Chapter 8 : Daidouji Tomoyo
In Tomoeda, everything seems to be breaking apart. Nakuru and Spinel, ears against the big door to the office. Listening to each and every word.
"You told me the other morning that we are leaving for England. And now, you´ve change your mind?"
"It is sudden. But I…cant leave." Eriol explained to the hysterical red-headed woman. His lack of explaination wasn't helping. He knew, he shouldn't be hiding his secret affection towards Tomoyo. But he felt better this way. It might fade in time with noone realizing it and he would smile about it as time passes. Who is he lying to anyway? He sigh to himself.
"Do you think I havent noticed?" She asked. "You have been different since we got here."
He remained silent. Knowing she was saying the truth. This whole discussion would not only revolve around, going back to England.
"I know, that you´re mind now holds someone else. And it is the similar to your heart! This one person." She spat.
"What do you mean?" He questioned, staring directly at her.
"I want you to tell me." Kaho said. "Did I do something wrong?"
She was begging him and he couldn't stop the fact that he is having a heavy conscience problem right now. She is crying because of him. The ever smiling face of Kaho was now ruined. "You didn't do anything Kaho." He answered honestly. "The feeling..."
"Gone? Is that what you want to say to me? Then I don't want to hear it from you… I´ll go back alone Eriol." Kaho has always been strong, she was always able to control her feelings and think rational.
"You don't have to.. that is.. I would be happy to have you here, as a friend." He offered, finding it difficult to speak to someone he hurt badly.
"No. It would be much better, if I go." She responded, wiping her tears away, then staring at him, trying to give him a smile, but she failed, because another set of tears rolled down her face.
He didn't say anything. They just stared at each other.
"You have grown so much Eriol." She whispered weakly. "Letting you go is hard. You understand-"
.
.
.
Last words were spoken then, the manor quieted down. Noone would think that much could happen in one single hour. Something that could change one´s life forever.
Eriol reached to the right side of his bed. Finding it empty. She really left today. He just didn't know what to say.
He has everything really.
A (now ex)fiancé, guardians, manors, lots of money, friends.. and his magic. He is not sad with his life, nor is happy though. If Kaho would´ve ask, what else she could do to make him happy… he wouldn't know the answer, because he cant imagine a happier life.
But without this one person, his world seems empty and meaningless and he can feel it, everytime, she is not there. He would throw everything away for this wonderful person, and her smile.
His stubborn little mind, is now really admitting… that he can not live a life without Daidouji Tomoyo.
The truth does set you free.
Without any further discussions she was sent to the celebration organized by Louie´s father. A big annoucement was to be made. The fusion between two mafia-clans. She didn't complain anymore, actually she already has a plan to escape the marriage of convenience. Up until now, she still can´t see the convenience of that matter. They are strong standing as a single organisation. But what can she say to convince her father?
That is not a problem anymore. Manipulation is one of her special talents afterall.
"I am happy you made it." Louie smiled, eyeing her golden dress with hungry eyes. Tomoyo wanted to wipe the grin off his face. But decided against it.
"Father, this is Snow White only daughter of Loki." A man in his middle age greeted her with fabolous adoring. (A/N: Snow-White and Loki are codenames)
"Pleasure, Mr. King." She bowed down. Fixing the rather tight snake necklace around neck. "Might there be any reason for the egyptian style tonight?" She asked the older man.
"Yes there would be, but I must say this theme perfectly suits you my dear." He answered, his son nodding in agreement. She wanted to fall down in utter disgust. Why must everyone compliment her so? She is sick of herself. Does anyone even see that? This useless small talk, how she hates it more than anything else.
"If you may excuse me." She said, after spotting her father talking to another gentlemen from India.
"Father." She called, pulling at his arm like a small child.
"What is it?" He asked, a bit surprised that his daughter did show herself to the celebration. He knows much of her stubbornness.
"Excuse us for a moment." Her father told them.
"Certainly." The gentleman responded.
"I know where else I can find informations about what it is you wish most from the King´s-Clan. " She informed him, with a sentence. Her face was serious but her father didn't seem to believe her.
"And now you think, this would help against your marriage to Louie?" Her father asked, leaning over the wall of the balcony.
"Most naturally." She answered confidently.
"Then I have an announcement to make." He said, straightening his suite, and giving her a peck on the cheek. The only movement that he does, when he wants to show how pleased he is. Tomoyo liked that much. She couldn't help but compare herself to a dog trying to please it´s master. But hey, he´s the only family she has left in this world.
The crowd was already applauding when she reentered the was the uniting of powerful clans, for more security and power. But in return for her hand in marriage?
"And my dear… Mr. King." Her fathers voice echoing through the high walls breaking the applauses for a while. "My daughter who supposedly would marry your son, wants to compete for her freedom from this marriage." She walked further into the crowd, taking a champagne glass and then stopping just in front of the stage. "Tomoyo?" Her father motioned for her to come beside him
She cleared her throat before speaking. "For the one who collects more informations about eternal life." She said lifting her glass.
The next day. She was invited into the King´s home to inspect the artifacts that was collected. For the start of a fair game. From the looks on their faces, it seemed they didn't really believe that she could succeed. But that would make winning more better if she can wipe those looks from their faces.
Fascinating antics layed for the show. But the only thing that caught her attention was the book of Clow Reed, which she had seen a couple of days ago. It was a magic book written by him.
"You don't really think you could win against the bet… Tomoyo." Louie whispered against her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"I havent lost yet, so please do take your arms around my waist." She said calmly.
"If it's the game you want to play." He laughed, finally releasing her. "Where are you planning to find such things?"
She put a finger on his lips. "You don't really think, I would tell you? Just stay put in your little world. With your books…."
She wasn't sure how this would turn out. But after her visit by the King´s-Clan, she stopped by the one person who would know something about the secret which her father craves.
His surprised face when she entered the living room was clear. He then smiled with that warm smile of his, and Tomoyo couldn't help but blush.
"Hiiragizawa-san. Excuse me for stopping by without informing you. I hope youre not busy." [Great, the only problem is, how to tell him about my plans, without telling him about my life….]
"It's my pleasure Daidouji-san… " He smiled again, his eyes closing every time he does. "Tea?"
She nodded, making herself comfortable after he disappeared, her mind racing with thoughts. [So, Hiiragizawa, know anything about eternal life? My mafia boss father is obssess with it…] She shook her head. That wouldn't do it. She heard a loud runnings coming from upstairs followed by a sweet: "Suppi-chan! Come here!"
"No! I wont wear that piece of woman clothing… And my name is Spinel!"
Somethings never change.
Eriol came back with some ice tea instead of his favorite Earl-Grey.
"Sorry. It seems that I fail to use the stove."
Tomoyo grinned. "So there is one weakness you have. By the way, where is Mizuki-san?" She asked, eyes scanning the familiar english furniture.
"We parted." He said simply.
"What?" She gasped. "I mean what happened?"
"People change, so does feelings. I guess." He shrugged.
"Is that the reason you looked so sullen the other day?" She asked.
"The past is not important. Tell me why youre here. Not that I don't want to have you visit that is.. its just that… Im quite interested in-"
"Eriol. Stop." She bid him, realizing she had said his first name.
"So you want to get familiar with me too?" He asked, moving to sit beside her. He took her hand in his. There it was again, the light perfume of his, intoxicating and very addicting. For the very first time again, she felt his skin. The pleasure nearly electrisized her off her sit.
But it looked more like she winced from Eriol´s view. "Eriol!" She yelled hitting him forcefully.
"Yes, Tomoyo my dear?" He asked, not letting go of her hand but giving it a light squeeze.
"That is not my purpose here." She told him, but didn't take her hand off his. [Why must he always be so flirtious?] She asked blushing madly.
"Oh." He stated bluntly, mocked hurt.
"I need a favor." She said suddenly. "But please don't ask, why I need it and for what."
He nodded understandingly, waiting for her explanation.
"Ah… I.." Tomoyo started, alas, his scent and nearness is once again killing all her brain cells.