Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Autumn Leaves ❯ Confirmation ( Chapter 3 )

All characters with names belong to Clamp's CCS. Those with none, are freebies.

Autumn Leaves

Chapter 3 of 5

Ottosan was silent as he drove me home. I was still in half-shock, staring at the clenched knuckles on my knees. I can't stop the tears from flowing, even though I can't find any reason to cry anymore.

"Touya…"

I looked up, fearful. Would he hate me, too? I wanted to tell him I'm sorry, I can't bear it anymore. Please don't be mad.

"Touya, why didn't you tell me this, before?"

There was no reproach in his voice. His gaze was deep as he kept his eyes on the road.

"I-I don't want to bother…"

I didn't get to finish my sentence. He pressed the brake so hard, I was propelled forward. Only the seatbelt stopped me. After I caught my breath, I glanced up at Ottosan. His brows were knitted, and his lips were set in a grim line.

"You are NOT a bother, Touya!" his voice was raw as he said that. He wiped my tears with his warm big hands. I dared look him in the eyes, there was no accusation there. Only fatherly love, and full-hearted acceptance. Then he added in a softer voice, "Touya… don't believe what they say. You aren't a monster."

Imagine, hearing that you're a monster from everyone…

< "But To-ya, you tell that to Sakura, everyday!" Yukito accused.>

< "Yuki, that's different! Anyway…">

You'd deny it at first, but soon, they'll get to you. Soon, your defenses will wear down. Then you'll start thinking, maybe I am a monster. Then you start believing it…

Hearing Ottosan say that I wasn't… you can't imagine the relief I felt. It's like having a storm batter your windows at night, then in the morning, you open them, and see that the storm has gone, the sky is blue and the world is so peaceful… I gave him a little smile. He ruffled my hair and laughed.

"So, you can see ghosts?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Ah. Is there any ghost around here?"

I looked around. There were shadows outside, but they were only plain shadows. I shook my head. There aren't any ghosts around Ottosan, not then and not now. He had a very strong aura compared to other people. I don't have to force myself to see it. It's like a pulsing light of blue around him.

"You know Touya, I think you came from my branch of the family…"

"Your branch..?" Ottosan never talked much about his past. This was the first time he mentioned it to me. He laughed at his own private joke.

"Well, I think it's mine, since your Mother doesn't see anything…"

"You see ghosts, too?"

His eyes widened as he shook his head energetically.

"Iie, iie! Thankfully, no!" He started the car and began driving again. Then he added matter-of-factly, "I know some things by instinct."

"But, that's not the same as seeing ghosts," I muttered.

He laughed. "No, it isn't," he agreed, "But it led me to your Mother."

It was only a 15-minute drive, and very soon, we were in the village. Okasan was waiting outside the house when we arrived. Ottosan had learned to slow the car a few meters back. Once, he almost bumped into her because she came running in front of the car - then tripping.

"Fujitaka!" she cried. She ran to his arms and fell short when she fell down. She was up a second later, blushing. "Touya, my baby…" she hugged me so tight, I thought my ribs would break!

"Okasan…" I began, but Father stopped me. There was a silent communication between us that he would break the news to her.

Okasan took it in stride. She had a strong spirit in spite of her… clumsiness. She gave me a hug after dinner and kissed me. She promised everything would be all right.

"Not all ghosts are scary," she said. It was almost prophetic in a way.

Ottosan stayed home after that. He asked to be reassigned to a teaching position in a local university. The school was afraid to lose such a brilliant professor, so they complied. Meanwhile, Okasan tutored me at home.

<Snicker> That didn't last long, though. She wasn't the brilliant type. Ottosan put a stop to it when he attended one of our lessons.

"Touya, how do you write ice?" she asked

I wrote water. She beamed.

"Touya, how do you write, water?"

I wrote ice.

I watched Ottosan become paler than my paper. I think there was a big sweat drop on his temple when he joked seriously that perhaps he should help teach me. After all, it wasn't fair to his beloved wife if she did all the work. He also noticed how often I was bumping into things, or tripping over my foot.

If Ottosan didn't rescue me, I probably won't be in the soccer team right now. Heck, I might just take on a milder sport, like jackstones…

Okasan didn't mind, though. She looked up at Ottosan, mainly because he was older and he was her teacher after all. I think she understood that Ottosan could teach me better than she can. So, he left Okasan with the day's lesson, and she watched me while I did it. He checked it when he came home at night.

I blossomed under his tutelage. I became calmer, surer of my self. There were no malevolent spirits to disturb me. And I was surrounded with people who loved me. I was happy. Ottosan made me take government year-level tests. To their happiness, I got high marks, even merited 'acceleration' status to a higher level. But my parents didn't let me. They said that they didn't want me to sweep through childhood. They wanted me to take it easy and enjoy. Not that I had any problem with that.

One lazy afternoon, a package arrived for Okasan. It was bulky, and big, and carried by sinister-looking women. I crinkled my nose at the mysterious-looking package. Okasan was as clueless as I as to who sent it. But her face lit up when she read the card.

To my Dear Nadesico,

I found this in our attic a while back. It was gathering dust since no one plays anymore. Sent it to you. I'm expecting a child later this year. It would be nice if you play at her christening. Miss you so much. Love you.

From,

Your dear cousin

Yes, it was from Tomoyo's weird Mom. Our apartment was cramped as it was. Even with the weird women, it was difficult to maneuver the piano inside. Finally, we managed to push it to the living room's wall. We all frowned. It was an eyesore, standing out like a dinosaur in the midst of the modern furniture, but for Okasan, the sight was heavenly. She laughed like a little girl as she ran her hand over the organ's scratched mahogany body.

"I didn't know they kept you," she whispered, talking to the piano like a dear old friend. Then with a graceful sweep of her hands, she gathered her skirt and played.

I don't remember the melody anymore. It was a simple children song. But Okasan had a way with music. I found myself closing my eyes and just letting the notes carry me.

When the song was done, I knew I had to learn the piano.

That evening, Ottosan was very surprised to see the new piano. After explaining how it got there, Okasan gleefully made him sit on the couch.

"Koibito, listen to our surprise!"

When he was comfortable, Okasan gave me the go signal to play my part. It was the base of the same song she played. Then she played the other half. It was more beautiful now that it was complete. And when we finished, Ottosan's eyes shone with appreciation.

"Touya, you learned that so quickly?"

Okasan beamed with pride as I nodded.

"That's not all, koi… Look," she motioned to me, "Touya, can you play that song again?"

I did what she told me. I imagined the song in my head, then let the notes define themselves. It didn't take long, only a few seconds. When I placed my hands on the piano, it was like breathing. I just did it. I didn't realize then that I shouldn't be playing so effortlessly so early. But I knew the way how the music should be played. It was instinctive.

When I finished, Ottosan stared at me like I swallowed the piano, or something. Then he breathlessly whispered, "Wonderful."

I fell in love with the piano after that. When I'm not studying, I was on the piano. Okasan didn't get to play often, but she patiently listened to my impromptu compositions. Sometimes, she would bring records for me, and I would play it for her. It didn't matter, classical, pop; it was all music.

Very soon, word spread how well I could play.

* * *

Yukito stirred on his arm.

"Still awake, love?" Touya whispered softly.

"Hai," Yukito answered dreamily. It was near midnight now. "How'd it happen?"

"I dunno. The neighbors I guess. Ottosan's too humble, and it's not in Okasan's nature to brag… Matte…"

"Nani?"

"My hand's fallen asleep."

"G-Gomen!" Yukito sat up immediately, making Touya wince as electricity shoot up his nerves. Touya clenched and unclenched his fists to get the blood flowing again. When his arm's all right again, he went back to bed. But Yuki won't use his arm for a pillow anymore. "Iie! This time, you're using my arm To-ya!" he exclaimed with all his conviction.

Touya frowned as he watched Yuki offer his arm, but he settled in anyway. He wasn't used to be the one snuggling. It was a new perspective to be in, looking up at Yuki. Then he noticed how funny his feet were dangling at the edge of the bed. So he raised them up, accidentally brushing over Yuki's thighs in the process. His Snow Bunny's eyes widened and a blush spread across his cheeks.

"Yuki, you hentai!" he teased when he realized what was happening. "What're you thinking?"

"To-ya, you're mean! I was…" his words were muffled as Touya continued to taunt him, slipping his hands inside his pajama. "T-To-ya!" He tried to pull away but it was a half-hearted attempt. Very soon, they were exchanging kisses and caresses.

"Hmm… you better continue your story koi," Yukito breathed, as he found himself straddled by his lover. "If we don't stop this now, I think I'll… you know…"

Touya sighed but got off him and rolled on the bed. He was well behaved this time, since he was also down to the last strings of his self-control. But he couldn't resist one last kiss.

"Soon," he paused to remember where he was, "I received an invitation from the Japan Conservatory of Music …

"There I was, sitting unprepared with a handful of kids my age. I listened in awe as they played score after score of beautiful songs. Well, I thought, they were beautiful… I glanced at the judge at my left, and knew they weren't up to her standards.

"When it was finally my turn, she and I were already the only ones in the room.

"I didn't know what I was supposed to play. I glanced uneasily at the keyboard. I decided to play 'Moonlight Sonata'. I began slowly at first, letting us savor the notes. Then it was smooth-sailing from there as the melancholy piece played itself.

"When I finished, I rose slowly from the stool. She clapped, and I knew I was in.

"My parents were very proud when they heard. Sad too, because I had to go in June, a few months from then, to catch up with the season. We all agreed to cope with it when it comes. Meanwhile, we'll simply enjoy each other."

Yukito's eyes shone with amazement as he struggled to take it all in. He heard of the Conservatory. Many Japanese talents called it home. And they don't ask anybody to audition, you call them. But Touya, his Touya, he broke all the rules…

"Did you go, koi?"

Touya smiled and wistfully shook his head.

"But… I thought you loved music?"

"So did I…" Touya stared at his lover's hazel eyes, it looked so much like his mother's, like a gentle fawn's. "Everything seems perfect then. I should've suspected it can't last forever… "

<<To Be Continued>>