When Nakuru and Spinel arrived at the manor from the grocery store they knew something was terribly wrong.
Eriol was locked up in the library and all they could hear were the eerie keys of the piano. The two tried knocking but to no avail.
"What are you doing?" Spinel asked, hovering above Nakuru who took something from her breast pocket.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm picking the lock, I'm not going to stand here and let him be!" Nakuru said, fidgeting the lock with a number of needles.
"Where did you learn that?" Spinel asked incredulous.
"In an article in the internet… I needed to open Touya-kun's locker to put in the lunch I prepare for him everyday," Nakuru said with a wicked grin.
They then heard something slam on the piano keys and they paled.
"Eriol-sama!" the two exclaimed in unison.
"Hurry up!" Spinel yelled, trying his best not to break his cool demeanor miserably. Something was terribly wrong.
"I'm hurrying up here, so quit nagging me!" Nakuru yelled back, frantically picking the lock.
They heard a soft click.
"Eriol-sama!" Nakuru yelled, slamming the door open.
"Ruby, Spinel, how did the trip to the grocery store go?" Eriol asked from the piano bench, forcing a smile like nothing happened.
"It was less chaotic than usual. I managed to stop Nakuru from choking me with a block of chocolate," Spinel replied, landing on his master's shoulders and surveying his surroundings. Nothing was unusual in the circular library asides from his master's aura which seems to be gloomier and darker from what he remembered.
"How many times… Master! Your hand!" Nakuru exclaimed, pointing at the blood dripping from the young sorcerer's bandaged hand staining the grand piano's ivory keys.
"Oh, I guess I strained my hand too much," Eriol said, carelessly looking at his hand.
"What happened? And what was that racket earlier?" Nakuru asked pulling out a handkerchief.
"I accidentally broke my bedroom mirror… it's nothing really," Eriol said dismissively as Nakuru removed his bandage.
Lines formed in the sun guardian's forehead upon his master's statement. An accident was the last thing that could possibly happen to his master.
"This is no good. The wounds are too deep. Spinel, call Kaho-sama," Nakuru anxiously said upon sight of the gruesome wound not calling the sun guardian his detested nickname for once.
Spinel flew from his post.
"Don't!" Eriol exclaimed startling the two and stopping Spinel on his tracks.
"Why? Did you and Kaho-sama have a fight?" Spinel asked, flying back to his master's shoulders.
Eriol shook his head no.
Spinel and Nakuru looked at each other as if to ask themselves what to do. For a moment the three of them were silent and Nakuru felt herself shiver. She was never used to gloomy atmospheres. Not even with Suppi.
"S-she… she left…" Eriol muttered under his breath. "It's over… Let's leave this place…"
And to Spinel and Nakuru's horror they saw the last thing they expected from the half reincarnation of the most powerful sorcerer in the world.
Eriol Hiiragizawa cried.
The 21-year old Li clan leader stopped his silver convertible by the Daidouji manor's gates and pressed the intercom.
"Good morning, how may I help you?" a smooth feminine voice from the other line said.
"I'm Li Syaoran. Madam Daidouji asks for my presence," the chestnut haired lad replied.
"I'll open the gates. Please wait," the voice from the intercom said.
Seconds later the wrought iron gates opened and the young Li entered the circular driveway leading to the front door where the Daidouji Toys President was waiting.
"Good morning, Li-san. I'm sorry for calling you on such a short notice," Sonomi greeted as Syaoran steps out of the car.
"It's nothing, Daidouji-sama," Syaoran said, removing his sunglasses allowing the sun to illuminate his amber eyes, his hands on his pockets.
Sonomi took a deep breath and smiled.
"Why don't we get inside for tea?" she said, ushering Syaoran inside. With a small nod the chestnut haired lad followed Sonomi inside the house which was deafeningly quiet save from Sonomi's heels slightly touching the tiled floor and the Chinese boy quickly knew that something was amiss.
"You needed to talk to me about something?" Syaoran asked, taking a seat upon their entry at the veranda.
"Is green tea fine with you? I had this one from a business trip in Kyushu," Sonomi asked, pouring tea for the lad and not answering his question.
"Is this about Tomoyo?" Syaoran asked straightforwardly. Sonomi froze.
"The tea goes well with cheesecakes. I made this myself," Sonomi said regaining her composure and changing the topic, slicing a cake for Syaoran.
"We haven't been hearing from Tomoyo for weeks, Sakura is worried. Her phone calls were never answered," Syaoran said shifting the topic, his voice serious.
Sonomi sighed.
"She left…" she said in a small voice.
Syaoran's eyes widened in surprise.
"Left?" he repeated, not believing what he just heard.
"For London… yesterday…" Sonomi said not looking at Syaoran in the eye.
"But why didn't she tell me? Or Sakura? And why the sudden leave!" Syaoran asked his voice raising a notch.
"Because she didn't want you or Sakura to know," Sonomi said sipping her tea to calm her nerves.
Syaoran looked at her startled. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
"You know why, Syaoran," Sonomi said setting down her cup and looking at the Chinese boy in the eye.
Syaoran looked down. Of course, he knew. The turned down invitations to parties, the missed lunches and the late choir practices – everything was to give him and Sakura time together, so much that the gaps between them have grown so much.
"She didn't even said goodbye," Syaoran muttered under his breath, fist clenching.
"Tomoyo's having a hard time now, please understand," Sonomi said in a soft voice.
"You want me to be the one to tell Sakura?" Syaoran said reading Sonomi's mind.
Sonomi nodded.
Things are going to be difficult.
If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end;
If you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth
only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin,
And in the end, despair.
C.S. Lewis 1898-1963
British scholar and Novelist
Ever wonder why models never smile whenever they hit the ramp?
That's because by doing so they will be distracting their audience from appreciating the clothes their donning. Instead of the clothes they will focus on the models.
She never smiled while in the ramp. Come to think of it, she never smiles at all.
But there is something about the way the light touches her pale skin and ash colored stresses that compels anyone to look at her.
She is simply enigmatic.
Her eyes hidden within layers of long lashes speak volumes about her that makes anyone think of one thing – heartbreakingly beautiful.
That characteristic of hers boosted her career in front of the camera and earned her a growing list of admirers who are in the verge of kissing the grounds she walks on.
She isn't the social type though. Personally, she prefers working behind the camera but her present job pays the bills better now that she is living an independent life away from her mother. She still keeps in touch with her though. She just needs time and space, time and space to find what she's looking for. What it is, she doesn't know, but she'll definitely know once she found it.
As of her admirers? They all received the heartbreaking no from the catwalk's heartbreaker.
She never entertained a single one of them. They just aren't worth her time.
Her mother did try persuading her to date countless of times but always end up losing. The closest response in her favor that she can get was Tomoyo's approval to attend the post show's cocktails with a couple of close friends in the industry.
But that was about it.
"Hello?" Tomoyo groggily answered her mobile phone from her bedside table. She warily eyed her alarm clock and groaned. It was only six thirty-five in the morning.
"Tomoyo! Where on earth are you?" the shrilling voice of Luisa, her manager screamed from the other line. Tomoyo winced and moved the phone inches away from her ears.
"Good morning Luisa! And to answer your question I am currently in bed snoring until you woke me up, what's the matter?" Tomoyo sarcastically answered, stifling a yawn.
"You're supposed to be here five minutes ago!" Luisa exclaimed.
"I'm supposed to be where? You told me last night that I have no work today," Tomoyo asked getting up from bed and opening her closet, skimming her clothes. She has a pretty good idea where their conversation is going. Quickly she changed into a pair of khakis, a black top and a green jacket, her phone in between her ears and shoulders.
"I did?" Luisa asked like the forgetful person she is.
"Yes, you did." Tomoyo said, grabbing her purse and keys and a beret to cover her hair.
"Well, can you get to Artemis' in ten minutes? I'll treat you to dinner…" Luisa said her voice soft and saccharine.
"… cause if you don't I'll be in really big trouble…" Luisa continued. Tomoyo rolled her eyes. She was expecting that.
"Fine. You're going to treat me big for this, Lui. Bye." Tomoyo said hanging up before Luisa starts her kilometer long thank you's that will do nothing but consume her time. Without wasting another second she dashed out of her pad and rushed into the parking lot and drove her convertible away.
One hand on the steering wheel she reached for her silver mobile phone from her coat pocket which was ringing incessantly. She need not look at the screen to know the caller and answered it straight away.
"Lui, I'm on my way… stop being paranoid…I know that… relax, will you? You don't want your baby to look some stressed kid with lines on his face now, do you?" Tomoyo teased light- heartedly as she swerves into a corner.
"I'll call you when I get there… I, Oh my God!" Tomoyo exclaimed quickly stepping on the brakes upon sight of a man crossing the street. Her actions weren't fast enough though and she hit the man.
Not everyone is good in expressing their feelings – especially verbally. It is due to this fact that art was born – paintings, sculptures, literature even music. All of these were created out of man's unconscious desire to express himself and to free his being of feelings of joy, love, life, hope, beauty, success, failure and even lost and grief.
He used to be good in words and every form of expression imaginable. But when his fairy tale world shattered the way a mirror crashes to the ground no word or form of art can express his feelings better than the piano.
It was like an extension of his being, a mirror of his soul.
Anything he played be it be a composition of his or not, never fails to send anyone to tears or bring them to a feeling of Nirvana.
It was like magic- not the kind influenced by his other being for it doesn't even come close - rather it was his heart that mesmerizes anyone who listens to him.
It was during his trip to Japan when he was spotted by an agent who offered him a career that will let him play his music and travel around the globe.
He was reluctant at first but it was his guardian's persuasions that made him accept the offer.
After all, it isn't everyday you get paid for doing something you want. Besides it will be a good opportunity to find what he's looking for. What it is, he has no idea. But he has a feeling he'll know once he found it.
"Hello?" Eriol groggily answered his mobile phone from his bedside table.
"MASTER!" Nakuru squealed from the other line, so loud Eriol had to move the phone inches away from his ears. He was now definitely wide awake.
"Ruby, how are you and Spinel?" Eriol asked putting on his glasses and taking a glimpse at his alarm clock. It was only a quarter past six.
"Suppi and I are doing great! I get to feed Suppi with sweets a lot," Nakuru said excitedly.
"I hope you're not causing Yelan-sama too much trouble," Eriol said walking to his kitchen and grabbing a cup and saucer.
"Anyway, Suppi and I called to greet you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We know Hong Kong and New York have different…" Nakuru greeted with twice the excitement in her voice.
"I think Eriol-sama already got the idea, Ruby… now give me the phone!" Eriol heard Spinel growl in the background.
"Wait till it's your turn! … Back to what I was saying Eriol-sama… we saw your performance on TV last week, you were so gooooooooooood!" Nakuru squealed like a girl half her age – physically, as it is common knowledge to everyone that the moon guardian has a mind that of a six year old.
"Arigatou Ruby," Eriol replied with a chuckle as he opened his coffee container. He turned the container upside down. It was empty.
"It's my turn now!" Spinel exclaimed snatching the phone.
"Otanjoubi omedetou, Eriol-sama," the sun guardian greeted averting to his calm voice.
"Arigatou, Spinel," Eriol replied turning to his refrigerator. It was empty as well.
Instead of a coherent reply Eriol heard an explosion and the line was cut. Eriol chuckled and tucked his phone in his pocket. It was like his guardians to end their conversations like that. He made them that way.
"No coffee, no milk, no lemonade, not even spring water – great," he smirked to himself grabbing his keys and walking out of his pad.
He was to put on his headphones when his phone rang yet again and he had to answer it.
"Ruby, didn't I tell you…" Eriol started.
"Hisashiburi, Eriol…" a soft voice said from the other line.
Eriol froze.
"K-Kaho?" he stammered not believing his ears.
"I'm surprised you still remember my voice," Kaho said with a soft chuckle.
"Why did you call?" Eriol asked having a hard time finding his voice.
"I just wanted to greet you a happy birthday… I won't take much of your time… bye," Kaho replied hanging up before Eriol could say a word.
Eriol stared at his phone with an expression between that of anger, bitterness and sadness. His brows furrowed and with a careless shrug he slammed the phone in the concrete pavement and crossed the street unaware of the speeding convertible headed in his direction.
Disclaimer: I own no CCS. Just this weird plot.
This is the chapter where all roads cross and where I get cross-eyed from all the writing and typing. I'm seriously in need of a beta-reader. Please bear all my typos and grammatical errors. School's back and I'm cramming to upload despite all the things I must complete to get a decent grade in college.
What is heaven?
For the reincarnated mage, it is not the region above and surrounding the earth or the abode of God, the angels and of deserving souls after death. For him it is right in her arms in her bedroom where she lulls him to sleep, cradling him like a child.
He doesn't know how he got there or why she was there. The only thing he knows is that in his eyes she's an angel sent to comfort him for reasons only God knows what.
He never felt so at peace before and can't supply himself reasons on how he can deserve such.
But he is really grateful.
He's been hurting for so long and it only took a touch from her hand to make everything go away.
She is that powerful even without magic.
Maybe it's because she smelled of sorrow just like him. Misery loves company after all. Or maybe it's because she does not pity him or sympathize with him, she merely understands.
He doesn't really know but it surely feels good to have someone who understands.
And he found himself drifting back to sleep.
Twenty-two year old Tomoyo Daidouji smiled at the sleeping figure before her as she dried her hair with a towel.
Out of the twenty thousand people flooding New York City why does she have to run her car into her former fifth grade classmate who she thought was thousands of miles away from her?
Gently she wiped the traces of tears in his handsome face with her fingers and adjusted his blanket. He was just like a child.
Despite all the manipulations he did way back the card captoring days and despite being the half reincarnation of the most powerful sorcerer in the world nothing changes the fact that Eriol Hiiragizawa is human.
She has to admit though that he is the last person she thought will be in such an emotional crisis close to hers. Surely, the world is full of surprises.
Slowly dark blue eyes opened and stared at her.
She smiled. An act she could not believe herself to be doing. It simply came out of her, like a reflex.
"Go sleep some more. The doctor advised you to rest a bit longer, Eriol," she said slightly running her fingers to his hair.
"D-daidouji?" he stuttered rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Tomoyo is fine, Eriol. We're not in Japan and it's been a long time…" she said slightly chuckling and tucking him back to bed.
"Tomoyo…" he muttered sleepily a grin crossing his features before he closed his eyes.
"Sweet dreams," she whispered. With the mage fast asleep she walked to her vanity to brush her hair.
Ever since that fateful day two years ago she never trimmed her hair again nor did she let anyone style it for her and now her ash colored stresses has grown a couple of inches pass her shoulders, her bangs barely reaching her chin.
It was a reminder of her transition.
She has changed.
But one thing didn't: her bitterness.
She never acknowledged it, but it was always there.
Her mobile phone suddenly rang disrupting her train of thoughts. Hastily she answered it cautious not to wake Eriol. "Hello?"
"How's the pianist?" the voice of Luisa greeted from the other line.
"Sleeping. The doctor said he wasn't injured that bad," Tomoyo replied setting down her brush.
"I still can't believe you talked your way out of the shoot earlier without putting up much of an argument with Lucas," Luisa said.
"Well, it can't be helped. It's not like we're in a hurry for the pictures anyway. Is my schedule clear for tomorrow?" Tomoyo asked walking towards the window. She peered through the gauzy curtain. It was raining.
"I cleared it already as you wanted it, but you'll be in full swing afterwards, mostly in preparation for Relena's launching collection next next week," Luisa replied. "I'll just give you a call if there are any changes."
"I see. Thanks a lot, Lui… good night," Tomoyo said hanging up.
Turning off her mobile phone she places it on top of her vanity and sets down in the bed stifling a yawn.
"I knew I should've taken that pad with a guestroom instead of an office… oh well, I guess sleeping beside you isn't such a bad idea… don't worry I won't attack you," she chuckled messing the sleeping Eriol's hair fondly before turning off the lampshade.
He was sleeping soundly.
Maybe she'll have a good sleep tonight as well.
The moment Eriol opened his eyes the following morning he knew he was not in his room. The cream and black walls were a stark contrast to his blue and white ones. Struggling to seat up, he realized a certain weight pulling the sheets from him.
He felt his jaw drop.
Sleeping soundly beside him was a skimpily clad girl with a downright charming face.
"What the…" he muttered a hand on his forehead.
His fingers brushed into the edges of his bandage and memories of the previous night came back to him.
"Sou ka…"
Fata
By: Akizuki Sai
Chapter 2: Finding Comfort
"Good morning! I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of preparing breakfast, unlike my pad you got a well stocked kitchen," Eriol greeted from the kitchen counter upon sight of a sleepy Tomoyo going down the flight of stairs.
"Eriol? How are you feeling? You should be taking a rest," Tomoyo said sleepily rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'm feeling better. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble," Eriol replied pulling out a chair for Tomoyo who sat with a small thank you.
"I should be the one saying that. It was irresponsible on my part to take phone calls while on the road, do you need any help there?" Tomoyo asked looking at Eriol.
"I'm almost through… I'm at fault as well… I was a bit… distracted." Eriol said setting down a plate of freshly made pancakes in front of Tomoyo.
"I called your manager Cedric yesterday and told him what happened, I think he's dropping by later this afternoon to check on you," Tomoyo said pouring some syrup over her pancakes.
''Thanks… I…I…uh…" Eriol muttered joining Tomoyo at the table.
Tomoyo looked at him quizzically.
"What's the matter?" Tomoyo asked tilting her head sideward.
"Nothing… you have a nice unit here," Eriol commented changing the topic.
"You think so? The modeling agency provided it for me while I'm working here," Tomoyo replied taking a forkful of her pancake.
"So from being the one behind the camera you're now in front of it," Eriol said eyeing the framed pictures hanging by the wall with admiration. They were all full of the ads Tomoyo modeled for and the people Eriol suspects to be her colleagues.
"What happened to your filming of Sakura-chan?" he asked looking at Tomoyo for her reaction.
With an apathetic voice she said, "I've grown out of it."
Eriol silenced. There was something deadly about her voice that made him decide not to bring the subject up. It would be too rude to ask.
Tomoyo noticed his silence and felt guilty. Deciding to lighten up the mood she decided to start up some small talk.
"How's Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun by the way?" she asked.
"As always Ruby never gives up in feeding Spinel sweets. They're visiting the Li's this month," Eriol replied inwardly grateful that she no longer seem bothered from his question earlier. "They'll be joining me in my trip to Australia around the first week of April."
"That's good to hear"
"How about you? How long are you staying here?"
"I'll be having a short break by the end of the month. I'm thinking of visiting mother in Scotland," Tomoyo replied forking another pancake. Just then the doorbell rang surprising the two.
"I'll go get it," Tomoyo said drinking her juice as she made her way to the door.
As soon as she opened the door a woman in her late twenties with short blonde hair and blue green eyes wearing a baby blue maternity dress stepped in like a whirlwind and ran straight to her kitchen sink and started throwing up.
"Lui? What are you doing here? What happened to you?' Tomoyo asked upon sight of her manager. Realizing her friend's situation she quickly grabbed a towel and a glass of water.
"There's a sudden change of plans, the producer needs to leave for Chicago with the photos this afternoon…" Luisa started before throwing up yet again.
"You should have just called, it's not good for you and the baby to go around places like this," Tomoyo said stroking Luisa's back gently.
"But you broke your car and I didn't want you to have a hard time rushing to the set, so I thought I might as well give you a lift," Luisa said as she wiped her mouth with the towel and drank the water.
Tomoyo felt herself smile which quickly disappeared when her friend rushed back into the sink to throw up the rest of whatever was left in her digestive system.
"Why don't you rest here for awhile? I'll call the producer and cancel today's pictorial and watch over you, you really need to rest," Tomoyo said walking Luisa to the couch.
"No! You take the car and go straight there. I'll just rest here for awhile, I can take care of myself," Luisa said getting up.
"No! I'll stay here. What if something happens to you? Paris will be mad at me if anything happens to you and the baby," Tomoyo said with twice the stubbornness of her manager.
"But…" Luisa said running out of words.
"I'll go watch over her," Eriol who has been watching the scene the whole time said from the kitchen.
"Eriol?" Tomoyo said confused.
"I'll watch over Ms. Luisa, you get ready for your pictorial, Tomoyo," Eriol said walking to the living room.
Tomoyo looked at Eriol hesitantly.
"We'll be fine. You better get going to your job," Eriol said reassuringly.
Tomoyo smiled. "Arigatou" she said before disappearing to her room to get changed.
"How are you feeling?" Eriol asked Luisa as she tries to get up from the sofa. Tomoyo left an hour ago and Luisa took a nap.
"Still a bit dizzy," Luisa replied resting her head by the armrest.
"Drink this, it will make you feel a lot better," Eriol said handing her a cup of peppermint tea. "It's not good for you to go to hot places. It will only make you more nauseous."
"It's part of the job," Luisa said with a sly grin sipping her tea gratefully. "This tea is really good… uh… what's your name again?"
""My name is Eriol, Eriol Hiiragizawa. I'm Tomoyo's classmate back in fifth grade," Eriol replied seating by the armchair beside the sofa extending a hand to the pregnant woman.
"Luisa Heywood, Luisa's fine," the blue green eyed blonde said setting down her cup to shake the English gentleman's hand.
"I'm currently Tomoyo's manager, secretary, shopping partner, friend and everything else in between," Luisa joked taking a cookie from the plate Eriol set by the coffee table. "Did you make this? These are really good!"
Eriol nodded with a smile.
"My husband, Paris is really goodin making sweets. At times I'd argue with him for making all those hard to resist pastries that I just keep on gaining weight. Unlike Tom I gain weight easily," Luisa said taking another cookie.
"How long have you been working with Tomoyo?" Eriol asked pouring Luisa another cup of tea.
"I've been trying to persuade her into modeling since she's around 12 but she only took up my offer about a year and a half ago when I met her again in London," Luisa narrated helping herself with another cookie.
"I didn't recognize her at first because of her hair but she's the kind of girl who's beautiful no matter what and the camera loves her. I knew it right when I first saw her." Luisa said beaming with pride. "After her first shoot the offers just keep on coming."
Eriol smiled listening intently.
"I've never seen anyone in the industry with a charm like hers. She's like a doll – perfect down to the very last detail." Luisa said dreamily.
"Does she still sing?" Eriol asked eagerly recalling the number of times he heard the raven represented the school in competitions.
"She sings?" Luisa repeated surprised.
Eriol nodded confused. "Yes, she's part of the choir back in elementary. We even did a duet. I'm surprised she no longer sings, she really has a lovely voice."
"Tom never told me that! Next time we go out I'll drag her to every karaoke in sight!" Luisa grumbled jokingly.
Eriol smiled, inwardly piecing together the random facts he learned earlier.
Something was terribly wrong.
"So what brings you in such a busy city?" Luisa asked later on after taking another nap.
"I'll be performing for a show here next next week and then I'm off for a short vacation in Australia with my cousin," Eriol replied putting down the newspaper he's reading.
"You sure travel a lot," Luisa commented.
"As they say, the world is a book, if you do not travel, you'd have read but a page," Eriol noted grinning.
Luisa chuckled.
Eriol looked at her confused.
"She said the same thing to me about a year ago," Luisa said pointing to Tomoyo who just entered the door. "How did the pictorial go?"
"It was busy as always, are you feeling better?" Tomoyo replied removing her coat and hanging it by the hanger near the foyer and walking towards them grocery bags in tow. Eriol helped her carry the bags to the kitchen
Luisa nodded. "Your friend here is a great doctor… and a great cook! I finished down a whole tray of cookies he made!"
"Does that mean additional weight for you, Lui?" Tomoyo teased as she sets down the groceries.
"Tom! You never told me you sing!" Luisa whined remembering her conversation with Eriol earlier.
Tomoyo's eyes widened. "Well… I…uh…" she stammered for words.
"I don't have time for it… is pasta okay for you?" she asked averting the topic.
"Your special pasta?" Luisa asked excitedly, eyes bright like a child.
"Yup, and we'll have some chocolate ice cream for dessert." Tomoyo said, plastering a smile.
Beside her the reincarnated mage was watching closely.
I finally got to finish this chapter! I honestly had a hard time writing this chap, with all the workload of college life lingering in the background. I wrote the last part while waiting for our professor in French. Hopefully, I get to write more in between classes. It's my only form of leisure now that school is back.
Make my day and review ne?
Next chapter title: City of Angels