Author's Notes: Okay, so you all now changed your minds and you like Eriol to be tortured. I can't understand you people…^^;;;; Anyway, I was in the province for a while so I wasn't able to write anything. I tried bringing paper and pen with me and what did I write? Two paragraphs, six sentences long each, for the fourth chapter of my Hunter X Hunter fic. Now isn't that productive or what? I spent many days in the province, mind you. .
Gah! I just remembered! I haven't got any disclaimers in my fic chapters. *runs around in circles* Well, anyway, I had one on the fist chapter…that should do it…
Thanks for the many people who reviewed. I reached over a hundred. ^.^ There are new readers, too. Arigatou gozaimasu!
KasumiDestruction: Eriol's an idiot…hehehe…well, he's supposed to be ingenious, but we all know that all art, like all love, is rooted from heartache. Poor guy.
KyteAura: Yes, yes, I told one of the reviewers (not in the fic) that Seguchi is married. He's 30+ for Kami's sake…and for such a cutie like him, he should really get married unless he's gay. I'll post a link with his picture at the end of this chappie.
Roque Angel Barton: Yeah, Eriol is a bastard, but you should get used to my style. All my other fics had Eriol being more than a bastard. ^.^ Are you kidding? I am mean, evil and insane…I take those as compliments. ^.^
bishounen_lovah: Umm…you seem to be ecstatic in making Eriol suffer, but if I make him suffer any more, he cannot take it and then, there'll be no more ExT, ne?
crystal~heart: Well, I do not want Eriol to suffer physically with a bump on his head or temporary amnesia in the sense. Maybe I'll torute him…uh…emotionally? *cackle cackle*
Fuu: Yep. I always read fics of Tomoyo being an idol, so I'm kinda hesitant about it…but anyway… *optimistic mode on* And I must agree that everyone wanted to kill Eriol, and it's all my damn fault…heheheh…
Dana Daidouji: Nah, don't be scared. Seguchi's not at all attracted to Tomoyo. I'll include a note about it after this chappie so hold on!
Ruby-servantof-eli: LOL! You changed your mind eh? But if I made them happy all at once…then, there won't be any fic, ne? ^.^
Interested reader: Hey, thanks for reading and submitting a looong review! Anyway, let's answer your questions and comments. Hmm…yeah, I made them both rich. It's cos I'm tired of, you know, "he's rich and she's poor" type of plots so I tried the one wherein both of them are rich…just twisting it a bit. LOL! I really wish I'll get rich with this writing, but unless I can draw (doujinshis, you know), I'll never earn money with this. -.- Maybe I should write something like "Harry Potter", ne?
raven: Thanks! Anyway, I sat on my swivel chair for ten hours so that I could finish this chap so there!
Clownsareevil and Darkshadowheartless: You remind me of someone I know…hmm… Anyway, yeah, I would like Eriol with bandages and disfiguration all over his face. Besides, I'll be using the phone later on, so it wouldn't pay to have Sakura bash it at Eriol. And yes, Seguchi is evil…very…you should watch Gravitation.
Nikki Miyazawa: Nice fic, Passionfruit is. I hope I can be descriptive in fics, like you. *le sigh* LOL..freak artist….yeah…
Litanya: ^.^ I see you have read my other fics, too, and I am greatly honored. I hope you'll be successful in writing too. ^.^
Saa, after that long answering, I plead you to go on and tell me what you think. ^.^
CARESS OF VENUS
By: nikki hiiragizawa
CHAPTER 13: Soaring Lavender
"What is your secret, Daidouji-san?" the TV show host smiled widely at the screen, showing off his "toothpaste commercial" – like teeth. "Do you have any good luck secrets that you can share to our audience, being one of the new artists who had become so popular in just a few weeks?"
The purple-eyed girl stared at the camera, ignoring the glare of the stage lights that were all facing her. She smiled a little, adjusted the bracelet she was wearing, and decided to answer the question. "I do not have any secret that I could share, honestly." Her sweet voice swam all over the studio, making high school boys in the audience swoon in delight. "I just act like myself and have fun. After all, having fun is the main ingredient in loving your profession, and loving your profession would lead you to success." Another smile from her was directed to the audience, who clapped ecstatically as she finished her short, but precise answer.
"There you have it, minna-san," the host continued. "As a treat to all of us, Miss Tomoyo Daidouji will sing her latest single produced by NG Records. This is her first single that topped the charts in just three days. Let us welcome once more the most popular teen idol in Tokyo, Tomoyo Daidouji-san!"
Tomoyo gripped her microphone and waved to the audience. Behind her, the band gave their signal that they were ready. She closed her eyes lightly for a moment as the intro of her song – which she knew by heart – blared through the speakers. This was her song, her own work…and she loved it.
I do wish you could see me, Okaa-san, she thought as she started to sing. I wish you could hear this song, which tells of my life after you went away…
+++
Sakura threw an apologetic look at the seated figure in their living room. Syaoran was not around, having been called at the last minute to attend a family meeting in their house in Hong Kong. The young woman took the responsibility of helping Eriol alone. "Gomen nasai, Eriol-kun," she started. "I searched every corner and asked everyone I know here in Fukuoka, but I haven't got a good response."
"Thank you, Sakura-san." Eriol cradled his head on his hands. Where could Tomoyo be?
Sakura sat beside the young man. "It didn't pay that almost no one knew who Tomoyo-chan is. That is why I had difficulty finding some information regarding her whereabouts." She looked at Eriol with sympathy for her friend. "She must have left town."
"And that goddamn Seguchi cannot be contacted!" Eriol exclaimed, throwing up his hands in exasperation.
Sakura frowned and bade the maid to bring in something for Eriol to drink. "But Eriol-kun, how do you know it was Seguchi-san who took her in? Blondes are all over Japan, you know."
"I just feel it," Eriol replied. "There must be a way to contact that guy. We never knew until we ask him."
"All I know of him," the young woman started as she smoothed her skirts, a bit too late now that she's sitting down, "is that Seguchi Tohma is a member of the ever-famous Nittle Grasper and was in charge of the synthesizer. Of course, he isn't as popular as Sakura Ryuichi himself, but he's still a Grasper."
"Yes, I know that." Eriol was a bit annoyed, but held his temper. He couldn't lose his temper now, and he needs to think clearly. Seguchi might be baiting Tomoyo into a trap and he'll be too late to save her.
It was his fault.
Damn…what if Seguchi wanted Tomoyo to himself? Silently, Eriol pounded a fist on the armchair.
"You know," Sakura said. "I don't think Seguchi-san is romantically involved with Tomoyo-chan at this moment. For all I know – I was a Grasper fan years ago – he's married to somebody already."
"So what?" Eriol snapped. "For all we know, he could be baiting Tomoyo and the girl didn't know he's married."
Sakura shook her head. "No, it couldn't be that. It's because his wife is as famous as himself. His wife is Uesugi Mika, the said sister of the sensational writer Yuki Eiri, who is the lover of the lead singer of the new band Bad Luck."
"How do you know those things?"
The girl held up a hand proudly. "Never ignore the power of fans, my dear Eriol-kun. Now, maybe you could contact Mika-san and ask her instead."
"Yeah, you're right. She must know her husband's affairs." Eriol suddenly had a glimmer of hope. If Mika would tell him where Seguchi is…then he might have a lead to where Tomoyo is. "I'll call her immediately." He left without a word.
Sakura laid her hands on her hips. "And I never even the chance to tell him that telling the police would be more practical…" She shrugged and went on to call Syaoran in Hong Kong.
+++
Eriol drummed his fingers at the steering wheel. He was in so much hurry to talk to anyone related to the blonde stranger who took away Tomoyo. He had called the museum office and asked them to locate the numbers of the names mentioned by Sakura a while ago. All was at his reach, but the traffic was holding him. As soon as he reached the museum, he ran to the main office.
"Sensei! I need the records for…Nakuru?"
True enough, Nakuru was standing in the office, folders in hand. She quickly approached Eriol. "Eriol-sama, the president asked me to give this to you since he's having a lunch meeting today and would be unable to meet you."
"But what are you doing here?"
Nakuru twirled her hair with a finger. "I was expecting to see you here, since I saw something on TV that might interest you. I have taped so that you could watch it." She held out a tape which Eriol took eagerly.
"What is it?" There was a VCR player in the office and Eriol took the liberty to use it. Slowly, he slid in the tape in the VHS player and the static slowly became figures.
"I saw it on Tokyo TV a while ago," Nakuru was saying. "I guess…"
The program started. It was taped in the middle of the show. It was one of those talk shows that were very popular in the city…and the one being interviewed is…
"Tomoyo?" Eriol said, surprised. It was definitely Tomoyo who was sitting in the studio, being interviewed by the host. Eriol didn't hear what they were talking about and was only shook back to his senses when the young womn in the TV stood up and proceeded on another part of the stage to sing. "It's Tomoyo," he softly stated.
Nakuru nodded, standing beside him. "She seemed to be very popular. Not too much people come to the studio during these shows, but on this particular episode, the studio is practically teeming with people.
Eriol nodded, stunned. Tomoyo was smiling sweetly at the camera and was waving to the crowd. In a short while, she raised her microphone near her lips and started to sing.
In the night sky, they twinkle
The far stars of gold
The same color as the small bird
that looked up in my dream last night
The familiar soft, yet melodious voice hit Eriol's ears. The song was slow and light, very much fitting for Tomoyo's high voice. Like him, the audience seemed mesmerized by the young woman on stage.
In the sleepless night,
I sing this song alone
Together with the blowing wind,
I fly riding on my thoughts
It was as if Tomoyo was speaking directly to him, her eyes conveying the same message as her song. Eriol absently crept closer to the television, enamored much by the unchanged features of the girl who left him so suddenly.
In the night sky, it sparkles
The distant moon of silver
The same color as the wild rose
that was blooming in my dream last night
"Tomoyo," Eriol couldn't help saying. It wasn't until now that he realized how much loss he is feeling at the moment. The soft, shy touches Tomoyo gave him and the fluttering gazes they exchanged – they were all gone within an instant. It was because of his ignorance and insensitivity that these had all happened
In the gentle night,
I sing this song alone
Let me sing with you tomorrow
Riding the wings of dreams
She seemed so content and happy with the way she is now. Well, anybody would be. All those attention and all those fans. She must be a full-fledged singer now. And Eriol was so much of an idiot to not notice her potential and her development.
In the gentle night,
I sing this song alone
Let me sing with you tomorrow
Riding the wings of dreams
The song slowly danced to a stop and a wild roar of an applause followed. Tomoyo blushed a little and smiled at the audience, thanking them for their attentiveness.
"Saa, minna," Tomoyo was saying. "Please wait for the release of my next single. I would be hoping for your support!" She bowed and moved away from the camera.
It took Eriol a long time to recover form the shock. Slowly, he turned to his housekeeper and friend once more. "Tell me, Nakuru, where is this station again?"
"It's TV Tokyo," Nakuru replied.
"Tokyo," Eriol repeated. Tomoyo is in Tokyo. Now, if he only knew where the young woman is staying…
He quickly looked at the folder in his hand. He browsed through the pages and picked up the phone on the desk. A number for a Segichi Mika was on the list.
The phone rang twice before it was picked up. Eriol hurriedly answered the greeting from the other line. "Yes, hello. I would like to speak to Seguchi Mika-san please."
"Yes, good morning. May I know who is calling?" the secretary asked.
Eriol thought for a while before answering. "Please tell her it's a friend."
"I cannot put you through without identification, sir," the secretary on the other line replied, a bit annoyed.
"Okay. Please tell her this is Hiiragizawa Eriol from the Fukuoka Art Museum."
"Please wait a moment, Hiiragizawa-san." A long pause followed and Eriol tapped his foot on the carpet impatiently and was about to hang up when the voice came back. "I am sorry, Hiiragizawa-san, but Seguchi-san said she doesn't know anybody by that name and would not accept the call. Thank you for calling…"
"Wait!" Eriol gripped the phone. "Couldn't you just tell me where your office is? I could go there and just talk to her personally. It's really important…"
"I am very sorry, sir." The phone was hung up abruptly without another explanation. Eriol slammed the phone on its cradle and thought for a while.
"They hung up?" Nakuru asked. Eriol nodded and ran a hand through his hair. After a moment's hesitation, he dialed another number – Mika's brother's number.
"Hello?" an annoyingly annoyed voice answered.
Eriol swallowed before answering. "Yes, um…may I speak with Yuki Eiri-san please?"
"Who is this?" the voice became even more annoyed. "If you are just some reporter trying to…"
"I am afraid you are mistaken," Eriol answered. "I'm Hiiragizawa Eriol and I have called you about your sister's husband…"
"I don't care about Seguchi or anybody else, sir," Yuki Eiri answered. "If you have no business with me then we better say good bye."
Eriol frowned as the dial tone hit his ear again. Sighing, he tried other numbers that might possibly have connections to Seguchi's office. None of them were of any help. They refused to get him through and he can't get any information at all.
"Maybe…" Nakuru started, but the young man held up his hand.
"Say no more, Nakuru." He thumped his fingers on the desk. "If they cannot give me any information, then I shall have to go to Tokyo myself."
"Yes, Eriol-sama. I shall prepare your things." Nakuru retired from the office.
+++
Tomoyo entered Seguchi Tohma's office with a wide smile. Seguchi returned it with fervor. "Sit down, Tomoyo-san."
"Seguchi-san, would you believe it? Sakano-san told me that my song reached the top of the charts again! But of course, I wasn't able to beat Nittle Grasper's revival single and Bad Luck's new song."
The blonde man smiled and tapped his fingers together. "I am glad you are happy with the results of your hardships, Tomoyo-san," he said. "However, it is about time we arrange the release of your album, since two of your songs are already out. Have you written other songs for the album?"
"Well…"Tomoyo hesitated for a while. "I have written about six songs…"
"We need ten songs for your album, Tomoyo-san," Seguchi explained. "I'll be waiting until they're all finished and then we could talk about the release of the album."
"Yes, of course."
"Please go and rest now. You have a TV guesting tomorrow, so I heard?"
Tomoyo smiled. "Yes. I get to sing a duet with the famous Nittle Grasper singer." She gracefully stood up. "You should be sleeping, too, Seguchi-san." She bowed slightly and went out of the office.
Just as she went out, the phone rang. "NG Records," Seguchi announced. "Oh, Mika-san. It's you."
His wife was on the line. "Somebody called Hiiragizawa Eriol called me but I never got to talk to him. Some girl in my office said it's for procedures you ordered. Are you in some trouble again, Tohma?"
Seguchi smiled, even though his wife cannot see. "No, Mika-san. I just have some issues to take care of."
After a few moments of convincing his wife, Seguchi finally succeeded and his wife hung up. "So the painter has made his move," Seguchi murmured. Eriol never knew his works were as famous in Tokyo as in Fukuoka. "That means I have to take more precautions." He picked up the phone and called a few persons to help him.
TBC…
Author's Notes: Well, how is it?
Fukuoka is in Honshu island south of Japan. Tokyo is in the middle of the central island of Japan. They are quite a distance apart so it is possible that Eriol never heard of artists from Tokyo, especially new ones. After all, he spent his time brooding over those paintings of his. ^.^
Okay, one clarification. Seguchi is not attracted to Tomoyo. He just wants his money and Tomoyo's success that's all. If you watched Gravitation, you'll know how he acts. I think he's gay, but I don't know…it's a yaoi anime after all.
Wanna see Seguchi? See this link: http://www.geocities.com/sailorsjini/seguchi1.jpg and http://www.geocities.com/sailorsjini/seguchi2.jpg . Then you'll see how cute he is. ^.^
Now, should I make Eriol go to Tokyo or should I make Tomoyo come back to Fukuoka? Answer this poll by reviewing and I'll follow your command!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kaboom! Have an exploding 2003!!!!
