Chapter 6: The Four Light Orbs
Chapter 6.1: Hope's Disguise and the First Orb
("Italics" means spoken in English)
Suppi glanced at him with a small smirk. "I brought someone who could help you find that Fair Flower. A friend of mine from long ago"
The mage stared at his guardian with a look of surprise. "Really?"
The winged stuffed toy nodded and called out, "Cloaked girl, please enter". He looked at the door of the library expectantly.
After five seconds…
After ten seconds…
After twenty seconds…
"CLOAKED girl… come in. Please." Spinnel repeated with more emphasis. "Master Eriol won't use his magic on you, you know that. You're safe with him." This time, he spoke with a clear English language.
'Something's really wrong with this… is that girl from England, like us? Or is she a Japanese? Does she have powers? Spinnel should explain things…' Eriol mused as she waited for the girl.
Seeing his master's thoughtful look, the flying stuffed toy decided to give details on the situation. "She is a Japanese who can speak English quite fluently. She is not a sorceress but her knowledge may exceed yours. That's why I asked her to help"
He then looked at his master with a slightly irritated look. "Master Eriol, you won't use your powers, right? She doesn't like feeling magic around her."
The mage cocked his head to the right, feeling something wrong but not being able to pinpoint it out. He simply raised his eyebrow and nodded in affirmation. If she needed her privacy, being the 'cloaked girl' that she is, he'll gladly accept. Guessing games are his games, after all.
And the fact is, her warm aura felt unusually close to him. A tingling feeling swelled up inside him when he tried to reach out to her aura. There was something in her aura that made him especially excited. A small smile crept on his features. She gave out an inviting yet protected feeling that made him want to see her.
When the girl still didn't come out, he realized that she didn't hear him. "Of course I won't. I don't pry on other people's business especially if they will help me" he finally said.
Spinnel and Tomoyo both raised their eyebrows discreetly, remembering how he secretly watched Sakura and Syaoran when they were catching the cards.
The cloaked girl, who we all know now as Daidouji Tomoyo, gracefully walked to the big library. "Good Afternoon, Hiiragizawa-san" she said in fluent English.
"What language should I use when talking to you, then? English or Japanese?" Eriol asked to make sure that they would understand each other.
"I would really prefer if we talk in English. It would make me more at ease even though I can also understand Japanese." she said as she sat beside Suppi.
The mage stared at her cloaked form. Her voice was gentle and polite and showed no sign of who she is. It didn't resemble any one he knows. No magic was emitting from her aura, which means that she didn't use magic to change her voice. Good. This will be quite a game.
Going back to the main issue…
"You will help me find fair flower. How?" he asked in a professional tone. This is all business, he thought as he waited for an answer.
"You want a guessing game, you'll have one. I'll only accompany you as you search for her, and you'll find her for sure. Tomoeda is a small town"
"That simple? Hmmm…" A sudden thought came to mind. "Do you know Fair Flower?"
Eriol felt as if the cloaked girl smiled underneath her hood.
"Of course. I know a lot of things you don't." It was as if her graceful lady-like character suddenly changed to a naughty cat-like one.
The mage smiled. 'Interesting…'
"Shall we start now…?" he kept that hanging as he realized that he had no clue as to the name of the mysterious and interesting cloaked girl.
"You can call me anything you like" was her carefree answer. Truth is she really didn't care. It was the least of her worries.
"Then…" he put his chin on his palm in a thinking pose. "I'll call you Hope. Is that alright?"
"Sure. But we won't be able to start right now. I have some business to attend to."
Hope, AKA the Cloaked Girl AKA Daidouji Tomoyo AKA Fair Flower, stood up from her seat and waved dismissively before walking away. Spinnel flew to her side and sat on her shoulder.
"Can I go with her tonight, Eriol-sama?" Suppi asked as Hope stopped to wait for the answer.
"If you want to, sure" was the mage's reply.
Hope stood in front of a full-body mirror as she took off her disguise: her cloak, sunglass, overly-high heels and voice changer. Yes, she used mechanical devices to change her appearance and voice. Using those, Eriol wasn't able to realize the slight transformation in her voice and height. And thus, wasn't able to guess who she was.
"Your plan is brilliant! This way, I'll know his memory limits before I reveal myself, and we'll be sure that he wouldn't break. You're amazing…" Tomoyo praised. She looked at Spinnel with sparkling happy eyes.
"I wouldn't have done it without your exceptional skills. The devices from your company and the clothes you made for our little game are amazing too. Your English is also commendable" he humbly replied while eyeing her carefully. 'You're worth all of this, mistress. You will get back his memories and fulfill Clow's wish, as planned.'
"But why did I have to speak English?" she curiously asked with a smile. He wouldn't have made her do such a hard thing just for fun, right?
"It'll spice things up. It'll keep him guessing, and that would make this easier for us. I've planned everything already." He answered with a clear mischievous glint in his eyes.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
A telephone ring broke their conversation. Tomoyo ran to her phone and answered it excitedly. Only one person would call her at this time: an excited yet nervous best friend who wants advice for her first dinner with her boyfriend.
"Hello? Tomoyo-chan? Help!" Sakura's frantic voice squealed from the other line.
"What's with you? Its just 4:00. You have plenty of time before 6:30" the heiress calmly replied with a smile.
"But Syaoran-kun told me to come earlier! And I don't know why! I still don't know what I should dress like…" she sounded as if she was about to cry!
"Really? Wow! This is what I've been waiting for! Come here and I'll dress you up. You'll be gorgeous!" Tomoyo was overly happy for her best friend. Her dreams for her best friend are coming true. Sakura found her number one and is on her way to staying with him for all her life. What a happy story!!!
'I can't wait to give Sakura and Syaoran their wedding gift!!!' Tomoyo thought with sparkling eyes.
………………………………………………….1st…Orb…………………………………………………..
A limousine with the Daidouji Toy Corporations emblem stopped in front of Syaoran's new place. The new house was a simple bungalow with a mini garden beside it. A black gate was at the front part while a light green wall was beside it. It gave off a warm and cozy feeling, like Syaoran's arms whenever Sakura hugs him.
"Thank you Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura nervously stepped out of the limousine as she shakily clutched on the door. This was the first time Syaoran invited her to his new house, since he just moved in recently.
"Come now, Sakura-chan! Don't be nervous! The Li quadruplet already likes you! There's nothing to worry about." The plum cheered her best friend like a mother cheering her child on the first day of school.
The cherry smiled more confidently. "You're right! Everything will surely be alright."
She waved goodbye at her best friend and walked slowly to the gate. There, her shaky hands pushed the doorbell.
Ding Dong! Ding Dong!
After a few moments, a handsome and neatly clad little wolf answered the door. It was obvious that he was slightly nervous about something that Sakura couldn't quite point out. What could it be…?
He was about to greet her when his eyes caught sight of her over-all attire, leaving him speechless. He stood there with his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide in surprise.
His Cherry, his lovely cherry, wore a simple peach dress that fits her petite body perfectly and shows off her curves. Her hair which was a little longer now was let down with a white ribbon adorning it.
She looked cute, like always. But with the usual cuteness came simple natural beauty. She emerged from being Daidouji's cute little doll to a beautiful teen princess. Out were the frilly, overly extravagant dresses and in were the simply beautiful clothes that complimented her gentle and child-like yet mature self.
"Syaoran? I'm sorry I'm late! Please talk! Don't be angry with me…" Mistaking his silence for anger, she profusely apologized while bowing repeatedly.
"You look…" He looked at her from her auburn hair to her light yellow sandals. For lack of a better word, he said, "Beautiful. You look really beautiful."
"Really? Tomoyo-chan let me choose from her hundreds of dresses so I made sure not to wear something too…"
"Don't worry, you look perfect" Syaoran took her hand and led her to the garden. "I have a surprise for you"
'Hoe…' Sakura's heart pumped faster and faster as they walked through the curiously over-decorated garden. Different situations came to her mind as they walked closer to their destination; each of which always ended with Syaoran kneeling and opening a ring box.
But she kept in mind that she might just be assuming all of this. Tomoyo's fantasies may have just rubbed too much on her.
They stopped walking upon reaching a table with a bouquet on top. Syaoran took it and gave it to her with a smile. "Wait. I'll just get something…" he said as he walked to the farther part of the garden. He smiled as the plan replayed in his mind.
Back to Sakura…
The girl, as usual, brought the bouquet to her face to smell it. She chose one flower and plucked the petals one by one. "He loves me, he loves me not…" she whispered
"He loves me… he loves me not… he loves me… he loves me not…"
She sat on the chair and continued. "He loves me… he loves me not…"
She frowned as the process came to an end. There were twenty-eight petals; an even number. He loves me not. 'Is this a sign that I'm just imagining things?'
…
Syaoran arrived with a nervous look on her face and a box in his hand. Wait… a box?
A ring box! Wai! The cherry was not wrong!
He kneeled shakily… and opened the box.
Inside it…
Was a petal.
"I love you" he said with a smile.
Sakura had to smile at that. It was an unusual sweetness from a normally shy boy.
…
But then, disappointment passed through her face. That's all? She didn't move, too irritated to react. She shouldn't have listened to her best friend's fantasies!
Seeing this, he stood up and hugged her. He laughed a little. "Awww… you're sad?" he asked playfully.
Sakura noticed his tone so she tilted her head to the side in confusion. Something's up.
…
He kneeled again, this time with a confident smile. He knew that she'll say yes. It was obvious from her reaction.
"Sakura…" he inhaled a little shakily and continued. "Sakura, you are the best thing that happened to me. You changed me to something better with your innate kindness, and I love you for that. I want to spend my entire life feeling this wonderful feeling you give me…"
He looked her in the eye with the tender look he reserves only for her.
"I know we're still young but… will you promise to marry me when we're old enough?"
Syaoran took a dangling thing from the bouquet. Sakura didn't see it at first, but after a few moments understood. The ring was with her all along! It was just tied to the bouquet!
She stared at his face, then at the beautiful gold ring which had cherry blossoms engraved on it. The ring was simply beautiful, just like Sakura.
Tears formed on her eyes. "I promise to marry you. I love you with all my heart."
Syaoran's face broke into a bigger smile. He jumped up and hugged her tightly. "I love you"
…
Suddenly, a love song came up. "May I have this dance?" he whispered to her ear. She shivered pleasantly then nodded.
Endless, we'll be together always
And I will hold forever
This love that we have come to know
We'll always stay in love this way
Until forever and a day
And I will never ever change
Cause you are all my eyes can see
It's everlasting
Refrain:
Promise that you'll always love me
That I will be your one and only
And that you'll hold me 'til eternity
"Hold me till eternity," Sakura whispered as they glide around the garden, taking notice of nothing but each other.
Chorus:
Say you'll keep me in your heart
Promise me, we'll never part
I can only love you so much more
Cause you are all I'm living for
And the only thing I'd do
Is to give my love to you
And forever you'll be in my heart
The way I've always loved you from the start
Hold me like you've never done before
Let me dream away my life
Let me spend this night away
Until its morning love me
Say you'll never leave me
Even if tomorrow
There will be no more sun to shine
You're all that matters
(Repeat Refrain)
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
(A/N: The song 'From the start' is not mine. All rights go to whoever owns it)
As the song came to a close, he moved his face close to hers until it was inches away. "I love you Sakura. I'm glad that I'll spend my entire life with such a beautiful girl."
He then crossed the gap within them and kissed her. It was a sweet short kiss; an innocent first kiss.
"I love you too"
…
"Kawaii!"
As the couple separated, the couple heard squealing sounds from a near place. Their gaze traveled to the source of the sound: four tall girls clad in Chinese clothing. The Li Quadruplets!
The four girls rushed to Sakura's side and squealed again. "Kawaii sister-in-law! You're so cute!"
Sakura smiled. With everything falling into place, she thought she saw a little light emerge from all their festivities. But then, that may just be the fireworks of their first kiss.
Who knows?
(A/N: I know! I know! hohohoho)
Yatsuiko-chan: During my one month and one week disappearance, I realized that I still have a LOT of things to write. Think about it… Eriol haven't gotten his memory back and there's still a lot of potential fluff situations. I don't like suppressing ideas about fanfictions so I'm sorry if this is getting too long for you. Chapter 6 would be cut into four: Hope's Disguise and the First Orb, Hope's Plan and the Second Orb, Hope's Surprise and the Third Orb, and Hope's Happiness and the Fourth Orb.
I'm really sorry for this late update. I hope you would still review!
Thank you to those who reviewed the last Chapter!
I'll post two chapters this day and two chapters next Sunday… please forgive me…
(sigh…) Oh yeah, I seriously don't like making Eriol suffer. But I love making fluff scenes with Hope… so read the next chapter now! hahaha I'm babbling again…
Just Read and Review!