Dance With Me

Part 2

Eriol Hiiragizawa closed the front door behind him with a click. The room he was in consisted of an ordinary-looking fireplace, a large oriental carpet stretched over the polished wood floor, and two windows. Though wide and airy, the windows seemed not to let in as much light as they should, for the whole room was filled with an odd shadowy darkness. A tall armchair loomed near the fireplace; he went to it, took off his backpack, and lifted his palm into the air. At once, the shadows disappeared. The light from the windows flooded brightly over the walls as though they had been carefully contained before, and were now set free.

"You're home, Eriol?" A small cat-like creature padded into the room, his blinking eyes standing out from his dark-colored body. Miniature white wings fluttered, and he landed on the chair next to Eriol. "What was all of that thick aura floating in here?" he said. "Another dark spell?"

"No, not a dark spell," the boy said. "Not exactly. It's just that...well, something strange is happening, and I want find out more about it."

"The girl?"

Eriol nodded. "Her powers have jumped up again, out of nowhere. And they're growing fast, Spinel. Stronger than ever this time. I don't think she's aware of it herself. I must find out why."

Spinel Sun stared up at him. His cat eyes glowed. "And how exactly do you plan to do this, Master Eriol?"

"I asked her to the Valentine's dance. She agreed."

Relaxing, Spinel focused his attention on a pile of books with ancient script running down the browned cover. "And she suspects nothing, hmm?"

"Not a thing," Eriol smiled. "The dance will give me the perfect chance to cast the spell. And I can enjoy myself at the same time."

"Why are you so interested in that girl? Are you sure this won't lead to...what happened before? It's very likely that she won't forgive you this time," said the cat. He flipped a book open with his paw.

"It won't happen!" retorted Eriol. "I wouldn't dream of it!" 

"I wouldn't dream of hurting you, Master of the Clow Cards..." he murmured thoughtfully. "Sakura..."

~*****~

At her house, Sakura shivered. Strange...had she forgotten to close the window? No, it was shut. How weird, she thought. Shrugging, she continued to organize a messy pile of books and papers bunched in the middle of the room. Her hand fell upon an old, familiar-looking book, and she dislodged it gingerly from beneath the others. The words still read plainly, "The Clow". Sakura sighed and brushed it off. Slowly, she pulled open the cover. Yep, all of the cards were still there. And the tiny key she'd always used to keep on a chain around her neck. How long had it been since they were last used?

Ding dong! "Coming!" called Sakura brightly, jumping up and pouncing on the door. She opened it a small crack, peeked out for a second, then flung it wide open. Tomoyo was standing there, a brown paper bag in one hand, her beloved video camera in the other.

"I brought your outfit!" she said excitedly. "Hurry, go try it on!!"

"Okay!" Sakura laughed, leading the way to her room. "Why'd you bring the camera today?"

"For the special "Night Before the Dance" episode." Her friend winked, and she laughed.

In utter and genuine awe, she watched as Tomoyo pulled out a long, shimmery, pale pink dress. Two white lily flowers decorated the waist, and the top connected like a halter around the neck. "Well, what do ya think?" grinned Tomoyo.

"Oh...it's so beautiful, Tomoyo..." Sakura didn't know how in the world her friend could invent such amazing clothes in her mind, and then bring them to life all on her own. Slowly, she took the dress into the bathroom and slipped it on.

"How does it look, Sakura? Come out!! Hurry up!" Tomoyo called. The bathroom door clicked open, and out stepped an embarrassed Sakura. She looked uncomfortable as her friend oohed and aahed over her.

"Tomoyo!" she said, bringing the praise to a stop. "This dress is really pretty, but...I don't think it's for me."

"What? But it looks great!" objected Tomoyo.

Sakura bit her lip in consternation and turned her big green eyes on her friend. How could she say this? Tomoyo had worked so hard on it. But somehow, a strange growing feeling had developed inside her that told her the dress didn't belong on her.

"Yes, it does look wonderful," she agreed. "But it would look much better on you."

Tomoyo gaped at her in surprise. "Me? But I made it for you!"

"Wear it, Tomoyo! Just try it! Trust me! Go!" she commanded, pushing her into the bathroom with the dress. She heard silence for a moment, then the rustling of changing clothes. "Well?" she said to the closed door.

Sakura gasped as Tomoyo stepped out shyly. "Girl, you are definitely wearing that to the dance!" she proclaimed, giving her beautiful friend a hug. "You look amazing! Just wait until Syaoran sees!"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang again. "Ooh! That must be him!" Sakura squealed, running to open the door. "Syaoran! Come see this gorgeous girl!" She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him over to Tomoyo, who gave a squeak of surprise. Syaoran raised an eyebrow.

"Who is this fair princess I see before me?" he said, going comically down on one knee. Sakura giggled. As he took Tomoyo's hand, he whispered to her loudly, "Why is Sakura so weirdly hyper today?"

"Hey! I heard that!" Sakura yelled. Raising her foot, she delivered an excrutiating stomp to his unsuspecting foot, causing him to yelp aloud in pain. Emitting a roar of outrage, he let go of Tomoyo and raced off to hunt down Sakura.

Tomoyo smiled knowingly. Those two were definitely in love, she knew it. Syaoran was usually quiet, awkward, and more than a little arrogant. But with Sakura around, he was a completely changed person; he was light-hearted and comfortable, he joked and teased, he just seemed so happy. Watching the two chase each other around the room, Tomoyo gave a dreamy sigh.

"Sakura! Are you sure you don't want the dress?" she shouted.

"I'm sure! Please wear it, Tomoyo, you look absolutely beautiful!" Sakura called back, yanking a pillow off the sofa to throw at Syaoran.

She looked down at the dress. Yes...it was beautiful. How had the dress turned out to be just perfect for her, though? She'd had it made just for her friend, but somehow it now seemed to fit her like a glove. A very pretty glove. "But what about you?" said Tomoyo.

"I have-"

"She can wear her hairy monkey costume!" Syaoran interrupted, ducking from the pillow.

"Oh, shut up, Syaoran!" growled Sakura, chucking another pillow and hitting him squarely in the face. "I have a skirt, Tomoyo, don't worry!"

Laughing at the antics of her crazy friends, Tomoyo started to the bathroom. She stopped at Sakura's room when she saw what was on the floor. The Book of the Clow. And...was it just her imagination, or was the book glowing? It couldn't be. Sakura hadn't called on the cards in ages. Tentatively, she stretched out a hand to touch it.

Brrringg! Tomoyo jumped. It was only the phone on the table next to her. She picked it up without thinking.

"Hello, Kinomoto residence!" she said.

"Hello," said a soft voice. "I'd like to speak to Sakura, please. This is Eriol Hiiragizawa."  

*****

Hmm, what's happening here? You'll find out...in the next chapter! Muahahahaha! ...ahem. ^_^ Thank you sooo much for your wonderful reviews, everyone! Please keep it up! I love reading all your comments! Every single one!! Thank you! T_T