Author's Notes:
I really apologize. I didn't mean to update this late, but so far, my Physics, Chemistry and Zoology subjects aren't going well so I have to fend for myself. ^^;;;; I really meant to update once a week, not once a month. Sorry.
Okay, I want to know what is wrong with the past chapter since you guys stopped reviewing. What? *goes on a frenzy* Did I do something wrong in it?
*calms herself* Going back, I don't know what to do with this chapter, so it was a but hurried….hehehehe…. just kidding. Today, you're going to know if Tomoyo will go back to Fukuoka or Eriol will go to Tokyo. Thanks for the advice. I had difficulty since if I follow exactly your wants, you won't be reading this fic! This chappie is nasty, just to warn you. *casts SHIELD on herself*
Interested Reader: ^^;;;; Seguchi is not evil if you look at what he is doing for Tomoyo. He's helping her carry on, in a way. But if that's what you want…
Fuu: Make Eriol suffer!!! *cough* Okay…I'll do that, and a Happy New Year to you, too. ^^
Ruby-servantof-eli: Hmm…you don't really live in a world of dreams. So you want Tomoyo to leave huh… *saves it for later*
KyteAura: He's 30, hot and married, and he belongs to me…ooopss… Anyway, I will be more fun than you might think. More action? *set all the characters moving* Okay! (BTW, I love Miroku and Sesshoumaru from IY ^^)
sweetplumblossom: Gomen nasai if I hadn't updated that soon! ^^;;;
nasia: You know….you gave me a very good idea…hmmm…two of you suggested that particular scene. Yosh!
crystal~heart: Yosh! I'll make Eriol suffer even more. ^^;;;;
KasumiDestruction: *hopes her story is good enough for Kasumi-san* Okay, I'll try my best!
Sakura Angel: Yep, I'll make Eriol go to Tokyo, but there'll be more to that. ^^ And yeah, isn't Seguchi awesome? ^^;;;; *drools*
Clownsareevil and Darkshadowheartless: ^^;;; I can't make Seguchi suffer. I wuv him! Oh wait…I wuv Eriol, too…^^;;;; What should I do?
bishounen_lovah: *laugh* Yeah, I remember you want to kill Eriol….^^;;;; nah..maybe not that far. Don't worry! I'll try to live up to your expectations. ^^;;;
Cheerlin: Hi-o! I understand you have some questions in mind that bother you. Will you let me answer them right now? ^.^
1. Who are Tomoyo's parents?
Hmm, I could only say that they are someone rich and powerful but other than that, I'm still hiding them. Maybe I'll reveal who they are at the last few chapters of this fic.2. Does it have anything to do with Eriol?
Tomoyo's parents? No, not really. I do not have that thing in mind.3. Why doesn't Tomoyo's so-called chief let her meet Eriol?
You mean Seguchi-san don't you? Well, you see, Seguchi thinks Tomoyo has this great talent that will make her very famous and powerful in so short a time. However, if Tomoyo would be constantly bothered by outside influence such as Eriol's feelings for her, she will be confused. If you have watched "Gravitation." All in all, influences like these will cause Tomoyo to lose concentration on singing and that would be bad for her part.4. If Tomoyo wants to sing, Eriol won't say no so what's the problem? Why does Eriol want Tomoyo to be Kaho? Is he that stupid?
Eriol, after losing his wife, was looking for security of having someone to love him again. Then came Tomoyo. He didn't want to lose her, and at the same time, he didn't want to lose those happy memories he had with Kaho. So he decided to do both. He restrained Tomoyo from all activities that would lead her to meet other people and seek new opportunities and at the same time molded her to be another Kaho. Yes, I believe he is stupid because he remains in the dream that he'll be happy that way, and wasn't able to listen to Tomoyo's feelings.5. Why does Tomoyo want him to paint her?
As Sakura said in one of the past chapters, Eriol shows his affections and feelings for the people around him by painting them. He painted Sakura and Syaoran for their gift, and he painted Kaho so that his feelings for her will be sealed forever in those portraits. Tomoyo wanted him to paint her, to give her some proof of what Eriol really feels about her. Unfortunately, Eriol didn't paint her.6. Tomoyo comes from a rich family and should get her money back, right?
She will get her money, but not that same money her family owns. You will know soon enough…who the real culprit is.Whew! Thank you so much for those reviews. Shaa, please proceed. ^.~ HAPI BARENTAIN!
CARESS OF VENUS
By: nikki hiiragizawa
Chapter 14: Opposite
"Are you sure you don't want your lunch?" Nakuru weakly asked her master. It's been three days since Eriol found a clue about Tomoyo's whereabouts. He wanted to move quickly, but his work delayed his plans. Now, he was in a hurry to chase the purple-eyed girl - before anyone can overtake him.
Eriol struggled with his coat. "I - am - all - right." He nodded to his housekeeper. "Take care of the house."
"Anou…"
"Itekimasu!" The door was slammed closed and all Nakuru saw of her master was his form hurrying down the path to the gate.
The housekeeper sighed audibly and sat on their sofa. How could she be so negligent about this matter. All she wanted was both of them happy, and to think she overdid it. She was supposed to be helping Tomoyo and his master fall in love with each other and be happy. But now… It was partly her fault why Tomoyo went away. She knew Eriol was up to something not good, but she kept quiet about it. Even if she saw Tomoyo worrying, she did not speak of what she knew.
"Maa! I'm so stupid!" Nakuru wailed. Now that her young would-be mistress is gone, she cannot do anything but pray that her dream for these two young people will not go to waste.
+++
"Daidouji-san! What were you thinking!" Tomoyo watched with wide eyes as her manager went in a frenzy. "Why did you agree to that?!"
Tomoyo looked confused. "Agree to what, Sakano-san?" she asked slowly.
"Why did you agree to go on tour!?" the bespectacled manager rapidly paced the room. "You haven't released your album yet, and we have only recorded eight of your songs!"
"Oh, don't worry, Sakano-san," Tomoyo said as she smiled complacently. "I…"
"Don't give me that reassurance!" Tomoyo winced as her manager exclaimed at her remark.
"No need to worry, Sakano-san." Both the young singer and her manager looked up to see the person who just entered the recording room.
"Seguchi-san!" Tomoyo stood up to respectfully bow to her boss. "We were just talking about the tour and…"
Seguchi smiled and held up a brochure. "I got you the details, Daidouji-san. We'll be leaving in two days."
"But, president…"
"Be at peace, Sakano-san," the former keyboard player said. "Daidouji-san would be together with Nittle Grasper in the tour. We're going to guest at same shows, and Daidouji-san would be the opening number to our band's performances."
The bespectacled manager cannot keep quiet, though. "But the album…she hasn't finished the album yet."
"I guess eight songs would be enough for the album. Before we return, I want you to be able to finish polishing it for release."
"What? But…"
"You're dismissed, Sakano-san. Let's go talk about the tour." Seguchi motioned Tomoyo to his office.
Sakano was left standing alone in the recording room. "But I'm her manager!"
+++
Tomoyo was sitting down in Seguchi's office, reading their itinerary for the week-long tour. "Are we really going to tour all of Japan, Seguchi-san?" she asked, partly afraid of all this excitement.
"Yes." Seguchi sat behind the desk. He tapped his fingers together and seriously contemplated on his young singer. "Have you read where we are going to perform first?"
Tomoyo read the brochure once more, and her face fell. "Zepp Fukuoka…" she said, in almost a whisper.
"I was thinking about it when I saw the brochure, Daidouji-san. It seems you have to go back to Fukuoka once more."
The young woman stared at her boss for a long time, until she could finally shake off the sudden emotion she felt in her heart: unexplainable, but strong. "I…I don't really mind, Seguchi-san. I'm a professional after all."
"Thank you," the blond-haired man replied. "I was hoping you would answer like that."
Tomoyo bit her lip and looked down for a moment, as if hesitating about her answer a while ago. She opened her mouth to speak once more but her phone suddenly rang. "Moshi-moshi? Oh, yea. I had an appointment with the stylist? I'll be there immediately." She closed her phone. "Seguchi-san, I forgot about my appointment with my stylist. Can I go out for a moment?"
"Of course. We'll be seeing you later."
"Thank you, sir." The door closed with a click and Seguchi sank back on his armchair, fingers threaded together. An hour ago, he was informed that a certain artist was on his way to Tokyo. It would probably take him less that two days to reach NG Records. Seguchi decided to keep Tomoyo away from the young man for as long as possible. After all, the young singer's career would be at stake, and for him, career is the most important thing.
+++
Tokyo was not a large city. But it has a large population, and Eriol had only realized it now. The tallest of buildings towered, as if chasing the sky. People ran here and there, vehicles were everywhere. Everything was even more busy than Fukuoka, and the young man seemed lost in all the rustle. It might take a few days before he could actually find Seguchi's recording company, and that's time he hasn't got.
It was a good thing that Nakuru has him booked in a hotel days ago. Nakuru apparently chose the best hotel there is, and he was welcomed readily. The first thing he did when he got there, was to contact the curator's office in Fukuoka.
"Hello, this is Hiiragizawa. May I speak with Ishikawa-sensei, please?" The secretary made him wait for a little while. "Ishikawa-sensei!" Eriol addressed his teacher as soon as he heard his voice. "Have you had any news from…"
"I'm sorry, Hiiragizawa-san," came the professor's reply. "Kinomoto-san and her fiancé tried to track down every project Seguchi-san did here, but it seems he keeps his affairs to himself."
Eriol almost dropped the phone in despair. "Is that so…"
"Why do you want to see him so badly, Hiiragizawa-san?" Ishikawa-sensei quietly asked. "Are you really sure he is the one who had taken Tomoyo to Tokyo?"
"Yes," Eriol determinedly answered. "Nakuru told me his name was mentioned somewhere in the interview with Tomoyo in Tokyo TV. Besides, he's the only one who had talked to Tomoyo in the span of time she…she was with me."
His teacher was quiet for a while. Finally he spoke. "Son, did you know that loving a woman is an art?"
"Sir?"
"In loving a woman, you should have patience, consideration, resourcefulness, and responsibility. If you don't take care, the picture you paint with the one you love might become blurred, or destroyed."
Eriol closed his eyes and fisted his hands. "I understand what you mean, sensei."
"I am glad. Good luck." His teacher hung up and Eriol placed the phone back on its cradle. He opened his suitcase and picked up a drawing pad from inside it. Slowly, he flipped it open. Inside was a pencil sketch of a young woman sitting on the grass. Unlike his other drawings and paintings, this girl did not wear flowing robes or gorgeous gowns. She was wearing pants and a shirt and a cap that hides her hair. But those were not able to hide her elation and vibrancy.
"Tomoyo…" This was the real Tomoyo he had seen months ago. This was the Tomoyo he had grown to love, not that one he had created. He needed to let her know that he did not forget who she is, and would like to rediscover that young girl inside Tomoyo Daidouji again. "I hope it's not too late…" he muttered as he stared at the pencil sketch for a long long time.
Tomorrow, he'll search for her no matter where she might be.
+++
Purple eyes gazed at the almost familiar ambiance that was laid before her. Two and a half months ago, she was here, only, she was leaving. Now she is back, but is she really that ready to go back?
She turned to ask her boss about their next stop, but there's so many photographers and fans that there was no place for talking. Sighing, inwardly, she smiled and waved at the crowd and she saw the ever-famous Nittle Grasper Band do the same. Fans screamed.
"Oh my God, it's really Sakuma- Ryuichi!"
"Tohma! Take me with you!"
"Tomoyo-san, marry me!"
Suppressing a laugh, Tomoyo quickly walked to keep up with the group as they headed to their cars that would lead them to the hotel.
Outside the airport, the environment disturbed Tomoyo more. Spring was at its peak in Fukuoka, and the beauty of the trees and flowers bloomed even more. Looking at this familiar place made her remember bittersweet memories she wanted to forget, but cannot. Shaking her head, she stopped looking at the window and settled to her seat beside Seguchi.
"Seguchi-san," she started. "Is it really alright for us to leave Sakano-san in Tokyo?" She nervously smoothed her blue skirt.
The blond-haired man was looking out of the window thoughtfully. "It's alright. I need someone to maintain the studio anyway…and," he looked at Tomoyo and smiled. "I need someone to entertain uninvited guests."
Tomoyo shrugged and crossed her legs. After a few moments, she was invited to look out of the limo window again. A large building was in view, and Tomoyo remembered it as the town museum.
"We'll be staying at the hotel for the night," their organizer was saying. "Then we wake up and six tomorrow and prepare for the mini-concert in Zepp Fukuoka. For now, you can rest and enjoy the view."
Eriol, she thought. I wonder how he is doing. Is he angry with me?
Baka, a side of herself said. You shouldn't care whether he is angry with you. He's such a jerk.
Tomoyo closed her eyes at the sudden confusion she got and was resolved to hum so she could lose the thoughts. God, I'm such a fool. I'm still thinking about all these things after all the happened! She frowned and let out a huff.
"Daidouji-san, are you alright?" Seguchi asked.
"Yes, I am okay." She absently smiled at her boss and stared off to space.
+++
"B…b…b…but…" Sakano wrung his hands together. "I…I…"
"Please, just tell me where she is." A young man was sitting in front of him, eyes begging. "I really need to see her."
Sakano closed his eyes firmly. "Hiiragizawa-san, I know you are a very famous painter and everything. Almost all art critics in Japan know you and I…"
"I am not talking about that!" Eriol slammed a fist on Sakano's desk. "I need to see Daidouji Tomoyo, sir. Where is she?"
The manager covered his head with his hands and shook his head over and over. "But I already told you that she isn't here, Hiiragizawa-san! She's in a tour right now!"
"A tour?"
"She went to a week-long tour with Nittle Grasper!"
Nittle Grasper. Where has he heard that name before?
Oh. Eriol remembered Sakura telling him about them, the band where Seguchi plays. He glared at Tomoyo's manager. "Where are they? The Nittle Grasper and Tomoyo, I mean."
"They're touring all over Japan," Sakano replied. "Oh, I got the…the…brochure." He nervously handed Eriol the brochure of the tour and sat back down as the young man read it. "Heh, I cannot believe you didn't know. I mean, they're all over the TV…" Eriol gave Sakano a glare. "And uh…well…hahaha…"
"The tour starts today," Eriol said aloud to himself. "And their first stop is…" He felt his knees grow weak. "Zepp Fukuoka…"
"Hai desu." They left for Fukuoka yesterday…uh…Hiiragizawa-sa, are you alright?"
Eriol's hands shook, and he didn't know if it's because of rage or defeat. "No…this can't…this cannot be happening…"
"Hiiragizawa-san?" Sakano adjusted his glasses.
The young man stood up and bowed to Tomoyo's manager. "Thank you very much." He slowly trudged towards the door, and started to leave.
"Oh wait!" Sakano caught up with him. "Since you are looking for her, you must be interested in her album. It's her first LP and it's got eight songs in it. I'll give it to you free, just don't tell my boss."
Eriol gave him a weak smile and a faint thank you. He turned to the door and without energy, went towards the elevator.
"I wonder what happened to that guy," Sakano said loudly. "Oh well, I should tell Daidouji-san he came by." He got his phone and dialed Tomoyo's number.
+++
"Yes, I understand. Thank you." Tomoyo hung up the phone and sat back on her seat. She was preparing for the press conference and pictorial to be held that lunch when her manager called.
She held the phone still on her hands. "Eriol came to see me," she whispered. She looked at her hands and found out she was shaking. "He went to find me…"
There was a knock on the door. "Daidouji-san, you've got ten minutes before we leave."
"What should I do? Will he come for me?"
TBC
Author's Notes: Okay, so I kinda screwed up this chapter. ^^;;; But you said the more suffering the better. I was just following your wishes. If you wanna meet up Eriol with Tomoyo, then please review so I'll know if I'm on the right track, okei?
Love you all!
