Title: The Nightingale and the Phantom of the Red Moon
Author: Tsubame Ongaku
Fandom: Cardcaptor Sakura (AU)
Pairing: Eriol Hiiragizawa and Tomoyo Daidouji
Rating: T
Summary: Tomoyo Daidouji was the talented and only daughter of Sonomi Daidouji, the owner of a toy empire and inventor from Japan. During a party that her mother's business associate was holding, she meets the enigmatic Eriol Hiiragizawa, the Duke of Wylde. With the exchange of smiles, the wheels of Destiny turns. He wanted her. He had always wanted her…
Notes: I need to speed up my updating. I hope you guys like the story so far. I present you with the second part of "The Nightingale and the Phantom of the Red Moon." I have to admit that this started as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could write a story like this. This is really outside my normal style. In fact, this kind of story would normally embarrass me. Wait… I am embarrassed. I can't believe I wrote this. I didn't know what I was thinking. Seriously. I am glad that some people liked it though. All this from watching a vocaloid video. Now, my brother is telling me to finish it. He is so weird.
Tell me what you think about this. I would love to hear it. Like I said, I am pretty random and experimenting. Lately, I have been making crossover fics and AU fics a lot. I never thought I would ever try before. Thanks to my brother and endless stress I have been writing it more and more just to try it out.
Sorry for being so slow in updating. Maybe I take my writing for granted. I am so glad that people like this fic. Just knowing that people do make this a very successful experiment. I am just sorry that this fic will be very short. I just don't have the time. Watch the Vocaloid Cantarella video. It is very pretty and interesting.
And for those who asked, yes. I am Filipina. I am glad you noticed. Hahahaha!
Pinboo: I couldn't believe it when I saw your Review. Coincidentally, I read a lot of your fics and it was actually after reading Chameleon that made up my mind to write this fic. I am glad that you like it. I am just sad that I am a bit slow in updating. Someday, if I am not to bold for asking, would you like to do a collaboration?
~~0~~
The Nightingale and the Phantom of the Red Moon
By Tsubame Ongaku
Chapter II: The Night of Red Moon
~~0~~
"Miss Daidouji, you don't seem to be yourself today," Tomoyo's music teacher commented after she played the last note on the piano. There was a faint trace of concern in her voice. Lady Ballinger had been Tomoyo's teacher since she was ten years old, so she knew her pupil very well and she knew a distracted Tomoyo when she heard one. Tomoyo rarely made careless mistakes and from the faraway look in her eyes, it was obvious that her thoughts weren't even in the room.
Tomoyo blushed faintly. "You can tell?"
"Of course, this is the second time you made a mistake on your last note." She gave another grin, this one very knowing. "That has never happened before, especially when we've been practicing this for a while." She eased away the piano and turned to Tomoyo. "What's on your mind?" It never ceased to amaze her how beautiful Tomoyo Daidouji was. As a child, Tomoyo was a lovely child with grace beyond her years and now many years later, Tomoyo's beauty and charm was peerless. It gave the teacher a smile of satisfaction when she saw the green faces of the ladies of the town, who had made fun of her Japanese heritage.
For a moment Tomoyo was silent, but then returned a smile. "I apologize if I worried you, Lady Ballinger. It is nothing. I give you my word."
Lady Ballinger decided not to push her. Tomoyo would speak whenever she was ready. "I understand that your cousin, Touya will be arriving today."
At that, Tomoyo gave a most dazzling smile. Touya Kinomoto was Sakura's older brother and a cousin that Tomoyo was very fond of. He was the person who introduced her to music. He used to play the piano for her while she would sing. Their closeness was due to one person, Sakura. Touya was incredibly protective of his sister and had been against Syaoran's courtship from the very beginning. He would never admit it, but he did not like the thought of his sister moving to Hong Kong. Tomoyo and Touya became even closer after the wedding and Touya promised to visit her soon.
"Yes, he will arrive in a few hours," she confimed. "How did you know that? I did not tell a lot of people about his visit."
The teacher shrugged and admitted that Sonomi Daidouji told her. She had met Touya only once before. He had visited on business. He was a very mysteriously charming and handsome man. He was a tall man with coffee dark hair and lazy, dark eyes. Whenever he was in town, every young lady in the vicinity would make fools of themselves to catch his attention. It never did any good because even though Touya was a complete gentleman, he was not foolish enough to fall for someone in the Circle for the title or fluttering eyelids. A long time ago, Lady Ballinger thought that there was something more in the relationship, but they could never be sure. However, Touya Kinomoto's visits always seemed to bring out such a charming smile to Tomoyo's face.
She also heard rumors though. Lady Ballinger couldn't help but worry when she had heard of the latest gossip. Apparently, the Duke of Wylde, Eriol Hiiragizawa was interested in Tomoyo. She had heard plenty of rumors that surrounded the Duke and most of them made her worry. The Duke was an undeniably a handsome man and many woman, despite his reputation still try to snare him. Maybe she wouldn't feel so worried if she understood the strange Duke more. It was strange. She had always thought that the man would marry the beautiful Kaho Mizuki. Many people did. Strangely, something changed his mind.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and the maid entered. After giving a deep bow of respect, she announced that Lady Tomoyo had a visitor.
"Eh?" Tomoyo blinked in confusion. "It is still a bit too early… did Touya's ship arrive ahead of schedule?" It was rare but certainly not unheard of. "I understand. Please send him to the parlor. I will be down in a short while." She watched as the maid gave another deep bow and left the room in order to do as the lady requested. She gave an apologetic smile to her teacher.
But, Lady Ballinger did not mind at all. She rose from the piano and began gathering her notes. "I understand. I will see you tomorrow, Tomoyo… and please do not be too distracted this time?"
Tomoyo chuckled and gave a nod. "I understand. I will do that, Lady Ballinger. I hope I did not ruin your hearing with today's lesson."
Lady Ballinger shook her head to Tomoyo's teasing and gave the girl an affectionate kiss on the forehead. She truly loved this young girl like she was her own daughter. "Ruin my hearing? Never. Absolutely never." She meant that. In all of Europe, there was no other voice as beautiful as Tomoyo Daidouji. "You have a guest and I have errands to make before I return home. Make sure to wear something pretty."
At that Tomoyo smiled. She knew she was teasing, but she gave a nod anyway.
With that, Lady Ballinger left the room. Tomoyo and sighed before she exited. Looking at her dress, she wondered if it would be appropriate for greeting Touya. It was a lovely dress of pale blue that complimented her dark eyes and hair and made her skin look like milk. She wore a sapphire choker around her neck and her hair was arranged up with cute curls framing her face. It was simpler than most of the gowns she'd worn to entertain company, but Touya had seen her in simpler fashion. Finally deciding that there really was no need to change, Tomoyo went down to the parlor.
"You are looking as lovely as usual, Miss Daidouji."
Imagine Tomoyo's surprise to find not Touya Kinomoto, but Eriol waiting for her in the parlor. He was looking handsome, but that was nothing unusual. Dressed in a black ensemble, it really suited him. He was looking at a portrait of her on top of the mantle. In the portrait, she was wearing an ethereal white dress that she had designed herself, her hair flowing loosely on her shoulders with floral clips seeded with diamonds in her hair. In front of a red curtain background, Tomoyo looked like an angel. Her mother had insisted to have it painted a year before. It was a difficult portrait to pose for because the painter was incredibly strict. "Mr. Hiiragizawa? What are you doing here?"
"I told you that I would call on you last night, didn't I?" He reminded her, walking towards her. "I simply could not wait to see you." He picked up her hand and gave a kiss at the back, grinning very wickedly. "And you might have missed me."
Tomoyo couldn't help but laugh. The duke was truly an outrageous man. Just as the rumors had said. "I did not think you would be calling this soon. We just met last night, you have not even gave me time to miss you, my lord." She gestured for him to sit down. There was still time before Touya would arrive. She saw no reason not to entertain the duke for the time being. As outrageous as he was, he had always acted like the complete gentleman. Besides, if he tried anything her bodyguards were everywhere and would hear her if she screamed. A few minutes later, the maid entered with a tray of tea and croissants.
"That dress…" he began, his eyes on her portrait again. "It's beautiful."
Tomoyo gave him another of her dazzling smiles. She was pleased. "Thank you. I designed it myself. I used to design the clothes of some of my mother's dolls. I loved being able to help my mother. It is not very different. It is just like designing for a doll except one had to make it in a larger size."
For a moment, Eriol was lost. He stared at Tomoyo's face and seeing the look of pure pleasure and was tempted just to reach out, touch her cheek and kiss her. He knew he could not do that. Not now at least. Not when she could not truly remember him. "Why---
Why do you have to be so tempting?
Eriol was glad that she could not read his thoughts. "Where is the dress now?" he asked instead.
"It is in my room. I designed it for this portrait… and I feel that it is too precious to wear to balls," she old him, also turning her attention to the portrait. "My lord, why did you choose me?" she asked quietly. "You have a respectable title and I will do nothing to elevate your name in the Polite Circle. In fact, if you continue to pursue this it might turn into a scandal. It just won't do for a man to marry a foreigner."
"I like you, isn't that enough?"
"You are a unusual man."
"That is perfect, because I find you to be an unusual lady."
Tomoyo did not know how long they talked. It felt like only a few minutes. They talked about the Polite World, the places they've traveled to. Tomoyo told him about Japan and Eriol told her about Paris. They also talked about art and music. Tomoyo discovered that Eriol was indeed a learned man and they never seem to run out of things to talk about. Eriol also discovered how pleasant it was to simply sip tea in the parlor with a beautiful woman.
Then, Tomoyo realized the time.
Touya.
By now, Touya's ship would have arrived, right?
Eriol noticed her worried expression and frowned. Was there something wrong? She was looking out the window, as if expecting something to appear. "Lady Tomoyo? Is there something wrong? You seem troubled."
She shook her head. "No. Nothing is wrong. My cousin Touya is supposed to arrive soon," she admitted.
Touya Kinomoto? Now that made Eriol almost frown, but he stopped himself in time and instead gave a pleasant smile. "Your cousin came to visit? Isn't that nice." Eriol knew who Touya Kinomoto was and he wasn't going to be pleased to see Eriol as Eriol wouldn't be pleased to see him. They had respected one another as pianists but they trusted each other almost as far as they could throw each other. It did not help that Touya also knew about his intentions for Tomoyo. Most likely, if he was going to be here for a while then he will make meeting with Tomoyo prove very difficult.
When Eriol saw a carriage coming up the drive, he knew that he had to leave. "I will be going now. I do not want to ruin your reunion." He stood up and reached for hand, then giving it a kiss. "I will call on you again soon."
"Not too soon. Give me a chance to miss you first," she replied with laughing eyes.
Maybe it was fate or mere coincidence. The Daidoujis' last visitor in the parlor was Lady Hamilton with her son. Her son was very fond of balls and had a variety of them. He had so many in fact that he forgot one ball in the parlor. Tomoyo never saw the ball across her path, her eyes were too busy staring into Eriol's eyes. Before she realized what was happening, Tomoyo lost her footing and had almost crashed into the tea table. Fortunately, Eriol's reflexes were fast and instead of crashing into the table, she crashed on top of him as they fell to the floor just in time for the door to open.
"Tomoyo, I'm here. I hope you don't mind---" But Touya never got to finish what he was saying. He was much too shocked. Shocked to see his favorite cousin on top of a man on the floor of her parlor. Not just any man, but Eriol Hiiragizawa, a renowned rake. And almost as fast as Eriol was, Tomoyo found herself being pushed away by Touya as he took Eriol by the collar and pulling him up. "You! What the hell do you think you're doing to Tomoyo, you bastard!"
Touya's eyes were burning up. She had to stop him. "Touya! Please stop?" She told him as calmly as she could. "He wasn't doing anything wrong. I tripped over that ball. He--- he saved my life. I thought I was going to die." Her eyes implored him, looking very pleading indeed. Looking at those eyes, it made Touya feel like the villain onstead of the rescuer.
Touya hesitantly loosened his hold on him. As soon as Eriol was on the ground, he righted his collar and gave Touya Kinomoto a smile. "It is always a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kinomoto. I was just about to leave. I will see you soon, Lady Tomoyo." Eriol gave one last bow to the still angry Touya and made his exit. Touya saw that mischievous smirk. It took every ounce of will power he had to not punch the annoying duke in the face.
Once he was out, he helped Tomoyo up from the floor and told her, "I really, really hate that guy."
She just couldn't help it. Tomoyo laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. It was the look in Touya's face. He looked like he had just swallowed a frog. Still laughing, she touched her cousin affectionately on the cheek. "I missed you too, Touya."
Touya's eyes widened and then grinned. He just realized that he completely forgot to greet her. Taking the hand on his cheek, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. "I'm sorry, Tomoyo. And I missed you as well. I brought a letter from Sakura and a few things from Japan and China." Like his father, Touya studied relics of the past, which is why he was often traveling. Visiting Tomoyo was in fact only half the reason for his visit. He was also in town to take a look at some of the mummies in the museum. "Do you want to take a look at them now? Or are you alright with saving them for later?"
"How about later?" she asked, looping her arm around his. "We must catch up and… I would really love to hear more about your dig in China." Tomoyo loved listening to Touya talk about his excavations.
"He's not seriously going to continue visiting, is he?"
Tomoyo just smiled, because she knew that if Tomoyo said yes he wouldn't be pleased. Ever since Sakura married, Touya transferred a bit of his protectiveness to Tomoyo. He was still unnaturally protective of Sakura, but she had Syaoran now and even though he didn't like it he knew that Syaoran could protect his sister now. "How about Syaoran and Sakura? Happy?"
Touya sighed. It was obvious that Tomoyo didn't want to speak any more about it. "Yeah. They are," he assured her, leading her to the dining room. It was time for lunch and they had t eat. "And, I heard that you will be having a concert soon. I have good news. I might be here long enough to see it."
Tomoyo squealed and gave Touya an excited hug. "Really, Touya? I am so happy! You haven't watched one of my concerts for a while, have you?"
Chuckling, he nods. "You have been busy with your growing career and I have been busy with mine. But, you don't have to worry. I have all your records."
She leaned her head against his strong shoulder, she sighed happily. Touya, her beloved cousin. He was never going to admit it but in many ways he was so much like his sister. She couldn't tell him that though, he wasn't going to see it as a compliment. But, he had such a good, kind heart. The people of the Polite Circle will never understand, but the closeness Tomoyo and Touya shared was simply platonic. "I swear. I will make it the best concert I ever gave."
~~00~~
Eriol watched the two of them from the mirror. He had heard of their closeness before. Syaoran explained it to him. However, he still didn't like it. He didn't like it that she was able to loop her arm around Touya'a so easily, while he had to keep himself in check. He didn't like it that she was able to hug him with such familiarity, while he had to settle with a kiss on her hand. In normal circumstances, Eriol would probably be fond of Touya. He is an admirable piano player and unlike most people in the Ton. He just found himself unhappy with his presence when around Tomoyo.
He supposed that Touya was probably going to be around long enough to see her concert which was going to be soon.
Touya Kinomoto being here was just a simple miscalculation. Nothing will change. He clenched his fists and turned to go to his carriage that was waiting for him in the drive.
Tonight.
He will come to visit tonight.
"My lord," the valet bowed as he opened the door for its passenger. I hope your visit was a pleasant one."
"For the most part? Yes," he said, entering the carriage. It was true. He enjoyed this visit very much. It was simply unfortunate that he had to leave early. He knew though that he could not stay if Touya would be around. Touya obviously disliked him and having them in the same room would certainly make Tomoyo uncomfortable, especially when Touya kept throwing him looks that said that 'I am on to you' even though he hadn't done anything yet.
When the carriage door closed, it began to move. They were now on their way back to his estate.
Staring out the window, Eriol chuckled. It would have been fun to stay though, he thought. He would certainly enjoy teasing Touya Kinomoto. He knew some interesting Chinese poetry. It would be interesting to see Touya squirm, while Tomoyo would stare at them with a confused look on her face. She hasn't quite mastered Chinese yet and Eriol knew that because of his profession, Touya was very fluent in Chinese. It would be interesting to see what kind of face he'd give. His cousin, Syaoran always flailed and turned beet red whenever he was in the mood to recite poetry. When his dear wife asked what he said, Syaoran would sputter that it was nonsense complete nonsense.
Eriol would just grin. He guessed that reciting poetry that praised a woman's creamy skin, soft to one's touch, was inappropriate to share with one's wife.
Maybe that game can wait a little later. He didn't want to be murdered in his sleep.
This part of him. The jealous and possessive part of him was really something that he wished to control. He loved her. That fact was so simple. However, she couldn't remember him. How could she? She had to be at least five years old when she---
---when she made that promise to him, her eyes gazing at him so adoringly.
He stared and stared, looking at nothing in particular. He didn't know for how long but before he knew it, he could see his family's estate quite a distance away. He was almost home. That was good. He had to prepare for tonight after all. It was going to be risky. He was going to have to take his chance though.
"My lord, we are almost to your estate."
"Wonderful, Mr. Higgins," he told the driver. He wasn't really paying attention. "I still need to make some muffins for my cousin…"
~~OO~~
After giving Touya a polite kiss on the cheek, Tomoyo went upstairs to her room to retire for the night. Touya had told her so many stories of is travels. He also told her of his observations of his younger sister's marriage. He told her that despite being married for half a year, the couple still blushed when the other entered the room. Tomoyo giggled because she could just imagine. When the laughter was over, the loneliness returned. She was going to miss her dear cousin. With her marriage to the Li Clan, she was going to be busy. Syaoran after all was the head of he Clan, so she had to work hard to become the perfect wife of such a powerful man.
When she reached her room, she sat in front of her vanity table and stared into her mirror. She began pulling the pins that held up her hair and watched as her heavy hair came tumbling down her shoulders. Like clockwork, she picked up her brush and began brushing her hair. It was the same thing every night. It was a habit of Tomoyo's. She brushes her hair until it shone, took a bath in Lavender scented water and changed into a nightgown before going to sleep. Unlike most people of their circle, Tomoyo was fond of taking baths… and one of the presents she received from Sakura was her favorite scented soap. Maybe because she was Japanese but Tomoyo preferred to bathe everyday.
The warm water felt wonderful and the lavender smelled heavenly.
She suddenly stared outside and was amazed by the moon. It was red. Blood red.
Most people find the blood red sky frightening. They believe it could be an omen. For her, she finds it beautiful. It reminded her of the petals of the rose. When she finished her bath, she wrapped her robe around herself and walked towards the window to simply gaze at the moon.
After a while, she sighed. It was time to get to bed and sleep. She had rehearsal in the morning. With the concert being soon, she couldn't afford to be lazy. With a yawn, she turned to her cabinet and pulled out a white nightgown. She changed and went to bed. She fell asleep with a soft smile. She simply couldn't wait for tomorrow to come.
It was supposed to be like every other night.
Tomoyo woke up to the feeling of something soft against her lips. At a distance, she heard the grandfather clock in the hall give twelve gongs, saying that it was midnight. She gasped when she felt something hard when she tried to reach out for her candle. She waited for her eyes to get adjusted to the dark. It was a man. There was a man in her room and he was kissing her, one of his hands gripped her wrist and keeping it in place. "What---?Ah!"
She was about to scream, but the man's lips met with hers again, silencing her. Tomoyo struggled. She did not want this. She wanted to push the man away and scream. Touya's room was only two rooms away. If she screamed he'd hear her. A hand replaced the man's lips on her mouth. Her eyes weren't frightened, they look more like worry. She reached to her bedside table for a candle.
How very much like her. To be calm and ladylike even in a situation like this.
He signaled her for silence, as he moved away. Her look of worry became one of suspicion. She did not trust him and he could not blame her. What was he doing sneaking into a girl's room at this time of night?
Tomoyo, still suspicious, decided not to scream… yet.
After lighting the candle, she turned back to him. "What do you want?" she demanded, pulling the sheets up for modesty's sake. She frowned at the man. He was dressed very oddly indeed. He wore a dark suit, cape and a lovely silk hat, his face behind a jeweled white mask. But that wasn't what made him suspicious. It was the fact that he had an impish smile on his lips.
He still didn't say a word. Instead, he stood up and gave a gallant bow.
"Answer me or I will scream," she warned him, her expression dark. She was serious. One scream was enough to have her guards and Touya come running into her room and bring him to jail. She didn't know how he snuck in, but her room was on the fifth floor. He couldn't escape… it was just odd. Despite the warning, he did not look afraid. In fact, he looked quite amused. Nothing seemed to make that impish grin disappear. "I would appreciate it if you leave my room now, if you have no more business with me." She pointed to the door, but he still didn't move.
He shook his head and before she knew it, there was a shower of beautiful, red rose petals.
Magic? Is he a magician?
She couldn't help but smile as she raised her hands to touch the petals. The mysterious magician gave another smile and this one was much softer than his earlier smiles. He opened his mouth, as if he was about to speak, but then there was a knock at her door.
"Lady Tomoyo? I heard a noise. Are you alright?"
The magician smiled and motioned her to keep silent. He reached for her hand and kissed it before backing up. Tomoyo could do nothing but watch in amazement. He was beautiful against the light of the moon. She could see his dark eyes through the mask. He tossed a red rose on her bed and blew out the candle there was a flash and then there was darkness. Tomoyo quickly lit the candle again but the magician had disappeared…
"Lady Daidouji?" There was a twist of a key and one of her female guards entered. "I am sorry for the intrusion, but are you alright?"
Tomoyo was frozen for a second, but then gave a hesitant but reassuring smile. "I am fine. I was just--- I am fine…"
That was all she said before she gazed at the rose petals on her bed.
"Those are beautiful."
"Eh?"
"These roses." Her guard smiled, touching the petals. Her attention went to the single rose that Tomoyo was now clutching in her hands. "They smell heavenly. I did not know that you liked roses, my lady."
Tomoyo blinked and took a whiff at the rose's fragrance. "Honestly, I didn't know I liked them either…"
"Tomoyo, are you alright?"
At the door stood Touya, he was carrying a candle and it didn't look like he changed for the night. He was from the library and had decided to stop and check on Tomoyo. He became concerned when he saw the door open and her guard inside the room. Looking at the bed, he noticed the rose petals and frowned. Rose petals? He looked around the room and saw lilies in every vase. And the smell… he thought for sure that the scented soap he brought was lavender. "What is going on here?"
In reply, she gave him a serene smile. "Touya, it is nothing. I was--- I accidentally dropped these rose petals. I was quite clumsy."
Touya was no fool. Tomoyo had not been alone in that room a few moments ago.
Who was it?
Touya knew Tomoyo well and she was not the type to carelessly gather lovers. Tomoyo was wiser than that. Whoever was in the room wasn't a lover.
While Tomoyo was busy reassuring the guard, Touya took a look around the room. Something caught his attention on the floor. Black dust? He bent down and touched it. It was still too dark to tell, but Touya was sure that was gun powder. What was it doing in Tomoyo's boudoir? There was something odd going on…
"Tomoyo, how do you feel about firecrackers?"
She tilted her head, confused by the question. "That is an odd question, Touya. But I think they are beautiful."
"Do you play with them?"
Smiling, she shook her head no. "My mother thinks that firecrackers are too dangerous in a novice's hands, so she never allows me to be near them without an expert near."
Then that meant, that whoever was playing with it in the boudoir wasn't Tomoyo. "I see." He stood and walked towards her, then giving her hair a friendly pat. "Get some sleep. I will talk to you in the morning."
"Alright, goodnight."
Touya's eyes softened at the gentle look on her face. He knew she was lying, but maybe he was merely being protective of her. How can he not be? He didn't think she realized how beautiful she really is. She is beautiful enough to tempt a guy to do anything…
~~OO~~
The magician snuck in through the colorfully, stained glass windows of the Hiiragizawa piano room, and much to his surprise he found Nakuru there with Spinel in her arms as if they were waiting for him. He had expected her to be in bed earlier. He made sure of that before leaving. He smiled though. Apparently, his young cousin was more clever than he thought. Why so many underestimated her was beyond him. "Eriol! Welcome back! How was the show?"
There was no point trying to hide it now. With a sigh, he pulled off his mask and revealed a guilty-looking, smiling face. "It went beautifully as usual, but it unfortunately had to be cut short." He carefully placed the jeweled mask on top of the piano. "Shouldn't you be in bed? You have to wake up early tomorrow . It is… the young Viscount, lord Tsukishiro tomorrow, isn't it?" He was just Nakuru's type. Pretty, polite and quite naïve in some ways… and because of their similar circumstances, brought up by English relatives and had spent their earlier years in Japan… Nakuru was even more interested in him. He had inherited the title from his maternal grandparents. He inherited his mother's lovely English looks and manners. She was known to be a very beautiful woman before she married a Japanese merchant. When she and her husband died, he was sent to his mother's parents.
"I heard that Touya-san is around!" she squealed, but in fact she had just wanted to see his reaction. She noticed Eriol wince for a second before reverting back to his smiling façade. "Hurray! Maybe we can go see him tomorrow! He plays the piano too, right? Oh! Maybe he can play the piano with Tomoyo-chan!"
Eriol sighed and ignored her, pulling off his gloves and taking off his cape.
"Go to bed, Nakuru," he said. Eriol was tired and he didn't want to listen to another string of praises to Touya Kinomoto. "We can talk in the morning."
"How about you?"
He smiled and walks towards her, then gives her an affectionate pat on the head. "I'll be going up soon. I want to stay down here just a little longer, okay? Now go." Lastly, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
Nakuru gave a playful smile and turned towards the door. "Goodnight then, Eriol!" She disappeared behind the door.
But Spinel Sun jumped out from her arms and began walking towards his master.
"Oh! Suppi-chan!"
Eriol smiled and told her it was alright to leave him. Spinel wasn't saying anything but he knew that tonight he should keep his master company. Nakuru huffed because she wanted to sleep with Suppi-chan, but Eriol convinced her to leave, threatening that they won't go to see Touya and Yukito in the morning. When she left, Spinel simply sat there, staring at Eriol. It was as if he was encouraging him to talk about what was bothering him.
Scratching under his clever pet's chin, Eriol smiled a secretive smile. It was him telling Spinel that he couldn't tell him either. "You should go for the night too. If you do, I will serve you your favorite tuna." He could have sworn he had seen Spinel hesitate, before he turned and skipped out the door.
Smiling and finally alone, Eriol walked to his piano and ran his hand on its surface as he does every night.
She looked beautiful, absolutely beautiful on her bed sleeping so sweetly. Her pale, milky skin was a contrast to her long dark hair. She looked so fragile… almost like a doll. He would actually be fooled into believing she was one if he couldn't hear her breathing. But she was very much alive. Eriol touched his lips and smiled. The warm touch of her lips on his was proof enough for him. Her wrists were quite slim, he was afraid that he would break them when he held it for that sweet moment. As fragile as she was though, she was unafraid of him. He could tell. Her eyes showed outrage and curiosity but not one inch of fear. Another thing he finds very admirable about her.
But…
He shouldn't have kissed her tonight. He could not help it. She was lying there, looking like an angel. What devil would pass up the opportunity?
And that was what he was. A devil.
Quietly, he returned to the piano seat. "Nadeshiko, I believe that I have done something very wrong and unforgivable tonight." He had only wanted to touch her cheek or maybe just feel the silkiness of her long hair between her fingers. But----he went too far. He knew that. He should be lucky that she didn't do what she had threatened and screamed. That wasn't really a worry though, because he would have still managed to escape.
He closed his eyes and began to play his favorite haunting aria that he wrote one starless night. It was a song that he played in nights such as that. A dark as the night he wrote it and as haunting as the phantom figure that appears behind it. He wasn't pleased with all that had occurred that night. He admits that. The pleased smile that appeared later though when she reached out for the shower of roses on her bed. Magic. She was pleased by his magic, and it pleased him that she was.
"She is very different and admirably brave," he muttered. He had always had two reactions from ladies when he appeared in their boudoir. They either faint in a fit of vapors or they welcome him into their beds. "…and she had done neither. She merely enjoyed the magic. Such a strange girl, isn't she? It's been a while since my last audience. It certainly felt good."
The tempo slowed as it was about to come to an end, and he opened his eyes. He continued to play, not really seeing anything as his fingers seem to just fly across the keyboard with expert ease.
"Her concert will be soon…" he grinned. "I wonder how I should surprise her."
~~OO~~
Author's note: I was wondering if anybody would mind being a beta for me. I update very slowly so the chapters won't be very long or very difficult. I haven't had a beta in a long time. Not since my friend retired because of her busy schedule. Please? Help this poor excuse of an author! HAHAHA…
Listening to: Cantarella by the Vocaloid, Kaito Hatsune.
Mood: Sleepy.
Working on: Chapter 14 of Summer School and Chapter 7 of the fic with my brother, Artemis Fowl: Alice Academy. You will find it here. But he changes names very often, so I can't link 3, last chapter of the Nightingale and the Phantom of Red Moon.