For Better or Worse
Chapter 3 : Swirls and Twirls
[Eriol]
I glanced, once in awhile out of pure frustration, to the reality laid outside the grated glass beside of me, only to find a couple of rascals out in the lawn pleasantly having a snow fight. Nakuru was aiming for Tomoyo's new-built castle when a handful of snow caught her by surprise and she fell face-forward into the frozen ground, smashing her one instead. Their laughter… I could not hear but I'm sure it must have loud and fun. It was mortally disturbing for how could they not invite me over to join them?
I tore my eyes away from the window and soothed my aching forehead with my hand. This feeling…it was weird. The abrupt feeling of releasing myself from this solitary confinement of mine and hopped down the stairs and into the lawn was really something new to me. For a moment…I thought nothing but enjoying myself— plummeting snow in delight at Nakuru, rolling a snowball to make a mini miniature of snowman, sharing inside jokes with Tomoyo…
Wait, what's that going to do with that girl?
But I had to admit, I've certainly never felt this way before…accept for that time. But this feeling, I'm quite sure, had died off along with her…
Yet the foreboding thought was left undiscussed as I threw my gaze once more on the beings at the outside world. The longing feeling to be freed never seemed to cease.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
[Tomoyo]
"So, you were trying to tell me that he never leaves that room of his, is it?"
"Yeap, precisely."
I blinked. I just couldn't believe, how could anyone, especially someone like him, lock themselves up for three long years?
"Please Nakuru," I resisted a great laugh behind my gloved hand, "Please tell me you're joking." If you insist to know, I've finally made up my mind to drop the stupid formality off. It was just too absurd to address Nakuru as Nakuru-chan. That just spoil the cuteness of her name.
"I'm as dead serious as anyone could be my dear Tomoyo." Her voice was as cool as a cucumber. Or perhaps even cooler than that – a zucchini.
"No way!"
Nakuru scooped up a great deal of snow and flattened them into a ball in her fist before muttering in a soft voice, "Believe it or not Tomoyo, it's true. And –" she pressed her body against mine and whispered into my ears, "I reckon he's been talking to that ghoul that lives in the portrait in his room."
Ghoul? "How do you know that?"
"I heard voices echoing from his room during the night and even so sometimes during day time. The voice was pretty harsh and had this really eerie tone to it. It seemed to gibber in the most effete way. Never mind how they communicate to each other, I'm starting to think Eriol is part of them too. Perhaps they belong to one same clan."
A sound of shock escaped my mouth and I cringed slightly to the stark tree behind of me. Er…Eriol, is a ghoul? I eyed Eriol's bedroom window half-heartedly only to find a shadow gliding across the room in one smooth motion. My mouth dropped.
Nakuru grinned, ear to ear at my stupor. "How thick you can get?" She snorted. "I'm obviously lying."
"NAKURU!!!!"
Scoop. Shape. Shoot. Repeat.
I raged on, throwing balls of snows at her whenever I saw an opening. I couldn't believe that girl or guy or…whatever she is…HOW CAN SHE JOKE ABOUT THIS THINGS??!!
"Chill out Tomoyo." Nakuru turned back and shouted. "I'm just joking!"
"Get back here!!" I screamed.
She made a face and pulled out her tongue. You going to get it once and for all for my name's not Tomoyo if you don't. And I carried on hunting for her.
[End of Tomoyo's POV]
Yet at that moment, she was unaware that a pair of eyes was looking intensely down at her, observing her every movement, studying her slowly from a safe distance where she could not see him…only he could.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Somewhere back at Japan…
"Any news on her yet?"
The figure shook his head in response wearing a very wary look, looking as if he had not being sleeping for days.
"Very well then. I'm positive sure that she is not in Japan anymore. I'll call my other agents in various countries to look for her, thank you for your assistance within this month. It is much appreciated."
"Yes sir." And the figure disappeared into a door.
"Why are you still doing this?" came a lady's voice toned with anger and disgust.
The man on the chair lapsed into silence, acknowledging not her previous question. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on both his arms. After a full minute, she asked once more. "Why?"
"You know Satomi, I'm only thinking for her future. Engaging her to the Kenji clan not only ensures her happiness, but also the future of our company as well."
Satomi Daidouji however was not satisfied with the given answer. She cleared off a strand of hair that dangled off her face and shot him a rancorous look before slamming down her fists onto the desk. Mountains of piling documents, checked and unchecked both collapsed, creating an avalanche in the middle of the table.
"Is that how you treat your only daughter? Dismissing her to another man who she has no feeling to just for the sake's of the company?!! What's wrong with you??!!! No wonder she decided to run away!" She shouted with rage as she raised her fist once more.
"Satomi…It's for her own good too. I wasn't thoroughly thinking of myself only." The man spoke on of neither hesitation nor regret.
"Shut up! Shut up!" She clasped her ears, refused to hear any of his nonsense of expanding the family business anymore. "Stop telling me it's for her own sake!" Is this the same man she had used to love and been worrying sick for years? Is this the same man she had learn to love when she in desperate need for care and attention?
Memories from yesteryears came rushing back to her; each and every of them held an important meaning to her life. How she had to finally let go of her 'bestest' friend in the world, how she was wounded badly when she first heard that her best friend was going to get married, how she met the man of her dreams… Things could not be turned back and neither could dead be revived. To her, the fragments from yesteryears were now a mere dim distant past and the man that now sits before her very own eye was no more than a nightmare. "You were not like this last time Akira. You've change… so much." Her voice was soft but fury could be sensed. "What made you…?"
"Please Satomi. If you're going to tell me the old stories, 'you've change Akira but not for good' I'm bored hearing it already. Don't get in my way if you do not wish to help me. Now, if you mind, I've got an important meeting with the Councils from Great Britain. Please leave."
Satomi who was nearing the brink of losing her sanity was shivering greatly and was forced to cringed to the wall as a pillar to support her from falling off the cliff. The man who was also once the guy of her dream, a person who she called his 'husband' paced pass her importantly and headed towards the oaken door. She mustered her final courage as her eyes trailed the man to the door and spoke her last decision. "If that's how you going to think – fine! I don't see there's any use of us being together anymore. I…I… call for a divorce!!"
"Suits you." The man shrugged and lightly turn the door knob. "But don't forget, you may not be able to support yourself in this harsh reality where money and power is everything. But even if you did manage to scrape through, Tomoyo is going to marry Kenji Tawanori's son anyway." The door closed shut and Satomi was left standing as numbly as she had been for the past quarter hour. Emotions filled her starry eyes…
Tomoyo…I'm sorry.
*~*~*~*~*~*
She plopped down onto the sofa rather; puff out some steam from her mouth before leaning closer to the burning fireplace. Snows were practically knocking against the humble window of Eriol's as she engrossed herself in trailing the pattern engraved on the ceiling intriguingly. Brilliant colours exploded from the ceiling to meet her dull eyes, absorbing all the pain and the torture from them. She sighed slightly onto the sofa and cuddled the tiny pillow onto her chest. She hummed a soft melody, only audible to her instinctive ears. She rocked back and forth and back and forth again, lulling herself to own dreamland where reality is not as harsh as it seemed.
[Eriol's POV]
I cast an eye around the room, only to spot no one but a familiar petite figure on my crimson-coloured sofa. I looked at her almost disinterestingly and was about to head into the kitchen (I was starving already) when I heard secrete sobs ensuing from her.
I paced towards her.
Wow, the moment I laid my eyes on her…it was…it was as if my old self was back again. Her hauntingly beautiful features reminded me so much of her…the only things that differentiate them from one another was the fact that Tomoyo's hair was ebony black and hers – the colour of Bordeaux [1].
I stroke her hair gently and a heavenly smell filled my nostrils.
She sure smell good…wonder what shampoo did she used…
And that was when I heard a second sob. Upon a careful inspection, I could see crystal tears rolling down her flushed cheek and my hand instantly went for her aid. I brushed them off with a finger of mine. She looked so fragile now…and it seemed like she had gone through hardship in her life. It was only a matter of time before the line she drew to suppress herself erased by the wind.
Snap.
Oops…
*~*~*~*~*~*
[Tomoyo's POV]
I felt a warm hand guiding me towards the light where happiness and freedom could be found. Dimly I opened an eye and it took me a bit to focus at my surroundings. For a moment, it made me believed that I was back at home and the depressed feeling came back as instant as it vanished. That was why I hated myself to collapse in from of Eriols' house. I didn't know what made me did it. Perhaps this was the only place I could seek for solace and comfort.
I felt a hand caressing my hair and then my cheeks…What the…?
I snapped and my eyes flew open but only dancing flames greeted me. I looked around but there was no one around. Darn. I was positive sure that someone was here a moment before. And then I realized a comfy blanket was wrapped neatly around me.
It must be him. It certainly is.
Despite the fact that I was rather frozen by now, I rushed to the kitchen to tell Nakuru the great news (Eriol is recovering!! Yeah, what a joy) when I spotted another figure situated not very far from her, sipping a brimming hot chocolate, contemplating the storm outside the window.
What the heck is he doing here?
*~*~*~*~*~*
[Eriol's POV]
I eyed the window nervously, pretending to be intrigued by the weeping sky. Heck, I can't believe I was even doing this! Why was I so sensitive anyway? I could have just told her that I happened to walk pass when I saw her shivering in the cold (skipped the crying part for I was afraid I might hurt her feelings) and was nice enough to magic a blanket for her. My lips quivered at the burning substance as I tried very, very hard not to steal a glance at her.
But oh, why was god so nice to me now?
Why must she slipped into a seat in front of me and helped herself to her cup of coffee?
[Nakuru's POV]
Heh, I knew both would learn to know about each other soon enough. I saw what you did back there, Eriol and I think this missy here knew about that too. You can't fool us both.
But let me try whether you as really as smart as you look.
{Laughs to herself evilly…}
[End of POV]
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Yes Nakuru?" Eriol inquired his guardian sweetly and arched a brow at her indistinct behavior. Translator: If you are plotting something evil Nakuru, at least have some dignity and laugh softly to yourself.
Nakuru who was taken aback abruptly grinned and proceeded with the cooking. Once in a while she would eye the couple sitting glaring at one another at the counter.
"I find you well enough, Daidouji-san?"
Tomoyo poured herself another cup of coffee and sipped the substance slowly as if enjoying the bitter taste. "Of course. Your house was rather homely, you know." And she sipped some more.
Eriol however made no comments.
And Nakuru was listening to their conversation rather gleefully.
"Tell me Hiiragizwa-san," Tomoyo decided to break the ice. "Have you any idea who wrapped this warm blanket around me?
He knew the question was going to pop out sooner or later. He opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out. At this moment of awkwardness, it was Nakuru who seemed alive. Time for some drastic action, she whispered indiscreetly. "It was me Tomoyo-chan."
"You?" She raised her brows.
"Yes me." Nakuru replied with her back against them.
Eriol looked as if he was stunned by a spell and couldn't help but looking at Nakuru for the first time he entered the kitchen.
"Why…thank you Nakuru. I might be frozen to death if you weren't so attentive." It was absolutely she shot the last word at him. Tomoyo knew it was not her but someone else.
"Gee, Tomoyo it's just a small matter. Here, help me out and set the table okay? And you too, Mr. You-going-to-set-the-table-while-I-go-watch-some-show." She added as an afterthought as she noticed Eriol was trying to escape.
"Yes, ma'am." He sighed in defeat and raised his fist threateningly at Nakuru who didn't notice his behavior. Tomoyo could only laugh.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The next chapter might take some time as I have major exam coming up in four months time and I have to study. Sigh. This is my favourite chapter of all and I have written it longer for the sake of you guys. Tomoyo's dad is going to be very evil from now on. And Nakuru would play some major role too. Stay tune.
[1] Bordeaux – a famous French red/white wine. Now you guys can guess who Eriol thinks Tomoyo resembles to…
Pan-d-elvenP-nut : Oh you like it? I'm glad!
fefa-chan : Haha, here's a bit of what you're worrying of. More coming up in the next chapters!!
DC : I've taken care of the POV stuff. I'm sorry if I got you spinning around. To tell you the truth, I'm not really a good writer, there are better people out there life Daphne Li and many more.
Kawaii berry : No need to wait, here I present you with the third chap!! ::Confetti::
Xtreme Nuisance : Thanks for the review.
Dana Daidouji : Hehe, I love cliffies…
KyteAura: School is important kay? Make sure ya finish your homework before reading this.
Hiiragizawa-chan : Haha, thank you. ::bows::
AnGelguRL: Thank you, thank you!! ::cry with joy::
Not applicable : Mysterious…? Shush… ::blushes::
Reina-chan : I'm evil and I'm going to ruin Eriols's life… beware Eriol…
Princess cythera : Thank you for your kind review.
Clowcardgirl : here is the new chap!
Sorry If I left anyone out. Kick me.
Signing out,
Psycho_kyugurl