I just want to say, that I'm soo sooo sorry for the delay in this chapter. gomen gomen gomen!!! Anyhoo, here it is:

Chapter 11

"November 10th," Tomoyo said aloud to herself while writing the Japanese characters neatly in her diary. The sun's warm rays were shining into her room, casting a soft yellow glow on her study table where she sat.

'Yesterday was quite an eventful day. The days seemed to have passed like the passing of the wind lately, and I've barely had time to record anything. Not long after I made the costume for Sakura-chan, she wore it when she went to save Tomoeda from the meteor. We discovered that the meteor wasn't just a floating piece of rock, it was actually a Star Guardian created by Clow-sama a long time ago. At least, that is what I've come to understand so far. It was only yesterday evening that she revealed her name to be Seika. She didn't really say it to us though; she was talking to this guy who calls himself "Akuma". Kind of interesting, don't you think? Well, Sakura-chan is resting now (she lost consciousness after Akuma took her, but thank goodness Seika-san rescued her). I do hope she wakes up soon. Li-kun has been really worried about her.

About Hiiragizawa-kun... nothing has changed yet. I'm still positively sure he misses Kaho still; it's no surprise actually. I would miss Sakura-chan if she suddenly had to leave. I don't know if I should tell him, or for that matter, tell anyone. But this feeling in my heart, it just wouldn't go. I feel I have to tell someone, but who?'

"... But who?" She echoed softly to herself as she set her pen down and closed the book. Getting up from the chair, she took the book and placed it neatly into the drawer, pushing it in so that it shut with a slight 'tap' sound. Turning to the windows, she stared solemnly below at the garden. Her eyes softened at the beautiful scenery made up by just a bunch of blossomed flowers and their leaves. Her mind came to focus however, on the garden swing. Her heartbeat quickened, remembering the night she met him there. Eriol...

Her heart thumped in her chest, despite her silent protests against it. She closed her eyes, trying to tell herself to stop all this silliness over someone she would probably never have. It was plan foolishness, an emotion purely of a childish nature. Or so she took it to be. Her Sakura-chan craze never got her anywhere anyway. But this feeling in the heart now, was in a way very different from what she felt for Sakura then. Strange to say, it intimidated her. For that second that she stood there with her eyes shut, she recalled the times she spent with Sakura, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly at the hilarious moments Sakura had filled her life with. When she opened her eyes though, she was faced with the garden swing once more. She felt her spirits take the dip again. Why? Why couldn't things be different? Everyone seems to be finding happiness except me.

The grandfather clock in the hallway struck 7, diverting Tomoyo's attention away from the garden as she turned to take a look at the time.

"Sou da neh! I was supposed to see Kaa-san off to work!"

Quickly, Tomoyo grabbed up her nightgown and headed for the door. The long trails of the nightgown would be most hazardous to her while she rushed down the stairway.

Just in time! There at the front door was Sonomi; ticking off her checklist on a bright red clipboard while her bodyguards carried the bags of luggage out to the cars.

"Kaa-san!" Tomoyo called as she ran to her mother.

"Tomoyo-chan!" said Sonomi, smiling at the sight of her beloved daughter. "You made it in time, I was just about to step out."

"How long will you be gone this time?"

"Well... I suppose around 2 weeks or so. My schedule's not really confirmed yet, but I'll call you from America."

Tomoyo tried her best to hide the disappointment she felt, but it must have shown anyway, as Sonomi stooped down to give her a reassuring hug. "Daijoubu. I'll be back before you know it. Besides, Sakura-chan and your other friends will be here for some time neh?"

"H..Hai"

"I have to go now, or I'll be late for the conference," Sonomi said, looking apologetically at Tomoyo.

"Wakarimashita, Kaa-san."

With a final hug, Sonomi left the Daidouji compound on yet another business trip. Tomoyo had noticed the increasing frequency of those of late. Perhaps it could be because Sonomi felt Tomoyo was old enough to take care of herself, and responsible enough to keep things running while she was away. Either way, Tomoyo had the house to herself again. Not that she was really alone this time.

She walked slowly up the stairs, but decided to take a different route to her room. Getting off at the top floor which consisted of all the guest rooms, Tomoyo headed for the door closest to her on her left of the long corridor. Eriol's room. She faced the door now, wondering if he could feel her most likely unwanted presence. Her hand hesitated at the doorknob. Perhaps, I could just say I was asking what they would like for breakfast. Her hand inched closer, her middle finger just touching the doorknob. No, but he… he probably doesn't care about anything that I do. And after that night at the swing, I don't know what kind of explanation I should give. Her arm dropped flatly at the side, away from the chance to talk to Eriol. He doesn't feel anything for me. Kissing Mizuki-sensei should have told me enough. Tomoyo turned away from the door, walking to the opposite side of the corridor in some pathetic attempt to get as far away from his room as possible. Half of her wanted so badly for him to just call her now, even if that would mean he knew all along she was outside his room. The other half of her would prefer if that did not happen. Is love this confusing?

She stood in the middle of the passageway, staring blankly into emptiness. I have to tell someone, or I think I'll go crazy. But was it a wise decision to let loose how she felt at a time like this? Would anyone be able to help her? It was a thing seldom noticed by anybody, how alone Tomoyo really was. Alone in her house. Alone as a person.

*~*~*~*~*

"HoE!" Sakura sat bolt upright in her bed.

"Daijoubu?" asked a gentle but concerned voice by her side.

"Tomoyo-chan!" Her best friend was sitting on a chair beside her bed, and apparently, giggling at her shocked reaction.

"It's good to see you're ok. You've been unconscious since yesterday evening," explained Tomoyo.

"Soka… neh Tomoyo-chan, I just had this horrible dream!"

"What was it about?" Tomoyo asked in concern.

"Anou… anou… " [sweat drop] Sakura looked embarrassedly at her friend before admitting that, "I forgot."

The two girls laughed together, the sound of their laughter similar to when they just became best friends four years ago. It was strange yet comforting the way some things never change despite the passing of time. Sakura felt it was good that she'd come to acknowledge that. When their laughter died down and the room became silent again, they smiled at each other, remembering old times. How her past had seemed so carefree compared to now was a mystery to her, and it upset her at times too. However it was friends like Tomoyo and Syaoran who kept her going all the way. She certainly felt thankful for Tomoyo just then.

Hoe? Sakura edged closer to Tomoyo and took held her hand. "Tomoyo-chan, daijoubu?"

Tomoyo was visibly shocked, and the smiled wiped itself off her face. "N-nani?" she stammered.

"You look distressed. And the last few days that I saw you, you looked… you didn't look too good."

Tomoyo looked away from her though, and kept silent. Having never seen her best friend act this way before, Sakura was understandably puzzled. Still she urged her gently, not thrown off by Tomoyo's unusual hostile behavior. Sakura's persistence finally won her over.

"I… I've been keeping something from you, though it is actually no concern to you," said Tomoyo, her eyes finally meeting with Sakura's again. "I actually came here this morning hoping to tell you."

"What is it?"

Sakura could see her friend hesitate, but she wanted to know, no, she needed to know what was troubling her friend so that she could help. After all, Tomoyo had helped her countless of times. It was time for her to repay Tomoyo for her kind deeds. "Tomoyo-chan, you know you can tell me. I'll help in whatever way I can."

Tomoyo nodded, almost as if she was reassuring herself more than agreeing with Sakura.

"For some time now, over the past two years I mean, I developed some… some feelings for…"

"for..?"

"Hiiragizawa-kun."

"Eriol-kun??" asked Sakura, trying to make her tone sound more like a confirmation than an exclamation.

"Hai… Eriol-kun."

"Well then, what's the problem?"

Tomoyo sighed. "Sakura-chan, Hiiragizawa-kun loves Mizuki-sensei."

"NANI? HONTOU??"

[sweat drop] (Tomoyo: You don't have to say it so loudly!)

"Hai. I've known that for a while, ever since we met both of them together two years ago," Tomoyo said, her hands moving away from Sakura's to play with a lock of her long dark hair. "I know it's wrong for me to feel such things, after all Hiiragizawa-kun has his eyes set on someone else already. But…"

Suddenly Sakura felt something. She didn't want to be mean by interrupting Tomoyo, but she felt she had to. "Tomoyo-chan," she cut in.

"Demo," Tomoyo continued, "I don't know how to rid myself of these feelings. I try to everyday but I can't. I just- "

Sakura felt she could do nothing more than to cover Tomoyo's mouth, silencing her to nothing more than a muffle. She really didn't want to, but that was the only thing she could do now, being that she was in no condition to call out any of her cards at the moment. No sooner had she done so that there was a knock on the door.

"Sakura-san," called a friendly voice.

"Ah hai!"

"Ohayo gozaimasu," said Eriol as he opened the door and stepped into the room. "Areh? Sakura-san, what are you doing to Tomoyo-san?"

"HOE!" Sakura removed her hand covering Tomoyo's mouth, the muffling sounds revealing themselves to be cries of help for air. "SUMIMASEN TOMOYO-CHAN!!!" In her hurry she covered poor Tomoyo's nose along with her mouth.

Tomoyo coughed a bit before finally managing to regain her composure. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Hiiragizawa-kun," was the first thing she uttered. Despite the fluster she was in about Tomoyo, Sakura couldn't help but notice that Eriol had called Tomoyo by her name. That must be a sign that I'm improving! I actually observed something! [^_^;;;]

Eriol simply smiled. "Ogenki desu ka?" he asked Sakura. [How are you?]

"Mm!" Sakura nodded cheerfully, "genki desu! Okagesama de." [I'm fine! Thank you for your kind thought.]

"Ii desu. Oh by the way, I got a message from your father." [Ii desu: That's ok]

"Message? How?"

"Through here," said Eriol, tapping the side of his head. "He and I are connected, remember?"

"Sou desu ka? Sumimasen! I forgot!"

Tomoyo giggled again. "Sakura-chan seems to be having a forgetful-day!"

"Aa," said Eriol, smiling in agreement. "Your father said you have to be back soon. He has something important to talk to you about."

"Wakata."

"Dewa, I'm going off to make preparations now. We will be leaving soon to go look at the portal Seika came from. I suggest you don't come along with us though, you need to rest, Sakura-san."

As soon as he stepped out of the room and was out of earshot, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. "Gomen nasai Tomoyo-chan. I didn't mean to interrupt you just now, but I felt him coming and I had to stop you before he overheard."

Tomoyo smiled gratefully. "Arigatou gozaimasu. I'm not sure what I would've done if he found out," she said, her words and the voice that carried them made her sound like such a vulnerable and defenseless person, Sakura thought.

Sakura hugged Tomoyo, understanding the pain her friend had been feeling for so long, and hoping she was in anyway, helping. "We can talk more later when Eriol-kun has gone."

"Hai."

*~*~*~*~*

Yukito sat at the dinning table gobbling down pancake after pancake, and drinking from the carton of milk beside his plate.

"HEY! Leave some for me!" protested the little Sun Guardian beside him, grabbing at the last pancake.

"Mah Kero-chan!" came the reprimanding bark from Sakura, or should he say, his other self's mistress?

He could feel it exceptionally strong today, the uneasiness that had been welling up in him the past few days. He expected it would at least affect his appetite, but no, his other self probably didn't allow that to happen. Around him the others were talking, what about he didn't know. Usually he didn't like so be so self-absorbed, but he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the sensations running through his body. It was as if he was feeling the effects that one would have if homesick: that sickening pang that hits the top of your stomach. Yet he still felt as hungry and alive as ever. Another thing was that he could feel Yue was awake, even inside him. Yue usually would choose to sleep than to watch the world through Yukito's eyes. Strange? Definitely. So why was it Yue decided to stay awake now?

Yukito had little time to notice the new girl he was sitting beside. She was dressed in what he would describe to be, quite elegant for the occasion. Her long light blue hair lay in a perfectly smooth wave over the backrest of the chair, almost touching the floor on the other side. There was a helpless look to how she was staring at her pancakes however.

"Here, I'll help you," Yukito offered. After accepting the go-ahead from the girl, proceeded to slice up the pancake for her.

"Now you just take the fork," he said, lifting up his fork to show her which utensil it was, "and eat with it," he demonstrated by popping a piece of pancake into his mouth. The girl looked at him with a somewhat awed expression on her face before following his actions. She obviously wasn't too familiar with English utensils.

"Oishii," said the girl after swallowing a piece. She smiled slightly at him, in a way that sent a pang at his stomach. "Arigatou gozaimasu." There came another, stronger than before, pang at his stomach. Yukito had the gut feeling Yue wasn't in the least bit at ease with this girl. Naze ka? Sometimes Yukito wished that Yue would communicate with him more. They were using the same body after all.

"Seika-san," called Sakura, "I thought you didn't eat?"

So her name is Seika.

"I decided to try it," she said, "since Yukito-san seems to enjoy it so much."

"By the way Sakura, will you be going soon?" asked Eriol.

"Hai. I was planning to make a move after breakfast. Ottou-san will be worried."

"Yes I should think so too," said Eriol, "I'll see you tonight then, when all of us are back here."

"Aa," agreed Syaoran.

"I'll go back with you Sakura-chan," Yukito said. There was something he would like to talk to Touya about too.

A short while later, Sakura got up from her chair. "Yukito-san, Kero-chan, if both of you are done we can leave now," she said cheerfully.

"Hai," said Yukito, getting up from his chair to join her.

"Chotto matte!!" cried Kero-chan, trying to grab for the pile of pancakes freshly served for Nakuru. [chotto matte: wait, slow down]

"You are such a glutton," said Suppi-chan.

"Kero-chan!" scolded Sakura, pulling him off the table by his tail. "Mah yi yoh!" [I'm not sure if this is the correct way to write it, but it means something like 'that's enough']

"JA NE~!" said Nakuru in her usual singsong voice.

"Dewa konban," said Eriol. [Till tonight]

Syaoran got up from his seat, finishing what was left of breakfast quickly. "I'll walk with you," he said.

"Hoe? Shaoran-kun, you're coming along too?" asked Sakura.

"Aa. I'll go home after you."

Tomoyo got up from her seat as well. "I'll walk you to the door," she said to them with her usual smile. "Oh yes Sakura, did you remember anything about the dream?"

"Dream? You had a dream, Sakura?" asked Kero-chan, "Why didn't you tell me???"

"Oh uh… that dream… (hehehe… )," said Sakura nervously.

"… WELL?" said Kero.

Sakura closed her eyes and tried to recall her dream, her brow knitting together while she concentrated. Finally after a few thoughtful minutes, her effort proved fruitful.

"I remember!"

"What is it?" asked Eriol, "You know your dreams always meant something important."

"I dreamt…" Sakura began, turning to look at Seika with solemn eyes. "I dreamt, that Seika-san died!"

*~*~*~*~*

Translations
(honestly i feel too tired at the moment to do this...)
Oishii: Delicious
Naze: Why

If there are anymore which i think there positively are, i might fix them later. the majority of it is translated in brackets already.

Scribbles
Gosh has it really been a month? Time flies i must say... Well school was keeping me up. I know, bad excuse, but it's the truth anyway. I feel this chapter sux. Right to the core it does. But its one of those linking chapters you cant do away without. argh. Ok, i really dont have time to write anymore. Its 3am and i have school in approximately 4 hours time of which i'd have to wake up at 5.45am. hate school hate school hate school.
Anyways, as always, do please review or i'd think there's not much reason in continuing the story and just end it midway. Oyasumi nasai~!