Rai: I have finally updated. My apologies for letting all of you wait and for dragging this fic for over a year. Jeez, it has been a year, hasn't it? Don't worry, I'll try updating more frequently. Well, I'll try…
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The Assignment
vi: Curious
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Carrying her package, Tomoyo made her way through the parking lot. She had successfully bought everything she needed and now looked forward to a quiet dinner at the dorm. The day had been a bit strenuous, but it was productive, nevertheless
She was halfway towards her destination when she noticed two men walking towards the sedan parked next to her BMW. She sensed something familiar about the guy in the blue shirt. It must be someone from school. Only when he turned sideways to open the driver's side did she realize who he was.
Li Syaoran.
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Syaoran was aware of being watched. But he couldn't care less. It was just the Kinomoto's friend. True, he had nearly collided with her in the mall. But with his disguise, she'd have a hard time placing him as the maintenance personnel. He had even changed his gait.
But Hiirigizawa Eriol was fascinated. He watched the doll-faced woman surveying his companion. She was no real threat. He knew her fascination spurred from her friend's crush on the little wolf. She was as amusing as his friend's assignment. They were both womanly naïve. Cute, but weak.
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Tomoyo felt someone watching her and instinctively turned towards the other man. Li Syaoran's companion was looking at her with a bemused expression. The dark haired man smiled at her behind his glasses before he slipped into the passenger seat.
A loud warning sound broke through her thoughts as an ambulance entered the parking lot and parked next to the service elevator. Four paramedics went out carrying a stretcher. Another breaking sound followed and two police cars entered. She frowned at the scene unfolding before her. If she were watching a movie, she'd deduce that this was a crime scene investigation. But where was the crime scene?
She suddenly remembered Li Syaoran and his companion. She abruptly turned towards the direction of her car. But the slot beside it was now empty.
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The black Acura eased through the rush hour traffic of Tomoeda. Inside, Eriol unwrapped Syaoran's purchase. He cocked an eyebrow at the man behind the wheel when he saw the Merriam-Webster.
"A thesaurus?"
The driver refused to respond to his companion's mocking tone. He had other things on his mind. The short message was done. His film was already surrendered. What bothered him was his wired message. His surveillance was supposed to run for only two weeks. It has been four days since he began with the Kinomoto. Normally, this perennial state wouldn't bother him at all. He attracted her like moth to a fire. That much he knew. But her temper today had amused him. And that reaction now bothered him.
She was so much like Meilin. In an endearing sort of way. They both had the one thing he secretly craved but couldn't have. A life free of burdening guilt. He knew it was part of the price he had to pay in exchange for the life he chose. Because to men like him, life and living no longer mattered that much. As the sensei had said, we do not regret the things we decide to do for the things we believe in.
Eriol's perpetually jovial voice cut through his train of thought, "You know, your assignment;s friend seems to be curious."
"I would prefer if you just say exactly what you intend to say, Hiirigizawa," the quiet wolf said as he cut through lanes easily.
Eriol beamed and stated flatly, "You ought to be careful with her."
Syaoran maneuvered the car towards the student parking lot of the Nobu dorm, "I guess what you're trying to say is, she should be careful with you."
Eriol nodded towards the empty space between a Ford and a Honda, "You could be right."
Syaoran steered the Acura cleanly into the vacant space and gunned the engine. He shrugged as he yanked the key from the ignition.
Eriol smiled wanly at him, "Nice parking."
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Entering the dorm room she shared with Sakura, Tomoyo's face was masked with disorientation. Now, more than ever, she had the indistinct feeling that something was not quite right. Something was odd. Something, she somehow always felt in regards to the peculiar Li Syaoran.
From what she gathered around campus, the neurotic Li Syaoran wasn't exactly the amiable type. Most people around campus had their own group or social circles. Everyone had their respective organizations where they troupe with people sharing their interest. Sakura was part of the theater and the track and field team. Tomoyo herself has two organizations, the design club and the media org. Being part of the media org, she knew of all the other organizations on campus, legit or non-legit. She also happen to know at least a member from each of those organizations. And none of those she knew has ever mentioned having Li Syaoran as an added member to their org.
It must be premature to wonder too much. After all, the term has just started, and maybe Syaoran hasn't decided which org to belong to. But still…
"I didn't notice you come in," Sakura's voice came through her introspection.
She smiled wanly, "What's for dinner?"
"Cafeteria food," her best friend replied, "If you're up to it."
"Sure," she shrugged as she dropped the bags on her bed, "it's too late to go wandering outside campus anyway."
"I'll just freshen up," Sakura said as she entered the bathroom.
Tomoyo wondered if she should tell Sakura about the incident at the mall. Then decided against it. Her friend didn't need any more news about the man.
Which reminded her of Li Syaoran's companion. Another odd factor in the whole situation. He was another new face. If he was with Syaoran, he must then know him. If he was from campus, maybe he could answer questions about his friend that continued to mystify her. From the way the stranger with the glasses looked, he seemed to be around their age. And granted this, he must be studying in the college as well. If she could only find him.
"Ready?"
She turned to her friend who was getting her bag from her night table. She nodded and opened the door to get out.
Tomorrow she'll start scouting for the man behind the glasses. If she could talk to him, he might be able to shed light to her queries.
-to be continued
Rai: That's it. By the way, if you wish to be informed about my updates and you don't particularly like visiting my blog, you can just leave your email addy on your review so I can send you mail when I get the chance to update. When I do…