Disclaimer: I do not own CCS.
Note: Hello everyone~ I am here once again and in time with another chapter. I want to thank the following people for their lovely reviews: mysticalphoenix-avalon, cheng, hikarihayashi-chan, cainat06, sadistprincess! Thank you so much :) It is a pleasure to write this story for you readers! Once again enjoy!
Magic
Tomoyo woke up to the sound of bustling and rustling, but it wasn't until she heard Nakuru enter the room that she opened her eyes. It took her a minute to recognize that the ruby haired girl with butterfly wings on her back was Nakuru. Tomoyo immediately caught up with what was happening as she quickly leaped off the bed and made her way towards them. Eriol was busy reading over some notes as he held a peculiar looking key hanging from a golden chain. Closing the notebook and settling it onto the desk, Eriol closed his eyes and chanted something under his breath. The key started to glow and to Tomoyo's amazement, a gust of wind circled the gentleman as Clow Reed's crest glowed underneath him. Soon the key began to glow and it suddenly transformed into a staff. Eriol reopened his eyes and his gaze fell upon Tomoyo.
"Spinel I am off for a mission tonight." He announced as he stepped towards his desk once again in search of something.
"I want to come with you." Tomoyo announced, even though she knew that he would deny her.
"No, you are still very weak to transform back into your original form." Eriol answered as he picked a piece of note from underneath a book.
"I still wish to go." Tomoyo insisted, although she had no doubt that Sakura and Syaoran would be safe, she feared for Nakuru and Eriol's safety instead.
Tomoyo trusted that Eriol was powerful enough to control his own powers, but she wanted to make sure that no mistakes would harm them. Incidents could always happen, and by now Tomoyo knew that Eriol's priority was to keep Sakura and Syaoran safe above his own safety. Tomoyo was not letting Eriol get hurt and blame himself for any missteps, like the incident that occurred with Spinel and herself.
"Spinel wait for us at home." Eriol instructed as he headed towards the door.
"Please let me come." Tomoyo followed behind him as she leaped and grabbed onto his leg.
Nakuru laughed, as Eriol stopped and gazed down at the feline. He looked into Tomoyo's pleading eyes and sighed before picking her up from his leg and placing her on his shoulder. "I want you to stay close to me. You won't battle or anything, do you understand?"
Tomoyo nodded her head eagerly. Eriol then smiled and once again made his way towards the door. Both Nakuru and Eriol headed downstairs to the landing where Eriol gripped his staff and chanted some words. The Clow symbol emerged beneath them once again and a gust of wind and light enveloped them. Tomoyo watched in amazement as they seemed to be sucked into a tunnel and their surroundings blurred. As soon as the lights dimmed and the Clow symbol faded, the three members found themselves in the Penguin Park.
"They should be here any minute now." Eriol spoke as they watched in their hiding place nearby.
Soon enough Tomoyo saw Sakura and Syaoran running to the Penguin Park followed by Yue. She watched as they talked among themselves while cautiously looking around their surroundings for any warning signs. If she hadn't switched her body and become Spinel, Tomoyo would be among the group holding her camcorder, while safely keeping an eye on her friends. It was strange to be in the other end and observing Sakura and the rest of the other members in action. Her attention then went to Nakuru, who winked back at her with a playful smile before she stepped forward and jumped into the tree nearby. Tomoyo's eyes immediately fell upon Eriol, who began to chant something under his breath.
"So it begins." Eriol whispered as he finished his chant and swift his staff forward.
Tomoyo felt the ground shake and Sakura yelp as she almost lost her balance. Yue flew up towards the air while Syaoran ran towards Sakura's side. Tomoyo watched as Eriol stomped his staff and a bubble encircled the surrounding area where Sakura and Syaoran stood, secluding them into a circular dome apart from the rest of the park. Yue noticing the barrier quickly flew forward to break the bubble with his powers, but Nakuru appeared before him to prevent Yue from destroying the bubble. Tomoyo then saw Yue's signature frown that only caused Nakuru to giggle back rather cheerfully. After a moment of Yue glaring at Nakuru, naturally a battle between them initiated. Tomoyo gasped as she saw Yue manage to scratch Nakuru's wings.
"Watch out!" She couldn't help but to cry.
Eriol patted her head. "Don't worry, she knows what she is doing." He assured.
Tomoyo gazed at him trustingly, knowing that Eriol had been planning this for a long time. Next, Tomoyo saw Eriol point his staff towards the ground and the shaking began again, but only inside the bubble where Sakura and Syaoran were captured. The ground began to lift and create stone figures that advanced and attacked Sakura and Syaoran. They were then forced to break the figures and defend themselves from the attacks. Tomoyo gasped as she saw Sakura fall onto the ground, but Syaoran was quick enough to protect her from a stone figure approaching.
Eriol chuckled at how tense Tomoyo seemed while she clutched her paw tightly. Eriol leaned against her body and caressed her with his head. "Don't worry. I won't hurt her."
"I know." Tomoyo replied back in honesty, she knew nothing bad would happen to Sakura and Syaoran.
Suddenly Eriol's eyes drifted towards the right in alert. He quickly then jumped up towards the nearby tree and his azure eyes gazed in cautiousness. In horror, Eriol swung his staff towards Nakuru, creating a small shield, just in time to protect Nakuru from a fiery attack that shattered the shield into small pieces. Everything happened so fast that Tomoyo had no time to process what had just occurred. She then gazed to where Eriol was now looking and saw, to her horror as well, that Kero in his true form was flying forward in the night sky. He flew towards Yue's side and both of them positioned themselves to battle against Nakuru, who kept her guard up while watching them carefully. Tomoyo knew that something in the plan had gone wrong.
"Eriol what are we going to do?" Tomoyo asked as she watched him gaze from Nakuru and then towards the bubble where Sakura and Syaoran were still fighting against the stone figures.
Eriol closed his eyes and she saw a glow emitting from his hand to his staff. She had a feeling that Eriol was using more of his powers. Tomoyo then remembered what Kaho had mentioned of him weakening himself to the point of exhaustion. She wouldn't let this happen. Quickly Tomoyo leapt off his shoulders. Eriol noticing it, stopped what he was doing, and tried to catch her.
"Spinel!" He called as he saw Tomoyo jump onto the ground safely.
Tomoyo closed her eyes and tried thinking of turning herself. She didn't know where to start or how to go about, but she tried concentrating on the thought of being the beautiful creature she last saw in Tomoeda High. Soon a glow enveloped her and she felt her body change and grow. Her small figure had suddenly become the true creature Spinel was. She looked down at her giant paw and cheered inwardly that she had done it, but as she stepped forward, she felt her body ache. Tomoyo was still in no condition to fight. Eriol stood in front of her with a disapproving look.
"I know." Tomoyo replied to his gaze. "But I cannot let Nakuru fight on her own."
"That is precisely why we are going to retreat. I had not foreseen Kero coming tonight. I had expected that he would be at home resting from his injury against his fight with Syaoran over some cookies." Eriol explained but then mused. "I should have known Kero has a strong will."
Tomoyo chuckled knowing exactly what he meant. "Well then, it will be a fair fight." Tomoyo announced. "Two injured felines against each other should be a fair match."
Eriol was about to protest and stop Tomoyo, but she was quick on her paws and managed to fly up towards Nakuru's side.
"Suppi." Nakuru watched in surprise and then in worrisome. "You shouldn't be here."
"He wants to retreat." Tomoyo announced and then looked down at the bubble where Sakura was. She knew it wasn't too long until they finished the mission, besides Eriol had already used this much powers to execute half of the mission. If they retreated now they would have wasted time and energy.
"He won't be pleased." Nakuru replied. "What Eriol says is right, but yet again, we are so close." Nakuru mentioned.
"Well then, do you need my help?" Tomoyo offered with a grin.
Nakuru smiled. "Always." With that said, both of them started to advance.
To her surprise, Tomoyo's body knew where to go and what to do without her thinking too much about it. She flew around and managed to swing some attacks towards Kero. She was not much of an athlete, but being Spinel made everything so easy. She was fast on dodging attacks and fast in responding to Kero's sudden movements. Although her body was starting to ache, Tomoyo made sure not to move unnecessarily in case she injured herself more than she was now. She watched out for Nakuru's safety as well, but Nakuru had less problems with handling Yue, who seemed to be getting annoyed that they weren't able to catch them.
Tomoyo was suddenly distracted by Sakura's scream. Worried, she gazed down to see her best friend transform one of the Clow Cards into a Sakura Card and create a shield upon herself and Syaoran. The stone figures broke once it hit the shield and the rest of the stone figures retreated back into the ground they had emerged from. Tomoyo then gazed down at Eriol who sighed in relief. She saw his hand trembling, and knew that he had exerted himself too much.
"We need to go now." Tomoyo spoke to Nakuru worried that Eriol might collapse.
"Where do you think you are going!" Kero barked as he advanced and slammed himself against her.
Tomoyo felt her ribs hurt and she lost control of her wings. Nakuru in horror, quickly flew towards her and managed to hold Tomoyo from hitting the ground. Tomoyo felt her body shrink and she knew she had no more energy to maintain her true form. Nakuru quickly retrieved with the feline in her arms. She reached Eriol who looked worriedly at Tomoyo before he popped the bubble around Sakura and Syaoran. He then used his staff once again to take them home. The next thing she knew, Tomoyo was lying on the pillow at Eriol's bedroom.
"You were careless!" Eriol spoke to Tomoyo in worrisome and in anger for her sudden actions. "Haven't I told you to stay near me?"
"I am sorry." Tomoyo mentioned as she watched him pace back and forth in front of her.
"You could get yourself killed Spinel!" He reasoned as his hands raked his midnight hair away from his azure eyes. "I won't let you come next time!"
"You were helping Sakura to transform the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, weren't you?" Tomoyo whispered as she replayed what had happened tonight. "Is that your mission?"
"Don't try to change the subject here." Eriol spoke.
"The Clow Cards need a new master to keep them in control, is that right?" Tomoyo continued as the truth began to dawn in her.
Nakuru chuckled. "Yes Suppi. We all know that. Why are you so surprised?"
Tomoyo quickly clammed her mouth, but knowing why Eriol was creating these strange phenomenon in Tomoeda made her realize how important his missions were and how everything he had done this far had a meaning. It was for Sakura's sake that he was here in Tomoeda. It was for the safety of the world that the Clow Cards needed a new mistress to keep them under control and order. Eriol was helping Sakura with the powerful Clow Cards that needed someone new to take care of them.
"Eriol!" Nakuru called worriedly as she quickly helped her master to his feet and preventing him from hitting the ground.
Tomoyo stood up in concern, but her paws hurt and she fell back onto the pillow. She watched as Nakuru laid Eriol onto the bed. He was exhausted and very tired, his pale face was evidence enough that Eriol had overexerted his powers tonight. She wondered how much power he needed to create a shield and some stone figures. That didn't make much sense that Eriol would be this tired after something that seemed simple enough for a powerful mage.
"Wait a minute." Tomoyo questioned as she voiced her thoughts. "You were using your powers on me too, weren't you?"
Eriol gazed at her and grinned. "You didn't expect me to willingly allow you to fight and injure yourself once again, did you?"
Tomoyo gaped in shock. No wonder she could move in such ease and without feeling much pain. He was helping her with his powers to give her enough energy to move and dodge the attacks against Kero. Eriol was responsible for her being alive and well. If it wasn't for his interference and help she wouldn't know how to fly in the first place or even know how to attack. Using his powers to maintain a full grown creature plus executing a mission must have been enough to drain him to exhaustion.
Tomoyo found herself painfully crawling next to him and caressing his face with her head. She couldn't help but to show her gratefulness to his sense of responsibility and friendship. Although she wanted to scold him for being reckless, Tomoyo knew Eriol was only being protective and caring. It seemed that everyone was a priority over his own safety and life. It wasn't fair that he did this much for her and yet she had no way to give back to him. Tomoyo wanted to do something in return somehow.
"I want some too!" Nakuru whined as she watched them close to each other cozily.
Nakuru quickly then laid next to them and brought them in for a hug. They laughed and laid there smiling at each other in content. The tension and the worries quickly sipped away as they silently enjoyed each other presences.
"Mission accomplished." Nakuru chirped. "Great work team!"
Eriol chuckled. "Yes. I suppose you are right."
Tomoyo then gazed at Eriol who was slowly falling asleep and then towards Nakuru, who already had her eyes closed. It was a sense of calm and happiness that took over her, as Tomoyo wished to never part with her new family. Each day she was growing to understand them and each day it was becoming more and more comfortable being around Eriol and Nakuru. Tomoyo inched closer to Eriol's warm face and felt her heart beat faster. She couldn't help but to feel her heart leap when she recalled the way his azure eyes watched over her worriedly and how his actions spoke stronger than his words. Tomoyo's eyes slowly fell close as her last thoughts were of Eriol and if she could ever tell him one day that she had fallen in love.
TBC