Author's Notes:
Yehey! Vacation is here…*dances around* and I still got a lot of homework *weeps* After enjoying the Oblation Run (Filipinos, I'm ashamed of you if you do not know what I am talking about), I get to overwork myself again…nyehehehehe….but I love you guys, so I'll continue this fic.
Ruby-servantof-eli: You want Eriol to die yet you don't want me to kill him? OK…I get that…very much…LOL…Anyway, calm down. It's not yet the end. Not yet. ^.^
Roque Angel Barton: You like Trowa? ^.^ Hmm…Sakura pummeling Eriol with something harder…wouldn't that give him concussion or temporary amnesia? Nice suggestion though…rofl. And yes, I must admit I am evil ^.^
Fuu: Yeah, instead of making Tomoyo some poor stupid wench like in my other fics (did I? Did I?), I made her think more. Yeah! Let's all kill Eriol!!!!!! Uh…wait…we cannot kill him…yet.
Lori~!* : *straightens Eriol out ^.^* I'll try to make him better but not for now. In fact, I'll make him suffer…my poor bishounen…ohohohoho……..
crystal~ heart: Oh, please do not bash Eriol. I need him for the next chappie! Anyway, you'll see things better than bashing some time soon.
Polgara-C: Eriol doesn't love Tomoyo or Eriol does love Tomoyo…what do you think? ^.~
KyteAura: Ahh…stop poking Mizuki-sama…you know…she can still haunt you. And Tohma, interested in Tomoyo? He already has a wife, remember? Ohohohoh……
_________ (has blank name so I dunno how to address him/her ^^): oooooooooo actually, I still have no idea of what will happen next. ^^
Char: Every one of my chapters is a cliffhanger. Don't worry. ^.^ Kidding!
Clownsareevil and Darkshadowheartless: Yep. If Eriol wasn't such a cutie. I wouldn't have written this fic.
sweetplumblossoms: I love your name! Anyway, here's the next chapter. ^^
dynast: Your wish is my command *makes Eriol suffer*
Dana Daidouji: I thought about that, too, about Tomoyo just confronting Eriol. But when you love someone, don't you just want him to live without worries at all? That's why Tomoyo always obeyed him. But, after what he had done, she never wanted to talk to him again and would rather leave. ^^
FlameSolo: Yeah…*sigh* Eriol finally snapped….^^;;;;;;
KasumiDestruction: LOL…I am about to ask the question myself: Why do I always make Eriol hateful in my fics? ^.^ Anyway, here's the next chapter.
bishounen_lovah: Yeah…I always do that in my fics…making Eriol suffer seemed to be the only thing I know…^^;;;
Jaa na. Even if this is meant to be a very sad ending….hehe…can't help adding in a bit of humor in it. Please forgive me for taking so long. I had migraine these past few days and my head ached more when I use the computer. Anyway, this fic will not be a Gravitation/CCS crossover fic. I'll just include a few of the characters of Gravi here but not their plot. ^.^
Meri kurisumasu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CARESS OF VENUS
By: nikki hiiragizawa
Chapter 12: The New Light
Seguchi Tohma settled his teacup back to its saucer. "I am really glad you have considered our offer, Daidouji-san."
A shadow of a smile crossed the young woman's face. "I decided that…I want to be someone complete, and I cannot be complete without singing."
"But," Seguchi said as he clasped his fingers together. "Wouldn't Hiiragizawa-san disapprove of this? I have to take into consideration…"
"Eriol doesn't have a right to meddle with what I like to do," Tomoyo decidedly said. "I want to sing, and you said you were going to help me, right?"
The blond-haired man smiled and nodded. "Very well. Shall we go to NG to talk about your contract?"
.
+++
"Nakuru!" Eriol hung his coat on the stand by the door and removed his shoes. "Nakuru! Tomoyo!" Frowning, he went inside. Usually, Tomoyo would come to welcome him. Is she asleep?"
Pink hair fluffed out of the kitchen door. "Ah, okaeri, Eriol-sama. How's the meeting?"
"Fine, I guess," he said as he sat down on the sofa. "Where's Tomoyo?"
Nakuru looked away from her master. "Anou, she said she'd be going out for a while."
"Ah. When is she coming back?"
"I have no idea. She seems to be dying to talk to the blond man who picked her up."
Blond? Could it be? "Nakuru, what time did she go out?"
Nakuru thought long before answering. "She left at about 11 in the morning, Eriol-sama."
"11 in the morning…" Eriol repeated. It was already 3 in the afternoon. "I told her not to go out too much," he grumbled, anxiety in his face. "Report to me when Tomoyo comes home."
Nakuru bowed before leaving the room. The young man thought for a while. What if Tomoyo…
Almost running, he headed for Tomoyo's room.
Tomoyo's room, darkened so much with the unlit candles and the heavy curtains, seemed ominous now that its cheerful tenant is away. Slowly, Eriol headed for the closet, holding his breath as he opened it with utmost care.
He heaved a sigh. All of Tomoyo's clothes are intact. There were no signs of packing stuff or disorganization. He leaned on the closet door. Surely she'll be back by dinner.
He was leaving the room when he saw a piece of paper sticking out from under Tomoyo's perfume bottle. It had his name on top.
Eriol,
I know it's kind of rude to leave without saying goodbye but this has to be the way. I am not really sure if you really love me or is seeing me for someone else. Maybe you should think really hard. We're not for each other. I do not know if I can ever forgive you for treating me as someone I am not. I have my own identity, Eriol. I do not long to be someone else.
I did not take any of the clothes you had given me since I do not want to harbor guilt of taking them with me. I just took my payment from you, from singing in the party, and I can get on on my own.
Please take care of yourself. Too bad I had loved you.
Tomoyo
Eriol crumpled the piece of paper and held his head on his hands. What has he done? "Tomoyo…" Where could she be…?
He remembered Nakuru's description of the young man who picked up Tomoyo. "Seguchi…" he hissed. Picking up his phone, he decided to make a call even if it would mean certain danger to him.
+++
Tomoyo had never been to a building like this before. Everything was definitely high-tech and she was at a loss for words. Right, she thought. Seguchi Tohma has been a member of the popular band Nittle Grasper – the band that sold 20,000,000 cd's in just two days. Of course he'd be this successful even if their group has disbanded three years ago. Still, even thought he's very popular and respected, he's very kind and approachable.
"Are you alright, Daidouji-san?" Seguchi asked. He held one of the doors open for her.
Tomoyo quickly smiled. "Yes, thank you." She went on ahead and found out that they were inside the man's office. A man was sitting on one of the chairs and Seguchi quickly introduced him to her.
"Daidouji-san," he started as he gestured towards the other man. "This is Sakano-san. He'll be your temporary manager. Sakano-san, this is Daidouji Tomoyo-san, one of our new recruits."
Sakano adjusted his glasses as he smiled shakily at Tomoyo. "N…n…nice to….to…meet you," he nervously said. "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Tomoyo politely said. "I…uh…hope to uh…"
Seguchi chuckled at the two people's nervousness. "Sakano-san, I wish you would treat Daidouji-san as well as you had treated Bad Luck. She is a new face but she's got the face and talent, and you know I know a talent when I see one."
"Ah, of course, Saichou! Of course!" Sakano could almost kiss Seguchi's shoes, much to Tomoyo's amusement. "Saa, Tomoyo-san," the bespectacled man finally said. "Let's go and I'll show you around."
The young woman looked expectantly at Seguchi, who agreed with his underling. Slowly, she bowed and left the room with Sakano.
The blonde-haired man looked out of the glass windows of his office before picking up his phone. "Hello, this is Tohma. I would like to acquire an apartment near NG. Also, I would like to acquire a complete wardrobe for a certain Daidouji Tomoyo, who would be staying there." After the secretary repeated what he had said, Seguchi was satisfied and hung up. After a few seconds, he dialed another number. "Hello, Miroku Agency?" he asked. "This is Seguchi Tohma of NG." When he was acknowledged quite quickly, he continued. "I want to avail of your services for the second time."
"What would it be, Seguchi-san," the secretary on the other line said as she tapped away on her keyboard. "Do you need another secret photographer to cover Bad Luck's singer and the writer Yuki Eiri?"
Seguchi laughed and settled on his swivel chair. "No. Not that." He smiled slightly. "I want to make sure a certain Hiiragizawa Eriol doesn't come here to Tokyo and inform me at once of his presence here, just in case."
"If that is all, we shall send in one of our agents."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Seguchi hung up and laced his fingers tomorrow. He had laid his hands on a wonderful singer – a siren. There was no way he will allow a small distraction such as Eriol Hiiragizawa to destroy his wonderful plans for the purple-eyed girl.
+++
"ERIOL-KUN!!!" A vase was thrown towards the direction of the artist. "Curse you!" Another figurine, a much larger one, luckily hit only the wall.
Syaoran quickly held Sakura's shoulders before his fiancée could throw another fragile object at their friend. "Sakura! Get a hold of yourself!"
Eriol wasn't even trying to dodge Sakura's thrown things. He remained seated on the sofa against the wall, head bowed. Sakura was on the verge of aiming another object at Eriol – the telephone. "What do you mean get a hold of myself?!" Sakura almost screamed. "Didn't you know what this man had done?! He – he – Tomoyo-chan!"
Syaoran nodded. "Yeah, I know, but you see…this is Eriol's house and those things you are throwing – they're his."
"No! Ah? Eh? Oh…" Sakura reluctantly let go of the telephone and sat down – fuming in spite of Syaoran's soothing.
Eriol finally spoke up. "You cannot blame Sakura-san, Li-kun," he said. "It was really my fault. Tomoyo was so much of a treasure to let go…"
"Is that what you think of her?!" Sakura said, fury anew. "You see her as a treasure? Tomoyo-chan loved you in every way. She did those crazy things you're making her do – she even did knitting! She never thought for one bit that you were patterning her after Mizuki-san! But you - " Sakura pointed sharply at the young man. "- you are such a bloke to make her suffer like that!"
"That's why I am asking for your help," Eriol said. "That's why I called you despite of my knowledge that Sakura would be deranged." He bowed before Syaoran and Sakura. "Please, I need help to see Tomoyo again."
Nakuru entered and served tea - now that she was sure that Sakura is not on the verge to throw things. The young woman thoughtfully weighed Eriol's request as she sipped her tea. Finally, she set her cup down and crossed her arms. "No," she pertly said.
"What?" both Eriol and Syaoran exclaimed. Sakura's fiancé frowned. "But Sakura…"
"I won't help Eriol-kun." Sakura looked away. "I think it would be better for Tomoyo-chan to be away from that crazy artist instead of being with him. At least, she'll have more freedom and no one would dare try to make her do things she doesn't want to do." A glare was directed towards Eriol, who cringed.
Syaoran shrugged. "But if we do not help Eriol-kun, Sakura, don't you think you wouldn't gain peace of mind at all? We do not know where she is. We do not know how to contact her."
"I know where she might be," Eriol thoughtfully said.
Sakura sighed. "Okay okay…Syaoran-kun may be right. I'll help you then." Eyes narrowed towards Eriol. "But this time, make sure you are serious!"
"Hai…" Eriol softly said, his hands gripping the arms of his sofa.
+++
After Sakura and Syaoran had gone, the artist went back to his studio. He saw the cover on his new painting slightly askew. Slowly, he removed the cover.
"Tomoyo must have seen this," he told himself loudly. "She must be that angry to see this…" The one in the painting was not Tomoyo, but rather a face that was gone quite a time ago.
Eriol slumped down on his armchair. He didn't mean to…
He didn't mean to paint Kaho.
He meant to illustrate Tomoyo.
However, he missed his deceased wife so much he cannot paint the one he loved anew.
Everytime he looks at Tomoyo. He sees Kaho and cannot keep from thinking about her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered against his sleeve as he rocked back and forth on his seat. "I'm sorry Tomoyo…"
Even though Tomoyo cannot hear it…
Even though she might not believe it…
Eriol had loved her.
I was blind, he thought. I thought I could relive Kaho through her. I never realized she was another person.
He stood up and looked out of the window.
Now is not the time to sulk about things.
It's time to get Tomoyo come home.
TBC…
Author's Notes: After this chapter, everyone, I'll be skipping on Tomoyo's debut etc etc etc…. That means I'd be starting on a new field. Next chapter would tackle Tomoyo as a popular idol already. ^^
Oh and by the way, I'll be going to the province for a while, so I cannot continue this for the moment. But I will as soon as I come back. I promise ^.^
I hope you like this chapter. Thank you so much for keeping up with me through all this time *sob* I am really honored!
Sore jaa~ I'll see you in a week!
~luv luv,
nikki
