Finally~! The long awaited E&T scene... ok ok, I won't spoil it for you, just read ^_^

Chapter 7

Strolling thought the garden, Tomoyo let her hands trace lightly over the well-trimmed hedges, brushing over the soft petal flowers. She breathed in the cool air, filing her lungs with its freshness. It was late, no actually early, very early in the morning. The stars still blinked at her when she looked up at the night sky, and the moon was shining in all its radiance. There was still some time before the sun would make its grand entry.

She hadn't been able to get much sleep the last night. Then again, she hadn't been getting much sleep lately. Sighing, she closed her eyes, letting her feet guide her way. She knew the path by heart; she walked here almost everyday of her life. One… two… three… she counted her footsteps, walking slowly and gracefully. Five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten. She opened her eyes, knowing exactly where she would find herself. And so she did find herself where she wanted to be, staring at the garden swing her mother had bought for her so long ago. This was where she'd spent most of her time in self-seeking, where hopefully answers were sent to her.

Tomoyo sat on the bench, using her feet to start the swinging motion. Surprisingly, the swing made not one sound as it began moving back and forth. Kaa-san must have gotten it oiled for me, she thought gratefully. Her thoughts were soon wandering again though, as she reflected on the previous day. Her heart was aching, but she knew she had to face reality. Kaho was gone, but that wasn't what was disturbing her at the moment. No... it was more hurting thing than she could ever imagine.

She clutched her head in frustration, hating herself at the moment. Tears were forming in her deep blue eyes, spilling themselves over and down her cheeks. Her feet stopped swinging the bench as she brought her legs up close to her body, hugging them tightly. Hiding her face in the folds of her nightgown, she gave way to the uncontrollable sobs that wrecked through her body.

*~*~*~*~*

Eriol was walking. Where to? He hadn't the slightest idea. At that moment, he didn't want to think, letting his feet guide was thinking enough. Thinking would only remind him of Kaho's absence, and what she told me before she left. He sighed. There before him was the Daidouji garden area. It looks almost like the garden we have in England. The garden where he and Kaho would spend their free time together. He shook his head, trying to remind himself that he didn't come out walking in the night just to remember about Kaho. Then why am I here?

He stopped for a second. Not because his question startled him, but rather because he heard the sound of a girl weeping. It took him awhile to be able to recognize the voice.

Tomoyo.

For he had never in his life, heard this beautiful soul ever cry. She must be really upset about something to be crying… he thought. Quietly, he moved forward. It wasn't likely that she knew he was here, and he wasn't about to give her a fright by announcing his presence with uncalled-for noises. She is after all, the most observant person I've ever known.

He turned round the corner made by the hedges, and there he saw her. On the garden swing she sat, with her back facing him. He walked silently up to her as she continued crying, unaware of him. As troubled as he was feeling over Kaho's departure, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Tomoyo, even if he didn't know why she was so upset. He wasn't about to probe into her mind to find out though. All he wanted to do was comfort her, for it was so strange and unusual to see such a gentle person weeping in sorrow.

But he wasn't sure how to approach her. He stood where he was for a moment, just thinking about what to say. Perhaps he should just leave her alone, he thought to himself. Minutes passed, and she was still crying, and Eriol still thinking. His heart was urging him to say something, in fact, it was screaming at him to go up to her. So fine! I will. Taking the last few steps towards the swing, he placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Daidouji-san…" he called her quietly.

Tomoyo turned to face him in a flash, utterly shocked. "H-hiragi-gi-za-w-wa-k-kun!" she stuttered through her choking sobs. He smiled at her, not sure what to do. But she startled him by turning away.

"Please," she said softy after catching her breath, "leave me alone."

Though puzzled, Eriol chose not to leave her. She needs somebody, and with Sakura-san not around…, he felt as if it were his bounden duty to help her. He sat next to her on the swing, and was greeted with another surprised look from Tomoyo.

Yet again, she turned her back to him. "Please, leave me be. I-I'm sure you have more important things to attend to."

True, he did have more important matters at hand. But Eriol could tell Tomoyo didn't mean her words just then. Her voice said the words, but her heart meant something entirely different. He moved closer to her, with her back still facing him, and drew her towards him. She gasped at his touch, not expecting it from him. He gently leaned her onto himself, and whispered comforting words into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her. "Daijoubu… it's alright, you can tell me."

Slowly, Tomoyo turned round to face him, and hugged him. She buried her face in his shoulder, and her grip on him was hard. He began to stroke her long dark hair, hoping it helped calm her a little. She stayed there for what seemed like the longest time, and Eriol waited with her. After all, what are friends for? But in his heart he knew he felt something more than that towards Tomoyo ever since that night at the restaurant, when her deep blue eyes had captured his attention.

Finally, her grip loosened, and her sobs quietened. She lifted her head to look her him, and Eriol couldn't help himself but look at those eyes again. His heartbeat was quickening, and he swallowed. She looked so beautiful in the moonlight, even if she had been crying.

Lifting her chin so that she was face-to-face with him, he asked her gently, "So, are you ready to talk about it?"

Tomoyo shook her head gently though. "I... I don't think I can tell you. Gomen nasai, Hiragizawa-kun..."

She got off the swing while she spoke, a look of sadness still lingering on her face. "I have to go now," she said. And before Eriol could put a word in, she was off and running.

"Tomoyo-san!" he called after her, though he already knew she wouldn't respond.

Sighing to himself, he tried to recollect his thoughts. But the receding figure of Tomoyo proved to be more than a little distracting. No, I came here to think about something...

The garden around him suddenly began to swirl, forming into a different scene. Eriol knew this was a subconscious act of his magic on himself. And he knew what he was about to see too. When the walls and the floors finally fit into their places, he knew he was right. This was the thing that had been troubling him. It wasn't Kaho's departure. No, it was something much more disturbing. The room was Kaho's, right before she left for England again.

There she was, Kaho, holding his hands with hers. He watched as she began speaking to him.

"Eriol I have something to tell you." she said as her grip on his hands tightened. "Please listen to me, it's important."

"What is it?" He had asked her.

Kaho shifted uncomfortably, and she refused to meet his eyes. "When I return... from England I mean, your heart will belong to someone else." Her voice weakened near the end of her sentence.

"No, it will always be yours." He denied it instantly; insulted that she could've even uttered such a thing about them.

"Trust me," she said with tears in her eyes, "you will love someone else. I said this to Touya, and it will happen to you too." And then she gave him her last kiss before she took up her bags and left.

Eriol blinked, and everything was back to normal. He was in the garden again, sitting on the swing. He sighed again. Depression was beginning creep its way into his heart. Why would Kaho have said that? He thought miserably. Then the answer hit him, almost like a gunshot.

Tomoyo.

"But NO! That can't be!" he exclaimed out loud to himself in anger. Why would he fall for Tomoyo of all people? He loved Kaho, and he always would. They were meant for each other. But Tomoyo... there was something about that girl that was bugging him a little. And those eyes... Even if he knew Tomoyo possessed no magic whatsoever, he couldn't help but feel she had magically hypnotised him or something. Whenever he looked into her eyes, he seemed to forget everything else around him. NO! He shook his head. This was all getting rather confusing. After all, Clow was never good at matters of the heart, and neither was he. Getting up he started walking back to his room. Sleep… I need sleep. Whatever it was, he would sort it out when his mind was serving him better. Besides, there was this strange weather condition to think about, he thought as he looked up towards the sky. The clouds were swirling yet again.

*~*~*~*~*

Run, run… she told herself. At least she had won the prize for keeping up the cool demeanor long enough to make her escape. She couldn't stand him looking at her like that, and knowing that he probably didn't care any less what happens to her. He loves Kaho. Her observant eye had proved her six sense right. Just the day before, she saw them, kissing.

The tears were streaming down her face uncontrollably again. Wasn't this the very reason why she didn't want to tell Eriol her feelings? She knew she would be rejected. Well, sort of. But I love him. That was something she couldn't understand about herself. Why was she still feeling this way about him even when she knew for certain, he would never feel the same way about her?

She continued running until she reached her room. And even then, the tears wouldn't stop.

*~*~*~*~*

"Ohaiyo!" said Sakura as she came into the house.

"Ohaiyo!" greeted Tomoyo in return.

"Tomoyo-chan," said Sakura, "have you been troubled lately? It looks like you haven't had much sleep."

"Yeah," said Kero just by Sakura's side. "Your eyes are red."

"Oh it's nothing! Daijoubu!" Tomoyo said hastily, laughing nervously.

"Ok then… how's everything?"

"It's fine, though the being hasn't said another word, and I don't know if Yue has talked to her yet."

Sakura frowned. Yue said he would! She was getting a little frustrated, but stopped herself. She didn't want to impose anything on her moon guardian. It just didn't feel right. "Anou… can I speak to Eriol-kun then?"

"Sure, I'll lead you to his room," said Tomoyo.

"Where did Yue go to?" asked Kero, after realizing the moon guardian was missing in action.

"Oh he said Yukito-san had to go to work," Tomoyo explained. "He said he should be back by 5pm."

"OHAIYO SAKURA-CHAN!!!" yelled Nakuru, with Suppi at her side.

"You know, you really should stop shouting like that. One day Eriol might just find you too annoying and take away your voice," said Suppi.

Nakuru pouted. "MOU! Suppi-chan! Don't be such a wet blanket."

"Ohaiyo," greeted Sakura and Kero. "How's Eriol today?"

"Hmm… " Nakuru rubbed her chin, looking thoughtful. "Well he seemed pretty serious this morning, and he didn't want to go out for breakfast."

That's strange, thought Sakura. Why would Eriol be in a bad mood? But she waved the matter off. Maybe its just another guy thing, after all, Syaoran's like that too. She was about to walk happily on with Tomoyo when she couldn't help but notice her best friend was blushing.

"Hoe? Tomoyo-chan, is something wrong?"

"Oh um… nan demo nai! Nothing's wrong," said Tomoyo as she grabbed Sakura's arm. "Come on, Eriol is waiting."

"See you later!" yelled Nakuru behind them.

Very soon, they reached the suite Eriol stayed in. Sakura had noticed Tomoyo getting redder by the minute, but she decided not to ask about it. Lifting her hand, she was about to knock on the door when Eriol opened it himself.

"Ohaiyo, Sakura-san." Eriol smiled warmly.

"HOEE!"

"What is it Sakura? Did something just happen?" asked Kero in concern.

"Oh uh… nothing, I just got a shock when he opened the door, that's all," said Sakura.
[sweat drop by everyone]

"Well, please come in, there's something we must discuss," Eriol said. When Sakura had entered his room though, he stayed at the doorway, looking at Tomoyo. And she was looking at him.

"Eriol-kun?" called Sakura.

Eriol turned and smiled at her. "Sumimasen, I was distracted," he said, giving a side-glance at Tomoyo. Clearing his throat, he closed the door.


*~*~*~*~*

The clock read 6pm, and Yue was back in the Daidouji mansion. He did feel a little ashamed that he hadn't asked Seika anything the previous night, and grateful and Sakura had not scolded him for not carrying out her orders. He sighed, now walking towards her room. His mistress and former master had been talking about something earlier that day that he'd missed out on because Yukito had to go to work. Having a split personality was really tiring.

He knew though, something big was going to happen. Probably even bigger than the arrival of Seika. It was pretty obvious actually, even if they hadn't told him yet. The sky was already screaming its warning at them. Dark clouds again, and no rain. The same swirling clouds that had been there when Seika came. And there was the feeling of dark magic too.

Yue was approaching her room when suddenly a scream came from Eriol's room. Sakura! Quickly he rushed to the room. Banging open the door, he found his mistress being held by a whirlwind, and there was an unusual air pressure that held the Eriol, Syaoran, Nakuru and Tomoyo back. Sakura screamed again as she crashed through and out the window and the shards of glass sliced through her skin, the strange whirlwind was dragging her out of the room. The sky was black now, and the clouds were swirling madly above. And there was that same porthole in the clouds.

"SAKURA!!!" yelled Syaoran as he tried frantically to move forward to help her. Yue felt it very strongly now, the dark magic surrounding the room like a thick suffocating layer. Even he found it hard to move.

"WIND! COME FORTH!" commanded Syaoran as he struggled to lift his sword. A strong wind blew towards Sakura and circled around her, trying to draw her back to the room, but to no avail. "Damn!" cursed Syaoran.

Outside, an evil laughter could be heard. "So, you have the Clow cards now don't you?" boomed the loud voice coming from the angry clouds above. "I will kill you, just like I did Clow!"

The sun guardians were flying outside, trying to free their mistress, but they were blown back by the strong winds and crashed into the walls of the house. "I can't do anything!" said Cerberus, and Spinel Sun nodded in agreement. Yue tried to fly out to save Sakura, but the air pressure was so strong he could hardly breath.

"Now card mistress, it's time for me to conquer you just like I conquered Clow," said the voice.

"HELP ME!" Sakura screamed. Then her cries for help were silenced, as she was drawn up into the dark hole in the clouds.

Syaoran tried to move again, but his feet were rooted to the ground, and his arms felt as if they were tied by invisible ropes. "SAKURA!!! NO!!!"

*~*~*~*~*

Translations
 Ohaiyo: good morning
Daijoubu: I'm alright
Mou: expression of frustration
Hoe: Sakura's signature word (pronounced as 'ho-eh')
Nan demo nai: nothing
Sumimasen: excuse me

Scribbles
 Hmm... would you guys consider that a cliff-hanger? Let's see... problems I had here... for those of you who read this chapter before I altered it and are mad cuz that scene got cut out completely, well I don't care. I hated it anyway, made the story sound so utterly detestable. I didn't lie though, this chapter does contain E+T doesn't it? So you cant flame me on that.

Oh and many thanks to someone who gave me great advice on this chapter (thank you Celestial Guardian!). I did keep the Eriol-calling-her-Tomoyo part ^_^ for those of you who aren't familiar with Japanese culture, I'll explain. When a boy calls a girl by her name, it's implying that they have a close relationship, because usually if they are acquaintances, they would just address each other by their family names, like how Eriol used to call Tomoyo "Daidouji-san". And how (for those of you who watched the jap Cardcaptor Sakura version), Syaoran used to call Sakura "Kinomoto-san". Of course this works vise versa too... with the girl addressing the guy by his family name and such... like how Tomoyo calls Eriol "Hiragizawa-kun".

*whew* long explanation. Before I can continue with Chapter 8 and in so doing please my waiting-for-chapter8-desperately friend, I have to get a villain name first. It's what has been holding me back to some extent. So any ideas? Feel free to post them in a review that I'm already begging you silently to do. k? thanks.