Azure Rosas: -practicing her Spanish- Hola! Como estas? Bien o mal? ^^; I know there are some um...ano..."markings" that I didn't put..but oh well. Anyway...CUANTO LO SIENTO!!! (I'm so sorry) I know it's been a while since I've updated..-fiddling with the hem of her shirt- ...and I know there are no possible excuses but um...-puppy dog face- can you forgive me? ^^; -clears throat- Welp, first, lemme thank these people for reviewing!
Kari Y. Yokhosama
Raven
M@ve!
Silverg3r
BlueBerryAngel
Kawaiiaznangel36BR
Arigatou minna-san! And a big thank you to Kawaiiaznangel36 for reading like...practically all of my stories, including my original fic (Why Should I Care?) -hugz kawaiiaznangel36- Thanks!!!!! ^^ Welp, now lemme do the lil ol' devil known as the disclaimer and then it's onto the chapter...
*Disclaimer* I don't own Tomoyo nor Eriol, or any of the other CCS cast. I only own Pierre, Evelyn, Monsieur Drake's, Aleron..and all of the other stuff besides Paris and...stuff ^^;
Ne dites pas Que Vous M'aimez
(Don't Say You Love Me)
Chapter 4: Moving On?
By: Azure Rosas
______
Entering and closing the door behind her, Tomoyo leaned her back against the front door of her house. It was dark inside; no lights were on. Sighing, she closed her eyes and then opened them as she reached out for the switch. Flicking it on, light suddenly flooded her house with its brightness. The inside of her house wasn't much: A stair case could be seen in front of the door, running up to the second floor. To her left, the living room could be seen. Two couches were there, along with a t.v. set, a coffee table, an extra arm chair, a few magazines on the table, and a window. To her right, was the kitchen. Above the counters were cabinets and on the counters were everything that you'd find in a kitchen: a microwave, a sink, a dishwasher...etc. etc. Removing her coat, she hung it on the hanger and made her way up stairs after turning on the stair-well light.
Finally reaching the top, she opened a door by the stair case and entered the room. Turning on the light, she noted that she left the window open. A chilly breeze blew inside the room, making the curtains that draped before the window, bellow out. Rubbing her arms and shuddering a bit, she closed the window before it could get any more colder than it already was. Sitting on her bed, she let out a shaky sigh as a sad and guilty look crossed her face. The memory of her talk with Eriol before she entered the house flashed before her eyes like lightning...
Flashback
Eriol was escorting Tomoyo to her house and only silence could be heard besides the soft crunching of feet against snow. The amethyst eyed lady had her arms entertwined around the blue eyed sorcerer's right arm. She leaned her head against his shoulders, curly raven locks falling over her eyes. She smiled and sighed in a content way. Winter wind wrapped around the couple, but nothing could phase them for they felt warm just being in the other's presence. All was perfect: the stars were bright; the moon was shinning; it was just...perfect.
'Perfect...' she thought silently to herself as she secretly looked up at the magician. 'He's perfect...' Mentally kicking herself, she pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind. She told him she loved him no more, and it was the truth, right?
"Eriol-kun?" Tomoyo spoke up, a question continually nagging at her so she had to spit it out
"Hai?" he asked, looking down at her in a confused way. They came to a halt and Tomoyo avoided looking up at him.
"How come..." she began, trying to find the right words to put her question in. "How come... it took you so long to return to Japan?"
His face became distant, as if a memory was running through his mind. He snapped back to reality and fixed her with a look that clearly seaked for forgiveness. "I really am sorry, Tomoyo. I had school and during the summer, I took summer coarses to graduate early. When I had a break, I decided to come to Tomoeodo to see if you were still there. But you weren't."
"Oh," she replied simply and yet felt as if he were keeping something from her yet again. Turning around, she was about to continue their trek when he suddenly grabbed her wrist; making her stop.
"And I have a question for you," he said, his voice sounding oddly hurt and yet harsh.
Facing him, she was surprised to see hints of anger, disappointment, rejection, and saddness creep its way across his eyes. "What is it, Eriol?"
"How come you didn't wait for me?"
"N-nani?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Tomoyo!" Eriol suddenly said in a louder voice. His teeth were barred and he eyed her intently. "Why!? Why didn't you wait for me!? How come you went on and got engaged with that Aleron guy? I left thinking that you loved me! I stayed in school, hoping that you still loved me! I went through each day... fooling myself that you wouldn't go on and get some boyfriend. I rushed through school so I could come back to you." His sapphire eyes glazed over with tears of rejection and hurt that he fought to contain.
Tomoyo was at a loss for words. Never once had she thought about any of that. Why did she get engaged to Aleron when she was head over heels for Eriol!? Why!? 'No...I got over him because I never thought he'd come back to me...' she thought to herself silently. Opening her mouth, she spoke in a raspy voice, a bit harsher than she bargained for: "Eriol... I waited and waited but you never came back. I started thinking you would never return. I started to believe that you wouldn't keep your promise..."
"So you moved on," he finished for her in a statement as he closed his eyes. Parting his eye-lids, he glared at her for his first time. "You, of all people, should know that I keep my promises no matter what! I thought all you needed to know was that I loved you in order to believe in me. But I was wrong..." He shook his head and backed away from her. "I was wrong."
"Eriol! You gotta understand!" Tomoyo exclaimed in a desperate voice as she took a step towards him. "People move on!"
This time, he couldn't stop his own tears from falling. Amethyst eyes widening, she felt her heart wench wildly and painfully. Now, all she wanted to do was wipe them away and say she was sorry. Clear liquid formed in her own eyes. "I thought you loved me, Tomoyo... You said so yourself before I left." He bowed his head so his bangs fell over his eyes. "Demo...I guess your right. I guess people do move on." He looked up at her, his tears finally gone. "But my feelings for you will always be the same! Tomoyo, I -"
Covering her ears, she tightly shut her eyes and cried out, "No! Eriol! Don't say it! Please! Don't say you love me!"
Approaching her, he grabbed her wrists and lightly pried her hands from over her ears. She looked up at him and her eyes suddenly widen in surprise when she felt his lips pressed against hers in a passionate kiss. She couldn't help but think that it felt right...Withdrawing from the kiss, he looked deeply into her eyes and released his hold on her arm.
"Aisheteiru," he whispered before turning around and stalking away.
Watching after him, she held out a hand towards him and felt oddly lost and alone. And that was the last she saw of him that night...
End of Flashback
Inhaling a shaky air of breath, Tomoyo Daidouji rested her elbows on her knees and racked her pale, slender fingers through her silky, curly raven hair. Tears threatened to spill, and the only thought that kept her from feeling truly guilty was the one she was thinking at the moment:
'He has to learn to accept the fact that people move on... I'm deeply sorry for whatever pain I'm causing him... but he must learn to accept the facts.' Still, even that thought wouldn't help drive away the guilt. Those rejected, betrayed, and hurt sapphire eyes remained imprinted in her mind. No matter what she did; no matter how hard she tried... she couldn't get those eyes out of her mind. 'Damn you, Eriol! Why can't you just leave me alone!?' She shouted feriously and frustratedly in her head as she gripped her hair, furrowed her eyebrows, and tightly shut her eyes. 'Why did you have to come here to Paris?'
Forcing herself up onto her feet, she decided to take a shower in hopes to wash away all thoughts of the sapphire eyed magician that she knew she hurt deeply. Entering the bathroom (that was connected to her room) she readied the shower. Peeling her clothes off 'till she was bare, she entered the shower and was immediately met by the warm, pounding of the falling water. Closing her eyes, she exhaled and allowed the oh-so-comforting water to splatter down on her. She now felt calm, relaxed, soothed...all troubles and worries were pushed away to the back of her mind.
'Nothing like a warm, hot shower to calm a woman's thoughts,' she thought to herself.
Grabbing the shampoo, she began to wash her hair.
Later On...
Turning off the shower, she reached past the curtains and grabbed her towel that hung on the "towel-hanger." Stepping out of the tub, she rubbed her hair and body with it before wrapping it around herself. Returning back to the room, she searched through a few drawers and grabbed some fresh clothes. Dropping the towel to the ground, she pulled on her under garments, and then her lavender, silk nightgown. Turning the lights off, she climbed into her bed and the minute her head hit the pillow, she fell into a dreamless slumber.
Meanwhile...
Eriol Hirrigazawa sat slumped on his couch. He kept his face burried in his hands as his whole body trembled. Rubbing his eyes with his palms, he rested them on either side of his head as he stared down at the rug with dull sapphire eyes.
'She's probably never going to talk to me again...' he thought to himself with remorse. 'I don't blame her. I wouldn't if I were her. She's right. I need to learn to move on. I can't hold on to the past forever. Still....I love her. Maybe...' Before he could finish that sentence, he shook his head wildly. 'No. It'll never happen. There's no possible way that I could ever make her love me again. She's over me. I need to get over her. But how? I gave her my heart and I wish for her to keep it. If only she could see that she's the only one for me...' He sighed as his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. 'I shouldn't have asked her that question... Then maybe we wouldn't be in this "fight."'
Forcing himself up with a grunt, as if some weight tried to keep him from standing, he gradually made his way towards his room. Entering, he shut the door behind him and it was a wonder to him how he made it to his bed. Collapsing on the soft and bouncey mattress, he wondered why he ever left Japan... Why he left Tomoyo's side... Why he ever returned back to England. I guess you can say that he was to young back then to realize that his only true home would be wherever the beautiful amethyst eyed woman was at. His heart ached tremendously. What was he going to do now? He felt as if he couldn't go on without her. When she told him she loved him... he felt light weighted...he felt like he had wings... he felt...loved. But when he came to Paris, only to find out she loved him no more, it was then and there his world came to a complete halt. Everything in him shattered. It seemed like a great weight was put upon his shoulders. No more did he feel "light weighted." No more did he feel as if he had wings. And no more did he feel loved. That woman was the only one he would ever love. So how was he ever going to move on?
Furrowing his eye brows and shutting his eyes, he decided to think things over tomorrow. Right now, he felt tired and exhausted and all he wanted to do was sleep. And sleep is what he did as darkness slowly took over his vision.
Next Day
The sun's first rays of sunlight penetrated through the window, flooding his room with the morning's light. Furrowing his eye brows, he groaned as he rolled over in bed and burried his face in the pillow to block off the blinding brightness that made his eyes hurt even though they were hidden by his eye lids. He could hear birds chirping their song and he brought the sides of the pillow over his ears in hopes to block it off... but that didn't work. The flying creatures continued on with their, as Eriol thought of it, annoying squawks. Moaning loudly, he removed his face from the fluffy pillow and glared out at his window and at the blue jays that sat perched on a near by tree.
"Alright. Alright! I'm up! I'm up!" he exclaimed in exaggerration as he pushed himself off of the bed and made his way out of the room. He grumbled to himself in a dark manner, feeling the least bit happy and a lot more grumpy. "Sheesh... Can't a man get any sleep around here?" Looking down at his clothes, he wore the sames ones from yesterday. They were wrinkled and tattered. He obviously fell asleep before he even changed.
Entering the kitchen, he poured himself some cereal along with milk. Slumping onto a chair, he began to eat in a grouchy manner. The sun shown through yet another window. A few dark, grey clouds loomed around the sun and he took note that the clouds would fully cover the great ball of fire before lunch time. Once he finished his breakfast, he put the bowl in the sink before rinsing it with water. It was then he remembered last night's events. Pushing them to the far back of his mind, he put his mission before any other thoughts. It was time he got serious with it and started looking for proof. Once he got all the evidence he needed, Aleron would face his downfall. Eriol chuckled dryly to himself as a dark, mischevious look and smirk came upon his face.
"Soon... Aleron... I will prove you guilty!" He sniffed at himself and made an odd face. "That is... after I'm done taking a shower."
43 Minutes Later: 10:56 A.M.
Locking his apartment door, Eriol Hirrigazawa descended down the cement stairs while pocketing his keys. Rubbing his gloved hands together, he brought his brown trench coat more tighter around him. It was another chilly, Winter day at Paris, France. Standing on the sidewalk before the building of apartments behind him, his face held a look of concentration as he looked to his left and then to his right. He summoned his powers for the third time. The first being the time when he used a shield to protect him from Aleron's bullet; The second being when he healed Tomoyo's wounds; and the third being now as he tried to search for Aleron Thorn's presence. Once he located his position, he ignored the sudden, yet slight, fatigue and weariness that enveloped him. He then walked swiftly to his right, towards where most of the shops and what-not were.
Once he arrived, he walked through the busy, crowded streets. People strolled by him, some "accidently" bumping their shoulders against him as everyone fought to get through. Cars past by and on the other side of the street, more people could be seen...walking and observing the stores they passed by. Eriol kept his eyes open for any signs of Aleron. It was already 11:18 when he finally found the man he despised the most, on the opposite side of the street. He seemed to be in a hurry as he sent glances to either side of him. Making sure that no one was looking, he ducked behind a near by tree and started to climb so he was at a high branch; making him able to see over the swarm of people; and so the leaves and branches hid him from view. Digging into his pockets, he pulled out a camera. Focusing the lens on Aleron, he took two snaps of him before once again watching him intently. He saw him come to a stop infront of a man wearing a long, leather black trench coat. He also wore a pair of black sunglasses and all that could be destinguished of this person were his neatly kept bark, red hair.
Lifting up the camera, he began to take pictures of the two's exchange. The unknown person held out a substance. Focusing the lens so he got a closer look at it, his eyes widen in surprise when he noticed what it was. They were swapping drugs for money! Eriol took a snap of the drug, which was weed and plenty of other dope. Then he took a few more shots as Aleron, in exchange, gave the man some money. After that, Eriol took a full picture of them and once Aleron and the man parted, the sorcerer couldn't help but allow a smirk to cross his face. Confidence and triumph welled in him. Now... all he had to do was develop the film and he'd have some of the proof he needed. But he knew it wasn't going to be enough to prove Aleron guilty for other crimes he commited.
'Well...at least I'm gettin' somewhere,' he said in his mind as he climbed down the tree.
Deciding to buy a drink, he went to the café that Tomoyo brought him to yesterday. Entering the building, he took a seat at the same table they sat at the last time they were there. Why was he sitting at the same table? Well....that's simply because all of the other tables were taken. Once he heard footsteps approach where he sat, he looked up to see the same waitress that served them last time. Remember, the one with long, dark brown hair and sky blue eyes? The one that Tomoyo simply hates with all of her guts? Well, that's her! Her eyes darted to the empty seat and a smirk crossed her face when she saw that the raven haired girl wasn't there. She turned her attention back to Eriol and grinned sweetly down at him.
"What would it be for you today, Monsieur?" she asked in a smooth and silky voice.
"I'd like a cup of coffee, please," Eriol replied, sending her a grin in return. "Make it dark coffee."
"Alright, one dark coffee comin' up!" she chirpped as she walked away to retrieve his order.
He watched after her and then looked down at his clenched fist that rested on the table. All thoughts were on Tomoyo. Maybe there was no more hope for them. Maybe they were never meant to be. And maybe.... he should just move on. Sighing, he decided that moving on was the only thing he could possibley do. But like he asked himself last night: How?
"Your order, Monsieur."
Looking up, he was met by the waitress' sky blue eyes. She flashed him a smile as she set his drink before him. "Is there anything else I could do for you?"
The answer hit him then and there like a ton of bricks. If he was going to move on... He might as well start dating, right? Smiling that charming smile of his that made any girl swoon, he said, "Yes, actually there is something else that you could do."
She blinked and sent him a confused look. "Oh? And what would that be?"
"Accepting my offer to take you out to lunch," Eriol proposed. "That is.... if you're free."
Smiling broadly and sweetly, she brought a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm free. And it'll be an honor to go out with you, Monsieur."
"Oh please, Mademoiselle, call me Eriol."
"And please, Monsieur Eriol, call me Zara."
Nodding, Eriol's grin widen. "So, I'll pick you up from here at lunch, alright?"
Her head bobbed up and down in response. Turning around, before she left, she said to him from over her shoulder, "I can't wait."
Leaning back in his chair, Eriol took a sip from his drink. He stared at the ceiling and wondered if he did the right thing by asking a complete stranger out to lunch.
Earlier...10:59 A.M.
The sound of a fist racking at her door roused her from her deep sleep. Groaning loudly, she reluctantly opened her eyes and got out of bed. Before exiting her room, she glanced at her clock to see that it was a minute before eleven. Grumbling incoherent words as she made her way downstairs, she reached for the knob and another knock on the door reached her ears.
"Don't you know how to wait!?" Tomoyo snapped once she opened the door. Then her eyes went wide when she realized who it was she just snapped at. It was her boss for her clothes designing job. He was a year or two older than her with spiky orange-red hair. He stared at her with amused, twinkling golden-yellow eyes. A smirk tugged at his lips as he crossed his arms and raised an eye brow at her.
"I can see that this is a...er..." He eyed the nightgown she wore and looked back up at her, "bad time."
Blushing in embarrassment at being caught wearing her night wear infront of her boss, she bowed her head and stepped to the side to allow him to enter. "No, no! This isn't a bad time. Please. Do come in."
Chuckling and shaking his head, he took her offer and stepped into the cozy house. Shutting the door, Tomoyo sent him a quizzical look. "What made you come here, Monsieur Laer?"
"I just wanted to see if you were alright. When you didn't come to work yesterday, I thought you would call in saying you were sick or somethin'...but you never called. So..." A light red hue crossed his cheeks, which went un-noticed by Tomoyo. "I was worried about you."
Flashing him a grateful smile, Tomoyo couldn't help but blush herself. "Why, that's very sweet of you. I'm glad you cared. But don't worry, I'm just peachy."
"Then how come you weren't at work yesterday?" he questioned, not really believing that she was alright.
"A good friend came to town so I picked him up from the air port and spent the day showing him around Paris. I guess I lost track of the time and I completely forgot to call you," she lied, though it was partially true because she considered Eriol a "good friend" and he did come to town.... and she did show him around and all...so she wasn't really lying.
Laer had to turn his head away to hide his narrowed eyes when she said "he." Mentally kicking himself, he reminded himself that she said he is just a good friend. Looking back at her, he forced a grin. "Oh. I understand."
"Does this mean I have to go to work today?" Tomoyo asked with a playful dull tone.
He made it look as if he were pondering over her question. Then he eyed her through half opened eye lids and placed his arms behind his back. "You can go back to work..." Her face fell, and he immediately added, "that is... if you're busy today...Then maybe we can...go out for lunch, or somethin'." He was blushing like crazy by now. After the years that she's been there and all the time she's worked for him, I guess you can say that he was developing a "thing" for the beautiful amethyst eyed woman.
Trying to hide a grin from crossing her face, Tomoyo eyed him in return, though her cheeks were a flamming red. "Oh? Is Monsieur Laer asking ME on a date?"
"Why of course, Mademoiselle Coretta," Laer replied in a rich-like tone.
"Well then, it would be just wonderful to go on a date with you," Tomoyo answered as a wide grin brightened her face.
He seemed a bit taken aback by her response. Truth is, he thought that she would turn him down. Staring at her dumbfounded, he tried to regain over the shock of her ACTUALLY accepting his proposal. "Okay then..." he trailed off as he made his way towards the door, feeling and looking dumb at the moment. "I guess...I'll pick up at lunch then..."
"Okay then!" Tomoyo called after his retreating figure as he walked down the path. "Until then...Au Reviour!"
Shutting the door once he was out of sight, Tomoyo let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. Was it really a good thing that she's dating her boss? Her thoughts wandered to Eriol and Aleron. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she made her way upstairs to get ready.
'Hopefully now that I'm going to date Laer... It'll help me forget about Eriol and Aleron.'
Later On...11:58 A.M.
Once she was done getting ready, she stood infront of a full-length mirror and stared at herself. Her raven hair was braided and trailed along her back. She wore one of her own designs: a pale, violet loose v-neck shirt adnored the top while a long, jet black skirt adorned the bottom. Slits ran from her knees and to her ankles. She wore a pair of leather black high heels that she some how made to be comfortable. On her arms were a pair of black, cotton gloves to keep her warm against the Winter evening. Grabbing her long trench coat which was made of the same material and color as her gloves, she pulled it on and made her way down stairs. Laer would be coming any minute now...
As if on cue, a knock was heard at the door. Opening it, she was met by Laer's smiling face. He wore a neatly kept dark red shirt with buttons running down the middle. His tuxedo-style pants were obviously ironed and his leather trench coat held no wrinkles what-so-ever. His grin widen when seeing Tomoyo. She was absolutely breath taking in the simplest of outfits. Extending out a hand, she instantly placed her hand over his as he led her out of her house.
"So...Where shall we be going?" Tomoyo asked while looking up at him.
Smiling secretly, he opened the passenger's door so she could enter his car. "It's a surprise."
Sitting inside, she pouted at him through the window when he shut the door and jogged to the other side of the car where he climbed in to the driver's seat. "Alright then..."
Starting the engine, he glanced at her. "Trust me, you'll love it."
Meanwhile...
Eriol waited outside of the café. He leaned his back against the brick wall with his gloved hands in his pocket. He stopped by at his apartment first and put on some neatly fresh clothes before coming back to pick Zara up. Barely a minute past when the door to the building swung open. The sound of high heels exiting out reached his ears and he looked up to see Zara's sky blue eyes gleaming at him with a bright look. His own breath caught in his throat when he saw how absolutely stunning she looked. She wore a short dark blue skirt with golden trimmings. Her shirt hugged her curves and the light blue brought out her eye color the best. Her lips were a pale pink and a light blush was applied on her cheeks. On her hair were a few silver butterfly clips and on her ears dangled silver designings of flowers. Smiling when seeing his stunned look, she entertwined her arm around his.
"So, where to?"
Finally snapping out of his revine, Eriol led the way with a mysterious smile plastered on his face. "You'll see."
End of Chapter
Azure Rosas: -whistles- Welll, I guess you're all probably glad that I finally got this chapter posted, ne? ^^; Anyway, I would've posted this like on Wednesday or Thursday, but I decided that I left you guys waiting TOO long so I decided to post it NOW (11:29 P.M - November 18 or 17...not sure) Welp, there's no other comments that I'd like to make but PLEASE R+R!
Kari Y. Yokhosama
Raven
M@ve!
Silverg3r
BlueBerryAngel
Kawaiiaznangel36BR
Arigatou minna-san! And a big thank you to Kawaiiaznangel36 for reading like...practically all of my stories, including my original fic (Why Should I Care?) -hugz kawaiiaznangel36- Thanks!!!!! ^^ Welp, now lemme do the lil ol' devil known as the disclaimer and then it's onto the chapter...
*Disclaimer* I don't own Tomoyo nor Eriol, or any of the other CCS cast. I only own Pierre, Evelyn, Monsieur Drake's, Aleron..and all of the other stuff besides Paris and...stuff ^^;
(Don't Say You Love Me)
Chapter 4: Moving On?
By: Azure Rosas
Entering and closing the door behind her, Tomoyo leaned her back against the front door of her house. It was dark inside; no lights were on. Sighing, she closed her eyes and then opened them as she reached out for the switch. Flicking it on, light suddenly flooded her house with its brightness. The inside of her house wasn't much: A stair case could be seen in front of the door, running up to the second floor. To her left, the living room could be seen. Two couches were there, along with a t.v. set, a coffee table, an extra arm chair, a few magazines on the table, and a window. To her right, was the kitchen. Above the counters were cabinets and on the counters were everything that you'd find in a kitchen: a microwave, a sink, a dishwasher...etc. etc. Removing her coat, she hung it on the hanger and made her way up stairs after turning on the stair-well light.
Finally reaching the top, she opened a door by the stair case and entered the room. Turning on the light, she noted that she left the window open. A chilly breeze blew inside the room, making the curtains that draped before the window, bellow out. Rubbing her arms and shuddering a bit, she closed the window before it could get any more colder than it already was. Sitting on her bed, she let out a shaky sigh as a sad and guilty look crossed her face. The memory of her talk with Eriol before she entered the house flashed before her eyes like lightning...
Flashback
Eriol was escorting Tomoyo to her house and only silence could be heard besides the soft crunching of feet against snow. The amethyst eyed lady had her arms entertwined around the blue eyed sorcerer's right arm. She leaned her head against his shoulders, curly raven locks falling over her eyes. She smiled and sighed in a content way. Winter wind wrapped around the couple, but nothing could phase them for they felt warm just being in the other's presence. All was perfect: the stars were bright; the moon was shinning; it was just...perfect.
'Perfect...' she thought silently to herself as she secretly looked up at the magician. 'He's perfect...' Mentally kicking herself, she pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind. She told him she loved him no more, and it was the truth, right?
"Eriol-kun?" Tomoyo spoke up, a question continually nagging at her so she had to spit it out
"Hai?" he asked, looking down at her in a confused way. They came to a halt and Tomoyo avoided looking up at him.
"How come..." she began, trying to find the right words to put her question in. "How come... it took you so long to return to Japan?"
His face became distant, as if a memory was running through his mind. He snapped back to reality and fixed her with a look that clearly seaked for forgiveness. "I really am sorry, Tomoyo. I had school and during the summer, I took summer coarses to graduate early. When I had a break, I decided to come to Tomoeodo to see if you were still there. But you weren't."
"Oh," she replied simply and yet felt as if he were keeping something from her yet again. Turning around, she was about to continue their trek when he suddenly grabbed her wrist; making her stop.
"And I have a question for you," he said, his voice sounding oddly hurt and yet harsh.
Facing him, she was surprised to see hints of anger, disappointment, rejection, and saddness creep its way across his eyes. "What is it, Eriol?"
"How come you didn't wait for me?"
"N-nani?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Tomoyo!" Eriol suddenly said in a louder voice. His teeth were barred and he eyed her intently. "Why!? Why didn't you wait for me!? How come you went on and got engaged with that Aleron guy? I left thinking that you loved me! I stayed in school, hoping that you still loved me! I went through each day... fooling myself that you wouldn't go on and get some boyfriend. I rushed through school so I could come back to you." His sapphire eyes glazed over with tears of rejection and hurt that he fought to contain.
Tomoyo was at a loss for words. Never once had she thought about any of that. Why did she get engaged to Aleron when she was head over heels for Eriol!? Why!? 'No...I got over him because I never thought he'd come back to me...' she thought to herself silently. Opening her mouth, she spoke in a raspy voice, a bit harsher than she bargained for: "Eriol... I waited and waited but you never came back. I started thinking you would never return. I started to believe that you wouldn't keep your promise..."
"So you moved on," he finished for her in a statement as he closed his eyes. Parting his eye-lids, he glared at her for his first time. "You, of all people, should know that I keep my promises no matter what! I thought all you needed to know was that I loved you in order to believe in me. But I was wrong..." He shook his head and backed away from her. "I was wrong."
"Eriol! You gotta understand!" Tomoyo exclaimed in a desperate voice as she took a step towards him. "People move on!"
This time, he couldn't stop his own tears from falling. Amethyst eyes widening, she felt her heart wench wildly and painfully. Now, all she wanted to do was wipe them away and say she was sorry. Clear liquid formed in her own eyes. "I thought you loved me, Tomoyo... You said so yourself before I left." He bowed his head so his bangs fell over his eyes. "Demo...I guess your right. I guess people do move on." He looked up at her, his tears finally gone. "But my feelings for you will always be the same! Tomoyo, I -"
Covering her ears, she tightly shut her eyes and cried out, "No! Eriol! Don't say it! Please! Don't say you love me!"
Approaching her, he grabbed her wrists and lightly pried her hands from over her ears. She looked up at him and her eyes suddenly widen in surprise when she felt his lips pressed against hers in a passionate kiss. She couldn't help but think that it felt right...Withdrawing from the kiss, he looked deeply into her eyes and released his hold on her arm.
"Aisheteiru," he whispered before turning around and stalking away.
Watching after him, she held out a hand towards him and felt oddly lost and alone. And that was the last she saw of him that night...
End of Flashback
Inhaling a shaky air of breath, Tomoyo Daidouji rested her elbows on her knees and racked her pale, slender fingers through her silky, curly raven hair. Tears threatened to spill, and the only thought that kept her from feeling truly guilty was the one she was thinking at the moment:
'He has to learn to accept the fact that people move on... I'm deeply sorry for whatever pain I'm causing him... but he must learn to accept the facts.' Still, even that thought wouldn't help drive away the guilt. Those rejected, betrayed, and hurt sapphire eyes remained imprinted in her mind. No matter what she did; no matter how hard she tried... she couldn't get those eyes out of her mind. 'Damn you, Eriol! Why can't you just leave me alone!?' She shouted feriously and frustratedly in her head as she gripped her hair, furrowed her eyebrows, and tightly shut her eyes. 'Why did you have to come here to Paris?'
Forcing herself up onto her feet, she decided to take a shower in hopes to wash away all thoughts of the sapphire eyed magician that she knew she hurt deeply. Entering the bathroom (that was connected to her room) she readied the shower. Peeling her clothes off 'till she was bare, she entered the shower and was immediately met by the warm, pounding of the falling water. Closing her eyes, she exhaled and allowed the oh-so-comforting water to splatter down on her. She now felt calm, relaxed, soothed...all troubles and worries were pushed away to the back of her mind.
'Nothing like a warm, hot shower to calm a woman's thoughts,' she thought to herself.
Grabbing the shampoo, she began to wash her hair.
Later On...
Turning off the shower, she reached past the curtains and grabbed her towel that hung on the "towel-hanger." Stepping out of the tub, she rubbed her hair and body with it before wrapping it around herself. Returning back to the room, she searched through a few drawers and grabbed some fresh clothes. Dropping the towel to the ground, she pulled on her under garments, and then her lavender, silk nightgown. Turning the lights off, she climbed into her bed and the minute her head hit the pillow, she fell into a dreamless slumber.
Meanwhile...
Eriol Hirrigazawa sat slumped on his couch. He kept his face burried in his hands as his whole body trembled. Rubbing his eyes with his palms, he rested them on either side of his head as he stared down at the rug with dull sapphire eyes.
'She's probably never going to talk to me again...' he thought to himself with remorse. 'I don't blame her. I wouldn't if I were her. She's right. I need to learn to move on. I can't hold on to the past forever. Still....I love her. Maybe...' Before he could finish that sentence, he shook his head wildly. 'No. It'll never happen. There's no possible way that I could ever make her love me again. She's over me. I need to get over her. But how? I gave her my heart and I wish for her to keep it. If only she could see that she's the only one for me...' He sighed as his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. 'I shouldn't have asked her that question... Then maybe we wouldn't be in this "fight."'
Forcing himself up with a grunt, as if some weight tried to keep him from standing, he gradually made his way towards his room. Entering, he shut the door behind him and it was a wonder to him how he made it to his bed. Collapsing on the soft and bouncey mattress, he wondered why he ever left Japan... Why he left Tomoyo's side... Why he ever returned back to England. I guess you can say that he was to young back then to realize that his only true home would be wherever the beautiful amethyst eyed woman was at. His heart ached tremendously. What was he going to do now? He felt as if he couldn't go on without her. When she told him she loved him... he felt light weighted...he felt like he had wings... he felt...loved. But when he came to Paris, only to find out she loved him no more, it was then and there his world came to a complete halt. Everything in him shattered. It seemed like a great weight was put upon his shoulders. No more did he feel "light weighted." No more did he feel as if he had wings. And no more did he feel loved. That woman was the only one he would ever love. So how was he ever going to move on?
Furrowing his eye brows and shutting his eyes, he decided to think things over tomorrow. Right now, he felt tired and exhausted and all he wanted to do was sleep. And sleep is what he did as darkness slowly took over his vision.
Next Day
The sun's first rays of sunlight penetrated through the window, flooding his room with the morning's light. Furrowing his eye brows, he groaned as he rolled over in bed and burried his face in the pillow to block off the blinding brightness that made his eyes hurt even though they were hidden by his eye lids. He could hear birds chirping their song and he brought the sides of the pillow over his ears in hopes to block it off... but that didn't work. The flying creatures continued on with their, as Eriol thought of it, annoying squawks. Moaning loudly, he removed his face from the fluffy pillow and glared out at his window and at the blue jays that sat perched on a near by tree.
"Alright. Alright! I'm up! I'm up!" he exclaimed in exaggerration as he pushed himself off of the bed and made his way out of the room. He grumbled to himself in a dark manner, feeling the least bit happy and a lot more grumpy. "Sheesh... Can't a man get any sleep around here?" Looking down at his clothes, he wore the sames ones from yesterday. They were wrinkled and tattered. He obviously fell asleep before he even changed.
Entering the kitchen, he poured himself some cereal along with milk. Slumping onto a chair, he began to eat in a grouchy manner. The sun shown through yet another window. A few dark, grey clouds loomed around the sun and he took note that the clouds would fully cover the great ball of fire before lunch time. Once he finished his breakfast, he put the bowl in the sink before rinsing it with water. It was then he remembered last night's events. Pushing them to the far back of his mind, he put his mission before any other thoughts. It was time he got serious with it and started looking for proof. Once he got all the evidence he needed, Aleron would face his downfall. Eriol chuckled dryly to himself as a dark, mischevious look and smirk came upon his face.
"Soon... Aleron... I will prove you guilty!" He sniffed at himself and made an odd face. "That is... after I'm done taking a shower."
43 Minutes Later: 10:56 A.M.
Locking his apartment door, Eriol Hirrigazawa descended down the cement stairs while pocketing his keys. Rubbing his gloved hands together, he brought his brown trench coat more tighter around him. It was another chilly, Winter day at Paris, France. Standing on the sidewalk before the building of apartments behind him, his face held a look of concentration as he looked to his left and then to his right. He summoned his powers for the third time. The first being the time when he used a shield to protect him from Aleron's bullet; The second being when he healed Tomoyo's wounds; and the third being now as he tried to search for Aleron Thorn's presence. Once he located his position, he ignored the sudden, yet slight, fatigue and weariness that enveloped him. He then walked swiftly to his right, towards where most of the shops and what-not were.
Once he arrived, he walked through the busy, crowded streets. People strolled by him, some "accidently" bumping their shoulders against him as everyone fought to get through. Cars past by and on the other side of the street, more people could be seen...walking and observing the stores they passed by. Eriol kept his eyes open for any signs of Aleron. It was already 11:18 when he finally found the man he despised the most, on the opposite side of the street. He seemed to be in a hurry as he sent glances to either side of him. Making sure that no one was looking, he ducked behind a near by tree and started to climb so he was at a high branch; making him able to see over the swarm of people; and so the leaves and branches hid him from view. Digging into his pockets, he pulled out a camera. Focusing the lens on Aleron, he took two snaps of him before once again watching him intently. He saw him come to a stop infront of a man wearing a long, leather black trench coat. He also wore a pair of black sunglasses and all that could be destinguished of this person were his neatly kept bark, red hair.
Lifting up the camera, he began to take pictures of the two's exchange. The unknown person held out a substance. Focusing the lens so he got a closer look at it, his eyes widen in surprise when he noticed what it was. They were swapping drugs for money! Eriol took a snap of the drug, which was weed and plenty of other dope. Then he took a few more shots as Aleron, in exchange, gave the man some money. After that, Eriol took a full picture of them and once Aleron and the man parted, the sorcerer couldn't help but allow a smirk to cross his face. Confidence and triumph welled in him. Now... all he had to do was develop the film and he'd have some of the proof he needed. But he knew it wasn't going to be enough to prove Aleron guilty for other crimes he commited.
'Well...at least I'm gettin' somewhere,' he said in his mind as he climbed down the tree.
Deciding to buy a drink, he went to the café that Tomoyo brought him to yesterday. Entering the building, he took a seat at the same table they sat at the last time they were there. Why was he sitting at the same table? Well....that's simply because all of the other tables were taken. Once he heard footsteps approach where he sat, he looked up to see the same waitress that served them last time. Remember, the one with long, dark brown hair and sky blue eyes? The one that Tomoyo simply hates with all of her guts? Well, that's her! Her eyes darted to the empty seat and a smirk crossed her face when she saw that the raven haired girl wasn't there. She turned her attention back to Eriol and grinned sweetly down at him.
"What would it be for you today, Monsieur?" she asked in a smooth and silky voice.
"I'd like a cup of coffee, please," Eriol replied, sending her a grin in return. "Make it dark coffee."
"Alright, one dark coffee comin' up!" she chirpped as she walked away to retrieve his order.
He watched after her and then looked down at his clenched fist that rested on the table. All thoughts were on Tomoyo. Maybe there was no more hope for them. Maybe they were never meant to be. And maybe.... he should just move on. Sighing, he decided that moving on was the only thing he could possibley do. But like he asked himself last night: How?
"Your order, Monsieur."
Looking up, he was met by the waitress' sky blue eyes. She flashed him a smile as she set his drink before him. "Is there anything else I could do for you?"
The answer hit him then and there like a ton of bricks. If he was going to move on... He might as well start dating, right? Smiling that charming smile of his that made any girl swoon, he said, "Yes, actually there is something else that you could do."
She blinked and sent him a confused look. "Oh? And what would that be?"
"Accepting my offer to take you out to lunch," Eriol proposed. "That is.... if you're free."
Smiling broadly and sweetly, she brought a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm free. And it'll be an honor to go out with you, Monsieur."
"Oh please, Mademoiselle, call me Eriol."
"And please, Monsieur Eriol, call me Zara."
Nodding, Eriol's grin widen. "So, I'll pick you up from here at lunch, alright?"
Her head bobbed up and down in response. Turning around, before she left, she said to him from over her shoulder, "I can't wait."
Leaning back in his chair, Eriol took a sip from his drink. He stared at the ceiling and wondered if he did the right thing by asking a complete stranger out to lunch.
Earlier...10:59 A.M.
The sound of a fist racking at her door roused her from her deep sleep. Groaning loudly, she reluctantly opened her eyes and got out of bed. Before exiting her room, she glanced at her clock to see that it was a minute before eleven. Grumbling incoherent words as she made her way downstairs, she reached for the knob and another knock on the door reached her ears.
"Don't you know how to wait!?" Tomoyo snapped once she opened the door. Then her eyes went wide when she realized who it was she just snapped at. It was her boss for her clothes designing job. He was a year or two older than her with spiky orange-red hair. He stared at her with amused, twinkling golden-yellow eyes. A smirk tugged at his lips as he crossed his arms and raised an eye brow at her.
"I can see that this is a...er..." He eyed the nightgown she wore and looked back up at her, "bad time."
Blushing in embarrassment at being caught wearing her night wear infront of her boss, she bowed her head and stepped to the side to allow him to enter. "No, no! This isn't a bad time. Please. Do come in."
Chuckling and shaking his head, he took her offer and stepped into the cozy house. Shutting the door, Tomoyo sent him a quizzical look. "What made you come here, Monsieur Laer?"
"I just wanted to see if you were alright. When you didn't come to work yesterday, I thought you would call in saying you were sick or somethin'...but you never called. So..." A light red hue crossed his cheeks, which went un-noticed by Tomoyo. "I was worried about you."
Flashing him a grateful smile, Tomoyo couldn't help but blush herself. "Why, that's very sweet of you. I'm glad you cared. But don't worry, I'm just peachy."
"Then how come you weren't at work yesterday?" he questioned, not really believing that she was alright.
"A good friend came to town so I picked him up from the air port and spent the day showing him around Paris. I guess I lost track of the time and I completely forgot to call you," she lied, though it was partially true because she considered Eriol a "good friend" and he did come to town.... and she did show him around and all...so she wasn't really lying.
Laer had to turn his head away to hide his narrowed eyes when she said "he." Mentally kicking himself, he reminded himself that she said he is just a good friend. Looking back at her, he forced a grin. "Oh. I understand."
"Does this mean I have to go to work today?" Tomoyo asked with a playful dull tone.
He made it look as if he were pondering over her question. Then he eyed her through half opened eye lids and placed his arms behind his back. "You can go back to work..." Her face fell, and he immediately added, "that is... if you're busy today...Then maybe we can...go out for lunch, or somethin'." He was blushing like crazy by now. After the years that she's been there and all the time she's worked for him, I guess you can say that he was developing a "thing" for the beautiful amethyst eyed woman.
Trying to hide a grin from crossing her face, Tomoyo eyed him in return, though her cheeks were a flamming red. "Oh? Is Monsieur Laer asking ME on a date?"
"Why of course, Mademoiselle Coretta," Laer replied in a rich-like tone.
"Well then, it would be just wonderful to go on a date with you," Tomoyo answered as a wide grin brightened her face.
He seemed a bit taken aback by her response. Truth is, he thought that she would turn him down. Staring at her dumbfounded, he tried to regain over the shock of her ACTUALLY accepting his proposal. "Okay then..." he trailed off as he made his way towards the door, feeling and looking dumb at the moment. "I guess...I'll pick up at lunch then..."
"Okay then!" Tomoyo called after his retreating figure as he walked down the path. "Until then...Au Reviour!"
Shutting the door once he was out of sight, Tomoyo let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. Was it really a good thing that she's dating her boss? Her thoughts wandered to Eriol and Aleron. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she made her way upstairs to get ready.
'Hopefully now that I'm going to date Laer... It'll help me forget about Eriol and Aleron.'
Later On...11:58 A.M.
Once she was done getting ready, she stood infront of a full-length mirror and stared at herself. Her raven hair was braided and trailed along her back. She wore one of her own designs: a pale, violet loose v-neck shirt adnored the top while a long, jet black skirt adorned the bottom. Slits ran from her knees and to her ankles. She wore a pair of leather black high heels that she some how made to be comfortable. On her arms were a pair of black, cotton gloves to keep her warm against the Winter evening. Grabbing her long trench coat which was made of the same material and color as her gloves, she pulled it on and made her way down stairs. Laer would be coming any minute now...
As if on cue, a knock was heard at the door. Opening it, she was met by Laer's smiling face. He wore a neatly kept dark red shirt with buttons running down the middle. His tuxedo-style pants were obviously ironed and his leather trench coat held no wrinkles what-so-ever. His grin widen when seeing Tomoyo. She was absolutely breath taking in the simplest of outfits. Extending out a hand, she instantly placed her hand over his as he led her out of her house.
"So...Where shall we be going?" Tomoyo asked while looking up at him.
Smiling secretly, he opened the passenger's door so she could enter his car. "It's a surprise."
Sitting inside, she pouted at him through the window when he shut the door and jogged to the other side of the car where he climbed in to the driver's seat. "Alright then..."
Starting the engine, he glanced at her. "Trust me, you'll love it."
Meanwhile...
Eriol waited outside of the café. He leaned his back against the brick wall with his gloved hands in his pocket. He stopped by at his apartment first and put on some neatly fresh clothes before coming back to pick Zara up. Barely a minute past when the door to the building swung open. The sound of high heels exiting out reached his ears and he looked up to see Zara's sky blue eyes gleaming at him with a bright look. His own breath caught in his throat when he saw how absolutely stunning she looked. She wore a short dark blue skirt with golden trimmings. Her shirt hugged her curves and the light blue brought out her eye color the best. Her lips were a pale pink and a light blush was applied on her cheeks. On her hair were a few silver butterfly clips and on her ears dangled silver designings of flowers. Smiling when seeing his stunned look, she entertwined her arm around his.
"So, where to?"
Finally snapping out of his revine, Eriol led the way with a mysterious smile plastered on his face. "You'll see."
End of Chapter
Azure Rosas: -whistles- Welll, I guess you're all probably glad that I finally got this chapter posted, ne? ^^; Anyway, I would've posted this like on Wednesday or Thursday, but I decided that I left you guys waiting TOO long so I decided to post it NOW (11:29 P.M - November 18 or 17...not sure) Welp, there's no other comments that I'd like to make but PLEASE R+R!