Love Conquers All

Chapter 9

Author's jibberish: Over 10 reviews in one night…I'm glad everyone likes this story!

            Eriol sat in his pullout bed, listening to the radio, blinds wide open to the Hawaiian moonlight. She had practically been in the bedroom all day and evening, locking herself in without food. Why the hell did he do that with Kaho? He couldn't possibly be in love with her; not anymore. Why couldn't he just push her off and throw her out the door? Maybe because women are always his weak spot. Damn male hormones…Eriol thought. He knew a small, teeny part of him still wanted the familiarity of Kaho Mizuki. The rest of him knew exactly what he wanted. He pulled off his glasses and placed them on a nearby table.

Everybody needs a little time away

Just for a day

From each other

Even lovers need a holiday

Far away

From each other

            The bedroom door opened and Tomoyo stepped out. She stood in from of him, wearing a pale lemon nightwear. The shirt was a thin tank top, that ended at the ribs and shorts that ended at the top of her thighs. Eriol gulped. He mouthed the words 'Oh my god' but not one sound came out.

Hold me now

It's hard for me to say I'm sorry

I just want you to say

            "I couldn't sleep," she told him.

            "Uh-huh," he uttered.

            Tomoyo sat beside him, her hand on his knee. "May I stay with you? I seem to sleep well with you around."

After all that we've been through I will make it up to you, I promise you

And after all that's been said and done

You're just the part of me I can't let go

Eriol nodded dumbly. "Yah," was all he could say.

            She laid on her back, her arms out. "Aren't you going to lay down?"

            He did, his head lying against her shoulder and an arm around her. "I'm sorry…" he said. "Let me--."

            "Sh…" she brushed her fingers through his hair. "Don't talk about it."

            Eriol lifted his head. "But--."

Couldn't stand to be swept away Not for a day

From your body

Wouldn't want to be swept away

Far away from the one that I love

            Tomoyo tenderly tasted his lips with her own.  His heart calmed, knowing he could hold her again. "I understand," she breathed, their lips brushing one another.

            "You do?" he asked in disbelief. He watched her nod. "Will you leave me?"

Hold me now It's hard for me to say I'm sorry

I just want you to know

Hold me now

I really want to tell you I'm sorry

I could never let you go

After all that we've been through

I will make it up to you

I promise you

And after all that's been said and done

You're just the part of me I can't let go

            She kissed him again, wrapping an arm around him. Tomoyo pulled him down as she laid on her back, massaging her tongue with his own. The feeling drove Eriol to his own primal weakness. He fought every urge in his body, holding back every instinct not to make love to her. She slowly pulled away from him. "Does that answer your question?"

            Eriol nodded. He held her closely, tightly, not letting her go.

            Eriol overslept again. He always seems to sleep better with her around. He opened his eyes and noticed the other side of the bed empty. Maybe she went walking. Eriol got up and brought his glasses and walked to the bathroom, readjusting the crooked waistband of his pajamas. When he arrived in the bathroom, he quickly washed his face. He dried his face with a towel and placed it on the counter. He noticed her purple toiletry bag wasn't beside the sink. Eriol threw his towel over his shoulder and headed to the bedroom. The closet was wide open, filled with only his clothes. His eyes widened. Quickly, Eriol pulled on a white t-shirt, flip-flop slippers and ran out of his room.

            He bolted down the elevator and to the lobby desk. Mr. Tyler was standing behind the counter. "May I help you Mr. Hiiragizawa?"

            "Daidouji, the woman staying with me--."

            "Oh yes.  I saw her leave on the 6 am boat to Lihu'e to catch her flight. She paid for two weeks of your room. Is there a problem?" Mr. Tyler smiled pleasantly.

            Eriol shook his head. "Nothing…" Sadly, he turned and headed back to his room. When he arrived back, he flopped back in his pullout. He picked up his notebook and flipped through it. He hadn't written an ending. It was incomplete.

            Just like me…

            Many hours passed when Tomoyo arrived in Tomoeda. Tomoyo asked the cab driver to go to a certain house. Tomoyo brought her bags with her to the front door and rang the doorbell.

            The door swung open. A young woman with short auburn hair and emerald eyes smiled. "Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura smiled. "You're back from Hawaii?"

            Tomoyo sadly nodded. "I…I…" Tomoyo dropped her bags and wrapped her arms around her friend in a hug. "Please…" she muttered. "May I stay with you for the night?"

            "Of …of course," Sakura hugged her back, not knowing what to do. "What happened?"

            "Thank you," Tomoyo said, ignoring her question. She took her bag inside and headed to Sakura's room.

            "It's troubling," Sakura sighed. It was early morning. Syaoran had come over earlier, responding to Sakura's stressed voice. They sat on the couch, talking. Tomoyo was fast asleep in Sakura's bed. She handed him a box of candy.

            "Oh! Macadamian nut candy!" Syaoran ripped open the box like a little wolf, and pulled it open.

            "Syaoran!"

            "Wf?" Syaoran uttered, with 5 pieces in his mouth.

            "Something's wrong with Tomoyo. And…" Sakura trailed off, trying to calculate her words.

            "What?" his mouth was clear of chocolate.

            "There…was something different about her. When I hugged her, I felt something…someone…"

            His forehead creased. "Someone?"

            "Yes, it's like someone's essence is inside her."

            "Let's find out what it is," Syaoran suggested. They headed upstairs into Sakura's room.

            The couple quietly opened the door and checked on Tomoyo. She was fast asleep under the covers. While Sakura remained at the doorway, Syaoran gently touched Tomoyo's hand and closed his eyes. His eyes shot open and his hand retreated as if it was on fire. He quickly stormed for the hallway, closing the door behind him.

            "What's wrong?" Sakura asked.

            "There is someone inside her. It's a magical essence that strengthens by each passing second," Syaoran said. "It feels familiar…"

            "I know. It's almost like…"

            "…Clow Reed," he continued for her.

            "But how is that possible? He's been dead for so long."

            Syaoran frowned and crossed his arms. "He may be dead but his reincarnations aren't."

            Sakura's eyes widened. "You mean…?"

            "Hiiragizawa," Syaoran completed.

            "But we haven't seen him in so many years! How is that possible?"
            "Remember, she was away for two weeks. They could have ran into each other there."

            Sakura nodded. "Alright, but how did Eriol-kun's growing essence enter Tomoyo-chan?"

            "Um…" Syaoran looked to the floor uncomfortably. "I remember reading about something on certain western magics. When a man and woman become one, part of their souls belong to the other."

            "How do--?" Sakura saw Syaoran look up, a blush to his cheeks. "Oh…oh!" She finally realized his meaning. "You mean Eriol-kun and Tomoyo-chan; they…did…"

            "That's what I remember the text saying. But now she's upset," Syaoran said. "Something must have happened between them."

            "Poor Tomoyo-chan…" Sakura sighed.

            "I know," Syaoran said, hugging his fiancée. "She'll be ok."

            "That's not it, Syaoran. She's strong, too strong," Sakura explained, with tears in her eyes. "When I saw her, she was completely distressed. I could see in her eyes she wanted to cry so badly. But she won't let herself."

            Syaoran looked at her, confused.

            "She needs to grieve, Syaoran. Otherwise, she can't continue on.

…to be continued ^_^

Author's jibberish: Song is Chicago's or Az Yet's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry." Very very sad indeed…