Chapter 6 A Moment Spells Eternity

Tomoyo hesitantly peeked into the garden."Clear."She walked straight into the mailbox and was just about to slip the envelope in when she heard someone clear his throat behind her.She turned around and saw Eriol staring at her directly."Finally we meet,Hermosa."he said softly.

Her heartbeat turned erratic and her feet were ready to flee but she remindd herself that she was wearing her red cloak,dark shades and a scarf on her face.She was beyond recognition.She acknowledged him with a nod.

"Hermosa,what have you done to me?Ever since you came into my life,it was never the same again.I can't stop thinking of you."He murmured walking towards her.

Tomoyo realized a second too late what he was planning to do.Before she could react,she was enveloped in his arms.Alarm bells rung in her head especially when she sensed what he was about to do.She watched as his hand reached for her shades as if in slow motion.

"I want to know who you are,Hermosa.I want to see the face of the girl who had drove me nuts for the past few weeks of my life."he whispered huskily.

Tomoyo felt her insides melt when she felt his piercing ice-blue eyes gaze at her intently.His eyes never stared at her this way before..so intense."My dearest girl.."he murmured,sending electricity up and down her spines.Even his voice sounded so strange..his voice was overflowing with mixed emotions she couldn't place.He had never ever spoke this way to her.She never heard him utter endearments and deliver them in a heartbreakingly sincere way.

Eriol was different from the Eriol she knew,just as she was different to him when she's Hermosa and not Tomoyo.

And all these words and gazes were not for Tomoyo.

He was looking for Hermosa.

She stopped his hand.

He frowned."Hermosa?"

She placed a finger on his lips to silence him.She shook her head slowly before she turned back and ran away.

He was about to follow her when he decided against it.He must respect her wish to remain anonymous.He instead touched his lips,recalling the light feathery sensation of her touch.



Tomoyo looked at the letter she failed to give to Eriol.What a total coward and weakling she was!How could she turn so quickly into a mush by mere few words reserved for somebody else?

"But Hermosa's not somebody else.She's me."she bit her lip to keep herself from crying.She sat down the grassy field of the penguin park where she,Sakura,Li and Eriol used to hang out back in fifth grade.

"Eriol.."She tucked her knees in.

"Hey,why are you crying?"asked a voice,startling the girl.

"Kero-chan!"Tomoyo sighed."Don't ever sneak up on me like that again or I'll undergo a heart operation as early as 21 years old."

"I'm sorry,but I thought I saw you crying.What's the problem?"It asked,concerned.

"Am I?"She rubbed her eyes."Something must have entered my eye.."

Kero flew around her."Don't lie,Tomoyo.You can't fool me.I know you almost as well as I know Sakura."

She laughed,though tears were threatening to spill."Yeah,I guess so."

"Did Master Eriol hurt you?"it asked.

She looked up,surprised."N-No,what gave you the idea he did?"

"You called Eriol's name awhile ago."It sat on her lap and looked up at her."Please tell me what's wrong.I hate seeing you unhappy."

She looked at Kero-chan."I.."

It placed its hands on its hips."So my cuteness bothers you huh?Ok.."It transformed into Cerberus."There,can we now talk?"

She laughed."Yes,Cerberus."



"I see."said Cerberus.

"So all this pain I feel is my fault.Eriol didn't hurt me;I hurt myself."she explained,a tear dripping down her cheek.

The creature looked bothered."I'm sorry if I can't cheer you up,or solve your problems,let alone wipe your tears away.I'm afraid I would just hurt you by scratching your silky-smooth cheek with my claws."It looked at its sharp claws.

She embraced Cerberus."Oh,having you listen to my love woes this long without food is more than enough to cheer me up."

"Yeah well,I know someone who can do what I want to do,and he's coming this way."Cerberus transformed back into Kero-chan."I'll see you later,Tomoyo."

"W-Wait!"Tomoyo was about to follow him when it zoomed away.

"Tomoyo,what a surprise!What are you doing here,sitting all by yourself?"asked Eriol,sitting next to her.

"I'm picking up guys,only I picked up a lion instead."She said sourly.

His eyes crinkled into a smile."Oh well,you picked me up anyhow."His smile vanished when he saw her slightly red eyes."Tomoyo,have you been crying?"

"N-No."

"Tell me the truth."

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it does."he replied.

"My life is not your business."

"It is.I care about your life Tomoyo,because I care a lot about you."he said firmly.

"E-Eriol.."She started crying all over again.

"Tomoyo.."He hugged her."Why?"

She punched his chest weakly with her clenched fists."It's all your fault!It's all your fault!"she shouted.

He didn't ask anymore why.He merely stroked her hair soothingly."Yes,yes,I'm sorry.Please forgive me."

"I hate you,Eriol!"she sobbed.

Eriol didn't say anything.

"I hate your kindness and I hate your concern!Stop being so sweet!"she continued."Just leave me alone!"

He sighed."Ask me anything you want but that,Tomoyo.You are part of my system already.I can't imagine living without you."

"Shut up!"She looked up at him."I hate you,Eriol!"

He stared at her for what seemed like eternity before he bent down and kissed her passionately.


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