Aww, no reviews? I was disappointed…
But that's okay, I decided that I would write up this chapter, and if I still don't get reviews… meh, I'll keep writing for my own amusement. I just may not post it up.
On that note,
Here's Chapter 3…
Chapter 3: Basking in the moonlight…
Their friendship grew fast, he went to her house, she visited his, they went shopping together, and she'd even managed to convince him to go on another date. Of course, that only ended in him throwing the 'potential' folder into the fireplace. But she was also prepared, and she had made another copy beforehand, and had thrown him a satisfied smirk when he tried to burn the copy with a powerful glare.
The night after his fourth date, a girl who was the perfect B&B, Eriol and Tomoyo were found on her back porch, sitting back and drinking hot cocoa. She sighed looking at the ocean. It had taken a lot on both sides to make him come over that night. He'd yelled at her over the phone telling her that he hated everything that happened. Though, everything changed around the time she started to cry. He convinced her that he was too mad and she smiled and still whined into the phone. Of course, what she didn't know was that he was approaching from right behind her. She gasped when she felt a cold hand not only wrap around her phone but also cover her mouth before she could scream.
Once again, memories flooded her minds as real tears started to flood the gates of her eyes.
He turned her around slowly and her wide tear-filled eyes made him flinch. She pulled back when he let go, and she stood alone, shaking. Paranoia had seized her so quickly, but hadn't she every reason to be afraid? Her life was picking up, she smiled more, and she could look at herself in the mirror and stand to see the girl that stared back at her. But her past still haunted her… it would be a while before she could truly forget…
He smiled a little apologetically and said, "Sorry. Couldn't watch those crocodile tears." She leaned against the kitchen counter and said softly, "Eriol-san… please don't do that again." In a moment he was by her side, helping her sit down and putting tea on the stove. He never felt so different, scrambling to make a girl feel better. As he looked back, he realized that she was getting cups out of the cupboard. He started to tell her to stop but she looked up and smiled politely saying, "I'm fine Eriol-san."
He smiled back and said, "So what's new?"
A half hour later they found themselves sitting at her back porch, watching the fairly silent night ripen. He looked up at the sky, observing the billions of stars when she asked, "Hey! You did know you I have made many copies of the list beforehand?" He nodded and said in a dejected tone, "of course."
Her eyes brightened and she continued teasingly, "So how bad was your 'bad' date?"
He groaned at her and said, "She was… overly cute and overly happy." Tomoyo frowned and asked, "Like Sakura-chan?"
Eriol knew he was treading on thin ice. Tomoyo Daidouji worshipped her best friend. He looked at her cautiously and said, "Sakura's not overly anything. She's, well, she's a really strong woman." Tomoyo smiled, even though she knew what Eriol was trying to do and she sat back staring at the stars.
A soft breeze hung around that night, making it just perfect. "Ne Eriol-san, can I ask you a question?" He replied non-chalantly, "Sure." She said quietly, "One girl was too stoic, one didn't like you in general, one liked you too much… what kind of a wife are you looking for? An angel?"
He sat up reflecting on her question. He knew the answer that he wanted to say, but couldn't. He looked at her cautiously and started, "Well, she doesn't have to be beautiful outside, but she has to have a beautiful heart."
He noticed the way Tomoyo swirled a strand of hair around her finger…
He continued staring, "her presence, would bring warmth and assurance to any place in this world, with everyone falling into the beauty of her eyes…"
Flecks of amethyst and long curly lashes were looked over…
"Her voice would always be like a nightingale's song; a voice I'd even wait an eternity to listen to again and again…"
She giggled softly at those words, and he stopped, clearing his throat. She looked over at him merrily and reflected, "Looks like you really do want a true angel Eriol-san."
He snapped out of his dazed gaze and replied huskily, "Seems like I do Tomoyo."
She tried to search for a sense of mockery, or maybe just even admittance was fine. But all she found was a slowly igniting flame of desire, one that she knew she could not control and if she tried really hard, all she would achieve would be to get herself enveloped into those flames. He interrupted her thoughts by asking, "so what kind of a guy are you looking for?"
She smiled sadly and replied, "I'm not looking for anyone Eriol-san." He watched her pick and invisible thread from her dress as she fell in painful memories. He got up and approached her, putting a soft hand on her shoulder. His closeness was calming her sad heart, and she felt strange warmth fill her.
He then asked her, "But you must have had some image before you were hurt." She looked up at him, her sad amethyst eyes shining. It had only been a few days but she began to trust him, for one reason or another…
She said, "Well, there was a time…" He looked interested and said, "do share Tomoyo-san."
She looked at his back as he leaned over the porch, looking at the ocean. The waves ahead of him, lapped against the sand, slowly, in no hurry. She remembered a childhood dream, ages ago, under stars at a sleep over at Sakura's house, where little girls talked of their handsome knights through the night. "He would love me like I was worth walking into the lairs of death to bring back, and all I would need was for me to be able to trust him, forever." But then she stopped, her eyes saddening again. He turned around and looked at her and for a fleeting moment, her heart fluttered with desire, but it was all oppressed and put aside.
The childhood picture was still set in her mind, yet there was still time, before she realized that the boy she dreamed of, would be the friend she gained in a short time…
He sat at his table, staring at the letter in his hands. The incident at Tomoyo's house had left him puzzled and surer of the fact that there was more than a mere attraction to his matchmaker. His mother had written to him with instructions on when to pick her up, as the news of him scaring away a couple girls reached her. He frowned at the letter and threw it down, grabbing his jacket to go into town. He was meeting Tomoyo for lunch, hoping that there wasn't a catch with the meeting. All he knew was that she called early in the morning with plans, making him promise to meet her for lunch.
He found himself in the flower shop, talking to Ms. Mizuki, and she helped him by picking out the freshest roses among the whites and the reds. He extended a hand of thanks, which the woman received with a mysterious smile, and as he left the shop she whispered, "You're in for a painful fall, if the tides don't turn in your favor Mr. Hiiragizawa."
He was confused by her words, yet continued to the restaurant, arriving on time, as he walked through the door. He saw her sitting in a corner, and he joined her, handing the bouquet of flowers to her. She looked surprised and asked, "To what do I have this honor Eriol-san?" He smiled and said, "I was hoping it would work to convince you into not torturing me again for a few days." 'And because I have something I'd like to attempt to tell you,' he added internally.
She laughed, and he felt his heart jump lightly as she shook her head and started talking about the events ahead. She said slyly, "So I hear your mother's coming into town." He grimaced, noticing the sparkle in her eyes that meant 'trouble' with a bright neon color and flashing lights around it.
He said, "Yes, unfortunately. I got her letter yesterday, and reread the letter at least 20 times hoping that I would get a phone saying it was all a joke. But, well, as I received no phone call, I guess it means she is coming."
Tomoyo smiled kindly and said, "Poor you. But I think you'll like the next girl. Actually, I think you'll like her a lot."
Before he could stop himself he asked, "Is she anything like you?" Tomoyo's face snapped up, trying to read him once again.
His eyes were teasing, or at least she hoped they were as she replied, "She's not unlike me… but she's still very different from me."
He laughed and said, "Well then, I guess I may like her."
Just then, a girl arrived at their table, hesitant, her soft green eyes darting to the door in fear. She cleared her throat as she approached the table, where the man and Tomoyo were talking, and she thought, 'he's very handsome.'
Tomoyo received her with a warm hug as she saw her, and said welcomingly, "Hey Penny. I'm glad you could make it." The girl smiled weakly and then Tomoyo continued, "Eriol, this is Penny Oni. Penny, meet Eriol Hiiragizawa."
He gaped at the girl; she looked like the exact opposite of Tomoyo. Light brown hair, like wheat, and soft green olive-like eyes. He finally donned a polite smile and said, "hello Ms. Penny."
She seemed more afraid than he was. This would be easy.
As the lunch progressed, meaning Tomoyo interrogated Penny and made the girl speak up; Eriol realized that she was more three-dimensional than she looked. She was, in fact, very interesting, and he joined into the conversation, taking control of the questions asked and the way the conversation progressed.
Tomoyo, once she was assured that the two could continue a conversation, went in search of the bathroom, smiling happily and contently as she walked into the bathroom. But her heart tugged with a little regret as she stood in front of the mirror, thinking of how, in a very short time, she had come to love her new self, all thanks to Eriol Hiiragizawa. She shook her head, how stupid she was to feel sad over someone she knew for such a short time!
Outside, however, a different kind of conversation was going along.
There was a small pause of silence between the two, and he shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat as they waited for Tomoyo to return. Penny abruptly said, "You know this will never work out between us Hiiragizawa-kun."
She looked up, meeting his questioning eyes, and she continued, "You and I both know that someone's already stolen your heart."
He smiled slightly and asked, "Is it that obvious?"
She laughed softly and then continued seriously, "But you should know that wooing her will be the biggest task you will ever face."
He queried softly, "What do you mean?"
She replied, "I know Tomoyo-san from a long time ago but she doesn't know me. I know her past Hiiragizawa-kun, and for your sake and hers, I'm warning you before you get your hopes up."
He frowned lightly and asked, "What should I do?"
She said, "The longer you are single, the harder it will be for you to become closer to her. As of now, you're still a man who needs to be found a bride in her eyes. Change the view."
She got up smiling and left a number next to him and said, "I am allowed to say only this much. Trust your heart, and once you've made a decision, call me."
His eyes followed her, as she pretty much floated out the room.
She was a strange girl… Tomoyo returned, and he quickly covered that the girl said something about meeting her brother at his office. Tomoyo frowned a bit disappointedly.
He had an idea about what Penny was suggesting. He quickly covered by saying, "But don't worry Tomoyo, I asked her to leave her number. She was a very interesting person to meet." And he left the restaurant, paying the bill.
Tomoyo stood, shocked, looking as he drove out. In her hand were the roses, and in her eyes, confusion. She wanted him to like the girl.
So then what was stopping her then, from jumping up and down in joy over how 'kawaii' the couple looked?
Uh oh, there's something in the air…
Eheh, I have to admit that I didn't enjoy the chapter much. It was very, broken; probably because it was written a long time ago, and so I don't remember much of my reasonings.
So we know Eriol likes Tomoyo.
I must admit that I expected to drag out the realizations a little more. But then, it was easier to do things this way. He only knows surface-Tomoyo, and that's all I'm saying as a clue for how long this story may end up being.
School's pretty much over.
I sincerely apologize for dragging this out for so long, and at the starting points too! But now that summer's here, I won't have much of a time constraint to write, given I don't get writer's block and my carpel tunnel doesn't get worse.
So look for an update within the next week and a half, because I still have to type up the HP chapter too.
Review! It would be nice to know people are still reading this…
Spectraangel