DISCLAIMER: I do not own CCS or any of its characters. CLAMP does. This plot is a product of my imagination. Any similarities to other fan fictions are unintentional.
AMETHYST EYES
By bishounen lovah
Chapter 6
Many minutes had passed before Tomoyo calmed down from her hysterics. His arms were beginning to ache from holding her shaking form but he did not mind. For some reason his heart ached every time a sob would rack her body while his stomach would clench at the obvious distress her visions brought on her.
All he wants to do was to keep her in his protective embrace and kiss her pain away.
Some time in the course of six days since they met again he had fallen in love with her. He had not thought it possible but he would not deny the truth. He loves Tomoyo and would do anything to stop her from hurting even if it costs him his own life.
As a child, he had always been fascinated with her. Not just because of her beauty but also because of her love for life. At present her beauty was still there even though he thought she was unhealthily thin and frowns at the dark circles around her eyes. And her love for life was gone, hidden beneath the pain and bad experiences brought upon by her 'gift'.
He brushed her ebony hair from her pale face and rhythmically massaged her back. Soon her tears abated and her hiccups barely wrenched out of her.
"Would you like to talk about it?" he murmured, his lips moving against her hair. He felt her head shake in a no and frowned instantly. It was not wise to bottle everything up but he did not insist. Perhaps she needed time to think about it.
Eriol started to pull away so he could tuck her in but was stopped when her hands frantically grasped his shirt.
"No please don't leave me alone. I'm scared, Eriol. Don't let him get me."
Him? He shot a confused look at her. One that went unnoticed because she was half back in her dream, reliving it again. It broke his heart to see that she no longer felt just pain but also fear.
"Hush now. I won't let him get you. I'll stay here as long as you need me." He gathered her in his arms again and eased their bodies on the bed in a comfortable position (though it was a bit disconcerting on Eriol's part). She automatically pillowed her head on his chest, fanning her hair over his arm that held her close to him.
She looked up at him with glossy purple eyes. "Thank you."
Gazing at her then, he was tempted beyond endurance. Tempted to brush his lips against her rosy ones and will her troubles to transfer to him. Perhaps she needed the kiss too for a fraction of a heartbeat later her lids slowly covered her enchanting eyes and her lips parted just so to let out a soft sigh.
Throwing caution to the wind, his arm pulled her closer to him while his other hand curled against her cheek. Ever so slowly his face drew nearer to hers, his indigo eyes closing as his lips brushed against hers, feeling exultant joy in finally having her in his arms, warm and willing.
He had kissed a few women before and doesn't deem himself as an expert. But somehow he knew that no other kiss could compare to the one he was sharing with Tomoyo right now. He could think of nothing else but the softness of her lips, the warmth of her mouth, her soft body pressed against his and her hand clutching the shirt on his chest.
He wished it could have gone on forever but all things must come to an end. His ragged breath blew against her face just as hers fanned his. He looked at her with passion-glazed eyes that swept over her pink-tinged face, memorizing every beautiful detail.
She looked confused. Why wouldn't she be? Her life was already complicated as it is. But Eriol couldn't help it. He's in love. He won't be able to let go of her even if he wanted to. But he wouldn't rush her. Right now he could back away even for just a little bit.
He gave her another kiss, a chaste one on the tip of her nose. He pushed her head back on his shoulder, letting her snuggle against him a bit closer.
"Rest now, Tomoyo. I'll be here when you wake up."
~Morning came~
It was another dead end. They had just come from the home of the victim kidnapped in Tomoeda. At least it was her home. They spent a full ten minutes gazing at a pile of rubble, which was left from the house. Apparently, years after the child went missing her family moved away, disillusioned that the local police would find their little girl.
After an hour of useless questioning of the neighbors, Eriol decided to wrap it up and head to the Tomoeda Police Station. They reached the place in no time. He was about to open his door when he noticed Tomoyo's silent figure. He automatically reached for her hand and squeezed his encouragement.
"Everything will be all right."
"Promise?"
"Hey, had I ever stirred you wrong?" He had kept his every promise. That morning she woke up with him still lying beside her. Of course, he wouldn't leave her alone even if he had wanted to. The opportunity to gaze at her beauty with no interruptions was too great to pass out.
They did not make any mention of the kiss they shared. They didn't need to. This was not the time to delve on their relationship with just one day left to find the missing girl alive. But then it doesn't mean that they should be cold or uncomfortable with one another.
"If anyone so much as stare at you, I would beat him to a bloody pulp."
"You would, wouldn't you," she replied in amusement. With that she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
He watched her climb out of the car openmouthed and did not move until she shot him a look through the windshield. He jumped out of the car and grabbed her hand. They walked in the station, hand in hand, oblivious of everything around them.
But it was hard to ignore the stares and whispers from the people in the building. Even after the years that passed they still remember Tomoyo. After all, it was rare to find a rich girl claiming that she saw children being abducted in dreams. Eriol scowled at every one of them. Despite of what he had said earlier he couldn't beat anyone up especially not inside a police station although he came close when someone rudely pointed a finger at her.
By the time they reached the front desk, Tomoyo's face was as white as sheet. He squeezed her hand yet again and she squeezed his back. It was her silent way of saying that she's okay.
"What can I do for you, sir?" the desk sergeant asked although his eyes were on Tomoyo.
Eriol cleared his throat to get the man's full attention then showed him his badge. "I'm Detective Eriol Hiiragizawa from Tokyo Police Department. I'm investigating a kidnapping case that's related to a missing person's case here in Tomoeda. The child's name is Hikaru Takenori. I'd like to speak to the officer in charge of that case."
"One moment please." The cop behind the desk picked up his phone receiver and issued his inquiries. After a couple of minutes he placed the receiver down and faced back at them. "Chief Hanagata himself would entertain you. His office is on the fifth floor. You wouldn't miss it."
"Thank you." Eriol took Tomoyo's hand again and led the way. Once inside the elevator he heard her give out a loud sigh. "Daijoubu desu ka?"
"Daijoubu," she smiled back. "I know Chief Hanagata. He's one of the cops that did not ridicule me when I came forward."
"That's good. It would save me the trouble from beating him up."
The elevator door slid open and a boisterous man instantly greeted them.
"Daidouji-chan!" She was engulfed in a big hug as soon as she took a step out. For a moment Eriol felt jealousy but decided that the man was not Tomoyo's type, not to mention that he's old enough to be her father.
"How are you? It's been a long time."
"I'm well as can be expected. Hanagata-san, this is Detective Eriol Hiiragizawa. We came here about Hikaru Takenori."
Eriol did not miss the way the older man's eyes darken. Even his movements changed, almost cautious. He was hiding something. That was the impression Eriol got.
"Yes, yes. I saw the news last night although I wasn't sure if Takenori's disappearance was related. Come, let's talk in my office."
Hanagata led the way. Eriol did not take his eyes off him. There was something about this man but he couldn't point his finger on it.
"So what can I do for you?" He sat behind his desk and motioned for them to take the seats opposite him.
"I'd like to know everything about the Takenori abduction and what your department did about it."
"You must understand, Detective Hiiragizawa. There was no evidence of the child being abducted. There was no ransom note either. We had no lead to where the child went."
"Surely you don't think that she just disappeared into thin air? Nor is a child that age capable of running away?"
There was silence in the room as both men stared hard at each other, both sizing each other up.
"Let's cut to the chase, Chief Hanagata. I know you know something. As a cop you know that it's against the law to keep any information that may be vital to an ongoing investigation."
Still silence.
Tomoyo looked from one man to the other, confused at what's going on and who's telling the truth. "What's going on, Hanagata-san? Is he right? Are you hiding something? Please tell us. A girl's life is in danger."
Tension filled the room. It was visible from the old man's face that he was having an inner debate with himself. Eriol was going to argue with him again but was stopped when Hanagata reached in his collared shirt and took out a silver chain with a key hanging from it. He rubbed it thoughtfully for a while then stood to walk to a file cabinet. He slipped the key in the bottommost drawer and reached deep inside.
He sat back on his chair with an old folder in his hand. Eriol and Tomoyo waited expectantly at him.
"Hikaru Takenori was not the only girl who went missing here in Tomoeda. There was another one before her."
Without further ado, Hanagata threw the folder on his desk none too gently causing its loose contents to spill out. It was as if time had stopped. On top of the pile was an old photograph of a little girl. Nevertheless, it was clear who the girl was.
It was a photograph of seven-year-old Tomoyo Daidouji.
To be continued…
BISHLOV: Sorry for the delay, people. Aside from FF.net's problems my PC decided to boycott me too. If you guys want to be notified when the next chapter is posted kindly leave your email addresses in your reviews and I'll send you a warning. Btw, thanks a bunch for your reviews. You guys are the greatest!!!