Abused Innocence

I know the previous ending was as usual a bit abrupt but you'll all get over it. This chapter is the defining chapter of the story… you know… the second hardship that Tomoyo and Eriol face between their relationship… being apart.

Disclaimer: I am a dreamer… I dream that Tomoyo was mine… watashi no sekai…. Yume to koito fuan de teki teru!

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"Ow… my head hurts…" Tomoyo groaned as she opened her eyes.

It was still dark in the room and Tomoyo could barely make out a figure walking past the room and towards the curtains.

Nakuru put her hands on the curtains and opened them to let in the bright sunlight.

"Finally you came around…" Nakuru sang.

Tomoyo looked towards her and gave her a vague smile. All Nakuru did was pick up the pan of cold water and wet towels from Tomoyo's bedside and say, "Breakfast will be downstairs in a ten minutes… please freshen up and come downstairs…"

Then Nakuru left the room. Tomoyo stared at her in wonder. She had never seen Nakuru so straightforward and uptight. Nakuru had always been so cheerful and jokey.

Tomoyo got up and sat on the bed for a while, recalling all that happened. She turned to see a huge chair placed next to her bed.

"Eriol-kun?" She whispered as she thought of who it could be who sat on that chair.

Then she got up from the bed and looked at herself. She was in a very long T-shirt and blue pajamas. Tomoyo flushed when she thought of who had changed her. But then she remembered that Nakuru would've done it.

She walked to the bath room and got freshened up as fast as she could, waiting anxiously for some answers.

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Tomoyo came slowly towards the small kitchenette on the second floor. She could hear screaming and shouting from inside. She opened the door to the lounge to see Nakuru and Suppi fighting over a bowl of melted caramel and chocolate mixture.

They both stopped and looked over at Tomoyo for a second. There was awkward silence but then suddenly Nakuru snatched the bowl from Suppi's hands and stood victorious.

"Good morning Tomoyo-san. It's nice to see you have come around…" Suppi said blankly.

"Arigatou.." Tomoyo replied as she made her way towards the couch.

"How long have I been out cold?" She asked.

"2 days…" A low voice said.

"Eriol-kun!" Tomoyo yelped as she got up from the couch. Eriol entered the room with a sly smile on his face.

Nakuru and Suppi looked intently at their master.

"I don't think he is strong enough, Suppi-chan…" Nakuru whispered to Suppi.

Suppi just nodded at the comment.

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Eriol gazed over the girl who slept peacefully in front of him. Her hair were spread all over the bed and her small body was covered with layers of bed sheets. Her face had a solemn expression.

Eriol's eyes held grief and sadness. He touched Tomoyo's lips with his fingers lightly. They were so soft and perfect. He knew he wanted to. But he knew too well that it was wrong. He was her best friend, and not anything else. He wanted to be, but he wasn't.

A tear escaped his eye as he kept on staring at the girl's face in the moonlight which came from the huge archaic window.

"Eriol-kun, you don't have to do this…" Nakuru whispered from behind, trying her nest to not awaken Tomoyo.

"I have to, Nakuru. I made a promise to her that I would do everything. I had been running away from this fate for so long. But I have to this now. She will only suffer more if she is separated from her mother. She must find her true place. A place where she belongs." Eriol said seriously.

"But Eriol-kun, you love her! Are you just going to let her go like this!?!? You need her… we all need her…" Nakuru said, her tone a bit louder and more forceful.

Tomoyo had become like a habit to the whole Hiragizawa household.

"I love her Nakuru, that is why I have to let her go. I will only be at peace if she is happy because her happiness is my happiness…" Eriol whispered, his eyes forming shiny tears.

"I hate your love!!" Nakuru yelled as she stormed out of the room.

The truth was, even Eriol didn't know if what he was doing was right. But he knew that it would bring Tomoyo happiness. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle it, but all his life, he spent making sacrifices. What's another sacrifice?

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"Tomoyo-san, I need to show you something…" Eriol said.

His expression was sad but hidden.

Tomoyo was not in the mood to start complaining or whining so she just followed Eriol out of the room.

They both entered the main sitting area where Eriol had his gigantic sofa placed.

Tomoyo waited for something to happen. Eriol stood in front of her, his back towards her.

"I promised you something once." Eriol said as he moved out of the way.

The door in front of them opened and figure approached from in it.

Tomoyo was going stiff with shock and surprise.

"Happy belated birthday Tomoyo-san." Eriol whispered as he left the room.

Tomoyo stood there in her pajamas facing a woman of very short hair. Both had tears in their eyes and very looking at each other, as if they will never see each other again.

"Okaa-san…" Tomoyo whispered, suddenly a thousand memories flooding in her mind.

"My TOMOYO!" The lady yelped as she ran to Tomoyo in her office skirt hugging her as tight as she could.

Tomoyo jumped on top of her and hugged her as tightly as possible. Tears started escaping her eyes as she closed them tightly.

"Oh how I have waited for this moment my whole life!" Sonomi said aloud, caressing her daughters hair gently.

Tomoyo pulled apart and glared at her, still crying.

"Why did you leave me, okaa-san?" Tomoyo forced.

"Tomoyo don't you remember. I never left you. You were kidnapped!" She cried, hugging her daughter back.

There it was, behind her mind, the vision of Yoshi and Cherry talking about keeping Tomoyo and not selling her off for ransom.

The next half an hour was just spent in hugs and kisses and etc. This was one of the happiest times of Tomoyo's life. She wanted nothing more than to spend some quality time with her long lost mother whom Eriol had found. Though she knew quite well how Eriol had found her mother because whatever Eriol witnessed in her mind, so did she. But she thought it was a dream.

"Hiragizawa-kun called me a night back, saying he had found you. I came here just at the moment!" Sonomi said excitedly.

"It must've hard to find a flight this early…" Tomoyo asked.

"What an absurd thing to say. Sweetheart, I have my own personal jet. Which is all yours now!" She said waving her hand.

"JET? Are you THAT rich??!" Tomoyo grinned.

"YOU are that rich. You just didn't know it…" Sonomi smiled back.

"Tomoyo, get ready. We will be leaving in an hour. I don't want to waste a minute here. I want you to see everything from the orchard to the stables to the merchandise at YOUR home in Tomoeda…" Sonomi said with stars in her eyes.

"W-We're leaving…?" Tomoyo asked hesitantly.

"Why don't you want to?" Sonomi asked.

"O-Of course I do…" Tomoyo replied, still very unsure.

"Hiragizawa-kun got all of your stuff here before hand. I told him to bring it over." Sonomi said as she got up and walked towards the door.

"Get ready and have some breakfast… I have so much to tell you one the way…" Sonomi sighed excitedly as she left the room.

Tomoyo sat there for a while.

'Leave…' Tomoyo thought.

She didn't want to leave.

"Don't even think about it Tomoyo-san. Do you really want to stay here?" Eriol asked as he entered the room again.

Tomoyo got up and looked at him.

"But I… I don't want to leave you either…" Tomoyo said.

"It's not we'll NEVER see each other again. I will come over to your house once in a while and…" Eriol said, trying his hardest to hide his sadness and lonesomeness.

"But…" Tomoyo said.

"But Eriol-kun. I can't imagine life without you!" Tomoyo cried out.

Eriol lowered his eyes to her but then felt her hug him.

"I want you to come with me!" She cried as she hugged him.

Eriol held from her shoulders and hugged her tightly. He took in a deep breath and said, "I can't either. That is why I'll come and see you in a while. Don't worry… I will always be there for you. If not physically, then in your mind and soul…"

Tomoyo didn't say a word. She didn't want to leave, that was for sure. But was she also ready to stay back when she had finally found the ONE place where she would always belong.

"I just… I…" Tomoyo stammered upon her words once again as she looked through the spectacles and into those profound azure eyes.

Her amethyst got completely lost like she was being sucked into those eyes like a labyrinth. She knew her love for him was, too, unconditional, like the tears which were dwelling up in her eyes. But what was she to do about it? She knew that even if she did tell him that she loved him, wouldn't he hate her now after she had done with Josh? She felt guilt take over her.

She now knew what kind of stress Eriol took because of her. She felt very guilty for making him worry so much over a mistake she had made so foolishly.

She backed away, looked down and whispered.

"Eriol-kun, can you ever forgive me…?"

Eriol took her chin in his hands and pulled her head up so that she could easily face him.

"For what?"

His eyes were so soft and caring. Tomoyo shot him a look of annoyance.

"You know what! I made you worry so much. I just… I was lost Eriol-kun…" Tomoyo wept, the tears in her eyes finally making their way down to her cheeks.

Eriol put his hand lightly over her lips and tried his hardest to lighten the atmosphere, "Hmmm… I'll think about it…"

Tomoyo shot him a playful glare, now wiping off her tears. She read his tone in a second and knew that he was getting uncomfortable with all the seriousness.

"I will come to England to see you again, Eriol-kun!" Tomoyo said, her voice filled with will. "And someday we can both go to the 8th world again to see Kero-chan and the others…"

Eriol became a bit stiff.

"Sit down Tomoyo-san, I wish to tell you something…" Eriol said as he took a seat on his own huge sofa come chair and gestured Tomoyo to sit too.

Tomoyo sat down, now becoming a bit serious by acknowledging Eriol's seriousness.

"What is it? Is everything alright?" She asked.

"It's the 8th world that I am very concerned about. Recently, my trips have been indeed very unpleasant. The Sun country is planning on going at war with the Moon Country." Eriol replied, his expression staunch and serious.

"But you can resolve the problem, nee Eriol-kun?" She asked, having an assured tone.

"I'm afraid it's not up to me to decide their fate this time. This war is written in both the Countries' ancient books. This is an inevitable prophecy which is now unfolding itself very viciously. The Moon country has already built up a force of 10000 men and the number is steadily increasing. I fear for the outcome…" Eriol said.

Tomoyo listened to him intently. Her face was solemn but she seemed very troubled about it.

"I'm afraid there's nothing much I can do. I will always side with the Sun Country, yes, but I am not sure if this is one battle in which e will be victorious, regardless of the odds. I have come to know that there have been some cooperation and dealings with other wizards by the Moon Country. And they are all very strong and powerful ones…" Eriol said, looking away from Tomoyo.

Tomoyo's lips curved up into a smile, "I'm sure you will always do what you think will be best. It will all turn out alright. I just know it. But Eriol-kun…" She stopped mid way, looking worriedly towards Eriol.

Eriol turned to catch her gaze.

"Kyotsukete…" (Be careful…) She said.

Eriol nodded, giving her a reassuring look. Tomoyo smiled back and they both jus sat there, wondering how it would be like without each other constantly by their sides.

"Tomoyo! Are you ready my dear…" Sonomi called out.

"She is… you best be going. Or you might catch a storm…" Eriol replied in place of Tomoyo.

'How could he be so calm with all of this…? Does he really not care for me THAT much… as much as I want him too?' Tomoyo thought to herself as she gazed unconsciously towards the boy haired boy who was fixing his spectacles.

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"Please call me Eriol-kun, I'll try to call you everyday!" Tomoyo shouted as she saw the figure slowly move away.

Eriol stood in his position still. He wanted to call everyday; he wanted to be with her everyday; he wanted to hold her every moment of his life; he wanted her, but he couldn't go through with it.

And how he had lost her. And this time, for good.

"So that's it! You're just going to let her go!" Nakuru yelled angrily at her master.

Eriol tried his best to avoid her glare.

"Stop her Eriol-sama! Stop her! You don't need to go through this…" Nakuru said, tears gleaming in her eyes.

"Yes I do… I am no good to her, Nakuru-chan. I have a duty to Clow as his reincarnation. I can't just neglect that…" Eriol said, trying to turn the topic.

"NO! You can still fulfill your duties with Tomoyo-chan. She is the one who gives Eriol Hiragizawa a life, a life separate to Clow's. Please, call her back!" Nakuru cried.

"Nakuru-chan, sop being this stubborn!" Eriol yelled in a very high voice and left the room, exiting towards his own little wasteland of a room.

A tear gently rolled down his cheek as he stood next to the window and looked out at the sun slowly being covered by grey clouds. His glasses became slightly foggy and his eyes slowly lost their color. His arms were tied to his chest and he was leaning to the window pane.

"Tomoyo…" He whispered to himself as he closed his eyes to imagine her bright smile. "Was this too sudden…?"

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Tomoyo sat quietly in the jet. In front of her was a small table with many tiny pastries and other delicacies places. In her hand was a goblet of pure orange juice. Her mother sat directly in front of her, her stare on her daughter.

"You are more beautiful than I had ever imagined…" She whispered.

Tomoyo looked towards her mother and gave a slight blush. Sonomi giggled.

"You are way richer than I had imagined…" Tomoyo joked.

They both gave a light laugh and then Tomoyo turned back towards the window, her eyes gazing out onto the endless layers of clouds.

"Tomoyo, are you okay with this… us moving so quickly?" Sonomi asked.

"Yes… Yes I am…" Tomoyo said, trying to reassure her mother.

But Sonomi was not fooled. Even if they had met after a long 12 years, she still knew what her daughter was really feeling.

'Was this too sudden…?' Tomoyo thought to herself as she kept looking out.

The whole jet was empty with only a few female guards sitting in another compartment.

It wasn't that she didn't want this. She really did dream of this her whole life, but did she really know what she wanted in reality?

"He seemed like such a gentleman, that Hiragizawa-kun…" Sonomi smiled.

Tomoyo suddenly turned to her mother as she heard her say his name.

"How long have you known him dear?" She asked.

Tomoyo thought about it for a second. She had a loving smile form on her face every time Sonomi took his name.

"For as long as I can remember…" Tomoyo replied.

"Well you must really mean a lot to him… he called me two nights back and since then he has been sitting next to your bed constantly. He didn't get up to eat or sleep or anything…" Sonomi sighed as she took a sip from her glass of vine.

Tomoyo's head jolted up at the comment. 'He did all of that for me…?' Tomoyo thought as she looked out of the window again.

It was official, everything was going on too quickly. In just a few hours of meeting her mother, Tomoyo was leaving behind her best friend and now shifting to another country which she knew nothing off. Was Eriol really getting rid of her? A thousand things ran through her mind and now they were giving her nausea in the jet.

With that thought, she slowly drifted off the a very uncomfortable slumber of uncertainty.

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Phew! That was a bit longer than I had expected and it took me 6 days to complete this because I technically didn't know what to write. And to tell you guys the truth, I don't know what to write in the next chappie either. I will have to think about that since now my promotion exams are on my head and I have to study my ass off for them. But don't you worry, I'll complete this story before the exams. And for the treat of their conclusion, I will start with the ULTIMATE sequel!

Hehe… next chapter is mainly angst and a little bit of tragedy plus action with Eriol… lets see what my mind can whip up for it…

R & R people!!

JA NE!!