Monkeysme-san: You think so? I just thought that CCS characters are so settled and happy in the ending while she has to be happy over someone else's happiness when she can have a happiness of her own. I think Minoru-chan is cute too! I picture him to be a more mischievous version of Eriol. On your question about Eriol… hmmm… wait and see… thanks a lot!
FungiFungusRayne-san: you're right I didn't see that one… laughs… there will be more sugar on the next chapter… for this chapter – MAYHEM! laughs evil laugh thanks for reviewing.
Amethyst sweet angel-san: lol… it is his fault… I'm afraid he'll have to suffer more on this chapter though… lol…thanks!
AniMeAzn-5-14-san: Thank you so much! Hope you still like this one…
Amethysapphire-san: I hate Kaho as much as you hate her whacks Kaho with a pan I really wanted to have her run down by a crashing asteroid from Mars but went against it as her death might sound surreal… lol… ET RULES! Thanks!
Atruyai-san: You solved it alright! I love macaroni and cheese too… it's much worse than blackmail though… About the table, Minoru-chan was underneath it and kind of knocked it down… thanks!
NOTE: I still cannot figure out how to make the characters italized or bold or even separate chapters from a different sequence, please forgive me. Also I am not Japanese, so forgive me if I got some lines wrong. And I don't own CCS only Minoru-chan who is so cute! Slight OOC-ness beware…
CLOSE CALL- Sparks Fly
An ET Fic by the lazy Akizuki Sai
Her purple eyes are all swollen, her raven hair is a total mess, the small veil atop her head is about to fall off and her immaculate white gown is sputtered with crimson blood… but she did not mind, all she cares at that very moment is the dark haired lad in front of her… bleeding…
"Kanzaki… get a hold of yourself… Kanzaki…" the lass shakily stuttered as she slightly shook the lad in her arms, tears streaming in her eyes.
"Don't cry… please don't cry…" the lad said wiping the tears on the lass's pale face with his blood stained hands and staining the lass's face in the process. The lass held his hands dearly as she stops her tears with no avail.
"You'll be okay… you should not move…" she whispered as she lowered the lad's hand.
"I guess I can't make it on the 'you-may-now-kiss-the-bride' part," he said grabbing her hand and holding it tightly.
"Don't say that… you'll be okay… you'll be okay…" she said firmly and repeating it as if to convince herself. She then later felt his arm take her hand and with a surprised expression on her tear-stricken face she watch as the lad inserted a platinum ring in her ring finger.
"Kimi wa aishiteru… zutto… kimi wa.." he muttered.
"Koishiteru..." she muttered as the grip on her hand loosened.
"Kanzaki? Shikari… shikarish te you…" she said panicking as she tightened her grip on the land, like as if loosening it will mean loosing the lad.
"Sayonnara…" the lad muttered closing his eyelids.
"Sayonnara…"
"Kanzaki? Djoudan da you ne? ... Kanzaki? Kanzaki! Oshete kure you… oi… Kanzaki!" she said shaking the lad frantically, tears flowing from her eyes. She then felt a hand tap her shoulder and saw a gray haired woman shook her head sympathetically.
"I-ie! Kanzaki?" she said in disagreement not believing what is gong on, like as if it was all a bad dream.
"Kanzaki, Kanzaki, Kanzaki, Kanzaki… " she called out hastily as if it would bring the lad back to life as she burst into further tears.
"KANZAKI!" she exclaimed in grief, her voice echoing all over the old cathedral as the sun's rays started to seep on the glass windows.
…
…
…
"And CUT! That's a wrap! Great job To-chan!" Yanagizawa Naoku called out clapping her hands in glee.
The day was Wednesday, back in Tomoeda Tomoyo got an offer to do a Japanese drama being shoot in London parallel to her upcoming concert. Satisfied with the terms given and learning that the director was actually their long time classmate Naoku Tomoyo and Meilin agreed without a single bit of hesitation.
"That was so good, Tomoyo-san!" a young voice complimented.
Tomoyo looked at the direction where the voice came from and was surprised to find the young Hiirigizawa clad in his school uniform with Nakuru still wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes and Spinel Sun's head poking out from Nakuru's pocket muttering an incoherent, "Stop it, you silly…"
"Minoru-chan! Nakuru-san! Spinel-san! What are you guys doing here?"
"Shut up Suppi! …Tomoyo-sama, that was so wonderful, I just can't stop crying," Nakuru said tucking Spinel in her pocket nearly choking the poor sun guardian.
As everyone else on the set starts to pack up Tomoyo excused herself from Naoku and ushered her guests to her dressing room wiping her crimson stained face and hands with a freshly washed towel handed to her by one of the staff.
"What brings you guys here?" she asked as she set the towel by her dresser and pulled out from a cabinet her clothes. "Is it okay if I change for awhile? The dress is quite stuffy." She asked making her way to the bathroom upon Nakuru and Minoru's assent.
"Anyway, Tomoyo-sama, you were so great back there, I… I actually forgot that cute article of yours and Eriol-sama's… I was so… moved…" Nakuru said still sobbing.
"What article?" Tomoyo, Minoru and Spinel asked in unison. Tomoyo's head partially poking from the bathroom door, Minoru tiptoeing to look at Nakuru straight in the eye and Spinel struggling to get out of the moon guardian's pocket.
"Why… this article… it even has a kawaii picture of you and master in it," Nakuru said pulling out of nowhere a popular showbiz magazine.
"Give me that," Minoru said grabbing the magazine and looking at the cover. Right at the very center was the picture of his dad lying comfortably on Tomoyo's lap, each with a lollipop at the bottom of the picture were red cursive letters and a cupid with an arrow.
"Sparks Fly," the young lad read.
"Just what on earth is that?" Tomoyo asked coming out of the bathroom upon hastily changing into a white turtleneck and denim pants.
Just as Nakuru was to say something, the dressing room door burst open surprising the four of them. Tomoyo shivered.
…
…Hell…
… is about …
…to break loose…
…
…Chaos…
…is about…
… to reign all over the place…
…
"JUST WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, DAIDOUJI?!" an angry Meilin demanded her face a combination of the anger of a lion and a dragon.
"A picture is worth a thousand words and you have TWENTY-SEVEN from different parts of the WORLD!" Meilin scowled scattering twenty-seven different magazines each with her and Eriol's picture taken from different angles and places at the theme park.
"It's not what you think, Meilin-chan…" Tomoyo said trying to calm the fierce Meilin who looks like about to pounce on anybody.
"Not what I think?! What about what the people all over the world thinks?!"
"Hey! Don't talk to her like that!" Minoru said intercepting between Tomoyo and Meilin like a knight in shining armor.
"Don't mess in here, you're just a kid. This is for grown-ups only," Meilin said with such sternness that Tomoyo shivered. Tomoyo being the refined and calm person that she is hates it whenever people are not being rational or when they let themselves be overcome with fear or anger. And this situation can be cited as such.
Minoru on the other hand was not affected and faced Meilin with just as much sternness and boldness.
"For your information OLD LADY, I'm FOUR AND 7 MONTHS OLD in case you don't know!" he snapped back with all the frankness he can muster.
"What do you know you have just the same annoying wit as your dad!" Meilin said her annoyance not faltering and turning her attention to the young lad. The two stared at each other.
It was a long and chilly stare that seems to test on who will last.
Spinel watched the scene with interest. Nakuru gasped.
"Meilin-chan, I think that's enough. You're letting your temper get to you" Tomoyo said in a firm voice.
"To-chan! I'm sorry I'm late, I had to finish some papers at the office," Eriol said appearing in the dressing room a bouquet of flowers in one hand.
All eyes averted to Eriol.
Another pregnant pause enveloped the room.
Eriol gulped.
"Dad! What are you doing here?" Minoru said breaking the silence.
"Speaking of the devil, the devil came," Meilin said cornering the dark haired gentlemen in two quick steps.
"Good evening Li-san," Eriol said politely through the awkwardness of the moment. At the sight somehow, Tomoyo remembered her own mother, Sonomi Daidouji whenever she interrogates Sakura's father, Fujitaka and she could not help but stifle a laugh.
"What's so good in the evening Hiirigizawa-san? Tell me," Meilin said arching her eyebrows.
"Nakuru-chan, why don't you and Minoru-chan go home, it's getting late," Tomoyo said turning to the coffee haired lass who was still confused.
"What?!" Minoru exclaimed not believing that he was being shoved aside from the story.
"Why don't we just have some ice cream tomorrow, ne? For now, you guys go ahead," Tomoyo said as she gingerly escort the lot to the door before mayhem ensues any further.
Minoru pleased by the idea of having to go with Tomoyo for ice cream the following day reluctantly agreed but not after sticking his tongue out to the "OLD LADY" who was then too occupied in interrogating Eriol like a police inspector.
"So, would you mind telling me, how come the whole entertainment world is feasting on your photos with Tomoyo?" Meilin asked with sarcastic sweetness in between her clenched teeth.
"Li-san, there's nothing for me to explain, it was all a matter of coincidence, really," Eriol explained taking a couple of steps backward.
Tomoyo looked at Meilin and then at Eriol.
This was bad.
Asides from Touya and Syaoran, Meilin is one of the notorious protectors of the honorary sister of Sakura. One common denominator among the three of them is how they easily jump into conclusion that anyone who is caught walking or talking to her is her suitor. Meilin's difference from the two on the other hand is how she mercilessly interrogates them like as if she was pounding them into pulp physically and mentally for the two other protectors have a different method, the touch-a-strand-of-her-hair-and-your-as-good-as-dead-glare and the mess-with-her-and-you-mess-with-us-look.
Tomoyo gauge the situation.
There are twenty seven photos of her and Eriol in different magazines – bad.
Eriol appeared in her dressing room – bad and once again bad.
He appeared with a bouquet of flowers – bad, bad and once again bad.
He called her To-chan – bad, bad, bad, and once again bad.
Minoru called Meilin old lady – VERY VERY VERY BAD and once again BAD.
Just as Meilin was to start ranting her mobile phone started ringing and after not less than a minute conversation to whoever was on the other line Meilin hang up, said good bye to Tomoyo and sent a death glare to Eriol like the one Syaoran gives and walked out of the room.
Tomoyo looked confused.
Then she caught sight of the evil glint in Eriol's eyes.
"What was that?" she asked.
"I guess her boyfriend called," Eriol said reclining in the cream sofa. His mischievous smirk pasted all over his face.
"You did not…"
"Did what?"
"Don't tell me…"
"What are you talking about?"
"You did not manipulate her just a couple of minutes ago did you?"
"What if I did?"
Tomoyo laughed.
"Why did you do that? That is so EVIL" she said with a giggle joining him on the sofa.
"You think so? She almost pounced on me you know…" Eriol said looking at her and giving a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry about that. I guess Syaoran and Touya's over protectiveness rubbed on her as well,"
"I'm the one to apologize, if I didn't throw up and everything, it would have not happened,"
"Nah. Meilin just overreacted and fired the gun. I'm sorry."
"So much for our coffee out tonight, I'll take you home" Eriol said looking at his watch. It was already nine in the evening and everyone on the set has gone home already. Eriol invited Tomoyo earlier for dinner or at least coffee to thank her but it seems that their previous plans have to be cancelled from all the fuss that happened.
Tomoyo giving a nod they left the building and set for her manor.
----
They thought they have already survived the claws of the devil.
They are so wrong.
For the moment they reached Tomoyo's doorsteps they came face to face to no other than the famous Sonomi Daidouji.
"Mother! I thought you're in Belgium!" Tomoyo exclaimed in surprise.
"Konbanwa, To-chan, Hiirigizawa-san. It seems to me that the rumors are true… sparks fly…" Sonomi greeted with her famous smile not minding Tomoyo's outburst.
"Good evening, Daidouji-sama" Eriol said bowing.
"I'll see you later, Eriol-kun. Thank you for dropping me home," Tomoyo hastily said to Eriol like as if another moment with Sonomi and Eriol together will cause the world to crumble.
"Now Tomoyo, that's not the proper way of treating someone who took the effort to take you home. Surely, Hiirigizawa-san wouldn't mind staying for a cup of coffee, will you?" Sonomi said more of in her businesslike manner that made Eriol to shudder.
"A cup of coffee sounds nice, Daidouji-sama," Eriol said as Sonomi made way for the two to enter.
"Hiirigizawa-san, please have a seat. The maids are already in bed, Tomoyo, would you be a dear to prepare coffee for the three of us?" Sonomi said as she ushered Eriol to the well-furnished living room. Tomoyo looked at Sonomi worriedly but followed as ordered. As soon as Tomoyo was out of sight, Sonomi turned to Eriol.
"So the rumors are true…" she started.
"I beg your pardon madam, but I know no rumor, facts maybe." Eriol said politely.
"Thus those facts include you and my daughter being a couple?" Sonomi shot surprising Eriol.
"No, I'm afraid not Madam. Tomoyo-san and I are but good friends." Eriol replied.
"Good friends that's why you were found resting on my daughter's lap?" Sonomi said her voice raising a decibel.
"It was but a coincidence, Daidouji-sama. We both went to the theme park separately, she with Meilin-san and I with my son and cousin, we kind of tried the roller coaster and…" Eriol started.
"And the macaroni and cheese you had for lunch just started to get up from your stomach, am I right?" Sonomi supplied. Eriol looked at Sonomi impressed.
"I have my sources Hiirigizawa-san, I was just checking," Sonomi said with a smile. She then turned to the intercom and said, "Tomoyo, dear, would you please bring along as well the strawberry cake your nanny bake earlier?... Thank you sweetheart,"
Eriol gulped. It seems to him that the Daidouji Toys president is planning on interrogating him more till he is proven guilty for the guillotine.
"Are you courting my daughter?" she asked.
"We are but good friends, madam," he repeated.
"You're a widower for two years, am I right?" she asked once again this time pulling out a folder from her suitcase. Eriol sweatdropped having a hunch on the contents of the folder.
"Yes, ma'am," Eriol said feeling like a soldier.
"How old is your son? His name is Minoru, right?"
"Minoru is four years old, ma'am."
"Are you not searching for a wife? Your son does need a mother,"
"I believe that wives are not searched, they are found. It is something that comes unexpected to those who expect it. I am trying my best to be both a father and mother to my son at the moment." Eriol said with wisdom beyond his years.
Sonomi smiled.
"What do you think of my daughter, Hiirigizawa-san?"
Eriol looked startled.
"Well?"
"I find her an angel in every aspect that I at time doubt if she is real…"
"Yes, she is an angel, and yes, she is real. And once I found out that you made her cry, even a single tear I swear upon the heavens I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH THAT YOU WILL SEEK ALL THE ANGELS AND SAINTS YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIIRIGIZAWA-SAN, do I make myself clear?" Sonomi said her voice full of authority and power that Eriol looked flabbergasted for a moment.
"You can count on my word, Daidouji-sama," Eriol said.
"You can come out now, Tomoyo-chan," Sonomi called out surprising both Eriol and Tomoyo, each embarrassed.
For the next minutes they took their coffee and cake in silence until Eriol bid farewell.
"I like that guy." Sonomi said with a smile as she watch Eriol wave a goodbye to Tomoyo as he get in his car.
Sai-chan: More mess, next chappie… please do review…thanks to all the reviewers!