Forever in your eyes

Chapter 21

Author's note: Last time, we found out Eriol was leaving on the same day as Tomoyo's wedding...that's in 2 days! Oh, what's gonna happen?

            "You what?" Sakura said. She and Syaoran stood outside of the room Tomoyo was in. She had been found in the school hallway, passed out. Her mother was called and she was insistent to take Tomoyo to the hospital. Sonomi had called Sakura, telling her about Tomoyo. Sakura and Syaoran immediately headed there to check on their friend. At this moment, Sonomi and Satoru were in the room, talking with the now awaken Tomoyo. "You called him?"

            "I think Hiiragizawa should know, don't you?" Syaoran asked.

            "Of course I do, but Shun is here and that's not a good thing for Eriol-kun to see," Sakura reasoned. "Besides, she told Eriol to leave her alone."

            "You should have told me that earlier."

            "Well, I would have called Eriol-kun when Shun was gone. In any other case, they're probably talking about the wedding--."

            The door opened. "Sakura-chan," Sonomi's head popped out. "Can you please come in here?"

            Sakura and Syaoran did. Tomoyo was in bed, with Satoru standing against the wall, facing her. "What's wrong?" Sakura asked.

            "Tomoyo insists on the wedding to continue. Shun-kun and I think we should wait another week until she regains her full strength."

            "Mother, please. The doctor said I could have fainted because of stress. It may have nothing to do with my leukemia," Tomoyo sighed. "Everything is ready. There's no point in postponing anything." She turned to her fiancé. "Right?"

            "Are you sure you're up to it?" Satoru asked.

            "I will walk down the aisle come Sunday," Tomoyo declared.

            Sakura and Syaoran both caught a look in her eye. "Could we talk with her?" Syaoran asked.

            "Sure," Satoru headed out the door and Sonomi followed, hoping to find the doctor. When Syaoran closed the door, Sakura spoke, "Why are you so anxious to get married?"

            "Because there's nothing left."

            Syaoran looked over to her. "You're referring to Hiiragizawa?"

            Tomoyo looked up.

            "What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

            Her best friend sighed. "It's just so complicated."
            "Well, you can explain it to him when he gets here," the amber eyed teen said.

            Tomoyo stared back.

            Meanwhile, Hiiragizawa Eriol finally found the room Tomoyo was in. He opened the door just a crack, to make sure he got the right place.

            "Why did you tell Eriol to come?" asked Tomoyo's distressed voice.

            "Why? You don't want to see him?" Syaoran responded.
            "I...I don't," Tomoyo answered.

            "Why not?" Sakura asked.

            "Be-because there is no reason to see him! I don't want to see him!"

            Eriol pulled the door shut. You're a fool, he scolded himself. He hurried here to make sure she was well and she didn't even want him around. Baka. Eriol turned and sadly walked away.

            "I still don't understand why..." Sakura stated.

            "Because Eriol says he's in love with me. If..." Tomoyo gulped, "if I can push him away, he'll be able to find a new life...a new love...without me..." Tears formed as she muttered the last two words.

            Eriol had arrived home soon after. He sat in front of his grand piano in the ballroom. His fingers moved as if they had a mind of their own, and he started playing the song they created, singing the lyrics in his head.

            You were always the cold one, but I was never that sure...You were all by yourself, staring up at a dark gray sky...

            He thought back to that one rainy day when Tomoyo provided him her umbrella's shelter as they walked home. He was miserable and wanted to be alone but she was a good Samaritan and helped him when he needed it.

            I wanted to hold you, I wanted to make it go away...I wanted to know you, I wanted to make your everything, alright...

            His thoughts returned to the time she took him to the hill, where they yelled out their wishes. At that very spot, they grew close, and were on first-name basis. She gave him her warped, but effective, therapy.

            The song's words recalled memories of the past months. Then his hands fell. "Impossible," he muttered.

            It was late afternoon...It was late in September... staring up at a dark gray sky...you were always the cold one...I was changed...

            Her words were their memories. She wrote that song for them. Did she do that on purpose? "Blast it!" Eriol slammed the cover shut.

            "What's wrong?" came a voice. He looked up and saw Nakuru at the doorway, with Spinel on her shoulder. "What is it Eriol?"

            "Nothing," he turned on the bench, his back facing the piano.

            "We finished packing," Spinel said. As Nakuru approached their master, Spinel flew to his lap. "Must we leave Master?"

            "Yes," Eriol stroked the black cat-like guardian's back.

            "Why?" Nakuru whined.
            "Because there is nothing for us here."

            "For you there is: Tomoyo-chan!"

            Eriol's eyes fell. "She's getting married."

            "Fight for her; like in the movies!"

            "No."

            "Why not?" Nakuru asked.

            "It will do nothing."

            "Try it!"

            "I won't!" Eriol exclaimed, his eyes closed shut. Nakuru jumped back. After a heavy sigh, Eriol reopened his eyes. "I...I can't fight fate. Fate always wins. It was fate to fall in love with her, it was fate for her to be a fiancée to another..and..." Eriol hung his head. "It is now fate...for her to die."

            Spinel felt something fall at the tip of his wings. He looked behind him, to see the disturbance. "Water?" he looked up and saw a few tears on his master's cheeks. Never has he seen his master cry.

            Nakuru, upon noticing, sat down beside him on the piano bench. "She doesn't love me...and she doesn't want me around her so I...I can't be there for her when she leaves this world," Eriol continued. "My Tomoyo is dying...and I'm absolutely powerless. I lose her in more ways than one. There's…there's nothing left." He continued to slowly cry as Nakuru pulled him close to her, his head upon her shoulder.

            "Sunday," she whispered. "Sunday, we will leave Tomoeda."

...to be continued =)

Author's jibberish: Oh poor Eriol! I wonder what he really looks like if he cries...I know that's kinda mean. Anyway, the end is coming really soon!