Forever in your eyes
Chapter 17
Author's jibberish: None ...until later...
She knocked on the large wooden door.
"Hai!" came a voice from the inside. The door opened revealing Nakuru. Her eyes widened. "T-Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo stood at the doorstep, slightly panting. "K-konbanwa."
"Come in," Nakuru invited.
Tomoyo entered the house, a hand to her chest. "Wh-where's Eriol? I need to speak with him."
Nakuru closed the door. "He's in his room; I'll show you."
Eriol sat in his red velvet chair, beside his bed, so he could look out the window. He was, once again, pining and damning everything in the world, from the birds to the buildings. Suddenly, his eyes turned to the door. He felt two auras approaching: Nakuru and someone else.
"Come in," he said before Nakuru had the chance to knock. The door opened and Tomoyo hesitantly stepped in. He rose to his feet. "Tomoyo...?"
Her feet quickened and she ran up to him, sobbing on his shoulder. Eriol stood shocked for a moment, then his eyes turned to Nakuru. She had a smile on her face as she walked away and closed the door.
Eriol and Tomoyo sat down on his bed. Hesitantly, he embraced her. His chest ached as he once again realized that she fit in his arms so perfectly. She buried her head at the crook of his neck, her heavy breath against his skin. "Sh..." Eriol gently rocked her and stroked her head, like a child. Her trembling eventually stopped as Eriol softly whispered reassurances in her ear. And slowly, she gave up and surrendered to sleep.
Eriol laid her down on his bed. He stood, then sat on his velvet chair, watching over her. Hours passed. Sunrise was near and he still sat in his chair. He, too, had surrendered to sleep a while back. His head was tilted against the chair's back.
And Tomoyo slowly rose. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Eriol, loyally beside her. Slowly, she remembered what had happened. She ran over to his house to seek comfort. Instead, she fell asleep and didn't utter a single word. Even with that, he stayed with her.
Tomoyo stood next to him and watched him sleep. Carefully, she reached over and adjusted the crooked glasses that were on his nose. Quickly his hand flew to hers, catching her wrist. "Ohayo gozaimasu," his voice greeted her.
She softly smiled. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
He looked up at her. "What was so troubling to you last night?"
"I just needed company--."
"What made you cry?"
Her smile faded. "I...I'm getting married."
"Tell me something I don't know--" he snapped.
"—In two weeks," she clarified.
He let go of her wrist. "Oh." That was all he could say to that. He still couldn't get over the fact that she was taken. So, silence consumed the room. Then in the state of uncomfortableness, he blurted the first thing that came to mind: "I guess you can fulfill your life-long dream: getting married to a man who loves you." Then, he bit his tongue, mentally slapping himself for being so rude.
Tomoyo shook her head. "No..." she headed to the window. "Please don't say that."
"First you tell me not to say what's in my heart, now it's don't say what's in my head. What am I allowed to say?"
"Eriol, please. Things are...just so difficult..." she muttered.
The look in her eyes was clouded. Eriol stood. "There's something else, isn't there?"
Tomoyo turned to him, a longing in her eyes.
"Don't give me that look, Tomoyo. What are you hiding?"
"Y...You're not giving Satoru-kun enough credit," Tomoyo changed the subject.
"And another thing! I noticed he calls you 'Tomoyo-san.' He's your fiancé and you two continue formalities." Eriol watched her turn away. "Look at me and tell me you're not hiding something."
"I can't!"
"Why not?!"
"Because-!" Tomoyo twirled to him, tears forming in her eyes. "Because..."
Eriol gently held Tomoyo by the shoulders. With their eyes locked together, he asked, "What are you hiding from me?"
After a few sniffles, she spoke. "I'm sick, Eriol."
Eriol creased his forehead. "Is that what this is all about? Maybe some rest--."
"No," she interrupted him. "I'm sick," she repeated.
He thought for a moment and then it all became clear.
"I'm dying Eriol."
Dawn came.
...to be continued =)
Author's jibberish: Well, everyone saw that coming. While I was writing this story in my notebook, I saw some other E+T synopsizes that had Tomoyo having leukemia and all that. In all honesty, I was scared to post this cuz I thought the readers would think the concept is played out. Nonetheless, for those who are constant readers of this, thanks again and please continue reading. After all, we still got Satoru to deal with... = I