"Forget it." She said quickly.
"No. Tell me what it is." He insisted.
"Nevermind really. If you insist I would get angry." She joked masking her worries behind a smile once again. "Where´s the powder room again?" She asked standing up.
"I would lead you." He offered.
"No need, for that… I know where it is.. if it has not change." She stood up immediately, walking down the familiar hallways. The cherry blossoms painting still hung where it had years ago. When she came for visit. And the very same antic table from the renaissance still stood there unmoved.
Nothing has changed.
She shook her head. This was not the time to be sentimental. It should be somewhere….
"Tomoyo-san."
Tomoyo jumped like a bad culprit who was caught in the act. Which she really was.
"Yes?" She asked, her throat dry.
"Are you looking for something?"Nakuru asked, her hands on her hips. But her smile was sweet. It was always sweet, just for her.
"I was just thinking about the past…. some sentimental moments." She half-lied. "Do you have any idea, where the basement is?"
"What a question, of course, I live here afterall!" She explained the way so that Tomoyo perfectly knew where it now is. "Do you need something there?"
Tomoyo denied. "I was merely asking… because Eriol…. told me about it… but I never spotted it you see.."
A definite bad lie. Nakuru ignored it though, but she had this sheepish smile on her face. "AHA, master and you are spending more time together…" Nakuru batted her eyelashes teasingly.
"I just visited, that is all." She informed her. "I am sorry that Mizuki-san left."
"That you don't need to tell me…" Nakuru rested a finger over her nose. "In my opinion you are more perfect for master!" She commented which made Tomoyo abnormally red.
She stayed quiet…
"Ah. Tomoyo. There you are. You got me worried. I thought you got lost."
"Master Eriol. We were just talking about you!" Nakuru chirped, making Tomoyo blush more.
He threw Tomoyo a questioning look. But she just shrug, her face still as red as before.
"I have to go now…" She bowed her head down. "Thank you for the tea… ice tea. We will see each other at school."
"I´ll take you to the door." Eriol offered, trotting behind the goddess with wavy violet locks.
Nakuru sigh in relief.
"So, you don't really want to tell me the favor?" Eriol asked, breaking the sudden awkward silence that was seeping around them.
"It wasn't special." Tomoyo lied. "Just something for school."
"I see… So you lied because you wanted to see me, dear Tomoyo?" He teased, pausing before the big entrance door. Tomoyo turned around to face him.
"Still the same hobby? Reading minds?" She allowed a smile over her lips. "I´ll take that as a yes."
After stepping out the door, Tomoyo decided…. she doesn't reallly need to tell Eriol anything afterall.
He can read minds as good as she can.
When she came home, Tomoyo went straight to bed. Not like she really has someone to greet, or to talk to at home. She is really used to being alone. Only the TV sounds in the background. Her eyes had been closed for a moment but she wasn't really sleeping. She was merely remembering Eriol, and how flirtious he was with her.
"Uriel.." Tomoyo´s voice broke, feeling the familiar presence of Uriel who is one of her 4 bodyguards. He is the closest one to her though. A bit younger than she, they even go to school together. But they try their best to just not have any contacts at school.
"Tomoyo-sama." He bowed his head down.
"I need help. But promise me. To not tell anyone about it. Not a soul. Not even the others." With that she meant, her father and the other bodyguards.
"Of course. I promise I wont tell anyone. Like Ms. Tomoyo wishes." He vowed.
"I need to steal something and you will help me." She said in the darkness of her room.
She had called him late. But he came. The faithful, oh so loving Uriel. Also known as Akira Ikeda.
He nodded in utter silence of the villa. They had always had this silent understanding between them.
"There is something. Ms. Tomoyo isnt talking about. Something that bothers her." Tomoyo could see him look up from her side. He was very visible because of the moonlight, she looked at the familiar gray eyes of his.
"Tell me Uriel." She made a pause. "Am I a bad person?"
"Ms. Tomoyo can never be bad in the eyes of Uriel."
She smiled in the darkness. Her white teeth shining abnormally.
"Even if this Ms. Tomoyo kills and steals?" She asked.
"Even if." His voice was steady and honest.
"Other people might not think that way." She chuckled.
"Is Ms. Tomoyo referring to Eriol Hiiragizawa as others?" He asked.
"You were spying again, as I presume?"
"Uriel´s job at school."
"Eriol Hiiragizawa." Tomoyo let the name roll out her tongue. "What do you think of him?"
"Few informations cannot judge someone. Though, he is a top student, a rich gentleman, a wonderful pianist. How Uriel judges him is not of importance. It is Ms. Tomoyo who has to do that."
She agreed silently.
Dark. Tomoyo didn't exactly know what time it is. That doesn't even play a role right now. She was now resting on a branch, right before the balcony that lead to the study. On her right side was Uriel, who was eyeing the mansion intently. Waiting for the lights to die down. Long awaited moment finally came. A click of the lamp. The study room´s light vanished. The hallway´s light was turned on, and then it also disappeared, and they found themselves staring at a rather dark mansion with only their small flashlights to help see, although they were actually used to seeing in the dark also.
Their plan had been spoken through perfectly, the two knew their parts. Uriel unlocked the balcony doors of the study room with ease, stepping in and walking with the elegance of a cat as if he is familiar with the place. He took a glimpse over his shoulder finding his mistress following him easily.
She nodded, her face clear from the light of the dim flashlight.
He continued walking, they exited the room, walking over the halls of the quiet mansion. Pictures were ignored, they had no time observing and that was never the reason why they were here. Uriel led the way, after reading the architectual structure, he now knows this place like his own pocket. To be able to reach the basement, you need to pass the kitchen under the stairs. Actually as Tomoyo passed the way, she could remember some details from her childhood when Eriol led her down the basement to show her around. It is such a pretty blurry memory. The biggest problem came after they stood in front of the doors towards the basement. It was locked. Of course, they knew and they were ready for it. Tomoyo knew how to unlock doors, but she isnt that sure if, every door is like Clow Reed´s doors.
And then, the next problem followed.
Tomoyo turned her head slowly, the flashlight fell with a heavy thud on the floor as she met Eriol´s dark azure eyes in the dark.
"Tomoyo… Why are…?" Speechless. Eriol Hiragizawa couldn't say a word. He gaped at her and couldn't say a thing. It was a priceless moment. But, still Tomoyo just stood there rooted, her shoulders stiff and it seems as if she stopped breathing.
.
.
.
She was so dumb. How could she think of really getting something from Eriol without him finding out? It was so obvious there was some secret alarm around here. He is a magician afterall. She turned her face away from him, letting the question hang over the air.
.
.
.
She wouldn't really mind if the time stopped now and hold on to all eternity, she just didn't want to answer the following questions. No, she wasn't ready to answer any questions. Not now, not ever.
"Uriel, leave us."
Her bodyguard nodded without hesitation. Tomoyo shouldn't have done that. Now she felt more naked towards the man she loves. She has the choice, play hard or play nice like this is nothing special. And as she always had, she chose to play hard.
"Look Hiiragizawa-san… This is a no choice action from my mafia father who insists of knowing the secrets of eternal life."
All in one sentence, she had given all secrets away that she promised to keep secret towards her friends till the day she dies.