All in the Game of Love

Yay! 10th chappie already! Look! I'm so naughty! I'm sneaking to write on a chapter when my finals are just less than a month away! Holy god..I promise I will study later, dad, mom! Anyway, here is the 10th chappie (I said that already) and RnR, k!

As always

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!

*

Eriol Hiiragizawa scanned his surroundings quickly, his dark blue eyes narrowing in a thin line before he made his way down the court. His agility was incredible and he had a way to dodge all the opposing players that were attacking him. His movements on the basketball court never failed to render a crowd speechless.

Almost like the wind, he jumped into the air and swiftly shot the ball into the net. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he turned around to receive his teammates' jubilant hi-fives. The crowd that had gathered around to witness Eriol's yet-another-well-done-match was cheering wildly and there were even fans of Eriol holding up banners that showed their support.

The match began once more as one of the opposing players snatched the ball away. Making his way to the net in the air, he was thrown into confusion when the ball in his hands vanished from his sight.

Eriol had done it again.

Like a running train that never fail to keep on track, Eriol expertly dribbled the ball through every players, passing to his teammate before the ball came into his hands once more.

Eriol glanced around as beads of perspiration clouded his forehead. Before him were all the opposing players, ready to defence and block his shot. He looked up to the net before his arms shot up almost automatically.

He had to do a three-pointer.

The crowd gasped as they watched the ball cut its way across the air before it reached the rim of the net.

Almost there…

Eriol landed back on the floor as he focused his attention on the ball.

It was still rolling along the rim…

Eriol stopped as the ball looked almost ready to fall from the edge.

ALMOST.

After what seems like eternity, the ball rolled in, ending the match in a powerful score of 32-55.

Eriol wiped his perspiration as his teammates ran to his side to pat on his back and gave him the usual praises of how well a player he was. They were all carrying proud smiles and their triumphant spirit was well in the air.

Exhausted, Eriol jogged slowly to the bench as the players on the court dispersed in their own ways, tired out by the game under the hot sun. The heat was intense and Eriol's throat was dying for just a sip of water.

He glanced around the bench. Other than his almost-empty sling bag and a blue towel, there was nothing more to quench his thirst. He sank back in the bench in regret. He should have remembered to bring his bottle.

Almost like an answer to his prayer, a mineral water bottle was held before his sight.

"Dying for this?"

He turned around, shocked to hear that familiar, giggling voice as Tomoyo appeared like a miracle before him.

He nodded as he opened the bottle cap, ready to gulp the whole 500ml of water down.

"Just make sure you don't choke on it." Tomoyo teased as she sat beside Eriol.

"What are you doing here?" Eriol asked when he emptied the whole bottle without a drop left.

"I was walking by when I saw you out at the court," She broke into a beam, "You were great. Star player of Shades in basketball? Now I know what the people mean by that."

"A compliment, I hope." Eriol shrugged as he closed his eyes for a moment, relaxing under the thick canopy of leaves above that sheltered them from the deadly heat of the sun.

He snapped opened his eyes when he felt something brushed against his forehead. He looked up to see Tomoyo wiping his perspiration with his towel. He sat up instantly, not knowing what kind of situation he had gotten himself in.

"Relax, will you?" Tomoyo sighed, as she continued pressing the cloth on his forehead, "You're sweating like crazy. Look," She tugged on the material of his jersey that was drenched with perspiration, "You're all wet."

He arched an eyebrow, "What I'm supposed to be after hours under the sun, isn't it?"

She giggled as she hung his towel over her shoulder, "True."

Both of them looked up when a pair of elementary school approached them, their hands outstretched with a piece of paper.

The boy spoke, "Would you please autograph for us?"

The younger girl nodded her head with excitement, "I've seen you play at the court every weekend. My brother and I love to watch you in action. You will do us a favor by signing your name here."

Eriol picked up her pen with amusement as he signed his name on the folded paper. He looked at the innocent pair as they smiled jovially.

"Thank you!" The girl said with a hint of giggle in her voice when she looked at Tomoyo, "Wow! Is this your girlfriend?" The schoolgirl's eyes rounded with envy, "She's so pretty!"

Tomoyo gave a hearty smile as she leant forward to ruffle the girl's brown locks, "Thank you. I'm sure you'll grow up to become a beautiful lady, too."

The girl blushed when the boy beside her turned to Eriol, "I love basketball! But my friends keep laughing at my skills! Am I lousy or what?" A look of sorrow crossed his face, "Should I give up playing basketball?"

Eriol shook his head, "You shouldn't get dejected just because those boys laughed at you." He gave the little boy an encouraging pat on the head, "You need confidence to win a game, too."

His mouth rounded into an 'O' when he flashed a toothless grin, "I know what to do now! Practice makes perfect! Thank you, Brother Eriol!" The school girl gave a shy smile as she held out a pen and the same paper to Tomoyo, "Would you like to sign here, too? I want to show my classmates that I've met Brother Eriol's girlfriend, too."

Eriol knew protesting was useless, for these innocent kids were too excited to disappoint them. Tomoyo signed her name on the paper before handing the paper back with a bright smile pasted on her face. The elementary school students looked at both signatures when another jovial smile touched their lips in unison. With one final goodbye, they skipped happily out of sight.

Tomoyo looked at Eriol as he returned the gaze. There was silence for a moment when the irritated look returned in his eyes.

"What?" He fidgeted uncomfortably.

Tomoyo broke into gales of light giggles, "I didn't know you were such a nice man. Being so encouraging and all."

He rolled his eyes, "I've always been a nice man."

"Oh really?" Tomoyo teased, "A nice man to me, too?"

He kept silent, knowing he was defeated as Tomoyo threw up her fist in victory, "Checkmate!"

"Whatever."

Tomoyo stuck out her tongue as she carried his sling bag over her shoulder, standing up, "I already said, 'quit the whatevers'!" Eriol looked up lazily, "Where are we going?"

"Are you so obsessed with shooting more hoops lately that you've forgotten about lunch, sweetheart?"

*

Eriol sighed as he fluffed the pillow on his bed before laying back down. He could feel his whole body ached after that long game and he was thankful of himself for taking a cold shower that afternoon.

He couldn't deny the fact that Tomoyo had been understanding about his lethargic behavior. She brought him home straightaway after lunch to make sure he could get rest at home as soon as possible. As for her shopping spree, she hadn't insisted on Eriol following her today and she had even treated him to a cone of cold, delicious peppermint ice cream.

"Just make sure you rest well enough to take me to the bash tomorrow, alright, Eriol?" She had said that when she bid him farewell at his doorstep.

A sigh escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes, his thoughts ceasing soon enough. He was about to doze off when the door of his bedroom knocked. He sat up instantly, knowing immediately who it was.

"Come in, Dad."

Ethan stepped into his room with a sheepish smile, "Were you asleep?" Eriol shook his head as the older man sat at the side of his bed. An awkward silence fell between the two when Ethan broke it.

"How is Tomoyo?"

Eriol hadn't expected his father to shoot that question at all and it took him a moment to answer.

"S-She's fine." He finally replied, hoping it was the right answer to his father's question.

His father arched an eyebrow, "You're taking her to the bash tomorrow, right?"

Eriol blinked, "H-How did you know?"

Ethan's dark azure eyes crinkled as he pointed to the desk, "I saw the invitation card. It was merely a guess that you will be taking her there."

Since when was my father as sharp as Tomoyo? Has he taken her medicine or what? Holy hell…

Ethan stood up, sensing that Eriol wasn't in the mood for a heart-to-heart talk today, "Well, in anyway, all the best tomorrow night." With those final words and a satisfied smirk on his face that obviously read 'My-Son-Has-Grown-Up', Ethan shut the door to his room.

All the best?

Eriol was left into a state of confusion as he hit the pillow once more.

For what?

*

Eriol quickened his pace as he entered the posh Four Seasons Hotel. He checked the clock hanging at the top of the ceiling. 8:37. He was late by more than just a few minutes already. He had been at the indoor basketball court to catch an exciting match between his favorite team and another group of strong opposing players. Watching the match till the end had caused him to be late and he had made a last-minute call to Tomoyo's house to assure her he would be there later.

"Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel, Sir. If you are the guest of Emma Burtynes's birthday party, please follow me."

The hotel assistance led Eriol to the 3rd floor where Emma's birthday bash was going at a high. Even at the second level, Eriol could already hear the powerful hi-five system that was blasting away mellow music.

Pushing open the beautiful opaque doors, Eriol was greeted with a whole crowd of people that were partying their time away. Balloons and banners were hung everywhere above the ceiling and colourful ribbons laced the entire ballroom. The atmosphere was magnificent, with the music bringing many couples on the dance floor.

His eyes scanned the humongous room for the raven-haired lady when he bumped into an auburn-haired couple.

"Eriol!" Syaoran and Sakura exclaimed in unison. It was obvious that both were thoroughly enjoying the whole bash. Emma's birthday was one event that many looked out for. She came from a rich and wealthy family where money was of no problem. Her birthday was always in a six-star hotel where one always had to grab a partner to come in a formal wear. No tees, no jeans, no denim. That was a rule of her party always.

Eriol merely raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"If you're looking for Tomoyo," Syaoran started with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "She's above chatting with the ladies."

Sakura giggled, "You have to be quick, Eriol! More than two dozen boys have asked for a dance already!"

"Did she accept them?" Eriol asked immediately, ignoring the oooh-Eriol-is-so-caring look that Syaoran was shooting him.

"Well," Sakura laughed, "Fortunately, no. Said she was waiting for her number one boy--" "That was late because of a basketball match." Syaoran cut in crudely.

"Whatever!" Eriol shot back, although confused with how his ears were able to catch the heartbeats in his ribcage. Was it his imagination or was his heart pumping faster?

"You better find her quick. I don't think she is able to withstand the overflowing amount of boys that is walking in her way soon enough, you know." Sakura joked as Eriol stuffed his hands in his pockets, turning away.

"Whatever." He muttered under his breath.

From behind, he could hear Syaoran teasing.

"Looks like my Truth-and-Dare game is becoming a reality!"

Eriol vowed he would punch that boy the next time he saw him. He had better watch out.

*

"Frick it, man! Can you imagine it? Twice! She rejected my offer for a dance twice!"

Eriol pricked his ears as he walked by a group of Shades boys who were deep in a conversation.

"What did she say?" Another man queried.

"She just gave me a sweet smile and said she would only dance with her number one boy." The man growled, "Who is that number one boy, anyway?"

Eriol couldn't help a small smile that touched his lips as he walked out of hearing distance.

"Eriol! Over here!"

The blue-eyed boy stopped in his tracks as the voice he had been so connected with these few days reached his ears. He turned around to give the ballroom a quick, thorough glance.

Nope.

"Eriol! Up here!"

He looked up, those blue orbs threading the steps of a grand, red staircase where a familiar figure stood. He narrowed his eyes to get a closer look. Was it really her?

He held back his breath as Tomoyo appeared at the top of stairway, giving him a quick honeyed smile before walking down the red steps.

Was that really her?

He blinked again as he finally let his blue orbs slowly absorbed the every detail about her.

She wore a beautiful white, flowing dress with tints of pink lacing around, framing her body perfectly. Her Cinderella-like slippers added to that loving essence she possessed and her long, raven dark hair was let down tonight to shape her petal-like cheeks. She wore a touch of make-up, too--not a lot, but just enough to bring out the softness in her features. She was smiling heartily as she descended the steps.

It was absolutely amazing a sight to behold.

He breathed slowly as she neared his side.

It is her.

The line registered in his numb brain for a moment before he managed a light nod.

She looked exactly like a princess.

**

END!!!!!!!

Wow that was kawaii and short at the same time but let's hope it's still goooooood! RnR and tell me how's things! Btw, I DUN PLAY BASKETBALL (very seldom) so do not flame if I get any facts about basketball wrong. I know nothing, I'm serious. (just a lil' I guess)

It's short, I apologize. But I wrote this when I'm supposed to study. It's nearing 3 hours since I started writing this and it's draining out all my time. Hee! Guess this is my sacrifice to you kind guys out there! LUV YA FOREVER!

Luv ExT forever, too!

As always

Mysterio000

p.s. the almighty one!