Faded Photos

Author: Mayuka

Disclaimer: Get the picture! I don't own it ok? Mikazuki and Kiken are my own characters though.

A/N: Hahaha, the next chapter has arrived! ^^ Thanks for all the reviews. No flames either! That's really cool. Well enough of my blabbering, on with the chapter! I decided to make this chapter nice and long since people like long chapters ^_^; hehe okay!

Another Note: BTW, remember, they are highschool so they're about 17 ok? don't think they are young and stuff.

Chapter 4: The Autumn Festival



Tomoyo woke up at the same time as Eriol. Tomoyo stretched and looked at Eriol. He was sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes. The two heard a knock at their door. It could only be one person.

"Come in Mikazuki." Tomoyo said stifling a yawn. The door opened and Mikazuki walked in. She was wearing her new clothes, a pink hoodie with a black t-shirt underneath and some kacki's(sp?). She looked between her two 'parents' and smiled.

"Today is the Autumn festival! I can't wait!"

"Well little one, your gonna have to! What do you want for breakfast? Does waffles sound good?"

"Sounds delicious!"

"Sounds good to me to." Eriol added with a smile.

"Ok, but that means I have to get out of bed doesn't it?" Tomoyo said with a smile. Eriol smirked at her.

"Poor Tomoyo..." he said his voice dripping with sarcasm. Tomoyo hit his head.

"Stop it!" She said laughing.

"Why should I?"

"Uhh....I'll leave you two alone..." Mikazuki said suddenly and shut the door. Tomoyo and Eriol exchanged strange looks.

"I don't even want to know what was running through her head just now..." Tomoyo muttered.

"Neither do I. What time is the festival?"

"Oh, it's at 9:00 tonight. The fireworks will be at 11:00 so we'll probably be home around midnight."

"Alright."

"Well, I'd better go get those waffles ready." Tomoyo slowly stood up and walked to the drawers filled with clothes and pulled out a pair of loose black pants and a pink shirt and walkeded into the bathroom. Eriol sighed and stood up as well and pulled out a red t-shirt and grey pants. He waited patiently for Tomoyo to come out of the bathroom. Soon enough Tomoyo walked out pulling her hair into a ponytail. She nodded to Eriol and slipped on her black sandals and walked out of the room. She walked downstairs to the kitchen when the phone rang. Mikazuki ran to pick it up.

"Hello, Hiiragizawa residence, may I ask who is calling?" Mikazuki asked in a bubbly tone. Tomoyo flinched as she used Eriol's last name for both of them. Mikazuki listened for a minute. She turned to Tomoyo who was pulling ingredients out of the pantry. "Mama, it's a girl named Sakura for you." she said. Tomoyo turned, a bright smile on her face. She took the phone.

"Thanks. Hello, Tomoyo speaking."

"Hey Tomoyo! Long time! How's life treating ya?"

"Could be better, could be worse. Sorry for not calling earlier, Mikazuki is taking up a lot of my time."

"Mikazuki...that your kid?"

"Yes she is."

"Lucky, you've got a girl...I've got a trouble making b-Kiken! Stop! No that's Syaoran's...uhhh...oh no. He did it again."

"Kiken huh? Sounds like he's a handful."

"Is he ever."

"So, you guys coming to the Autumn festival tonight?"

"What are you kidding? Of course!"

"I figured as much."

"Anyway, how's it going between you and Eriol? I know that you guys aren't on the best of terms..."

"Well, it's been off and on really. At times he can be such a jerk, but then he can be as sweet as cake. He's a tough person to figure out."

"He probably likes you."

"What?"

"I know Syaoran was a jerk to me at first, look at us now!"

"I refuse to beleive that. That's total and utter nonsense."

"Whatever. You'll figure it out sooner or later."

"You just keep telling yourself that."

"Whatever. What time are you leaving for the festival? Mabe we can meet up and all go together."

"That sounds good. We'll probably leave around 8:30."

"Ok then, I'll call you later, Kiken took Syaoran's sword again...I never knew he would be this much trouble!"

"Alright, goodbye."

"Bye!" Sakura said and they both hung up. Tomoyo turned to Mikazuki who was waiting patiently for Tomoyo to begin breakfast. Tomoyo smiled and put on her apron.

__________________________________________~*~

"Oh mama, I can't wait for tonight!" Mikazuki squealed. Tomoyo smiled warmly.

"I know. The days you want to get to always drag by slowly." Tomoyo said.

"Oh but I want it to be here now!" Mikazuki said in delight.

"Good things must have a wait to make the actual thing more sweet." came Eriol's voice from behind Mikazuki. Mikazuki turned in confusion. "I mean, the anticipation for the festival will make the festival twice as fun."

"Oh. I get it now." Mikazuki said with a smile. Eriol and Tomoyo exchanged glances but smiled back.

"Oh Eriol, I forgot to tell you. We're meeting Sakura, Syaoran and Kiken at 8:30 and we're all going to the festival together. That's ok right?"

"Yea, that's fine." Eriol said distractedly.

"What's wrong Eriol?"

"Hmm? Oh nothing, Syaoran called this morning."

"Hey mamma, who's Kiken?" Mikazuki asked.

"Kiken? Oh that's my best friend Sakura's child." Tomoyo answered with a smile.

"Cool. Do I get to meet her?"

"Him and yes. You get to meet him at 8:30 tonight."

"Oh...oops. Sorry! That's gonna be so fun! I get to meet the nice lady that called and her little boy!"

"Mmmhmm. I'm sure you'll love Sakura and Syaoran. They are really nice."

__________________________________________~*~

Tomoyo and Mikazuki had rushed Eriol out of the main room to get ready for the festival. Tomoyo held Mikazuki's kimono behind her back. Eriol came out in his black kimono surveying the sleeves. He looked to the eager face of Mikazuki to the calm and cool face of Tomoyo. Tomoyo nodded to Eriol in reassurance and swept Mikazuki into the room. Eriol sighed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose and grabbed a book and sat down on the couch in front of the t.v. and waited for them to finish.

Tomoyo smiled brightly as she helped Mikazuki slip into her kimono. It fit wonderfully. She tied the waistband and handed her the shoes. Mikazuki pulled on the socks quickly and slipped on the shoes. Tomoyo kneeled behind her and put her hair into to pigtails at the sides of her head. Tomoyo smiled and stood up. Mikazuki whirled around and Tomoyo smiled brightly. Mikazuki hugged Tomoyo tightly, a huge smile shining across her face.

"Now wait for me, then we'll go show Eriol ok?"

"Ok!" Mikazuki said, her voice bouncy and filled with pleasure. Tomoyo pulled out the lavender kimono Mikazuki had picked out earlier. She slipped on both layers, then tied the waist tightly. She pulled on the socks and shoes, then put her hair in to buns at each side of her head. She let a few strands dangle in front of her ears and from the top of the buns. She slowly turned around for Mikazuki.

"What do you think Mikazuki?" she asked, surveyingherself in the mirror.

"You'll knock em' dead mama." Mikazuki said in awe. Tomoyo giggled slightly. "You'll be the prettiest person there!"

"Why thank you Mikazuki! Though I reserved the spot of the most gorgeous girl at the festival for you!" Tomoyo said as Mikazuki giggled and blushed. "Alright, let's go knock Eriol dead mm?" Mikazuki laughed again. "You go first Mikazuki." she said and Mikazuki opened the door and walked out and down the stairs. Tomoyo followed shortly after, making sure to leave enough time for him not notice her at the top of the stairs. Mikazuki walked carefully to Eriol. Eriol kneeled next to her.

"Well I never beleived someone as pretty as you could look even prettier than usual." he commented making Mikazuki giggle. She smiled brightly, then hugged Eriol. Tomoyo smiled from her place by the door of the room. Mikazuki looked around and saw Tomoyo. Eriol followed her gaze. His eyes landed on Tomoyo. He slowly stood up, his eyes never leaving Tomoyo's face. He couldn't speak as Tomoyo stepped out into the open. Mikazuki giggled.

"I told you mama, you'd knock em' dead." Mikazuki laughed. Tomoyo smiled as she looked from Mikazuki to Eriol. The comment seemed to shake Eriol from his stupor. He smiled finally.

"You look magnificent Tomoyo. You to Mikazuki." he said. Tomoyo blushed lightly as Mikazuki smiled widely. The doorbell rang. Mikazuki looked up.

"I'll get it." she said. Tomoyo and Eriol nodded and Mikazuki went to the front door. She stretched up and opened the door. It opened to Sakura, Syaoran, and Kiken who was currently behind Sakura and Syaoran.

"Hey there, you must be Mikazuki." Sakura asked. Mikazuki nodded. "Is your mom around?"

"Sakura? Is that you?" Tomoyo called from the other room.

"Tomoyo! Yea it's me, Syaoran and Kiken!" Sakura yelled. Syaoran rubbed his ear and Sakura smiled sheepishly. Tomoyo entered the room followed by Eriol. "Oh Tomoyo, you look postively gorgeous!" Sakura said. Tomoyo smiled.

"Well, where's this Kiken I've heard about?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura stepped right and Syaoran stepped left. A little boy was standing where his parents once were. He was slightly taller than Mikazuki and had orange hair. He was wearing a plain black kimono. Mikazuki smiled at him and he smiled back shyly. Tomoyo, Sakura, Eriol and Syaoran all exchanged grins. "Nice to meet you Kiken." Tomoyo said. Kiken nodded slightly. "We ready to go?" The group nodded and they all walked out the door. Eriol locked the door behind them and they all began walking towards the local park. Tomoyo and Sakura exicitedly told Mikazuki all about what the festival would be like.

"They'll have games and concession stands-" Sakura began.

"Plus contests and fireworks-" Tomoyo added.

"Along with suvenior stands-"

"Lots of lights to."

"It sounds amazing!" Mikazuki said happily. Sakura and Tomoyo smiled brightly at her. All three girls were anticipating the festival greatly. Eriol, Syaoran and Kiken were all surveying the girls with skeptical looks on their faces. They finally reached the park. It was just as Mikazuki had imagined. Lights were strung all over the trees and stands. There were two rows of stands that stretched out as far as she could see with a large gap in the middle for people to walk. The group walked down the ail. People called out from their stands trying to get people's attention.

"Come one, come all! Try your luck at ring tossing to get a special prize!"

"Cotton Candy! Cotton Candy! Come on over and get your cotton candy!"

"You and your friends will love these picture frames and key chains! Buy one now!"

"One dollar gets you three baseballs! Knock down the stack of bottles to win the grand prize!"

"Hot-dogs! Hamburgers! The best around!"

"Glow necklaces and bracelets! Two for a dollar! Glow necklaces and bracelets!"

"Stuffed animals! Get all your stuffed animals right here!"

"Hit the bullseye and win a prize! One dollar gets you 5 darts!"

"Get your photo taken! Two dollars for 10 photographs!"

"Candy! Candy! Get all your candy right here!"

"Fortune telling! Have your palm read inside the tent! One reading for 3 dollars and a crystal ball telling for 5 dollars!"

"Get the ball in the basket and win the prizes hanging on the wall! One dollar gets you three balls!"

"Request a song here! Trying to tell that special someone you care? Request a song just for them right here!"

"Enter the Haunted House and be scared out of your wits! One ticket costs 7 dollars for an adult and 4 dollars for a child!"

"Order a fresh cold drink right here! There's soda, smoothies, slushies and more!"

"Which duck will win the race? Place your bets right here!"

"Books for children and adults of all ages! Browse through our vast selection of books! Right here everyone!"

"Gemstones! Gemstones! Neclaces, bracelets, anklets, rings and arm bands! Get them with gemstones right here!"

"Pizza! Get a fresh, warm and tasty pizza right here, right now!"

"CD's! Get all the latest CD's right in this very stand! This is a special deal! Get them now while supplies last!"

"Balloons! Get as many balloons as you can dream to hold! Balloons! Get the balloon you've been wanting here!"

"Makeovers! Get a clown-face makeover right here so you can always have a happy smile on!"

"Claw Machines! Try to get the prizes out of the claw machines! Right this way please! Claw machines!"

"Beauty Contest! Enter right here!"

"Try the DDR machine! See how good your hand eye coordination really is!"

"This is amazing." Mikazuki stated.

"Yea it is. What do you guys want to do first?" Tomoyo asked.

"We'll meet up with you guys in half an hour ok?" Eriol said motioning to Syaoran and Kiken. The girls nodded and the boys left. Tomoyo smiled and turned to Mikazuki.

"Let's play some games." Mikazuki suggested. Sakura smiled.

"Sure thing. Let's go. How about darts and ring tossing first?" Sakura added.

"Ok." Mikazuki agreed. They walked to the dart stand. Tomoyo smiled. Rika was running the stand.

"Hey Tomoyo! Sakura! Trying your luck at darts? Great! One dollar for 5 darts." she said with a smile. Tomoyo handed Rika one dollar and Sakura smiled brightly. Rika gave Mikazuki five darts. She moved to the left. "Go for it. The prize..well, let's see if you win. It'll be worth it if you do."

"Hmm...the dart board is far away, it'll be hard." Sakura said squinting at it.

"That's the point. It's not supposed to be easy."

"Whatever. Mikazuki, go for the gold ok?" Sakura asked. Mikazuki nodded. Rika handed her a stool to stand on. She stepped on top of it and threw the first three darts. They all hit the dart board, but they all missed the bullseye. She tried again. It missed. She breathed out slowly, then took careful aim then threw the dart. It hit the bullseye. Rika, Tomoyo and Sakura all burst into applause. Mikazuki smiled widely.

"Just a sec, I'll go get your prize. What's your favorite animal?"

"Who me? I like orange cat's, panda's and kaolla's."

"Other than orange cat's animals that aren't wild and live in a forest?"

"Umm...well I like bunny rabbits, and..dogs I guess."

"Who's your mom?"

"That's me Rika." Tomoyo said. Rika smiled.

"That's amazing. No one has hit the bullseye so far. Your little girl is something."

"Yea she is." Tomoyo smiled. Mikazuki blushed. Rika smiled before disapearing through a door. She was gone for a minute before. She opened the door and was hiding something behind her back. She smiled before bringing it in front of her. She handed Mikazuki a small orange kitty. Tomoyo's eyes widened. It was real.

"Oh, I love it!" Mikazuki squealed in delight. Rika smiled.

"What are you going to name it? I have to give you a collar and nametag as well. Hope you don't mind this Tomoyo."' "Oh no, we need a pet. What are you going to name it Mikazuki?" Tomoyo said. Sakura smiled.

"It's name...is it a boy or girl?"

"Boy." Rika said with a smile.

"Then, it's name will be...Kyo."

"Good choice, I'll go get you a collar and nametag, hold on. How about a red collar?"

"Sounds great."

"Alrighty then, hold on." Rika went back into the back room. She was in there for a few mintues. She walked back out with a red collar and a golden nametag with 'Kyo' in large letters on the front and on the back it said: 'Pet of Mikazuki'. She handed it to Mikazuki who smiled brightly and put in on Kyo. She cuddled it close in her arms.

"I love you so much Kyo, almost as much as I love mamma and pappa." she whispered. Rika, Tomoyo and Sakura all smiled at Mikazuki's kindness.

"You really have an amazing little girl Tomoyo."

"Yes, Mikazuki is my little shining star that keeps me bright and happy. The North star that never dims." Tomoyo murmered. Mikazuki blushed softly.

__________________________________________~*~

Eriol, Syaoran and Kiken all walked back towards the beginning of the rows of stands. They walked past many shops and then stopped. Eriol and Syaoran looked at each other.

"We should get our girls something you know." Syaoran said. Eriol nodded slowly.

"What about that gemstone place? It looked pretty cool." Kiken said. Syaoran and Eriol looked at Kiken, then wide grins spread across their faces.

"You Kiken my boy, are a genius." Syaoran praised. Kiken smiled shyly. They walked up to the stand with a large sign that said 'Gemstones' on it. Behind the stand was Naoko.

"Hey Syaoran, Eriol." she said as the approached.

"Hey Naoko, how's buisness?" Eriol asked.

"Ok I guess, a bit slow, but could be worse."

"Well, we're here to get some stuff with gemstones on it."

"Lemme guess, for Sakura and Tomoyo?"

"Good guess."

"Yea I know, I'm psychic. No, not really, but yea. So what are you looking for? Necklace, bracelet, anklet, armband, waist chain, tiara, earrings, hair accesories, what?"

"Long list you have there."

"That's not all of it, want to hear the rest? Cause there is still rings, chokers, gloves, hats, keychains, thigh bands, bellybutton rings and so on."

"I don't want to hear anymore. How much is it?"

"Well it depends. The accesory, the stone, yadda yadda."

"Hmm...are there sets?"

"Yea, there is three different sets. One set includes: A necklace, bracelet, anklet, armband, waist chain, earringa, a hair accesory, ring and a keychain. The second set inclues: A choker, a bracelet, a tigh band, a tiara, an accesory, a bellybutton ring, a gloves, a hat, and a pair of earrings. The third set includes everything."

"How much for each set."

"Depends on the stone."

"How about a garnet and an amythest."

"Ok, those are the same price. Set one and two is 27 dollars, and set three is 42 dollars."

"One minute." Eriol said and turned to Syaoran and Kiken. "What do you guys think. Set one, two or three?"

"Three." Syaoran and Kiken said simultaniously. Eriol nodded in agreement. He turned to Naoko.

"Ok, two number three sets. One amythest and one garnet." he said. Naoko nodded. Eriol pulled out his wallet and handed her a fifty dollar bill. Syaoran did the same. Both were cringing inside as this was their own money, not the school's. School money was on a card on only usable at certain stores. Not festivals. Naoko gave them each their change of eight dollars.

"Ok, hold on while I get them. Gift wrapped or no?"

"Yes." Eriol said. Naoko nodded before going through a door at the back of the stand. She came out after several minutes and handed Eriol a box wrapped in purple with green ribbons and a box to Syaoran that was wrapped in pink with white ribbons. Both boys nodded before leaving the stand to find Tomoyo, Sakura and Mikazuki.

__________________________________________~*~

Tomoyo, Mikazuki and Sakura were walking back from the cotton candy stand, each holding a cone of pink cotton candy in one hand. They were all giggling.

"Were to next?" Sakura asked the other two girls. Tomoyo shrugged and looked at Mikazuki.

"Umm...how about we find the guys and go into the haunted house?" Mikazuki suggested. Tomoyo and Sakura nodded in agreement. Suddenly as if summoned, all three boys showed up next to them. Syaoran snuck up behind Sakura, hugging her from behind while handing her the gift wrapped box. Sakura giggled happily and taking the box from his hands. She turned around, then hugged him tightly, kissing him on the cheek.

"Oh you didn't have to get me anything! Your so sweet!" she exclaimed. Syaoran smirked slighly. Eriol smiled before mysteriously appearing next to Tomoyo. He handed her the box then bowed.

"The gift to the Princess of the Festival." he murmered, kissing her hand. Tomoyo blushed before hugging Eriol.

"Thank you Eriol! You really didn't have to." Tomoyo cryed, happily. Eriol smiled. "Eriol, what is it? Can I open it?"

"No. Not till the fireworks."

"That's right. Same for you Sakura." Syaoran said mysteriously. Eriol, Syaoran and Kiken all exchanged knowing looks. Tomoyo and Sakura sighed.

"Alright, if you insist." Sakura said. "Anyway, we were about to find you and go to the haunted house. You guys in?"

"Sure thing." Eriol said. They all walked in the direction of the haunted hause. Meling greeted them at the stand.

"Come to be scared you guys? That's cool...all together that'll be 36 dollars." she said. Meling took Mikazuki's kitty for her as it would not be allowed inside. The two groups split the cost and all walked inside the pitch black tent. They walked straigh for a while. Tomoyo was walking when her foot sunk into the ground. Suddenly mirror began moving and a silvery girl ran past the mirrors. A split second later ropes fell from the celing and moved in different directions. Simultaniously a skeleton hand grabbed Sakura's wrist. She sreamed, jerking her hand backwards. A full skeleton came with her. Tomoyo squeaked, then stepped backwards into Eriol. Mikazuki was wide-eyed along with Kiken. Something flew above them. Mikazuki gave a short scream before grabbing the closest thing to her, which happened to be Kiken. They both blushed brightly. Shiney red ropes littered the floor as Sakura and Tomoyo tripped over them and fell into their respective 'husbands'. Both boys caught them. They continued, and saw the ghostly white girl run past again. They looked around to see nothing. They came to the end of the house to see the ghostly whit girl before them. She was transparent.

"Thank you for visiting the Haunted House, I don't often get visitors...come agains sometime." before she dissipeared. All six walked out shakily. Melin greeted them with a face cracking smile.

"Have fun? Get scared? Hope it was worth your money! Here's your kitty Mikazuki." she said handing Kyo back to Mikazuki. They all nodded, not quite ready to speak yet. Meling smiled. "You might want to head towards the plaza, the fireworks are about to start." she added. The group nodded and headed towards the direction of the plaza.

They reached the plaza and stood underneath a Sakura Tree. Sakura and Tomoyo eagerly looked at Eriol and Syaoran.

"Can we open them now?" the asked at the same time. The boys sighed, but nodded. Carefully they unwrapped the gifts. They gasped at the contents. Sakura and Tomoyo were speachless as the stared at the gifts. Sakura was the first to recover and threw her arms around Syaoran's neck.

"Thank you thank you thank you! I love you so much Syaoran! Thank you!" she cried happily. Syaoran smiled. Tomoyo recovered finally. She hesitantly walked up to Eriol before hugging him tightly.

"You are too good to me. Why? This must have been so expensive! You didn't-"

"Be quiet Tomoyo, I did have to get it for you."

"Thank you.." she murmered, hugging him tighter.

"Look you guys! The fireworks!" Mikazuki cried pulling on Kiken's hand. The group looked up towards the sky to see the brilliant sparkling lights that illuminated the sky. It went on for a few minutes. Sakura rested her head on Syaoran's shoulder while Mikazuki held tightly onto Kiken's hand. No one was paying any attention to anyone. Eriol turned to look at Tomoyo, her face bright and happy, changing colors with the fireworks. Tomoyo seemed to feel his gaze upon her as she looked at him. Neither spook. Slowly, they inched forward, finally, their lips touched, under the Sakura Tree, cherry blossoms falling around them as fireworks flashed across the sky.

A/N: Finally! I updated! *dodges angry fireballs sent by readers* o_O AHHHH!! Sorry for the long wait everyone! writer's block is getting to me. Hopefully it's over now. I hope this chapter is worth the long wait you guys had to get it..._o I hope so. ^^ Don't think the fighting is over between Eriol and Tomoyo, no way, the story would be much to short for that. This is just the beginning...consider this a momentary forgivness...before you even ask, the ghost girl was a projection with a recorded voice. Reviewers asked some questions, so I'll try to answer them.

1. I actually thought of what is going to happen to the orphans, so you'll just have to wait and see! Also, I realise it isn't a likely poject, it's a project I always wanted to do for myself actually. So, even though it isn't realistic, it's kinda fun you know?

2. Yes I will email you when I update so if you would like that, tell me k?

Next Time: Everything falls apart! What's to happen??

Keep Reviewing though alright?