LOVE OF AGES
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 2.
"Please mama? Please?!"
"I don't know, Tomoyo. This is really no place to have a disabled child visit. Perhaps if you were to visit him..."
"NO, mama! I want him HERE! I know he will like it, and he won't be any trouble, I promise!" Tomoyo begged, her beautiful amethyst eyes pleading. Daidouji Sonomi looked down at her daughter and sighed.
"I suppose. He does have someone to watch over him, am I right?"
"Yes. Totum-san is his nurse. She will bring him! Oh, I can't wait! May I call?" Tomoyo asked, her eyes now sparkling with enthusiasm. Sonomi laughed and gave the affirmative.
It had been almost a year since Eriol had first arrived, and all of Tomoyo's friends had grown to enjoy Eriol's company. Syaoran had discovered their mutual love of soccer, while Sakura found him an irreplaceable companion who would listen to her fears and hopes of the future. Yamazaki had been thrilled to learn that Eriol liked listening to his lies, while Naoko loved telling him her ghost stories, because he was such an attentive listener. Chiharu and Rika enjoyed simply talking to him, knowing that he understood and listened to every word they said.
Every one of them had started to invite him to their houses, or outings that they were going on, and Eriol enjoyed every minute of it. He especially liked when the whole group would go on trips to the zoo or the museum, because he would see things that he had never seen before...or never been able to see.
Now it was Tomoyo's turn to have him over. Milly had promised that if her mother gave permission, Eriol could come over for the whole afternoon this Saturday, and Tomoyo was just delighted. She quickly ran into the hallway to the telephone booth, and stepped inside. She dialed the number and impatiently waited for someone to answer.
"Hello?"
"Totum-san? Mama said he could come!" Tomoyo squealed. Milly laughed at the girl's enthusiasm.
"Wait Tomoyo. Why don't you tell Eriol yourself?" She suggested. There was the sound of the phone moving, and then a grunt.
"Eriol?"
*Grunt*
"Mama said you could come over! Ask Totum-san when you can come!" Tomoyo cried. There was an excited squeal from over the line, and then an laughing Milly took the phone again.
"He has insisted on waiting here by the phone all day, until you called. He hasn't moved an inch all morning!" Milly told the girl. Tomoyo laughed.
"Well, hurry over! I want to show him my garden!" She cried. They said goodbye and hung up. Then Tomoyo flew out of the booth, and into her mother's arms.
"He's coming! Mama, he's coming! Wait till' you see him!" She laughed, whirling off down the hall. Sonomi watched her happy child with a smile, and then quickly made her way to the front of the house to await their guests.
~*~*~*~
"ERIOL!"
Tomoyo ran down her front steps, hurrying to the door of the van which had just pulled up. She grinned at the woman in the driver's seat, and quickly opened the door next to which Eriol sat. With a giant smile, the girl looked up into the boy's eyes. He was propped up against the car-seat, with a specially-made pillow supporting his head and neck, allowing him to see in front of him. The pillow was special, because for one, it wrapped around his neck loosely, like a giant horse-shoe, and two, it was made by Tomoyo herself.
Eriol gave a grunt of delight, as Milly quickly un-strapped him and situated him in his wheel-chair. The boy's eyes smiled at the little girl, and she answered with a joyous smile of her own.
"Mama, this is Eriol!" Tomoyo stated, as her mother came up behind them. Sonomi stopped in wonder, and then growing delight, seeing how happy her daughter was with this strange boy. Without a further word, Tomoyo walked behind the chair and slowly pushed Eriol down the path to the large gardens in the back. Milly and Sonomi watched them go, and then slowly followed.
"Thank you for allowing Eriol to come. He has so little pleasure in his life." Milly murmured, as she watched the two go down the paths, Tomoyo pointing out interesting things, while Eriol squealed at all the right moments. Sonomi grinned.
"It is our pleasure. I usually have so little time to spend with Tomoyo, and I know that she was unhappy, but with my job, I just can't see any way around it. But then, one day, she came home talking about a boy named 'Eriol', and since then, I have seen her become quite a bit happier and more social. She even had some friends over a few days ago." Sonomi murmured, tears of relief filling her eyes. She led Milly over to a stone bench where they sat and watched the two happy children.
"I suppose that they are good for each other. Eriol needed Tomoyo, and Tomoyo needed Eriol. You see, when we lived in England, Eriol would regularly become sick and disgruntled at even the smallest things. He had to have a home tutor because he rarely allowed anyone to take him from his bed." Milly's face fell at the remembrance.
"In his condition, though, it is no wonder. But when we moved here, his foster-parents insisted that we try public school once more. And the rest you most likely know. Your daughter is a treasure, Daidouji-san. And she is the greatest gift that anyone could have given Eriol. I am sure he will never be the same after this." Milly commented. Sonomi smiled.
"He certainly is a wonderful boy. And his eyes are so expressive...even while the rest of him is still. It is amazing. He looks to be a very intelligent boy." Sonomi commented. Milly nodded.
"He is. I just wish I could show his foster-parents that. But soon we won't have to worry anymore. I have filed to receive full guardianship of him, so I can take care of him fully. Eriol's parents gave him up when he was a baby, but they didn't completely take him out of their lives. They left most of their fortune and lands to him, no doubt thinking that he would die soon after receiving them, anyway. He and his sixteen year old cousin, Akizuki Nakuru, are very well endowed, in fact."
"He has a cousin?"
"Yes. Her parents are also dead, and she is under the guardianship of her god-mother. But both of them inherited millions from their parents, so they can both live comfortably. I am hoping that I can use some of that money on an operation for Eriol."
"An operation? Why?"
"Well, don't tell the children this, but it was discovered quite early in his life that Eriol had a tumor on his brain. It is most likely what is causing his immobility, and it is also slowly growing. It will have to be removed, or Eriol could die." Milly's voice was almost a whisper here, and Sonomi gasped.
"No! What would Tomoyo do? She would be devastated!"
"I know. But there's more. If I do indeed gain guardianship of Eriol, I also have to make one more sacrifice. We would have to move back to England. That is what the lawyers are telling me right now. I can't bear to tell Eriol, because I know that he will refuse...and it could be the only thing keeping him alive, at this point." Milly sighed, looking over at her dear young charge. Sonomi was silent for a moment.
"I have a young doctor friend in England, named Max Strosenburg. He specializes in this sort of thing. If it came to that, I could have him on hand, ready to take Eriol into surgery as soon as you arrived. It would be no trouble." Sonomi suggested. Milly looked like she could kiss her.
"Oh! Thank you! You see, I have been so worried lately. Despite his growing happiness and tranquillity, I can see that Eriol is slowly becoming sicker as the days progress. He is sleeping in more, when he can, and if you hadn't noticed, he is becoming quite pale and thin. He is eating less...that worries me." Milly sighed.
"I have called Eriol's cousin, Nakuru, and found her to be a delightful girl, full of life and eager to meet her cousin. She has invited us to stay at her home, until Eriol is well enough to go to his own. But...Tomoyo will not be there. That will hurt Eriol, more than the operation will make him well." Milly sighed. Sonomi thought for a moment.
"We will figure something out. Until then, let us just enjoy the present." She commented. Milly smiled and nodded, watching contentedly as Eriol let out a big squeal as he watched Tomoyo twirl in a shower of cherry blossoms.
~*~*~*~
Three weeks later, Tomoyo did not come to school. Her desk was empty and Eriol searched desperately for some sign of her.
"Tomoyo's sick, Eriol. Can I take you outside, today?" Sakura asked softly, her voice sad. Eriol's heart fell and he made no noise. Milly gently ushered the girl outside, and then returned to Eriol's side, only to find the boy staring blankly at the classroom wall.
Three more days passed like this, without Tomoyo, and Eriol sank more and more into despair. Slowly, the horrible thing that had taken over his body, was now showing itself even more. He quickly became weak and weary. Even having someone move his body tired him.
Finally, on the fourth day, Eriol too, did not come to school.
~*~*~*~
Tomoyo came back the day after Eriol disappeared. She, Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling, Naoko, Rika, Chiharu and Yamazaki begged the teacher desperately to tell them where Eriol was, but he only looked at them sadly, and told them that Eriol would no longer be coming to school.
"NO!" Tomoyo whimpered, stumbling back from her sensei's desk and then rushing out of the room, unheeding to the cries from her friends. On and on Tomoyo ran, out of the school grounds, past her own home. To a place she had begun to think of as a second home.
Eriol's house.
As soon as the exhausted girl reached it, she knocked furiously on the door, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Milly Totum opened the door, stunned to see the little girl standing there.
"I want Eriol." Was all the girl said, before bolting up the familiar stairs to his room. Though she had only been here twice, the girl had memorized every detail, knowing exactly where to go. Soon, she came upon his door and flung it open, only to step back in shock.
There was Eriol, pale and gaunt, lying with his back to her. He was so still...so still! Tomoyo could not take it!
"ERIOL! Eriol, please get up!" The little girl shrieked, rushing to his bedside and putting her hand on his shoulder. A weak, but happy grunt was all she got in return. Tomoyo had come back! She was well again! But both of them realized that he was not. There was a horrendous pain in Eriol's stomach, that made him wish he could curl up into a ball, and a great head- ache pounded his whole skull, making him dizzy. Through glazed eyes, Eriol saw Tomoyo's face appear in front of him, tear-streaked and pale.
"Everything is going to be all right, Tomoyo. Eriol and I will have to go away for a while, but god willing, he will be all right." Milly whispered, coming into the room. To Tomoyo's shock, her mother appeared behind her.
"I have the plane all ready for you. All you have to do is pack your things into it. You have our phone number, and I am counting on you to call us the minute you arrive." Sonomi insisted. Milly nodded, and then motioned in two men wearing white lab-coats. They swiftly placed Eriol on a stretcher, and then left for a moment, taking Milly and Sonomi with them. Tomoyo turned back to Eriol, sobs wracking her small body.
"Promise me you won't forget me! Promise me that you will be all right! Please, Eriol!" Tomoyo pleaded, her eyes shimmering with un-shed tears. Eriol grunted weakly, twice. He promised. Tomoyo whimpered and threw her arms gently about the prostrate boy, her lips close to his ear.
"I will never forget you, Eriol. Never..." She hesitated for a moment.
"I love you." She breathed into his ear. Eriol's heart rose and his pain eased for a moment.
'I love you too, Tomoyo. My Tomoyo-tenshi.' He thought. Tomoyo pulled back.
"Forever and ever, I'll love you." She whispered. With that said, she leaned down and gently pressed her lips to his in a warm, innocent caress. Eriol's mind numbed with shock, but his heart hummed, and he returned the kiss as well as he could, trying to show her how much he cared. Finally, she pulled back, just as the two men entered the room again. They picked up the stretcher, sending sad looks at Tomoyo, and then carried Eriol down the stairs and into the waiting ambulance outside.
Tomoyo and her mother rode along in silence, Sonomi keeping an eye on Milly, while Tomoyo only had eyes for her Eriol. He had been given a sedative, and was now sleeping peacefully, a look of slight pain still on his face. Tomoyo's face was now dry, due to her vow to stop crying.
Eriol was going to be fine. He was going to live and he was going to see her again soon. That was what Milly had promised, and that was what Tomoyo's mind kept repeating to herself. But somehow, Tomoyo's heart had a grave doubt about the last part.
~*~*~*~
"Goodbye, Tomoyo. Thank you for everything." Milly whispered as she hugged the little girl at the airport. Tomoyo stiffened and looked at Eriol from under her arm. He had woken up a little, and his eyes were on her...only her. She forced a tiny smile and walked over to him, placing her hand on his limp one.
"Remember, Eriol. You promised. I will see you again soon, my Eriol." Tomoyo whispered, her long, raven hair falling over their clasped hands as she whispered into his ear. A lock of it managed to work its way under his fingers, causing him to feel the silkiness of it.
*Flashback*
"Sakura, read to us!"
This came from Meiling, who was sprawled under one of the trees in their grove. All of them had finished eating lunch, and they were simply waiting for the bell to ring. Tomoyo and Sakura were at Eriol's feet, talking to each other quietly, while Syaoran and Yamazaki rolled the soccer ball between them. Naoko, Rika and Chiharu sat in a line, playing with each other's hair.
Eriol watched them in curiosity, his new head-pillow allowing him this delight. Tomoyo, seeing his stare, laughed and placed her hair into his lap.
"There. Now you can play with mine!" She giggled, placing one of his hands on top of her locks, then the other. Sakura smiled at this display and then began to read one of her new 'Arthur' books, while the others listened in attentiveness. Eriol however, only paid attention to the silky-soft locks of hair in his hands, which had twined themselves around his fingers.
They sat that way till the end of lunch, and Tomoyo was forced to pull her hair away. Inside, Eriol groaned, missing the feeling of the soft hair, so much like the person who was now his best friend.
~*~*~*~
His eyes met hers and did as she asked. He promised. With a small smile, she stepped away, and allowed the two men in white coats to lift Eriol onto the plane. Milly sadly followed them, sending one last glance back at Tomoyo and her mother. Then the door of the plane shut behind her and the engines flared up.
The plane taxied down the runway and then began it's assent into the air. Tomoyo watched it until it was no more than a speck in the distance before she turned, buried her head in her mother's stomach, and burst into tears.
~*~*~*~
*RING! RING!*
"Hello?"
"Sonomi?"
"Milly! How are you? How is Eriol?!"
"He is in surgery. The doctor was very kind, and took him in almost immediately. Eriol's cousin, Nakuru has just arrived, and the poor thing is pacing like crazy. The doctor told us not to worry...but what else can we do?"
Milly's voice ended with a sob. Sonomi sighed and gazed down at her daughter, who was lying on a love-seat in the front hall, where she had put her after the girl fell asleep crying. Tear-marks could still be seen on her cheeks, and her eyes were still red-rimed.
"Nothing else, except pray." Sonomi whispered. Milly smiled on the other end and nodded.
"Will do, most definitely. How is Tomoyo doing?"
"She's taking it rather hard. I just got her to fall asleep." Sonomi sighed. Milly smiled wistfully.
"They'll see each other again someday." She murmured.
"I'm sure they will."
~*~*~*~
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 2.
"Please mama? Please?!"
"I don't know, Tomoyo. This is really no place to have a disabled child visit. Perhaps if you were to visit him..."
"NO, mama! I want him HERE! I know he will like it, and he won't be any trouble, I promise!" Tomoyo begged, her beautiful amethyst eyes pleading. Daidouji Sonomi looked down at her daughter and sighed.
"I suppose. He does have someone to watch over him, am I right?"
"Yes. Totum-san is his nurse. She will bring him! Oh, I can't wait! May I call?" Tomoyo asked, her eyes now sparkling with enthusiasm. Sonomi laughed and gave the affirmative.
It had been almost a year since Eriol had first arrived, and all of Tomoyo's friends had grown to enjoy Eriol's company. Syaoran had discovered their mutual love of soccer, while Sakura found him an irreplaceable companion who would listen to her fears and hopes of the future. Yamazaki had been thrilled to learn that Eriol liked listening to his lies, while Naoko loved telling him her ghost stories, because he was such an attentive listener. Chiharu and Rika enjoyed simply talking to him, knowing that he understood and listened to every word they said.
Every one of them had started to invite him to their houses, or outings that they were going on, and Eriol enjoyed every minute of it. He especially liked when the whole group would go on trips to the zoo or the museum, because he would see things that he had never seen before...or never been able to see.
Now it was Tomoyo's turn to have him over. Milly had promised that if her mother gave permission, Eriol could come over for the whole afternoon this Saturday, and Tomoyo was just delighted. She quickly ran into the hallway to the telephone booth, and stepped inside. She dialed the number and impatiently waited for someone to answer.
"Hello?"
"Totum-san? Mama said he could come!" Tomoyo squealed. Milly laughed at the girl's enthusiasm.
"Wait Tomoyo. Why don't you tell Eriol yourself?" She suggested. There was the sound of the phone moving, and then a grunt.
"Eriol?"
*Grunt*
"Mama said you could come over! Ask Totum-san when you can come!" Tomoyo cried. There was an excited squeal from over the line, and then an laughing Milly took the phone again.
"He has insisted on waiting here by the phone all day, until you called. He hasn't moved an inch all morning!" Milly told the girl. Tomoyo laughed.
"Well, hurry over! I want to show him my garden!" She cried. They said goodbye and hung up. Then Tomoyo flew out of the booth, and into her mother's arms.
"He's coming! Mama, he's coming! Wait till' you see him!" She laughed, whirling off down the hall. Sonomi watched her happy child with a smile, and then quickly made her way to the front of the house to await their guests.
~*~*~*~
"ERIOL!"
Tomoyo ran down her front steps, hurrying to the door of the van which had just pulled up. She grinned at the woman in the driver's seat, and quickly opened the door next to which Eriol sat. With a giant smile, the girl looked up into the boy's eyes. He was propped up against the car-seat, with a specially-made pillow supporting his head and neck, allowing him to see in front of him. The pillow was special, because for one, it wrapped around his neck loosely, like a giant horse-shoe, and two, it was made by Tomoyo herself.
Eriol gave a grunt of delight, as Milly quickly un-strapped him and situated him in his wheel-chair. The boy's eyes smiled at the little girl, and she answered with a joyous smile of her own.
"Mama, this is Eriol!" Tomoyo stated, as her mother came up behind them. Sonomi stopped in wonder, and then growing delight, seeing how happy her daughter was with this strange boy. Without a further word, Tomoyo walked behind the chair and slowly pushed Eriol down the path to the large gardens in the back. Milly and Sonomi watched them go, and then slowly followed.
"Thank you for allowing Eriol to come. He has so little pleasure in his life." Milly murmured, as she watched the two go down the paths, Tomoyo pointing out interesting things, while Eriol squealed at all the right moments. Sonomi grinned.
"It is our pleasure. I usually have so little time to spend with Tomoyo, and I know that she was unhappy, but with my job, I just can't see any way around it. But then, one day, she came home talking about a boy named 'Eriol', and since then, I have seen her become quite a bit happier and more social. She even had some friends over a few days ago." Sonomi murmured, tears of relief filling her eyes. She led Milly over to a stone bench where they sat and watched the two happy children.
"I suppose that they are good for each other. Eriol needed Tomoyo, and Tomoyo needed Eriol. You see, when we lived in England, Eriol would regularly become sick and disgruntled at even the smallest things. He had to have a home tutor because he rarely allowed anyone to take him from his bed." Milly's face fell at the remembrance.
"In his condition, though, it is no wonder. But when we moved here, his foster-parents insisted that we try public school once more. And the rest you most likely know. Your daughter is a treasure, Daidouji-san. And she is the greatest gift that anyone could have given Eriol. I am sure he will never be the same after this." Milly commented. Sonomi smiled.
"He certainly is a wonderful boy. And his eyes are so expressive...even while the rest of him is still. It is amazing. He looks to be a very intelligent boy." Sonomi commented. Milly nodded.
"He is. I just wish I could show his foster-parents that. But soon we won't have to worry anymore. I have filed to receive full guardianship of him, so I can take care of him fully. Eriol's parents gave him up when he was a baby, but they didn't completely take him out of their lives. They left most of their fortune and lands to him, no doubt thinking that he would die soon after receiving them, anyway. He and his sixteen year old cousin, Akizuki Nakuru, are very well endowed, in fact."
"He has a cousin?"
"Yes. Her parents are also dead, and she is under the guardianship of her god-mother. But both of them inherited millions from their parents, so they can both live comfortably. I am hoping that I can use some of that money on an operation for Eriol."
"An operation? Why?"
"Well, don't tell the children this, but it was discovered quite early in his life that Eriol had a tumor on his brain. It is most likely what is causing his immobility, and it is also slowly growing. It will have to be removed, or Eriol could die." Milly's voice was almost a whisper here, and Sonomi gasped.
"No! What would Tomoyo do? She would be devastated!"
"I know. But there's more. If I do indeed gain guardianship of Eriol, I also have to make one more sacrifice. We would have to move back to England. That is what the lawyers are telling me right now. I can't bear to tell Eriol, because I know that he will refuse...and it could be the only thing keeping him alive, at this point." Milly sighed, looking over at her dear young charge. Sonomi was silent for a moment.
"I have a young doctor friend in England, named Max Strosenburg. He specializes in this sort of thing. If it came to that, I could have him on hand, ready to take Eriol into surgery as soon as you arrived. It would be no trouble." Sonomi suggested. Milly looked like she could kiss her.
"Oh! Thank you! You see, I have been so worried lately. Despite his growing happiness and tranquillity, I can see that Eriol is slowly becoming sicker as the days progress. He is sleeping in more, when he can, and if you hadn't noticed, he is becoming quite pale and thin. He is eating less...that worries me." Milly sighed.
"I have called Eriol's cousin, Nakuru, and found her to be a delightful girl, full of life and eager to meet her cousin. She has invited us to stay at her home, until Eriol is well enough to go to his own. But...Tomoyo will not be there. That will hurt Eriol, more than the operation will make him well." Milly sighed. Sonomi thought for a moment.
"We will figure something out. Until then, let us just enjoy the present." She commented. Milly smiled and nodded, watching contentedly as Eriol let out a big squeal as he watched Tomoyo twirl in a shower of cherry blossoms.
~*~*~*~
Three weeks later, Tomoyo did not come to school. Her desk was empty and Eriol searched desperately for some sign of her.
"Tomoyo's sick, Eriol. Can I take you outside, today?" Sakura asked softly, her voice sad. Eriol's heart fell and he made no noise. Milly gently ushered the girl outside, and then returned to Eriol's side, only to find the boy staring blankly at the classroom wall.
Three more days passed like this, without Tomoyo, and Eriol sank more and more into despair. Slowly, the horrible thing that had taken over his body, was now showing itself even more. He quickly became weak and weary. Even having someone move his body tired him.
Finally, on the fourth day, Eriol too, did not come to school.
~*~*~*~
Tomoyo came back the day after Eriol disappeared. She, Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling, Naoko, Rika, Chiharu and Yamazaki begged the teacher desperately to tell them where Eriol was, but he only looked at them sadly, and told them that Eriol would no longer be coming to school.
"NO!" Tomoyo whimpered, stumbling back from her sensei's desk and then rushing out of the room, unheeding to the cries from her friends. On and on Tomoyo ran, out of the school grounds, past her own home. To a place she had begun to think of as a second home.
Eriol's house.
As soon as the exhausted girl reached it, she knocked furiously on the door, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Milly Totum opened the door, stunned to see the little girl standing there.
"I want Eriol." Was all the girl said, before bolting up the familiar stairs to his room. Though she had only been here twice, the girl had memorized every detail, knowing exactly where to go. Soon, she came upon his door and flung it open, only to step back in shock.
There was Eriol, pale and gaunt, lying with his back to her. He was so still...so still! Tomoyo could not take it!
"ERIOL! Eriol, please get up!" The little girl shrieked, rushing to his bedside and putting her hand on his shoulder. A weak, but happy grunt was all she got in return. Tomoyo had come back! She was well again! But both of them realized that he was not. There was a horrendous pain in Eriol's stomach, that made him wish he could curl up into a ball, and a great head- ache pounded his whole skull, making him dizzy. Through glazed eyes, Eriol saw Tomoyo's face appear in front of him, tear-streaked and pale.
"Everything is going to be all right, Tomoyo. Eriol and I will have to go away for a while, but god willing, he will be all right." Milly whispered, coming into the room. To Tomoyo's shock, her mother appeared behind her.
"I have the plane all ready for you. All you have to do is pack your things into it. You have our phone number, and I am counting on you to call us the minute you arrive." Sonomi insisted. Milly nodded, and then motioned in two men wearing white lab-coats. They swiftly placed Eriol on a stretcher, and then left for a moment, taking Milly and Sonomi with them. Tomoyo turned back to Eriol, sobs wracking her small body.
"Promise me you won't forget me! Promise me that you will be all right! Please, Eriol!" Tomoyo pleaded, her eyes shimmering with un-shed tears. Eriol grunted weakly, twice. He promised. Tomoyo whimpered and threw her arms gently about the prostrate boy, her lips close to his ear.
"I will never forget you, Eriol. Never..." She hesitated for a moment.
"I love you." She breathed into his ear. Eriol's heart rose and his pain eased for a moment.
'I love you too, Tomoyo. My Tomoyo-tenshi.' He thought. Tomoyo pulled back.
"Forever and ever, I'll love you." She whispered. With that said, she leaned down and gently pressed her lips to his in a warm, innocent caress. Eriol's mind numbed with shock, but his heart hummed, and he returned the kiss as well as he could, trying to show her how much he cared. Finally, she pulled back, just as the two men entered the room again. They picked up the stretcher, sending sad looks at Tomoyo, and then carried Eriol down the stairs and into the waiting ambulance outside.
Tomoyo and her mother rode along in silence, Sonomi keeping an eye on Milly, while Tomoyo only had eyes for her Eriol. He had been given a sedative, and was now sleeping peacefully, a look of slight pain still on his face. Tomoyo's face was now dry, due to her vow to stop crying.
Eriol was going to be fine. He was going to live and he was going to see her again soon. That was what Milly had promised, and that was what Tomoyo's mind kept repeating to herself. But somehow, Tomoyo's heart had a grave doubt about the last part.
~*~*~*~
"Goodbye, Tomoyo. Thank you for everything." Milly whispered as she hugged the little girl at the airport. Tomoyo stiffened and looked at Eriol from under her arm. He had woken up a little, and his eyes were on her...only her. She forced a tiny smile and walked over to him, placing her hand on his limp one.
"Remember, Eriol. You promised. I will see you again soon, my Eriol." Tomoyo whispered, her long, raven hair falling over their clasped hands as she whispered into his ear. A lock of it managed to work its way under his fingers, causing him to feel the silkiness of it.
*Flashback*
"Sakura, read to us!"
This came from Meiling, who was sprawled under one of the trees in their grove. All of them had finished eating lunch, and they were simply waiting for the bell to ring. Tomoyo and Sakura were at Eriol's feet, talking to each other quietly, while Syaoran and Yamazaki rolled the soccer ball between them. Naoko, Rika and Chiharu sat in a line, playing with each other's hair.
Eriol watched them in curiosity, his new head-pillow allowing him this delight. Tomoyo, seeing his stare, laughed and placed her hair into his lap.
"There. Now you can play with mine!" She giggled, placing one of his hands on top of her locks, then the other. Sakura smiled at this display and then began to read one of her new 'Arthur' books, while the others listened in attentiveness. Eriol however, only paid attention to the silky-soft locks of hair in his hands, which had twined themselves around his fingers.
They sat that way till the end of lunch, and Tomoyo was forced to pull her hair away. Inside, Eriol groaned, missing the feeling of the soft hair, so much like the person who was now his best friend.
~*~*~*~
His eyes met hers and did as she asked. He promised. With a small smile, she stepped away, and allowed the two men in white coats to lift Eriol onto the plane. Milly sadly followed them, sending one last glance back at Tomoyo and her mother. Then the door of the plane shut behind her and the engines flared up.
The plane taxied down the runway and then began it's assent into the air. Tomoyo watched it until it was no more than a speck in the distance before she turned, buried her head in her mother's stomach, and burst into tears.
~*~*~*~
*RING! RING!*
"Hello?"
"Sonomi?"
"Milly! How are you? How is Eriol?!"
"He is in surgery. The doctor was very kind, and took him in almost immediately. Eriol's cousin, Nakuru has just arrived, and the poor thing is pacing like crazy. The doctor told us not to worry...but what else can we do?"
Milly's voice ended with a sob. Sonomi sighed and gazed down at her daughter, who was lying on a love-seat in the front hall, where she had put her after the girl fell asleep crying. Tear-marks could still be seen on her cheeks, and her eyes were still red-rimed.
"Nothing else, except pray." Sonomi whispered. Milly smiled on the other end and nodded.
"Will do, most definitely. How is Tomoyo doing?"
"She's taking it rather hard. I just got her to fall asleep." Sonomi sighed. Milly smiled wistfully.
"They'll see each other again someday." She murmured.
"I'm sure they will."
~*~*~*~
