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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 17, 2009 16:44:01 GMT -5
The others nodded with a "HAI!" and set off towards the little house they'd made their own. However, the group was unexpectedly greeted at the front door by a mischievous-looking Eriol and a breathless Tomoyo. His face lit up upon seeing his companions; hers fell slightly, but she hid it with a smile.
THREE DAYS EARLIER
"Eriol-kun, you know I love Meilin, right?"
The words might have not been uttered for all the effect they had on Eriol. His smile reached from ear to ear but his lips stayed tightly pressed together as not a single word left their confines. They had reached the village gates by now, long after the others had gone inside; Tomoyo was still staring at Eriol with nervous eyes...
TODAY
Years change people, as in the case of Link, but in the case of others the tables can turn on their lives in mere days. Tomoyo had once been light-spritited, unique, and completely carefree--now she was just as unselfish, but with a little more knowledge of what she faced in this world. It was strange: she had always thought of Sakura as the naive one, who had known what she was facing when she pulled out a Clow Card, but had never been able to tell that she owned Syaoran's heart...
THREE DAYS AGO
As they stepped in front of the house, Eriol spoke for the first time in close to a half hour, his voice very even, very smooth. "I feel Sakura-san's presence from this house," he said softly, gently, kindly. It was a voice impossible to be angry at or dislike. "Link-san and the others will be inside with her. Shall we go inside, Tomoyo-san?"
Tomoyo nodded dutifully, careful to avoid Eriol's eyes. "Hai." It was strange, how different he was than Meilin: her boisterous and violent, him so quiet and compassionate. It seemed that Eriol would be so much... easier, to love...
TODAY
"Where were you all?" Tomoyo asked with a small giggle. Sakura and the other exchanged surprised glances. They were having as much trouble getting used to this new Tomoyo as she herself was. Tomoyo had always seemed so surreal, and now she was painfully, breakably, human. "Eriol-kun and I were worried sick."
"We went out to find the Triforce of Power," Sakura explained cautiously, launching into a speech about the significance it stood for. Tomoyo barely listened, as all she could see was Meilin's eyes everywhere but on herself...
THREE DAYS AGO
Tomoyo took a deep breath and turned to face Eriol just outside the door. She knew there was no possible way to keep this all inside of her. "Eriol-kun, a little while ago you said... you wanted to stay with me forever." He didn't respond. Would she have to ask him a direct question? Would a direct question even make him answer her? "What did you mean by that? I'm just a tiny bit confused."
Eriol took her hands in his, as her heart abruptly started racing and her breath came in shallow gasps that had nothing to do with running. Eriol leaned in closer to her, so close that she could feel his breath on her lips, a closeness she had ever only allowed one person to violate: Meilin...
TODAY
"Ah, so you found it, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo said with a smile, bringing herself back to earth with a jolt. "The Triforce of Power? That's wonderful! You have to, ah, let me film you when you fight... what you're fighting!"
Sakura could sense how distracted she was, how wrong her voice sounded as it came past Tomoyo's tongue. It was Tomoyo's face and Tomoyo's words, but not Tomoyo's soul that worked behind it...
THREE DAYS AGO
"I meant exactly what I said, Tomoyo-san. I love you. I want to stay with you forever."
Tomoyo let out a jagged gasp of a breath and tried in vain to push Eriol from her body. "You know I don't love you back," Tomoyo said urgently, desperately. "You know I don't like boys. You know I love... Meilin..."
But Eriol put a single finger to Tomoyo's lips and smiled. "Your project," he warned her, his voice the same smooth calmness as before, only now it was tainted by darkness. "Don't you want my help?"
For a moment the only sound was Tomoyo's breathing and her heartbeat. It was as if Eriol was completely silent and still, a thirteen-year-old Edward Cullen next to a twelve-year-old Bella Swan. Finally she managed to say, "But I don't love you like that, Eriol."
"But I do." And that was all he needed to say. Tomoyo leaned in...
TODAY
...and forced herself to smile.
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Post by aperson on Jun 17, 2009 17:03:06 GMT -5
Link glanced at each of the visitors. Something was up, and he was going to figure it out one way or another. He calmed himself, and magically scanned the area to figure out what it was that had thrown the group of friends off balance. He was greeted by a rush of memories and emotions. Doubt, regret and guilt were everywhere. The timeline slowly cleared up, and Link took his mind back three days. His eyes shot open. He glared at Eriol, his eyes unblinking, his face expressionless. Nobody moved. "Unethical, selfish and above all, wrong," Link's voice was icy and sharp. He walked up to Eriol, who was standing in front of the door, shoved him roughly to the side, and entered with Malon, slamming the door behind him.
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 17, 2009 17:14:37 GMT -5
Eriol stared after him with huge, unblinking eyes for a silent moment. No one knew how to respond. Tomoyo looked appropriately shocked. Meilin didn't even try to pretend she wasn't grinning. Sakura, Syaoran, and Yukito just displayed a blank look on their features. Toya stared with a hungry sort of interest to see how it would turn out. Kero glared, whether at Link or Eriol no one knew.
Finally Tomoyo spoke with a nervous sort of giggle. "What did Eriol-kun do wrong?" Meilin and my relationship was interesting. The two of us had confessed our love to everyone except each other. I knew she loved me, but she never spoke the words out loud. With Eriol, everything must be painfully obvious.
"I certainly have no memory of any wrongdoing," Eriol said slowly, staring after Link with sad eyes. "I hope I haven't offended Link-san in any way." He was sure that Link could hear him, that he was listening, as he went on, "Though sometimes one has to do things that are wrong in order to bring about the best, such as when I put Sakura-san through pain for the good of her and the Cards. Or like when you made she and Syaoran-san feel awkward to get them to confess. Even when it comes to love, sometimes one must do wrong before they can do right. Especially when it comes to love." He turned to Tomoyo with a smile and took her hand. Tomoyo suppressed a flinch. "Shall we go inside, Tomoyo-san?"
"Hai," she agreed, with a nervous glance towards the others as she spoke. How much does Link-san know? All Eriol-kun really did was kiss me... he's not at all all forcing me to do anything, but... I feel like I have to obey him. Like something's pulling me towards him and I can't stop it when I want to. As soon as our... project is ready, I really hope we can become just friends again. And I really do hope... that Meilin will understand.
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Post by aperson on Jun 17, 2009 17:26:32 GMT -5
Link and Malon sat on the roof of the inn. (All the buildings in the village have roof access.)
"Link, what's wrong?" Malon asked in a worried tone.
Link walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. He then told her what he knew.
"But... I still don't see why you're so upset. I mean, it's wrong, but it's not... personal or anything. Right?"
"That kid is using some kind of subtle magic to get Tomoyo to listen to whatever he says. The only reason I can detect it is because I'm the only one who can separate his magic from the natural surrounding magic. He's disguising his spell as part of Hyrule's natural magical aura. But that's not the point. What if someone tried to do the same to you? I-"
"Then I'd fight it with all my strength. And it won't happen."
"But what if-"
"Link, I promise. It won't happen."
Link never responded, he only pulled his wife closer, focusing all his love on her, and trying to think of how to resolve the conflict that was plaguing his friends.
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 17, 2009 17:39:53 GMT -5
Once inside, Meilin passed the dark-haired couple with her nose in the air and stormed off to the girls' bedroom. After a pause Toya and Yukito walked inside, followed by Kero's little flight.
Sakura stared after them with wide eyes. "Syaoran, I'm scared," she mumbled into his ear. "What's going on with the three of them?"
Syaoran sighed. "Sakura... Eriol has a... gift for making girls fall for him. I'm guessing it's some kind of magic, or maybe it's just his personality. Remember when you were transforming the Cards and you--"
"I loved you every second that I was transforming the Cards," Sakura told him instantly.
"I know, I know," Syaoran agreed. "But you and Eriol... didn't you sometimes feel..." He struggled to find the right words. "...like you had to be around him?"
"Not at all," Sakura insisted. "I thought he was nice, and fun to be around. But I never thought of him like that, like I think of you." She shifted uncomfortably. "Though for a while, I thought he liked me like that."
"But you didn't give in, because that's not the kind of person you are, Sakura," Syaoran murmured. "You know Tomoyo better than anyone. Does she seem like the kind of person that would pretend to love Eriol because he loved her?"
Sakura didn't even have to think about it. "No. She would never pretend, because it would put him through pain when he found out she didn't really like him, and of course it's putting Meilin-chan through so much pain now." She frowned. "I don't think he's forcing Tomoyo-chan to spend time with him, though. It's more like... Eriol-kun has convinced her that if she doesn't, something bad will happen."
"Do you think he's told her Meilin doesn't love her?" Syaoran asked gravely.
Sakura shook her head. "That wouldn't make Tomoyo-chan hang around Eriol-kun. He would have to tell her something more like... if she kept loving Meilin-chan, something... bad would happen to Meilin-chan... like Tomoyo-chan was bad for her..."
Syaoran frowned. "That's an interesting way to put it. Maybe there is magic behind this after all." That was when he noticed the sun setting behind the clouds. "Come on, it's getting dark. Let's get inside. We can talk about this later."
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Post by aperson on Jun 17, 2009 17:53:14 GMT -5
Malon and Link finally warped back to Link's house, and Began to discuss their current situation.
"Knowing Vaati, he'll attack as soon as he can. No matter what he does, he'll be defeated. Just before the Fierce Deity kills him, we swoop in and warp him to the village,put magical blockers on him, and if he won't give us the Triforce, Zelda and I can remove it from him, with considerable effort. It is possible though. Now, before all this happens, we need to go exploring. That is, we need to Go around Hyrule and save the people who are undoubtedly being affected by Fierce Deity's presence. We'll have to go through the temples again, and then we can strike."
"Are you sure that will work?"
"It should, but we need to be precise. We also need to deal with our other situation. I suggest you talk to Tomoyo. I think she'd listen to you."
"Alright, but when does this happen."
"Somewhere in between saving Vaati and clearing the temples, but let's rest now, tomorrow is bound to be a long day."
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 18, 2009 15:08:42 GMT -5
After a while and most likely too late, the other settled into their bedrooms with varying degrees of anxiety, though no one could pretend to stay calm. Eriol and Tomoyo's situation had rattled them all.
Just before they'd come inside, Sakura had made up her mind, and Syaoran had agreed heartily: she would talk to Tomoyo before bed, and Syaoran would talk to Eriol. Sakura knew that Tomoyo had to come to bed eventually, and there was no way Tomoyo could avoid the questions in a direct confrontation, especially not with Meilin right there. But the new, unhappy couple infuriatingly defied her plans.
Tomoyo didn't come to bed. Neither did Eriol.
Or at least, they didn't until Sakura, Meilin, and Syaoran were all safely asleep. So much for that.
In the older boys' room, Toya closed the door behind him with loud sigh. Yukito ran to his side and took him in his arms. Kero, lying on the bed's edge, pretended to be asleep so he wouldn't be interfering. "Toya!"
"That kid..." Toya growled through his teeth, glaring ahead at the wall where he pictured Eriol's head to be. "I knew he was no good from the second Sakura came home and said that he was Clow Reed. In fact, I knew it before that. When I still had--" He broke up abruptly there and bit his lip. The loss of Toya's power was a sensitive subject between him and Yukito, as Yue had been the one to take them. "I just hope he doesn't end up hurting Daidouji. She's been around the house so much with Sakura that I know her really well. She's a good kid." He shook his head angrily. "Or at least she used to be. She just needs someone to talk her out of this crap she's gotten herself in."
"Toya..." Yukito tried to be soothing, but he had no idea what to say. How could he comfort Toya about a problem he had no control over? Toya sighed again at the sound of his name. Strangely, though it reminded of someone who had never called him Toya just to prove that he didn't care...
To Yukito's surprise, Toya suddenly turned around with a grin. "Hey, Yuki," he told his boyfriend, grinning widely as he spoke. "You know who could really help this whole situation?"
"Who?" Yukito asked in shock. Where had this epiphany come from?
Toya beamed. "The other Yuki." When the silver-haired boy still looked confused, he clarified, "Yue."
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Post by aperson on Jun 18, 2009 15:14:27 GMT -5
Link and Malon arrived at Kakariko Village around noon. Noticing the fact that all their friends were eating lunch together, they sat down with them. After lunch, Malon noticed that Tomoyo had wandered off. She found her sitting on a bench near the road to Death Mountain. Malon quietly sat down next to the dark haired girl.
"Are you feeling all right Tomoyo? You're not usually this quiet."
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 18, 2009 17:20:24 GMT -5
Tomoyo looked up with a jolt, but instantly composed her face into a smile. "Yes, Malon-san, I'm fine, thank you very much. How are you?"
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Post by aperson on Jun 18, 2009 17:40:18 GMT -5
"I'm doing very well, thanks. Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you look a little... conflicted."
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 18, 2009 17:45:53 GMT -5
Tomoyo laughed slightly. "Well..." She seemed to internally struggle over how much to tell Malon. She liked her a lot, and on their last trip to Hyrule had looked up to her as a big sister kind of role. But now... everything had changed. "Not really," she added with a sweet smile.
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Post by aperson on Jun 18, 2009 17:52:27 GMT -5
"Well, just know that if you want to talk to someone, I'll always be happy to help."
MEANWHILE
Link stealthily approached Eriol who was strolling along the thoroughfare, pulled out his bow, and fired an arrow that trapped him to a tree by his shirt.
"Don't try to remove the arrow from the tree. Only the shooter can remove it from the target. I have two questions for you. Who do you think you are, and what have you done to Tomoyo?"
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 18, 2009 18:04:49 GMT -5
Tomoyo sighed deeply and turned away, pointedly avoiding Malon's eyes. "I know. Thank you, Malon-san. That means a lot." She didn't press the matter, however, quite annoying the writers of this story.
MEANWHILE
Eriol smiled pleasantly as if Link had just invited him to tea. "My name is Hiiragizawa Eriol," he responded calmly, answering Link's first question. "I am one of two reincarnations of Clow Reed, the other being Sakura-san's father Kinomoto Fujitaka-sensei. I have all of Clow's memories, but only half of his power--Sakura-san helped me by giving Fujitaka-sensei the other half so I could no longer be the most powerful magician in the world. That was Clow's motive in creating two reincarnations in the first place, as he hated always being able to see what would happen in the future. Now that I am no longer quite as powerful as Clow, I can see the future only when I wish it, and life is a lot more fun this way." Eriol grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "As I always tell Spinel and Ruby, my two guardians, the most fun I ever have is from the unexpected. I love when something doesn't go the way I planned. And let me tell you"--suddenly Eriol was nearing the second question in his explanation, though he didn't give a straight-out answer--"this trip has certainly gone in an unexpected direction. Even when I had all of Clow's powers, there was one thing I could not predict: the choices and complexities of the human heart." He chuckled darkly to himself, remembering this conversation as he had had with Sakura a year earlier, with Kaho by his side. "Even my own."
((Eriol is reminding me of Fay. both of them have twisted love interests, and both of them need to stop smiling NAOW because deep down they're UNHAPPY.))
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Post by aperson on Jun 18, 2009 20:01:54 GMT -5
"If you loved Tomoyo you would let her be truly happy instead of manipulating her so you could have her!" Link snapped. "And why are you always smiling? You think this is funny? This isn't a game, this is the real world! Start living in it! Do you really not have any ethical issues with manipulating someone's very heart? You're treading a very very thin line with me. I'm this close to throwing you into the field and letting Fierce Deity take care of you, so I'm going to say this once. Let. Tomoyo. GO!" As he shouted he last word, Link yanked the arrow out of the tree, but kept in lodged in Eriol's shirt, causing the boy to fall face first into the ground.
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Post by bodie the almighty and awesome on Jun 18, 2009 20:14:14 GMT -5
Eriol lay face-down for a full minute before he stood up, his eyes grave and his mouth a thin line. He wasn't angry or downtrodden--he was dead serious. Staring Link straight in the eyes, Eriol never once wavered from his stance. As he spoke, his voice was suddenly much deeper: instead of a fairly high-pitched boyish tone, it was deep and aged like that of a grown man. "You have no idea what the motives of Clow Reed are, child. I have no wish to fight you, as I strongly dislike bestowing pain upon others." Eriol stood up and turned the other direction, breaking eye contact with Link for the first time with a bitter frown. His words were that of old, words that no thirteen-year-old child ever used. They were more reminiscent of Yue's speech patterns than Eriol's usual ones. "I have no quarrel with you, Link. I suggest you feel the same about me."
((once again, Eri abuses paragraphs. what is it with me and this compulsion to write really long ones for him?))
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