Sai-chan here! I finally got to update. It's not that long but hopefully it's good enough for the readers. I wanted this chapter to be longer but my computer is going bonkers - I had to move all my files and delete all those left behind and all TT. I need to back-up! (cries a river)
My sister insisted that I make this fic longer so expect Anata to go up to 10 chapters – as long as the reviews keeps on coming.
Special thanks to all my reviewers: Seashell, Michelle, Elvirna, Anamoriel, Adriatic, Mary, Mermaid's Lagoon, Pinboo, Redeyes-OneFourThree, Chichi May, BabylonianPrincess, Tomoyo129may, Not Applicable, Suzuko, Van Daisuke, Requiem Elise, Princess Cythera, Shima and Tempis, AnimeVietGrl, Cleira ravenlaen and Bloody Stiletto! (gives everyone a bear-crushing hug) I didn't get to thank you guys earlier, gomen! You guys really make my day.
I won't irritate you anymore with my notes so here is the next chapter of Anata
Anata
By the lazy Akizuki Sai
Chapter 3 – Sleeping Beauty
"Where are we going?" Tomoyo asked stifling a yawn.
"Home," Eriol simply replied. It was almost midnight and the wind was crisper as the night sky hover above them with a blanket of moon and stars.
Eriol felt a finger tap him gingerly and he averted his gaze to the lass who smiled at him sweetly – way too sweetly.
"Strawberry parfait at Everything Sweet?" he said with a slightly exasperated sigh.
Tomoyo nodded her head with a grin like that of a three-year old's.
"You're grinning that grin of yours again, does that mean you want to take the train?"
"Come on, Eriol. You can operate it with a snap of your fingers, ne?" Tomoyo said puppy- eyed.
Eriol sighed defeated.
No one can resist the Daidouji heiress, not his half-daughter the new card mistress, Kinimoto Sakura, not his descendant-who-despises-him-till-the-end-of-time, Li Syaoran and especially not him, Hiirigizawa Eriol, the half-reincarnation of the most powerful sorcerer in the world.
Daidouji Tomoyo is that powerful. Be scared. Be very scared.
"Did she insist again in leaving the party and going for the swings?' Sonomi Daidouji asked upon sight of Eriol by the manor's gates. It was almost two in the morning and the wind was extra chilly, mist came out of their mouths as they speak.
"Yes, she then insisted for some strawberry parfait, Daidouji-sama." Eriol replied. "I see you didn't send the entire Japan police in search for Tomoyo-san this time…"
"I had a feeling she was in safe hands, would you be a dear and put her to bed for me, Hiirigizawa-san?" Sonomi chuckled in a motherly tone. "Much to my dismay, I still have some papers to sign for my meeting later this morning."
With a small bow Eriol entered the manor and made his way to Tomoyo's room.
For anyone who's never been in the Daidouji manor finding the room would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Thanks to his instincts and great memory he got into the room without batting an eyelash. With ease he set her on her four-poster bed and covered her with the creamy sheets.
Instead of turning on his heel to leave the room, he pulled the stool from Tomoyo's bureau and situated himself near the bed and watched her sleep.
He loves watching her sleep, be it from his throne of evil or from his seat in class during Japanese History or any chance he has in doing so. He loves watching her forehead slightly crease or her lips curve into a small smile whenever the sandman casts its spell on her.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a Polaroid photo taped in Tomoyo's mirror.
Standing up he grabbed hold of the photo and smirked.
It was a picture of their first day in junior high when he returned from England, when Tomoyo landed on top of him out of nowhere.
Inwardly smiling, the memory returned to him like it happened just yesterday…
"Tomoyo-chan, do you really have to climb up there to get a picture of the sky? Don't you think it's dangerous?" Sakura cried out nervous as Tomoyo climb up the cherry tree during break time.
"Of course, Sakura-chan! I bet the view up there is beautiful!" Tomoyo said excitedly helping herself step on a branch.
"If you say so…" Sakura said giving in, still anxious.
"Sugoi!" Tomoyo muttered in awe upon view of the sky through her camera.
"Sakura-chan, you should get up here and see for yourself. The view…" Tomoyo said carelessly turning her back to look at Sakura making her loose her balance and fall.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura exclaimed.
In a tangle of branches and cherry blossoms Tomoyo landed on top of a gentleman who was walking pass them.
"Tomoyo-chan, daijoubu?" Sakura asked rushing towards Tomoyo who looked utterly surprised.
"H-hai… demo…" Tomoyo answered eyes on the blue-eyed man whose glasses are now askew.
"Daijoubu-desu ka?" he asked her. She abruptly nodded and realization dawning on her stood up and helped the man bowing down cautiously.
"Gomen nasai! Hontoni gomen nasai! Soreni Arigatou gozaimasta…" she said head bent in shame.
"It's okay… I thought an angel fell, Daidouji-san…" she heard the man said reassuringly.
"Hiirigizawa-kun?" Tomoyo said looking up, surprised.
It was then Sakura's turn to go Hanyaan mode and she took a picture of the two breaking the ice.
Ever since that day he's been stuck with the Daidouji heiress.
"You look really beautiful when asleep, you know?" Eriol said carelessly messing Tomoyo's hair the same time careful not to wake her.
"Can I keep you?" he said in a bare whisper resting his head by the edge of the bed.
And the cool autumn breeze from the open window lulled him to sleep…
"You don't have to come with me to my studio every time, you know? Don't you have a recital to prepare for? I can manage," Tomoyo said to the English gentleman as they got into the train.
"I do, but it's on the way," he answered nonchalantly as they took their seats.
"It's on the way after a trip back and four more stations," Tomoyo corrected him. "Honestly, Eriol-kun."
"Well… Tokyo is not a safe place for such a fine lady like you. Without your bodyguards someone has to do the job," Eriol gallantly said smirking.
"I never hired you," Tomoyo chided lightly.
"I'm not complaining," Eriol said with the voice like a three-year old who wants to get his way.
"Well, I am. I don't want you having a hard time." Tomoyo said reproachful.
"Am I in your way?" Eriol asked slightly hurt.
"No. I feel like it's the other way around. I don't want to be a burden," Tomoyo said shaking her head lightly.
"It would be a burden if you don't let me come with you," Eriol said a smile at the corner of his lips. He was winning the battle. "I'll die of worry if you don't let me come along with you,"
Eriol sleepily pulled out his ringing mobile phone from his coat pocket and turned it off. It was four in the morning and his short nap took longer than expected. Standing up, he straightened the creases of his suit and ran a hand on his hair.
His gaze returned to the sleeping Tomoyo before him.
He smiled.
"Tomoyo," he said slightly tapping the girl. "Tomoyo"
"I'll go now, I'll see you this afternoon at Sakura's," he said tapping the girl yet again.
The lass did not even stir.
"If on count of 3 you don't wake up, Tomoyo I'll kiss you," he said with an evil smirk.
"1…2…"
Tomoyo did not stir.
"3!" Eriol finished with a smile.
"Oyasumi, bijin" he whispered giving the girl a light kiss on the nose before walking to the door.
And by the sound of a door closing purple eyes sprang open.
Dakara – that's why
Dakedo – but
Oyasumi – good night
Bijin – beauty
Anata – you, darling
Did I leave anything out? I really have a terrible memory… Anyway, that's all for now! Review and make my day ne? Arigatou!
Next Chapter title: Rapunzel, Thumbline and the Frog Prince