Farsighted
By SibylSofiana
Chapter Eight
Tell Me What The Future Holds
~o~o~o~o~o~
Tomoyo couldn't help herself. Since she'd arrived in London, she felt she was living outside her skin for the first time, finally finding out that her world was larger than Sakura-chan. She had lived for Sakura-chan.
Now she was living for herself. It had started gradually. First, the letters, then the phone calls. And now he had done it by just talking to her and by listening. The nights they sat in the library just talking made her realize that if she wanted something from life, she should not just sit back and wait for crumbs...from her mother, from Sakura...
She felt exhilarated at the flash of independence. This was the first time she'd been away from home for so long, and it had been a bit awkward and difficult in the beginning.
But she was here because Eriol had needed HER.
In the end, she had needed HIM just as much as he needed her -- to finally open her eyes, to become real, to not just be a shadow of somebody else. That was all that mattered. She tried to push away other feelings that tried to intrude on her consciousness. *No, no. Musn't think...*
As she was sewing her dress for Terrin-san's party, she occasionally gazed at Eriol's bent head. Some feelings could not help but escape her less-vigilant-than-usual restraint.
*How I wish I could make him truly happy!*
~o~o~o~o~
She soon found herself making excuses to use the phone in the library. She could feel Eriol's gaze following her out of the kitchen, but she pretended not to notice. She had felt the need to talk to someone, and just grabbed the excuse of needing to talk to her Okaa-san.
But who she really wanted to talk to was Sakura.
@@@@@
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong.
Kinomoto Sakura was busy giving her sternest lecture to two of her favorite men in the world.
Li Syaoran groaned, massaging his head. "Sakura, that hurt!"
"Hey, Gaki, speak for yourself." Nevertheless, Touya winced as he gingerly felt the side of his head where Sakura had brained him with her Star Staff. "Was that really necessary, Kaijuu?' he asked his sister, who stood glaring at them, arms crossed cradling the staff.
"In your case, yes! You've been here together - what - three years, and you still can't get along?!?" Sakura huffed. "And you!" pointing her staff at Syaoran, who immediately froze. "I thought better of you!"
After a few more scathing remarks, Sakura finally ran out of wind. With a disgusted sniff, she turned on her heel. Men! Sakura grumbled as she marched out of the courtyard and headed for the house to cool off.
Her third favorite guy (exempt from her ire on ANY day) met her at the door.
"You have a call in the library, Sakura-chan. It's Tomoyo-san, calling from England."
She gave her friend a quick smile. "Arigatou, Yukito-san."
Yukito whispered something to her, and Sakura left, grinning. She was still thinking about what Yukito said when she answered the phone.
"Moshi-moshi. Tomoyo-chan?"
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's voice sounded so far away, and Sakura suddenly missed her friend.
"I really miss you, Tomoyo-chan! Wish you were here - sometimes Syaoran and Oniichan can be so annoying! Even Kero-chan! Good thing Meiling is here to keep me company or I'll go crazy with all these boys!" Sakura sounded so vexed that Tomoyo could only giggle at the other end of the line. "So how's Nakuru and Spinel-san?" Sakura soon asked.
"Oh, they're both fine. They've been so nice to me and they're fun to be around. Since I can't shoot your video, I've been busy shooting them. I'll show you the tape once you get back. They're better than Kero-chan and Yue-san."
"Don't let Kero-chan hear you!" Sakura laughed. "He'll be so jealous. How about Eriol-kun?" Silence at the other end of the line. "Tomoyo? Are you there?"
"Hai." Sakura could barely hear her reply. "H-he's feeling better now."
"I'm glad. I really got worried when you called last week, but I'm glad you're there to help him out. Syaoran told me you'd take care of things, and he was right, as usual. He said Eriol-kun wouldn't have wanted all of us to worry. So when are you coming home?" she asked.
"I don't know yet. Sakura-chan... " Tomoyo's voice was hesitant. "E-Eriol and Mizuki-sensei have broken up..."
"I thought as much." With that statement, she could almost see Tomoyo's incredulous face at the other end.
"You knew?"
Sakura twirled the phone cord with a finger. "Not really. I was having these dreams, but I couldn't really understand them. It just somehow seemed right that you're there. I'm still not good at the interpretation thing. But I didn't want to ask Kero-chan about it." She paused. "Is Eriol-kun okay?"
"Yes, I think he's doing fine..."
Sakura almost felt pity for her friend. Her voice sounded lost and confused, and Sakura couldn't blame her.
"How about you, Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked gently.
"W-what do you mean, Sakura-chan?"
She was still gentle but minced no words. "You like Eriol-kun, don't you?"
"Of c-course I do. He's our friend." A nervous laugh.
Sakura sighed. "We've been friends for years, Tomoyo-chan. I may have been dense at times, but never about you..." She could almost hear Tomoyo's dismay.
"You knew...?"
"Well, it took me a while, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I'm sorry I couldn't give back what you needed, Tomoyo-chan." Silence. "I've always felt guilty about that..."
"Don't be, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's voice surprisingly strong and adamant. "Syaoran truly loves and deserves you and he's my friend as well! I was happy because you were happy!"
"And your happiness is also my happiness, Tomoyo-chan. But I just want you to be happy for yourself. Don't be afraid to seek your own happiness, Tomoyo-chan..."
"B-but I don't like Eriol that way, Sakura-chan..." But Sakura knew Tomoyo was faltering. Tomoyo hadn't even noticed that she had used Eriol's first name, but Sakura did. Sakura knew Tomoyo had still called him Hiiragizawa-san before now, and her ease and familiarity with the use of his first name was quite obvious. *Oh, Tomoyo-chan!*
She tried to reassure her friend. "I understand what you're feeling, Tomoyo-chan. Eriol-kun might not be ready for another relationship, but he does need you right now. Remember that day by the moon pool?"
"Yes, but you wouldn't tell me my future."
"When the people I love are concerned, my fortune-telling is not as clear..." She paused. "I couldn't see your future exactly. But the fact that you're there, with Eriol-kun... I know that it's what's supposed to happen. Don't worry, Tomoyo. Everything will turn out all right..."
Sakura could only hold the Hope Card close to her chest and truly hope for the best.
@@@@@
When Tomoyo put down the phone a while later, she was trembling. Sakura-chan had told her to seek her own happiness... but she was afraid. It was too soon. Too soon for Eriol. Too soon for her.
She soon calmed down and made her decision.
Never mind what Sakura-chan said. She was getting far too attached to Eriol.
It was time she thought about going home.
@@@@@
"Eriol, mate! I almost thought you wouldn't make it!" A slight wince. "Ah, hello, Miss Nakuru," as Charles' hand was pumped vigorously. "So glad you could make it..." a quick glare at Eriol's way, who greeted him a happy birthday (gasps from the rest of the party --"Eriol-san, you didn't tell me it was Terrin-san's birthday!" and "Eriol-sama, you're so MEAN!), Charles immediately focusing on the girl behind Eriol.
"Ye Gods! Your presence overwhelms me, Miss Tomoyo!" Charles made an exaggerated bow, and kissed Tomoyo's hand with flourish, to which Tomoyo responded with a shy smile.
Charles was harmless, Eriol knew, but he still couldn't help it.
"She's with me, Charles," he said firmly before pulling a bemused Tomoyo to his side.
"Ah, certainly, certainly." Charles gave him a knowing look. *First Spinel and Nakuru. Now it's Charles. They keep giving me that look. Do they know something I don't?* Also, there was something about Charles... buy he couldn't quite put a finger on it. Before Eriol could come up with a suitable retort, Charles returned his attention back to Tomoyo.
"Care to save the first dance for me, Miss Tomoyo... as your charming host and birthday boy?" he smiled irresistibly, and Tomoyo smilingly assented. "Ah, of course, a dance with you Miss Nakuru..." he said, before he turned to greet the other guests coming in.
"Charles loves parties, although I think he hates celebrating his own birthday. He doesn't even need an excuse, he just gathers us together for one reason or another." Eriol explained on the way to the reception area, only pausing to hand Nakuru's and Tomoyo's wraps to a waiting servant. "Most of my schoolmates will be here with their dates."
"Ah, so this is a date then, Eriol-san?" Tomoyo teased. Eriol only turned to give her a serious look before replying, "In all probability, Tomoyo-san."
After that statement, Tomoyo didn't say a word.
~o~o~o~o~
While Tomoyo was being passed around from one escort to another, Eriol found himself by the balcony adjoining the ballroom, breathing in the fresh air, where he found Spinel Sun keeping watch. He followed the cat's line of sight and found it curious that Spinel would be keeping an eye on Tomoyo.
When he looked at her, he smiled. She was so graceful! With her dark hair and creamy complexion, she stood out against all the pale and cold beauties his mates had brought along. All the other girls towered over her by a good five inches but she seemed more - ethereal. Like she wasn't real. But he knew she was.
"You seem different, Master."
"Hmmm?" He was busy watching her glide along the dance floor.
"You seem happier these days." Spinel quietly observed before saying gravely, "I am only concerned that you get too caught up in these changes that you fail to see what is causing them."
Eriol gave the Sun Guardian his full attention. "The cause? For my happiness?"
"I grew up the past two weeks, Spinel. I am alive, I'm no longer a reincarnation, but a man in my own right. I have learned that I am responsible for my own happiness. That I am human, and I can be weak without being overcome by powerlessness." He paused before continuing, "That I can be truly happy if I wish it."
"What you have said is true enough," Spinel replied then shook his head. "But sometimes, Eriol-sama you think too much. What you have told me is the effect of a certain gentle application - you have missed the cause of your current understanding of yourself and your nature."
"Spinel, you just love being obscure. Aren't these reasons enough? What else is there to see?" Tomoyo came into his line of vision once again, this time whirling with Charles in time to a spirited beat.
"Sometimes, some things are better understood when seen from another perspective." Spinel cryptically replied. He leapt down from the balcony railing before he looked back at Eriol.
"Do not look too far for answers, Master. The simplest one is usually right in front of you," came Spinel's parting advice.
Eriol knew better than to ignore Spinel' s musings. His guardian was usually vague, yes, but Spinel could be perceptive when he wanted to be.
*What was Spinel talking about? * Resolved to give Tomoyo only good memories of her summer in London, he went back in and strode purposefully towards her to claim a dance.
~o~o~o~o~
"So, what's between you and Eriol, dear sweet Tomoyo?" As she lifted her face in surprise, Charles chuckled. "You have been paying no attention to me whatsoever, and you are lost in your deep, bittersweet thoughts."
Tomoyo immediately felt regret. "I am sorry for being rude, Terrin-san..." she began, but he grinned and brushed off her apologies.
"Charles. And it's obvious you like him. And Eriol is a trifle too possessive of you. See, now he's coming this way... oops, don't move away, pet. What seems to be the matter?"
His voice was so reassuring that Tomoyo was compelled to answer. "Y-yes, I have grown to like him. But, it's just too soon... and I'm going home tomorrow."
"Running away?" He was guiding her away from Eriol, and Tomoyo didn't mind.
"No. Yes. I don't know." Charles only smiled.
"Ah, a clear mind is all you need. Maybe the time away will do the trick. Or with just a little bit of help..." a quick grin, then Charles sobered.
"Running away will not solve anything, but TAKING a little bit of time to get to where you'll eventually end up isn't such a bad idea either. And believe me," he told her confidingly. "I have a feeling for things. It's going to be all right in the end with you and Eriol. Okay?"
He looked like an elderly uncle at that point that Tomoyo could only giggle and nod, her tension falling away. "Now why don't you give your elderly Uncle a kiss for his good advice and sound judgment?" his eyes twinkling, guessing her thoughts, and she laughed.
"All right, Uncle Charles." At that moment, Tomoyo felt quite bold, and she seized the lapels of his jacket and gave him a quick kiss, but intentionally missed his mouth. She did not hear the quick intake of breath behind her.
"Ah, Eriol. Come to claim her?" Charles spoke to Eriol, who had suddenly come up behind her.
"Yes." It sounded like a declaration that Tomoyo shivered. Eriol gave a small bow. "May I have this dance, Tomoyo-san?"
~o~o~o~o~
Neither noticed that Charles was muttering something under his breath as he watched them move away. Eriol even failed to see the quick flare of Charles' aura as he turned away to lead Tomoyo to the dance floor.
But Nakuru/Ruby Moon did. Before she could do anything drastic, Charles had suddenly turned to her and gave her a quick grin.
"You owe me a dance, butterfly girl."
Speechless and helpless to do anything in her false form, Nakuru allowed Charles to lead her slightly away from the now dancing pair. She glanced frantically at Spinel, who was now standing guard by the draperies.
Spinel only shook his head.
*At ease, Ruby Moon. He means well.*
~o~o~o~o~
"Your classmates are so KAWAII, master!!! Why couldn't I go to your school?" Nakuru pouted behind the wheel. She had already forgotten about the incident earlier.
Spinel snorted. "Why do you think they study there?"
"Hhmph. An all-boys school is soooo boring without girls."
"Duh. That's why it's called an all-boys school, moron." Spinel retorted. The two guardians started to bicker.
With the racket the two were making, nobody noticed that both Eriol and Tomoyo were quiet on the way home. Neither seemed in the mood to talk.
Despite her serene expression, Tomoyo's mind was in turmoil. She had made her decision. But why did it make her feel so .....?
*Staying is not an option. I cannot stay....* She looked out of the windows, her mind somewhere else.
Beside her, Eriol was silently making an almost desperate resolution. Suddenly, everything he had been wondering about the past two weeks was made clear. He suddenly had all the answers. He wondered where it came from...
He did know one thing, though. He turned his face and watched Tomoyo looking out the car window, unseeing.
He couldn't let her go.
~o~o~o~o~
He could hear her behind him, her dainty feet making no noise on the lush grass of summer.
"You can't do that, Eriol-san." Her voice was slightly angry. "You can't compel people to come when you call with magic. I thought better of you."
He was standing by the willow tree, hands at his sides. He was still wearing his tuxedo, although he had taken off the jacket. Now he turned to face her, white shirt unbuttoned at the neck, his eyes a deep unfathomable shade of blue. Tomoyo lowered her eyes.
"I need to pack, Eriol-san," she said softly.
"Don't go." He took her face in his hands and raised it so he could see her eyes. "Don't go," he repeated, before bending down and taking her sweet lips with his. Tomoyo lifted her hands toward the hands holding her face, as if to force him to break away his contact.
But she couldn't. She was drowning in his kiss. He was gentle yet insistent, claiming her lips for his own. In light of her newly discovered feelings, she could do no less.
So she kissed him back. When Eriol felt her lips respond, he could hardly hold back a groan, and he wound his hand in her beautiful hair, holding her head, not wanting to let her go. They stood in the moonlight, arms around each other, celebrating their newly discovered feelings.
After a while, Eriol soon pulled back and gazed into her bemused eyes. His thumb gently rubbed against her cheek. "Everything's so clear to me right now, Tomoyo. All this time... you were right under my nose all this time. Spinel was right, the answer was right in front of me."
But Tomoyo was already shaking her head, trying to move away. "No, Eriol. This shouldn't be happening... we aren't thinking straight." But he held her tight.
"I'm thinking straight for the first time in four years!" At his vehement tone, Tomoyo was shocked into silence. "I was holding on to a relationship that wasn't even mine. It was Kaho's dream, and it only fitted perfectly with Clow Reed's plans. But I am not Clow Reed anymore. I am only Eriol Hiiragizawa..."
"Never say "only". You are who you are!" Tomoyo whispered. Then she got back into her main argument. "Eriol, you are only on the rebound... I understand that I'm right under your nose and therefore the first girl to latch your affections on to..."
"Don't say that, Tomoyo! It's a lie!"
"But how can you know for sure, Eriol? I care deeply for you, but everything has been happening so fast that I don't know where I stand with you, or what that means to me. It's too soon, can't you see? I have to go away -"
"No!" Eriol soon lowered his voice. "Tomoyo, stay. I beg you. We'll figure this out. I'll -"
"I can't, Eriol." Tomoyo soon raised tear-bright eyes to his. "Please don't beg me to stay. I need to think. And you need to think... goodbye, Eriol!" With that, she quickly turned away and ran towards the Manor, leaving Eriol behind, staring at her.
Her sayonara sounded so final.
@@@@@
Authors' Notes:
So, tell US what the future holds for our favorite hero and heroine! One more chapter to go folks! Thanks go to Candyland, Bishounenz Angel, Dana Daidouji (glad you loved it, we did too), flitter bug (so we updated. How about you? lol), June6 (well, Tomoyo does have a certain magic of her own), PLum BLoSsOm (Suppi-chan rules!), crystal wolf=P, not applicable (your very short but to-the-point reviews make us happy, strangely enough! SUGOI!), and Aurora Starcrystal (thanks for the pep talk!) for reviewing the "Dream" chapter. Yes, it was so KAWAII!
Curious about Charles? We'll put in a teaser story (by LunaMagic) about him next week.
By SibylSofiana
Chapter Eight
Tell Me What The Future Holds
~o~o~o~o~o~
Tomoyo couldn't help herself. Since she'd arrived in London, she felt she was living outside her skin for the first time, finally finding out that her world was larger than Sakura-chan. She had lived for Sakura-chan.
Now she was living for herself. It had started gradually. First, the letters, then the phone calls. And now he had done it by just talking to her and by listening. The nights they sat in the library just talking made her realize that if she wanted something from life, she should not just sit back and wait for crumbs...from her mother, from Sakura...
She felt exhilarated at the flash of independence. This was the first time she'd been away from home for so long, and it had been a bit awkward and difficult in the beginning.
But she was here because Eriol had needed HER.
In the end, she had needed HIM just as much as he needed her -- to finally open her eyes, to become real, to not just be a shadow of somebody else. That was all that mattered. She tried to push away other feelings that tried to intrude on her consciousness. *No, no. Musn't think...*
As she was sewing her dress for Terrin-san's party, she occasionally gazed at Eriol's bent head. Some feelings could not help but escape her less-vigilant-than-usual restraint.
*How I wish I could make him truly happy!*
~o~o~o~o~
She soon found herself making excuses to use the phone in the library. She could feel Eriol's gaze following her out of the kitchen, but she pretended not to notice. She had felt the need to talk to someone, and just grabbed the excuse of needing to talk to her Okaa-san.
But who she really wanted to talk to was Sakura.
@@@@@
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong.
Kinomoto Sakura was busy giving her sternest lecture to two of her favorite men in the world.
Li Syaoran groaned, massaging his head. "Sakura, that hurt!"
"Hey, Gaki, speak for yourself." Nevertheless, Touya winced as he gingerly felt the side of his head where Sakura had brained him with her Star Staff. "Was that really necessary, Kaijuu?' he asked his sister, who stood glaring at them, arms crossed cradling the staff.
"In your case, yes! You've been here together - what - three years, and you still can't get along?!?" Sakura huffed. "And you!" pointing her staff at Syaoran, who immediately froze. "I thought better of you!"
After a few more scathing remarks, Sakura finally ran out of wind. With a disgusted sniff, she turned on her heel. Men! Sakura grumbled as she marched out of the courtyard and headed for the house to cool off.
Her third favorite guy (exempt from her ire on ANY day) met her at the door.
"You have a call in the library, Sakura-chan. It's Tomoyo-san, calling from England."
She gave her friend a quick smile. "Arigatou, Yukito-san."
Yukito whispered something to her, and Sakura left, grinning. She was still thinking about what Yukito said when she answered the phone.
"Moshi-moshi. Tomoyo-chan?"
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's voice sounded so far away, and Sakura suddenly missed her friend.
"I really miss you, Tomoyo-chan! Wish you were here - sometimes Syaoran and Oniichan can be so annoying! Even Kero-chan! Good thing Meiling is here to keep me company or I'll go crazy with all these boys!" Sakura sounded so vexed that Tomoyo could only giggle at the other end of the line. "So how's Nakuru and Spinel-san?" Sakura soon asked.
"Oh, they're both fine. They've been so nice to me and they're fun to be around. Since I can't shoot your video, I've been busy shooting them. I'll show you the tape once you get back. They're better than Kero-chan and Yue-san."
"Don't let Kero-chan hear you!" Sakura laughed. "He'll be so jealous. How about Eriol-kun?" Silence at the other end of the line. "Tomoyo? Are you there?"
"Hai." Sakura could barely hear her reply. "H-he's feeling better now."
"I'm glad. I really got worried when you called last week, but I'm glad you're there to help him out. Syaoran told me you'd take care of things, and he was right, as usual. He said Eriol-kun wouldn't have wanted all of us to worry. So when are you coming home?" she asked.
"I don't know yet. Sakura-chan... " Tomoyo's voice was hesitant. "E-Eriol and Mizuki-sensei have broken up..."
"I thought as much." With that statement, she could almost see Tomoyo's incredulous face at the other end.
"You knew?"
Sakura twirled the phone cord with a finger. "Not really. I was having these dreams, but I couldn't really understand them. It just somehow seemed right that you're there. I'm still not good at the interpretation thing. But I didn't want to ask Kero-chan about it." She paused. "Is Eriol-kun okay?"
"Yes, I think he's doing fine..."
Sakura almost felt pity for her friend. Her voice sounded lost and confused, and Sakura couldn't blame her.
"How about you, Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked gently.
"W-what do you mean, Sakura-chan?"
She was still gentle but minced no words. "You like Eriol-kun, don't you?"
"Of c-course I do. He's our friend." A nervous laugh.
Sakura sighed. "We've been friends for years, Tomoyo-chan. I may have been dense at times, but never about you..." She could almost hear Tomoyo's dismay.
"You knew...?"
"Well, it took me a while, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I'm sorry I couldn't give back what you needed, Tomoyo-chan." Silence. "I've always felt guilty about that..."
"Don't be, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's voice surprisingly strong and adamant. "Syaoran truly loves and deserves you and he's my friend as well! I was happy because you were happy!"
"And your happiness is also my happiness, Tomoyo-chan. But I just want you to be happy for yourself. Don't be afraid to seek your own happiness, Tomoyo-chan..."
"B-but I don't like Eriol that way, Sakura-chan..." But Sakura knew Tomoyo was faltering. Tomoyo hadn't even noticed that she had used Eriol's first name, but Sakura did. Sakura knew Tomoyo had still called him Hiiragizawa-san before now, and her ease and familiarity with the use of his first name was quite obvious. *Oh, Tomoyo-chan!*
She tried to reassure her friend. "I understand what you're feeling, Tomoyo-chan. Eriol-kun might not be ready for another relationship, but he does need you right now. Remember that day by the moon pool?"
"Yes, but you wouldn't tell me my future."
"When the people I love are concerned, my fortune-telling is not as clear..." She paused. "I couldn't see your future exactly. But the fact that you're there, with Eriol-kun... I know that it's what's supposed to happen. Don't worry, Tomoyo. Everything will turn out all right..."
Sakura could only hold the Hope Card close to her chest and truly hope for the best.
@@@@@
When Tomoyo put down the phone a while later, she was trembling. Sakura-chan had told her to seek her own happiness... but she was afraid. It was too soon. Too soon for Eriol. Too soon for her.
She soon calmed down and made her decision.
Never mind what Sakura-chan said. She was getting far too attached to Eriol.
It was time she thought about going home.
@@@@@
"Eriol, mate! I almost thought you wouldn't make it!" A slight wince. "Ah, hello, Miss Nakuru," as Charles' hand was pumped vigorously. "So glad you could make it..." a quick glare at Eriol's way, who greeted him a happy birthday (gasps from the rest of the party --"Eriol-san, you didn't tell me it was Terrin-san's birthday!" and "Eriol-sama, you're so MEAN!), Charles immediately focusing on the girl behind Eriol.
"Ye Gods! Your presence overwhelms me, Miss Tomoyo!" Charles made an exaggerated bow, and kissed Tomoyo's hand with flourish, to which Tomoyo responded with a shy smile.
Charles was harmless, Eriol knew, but he still couldn't help it.
"She's with me, Charles," he said firmly before pulling a bemused Tomoyo to his side.
"Ah, certainly, certainly." Charles gave him a knowing look. *First Spinel and Nakuru. Now it's Charles. They keep giving me that look. Do they know something I don't?* Also, there was something about Charles... buy he couldn't quite put a finger on it. Before Eriol could come up with a suitable retort, Charles returned his attention back to Tomoyo.
"Care to save the first dance for me, Miss Tomoyo... as your charming host and birthday boy?" he smiled irresistibly, and Tomoyo smilingly assented. "Ah, of course, a dance with you Miss Nakuru..." he said, before he turned to greet the other guests coming in.
"Charles loves parties, although I think he hates celebrating his own birthday. He doesn't even need an excuse, he just gathers us together for one reason or another." Eriol explained on the way to the reception area, only pausing to hand Nakuru's and Tomoyo's wraps to a waiting servant. "Most of my schoolmates will be here with their dates."
"Ah, so this is a date then, Eriol-san?" Tomoyo teased. Eriol only turned to give her a serious look before replying, "In all probability, Tomoyo-san."
After that statement, Tomoyo didn't say a word.
~o~o~o~o~
While Tomoyo was being passed around from one escort to another, Eriol found himself by the balcony adjoining the ballroom, breathing in the fresh air, where he found Spinel Sun keeping watch. He followed the cat's line of sight and found it curious that Spinel would be keeping an eye on Tomoyo.
When he looked at her, he smiled. She was so graceful! With her dark hair and creamy complexion, she stood out against all the pale and cold beauties his mates had brought along. All the other girls towered over her by a good five inches but she seemed more - ethereal. Like she wasn't real. But he knew she was.
"You seem different, Master."
"Hmmm?" He was busy watching her glide along the dance floor.
"You seem happier these days." Spinel quietly observed before saying gravely, "I am only concerned that you get too caught up in these changes that you fail to see what is causing them."
Eriol gave the Sun Guardian his full attention. "The cause? For my happiness?"
"I grew up the past two weeks, Spinel. I am alive, I'm no longer a reincarnation, but a man in my own right. I have learned that I am responsible for my own happiness. That I am human, and I can be weak without being overcome by powerlessness." He paused before continuing, "That I can be truly happy if I wish it."
"What you have said is true enough," Spinel replied then shook his head. "But sometimes, Eriol-sama you think too much. What you have told me is the effect of a certain gentle application - you have missed the cause of your current understanding of yourself and your nature."
"Spinel, you just love being obscure. Aren't these reasons enough? What else is there to see?" Tomoyo came into his line of vision once again, this time whirling with Charles in time to a spirited beat.
"Sometimes, some things are better understood when seen from another perspective." Spinel cryptically replied. He leapt down from the balcony railing before he looked back at Eriol.
"Do not look too far for answers, Master. The simplest one is usually right in front of you," came Spinel's parting advice.
Eriol knew better than to ignore Spinel' s musings. His guardian was usually vague, yes, but Spinel could be perceptive when he wanted to be.
*What was Spinel talking about? * Resolved to give Tomoyo only good memories of her summer in London, he went back in and strode purposefully towards her to claim a dance.
~o~o~o~o~
"So, what's between you and Eriol, dear sweet Tomoyo?" As she lifted her face in surprise, Charles chuckled. "You have been paying no attention to me whatsoever, and you are lost in your deep, bittersweet thoughts."
Tomoyo immediately felt regret. "I am sorry for being rude, Terrin-san..." she began, but he grinned and brushed off her apologies.
"Charles. And it's obvious you like him. And Eriol is a trifle too possessive of you. See, now he's coming this way... oops, don't move away, pet. What seems to be the matter?"
His voice was so reassuring that Tomoyo was compelled to answer. "Y-yes, I have grown to like him. But, it's just too soon... and I'm going home tomorrow."
"Running away?" He was guiding her away from Eriol, and Tomoyo didn't mind.
"No. Yes. I don't know." Charles only smiled.
"Ah, a clear mind is all you need. Maybe the time away will do the trick. Or with just a little bit of help..." a quick grin, then Charles sobered.
"Running away will not solve anything, but TAKING a little bit of time to get to where you'll eventually end up isn't such a bad idea either. And believe me," he told her confidingly. "I have a feeling for things. It's going to be all right in the end with you and Eriol. Okay?"
He looked like an elderly uncle at that point that Tomoyo could only giggle and nod, her tension falling away. "Now why don't you give your elderly Uncle a kiss for his good advice and sound judgment?" his eyes twinkling, guessing her thoughts, and she laughed.
"All right, Uncle Charles." At that moment, Tomoyo felt quite bold, and she seized the lapels of his jacket and gave him a quick kiss, but intentionally missed his mouth. She did not hear the quick intake of breath behind her.
"Ah, Eriol. Come to claim her?" Charles spoke to Eriol, who had suddenly come up behind her.
"Yes." It sounded like a declaration that Tomoyo shivered. Eriol gave a small bow. "May I have this dance, Tomoyo-san?"
~o~o~o~o~
Neither noticed that Charles was muttering something under his breath as he watched them move away. Eriol even failed to see the quick flare of Charles' aura as he turned away to lead Tomoyo to the dance floor.
But Nakuru/Ruby Moon did. Before she could do anything drastic, Charles had suddenly turned to her and gave her a quick grin.
"You owe me a dance, butterfly girl."
Speechless and helpless to do anything in her false form, Nakuru allowed Charles to lead her slightly away from the now dancing pair. She glanced frantically at Spinel, who was now standing guard by the draperies.
Spinel only shook his head.
*At ease, Ruby Moon. He means well.*
~o~o~o~o~
"Your classmates are so KAWAII, master!!! Why couldn't I go to your school?" Nakuru pouted behind the wheel. She had already forgotten about the incident earlier.
Spinel snorted. "Why do you think they study there?"
"Hhmph. An all-boys school is soooo boring without girls."
"Duh. That's why it's called an all-boys school, moron." Spinel retorted. The two guardians started to bicker.
With the racket the two were making, nobody noticed that both Eriol and Tomoyo were quiet on the way home. Neither seemed in the mood to talk.
Despite her serene expression, Tomoyo's mind was in turmoil. She had made her decision. But why did it make her feel so .....?
*Staying is not an option. I cannot stay....* She looked out of the windows, her mind somewhere else.
Beside her, Eriol was silently making an almost desperate resolution. Suddenly, everything he had been wondering about the past two weeks was made clear. He suddenly had all the answers. He wondered where it came from...
He did know one thing, though. He turned his face and watched Tomoyo looking out the car window, unseeing.
He couldn't let her go.
~o~o~o~o~
He could hear her behind him, her dainty feet making no noise on the lush grass of summer.
"You can't do that, Eriol-san." Her voice was slightly angry. "You can't compel people to come when you call with magic. I thought better of you."
He was standing by the willow tree, hands at his sides. He was still wearing his tuxedo, although he had taken off the jacket. Now he turned to face her, white shirt unbuttoned at the neck, his eyes a deep unfathomable shade of blue. Tomoyo lowered her eyes.
"I need to pack, Eriol-san," she said softly.
"Don't go." He took her face in his hands and raised it so he could see her eyes. "Don't go," he repeated, before bending down and taking her sweet lips with his. Tomoyo lifted her hands toward the hands holding her face, as if to force him to break away his contact.
But she couldn't. She was drowning in his kiss. He was gentle yet insistent, claiming her lips for his own. In light of her newly discovered feelings, she could do no less.
So she kissed him back. When Eriol felt her lips respond, he could hardly hold back a groan, and he wound his hand in her beautiful hair, holding her head, not wanting to let her go. They stood in the moonlight, arms around each other, celebrating their newly discovered feelings.
After a while, Eriol soon pulled back and gazed into her bemused eyes. His thumb gently rubbed against her cheek. "Everything's so clear to me right now, Tomoyo. All this time... you were right under my nose all this time. Spinel was right, the answer was right in front of me."
But Tomoyo was already shaking her head, trying to move away. "No, Eriol. This shouldn't be happening... we aren't thinking straight." But he held her tight.
"I'm thinking straight for the first time in four years!" At his vehement tone, Tomoyo was shocked into silence. "I was holding on to a relationship that wasn't even mine. It was Kaho's dream, and it only fitted perfectly with Clow Reed's plans. But I am not Clow Reed anymore. I am only Eriol Hiiragizawa..."
"Never say "only". You are who you are!" Tomoyo whispered. Then she got back into her main argument. "Eriol, you are only on the rebound... I understand that I'm right under your nose and therefore the first girl to latch your affections on to..."
"Don't say that, Tomoyo! It's a lie!"
"But how can you know for sure, Eriol? I care deeply for you, but everything has been happening so fast that I don't know where I stand with you, or what that means to me. It's too soon, can't you see? I have to go away -"
"No!" Eriol soon lowered his voice. "Tomoyo, stay. I beg you. We'll figure this out. I'll -"
"I can't, Eriol." Tomoyo soon raised tear-bright eyes to his. "Please don't beg me to stay. I need to think. And you need to think... goodbye, Eriol!" With that, she quickly turned away and ran towards the Manor, leaving Eriol behind, staring at her.
Her sayonara sounded so final.
@@@@@
Authors' Notes:
So, tell US what the future holds for our favorite hero and heroine! One more chapter to go folks! Thanks go to Candyland, Bishounenz Angel, Dana Daidouji (glad you loved it, we did too), flitter bug (so we updated. How about you? lol), June6 (well, Tomoyo does have a certain magic of her own), PLum BLoSsOm (Suppi-chan rules!), crystal wolf=P, not applicable (your very short but to-the-point reviews make us happy, strangely enough! SUGOI!), and Aurora Starcrystal (thanks for the pep talk!) for reviewing the "Dream" chapter. Yes, it was so KAWAII!
Curious about Charles? We'll put in a teaser story (by LunaMagic) about him next week.
