cheek made Eriol's head go sideways.
"How dare you test me like that?!" Tomoyo yelled at him. "I'm not like Sakura-chan, I'm not going to accept it! You can't go around doing that to people! Who do you think you are, some kind of god-?" Then Tomoyo began to cry, and sank down on the double bed.
Eriol touched his cheek, one tear ran down his face. "I wasn't testing you, I thought you might like to be romanced: obviously I was wrong."
Eriol took off the mask, he held it in his hand and went over to Tomoyo. He picked her up in his arms and carried her across the hall to her room, he put her in bed and drew up the sheets. "I'll phone Ruby-chan first thing and get her to come and collect you. I suppose you won't want to be around me now. I knew it was a stupid idea but it was the only way I could find to let out what I felt. Good night Tomoyo-chan, I hope whom ever wins you is a worthy man and that some day you will forgive me."
He walked out of the room and shut the door behind him. Tomoyo stared at the door wide-eyed for a moment she jumped out of bed and raced across the hallway. She put her ear to the door, Eriol was on the phone.
"It went badly wrong. She hates me. Come and collect her at ten tomorrow morning. I'm having the packages taken to reception now. I'll be leaving for America on the first flight. I'm packing now. Tell Sakura-chan I'll see her soon. Tell Yue not to give up. Tell the others I send my love."
There was a silence, she heard a small sob escape the room.
"I told you she would hate me for this."
Another silence.
"I'll be back after they go home, that will be in three weeks. No, she doesn't know that I'm a samurai, good thing really, she would probably hate me even more for that."
Another silence.
"Yeah, bye."
Tomoyo was tapped on the shoulder. She jumped: a man was standing behind her, a hotel official. She quietly stood and without a word she walked back into her room. She heard the man knock on the door then she heard Eriol open it.
"Here you go, Henry: are my tickets ready?"
"Yes, here you go, sir. "
"Thank you Henry. Cancel my surprise for the lady tomorrow. Make sure Miss Daidoji gets everything she needs till she leaves at ten tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"Here, this is for you."
"Thank-you, sir, you are most generous."
"Take my things down to the reception, will you, I have something to deal with, then I'll be with you."
When Tomoyo looked down at the bed she saw the mask laying on the sheets a contrast of black against white, a sharp contrast just like Eriol himself. Her eyes filled with tears, she couldn't let him go, not like this. Tomoyo went out into the hallway. Eriol's room door was open. Tomoyo stepped in. Her eyes went wide. Eriol had changed into a pair of light blue trousers and a silver-grey shirt. He was stood with his hand on the mantle-piece, his face highlighted by the flames. He looked up at her and then he looked back into the flames. He was holding the costume in his hands: he threw it into the flames. Tomoyo raced forwards.
"No!"
Eriol turned away, picking up his bag.
Tomoyo grabbed the poker and dragged what she could out of the fire, and patted it with her bare hands, not caring about her skin. Her shoulders were beginning to shake.
Eriol stood in the doorway. He gave her a unreadable glance over his shoulder.
"Goodbye Tomoyo-chan, I hope we meet again someday," he whispered closing the door. Tomoyo looked up and ran after him: no one had ever done something that romantic for her before; no one had ever done anything that romantic for her ever.
As she rounded the end of the corridor, the doors of the lift closed. Tomoyo raced down the stairs. She skidded into the foyer. Eriol was handing in his key. Tomoyo pursued him across the foyer , but a group of people walked in front of her. When they were gone Eriol seemed to have vanished, then Tomoyo spotted him, standing under the entrance, sheltering from the rain waiting for a taxi.
Tomoyo picked up her kimono: she ran towards him, her hand reached out towards him
"Eriol..."
A man grabbed her from behind and put a hand over Tomoyo's mouth.
"MMMM!"
Tomoyo's eyes closed, Eriol turned, he dropped his bag, the costume he had worn before suddenly came up him. Eriol ran up to the man.
"Let go of her!"
Eriol hit the man, once squarely in the jaw, he dropped her on the floor, Eriol kept hold of the man until one of the security men took the man off to be questioned. Eriol picked Tomoyo up in his arms he held her close to him, for a moment he kissed the bruise on her shoulder from the fall and it healed instantly and then he gently handed her to Henry. Eriol took the mask off and pushed it into her open hand curling her fingers round it.
"Take care of her, ok."
Henry nodded. Eriol pushed a note into Tomoyo's hand, He kissed her on the forehead, then quietly turned: his cab had pulled up . Eriol was just climbing into to it when Tomoyo's eyes flickered and opened.
"Eriol! No, don't go!"
Eriol stopped for a moment, he turned, smiled and waved once. Henry let a now wriggling Tomoyo down. He closed the cab door behind him. Eriol leant forward and spoke to the driver, then the taxi pulled away just as Tomoyo reached the road side. He turned and waved to her smiling as he went, the cab turned the corner. Tomoyo sank to her knees and covered her face. Henry came up to her and touched her on the shoulder.
"He left you these."
Henry handed her the mask and the letter which Tomoyo had dropped. Tomoyo looked at the mask, she opened the letter and read it to herself.
'Keep this: whenever you need protecting your own masked hero will come to save you. I promised, didn't I? At least I can come to you, protect you and at the same time not offend your eyes. At least in writing I can say this: I love you and I will protect you forever.'
Tomoyo curled her fist and the letter. "I'm not letting you leave me behind," she whispered, getting up. "This isn't finished."
She stood up, brushed her hair back. Eriol was not the only one with contacts.
"Henry-san, I need a limousine-"
"But miss, Mr. Hirzagawa said-"
"Under the name of Amato Daidoji."
Henry blinked. "The Amato Daidoji?" he asked.
Tomoyo turned around, sticking the mask in her pocket. "What airport is his plane waiting at?" she asked, praying that her English would hold up.
"Gatwick."
"Then I'm going to Gatwick."
"But Miss Daidoji, you're not even dressed!"
"I'll change in the limousine. Please, Henry-san." Tomoyo's voice shook slightly. "I can't let him run away from me."
"But in my experience when Mr. Hirzagawa decides to disappear-"
"I'm not going to let him disappear." Tomoyo folded her arms, and her chin set.
Henry gave up: he recognised those signs from her mother. He wasn't sure if this girl could catch Eriol, but he could recognise a determined woman when he saw one.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
Tomoyo ran up to her room and got a change of clothes. By the time she had run downstairs again, the limousine was waiting. The chauffeur was yawning, but he quickly closed his mouth when he saw who was standing in the foyer. He leapt out and opened the door. "Miss-Miss Daidoji."
"Thank-you," said Tomoyo, getting into the limousine with her straw bag of clothes. "To Gatwick Airport please, as fast as you can."
They drove off at a terrific speed. Tomoyo changed without fuss, and sat in her favourite kimono, plaiting her hair up into a bun. She intended to look her best.
"If you don't mind me saying so, miss, it looks better down," the chauffeur volunteered.
Tomoyo looked up at him, holding a black lock. "You really think so?"
"Why yes."
Tomoyo shrugged, and left her hair down, arranging it with a mother-of- pearl comb that she had inherited from her grandmother.
They arrived at Gatwick in what was probably record time, but Tomoyo didn't care. She leapt out of the car, telling the chauffeur to wait, and ran through the airport, heedless of the glances people were giving her.
"Excuse me, sir," she panted, "I'm looking for my fiancé, Eriol Hirzagawa, do you know which flight he's on?"
The man, typically English, did not ask what she was doing, simply typed in the name. "He's on Flight 317 to John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. Should I patch in a message?"
"No, no, there's no time, which gate is it?"
"Gate 11."
"Thank-you so much."
Tomoyo took off, thanking the gods she had her plimsolls on. She could see Eriol's black head in the queue for the gate.
"ERIOL-KUN!" she yelled.
Everyone looked around except Eriol, who looked at his watch instead.
"HIRZAGAWA ERIOL, YOU TURN AROUND AND FACE ME RIGHT NOW, YOU COWARD!"
Eriol froze, gazing at the moving hand on his watch. He turned around, his eyebrows meeting in his forehead. "I'm not deaf," he said quietly, leaving his suitcase in the queue, in a pointed gesture. "Now what do you want, Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo held out the note and deliberately ripped it to pieces in front of his face. Eriol suddenly went deathly white, shuddered and fell down. Tomoyo gasped and ran forward. "Eriol-chan!" she cried, pulling his head into her lap.
Eriol's eyes flickered he opened them and looked up at her. "I always . . wanted you to call me . . that." He whispered letting out a sigh. "That was my heart you just ripped up."
Tomoyo gasped she put a hand on his chest his breathing was very light Eriol's heart was faltering. With sudden inspiration Tomoyo pulled the mask out of her pocket. A little colour came back into his cheeks at the sight of it. "Put it on me," he whispered. Tomoyo did so, holding her breath. The costume appeared on Eriol, to the great excitement of the queue. He breathed out again, and slowly got up. Tomoyo grabbed Eriol around the waist he looked down at her.
"What are you doing?"
"Holding on to you for dear life what's it look like."
"Why?"
"Because I love you, you silly idiot."
Eriol looked down at her great shock in his eyes, he stroked her hair with softness in his eyes.
"You what?"
"I love you Eriol-chan."
The crowd cheered, Eriol looked at them and smiled bowing slightly. Tomoyo looked at them and blushed a pretty pink. Eriol then smiled down at her. Eriol retrieved his case.
"We should go."
They walked back towards the limousine
"Aren't you going to take the costume off?"
"I can't it's the only thing keeping me alive. The dream of what I always wanted to be to you, but I can't keep it up forever."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol shocked.
"What do you mean?"
"My magic won't go on forever. That's why I wrote the letter it and the mask gave me a way of coming to you when ever you needed me but I was still able to turn back into me and conserve magic. As the Blue warrior I use up my magic little by little until I die."
"Can't it be stopped?"
Eriol looked up and sighed, the light highlighting some of his features whilst others were shadowed by it.
"Yes."
"How?"
"Hmmm."
"Hmmm is all you have to offer. Your dieing and all you have to offer is hmm."
Eriol looked at Tomoyo, his eyes were suddenly very dark.
"I have to think if there is any other way."
They arrived at the limousine Tomoyo and Eriol climbed in. The driver looked at him, in the mirror, Tomoyo explained that Eriol was trying on one of her costumes and put up the divider between themselves and the driver. Eriol slumped into the seat, breathing lightly again for a moment he looked at Tomoyo.
"With out the note it's getting worse quicker than I thought, with out the note I'm using up to much magical energy by staying in this form."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol regretting how quick she had been, Eriol lay out on the seat with his head in her lap, gently touching her face with one of his long confident hands. Tomoyo looked down on him her eyes filling with sudden tears.
"Its all my fault."
"Then the remedy must come from you."
"Eriol-chan how do you mean?"
"My heart was on that paper."
But before he could finish speaking his eyes closed and his hand slipped from her face, he breathed out and his chest froze. Tomoyo suddenly realised what had just happened.
"Eriol no, no don't go! Don't die, don't go and leave me all alone!"
There came no response from the man she loved. Tomoyo rested her head on his chest and cried her heart out. After some time Tomoyo stopped crying and spoke to his body, not knowing if his spirit was listening to her or not.
"Eriol, oh Eriol its all my fault! I love you so much with all my heart, you were my hero always, I always wanted you to rescue me. All the time I wanted you to love me but I was afraid you never would being so powerful and now I know you love me too late. I've loved for all time you and I always shall will, I promise even if you don't come back."
Suddenly Eriol's heart beat, he was glowing Tomoyo looked down on Eriol her eyes wide.
"Eriol, come on that's it come back to me. I love you, I want to be with you until the end of time. My hero my one true love."
Eriol breathed his eyes flickered and opened, when he saw that it was Tomoyo looking down on him, he smiled at her, brining his hand up to rest lightly on her cheek. He could feel her tears, gently he wiped them away with his long gentle fingers. Tomoyo smiled down at him then hugged him very tightly.
"Hey, hey I only just came back to life and your already trying to kill me again."
Eriol then squeezed her back, the costume suddenly disappeared and he was wearing what he had been in at the air port. He smiled at Tomoyo his eyes devouring every feature of her face, her exquisite eyes alight with life and love, her candy lips which pressed at this moment into a loving smile that would live forever in his mind and her lightly rose colour cheeks.
"See I'm back you found the cure."
"You mean the cure was to say I love you, I always have. You know something?"
Eriol smiled at her his eyes wide with shock, both at her statement and the fact he was letting him keep his head in her lap, Eriol was content to let his head lay in her lap forever if she would let him do so.
"What?"
"I've always wanted you to be my love and well.my hero."
Eriol went to sit up in shock but Tomoyo pushed him down again kissing him at the same time, her heart was in the kiss, Eriol knew it as did Tomoyo. Eriol started glowing again, brighter and brighter until it filled the whole of the back of the limousine. Tomoyo stared at him
"What's happening to you?"
Eriol stopped glowing he looked at himself, then touched his chest, his face lit up with a smile. He took Tomoyo's hand in his and squeezed it much to her surprise he then kissed it very floridly. After a moment he placed her hand on his chest over his heart.
"You're love appears to have healed me completely and restored my magic to it full level."
He thought for a moment, then sat up, he looked at Tomoyo 'to hell with caution' he thought, Eriol took Tomoyo in his arms and kissed her lingeringly.
"I love you Tomoyo-chan."
He took out the mask and held it out to Tomoyo. Tomoyo took it from him, she realised it was black silk and hand made. Eriol looked at her
"It is really up to you weather you want to keep the Blue warrior or not. He is part of me, my romantic side, but I give him to you, to protect you always if you so wish."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol her eyes wide with shock at the importance of this.
"If he is part of you then I want him to stay, he is just another side of you after all, and it will be something you can always use when ever you need to protect me."
Eriol smiled at her and then drew a second mask out of his trousers back pocket.
"Then you keep that one to call him up, I'll keep this one to wear as your hero. I love you so much Tomoyo. I was saving this for tomorrow but there is no time like the present."
Tomoyo smiled at Eriol wondering now what he had meant to surprise her with that next day. Slowly Eriol took a small black ebony wood box from his pocket set in the top of the box in gold was the Clow symbol and he handed it to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo looked at the box then opened it her eyes went wide with shock and delight at the contents of the box. Eriol smiled at her, this would be a moment that Eriol would treasure for the rest of his life at least he hoped so. Tomoyo looked up at him and a smile spread over her face, Eriol cradled her face in his hand.
"Tomoyo-chan would you make me the happiest man ever to live and marry me?"
Tomoyo's eyes went wide again, she smiled at Eriol and gave him the box.
"Yes Eriol-chan I will."
Eriol took the ring out white gold tipped with a white pearl and a black one, embraced in an open lattice work heart at the end of the two scrolls that made up the heart, which meant the two pearls were positioned in the dead centre of the heart.
Gently he slipped the ring onto her finger, they looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly then hugged each other very tightly, Tomoyo leaned back in Eriol's arms and looked into his face, she couldn't believe this had finally happened to her she had been longing for it so long. Eriol looked back at Tomoyo his eyes were soft with love, then he lent into her kissing her gently but deeply. Tomoyo responded to him with all of her heart unafraid she was at peace with him safe in his arms.
After a moment they parted staring into each others eyes, they smiled at each other. Eriol drew Tomoyo close to him leaning her head on his shoulder, they sat like this there right hands intertwined. Eventually Tomoyo fell asleep on Eriol's shoulder, Eriol smiled down at his love and put his head on hers looking out of the window as the limousine carried on making its way back to the hotel.
(Ok I admit it this was partially from Sailor Moon, but it's also based on the stage show Phantom of the Opera, so sit back and enjoy.)
Sometime later, Tomoyo opened her eyes. She wasn't tired or feeling sick, for which she was grateful, but she was puzzled as to why she had woken up. The moon shone through the window and left a pale slab of light on the carpet. She sat up slowly, searching the room with her eyes. She couldn't see anything wrong, and yet . . something wasn't right. You didn't have to have magical powers to know that something was different.
Tomoyo brought the bed cover up to her chest. "Who's there?" she said, not in a nervous voice, but in a soft whisper. She wasn't frightened for some reason. Her heart was beating slowly and steadily. A warm feeling was creeping up over her, like another blanket, reassuring, stroking her bare arms. She sank back against the bed head, sighing unconsciously in pleasure. "Who's there?" she murmured again, closing her eyes.
"Do not be afraid."
Her eyes flew open at the voice, and she sat up, more shocked than scared. She hadn't expected an answer. Tomoyo had always anticipated something like this happening from knowing Sakura and Shaolan so well, but she'd never expected an actual person to be involved.
"I'm not afraid," she replied, squinting into the darkness.
Something moved by the curtain. A figure stepped out from the dark shadows into the moonlight. He wore a cloak wrapped around his figure, dark blue satin from what Tomoyo's experienced eyes could see. A black domino mask wrapped around his face. He threw his cloak off and she saw a black waistcoat over a dark blue shirt, made of silk. He seemed to have a very good figure, wide shoulders and slim waist, with long legs. He moved with animal grace as he walked towards her bed. Tomoyo felt herself go cold with excitement, though she didn't know what to expect.
The man leaned over her, so that she sank back down against the pillow, gazing into eyes that glinted in the darkness. "Good," he whispered, leaning down and gently touching his lips to hers. Tomoyo's hands flew up and grasped the wide shoulders. Her eyes widened at the muscle beneath the material. She pulled away, gasping, even though the kiss had been no more than a brush of skin against skin. "Who are you?" she whispered.
"A great admirer of yours," he answered, taking her hand and proceeding to kiss every single one of her knuckles . . then her fingers . . then her palm, which he placed against his cheek. His face felt smooth, with a slight hint of bristle.
"Won't you even give me a name?" she whispered, feeling her heart begin to pound. She could smell his aftershave, dark and musky, Poison by Dior she recognised her sent her favourite mans after-shave. Her fingers curled, clutching the bed sheets.
"Ely," he whispered, then he reached up and pulled out his hair, which fell around her like black curtains, cutting her off from everything, thick and impenetrable. All she could see was the pale skin of his face, his dark eyes, burning hers with their unrelenting gaze. He looked down, and she could almost feel the heat down her neck, her chest, her stomach.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.
"Why? Because I cannot contain myself any longer, lady," he whispered, brushing his lips against her cheek as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.
Tomoyo wanted nothing more than to close her eyes and give in to the magic that was now surrounding her, but an image suddenly flashed in front of her eyes, of Eriol temping his hands and watching her. Her heart twisted painfully in love. Much as she was tempted to let this dark stranger seduce her, she had to remain faithful, for herself at least, if not for him.
She pushed him off with a great effort of will. "I'm very flattered," she murmured, tears forming in her eyes. "But I love someone else. He's just across the hallway, and although he doesn't know, I won't betray him for anyone." She looked up. "Not even you."
Ely smiled at her. He kissed her on the cheek. "I understand my lady. Perhaps we shall meet again."
She looked up to reply, but he had disappeared. Tomoyo sighed: she wondered if Eriol was up. She needed to get her tapes back anyway. She wandered across the hallway, pulling her kimono on, and knocked on the door. No answer. She opened the door and stepped in. Her mouth opened and stayed open.
Eriol stood before the mirror, gazing at his reflection. He was wearing a dark blue satin cloak. He sighed, and swung it off, revealing the black trousers, a black waistcoat, and a dark blue silk shirt. He brushed back his long, thick, black hair. "Well, that was definitely the most stupid idea you've ever had," he muttered, pulling it into a bun at the nape of his neck.
"Eriol-kun."
Eriol actually jumped. He turned around, looking even paler than usual. "Tomoyo-chan," he said in a whisper.
Tomoyo stepped forward. "I just . . came to pick up my tapes," she said shakily, crossing to where they were lying on top of the television. She picked them up, then looked at him. Her eyes narrowed and her lips trembled. She flew across the room and slapped him. The force of her hit on his cheek made Eriol's head go sideways.
"How dare you test me like that?!" Tomoyo yelled at him. "I'm not like Sakura-chan, I'm not going to accept it! You can't go around doing that to people! Who do you think you are, some kind of god-?" Then Tomoyo began to cry, and sank down on the double bed.
Eriol touched his cheek, one tear ran down his face. "I wasn't testing you, I thought you might like to be romanced: obviously I was wrong."
Eriol took off the mask, he held it in his hand and went over to Tomoyo. He picked her up in his arms and carried her across the hall to her room, he put her in bed and drew up the sheets. "I'll phone Ruby-chan first thing and get her to come and collect you. I suppose you won't want to be around me now. I knew it was a stupid idea but it was the only way I could find to let out what I felt. Good night Tomoyo-chan, I hope whom ever wins you is a worthy man and that some day you will forgive me."
He walked out of the room and shut the door behind him. Tomoyo stared at the door wide-eyed for a moment she jumped out of bed and raced across the hallway. She put her ear to the door, Eriol was on the phone.
"It went badly wrong. She hates me. Come and collect her at ten tomorrow morning. I'm having the packages taken to reception now. I'll be leaving for America on the first flight. I'm packing now. Tell Sakura-chan I'll see her soon. Tell Yue not to give up. Tell the others I send my love."
There was a silence, she heard a small sob escape the room.
"I told you she would hate me for this."
Another silence.
"I'll be back after they go home, that will be in three weeks. No, she doesn't know that I'm a samurai, good thing really, she would probably hate me even more for that."
Another silence.
"Yeah, bye."
Tomoyo was tapped on the shoulder. She jumped: a man was standing behind her, a hotel official. She quietly stood and without a word she walked back into her room. She heard the man knock on the door then she heard Eriol open it.
"Here you go, Henry: are my tickets ready?"
"Yes, here you go, sir. "
"Thank you Henry. Cancel my surprise for the lady tomorrow. Make sure Miss Daidoji gets everything she needs till she leaves at ten tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"Here, this is for you."
"Thank-you, sir, you are most generous."
"Take my things down to the reception, will you, I have something to deal with, then I'll be with you."
When Tomoyo looked down at the bed she saw the mask laying on the sheets a contrast of black against white, a sharp contrast just like Eriol himself. Her eyes filled with tears, she couldn't let him go, not like this. Tomoyo went out into the hallway. Eriol's room door was open. Tomoyo stepped in. Her eyes went wide. Eriol had changed into a pair of light blue trousers and a silver-grey shirt. He was stood with his hand on the mantle-piece, his face highlighted by the flames. He looked up at her and then he looked back into the flames. He was holding the costume in his hands: he threw it into the flames. Tomoyo raced forwards.
"No!"
Eriol turned away, picking up his bag.
Tomoyo grabbed the poker and dragged what she could out of the fire, and patted it with her bare hands, not caring about her skin. Her shoulders were beginning to shake.
Eriol stood in the doorway. He gave her a unreadable glance over his shoulder.
"Goodbye Tomoyo-chan, I hope we meet again someday," he whispered closing the door. Tomoyo looked up and ran after him: no one had ever done something that romantic for her before; no one had ever done anything that romantic for her ever.
As she rounded the end of the corridor, the doors of the lift closed. Tomoyo raced down the stairs. She skidded into the foyer. Eriol was handing in his key. Tomoyo pursued him across the foyer , but a group of people walked in front of her. When they were gone Eriol seemed to have vanished, then Tomoyo spotted him, standing under the entrance, sheltering from the rain waiting for a taxi.
Tomoyo picked up her kimono: she ran towards him, her hand reached out towards him
"Eriol..."
A man grabbed her from behind and put a hand over Tomoyo's mouth.
"MMMM!"
Tomoyo's eyes closed, Eriol turned, he dropped his bag, the costume he had worn before suddenly came up him. Eriol ran up to the man.
"Let go of her!"
Eriol hit the man, once squarely in the jaw, he dropped her on the floor, Eriol kept hold of the man until one of the security men took the man off to be questioned. Eriol picked Tomoyo up in his arms he held her close to him, for a moment he kissed the bruise on her shoulder from the fall and it healed instantly and then he gently handed her to Henry. Eriol took the mask off and pushed it into her open hand curling her fingers round it.
"Take care of her, ok."
Henry nodded. Eriol pushed a note into Tomoyo's hand, He kissed her on the forehead, then quietly turned: his cab had pulled up . Eriol was just climbing into to it when Tomoyo's eyes flickered and opened.
"Eriol! No, don't go!"
Eriol stopped for a moment, he turned, smiled and waved once. Henry let a now wriggling Tomoyo down. He closed the cab door behind him. Eriol leant forward and spoke to the driver, then the taxi pulled away just as Tomoyo reached the road side. He turned and waved to her smiling as he went, the cab turned the corner. Tomoyo sank to her knees and covered her face. Henry came up to her and touched her on the shoulder.
"He left you these."
Henry handed her the mask and the letter which Tomoyo had dropped. Tomoyo looked at the mask, she opened the letter and read it to herself.
'Keep this: whenever you need protecting your own masked hero will come to save you. I promised, didn't I? At least I can come to you, protect you and at the same time not offend your eyes. At least in writing I can say this: I love you and I will protect you forever.'
Tomoyo curled her fist and the letter. "I'm not letting you leave me behind," she whispered, getting up. "This isn't finished."
She stood up, brushed her hair back. Eriol was not the only one with contacts.
"Henry-san, I need a limousine-"
"But miss, Mr. Hirzagawa said-"
"Under the name of Amato Daidoji."
Henry blinked. "The Amato Daidoji?" he asked.
Tomoyo turned around, sticking the mask in her pocket. "What airport is his plane waiting at?" she asked, praying that her English would hold up.
"Gatwick."
"Then I'm going to Gatwick."
"But Miss Daidoji, you're not even dressed!"
"I'll change in the limousine. Please, Henry-san." Tomoyo's voice shook slightly. "I can't let him run away from me."
"But in my experience when Mr. Hirzagawa decides to disappear-"
"I'm not going to let him disappear." Tomoyo folded her arms, and her chin set.
Henry gave up: he recognised those signs from her mother. He wasn't sure if this girl could catch Eriol, but he could recognise a determined woman when he saw one.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
Tomoyo ran up to her room and got a change of clothes. By the time she had run downstairs again, the limousine was waiting. The chauffeur was yawning, but he quickly closed his mouth when he saw who was standing in the foyer. He leapt out and opened the door. "Miss-Miss Daidoji."
"Thank-you," said Tomoyo, getting into the limousine with her straw bag of clothes. "To Gatwick Airport please, as fast as you can."
They drove off at a terrific speed. Tomoyo changed without fuss, and sat in her favourite kimono, plaiting her hair up into a bun. She intended to look her best.
"If you don't mind me saying so, miss, it looks better down," the chauffeur volunteered.
Tomoyo looked up at him, holding a black lock. "You really think so?"
"Why yes."
Tomoyo shrugged, and left her hair down, arranging it with a mother-of- pearl comb that she had inherited from her grandmother.
They arrived at Gatwick in what was probably record time, but Tomoyo didn't care. She leapt out of the car, telling the chauffeur to wait, and ran through the airport, heedless of the glances people were giving her.
"Excuse me, sir," she panted, "I'm looking for my fiancé, Eriol Hirzagawa, do you know which flight he's on?"
The man, typically English, did not ask what she was doing, simply typed in the name. "He's on Flight 317 to John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. Should I patch in a message?"
"No, no, there's no time, which gate is it?"
"Gate 11."
"Thank-you so much."
Tomoyo took off, thanking the gods she had her plimsolls on. She could see Eriol's black head in the queue for the gate.
"ERIOL-KUN!" she yelled.
Everyone looked around except Eriol, who looked at his watch instead.
"HIRZAGAWA ERIOL, YOU TURN AROUND AND FACE ME RIGHT NOW, YOU COWARD!"
Eriol froze, gazing at the moving hand on his watch. He turned around, his eyebrows meeting in his forehead. "I'm not deaf," he said quietly, leaving his suitcase in the queue, in a pointed gesture. "Now what do you want, Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo held out the note and deliberately ripped it to pieces in front of his face. Eriol suddenly went deathly white, shuddered and fell down. Tomoyo gasped and ran forward. "Eriol-chan!" she cried, pulling his head into her lap.
Eriol's eyes flickered he opened them and looked up at her. "I always . . wanted you to call me . . that." He whispered letting out a sigh. "That was my heart you just ripped up."
Tomoyo gasped she put a hand on his chest his breathing was very light Eriol's heart was faltering. With sudden inspiration Tomoyo pulled the mask out of her pocket. A little colour came back into his cheeks at the sight of it. "Put it on me," he whispered. Tomoyo did so, holding her breath. The costume appeared on Eriol, to the great excitement of the queue. He breathed out again, and slowly got up. Tomoyo grabbed Eriol around the waist he looked down at her.
"What are you doing?"
"Holding on to you for dear life what's it look like."
"Why?"
"Because I love you, you silly idiot."
Eriol looked down at her great shock in his eyes, he stroked her hair with softness in his eyes.
"You what?"
"I love you Eriol-chan."
The crowd cheered, Eriol looked at them and smiled bowing slightly. Tomoyo looked at them and blushed a pretty pink. Eriol then smiled down at her. Eriol retrieved his case.
"We should go."
They walked back towards the limousine
"Aren't you going to take the costume off?"
"I can't it's the only thing keeping me alive. The dream of what I always wanted to be to you, but I can't keep it up forever."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol shocked.
"What do you mean?"
"My magic won't go on forever. That's why I wrote the letter it and the mask gave me a way of coming to you when ever you needed me but I was still able to turn back into me and conserve magic. As the Blue warrior I use up my magic little by little until I die."
"Can't it be stopped?"
Eriol looked up and sighed, the light highlighting some of his features whilst others were shadowed by it.
"Yes."
"How?"
"Hmmm."
"Hmmm is all you have to offer. Your dieing and all you have to offer is hmm."
Eriol looked at Tomoyo, his eyes were suddenly very dark.
"I have to think if there is any other way."
They arrived at the limousine Tomoyo and Eriol climbed in. The driver looked at him, in the mirror, Tomoyo explained that Eriol was trying on one of her costumes and put up the divider between themselves and the driver. Eriol slumped into the seat, breathing lightly again for a moment he looked at Tomoyo.
"With out the note it's getting worse quicker than I thought, with out the note I'm using up to much magical energy by staying in this form."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol regretting how quick she had been, Eriol lay out on the seat with his head in her lap, gently touching her face with one of his long confident hands. Tomoyo looked down on him her eyes filling with sudden tears.
"Its all my fault."
"Then the remedy must come from you."
"Eriol-chan how do you mean?"
"My heart was on that paper."
But before he could finish speaking his eyes closed and his hand slipped from her face, he breathed out and his chest froze. Tomoyo suddenly realised what had just happened.
"Eriol no, no don't go! Don't die, don't go and leave me all alone!"
There came no response from the man she loved. Tomoyo rested her head on his chest and cried her heart out. After some time Tomoyo stopped crying and spoke to his body, not knowing if his spirit was listening to her or not.
"Eriol, oh Eriol its all my fault! I love you so much with all my heart, you were my hero always, I always wanted you to rescue me. All the time I wanted you to love me but I was afraid you never would being so powerful and now I know you love me too late. I've loved for all time you and I always shall will, I promise even if you don't come back."
Suddenly Eriol's heart beat, he was glowing Tomoyo looked down on Eriol her eyes wide.
"Eriol, come on that's it come back to me. I love you, I want to be with you until the end of time. My hero my one true love."
Eriol breathed his eyes flickered and opened, when he saw that it was Tomoyo looking down on him, he smiled at her, brining his hand up to rest lightly on her cheek. He could feel her tears, gently he wiped them away with his long gentle fingers. Tomoyo smiled down at him then hugged him very tightly.
"Hey, hey I only just came back to life and your already trying to kill me again."
Eriol then squeezed her back, the costume suddenly disappeared and he was wearing what he had been in at the air port. He smiled at Tomoyo his eyes devouring every feature of her face, her exquisite eyes alight with life and love, her candy lips which pressed at this moment into a loving smile that would live forever in his mind and her lightly rose colour cheeks.
"See I'm back you found the cure."
"You mean the cure was to say I love you, I always have. You know something?"
Eriol smiled at her his eyes wide with shock, both at her statement and the fact he was letting him keep his head in her lap, Eriol was content to let his head lay in her lap forever if she would let him do so.
"What?"
"I've always wanted you to be my love and well.my hero."
Eriol went to sit up in shock but Tomoyo pushed him down again kissing him at the same time, her heart was in the kiss, Eriol knew it as did Tomoyo. Eriol started glowing again, brighter and brighter until it filled the whole of the back of the limousine. Tomoyo stared at him
"What's happening to you?"
Eriol stopped glowing he looked at himself, then touched his chest, his face lit up with a smile. He took Tomoyo's hand in his and squeezed it much to her surprise he then kissed it very floridly. After a moment he placed her hand on his chest over his heart.
"You're love appears to have healed me completely and restored my magic to it full level."
He thought for a moment, then sat up, he looked at Tomoyo 'to hell with caution' he thought, Eriol took Tomoyo in his arms and kissed her lingeringly.
"I love you Tomoyo-chan."
He took out the mask and held it out to Tomoyo. Tomoyo took it from him, she realised it was black silk and hand made. Eriol looked at her
"It is really up to you weather you want to keep the Blue warrior or not. He is part of me, my romantic side, but I give him to you, to protect you always if you so wish."
Tomoyo looked at Eriol her eyes wide with shock at the importance of this.
"If he is part of you then I want him to stay, he is just another side of you after all, and it will be something you can always use when ever you need to protect me."
Eriol smiled at her and then drew a second mask out of his trousers back pocket.
"Then you keep that one to call him up, I'll keep this one to wear as your hero. I love you so much Tomoyo. I was saving this for tomorrow but there is no time like the present."
Tomoyo smiled at Eriol wondering now what he had meant to surprise her with that next day. Slowly Eriol took a small black ebony wood box from his pocket set in the top of the box in gold was the Clow symbol and he handed it to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo looked at the box then opened it her eyes went wide with shock and delight at the contents of the box. Eriol smiled at her, this would be a moment that Eriol would treasure for the rest of his life at least he hoped so. Tomoyo looked up at him and a smile spread over her face, Eriol cradled her face in his hand.
"Tomoyo-chan would you make me the happiest man ever to live and marry me?"
Tomoyo's eyes went wide again, she smiled at Eriol and gave him the box.
"Yes Eriol-chan I will."
Eriol took the ring out white gold tipped with a white pearl and a black one, embraced in an open lattice work heart at the end of the two scrolls that made up the heart, which meant the two pearls were positioned in the dead centre of the heart.
Gently he slipped the ring onto her finger, they looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly then hugged each other very tightly, Tomoyo leaned back in Eriol's arms and looked into his face, she couldn't believe this had finally happened to her she had been longing for it so long. Eriol looked back at Tomoyo his eyes were soft with love, then he lent into her kissing her gently but deeply. Tomoyo responded to him with all of her heart unafraid she was at peace with him safe in his arms.
After a moment they parted staring into each others eyes, they smiled at each other. Eriol drew Tomoyo close to him leaning her head on his shoulder, they sat like this there right hands intertwined. Eventually Tomoyo fell asleep on Eriol's shoulder, Eriol smiled down at his love and put his head on hers looking out of the window as the limousine carried on making its way back to the hotel.