Author's notes: Thanks for reviewing Kat, Lioness, samurai-worrior and wackawacknow!; your reviews are the foundation of my story! ^_-

~thoughts~ - character thoughts
" "- quotes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7 - The Greatest Fear is Fear Itself

It's been a week since the explanation; Taeia and Ming became more close to the Cardcaptor gang than ever.

"Where is Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked searching for her best friend

"I think she has choir practice" Eriol came up behind her "but it should be over by now"

"Let's go find her" the Cherry Blossom and the Englishman went off to find the amethyst-eyed girl

They found her in the music room ready to leave. She waved to her two friends.

"Where is Syaoran-kun?" the girl asked, "He's usually with you, Sakura-chan"

"He's outside waiting for us" the Card Mistress replied

"Oh¡­um¡­I can't go with you guys" Tomoyo bit her lips for an excuse "I'm going home a different way today"

"But your still going home right?" Eriol spoke up "Why can't you go with us if you're going home?"

"Gomen nasai (very sorry), but I just can't go, alright?" She said inaudibly as she turned and left quietly

"Sakura-chan you and my cute descendant go on ahead," Eriol walked after the violet-eyed girl "Tomoyo-chan and I will catch up"

The dark-haired teen walked out of the school, glad to get some fresh air

The young wizard followed close behind

"Tomoyo-chan, what's wrong?" He asked once he catches up with the girl

"What do you mean, Eriol-kun?" She plastered a smile on her face

"Come on, I think I been friends with you enough to know that from a real smile" He exclaimed

"Even though I been friends with Sakura ever since we're little," Tomoyo dropped her inner mask "I think you are the only one who really understands me"

"That's because we're very similar Tomoyo-chan" Eriol glanced at the girl next to him "now, you haven't answer my question yet"

"I told you, it's nothing" She said quietly

"Sounds more like your trying to convince yourself" He replied "You been avoiding my cute descendant and Sakura-chan a lot lately. You can always tell me what's wrong, I'm here"

Tomoyo was silent for a moment.

"I don't know, Eriol-kun" She broke the silence "I always thought Sakura-chan's happiness is my happiness, but now, whenever I see Syaoran-kun and Sakura-chan together¡­I felt more lost¡­alone...and uncertain than I ever did before.

"Uncertain?" The reincarnation asked

"Yes, uncertainty for the future" Tomoyo's voice was wistful, just above a whisper "Syaoran-kun and Sakura-chan will be together and they have Ming-kun, and you have Taeia-chan, but who do I have? No one, I'll always be alone"

"Tomoyo-chan, listen to me" Eriol's voice was low and soothing "No one is certain of the future and futures can be changed. You'll always have me for your friend, no matter what. I promise."

The dark-haired girl smiled a rare genuine smile

"Feeling better?" Eriol asked

"A lot better than before" She said sincerely

"Then, I'll take you home" He grinned putting a hand around her shoulder

"Arigatou (thank you)" Tomoyo snuggled a little into he's chest

Suddenly, Eriol stopped

"What's wrong?" She asked

"I sensed a Clow card's magical aura," the Englishman's expression turned serious "probably one of the four cards that Taeia-chan and Ming-kun was trying to capture"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" The lavender-eyed girl exclaimed as she and Eriol ran toward where the source of the aura came from.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's coming from over there" Taeia shouted

"I see it" Ming came up behind her

Taeia had her sealing wand already transformed.

A humanoid figure was sitting on the branch of a near by tree. It wore a dark cloak with a hood. The covering was draped over its face hiding its features. The card jumped down from the tree and stopped in front of the pair.

At that, Syaoran and Sakura arrived follow by Eriol and Tomoyo.

The card looked at the six humans and one guardian in front of him.

"It's the Fear card," Re said as she examines the card in front of her "Fear seek out people who doesn't believe in love and are very insecure, using that insecurity against them and consume their heart"

Suddenly Fear pointed directly at Tomoyo. It transforms itself into a vague blur and blast toward her.

Everything happened in a few seconds, no one had the chance to react. The Card captors watched in horror as the Fear had injection itself into her heart. Tomoyo's eyes widen as she gasped softly. Slowly she closed her eyes and collapsed.

"Tomoyo-chan!" Eriol caught her just in time

Her eyes are opened, but they were blank and glassy like a doll's.

Every one gathered around the fainted girl.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside Tomoyo's Mind)

Tomoyo woke up on the ground.

"Where is everyone?" She wondered out loud

~Don't you see? ~ Her own thought came to her in a mocking tone ~your 'friends' abandoned you~

"No they haven't" She argued, "I know they would never do that"

~Do you really know them? ~ The same scornful voice came again ~you think you know someone, then they turn their backs on you~

"Who are you?" She asked

"Hoe? What are you talking about, Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura came up behind her best friend.

"Sakura-chan! I'm glad you're here" She embraced the green-eyed girl "Where are we?"

"Follow me" The Cherry Blossom giggled and dashed away

"Where are we going?" Tomoyo followed her

"Don't you trust me?" Sakura turned to her best friend

"Of course I do" Tomoyo smiled

"Good, then come on" She took off running once again

She followed Sakura for a few minuets, but a thick fog settled in making it a lot harder for her see.

"Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo shouted, "Where are you?"

"Here!" Came a voice

Tomoyo pursue the voice, suddenly the fog cleared up. The violet-eyed girl saw that she was on the edge of a cliff.

"Whoa" She looked down at the endless canon below the overhang

Suddenly a force pushed Tomoyo over. She quickly grabbed what ever she could to keep from falling.

Sakura's face shown over the cliff. Her normally innocent face twist into a sneer

"You were never my friend" She spat "Hope you 'hang' around."

She laughed, a evil filled laughter that echoed through out the cannon

Tomoyo felt all the hope drain out of her and tears came out of her eyes.
~ See? I told you~ The Voice was back again ~your friends have betrayed you. Why don't you just let go, and just end it all. Do it¡­Do it¡­Do it¡­ ~
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Present)

"Her heart beat is weakening" Ming reported when he took her pulse

"We have to do something quick" Sakura spoke with a note of panic in her voice

"I have an idea," Eriol looked up to everyone "but it's not guaranteed to work. I can probably try to communicate with Tomoyo inside her mind, but I don't know if I have that much magical powers left."

"I believe in you, Otousan (father)" Taeia put a hand on his shoulder "you can do it"

"I hope so" Was the reply.

Eriol placed his hand on Tomoyo's forehead and closed his eyes
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside Tomoyo's mind)

~Do it¡­Do it¡­Do it¡­~ the voice surround her

The Dark-haired girl was just about to let go when a gentle voice spoke

"Tomoyo-chan?" Eriol's voice broke through "Are you there?"

"Eriol-kun?" The girl asked

"Tomoyo-chan, listen, you are possessed by a Clow card, don't believe what it says or do." Eriol warned "Just remember, your friends will *never* betray you. Whatever happens I'll be here for you. I promise¡­"

~Eriol-kun is right, Sakura-chan would never do that~ Tomoyo thought, she proceed to climb up toward the top of the cliff. She made it finally

~NO!!! ~ The Voice screamed ~this cannot happen! ~
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Present)

The shadow shot out of Tomoyo's chest.

"Sealed the card!" Ming said to Taeia

"Right" She took the sealing wand into both of her hands "Fear card, return to your powers confined! Fear card!"

The card dissolved into card form. Ming and Taeia let out a sigh of relief and went back to Tomoyo.

"Eriol-kun?" She whispered as her eyelids flutter open.

She sat on the ground and buried her face in her hands. Her body trembled as muffled cries could be heard

Eriol put an arm around the weeping girl's shoulder and motions for the others to go on ahead

He hugs the girl to his chest

"I¡­I-I don't want to pretend anymore, I don't want¡­don't want to lie to myself anymore¡­I don't" Tomoyo's words choked as waves of sobs overtook her "I don't want to be lonely¡­I don't want to smile through my pain¡­not anymore¡­"

"SSsshh, you don't have to" Eriol gently rocked the girl in his arms

"Arigatou (thanks) Eriol-kun," She raised her eyes to meet his gaze "If it weren't for you, I'm most likely dead by now"

Tomoyo stopped crying and settled in the young wizard's arms

"As good as this feels," She gently pushed him away "It'll all be over soon and I don't want my heart to be broken again"

"Tomoyo-chan," Eriol lightly tilted her chin gazing into her eyes "I'll never break your heart"

He's eyes search for her permission and lean forward. She closed her eyes and their lips touch softly. Tomoyo draped her arms around Eriol's neck. The kiss was short but sweet.

"Ashiteru, Eriol-kun" Tomoyo whispered

"I love you too, Tomoyo-chan" Eriol held her closely

Suddenly a blaze of light came form a near by tree.

"Oops¡­Maybe I shouldn't have used the flash" came within the tree

Soon Sakura, Syaoran followed by Taeia and Ming came from where they were hiding.
"We were worried about Tomoyo, so we stayed behind" Explain Sakura

"But we never expected *that*" Syaoran filled in, smirking

"I hope your not lonely anymore, Okaasan (mother)" Taeia slapped her forehead groaning for her slip of information

Everyone's attention turned to Taeia

"Did you just call me¡­Okaasan (mother)?" Tomoyo asked

"Yes, might as well tell you" Taeia sigh

Tomoyo glanced at Eriol and both flush crimson

"It's been a exhausting day, let's go home" All agreed.
------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Continued
What do you think? Feel free to submit you comments to me through E-mail! R&R Plez!