Sai-chan: Finally finished this chappie. Kind of took a side trip before working on this one. GOMEN!
Hope you keep on the reviews though and thank you so much.
Special thanks to amethyst sweet angel, danivie, Amanda, captain canija, innocence8, ukari-chan and dtmindy (don't worry Sakura will get in the picture next chappie)
Chapter 16 – Messed Up
Getting up from bed, Tomoyo changed quickly from her robes for a long battle ahead of her. She started off by cleaning the manor from the flooring to the dusting of the ceiling. She cannot bring herself to imagine that such a beauty is to be put to waste just because of the sloth of a brother-in-law she has. She was determined and stubborn and no normal human being would dare mess with her.
As soon as she finished cleaning she proceeded to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Placing the freshly cut fruits, eggs and wheat bread and some newly made coffee in a tray she proceeded to Eriol's quarter's only to find books scattered all over the floor.
Settling the tray by a desk she has cleared partially she moved to open the dark drapes to let the sunshine in. Instinctively the lad snuggled within the comforter woke up rubbing his eyes, startled by the sudden light,
"Rise and shine, sleepy head. If you want to finish that work of yours you have to wake up early or else you'll accomplish nothing," Tomoyo said as she placed the tray in Eriol's lap.
"Breakfast in bed?" Eriol asked blankly staring at the tray before him and to Tomoyo and back to the tray.
"Well, it's not in the floor is it?" Madison said as she started crumpling one paper to another.
"Thanks" Eriol said relishing the meal.
"This is good. You know, you're cooking is way much better than your sister's. No, scratch that – your cooking is best compared to Layla's" Eriol said practically devouring the meal.
:You know, I would have taken that as a compliment have you not downplayed my sister's cooking," Tomoyo said fuming,
With that she walks out of the room.
"And CUT!" Yamazaki shouted and the film stopped rolling,
""Everyone, start packing. We're going to our next shooting site," he announced.
"We're right on schedule, of we keep it up, we'll be finished by midnight or perhaps earlier," he said checking his planner.
"Eriol! Tomoyo! Get ready for the finale okay?" he said turning to the two who started packing as well.
The two nodded.
In less than an hour all the crew has loaded their things and is heading for their next site: Yamazaki's vacation house in Niigata.
Yamazaki, Eriol, Tomoyo, Syaoran and Kaho are in the same van with Yuki-niichan and Touya taking turns in driving.
---
"I am not doing that scene! It wasn't originally there!" Tomoyo exclaimed or rather shouted to the top of her lungs considering that she is but a few feet from Yamazaki.
"Yes, it is. It's in my script and mine is the original," Yamazaki said not batting an eyelash.
"Well… kissing Eriol isn't part of the deal," Tomoyo said stubbornly.
"Yes, it is." Yamazaki said just as stubbornly.
"It's acting, remember? And you agreed to act according to the script, and the script says so," he added.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Tomoyo said turning to Eriol who was playing a game boy.
"If Tomoyo herself doesn't agree and she actually had an agreement with you, what more of me who was practically blackmailed to this?" he said not taking his eyes from his game.
"Come on, don't you want to kiss her?" Yamazaki whined. Tomoyo and Eriol looked at him incredulously.
"Do you want me to get rabies?"
"In your dreams – no, not even in your nightmares,"
"Like you've ever been kissed,"
"Like you are,"
"Would you please stop it! Go cool yourselves a bit. When I say you'll do it, you'll do it! We'll start filming in half an hour," Yamazaki declared in monster mode silencing the two.
With that the two walked off to different directions.
Tomoyo ended up sitting next one of Eriol's classmates, Naomi who was reading a book.
"Had an argument at the set?" she asked gently.
"Kind of. What's that you're reading?" Tomoyo asked.
"It's a story written by William Shakespeare. I'm writing a report about it in English class," Naomi answered.
"I read that before. It's a really neat story, the lead characters fighting the odds for the sake of love," Tomoyo said looking at the cover.
"It's amazing don't you think? How someone our age can be so in love and all."
"Yeah…"
"There was this book I once read, the guy actually fought five guys who bullied his girlfriend all alone. Wouldn't it be great to have a knight in shining armor?"
"Uh… I guess so…"
"He would be gentlemanly, handsome, smart – totally perfect!" Naomi dreamily said.
"Uh… knight in shining armor, huh?" she said to herself before standing up and walking outside.
"Where are you going?" Naomi asked looking at her.
"I'll just go for some air… I'll be back"
----
Eriol on the other hand opted to take a stroll by the bridge over the river. He had a hard time coming though as his classmates would stop him every now and then chit chatting and all. When he did got by the bridge he was surprise to see Tomoyo deep in thought.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" he said approaching her.
"…knight in shining armor, huh?" Tomoyo said to herself.
"Huh?"
"Oh, I didn't know you're here. I'm sorry about earlier, Yamazaki is just being impossible…" Tomoyo said recognizing Eriol's presence and returning her gaze to the horizon.
"I'm sorry too. You know, I can talk to Yamazaki to do something about it… he's pretty much carried away I guess…" he said joining her.
"…Ne… Eriol..."
"Hmm?"
"…W-w-what would you do if somebody… bullied me and made… me cry?" Tomoyo asked shyly not looking at Eriol.
"Huh? What kind of question is that?" Eriol asked surprised.
"I'm just a bit c-curious… What would you do?" she asked still not looking at Eriol.
Silence.
Tomoyo moved closer to Eriol and looked at him.
"Would you let me run to you?" she asked childishly.
"What am I a finish line?" Eriol said avoiding Tomoyo by turning to his left.
"Would you let me cry on your shoulder?" Tomoyo asked again turning to Eriol.
"I'm no tissue paper…" Eriol answered turning this time to his right.
"W-would… would you let me hug you then?" Tomoyo asked following Eriol's direction, her voice softer.
"People will think I'm a pervert…" he said turning yet again to his left.
"What would you do then?" Tomoyo asked this time not following Eriol's pacing.
"I'll let you call the police…" he said starting to walk back to the set. Tomoyo looked confused.
"I'll kill them…" he finished to Tomoyo's surprise.
"We better go now, Yamazaki will kill us if we're late" he said turning to Tomoyo who was deep in thought.
"Tomoyo?"
"Uhmm!" Tomoyo said joining him and then walking several steps faster, her eyes jolly than ever.
"I got an idea… perhaps I can use packaging tape in kissing you…" she said. Eriol looked flabbergasted.
"What?"
"I saw it once in a TV show…" she said running like a kid. Eriol could only chuckle in amusement.
Tomoyo walks in the room
Tomoyo: Our moms just gave us the most incredulous gift- Engagement rings!
It got me kind of thinking… what will happen after our contract with our mothers?
Next on Project Engagement: The Trinity Rings
Read and review! Adieu!