I do not own Card Captor Sakura or anyone of the characters (though I wish I do) they all belong to their rightful owner which is CLAMP.
Chapter One: The News
"Tomoyo-chan, have you heard that Eriol's gonna leave next month? Hey Tomoyo-chan what's happening to you? Snap out of it Tomoyo!"
A voice interrupted Tomoyo's deep thoughts when she noticed that someone's talking to her and answered absent-mindedly.
"Li-kun? What did you just say?"
"I said, did you know that Eriol's going back to Englsnd (A/N: Arigato gozaimasu for those who corrected me!!!!) England? Next month?"
"Uh huh, he told me yesterday over the phone and-------"
She was interrupted when the bell suddenly rang. It was a good day to have a nice class and to listen to lectures, but Tomoyo has something far more important to think about that day. When dismissal came, Tomoyo waited for Eriol to leave the room.
"Eriol-kun, can I walk home with you. Sakura's helping Terada-sensei check some papers."
"Of course." Eriol gently answered.
While walking, nobody said a word until Tomoyo decided to open a conversation.
"Eriol, is your decision final? Are you really leaving Japan?" he was a bit surprised at her question but answered gently;
"All the cards has been collected and there's no reason for me to stay longer. I've lingered here for too long. And besides, I miss England so much."
"But Eriol, are the cards the only thing important to you? Of course I understand how much you miss your home but don't you somewhat feel that we, your friends will be lonely?"
Eriol was silent for a moment, the pondered on the question Tomoyo asked. And when he was ready to answer her question, she said good bye to him. Her house saved him. But as he wandered along the streets, he kept on thinking about what she said and somehow her words hit him. He felt his heart beat faster each time he recalls her words and how she said it. Until that
night, he kept on thinking about that sweet and gentle girl that has been far more than a special friend for him. Because somehow she occupies a special place in his heart.
Tomoyo phoned Sakura that night because she wanted to tell her about what she thinks if Eriol leaves but her best friend's answer dismayed her.
"Sakura-Chan, are you finished with those papers you were assigned to check?"
"Yes. I just finished it but I think I can't make it to class tomorrow, I feel a fever coming." A long paused followed,
"Is there anything wrong Tomoyo?"
"It's okay. Just take a good rest. Hope you get well pretty soon."
She heaved a deep sigh and hung the phone. That night she couldn't sleep. She kept on thinking about Eriol. She's wondering how could she go on living if one of her dearest friends leaves. Her head insists that she needs to sleep but there's something her feelings are telling her that she can't understand. Tired of all the day's work and thinking, she decided to sleep. Early next morning Tomoyo was very energetic and happy, everyone could se it. But deep inside she's worrying about something that might change her life forever.
"Tomoyo, I've heard that you're going to visit Sakura after class. Is it okay if I go with you?" Shaoran shyly said.
"It's okay with me. Let's just drop by our house so I could get her something nice. And I think she'll be delighted if she sees us both."
Then Eriol who was listening interrupted with a teasing tone:
"Tomoyo-chan, can I go too? Not just for visiting Sakura-Chan but don't you think that it'll be a cute sight seeing a guy visiting the girl she likes? What do you think Li-kun?"
Eriol laughed with Tomoyo but Shaoran just rolled his eyes at them. And after the class, the trio set out first to Tomoyo's house for some really good pastries then went to Sakura's place. At Sakura's house, they all enjoyed the food brought by Tomoyo and the ones Fujitaka and Touya made for them. Especially Kero and Spinel who are surprisingly behaving great while eating. After eating, they talked about schoolwork and some other things while Kero and Spinel are playing video games.
"Eriol-kun, when is the exact date of your flight?" Sakura softly asked while turning her glance from Kero to Eriol.
"I'm gonna leave on the twentieth of the next month."
Tomoyo turned to the two when she heard what he said. She didn't expect that he would be leaving so soon.
"So he's not gonna stay here any longer. I'll not be able to see or talk to him much more. So little time yet so many things to say."
She said in her thoughts as Sakura opened another topic.
While Sakura and Tomoyo are busy talking, Shaoran and Eriol are discussing something too.
"Shaoran, would you feel sad if I leave you? And do you think the others will feel the same way too?"
Shaoran looked at him but he seemed to avoid his eyes. Shaoran wanted to laugh at what he said but he felt that Eriol was serious in what he just said.
"What made you think we will never miss you? Of course we're going to be sad. You've been a part of the class and a nice friend to us especially to Sakura and Tomoyo and if you leave, it's them who will miss you a lot. Remember that."
The next day, it was raining hard and classes were suspended. When the rain stopped Sakura and the others decided to Tomoyo's house and watch some videotapes which she had recorded. Inside her room, Tomoyo, Sakura and Shaoran are waiting for Eriol's arrival when the rain started to fall again.
"Oh dear, The rain's starting again! I hope Eriol brought an umbrella with him. He could catch a cold if he stays under that cruel rain!" Sakura said.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan, even the strongest of all rains will have no effect on Eriol!" Kero said laughing.
"A rain like this can cause a person to have a fever."
"Hey, I'm only joking Tomoyo don't take it seriously;"
Suddenly the door swung open and there stood a soaked Eriol catching his breath. Tomoyo got a warm blanket and some dry clothes for Eriol before he catches a slight fever or cold. After some time, the four together with Kero enjoyed watching
the videotapes while eating. Just after they left, Tomoyo came back to her labyrinth of thoughts until she fell asleep. The next morning, as she was walking to school when Eriol caught up with her. He was holding a plastic bag, which he handed her. Inside were the clothes she lent him yesterday. As they continued to walk, they heard the screech of a roller blade behind them and saw Sakura skating out of control and finally bumping into a nearby fence. Tomoyo rushed to her best friend's side and helped her get up while Eriol watched them. Tomoyo cares for Sakura as much as Sakura cares for her.
"That's one strong friendship I'm sure I'll miss when I leave." He said softly.
That afternoon, Eriol patiently waits outside the Kinomoto residence waiting for Tomoyo.
"Okay Sakura-chan, I'll see you in class tomorrow."
Tomoyo said happily then waved at her. As she nears the gate, she recognizes the boy leaning beside it. Eriol then noticing that Tomoyo has already come out of the house approached her and gave her a small wooden box with a colorful ribbon tied around it.
"What's this?" Said a puzzled Tomoyo.
She felt her heart beat faster than it ever had when Eriol handed it to her.
"It's from Mizuki-sesnsei. He wants to give it to you because of your performance last singing contest."
Tomoyo reached for it with shaking hands.
"Thank you very much Eriol-kun." She said before putting it inside her bag.
"Tomoyo, do you mind if I walk you home? It's getting dark and it's not safe if you go walking alone." He said softly while Tomoyo flushed beet red.
"Sure. It's fun having a friend whom you could talk to while walking home."
The two walked and talked about certain things specifically Shaoran and Sakura.
"Hey, don't you think that Sakura and Shaoran are getting along well day after day?" she asked
"Yeah, sometimes I see Shaoran glancing at Sakura in class." He answered smiling a bit.
"Oh I wish I was able to record that." Then they both laughed.
She watched Eriol grew silent and he looked sad. She decided to offer him her help kindly.
"Eriol-kun, why're you silent all of a sudden? Is there anything that bothers you?"
He stopped and looked at her and he saw in her eyes that she's ready to listen to him. He looked at the sky smiled a little before he spoke.
"No, it's nothing really. It's just a simple thing. I can handle it Tomoyo, and thanks for the concern."
Tomoyo blushed again then urged that they go on because it's getting pretty late.
When Saturday came, they all went to watch a play accompanied by Yukito and Touya. The story was a beautiful one and they enjoyed watching it specially Tomoyo, who felt really absorbed into it. A nd they had the chance to talk about it as Yukito and Touya get their snacks.
"It was really good! I wish we had a play like that when we were still in Tomoeda. It feels like that play we did when Void appeared." Sakura said dreamilly.
"I agree, but it was a sad one though. I wished it had a happier ending." Shaoran sighed.
"I really think that the prince stayed. I mean he had already found the girl that he loved but then he decided to come home to his kingdom only to be bethrothed to a girl he doesn't like."
"But really Sakura-chan, they both didn't know that they have feelings for each other. they denied it at first, and in the end, when they were ready to accept the truth, it was all too late." Tomoyo said sadly.
"Moral of the story; Be true to what you feel ans accept it before you lose the most important thing to you." Shaoran said.
Both Tomoyo and Eriol were silent. They were thinking about the story and what Shaoran said. But they were interrupted when Yukito and Touya came in with their foods.
A\N: Arigato gozaimasu to Neko-chan for helping me with this one. Hope you forgive me for the wrong grammars and spelling. xd