Special thanks to my reviewers: June6, KyteAura, Yue's Lady, and my sisters. ^_^ Love you guys. Thanks for the pick-me-uppers. You keep me going.

I have to tell you though, I may not be posting as regularly as I want to. I just got myself a job so I don't have as much time to think about the story in the regular hours. I get puffy eyes from the sleepless nights, though.

I know I said I'm naming this chapter "Chasing Butterflies"… but one thing lead to another, and this didn't come out exactly the way I imagined it would. So I guess, the title would have to wait.

^_^ So here it is. I hope you like it.

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Chapter Three : Let Me In

                                  
Charles loves Nakuru?

Charles had been staring at what he wrote in his notebook for a long time. Do I? Do I love Ruby Moon just because she came to me at the lowest point in my life? Is it love or just hero worship? And Nakuru… do I love her just because I sensed that they're one and the same… wait a sec… did I say love? Damn… I can't jump into conclusions… this is all so confusing.

A cough brought Charlie up from his reverie.

"Anytime now, Mr. Terrin."

It was Professor Hobbes, his calculus teacher. He looked like he was expecting him to do something.

"I… uh…" The whole class was quiet. Everyone was staring at him. He could spot his rival Andy Iverson snickering.

"The problem on the board…" Eriol whispered from his right.

"Right. Of course, Mr. Hobbes." Charles closed his notebook and stood up. He went in front and took the board marker and began solving the equation, after which he closed the marker confidently and looked at his professor.

"Very good, Terrin. Next time, I hope it wouldn't be too much of a bother for you to appear to be listening to my lectures when you are inside this class."

Charles turned beet red. "Y-yes, professor. Sorry, sir."

"Very well, go back to your seat… and don't let me catch you again." Professor Hobbes took the marker from his hand. "Okay, now class… as you can see here… "

Charles felt relieved as he trudged up to his seat. He had to thank Eriol for the tip.

"Thanks, mate."

"No problem."

Charles looked at Eriol. It felt weird, sitting beside Nakuru's cousin. Does he know about Nakuru's secret? I wonder if he's magic, too. He must be. They're related… but then, the magic could skip a generation… like my mother…

Eriol felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. Charles was watching him again. He's been staring at him on and off since they met this morning. Turning to his left, Eriol could see Charles was looking at him but it was as if he was staring through him.

Eriol smiled conspiratorially. He looks like he needs cheering up.

"Is anything wrong, Charles?" Eriol whispered.

Charles snapped out of his thoughts. He immediately looked towards the professor. Luckily, the professor had his back turned. He looked back at Eriol. Should I tell him?... No, not yet. I should talk to Nakuru first… if I get the courage…

"Uh, nothing, mate."

"Really? You seem to be preoccupied today. It's so unlike you. In fact, you've been staring at me since we got here." Eriol paused, as if thinking, "You're not gay are you…?" Eriol's eyes scrutinized his face.

"What?! No, of course not!" Charles felt humiliated.

"Sorry… it's just… with your staring, I thought…well, never mind. Anyway, I'm taken."

"I know."

"You sound disappointed."

Charles got annoyed. "For the last time… I AM NOT GAY!"

The class became quiet again. Eriol tried not to laugh. I am sooo bad…

"Thank you, Mr. Terrin for that wonderful piece of information," Mr. Hobbes said sarcastically, "I'm sure the female population of St. Catherine's (^_^ sister school located just beside theirs) would be pleased to know that." Sounds of repressed laughter filled the room. Mr. Hobbes turned back to the board. "As I was saying…"

Charles blushed and sank low into his seat. He gave Eriol a scathing look. If he weren't my Nakuru's cousin…

Eriol was chuckling. "Sorry, mate. You looked as if you needed to take your mind off something…"

~ ~ ~

Nakuru skipped gaily to St. Basil's Music Hall. She was in a good mood today. Her nightly visits to the forest helped a lot. She had enjoyed playing with Luna and Timber, her wolf friends… Timber most especially. I suppose he somehow fills the void Spinel Sun has left… so kawaii, too, with his unusually hazel eyes. Sigh… I better write to Spinel tonight.

From a distance, she spotted Eriol walking down the steps from the Hall entrance, followed closely by a blond haired, hazel-eyed young man.

"Eriol-sama!" Nakuru ran the rest of the way to Eriol's arms. Eriol welcomed Nakuru's hug openly. Thank the gods for his recent growth spurts, otherwise it would have been awkward trying to hug his five-foot seven guardian. Eriol felt truly comforted that Nakuru stayed with him in England. Without his beloved Tomoyo by his side, the days just seemed too long.

"Aherm," Charles coughed loud enough for the two of them to hear, "Eriol, mate, don't you think you should give your cousin a bit more breathing space than that."

Both Eriol and Nakuru stared at Charles quizzically.

"Just a suggestion…"

Nakuru's eyes opened wide as if she just realized something.

"Charlie-kun! Kawaii desu ne!" Nakuru managed to shriek before launching herself at Charles' neck. "You came to see me!"

Charles heart thundered at her sudden proximity. A blush tinged his cheeks. He patted her back tentatively. "Uh, yeah. Actually,"  he glanced at a smirking Eriol,  "I was going to ask you…" he paused, making a face upon seeing Eriol raise an eyebrow.

 Nakuru looked adoringly at Charles. "Ask me?"

"Yes, I wanted to…"

"Charles! Darling! I wondered where you had gone to."

An insistent hand wiggled its way through Charles' arm and pulled him away from a very comfortable embrace.

"Why, Miss Akizuki, its so nice to see you again. How are things in your COLLEGE?" Virginia Magnusson flipped her blonde curls out, "Haven't found anyone you fancy yet?"

Janet and Lara giggled from behind Charles and Virginia.

"Ah, the infamous Giggly trio. Hello, Virginia, Lara, Janet," Eriol crossed his arms and smirked as he greeted the three newcomers. This is getting to be really interesting.

"Ginnie, let go of me." Charles tried to discreetly pull away from Ginnie without hurting her feelings.

"Honey, don't be prudish. I just wanted to make sure you don't forget to pick me up for the Cameron's yacht party tomorrow…"

"What? I didn't… I don't…" Charles stammered

"You're going too?! Ooooh… Kawaii! It's going to be like a double date!" Nakuru's face turned ecstatic.

"Double… are you going with somebody?"

"Well, James asked me to come with him. He's picking me up tomorrow."

"Well, that's settled then. Miss Akizuki goes with James, and you are coming with me." Virginia tightened her hold on Charles' arm.

"Speak of the devil…"

Eriol pointed at James Cameron, who could be seen striding purposefully across the grass towards Nakuru.

"Hey, Nakuru! I've been looking for you." James stopped in front of the group.

"Well, well. Cozy group you have here. Eriol, Charles," James nodded to the two, "umm… Ginnie isn't it? Sorry, I haven't met you two yet. I'm James Cameron." Janet and Lara introduced themselves.

James turned to Nakuru and hugged her. "I wanted to talk to you earlier but you ran so fast from Psych class I didn't get to do it." He kissed her on the cheek.

Charles looked daggers at James back. He's not her boyfriend. He can't be… can he?

"But I already know what you were gonna say, James-chan." Nakuru put her arms around James' neck. "You wanted to remind me that you'll be picking me up tomorrow at seven." She smiled up at James. "You told me twenty times already."

"I know, but you would have missed my hug."

This is getting annoying. "Okay, Cameron… She got the message. Don't you have something else to do?"

James extracted himself from Nakuru's embrace and stood in front of Charles. Charles wasn't intimidated, even if James stood two inches taller than him.

"What's it to you, BOY?" James whispered to his ear, "She's out of your league, Terrin. Back off, she's mine. Be glad our parents are good friends, I would have whupped the air out of you."

James glared at Charles one more time before turning back to Nakuru.

"I'm sorry, darling girl, but I have an appointment to catch," he kissed Nakuru on the cheek. "Tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes, James-chan, I'll be waiting." Nakuru waved goodbye.

"And I'll be waiting for you, Charles, darling." Virginia smiled smugly as she trailed her finger down Charles' chest. She kissed him on the cheek. "Seven o'clock. Don't be late. Let's go girls," she gestured to Lara and Janet.

Blowing one last kiss, she turned and walked towards the parking lot.

"Charlie-kun! That's so wonderful! Your eyes turned brown." Nakuru clapped her hands.

"I can see something else turning green…" Eriol laughed.

"Really, where?" Nakuru looked around, puzzled.  "The trees? But they're always green this time of year…"

"Nakuru-chan, why don't you wait in the car. I need to talk to Charles for a while."

Nakuru pouted but obeyed. "Okay, Eriol-sama, but don't take too long. I need to get some groceries before we head home." She hugged Eriol tight.

"Goodbye, Charlie-kun. See you at the party tomorrow." She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Eriol waited till Nakuru was out of earshot.

"Okay, Terrin. Spill it."

"Spill what?" Charles tried to appear nonchalant… and failed miserably.

"Come on. You've been looking at me the whole day, looking pathetic. Then you get all tongue-tied, then jealous in front of Nakuru. What's going on? Just last month, you were running away every time Nakuru came close. Now, it looks like you're gonna die a slow and painful death if you can't see her."

"It's not like that, mate. You're exaggerating." Charles ran his hand through his hair.

"Really?" Eriol looked unconvinced.

"I just found out that she's great to have around…"

"Charles, you haven't been with her since the party," Eriol's eyes narrowed, "or have you?"

"Well… sometimes it just takes one night to erase first impressions, you know."

Eriol nodded, still looking suspicious. "Look, Charles, we've been friends for over a year now, so I'll be frank with you. Nakuru is a special girl… don't look at me like that. She's my cousin for heaven's sake… Anyway, as I was saying, it will take a special kind of person to hold on to her. You think you can handle it?"

Charles felt a bit miffed. He thinks I don't deserve her? "More than you know, Hiiragizawa."

Already, he regretted his angry tone.

"I see you've made up you mind." Eriol crossed his arms and looked thoughtfully at Charles.

"Nakuru is important to me. I will not allow James OR you to hurt her."

Charles sighed. What is it with Nakuru that makes guys threaten me?

Eriol smiled suddenly. "But personally…" Eriol put a hand on Charles' shoulder, "I have a good feeling about you, for some reason. So, I'm rooting for you."

Charles looked surprised.

"Well, I have to go. We don't want to keep girls waiting, do we?" Eriol winked and smiled.

Seeing Charles speechless, he punches Charles lightly on his arm. "So long, mate. And good luck."

Eriol turned and walked towards the parking lot.

"Eriol." Charles finally managed to speak out. Eriol turned around.

"Thanks, mate." Eriol smiled and continued his walk.

Charles stood looking at Eriol's retreating form. He chuckled. I have a feeling Nakuru is going to turn my world upside down… make my life more complicated than it already is… but somehow, I don't care. He chuckled again. I must be crazy.

Charles spotted his ride entering the parking lot and started walking with a smile glued on to his face.

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June6, I think "Farsighted" (by SybilSofiana) pretty much had all the ExT moments you can shake out from this storyline. But I'll try to think of something for you.

KyteAura, sorry girl. My sisters' storyline points to Fujitaka and Sonomi getting together. Still, it's still too early to say. By the way, who do you want for Fujitaka? Kaho? (I can hear my sister groan on the other side of the world.)