Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Endless Tears ❯ Search the Heart ( Chapter 2 )

Endless Tears

By: Megori

Author Notes: **sighs** Okay, let's see...I've only received two reviews for chapter one (well...three including my little sister...and that's only for now...when I'm writing this part of the chapter...), so I'm not quite sure what you guys want from this fic. Maybe I should end this chapter with a...Choose which ending you want.... kinda thing. Nah...cause if I did that, it'll take even longer to write. Oh well...please review people. I don't care what you say, as long as you review! You can even just say, "I read Endless Tears Chapter One... and it's too corny...." or whatever you want. Please just review!!

Okay, enough with my rambling, here are the actual notes. It was September 3rd when the first chapter ended, now it is December 15th of that same year. You can do the math of how many months it's been. ^^

Chapter 2 Search The Heart

Though the day was bright and snow glittered amongst the ground, a female had locked herself in her dark and lonely room. She placed her head gently on her arm, which was resting on the desktop. Her eyes slowly gazed upon the wooden sculpture as tears poured out of her eyes. On the sculpture, it read:

Friendship is precious

So with all of the Friends you hold,

Hold them dearly in you Heart

Because Daidouji-san...

You are my Friend

And I will always hold you dearly in my heart

-Eriol Hiiragizawa

Tears came down Tomoyo's face as she read it over and over. Above the poem was a miniature sculpture of her with her video camera, him with his staff, Sakura in one of her costumes and a glaring Syaoran. And at the four's feet was an inscription that read:

To always remember the good old days

~*~*~*~*~*Hiiragizawa Manor~*~*~*~*~*

"Eriol-sama! Come on! I need you to set up the Christmas lights!" Nakuru chirped from the kitchen. "There's only ten more days till Christmas you know?!"

Eriol came down the stairs wearily. "Hai! Hai! I'm coming Nakuru..."

~*~*~*~*~*Flashback One Month Ago~*~*~*~*~*

"You're leaving me?" Eriol replied softly as his eyes stayed focused on the rose and tulip beds.

Kaho nodded, a smile on her face. "You understand don't you?"
"If it's about..." Eriol began. He turned to her with his eyes completely welled up with tears. "If it's because of me...Daidouji-san....I..."

Kaho frowned immediately. "Don't say such nonsense Eriol! You or Tomoyo-san can never be the problem. Besides, Tomoyo-san needs you more than I do. You're the only other person besides Sakura-san that she'll let into her heart."

"But..." Eriol began once more. "I would give up everything for you Kaho...please don't leave me."

Kaho smiled as she turned to look up at the sky. "Eriol, if someone had a gun and they were pointing it at Tomoyo-san's head..."

"No...please Kaho...don't make me choose," Eriol pleaded.

Kaho tilted her head towards him. "And someone else was pointing a gun to my head...who would you save?"

"Kaho..." Eriol whispered, tears slowly coming down his face. "Don't make me choose....please..."

Kaho smiled comfortingly. "If you had chosen Tomoyo-san, I would've gladly given up my life to save the both of you... And if you were to have chosen me..." She turned to him completely and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "If you had chosen me Eriol, I would have pushed you out of the way of the ammo."

"Kaho..." Eriol replied, his voice as hoarse as ever.

Kaho kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You'll be fine Eriol. Just don't give up on Tomoyo-san. And hopefully, we will meet again." Kaho stood up abruptly. "Good bye Eriol." She turned towards the main gates. "Nakuru, you can come out."

"Nani?" Nakuru replied as she rolled our from the nearby bushes. "You can't leave Kaho!"

Kaho smiled once more. "Take good care of yourself Nakuru. I'm going to miss you."

"Me too," Nakuru replied quietly.

Kaho walked up to the open gates, where her bags were set. "Well, my ride is here...Farewell."

"Kaho wait!" Eriol almost shouted as he felt his heart almost stop.

Kaho turned to him once more. "Eriol?"

"I...I..." Eriol bit his lip, not knowing if he should stop her from going or not. "I hope we meet again as well."

Kaho smiled her last as she picked up her two bags and walked into the cab, to never return to him.

"Kaho...."

~*~*~*~*~*End of Flashback~*~*~*~*~*

"Eriol-sama?" Nakuru whispered as she waved her hand in front of his eyes. "ERIOL-SAMA!"

Eriol fell back to the stairs as his thoughts were rudely interrupted. "N...Nakuru?"

"If you miss Kaho so much, you shouldn't have let her go like that. You had the chance to stop her...and you know it too," Nakuru exclaimed.

Eriol smiled warmly. "It'd be impossible to do that Nakuru. Kaho wanted me to do this that's why she left. And I'm not going to let her down."

"Tomoyo-san?" Nakuru questioned.

Eriol sighed. "Besides, no one knows we broke up. They all think she just returned to England for business."

"Who are you not going to let down Eriol-sama? Kaho? Or Tomoyo-san?" Nakuru implied, not caring about what he had just said.

Eriol turned to her. "I'm not going to let either of them down Nakuru. I'm going to let either of them down."

"Ne, Eriol-sama...if you're going to go visit Tomoyo-san today, can you ask her to come over for dinner? I hear her mother's out again and it's not fun to eat alone," Nakuru suggested.

Eriol smiled. "Of course Nakuru...of course."

~*~*~*~*~*Tomoyo~*~*~*~*~*

Tomoyo's eyes shifted from the sculpture at last as it rested upon the blade beside it. Her arm slowly moved across the desktop as her fingertips started to pick up the silvery blade.

What do I do? Please...someone tell me, what do I do?

Tears started to fall from her eyes once more as her heart and mind started to tear at each other, one wanting to die and the other wanting to live for both Sakura and Eriol.

I don't know what to do anymore...

Suddenly, her cell phone started to ring. Tomoyo looked up from her desk and took hold of her phone.

"Moshi-moshi?"

"Ah, Daidouji-san," came Eriol's blissful voice. "Are you doing anything at the moment?"

Tomoyo looked around her room. "Sort of, I am rather busy..."

"Really? Well, I was hoping the two of us could just hang out today...and Nakuru wanted you over for dinner," Eriol replied with a disappointed tone of voice.

Tomoyo sighed. "Where are you?"

"Eh? What do you mean?" Eriol replied.

"Where are you right now?"
"Oh, I'm at the park...why?"

"I'll meet you there in a few minutes. Just wait for me," Tomoyo replied with a faint smile.

"Huh? But I thought you were..." Eriol began.

"Jaa!"

"Jaa," Eriol replied, confused. "What's wrong me? I can't sense anything anymore..."

"Watch out!" shouted a group of boys playing soccer.

As Eriol turned around, a soccer ball hit his directly in the middle of his face, knocking him to the ground and senseless.

One of the boys ran up to him and picked up the ball. "Gomenasai mister...we didn't mean to kick the ball at you..."

Right then, Tomoyo had already walked up to the unconscious Eriol, trying to conceal her laughter. "It's all right. He'll be fine in a few minutes."

"Could you tell him we said sorry?" he asked as he turned to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo nodded. "Of course." After the boy left, Tomoyo took hold of Eriol and lightly slapped his cheeks.

"Huh...? Wha...?" Eriol whispered as he slowly came to.

Tomoyo giggled. "Are you all right? You were hit straight in the face."

"Ye...yeah, I'm fine," Eriol replied, trying to get up.

Tomoyo stared at him worriedly. "Hiiragizawa-kun, are your powers really disappearing again?"

"I don't know....I...just don't know anymore," Eriol replied hesitantly.

Tomoyo placed her hand on his shoulder lightly. "Don't worry about it right now. Let's just get you cleaned up."

"Hai," Eriol replied as Tomoyo helped his up. "I suppose we can go back to my place. Nakuru wanted you over for dinner anyway."

Tomoyo smiled brightly, though her heart was doubtful of everything. "Is that really so?"

"Of course it is Daidouji-san," Eriol replied as they started their walk back to Eriol's manor. "I had wanted to ask you at the park, but I had gotten knocked out first..."

Tomoyo sighed as a cherry blossom dropped from the treetops in front of her. "It doesn't really matter..."

"Daidouji-san," Eriol whispered as he saw her expression change immediately.

Tomoyo turned to him, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Sakura-chan is so happy now...and she looks just as beautiful as these sakura blossoms."

"Yes, she is," Eriol replied without thinking as he continued to eye her.

Tomoyo sighed once more as they reached the gates of the Hiiragizawa manor. She turned to Eriol with another smile. "Mizuki-sensei isn't coming back is she?"

"Eh? What do you mean?" Eriol responded with a clueless expression. "Why would you say that?"

She stared at him straight in the eyes. "Because your eyes don't have the same glow to them anymore." Tomoyo turned back away instantly as she felt her eyes begin to water. "Just like mines."

"Daidouji-san," Eriol whispered as he too turned away.

Suddenly, the gates flew open and Nakuru jumped out, hugging the both of them together. "Eriol-sama! Tomoyo-san! Come on! It's been so long since the three of us hung out together in the garden!"

"We've never hung out in the garden," Eriol replied with a slight frown.

Nakuru smiled. "Exactly! That's why it's been so long! Come on Tomoyo-san! I'll show you around." She let go of Eriol's arm as she continued to drag Tomoyo towards the garden.

"Daidouji-san," Eriol whispered as she and Nakuru turned the corner and disappeared into the side of the house. "I suppose you can still read my emotions...even without magic..." He turned his head to the sky as a few teardrops fell from his eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*Christmas Day~*~*~*~*~*

"Nani?!" Nakuru shouted, sitting across from Tomoyo in the living room of the Daidouji mansion. "Your mother left again? But it's Christmas day!"

Tomoyo smiled weakly. "I know, but her business means everything to her...besides, I'm used to not having her around for special occasions."

"But that's just not right...a mother is supposed to be there for her child no matter what the consequence," Nakuru replied quietly.

Eriol sighed as he entered the living room with Suppi asleep in his hand. "Spinel-sun seems to have fallen asleep...it's a shame since this house has so many interesting things to see..."

Tomoyo smiled. "You can set him here Hiiragizawa-kun."

"Arigato Daidouji-san," Eriol replied as he set Suppi onto the dark blue velvet pillow.

Tomoyo stood up abruptly. "Ne, its Christmas...and so, first off, I want to thank you guys for coming."

"Don't worry about it Tomoyo-san! We're glad you invited us to spend Christmas with you!" Nakuru replied blissfully.

Tomoyo smiled once more. "And to show my gratitude, I've prepared a dinner for us...shall we go and eat?"

"Wai!" Nakuru shouted gleefully as she heard the terms 'dinner' and 'eat'. "Of course! I...I mean, you didn't have to Tomoyo-san!" She turned to face the window. "Well...I do like you cooking...not like, I mean..."

Tomoyo giggled. "You don't have to explain Nakuru-san. Let's just go eat ne?"

"Hai!" Nakuru replied as she jumped to her feet.

Tomoyo turned to Eriol. "Hiiragizawa-kun? You'll join us...won't you?"

"Is that an invitation?" Eriol replied with a sly grin.

Tomoyo half smiled. "Of course it is...how would you like me to say it? 'Lord Hiiragizawa, would you give Lady Nakuru and I the honor by joining us for dinner?'."

"That would be wonderful my Lady," Eriol replied with a light bow.

Tomoyo giggled as Nakuru stared in disgust of Eriol's old English act.

"Eriol-sama, this isn't a 1700s movie you know," Nakuru stated as she stuck her tongue out at him.

Eriol smiled. "Gomen Nakuru...I had forgotten how irritated you can get with that."

"Yeah...right," Nakuru replied as she walked out of the living room.

~*~*~*~*~*10:30 PM~*~*~*~*~*

Eriol sighed as he stared up into the bright starry night sky. "Kaho..." He closed his eyes as tears began to fill them. I miss you so much.

"Hiiragizawa-kun," Tomoyo whispered as she walked outside and stood behind him. "Are you all right?"

Eriol turned to face her immediately. "Daidouji-san? Uh, yeah...I'm fine. Don't you worry about me."

"You miss Mizuki-sensei don't you?" Tomoyo whispered underneath her breath. "I can understand what you're going through..."

A smile came across Eriol's face slightly. "Does this mean I understand you now...so we can be friends?"

"Maybe...maybe not..." Tomoyo replied. "But just to let you know, Nakuru-san is waiting for you to come back inside so she can open her gifts."

Eriol sighed. "She never fails to do so either. It's a shame...the night sky is so beautiful tonight too..."

"Will you guys stay with me tonight?" Tomoyo asked suddenly. "I mean...since my mother's gone and Asuka and the others are on vacation..."

Eriol smiled once more. "If you want us to Daidouji-san...we will. I'm sure Nakuru will agree to it too."

"Arigato Hiiragizawa-kun..."

As they both reentered the manor, Nakuru rushed to them with a wrapped box for each of them. "Merry Christmas Tomoyo-san! Merry Christmas Eriol-sama! Open it!"

"Hai, hai," Tomoyo and Eriol stated together as they both stared down at the box in their hands.

Slowly, they both opened it with pure patience as they peeled one a of tape one by one.

"Hurry! Come on!" Nakuru anticipated impatiently.

Both Eriol and Tomoyo smiled as they finally opened their box. Within each one, they found a necklace with two different pendants.

"I decided to give Eriol-sama the video camera pendant to remind him of Tomoyo-san. And Tomoyo-san has the sun staff because I wanted her to remember Eriol-sama. So no matter where you two are, you'll still know that you have each other," Nakuru explained with a bright smile. "Spinel and I had a hard time choosing the gifts."

They both looked at each other, then turned to Nakuru.

"Arigato Nakuru-san. I've never received a better gift. I'm very grateful to you," Tomoyo stated wholeheartedly.

Eriol smiled with a nod. "I agree with Daidouji-san. And for the first time...I think your gift has an actual meaning under it. Arigato Nakuru."

"Oi," Tomoyo stated as she just remembered she had a gift for Nakuru. "Nakuru-san, I have a gift for you too!" She ran to the Christmas tree and pulled out a rather large box from underneath it. "Merry Christmas!"

Nakuru squealed joyously. She immediately ripped it open, revealing an easy bake oven with about a year's worth of sweets. "ARIGATO TOMOYO-SAN!!! ARIGATO! I'm so happy!" Nakuru instantly began eating her sweets.

"I'm glad you like it," Tomoyo replied with a smile.

Nakuru stopped for a split second to reply. "Like it? I LOVE it!"

Eriol sighed. "Well...here goes...here Nakuru...Merry Christmas." Eriol pulled out another rather large box from under the tree. "Enjoy it."

Once more, Nakuru ripped it open in a second's time and revealed a newly hand-sewn dress with a knitted hat, scarf and matching gloves. Tears quickly filled her eyes as she looked down at her gifts. "Arigato Eriol-sama...you're so kind to me...I'm so very happy this Christmas."

Eriol smiled in reply.

~*~*~*~*~*Midnight~*~*~*~*~*

"Ugh, it seems like Nakuru's passed out from too much sugar," Eriol whispered as he and Tomoyo were staring into the fire of the fireplace.

Tomoyo looked up to him. "She'll be okay won't she?"

"Don't worry about it," Eriol replied.

After a few minutes of silence, Tomoyo's head suddenly leaned onto Eriol's shoulder.

"Hiiragizawa-kun, is it all right if I keep my head on your shoulder? I'm feeling kind of tired, but I don't want to sleep just yet," Tomoyo whispered.

Eriol nodded slightly. "Of course Daidouji-san....of course."

After another few minutes of silence, Tomoyo closed her eyes.

"You know Hiiragizawa-kun...this New Year, my resolution is to forget my mistake of loving Sakura-chan. That was something that was never to be...and I should've known that form the very beginning," Tomoyo whispered.

Eriol leaned his head gently against hers. "Love is never a mistake Daidouji-san. You don't ever feel love by accident."

"What's your resolution going to be?" Tomoyo continued, ignoring him.

Eriol sighed. "My New Years resolution? Hm...my resolution is to stop gushing over Kaho...she left me...just when I was sure we were meant for each other."

"Love is so cruel to me. I don't think I was meant to be loved my anyone," Tomoyo continued.

Eriol shook his head. "Don't say that Daidouji-san. Everyone was made to love and be loved."

"Hiiragizawa-kun, do you believe that?" Tomoyo questioned quietly.

Eriol paused for a moment. "At times I do and yet at times I don't."

Tomoyo sighed as she closed her eyes once more. "Sometimes I wish I would just disappear from this planet forever..."

"Daidouji-san," Eriol began.

"And I always wonder...what would life be like if I was never to have been born?" Tomoyo continued, her eyes still closed.

Eriol frowned. "Don't say such nonsense Daidouji-san."

"Or what would life be like if I hadn't met Sa...ku...ra-chan..." Tomoyo's voice grew faint until the only sound heard was the crackling of the fire.

Eriol turned his head a little and just from the corner of his eyes, he saw that Tomoyo had fallen asleep. A smile came across his face slightly. "Oyasumi-nasai Daidouji-san."

He gently pushed her head into his hand and with one quick swoop, he picked her up to put her in her bed.

As he placed her in bed, he pulled the covers over her and tucked her in comfortably. "Sweet dreams my friend."

He walked over to the curtains, getting ready to shut them, until he saw the bright light of the full moon.

My powers have almost completely disappeared...I can't feel Kaho's aura anymore...I can't even sense Sakura and Syaoran. And most importantly, I don't know how Daidouji-san feels anymore...how will I be able to help her?

He sighed deeply as he took a seat in the nearby couch. His eyes focused onto Tomoyo's sleeping figure immediately. I'll take care of you from now on Daidouji-san. There will never be a day of sadness anymore...from this New Year on...I promise you on my very own life.

~*~*~*~*~*Next Morning~*~*~*~*~*

Tomoyo's eyes flickered open silently as her mind slowly replayed the conversation from the night before. Eh? If I had fallen asleep on Hiiragizawa-kun's shoulder yesterday, how did I manage to get un bed?

As she turned her head, her eyes fell upon the dark haired teenaged boy, sitting and sleeping on the couch. A smile came across her face.

Hiiragizawa-kun....I should've known...

She pulled herself out of bed along with a blanket. She crept silently to his side and spread the blanket over him.

As Tomoyo turned to leave to the bathroom, Eriol opened his eyes with a smile. "Arigato Daidouji-san."

"Hiiragizawa-kun," Tomoyo replied in surprise as she turned back around. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

Eriol shook his head. "No...I had just closed my eyes a few minutes ago..."

"Gomenasai, Hiiragizawa-kun," Tomoyo whispered. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you..."

Eriol smiled. "Don't worry Daidouji-san. You were tired and needed sleep."

"You can continue to sleep..." Tomoyo stated with a smile.

Eriol shook his head. "It's all right...I think I'll go check on Nakuru and Spinel-sun now. I'll prepare breakfast too."

"You don't have to," Tomoyo replied instantly. "I'll make breakfast after I wash up."

Eriol smiled cutely. "Do you hate my cooking enough to not even let me try to cook for you?"

"Gomen Hiiragizawa-kun," Tomoyo replied with a smile. "It's just that you're the guest and..."

"I forgive you Daidouji-san," Eriol replied as he walked out of Tomoyo's room instantly, not letting her reply.

Tomoyo frowned. "He didn't even let me finish...."

~*~*~*~*~*Seven O'clock PM~*~*~*~*~*

Tomoyo sat down on the evening sand of the beach. "The water is so calm."

"It's as beautiful as the sun set," Eriol added as he sat next to her.

"Eriol-kun! Tomoyo-chan!"

Both Eriol and Tomoyo turned around instantly.

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo replied as a smile spread across her face. She stood up quickly and they hugged tightly. "It's been a while since I've seen you! You look more beautiful than ever!"

Sakura smiled back. "Arigato Tomoyo-chan! You look beautiful too! And you seem so happy now too!"

"Ne, you really think so?" Tomoyo questioned curiously.

Sakura nodded. "I know so. I'm sure of it!" Sakura turned to her fiance with a polite smile. "Ne Syaoran-kun, why don't you stay with Eriol-kun for a little bit. I want to talk to Tomoyo-chan alone for a while."

"Of course," Syaoran replied hesitantly as he stared at Eriol. Slowly, she dawdled towards Eriol.

Sakura turned to Tomoyo. "Let's go for a walk okay?"

"Okay...let's do that," Tomoyo replied with a smile.

They walked in silence for a while until they came across a small bridge. Sakura turned to Tomoyo.

"Tomoyo-chan, you and Eriol-kun are friends, ne?" Sakura asked.

Tomoyo nodded. "Hai...I suppose you could say that."

"Tomoyo-chan," Sakura continued as her gaze fell to the small river below them. "Are we still friends?"

Tomoyo looked at her with worry. "Of course we are Sakura-chan! I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything!"

"Really?" Sakura questioned curiously.

Tomoyo smiled. "Really, really! Nothing will break our friendship from now on! I promise!"

"Me too," Sakura added.

The two girls went into a hug once more. After they pulled apart, Sakura gave Tomoyo a funny look. "Ne Tomoyo-chan...how do you really feel towards Eriol-kun?"

"N...nani? What do you mean?" Tomoyo replied as she felt her cheeks burn up.

Sakura smiled. "I'm glad you found someone else to love Tomoyo-chan, but..." Sakura looked back down to the water. "Mizuki-sensei..."

"I know," Tomoyo replied, even though she knew Kaho had left Eriol so many months ago. He had told her not to tell Sakura or anyone else.

Sakura turned to her friend once more with tear-filled eyes. "I just don't want to see you hurt anymore. Tomoyo-chan...you're my best friend and I'm sorry I put you through so much pain. I never want to see you so hurt again."

"Don't worry Sakura-chan. I'll be fine from now on. I promise...just don't be sad," Tomoyo replied.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, don't worry about it."

~*~*~*~*~*Eriol and Syaoran~*~*~*~*~*

"I'm going to be watching you," Syaoran stated harshly.

Eriol turned to him. "Is there a reason to watch me? I thought you could care less if I were dead."

"I know that Mizuki left you...not for business or anything. And I think that's why you're trying to replace her with Tomoyo-san," Syaoran answered. "You had best not try anything stupid."

Eriol frowned. "What makes you think I'm trying to replace Kaho? And more importantly, why would you think I'm trying to hurt Daidouji-san in any way? She's my friend."

"You can never be trusted that's why," Syaoran replied. "You were always lying no matter what the situation."

Eriol sighed. "Most of your first impressions stay to whom ever they belong to don't it?"

"What does it matter? You haven't changed since you left," Syaoran replied harshly.

Eriol turned to Syaoran. "You know what Syaoran? You're right. You are so correct." Eriol stood up and started towards Syaoran. "I haven't changed and neither have you. But what would you know? You know nothing about me."

Syaoran didn't reply. He merely stood there, surprised and a bit angered.

"But you? You're still too protective over Sakura-chan. You won't let anyone near her. And because she and Daidouji-san are such close friends, you won't let anyone enter Daidouji-san's life too," Eriol continued as he walked even closer to Syaoran. "You're afraid to lose Sakura-chan...and you think that if she loses Daidouji-san's friendship, you'd lose your precious Sakura-chan. But what makes it worse is that you've never lost a loved one. You've never had that feeling....you wouldn't know what's best for Daidouji-san...and therefore you wouldn't know how I am."

Syaoran continued to stare in disbelief and rising anger. Everything was silent except for the crashing of the waves.

"Syaoran-kun! Eriol-kun!" Sakura shouted blissfully as she and Tomoyo returned to the beach.

As they came up to the two boys, Eriol turned and began his walk back home.

"Hiiragizawa-kun?" Tomoyo began questionably, making him stop. "Where are you going?"

Eriol sighed. "I'm rather exhausted at the moment. I'll be returning home now. Why don't you stay with Sakura-chan and Syaoran for a while?" After Eriol stated this, he began to walk off again.

"Hiiragizawa-kun! Wait for me!" Tomoyo shouted. She turned back to Sakura and Syaoran. "Gomenasai Sakura-chan. I suppose we can hang out some other day. Hiiragizawa-kun doesn't happy...jaa ne."

Sakura nodded worriedly. "Jaa ne." Sakura turned to Syaoran with a frown. "What did you say to Eriol-kun?"

"It's nothing important," Syaoran replied as he too turned around and started up towards the sidewalk.

Sakura sighed hopelessly. "Syaoran-kun...why won't you just give Eriol-kun a chance?"

~*~*~*~*~*Eriol~*~*~*~*~*

Eriol walked into the park and sat on one of the swings quietly. I need to work on my outbursts. My feelings are a lot harder to control now without magic. I just wish there was a way for Kaho to be here with me...or at least sense her aura...If I could prove that she's still and always will be beside me...

"Hiiragizawa-kun," Tomoyo whispered as she sat down onto the swing next to him.

Eriol looked up from the ground immediately. "Daidouji-san? What are you doing here?"

"Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun, don't you think we've been friends long enough for you to call me Tomoyo now?" Tomoyo inquired curiously.

Eriol smiled partially. "Are you asking me to? Or are you giving me an order?"

"Both..." Tomoyo smiled. "You silly..."

Eriol's smile faded a bit. You're trying to replace her with Tomoyo-san.

"Hiiragizawa-kun?" Tomoyo stated as she waved her hand in front of his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Eriol blinked. "What was that?"

"What's bothering you Hiiragizawa-kun?" Tomoyo repeated.

Eriol smiled faintly. "Ah, I was just thinking...if I were to call you Tomoyo, you'd have to call me Eriol."

"Deal," Tomoyo replied as she shook Eriol's hand. "And you can take that fake smile off your face now Eriol-kun." A smile spread across her face as Eriol blushed slightly. "Shall we go back to your house now?"

Eriol nodded. "Sure."

As they reached the Hiiragizawa Manor, Tomoyo instantly ran to the sakura tree garden and sat down under one of the many trees.

"Tomoyo-san?" Eriol stated questionably as he walked after her.

Tomoyo looked up to him with a smile. "What' the matter Eriol-kun?"

Eriol took a seat next to her as he turned his gaze to the setting sky. "Is it hard to forget?"

"You're better at figuring out feelings than I am..." Tomoyo replied quietly.

Eriol sighed. "I've never had to forget before..."

"You'll be all right Eriol-kun. And you don't really have to forget her...just accept that she's not with you anymore," Tomoyo replied instantly, cutting him off.

Eriol turned to Tomoyo, who also turned to face him with a smile.

"I know for a fact that you'll be fine Eriol-kun," Tomoyo added. "You helped me through mine. I'll help you through yours too...that way, we will have each other to lean on, ne?"

Eriol smiled faintly. "Arigato Tomoyo-san."

"What for? I haven't done anything yet..." Tomoyo questioned.

Eriol's smile widened. "For everything you've already done before this...and for being my friend."

"Well then, thanks for everything as well Eriol-kun," Tomoyo replied.

They both closed their eyes and let the silence fall upon them as each of their minds began to wander off into different worlds.

~*~*~*~*~*Inside Eriol's Head~*~*~*~*~*

"Kaho...am I trying to replace you?" asked the dark blue haired teen as he stared at the shadow covered female before him.

The female's eyes shifted from the teen to the shimmering moon above him. "Eriol, your heart contains an endless amount of space for love and friendship. It's large enough to love everyone on this planet. And you'll never replace anyone of those people. You're heart just needs to find who it truly belongs to."

"Do you really think so?" the boy questioned. "Because I don't want to replace..."

"I know so Eriol. I know so," Kaho interrupted with a faint smile. "Syaoran is just afraid...trust your heart...for me. If you truly love me...trust your heart and follow it till the end of time."

Eriol nodded faintly. "But what if my heart..."

"You'll know when the time comes," Kaho stated interrupting him once more. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the forehead. "Trust your heart...it knows you best."

~*~*~*~*~*Inside Tomoyo's Head~*~*~*~*~*

"You love Eriol-kun don't you?" Sakura repeated with a smile. "I can just see it when I look into your eyes."

Tomoyo's eyes widened in shock. "Nani?!" Instantly, her cheeks began to burn and a bright crimson color crept up her pale cheeks. "Eriol-kun is my friend! And I love all of my friends...you, Li-kun, Meiling-san, Chiharu-chan, Rika-chan, Naoko-chan and Takeshi-kun!"

"Tomoyo-chan, you shouldn't deny your true feelings," Sakura replied with a faint giggle. "There's nothing to be afraid of... I know how it feels to be rejected, but you just have to pick yourself up and continue with your live. You can't let one loose stone stop you from crossing the river."

Tomoyo turned away as tears began to brim her eyes. "But Li-kun was always there to comfort you...right from the start of your pain..."

"And Eriol-kun was there for you as well Tomoyo-chan," Sakura replied. "It's kind of funny actually...when I see you with Eriol-kun, it reminds me of how Syaoran-kun and I first started to love one another."

Tomoyo looked up to the sky. The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky as a shooting star flew by. "But it's not the same... Eriol-kun loves Mizuki-sensei... He won't ever see me as anything more than a friend."

"Don't say such nonsense," Sakura stated happily. "Ne, there he is now. He's coming with Syaoran-kun! Go! Go and tell him how you feel Tomoyo-chan!"

Tomoyo's expression turned to fear as her eyes fell upon Eriol's smiling face. "No!"

Tomoyo's body jerked and her eyes flew open immediately. It was just a dream? Eh? When did I fall asleep?

She turned to her side and found Eriol's sleeping figure next to her. A smile came across her face as she looked to her watch.

"Eh?! Nine-thirty?! Oi! Nakuru-san isn't going to be happy with this," Tomoyo stated as she turned to Eriol once more. "Eriol-kun! Eriol-kun! I...I think we should be getting inside now..."

Eriol's eyes slowly flickered open. "Eh? Nani? Did I fall asleep?"

"Don't worry about it," Tomoyo replied with a faint smile. "I suppose we both dozed off from thinking too much."

Eriol yawned wearily and looked up to the sky. He turned back to Tomoyo and smiled, remembering what Kaho had stated in his dream. "I suppose you're worried about Nakuru, ne Tomoyo-san?"

Tomoyo blinked at him, half in confusion of why he was smiling and half in shock of seeing him yawn for the first time.

"Ne, let's go in for dinner," Eriol stated as he stood up immediately and handed Tomoyo his hand to help her up. "Shall we go Tomoyo-san?"

Tomoyo nodded her head slightly as she placed her hand into his. "Of course...I hate to make Nakuru wait."

Can I really be falling for him?

As they entered the manor, Spinel greeted them happily as Nakuru came bouncing into the room.

"Eriol-sama! Tomoyo-san!" Nauru shouted with a playful look of anger.

Eriol sighed. "Nakuru, we're sorry for coming back so late...we were just..."

"I didn't ask for an explanation did I?" Nakuru inquired, making the two blush slightly. "Ne, how was your evening nap together? Under the sakura tree? Staring off into the setting sky? Hands..."

"Na...ku...ru!" Eriol shouted, cutting her off. "I'm quite sure we all understand what you're trying to get to. Unfortunately, it won't work so you had best stop there."

Nakuru pouted angrily. "Dinner is on the table. "With that, she turned back around and walked off half angrily. "Spinel and I have already eaten as well."

"I will be off now. Good night Eriol-sama...Tomoyo-san," Spinel announced as he stopped in front of them before flying up the stairs.

Eriol sighed. "I've run completely out of magic...so Nakuru and Spinel can't ever change to their true forms anymore. It's a rather sad thing for me to see..."

"They won't.....will they?" Tomoyo questioned worriedly.

Eriol shook his head. "No....they were created with magic, so they can't be destroyed without magic."

"That's a wonderful relief," Tomoyo replied happily.

"Shall we eat now?" Eriol asked curiously.

Tomoyo nodded in reply.

~*~*~*~*~*Valentine's Day~*~*~*~*~*

"Eriol-kun when are you going back to England...and Mizuki-sensei?" Sakura questioned. "It's been about five months since she's returned..."

Eriol smiled. "It's Valentine's Day and you want me to leave?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that..." Sakura began.
Eriol's smile widened as he pulled out a small wrapped box from his pocket. "It's all right. I understand what you mean. And this gift should prove that. Happy Valentine's Day Sakura-chan....and don't tell Syaoran that it's from me."

"Arigato Eriol-kun!" Sakura replied blissfully as she took the box from him. "Eh? You and Syaoran-kun still don't get along?"

Eriol scratched his head for a moment. "Oh, we do...just that he might get jealous."

"Eriol-kun!" Sakura proclaimed.

Over on the other side of the park was Syaoran and Tomoyo. They were each perched upon a swing with their backs to Sakura and Eriol.

"Tomoyo-san," Syaoran began softly.

Tomoyo lifted her head slightly from the view of the ground. "Nani Li-kun?"

"How come you've never called me by my first name..." Syaoran stated, realizing he was the only guy who she called by the last name.

Tomoyo sighed. "I guess I never thought of that...ne Syaoran-kun?"

"Thank you Tomoyo-san," Syaoran replied. He turned to face her and an expression of pain hit him immediately. "You care a lot for him don't you Tomoyo-san?"

Tomoyo shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know how I feel towards anyone anymore. Everything is such a blur to me...I just don't know anymore."

"Tomoyo-san," Syaoran whispered. "Well, whatever your feelings are, I want you to know that I'll support you all the way. You always seem to know what's best...so I'm confident in your decisions. I believe that in the end, you'll make the right choice...always."

Tomoyo looked up to him with a faint smile. "Arigato Syaoran-kun...for everything you've done to help me."

"That's what friends are for Tomoyo-san...that's what friends are for," Syaoran replied.

After a few more minutes of sitting together in silence, Syaoran pulled out a pale purple box from his pocket and handed it to Tomoyo.

"It's not much Tomoyo-san, but I want you to keep it for memories sake and it's also my way to showing you my appreciation," Syaoran stated with a smile.

Tomoyo hugged him immediately. "Arigato Syaoran-kun...I love you..." She pulled away, leaving a speechless Syaoran with his mouth open.

Tomoyo giggled. "Not like that Syaoran-kun! I meant it in a friendship kind of love...just like my love towards Sakura-chan!"

"I...I knew that," Syaoran stated with a dumbfounded look.

Tomoyo leaned forward and hugged him once more. "Well, whatever you thought I meant, I still love you...and thank you for watching over Sakura-chan so closely."

"Just like how you watched over Sakura before myself," Syaoran replied with a smile. "Happy Valentine's Day Tomoyo-san. You deserve it more than anyone."

Tomoyo merely smiled as she lightly kissed his cheek, making him blush. "Arigato Syaoran-kun. I suppose we should be getting back to Sakura-chan and Eriol-kun."

"Tomoyo-san," Syaoran blurted out as Tomoyo passed him.

Tomoyo stopped and turned to face him. "Nani Syaoran-kun?"
"If...if Eriol ever does anything to hurt you, just tell me and I'll take care of everything, okay?" Syaoran replied with a look of concern.

Tomoyo smiled as she stepped back and took Syaoran's hand before walking back. "Of course..."

As the were walking back to the other two, Tomoyo had decided to open her gift. Inside the pale purple box was a golden necklace with a double-edged sword and a star winged wand as the pendant. On the staff, the star and wings were both made of complete diamond as well as the little ball that dangled off the sword.

Tomoyo's mouth dropped in awe.

"I had it made just for you...I hope you like it," Syaoran stated.

Tomoyo turned to him with tear-filled eyes. "Arigato Syaoran-kun. It means a lot to me."

"Well, it's kind of like a late birthday and Christmas gift too. It took the jeweler about half a year to make it," Syaoran explained.

Tomoyo pulled it out of it's case and slipped it around her neck swiftly.

"Syaoran-kun! Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura exclaimed as they reached Eriol and Sakura.

As Syaoran reached his fiance, he placed his arm around her and looked down to find the box in her hands. A faint smile came across his face as he looked back up to Eriol. "I'll trust you Eriol...you have my word on that too."

"Thanks," Eriol replied as Tomoyo stopped at his side. "Oh and I'm having a banquet at my house a bit later today. Chiharu, Takeshi, Naoko, Rika and Yoshiyuki are all going to be there as well as Touya and Yukito. I've also invited your father and Kero of course."

Sakura smiled. "Ne, everyone's going to be there...of course you can count on me and Syaoran-kun to be there. We wouldn't miss it for the world!"

~*~*~*~*~*Later that day~*~*~*~*~*

"Konnichiwa minna! I'm so glad you all could come," Eriol greeted as he smiled towards his on coming guests.

Tomoyo was standing next to him with a smile of her own. But when Rika and Yoshyuki walked up to the door, her smile broadened immediately. "Ne Rika-chan you seem different. Is there some news you'd like to inform us about?"

"News?" Rika repeated. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink as her husband tightened his grip around her, telling her it'd be all right.

Everyone shifted their gaze to Rika and her Terada-sensei (Yoshiyuki).

"Well, I'm three months pregnant," Rika almost whispered.

Everyone went silent in both shock and joy. Suddenly, all of the females let out a sharp scream and ran to hug Rika instantly.

"I can't believe it!"

"You're going to be a mother soon!"

"I'm so happy for you!"

"This is the best news I've heard!"

Thirty minutes into the party, everyone was finally seated around the dining table, except for Kero and Suppi, who was in Nakuru's room. Dinner had just been served and everyone was passing this to him and that to her.

"If Akizuki made the food, you know for sure it's poisonous," Touya whispered as he stared at the food in his plate, given to him by Yukito.

Yukito frowned. "Touya-kun! How can you be so rude to Akizuki-san? If you keep up this act, I might just have to forget about you and start liking Akizuki-san."

"Nani?!" Touya replied.

Naoko looked up from her plate of food as her mind wandered off to the whereabouts of her old teacher. "Ne Eriol-san, where's Mizuki-sensei? I though she was only supposed to be on a business leave, not a permanent one."

Everyone else looked up to Eriol for his reply.

Silence

Tomoyo sighed as she leaned towards his ear. "It's about time you tell them the truth Eriol-kun. You can't lie to them forever."

"She um..." Eriol began. He cleared his throat hesitantly. "We've broken up about a month or two after our wedding announcement. She had said that things were best this way..."

Silence

No one in the entire house knew what to say. And for once, Nakuru didn't have any sort of remark.

Touya cleared his throat. "Well, that's what she told me too...before she left me for England."

"Oniichan?!" Sakura exclaimed, far passed surprised. "You...you and Mizuki-sensei were..."

Syaoran took hold of his fiance and slightly cleared his throat. "Ne, if she said things were best this way, things will be better this way."

"I suppose," Eriol replied in a whisper.

"Gomenasai Eriol-san. I shouldn't have asked such a personal question," Naoko stated quietly.

Eriol merely smiled. "It's all right. I suppose some people just weren't meant to be together."

Tomoyo looked away as Eriol turned to her. "I'll be excused now." Tomoyo stood up quickly and walked out of the dining room.

"Eriol-sama," Nakuru whispered harshly, kicking him from underneath the table.

Eriol winced in pain as he too stood up. "Minna, I'll be back in a few minutes. You guys just enjoy yourselves."

Everyone nodded as Eriol left after Tomoyo.

"Tomoyo-san," Eriol stated as he found her in the garden. "What's wrong?"

Tomoyo didn't reply, instead, she walked even further from him, towards the plum and cherry trees.

"Tomoyo-san," Eriol repeated as he finally stopped at her side. "Please tell me what's bothering you." He reached his hand towards her.

"Don't touch me!" Tomoyo retorted as she pulled her arm from his reach. "Just leave me alone!"

Eriol stared at her questionably. His brows saddened. "Tomoyo-san...have I done something wrong to hurt you? If I have, please tell me."

"You want to know what's bothering me?" Tomoyo repeated with tears running down her cheeks.

Eriol nodded as he felt his insides wince at Tomoyo's tears. "Of course...you know I would never want to see you..."

"What's bothering me is that fact that the only reason you stayed here was because of Mizuki-sensei. If she didn't tell you to stay, you would've left!" Tomoyo shouted in reply, cutting his sentence off. "You didn't care about me! I'm right aren't I?!"

Eriol turned away saying nothing, for ne had no reply.

"If you love and miss her so much, go back to her! I'm not forcing you to stay! Just go and let me be! Get out of my life!" Tomoyo continued.

Eriol turned back to her. "I can't Tomoyo-san. And I don't want to leave you. I don't want you to be alone anymore."

"For a while now, I thought you were beginning to feel the same pain I was, but it turns out that I was wrong. With or without your powers, you're still the same. You always try to solve the problems of others when you can't even solve your own," Tomoyo stated in a softer voice. "You always pretend to be okay with everything."

Eriol sighed. "Do you want me to leave that badly?"

"You don't know what's going on inside of me anymore...I'm not the same person I used to be...and because of you, I have a new pain in my heart," Tomoyo continued, ignoring his sentence. "You could never understand it."

"Have you found someone else to love?"

"What does it matter?"

"Will you tell me his name?"

"You wouldn't care."

"Does he know of this?"

"He's too blinded my his own passions to understand anything..."

Eriol turned away. "I understand." With his hand in his pocket, he dreaded to tell her anything of the piece of paper his hand wanted to rip so badly. "Tomoyo-san, tomorrow...I...Nakuru Spinel and I...we have to...I have a bit of business to clear up back in England and..." He mentally punched himself for stopping mid-sentence.

"You have to leave?" Tomoyo inquired.

Eriol nodded. "And I'm not sure how long it will take...at the most is six years, I would think."

"I see," Tomoyo replied, feeling her heart rip once again into a million pieces. "I suppose I'll see you three off tomorrow. Oyasumi-nasai Eriol-kun." She turned around swiftly and ran off into the distance.

"Tomoyo-san! Wait!" Eriol shouted as he began to run after her. Suddenly, his legs stopped moving and he was standing still in front of his house, seeing Tomoyo's figure disappear into the night. "Tomoyo-san...gomenasai...but I will return...I promise."

"Eriol-sama," Spinel stated as he flew up to his master's side with Kero.

Kero frowned. "Go after her you idiot!"

"But," Eriol began.

Bother Kero and Spinel flew into his face. "GO!"

Eriol sighed as he started to go after Tomoyo once more. Tomoyo-san, it's hard enough to say bye...I don't want to see you hurt like this because of me. Tomoyo-san... As he passed the park, his eyes caught sight of someone. Their back was turned against him, but the figure had to have been Tomoyo. Eriol silently walked up to her and sat down beside her on the wooden bench.

"The night sky is still so young tonight. It's beauty makes me wonder. Is there more to life than what we see everyday? If that is so, I've been blinded my whole life...and selfish as well," Tomoyo stated as her gaze continued to follow the stars.

Eriol sighed as he turned to face her. "Tomoyo-san, will you talk to me tonight? Underneath the eyes and ears of the beautiful heavens?"

"Dreams Eriol-kun..." Tomoyo continued. "That's all I have now that you're going to leave me. My dreams are all that will keep me alive."

Eriol smiled faintly. "You will always be in my dreams Tomoyo-san. There will never be a day in my life where I won't think of you. Because of you, my life has changed so much and for once in my life, I was completely happy without magic...and without Kaho..."

"Eriol-kun, I won't be able to see you off tomorrow..." Tomoyo whispered. "My mother is returning tonight, so she won't let me out of the house at all tomorrow."

Eriol turned away immediately. "I understand. So...I suppose we'll say our farewells here."

"Of course," Tomoyo replied. "And tell Nakuru-san and Spinel-sun I bid them farewell also."

Eriol nodded. "I will...Oyasumi-nasai Tomoyo-san. I will go now."

Tell him! Before it's too late! Hurry! "Eriol-kun wait!" Tomoyo had almost shouted as she stood up beside him.

When he turned to face her, their faces were about five inches apart only. "T...Tomoyo-san?"

"Eriol-kun...I had just wanted to tell you something before you left."

Slowly, their heads drew towards one another and even closer.

"Yes?"

"Eriol-kun....I...."

Their heads drew even closer as if some unknown force was making the come so close to one another. Both of them closed their eyes as their lips met for the first time ever. It had lasted about an entire minute before they had pulled apart, both staring, shocked at what had just happened.

I've never felt this way towards anyone...not even Kaho. What does it mean? Eriol's cheeks burned up as he turned to leave once more.

"Eriol-kun," Tomoyo whispered. She felt her heart thumping madly in her chest. "I love you."

Eriol turned to her silently, tears in his eyes. "Tomoyo-san..."

"I don't care about how you feel towards me anymore. I've learned from my mistake with Sakura-chan that..." Tomoyo looked to the ground as she started to choke on her sobs. "I learned that it will always hurt more if I never let it out."

Eriol half smiled through his tears. "Tomoyo-san....I love you too..."

Not believing what she had heard, Tomoyo looked up to see Eriol coming towards her. As he reached her, he instantly pu7t his arms around her.

"Eriol-kun..." Tomoyo whispered.

Eriol pulled away and stared at her, directly in the eyes. "Tomoyo-san, I promise...I will come back for you. I will come back just for you...and I will write just about everyday...okay?"

"And I will wait for you Eriol-kun...even if it takes forever. My love for you will never die...I promise you that," Tomoyo replied with a smile.

Eriol nodded, satisfied and completely relieved. He kissed her forehead and bid his farewell for with the next few years, the life of Daidouji Tomoyo wouldn't ever be the same again.

"Eriol-kun...I will wait..."

To be Continued....

Author Notes: Wowee! That only took me like forever!! Anyway, I'm sorry about taking so long just to write this chapter. I had finished writing it about a week ago so all I had to do was type it. Unfortunately, it was about 20 pages front and back. ^^ Anyway, the third chapter is currently being written out right now....and it'll also be the last chapter. In case some of you are wondering, this is an angst fic...but no more will be said because I might just ruin the story. I've planned the complete ending out already and I'm satisfied with it. (I came up with about 3 different endings, but I managed to pick out one^^) Anyway, e-mail is megori@eboxmail.net Jaa!