wHoOoO!!!! kReZy!!!! i goT EiGHTeeN ReViOOs! tHaNkIeS ppLz…foH dOsE dAT DiD…N SaHRRi FoH MaKiN yOoH wAiT fOh a LoNg TyMe…^__^'…nOw…oN wiTH dA sToRy!!!
also, i highly recommend rereading the prologue and chapter 1 if you haven't already...you don't have to, but prepare to be confused if you havent! ::MUAHAHAHAAAAAA::
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2. Chapter 2
~ meanwhile, at another castle… ~
"It's all right," Miranda said in an almost-soothingly voice to a swan, which was different and stood out. It moved more gracefully than a normal swan would, and was at more of a beauty. It sadly glided on the surface of the shimmering lake, as smooth as glass.
Rika, a girl Miranda kidnapped, was forced to be an assistant, and was feeding roses to the swan right now. This was Rika Sasaki, an innocent girl put under a spell to do whatever Miranda wanted her to do.
"I've alleviated the spell, so when the moon touches the surface of this lake, all you have to do is to swim over to its reflection and wait, so you can turn back to your actual form."
At that moment, the moon rose and the swan smoothly moved to the reflection Miranda was talking about. Within a few seconds, a glow appeared where the swan was, and the water had spiraled up around it, changed to a purplish color, turned back blue, and fell back down as if nothing had happened. In the swan's place was a princess with beauty beyond belief.
'I've got to get back,' Tomoyo desperately thought, 'before I turn back to a swan again. Where's my mother? What happened to everyone? Is everyone okay?'
"And another thing," Miranda called out. "When the moon leaves the surface of the lake, you will be turned back to a swan. So if you do run away, you'll still be a swan. And the only way to change back is to be here on the lake." She chuckled evilly and walked back to her castle.
Tomoyo stopped in her tracks, fell to her knees, and started crying.
A turtle and frog watched her sadly.
~ the next morning ~
"I thank you, Terada, for providing the targets for this practice."
"Don't thank me, thank the lord you're so rich. You realize the musicians demand being paid double for doing something like this. And plus, Tomoyo's not coming back. The entire kingdom knows."
Eriol took his fake arrows (a beanbag or something was attached to the tip so it wouldn't injure anyone) and tapped it gently against a tree to get a little of the colored powder off. "Whatever. The entire kingdom's wrong. She's alive, and I'm going to try to find her. Anyway, Shoji, are you ready?"
"If the grass is green."
"Well, it's actually somewhat bluish, you know what I'm saying?"
"Gee, thanks."
"You both know you're trying to shoot for as many targets as you can. ANIMALS! I mean, MUSICIANS! Take your places! On your mark, get set, go!"
Shoji and Eriol shot arrows to as many animals—err, musicians as they could in the given time. They compared their results, and Eriol won by…A LOT.
"You know I was going easy on you, right?" Shoji said, not about to be humiliated by his companion.
Eriol laughed.
"And now, for the 'test of courage', you, Shoji, go put on that mail of armor. Tie that apple on your head and get your bow and arrow ready. I said arrow, not arrows. Eriol, go stand there and wait for Shoji to shoot. And Shoji, shoot directly at Master Eriol."
The pair went to their places.
'O-o-oh d-d-ear…w-w-what if I a-act-tually sh-shoot Eriol?'
"I'm ready, Shoji," Eriol said. His back was to his best friend, but was calmly taking deep breaths and closing his eyes. "Remember, not a sound."
Shoji nodded, clenched his eyes shut and shot straight towards Eriol.
"NOOOO!!!" Shoji shouted as he released the arrow. He felt like hitting himself—how could he have been as stupid as to listen to Terada? If this went wrong, he would be held responsible for Eriol's death, and more importantly, he would lose his best friend who had always been there for him.
At the last moment, Eriol spun around rapidly, grabbed the arrow, and shot the apple tied to Shoji's helmet—it was cut perfectly in half.
Shoji fainted from shock and fright.
"Well-done, Eriol!" Terada exclaimed. "I think you're ready. But just be careful, whenever you decide to go."
Terada's face suddenly cringed as if from disgust. "It's Kaho."
And indeed, Kaho was walking towards Eriol. She was about to give him a hug, but Eriol stopped her.
"Eriol, darling, when are we having our wedding?"
The thought of this marriage did not especially appeal to Eriol. He suddenly thought of them together and him being fawned over by her. This could prove a terrifying experience.
"Go away, Kaho. I don't know if we'll be married. I'll let you know later," Eriol said. He just wanted to get rid of this woman as soon as possible.
Kaho stared at him, lip quivering. "Do-do you hate me? Or is it," Kaho gasped, "that you love that other princess instead of me?" Kaho fell down, grabbed Eriol's left foot, and sobbed hysterically.
"Get off, Kaho. Both you and I know you're only acting," Eriol said coldly.
Kaho gasped and rose up. "I hate you, Eriol Hiiragizawa." She slapped him—hard.
Eriol just pointed his finger to the exit. Kaho stormed away angrily.
When Kaho was well out of hearing range, Terada said, "Sheesh. What a way to treat a woman."
"She slaps incredibly hard for a woman—she could be a man," Eriol replied, nursing his cheek, which was now red. Both men laughed.
'Maybe…maybe he is giving Tomoyo a chance,' Terada secretly thought. 'A much better choice than Kaho—I knew that relation wouldn't last."
Eriol slowly turned away, facing the wilderness. 'Tomoyo…wait for me…I'll find you no matter what happens…I don't think I ever got the chance to tell you this, but…I think I'm in love with you.' Strangely, his heart pounded a little faster.
~ that night ~
"So, you're actually a princess that was engaged to Prince Hiiragizawa, right?" the frog asked.
"Right," Tomoyo said, in her princess form. "My mother told me about Miranda…how she would do anything to get complete power of that kingdom, even if it meant destroying mine. She was exiled as a result, and promised she would have everything that was my mother's."
"I see," replied the turtle. "Anyway, since we all have been turned to animals and since we're going to be stuck with each other for a while, it's best if we get acquainted. I'm Chiharu Mihara."
"And I'm Takashi Yamazaki," said the frog. "I love telling stories…oh by the way, did you know that—"
"It's probably a lie," Chiharu whispered to Tomoyo. "He loves telling made-up stories, and almost all of them are lies. He's kind of a goofball, but at the same time, he's a great friend. In fact, we were engaged before Miranda came into the picture. Anyway, our story was that our kingdom possessed the Moon Staff, which granted almost unlimited power to the user. Our parents had it destroyed, and that was when Miranda kidnapped both of us. Probably because she wanted it so badly."
"—and that is why all beetles eat Ramen nowadays."
Tomoyo and Chiharu sweatdropped.
"Told you."
Tomoyo nodded fervently.
"Anyway, as you can imagine, we've been trying to escape for about two years now," Chiharu continued. "But every time, she caught us, and eventually not let us become human anymore, even during just the night. Miranda also realized her mistake of her next move, which was turning me into a panther and Yamazaki into a leopard. That's why I'm a turtle now and why Yamazaki-kun's a frog. I see she's been taking extra precautions, so that's why you're a swan."
"But don't worry," Yamazaki said. "A swan suits you perfectly, since you're beautiful in that and your human form."
Tomoyo smiled. "Thanks, Chiharu and Yamazaki."
A sad cry for help was heard, but it was not made by a human voice.
Tomoyo walked closer to the source and found a puffin, with an arrow in its arm.
"Poor thing…" Tomoyo broke the arrow in half, took it out, tore a piece out from her dress, and bandaged it.
The puffin suddenly woke up and jumped up into a fighting stance. "Okay, who wants a piece of me? Eh?"
"You're alive!" Tomoyo said. "And don't worry, you're safe now."
"Then what's that you've got there?" He snatched the broken arrow out of her hands.
"I saved you," Tomoyo replied.
"Eh?" The puffin looked at its arm. "I guess you're right." It bowed. "Lieutenant Puffin, at your service. But you can just call me Puffin."
Tomoyo smiled. "That won't be necessary. Anyway, here are my two friends here, Chiharu and Yamazaki. I'm Tomoyo Daidouji."
"Nice to meet you," Puffin said while shaking Chiharu's hand.
"Nice you meet you too."
"You too have been put under a spell?" Yamazaki asked. "You can talk."
"No, not a spell. It was a potion. I accidentally swallowed a potion, thinking it was water, but that's okay. I don't want to be a human. I like being a puffin much more. Thanks for your consideration though. Anyway, Tomoyo, tell me about yourself."
"Well," she started. She sighed. "I was a princess, but I was kidnapped here by Miranda, who was after my kingdom. I fear something may have happened to Mother and the other coachmen while we were riding back to our castle from the Hiiragizawa—"
"Hiiragizawa?" the puffin asked in awe. Then he playfully punched Tomoyo's arm. "You are one LUCKY girl…" Puffin winked at her.
Tomoyo laughed, and Puffin saw a faint blush on her cheeks. "I was also engaged to Eriol Hiiragizawa, and…I think it was love at first sight or something. But he already has a fiancé, or so I heard—"
"No!" Puffin exclaimed.
Tomoyo continued on as if she didn't hear him…if she replied, she would run the risk of crying, "And he's going to marry her in a few days. But, I think he's going to give all he's got to stop that marriage. I also know he's going to come for me…somehow…but it's strange how things twist over the years…"
"Wow…dramatic and complicated life she's got there, huh?" Puffin whispered to Yamazaki.
Yamazaki nodded.
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~*OkEEz…anoTHa sONg fRuM tHe sWaN PRiNCeSS MoViE wiTH cHaNGes…*~
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[Tomoyo:]
If I could break this spell
I'd tell him how I feel
And somehow I know he's on his way to me
Eriol, were you and I were meant to be?
Far longer than forever
I'll hold you in my heart
It's almost like you're here with me
Although we're far apart
[Eriol:]
Far longer than forever
As constant as a star
I close my eyes and I am where you are
[Tomoyo:]
Sure as the dawn brings the sunrise
We've an unshakable bond
[Eriol:]
Destined to last for a lifetime and beyond
Far longer than forever
[Tomoyo:]
Far longer than forever
[Eriol:]
I swear that I'll be true
[Tomoyo:]
I swear that I'll be true
[Eriol:]
I've made an
[Eriol and Tomoyo:]
everlasting vow
To find a way to you
Far longer than forever
Like no love ever known
[Tomoyo:]
And with your love
[Eriol and Tomoyo:]
I'll never be alone
[Tomoyo:]
Far longer than forever
[Eriol:]
Much stronger than forever
[Tomoyo:]
And with your love I'll never be alone
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"But anyway, Tomoyo, we'll be cheering you on!" Chiharu said, smiling. "I just hope that both of you realize you were meant for each other! Well, it sounds that way."
Puffin and Yamazaki nodded.
Tomoyo smiled. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was getting closer. "Go!" she whispered. Chiharu, Yamazaki, and Puffin all scuttled away to a nearby bush.
Miranda appeared. "Tomoyo, will you ask Eriol to marry Kaho?"
Tomoyo glared at her. "You and Kaho are in for something together, aren't you?"
Miranda yawned. "That's for us to know and you to find out. I honestly don't care if you do, but is that a yes or a no?"
"It's a no."
Miranda glowered at Tomoyo, held her up by her neck, and pinned her to a tree. Tomoyo vainly struggled for air.
"You little girl, you really need to learn your place. I want the Hiiragizawa Kingdom! But still, I can afford to keep you in your swan form for the rest of your life, but you can't. You want to see your little Eriol, don't you? Well, another day as a swan, or many more days as a swan—might actually convince you to follow my orders! Why is the love spell on Eriol fading? Because of his BLASTED LOVE for you! As the other sorcerers warned me, love conquers all. But I can't hurt you because you're the only one he'll listen to!" Miranda let go of Tomoyo, who collapsed and gasped for air. "Anyway, good night to you." Miranda smirked and walked off.
Tomoyo slowly walked towards the moon's reflection again, and turned back to a swan.
Puffin gasped at stared at the swan, which was in the center of the lake. "Princess?"
Tomoyo ignored him and sadly put her head down.
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um...im very sorry for the update that took literally *forever*...it's been a good year or so...XD i apologize greatly for the inconvenience, and i suspect i've lost a good number of reviewers...n i thot the fic was doing pretty well too... :\ buh i was prety busy, n i did waste mai whole summer on the other fic which duznt seem to b as popular as this wun...ah well. mai goal for now is to wrap this wun up, n then give mai full attention to the otha wun. itz krezy, buh i hab an idea for yet ANOTHER ccs wun...buh this wuns based on a korean soap opera (even tho im naht korean) _'
flame me, compliment me, i dunt care. a review is a review. n i think this chappie is definitely naht as good as the others, N its been a while, so i wont xpect many at all...-___-
and also, just recently while i was reading around, i saw people write little notes to reviewers, and i thot that was a good idea, so i'll be doing that nex chappie! stay tuned! ^_^ n also, this is spring break for mai district, so i hope to hab at least wun moah chappie dun bfoh i go baq to ::ugh:: skool.
~CHeRRybLoSSoM361