Note: Hi everyone! Sorry for letting you wait for the next chapter of this 'wonderful' story! LOL. Anywayz, the last chapter was all about Tomoyo's POV and her adventure to England, which ended up into a nightmare. Now, it's Eriol's turn. YEAY! ^_^

Chapter 2 - Braver Than Her
I stared at her picture. She was beautiful even after months of not being able to be with her. Her smile just radiated into my heart. When I needed comfort, I would look at her picture and just think of that one last night we had with each other, where a simple kiss became the only thing that mattered the most to us. It lasted even after I left Japan and that kiss still lingers in my lips. My mind suddenly went blank. It could be the last time I'll ever kiss her.

"Hey, Hiragizawa, you're not staring at that picture again are you?" I looked up and nodded, answering Langdon Jones question. Langdon smirked, running his hand through his dark, dark hair, much like the color on mine, but mine looked more like dark blue than black. He sat down beside me on the couch and shook his head. That was always him- my roommate picked on me about certain things. He kept telling me to forget Tomoyo and move on, but what the hell was he talking about? I couldn't forget Tomoyo. She was my companion, the only person who understood me the most.

"Leave him alone, Langdon," Erik spoke up from his newspaper. I could see his blond hair peeking out from behind the gray paper that read of a baby born with a rare disease. Erik looked up and winked at me, picking up his mug from the table and sipping a little bit of coffee. He was also my other roommate... twenty-one, the eldest out of me and Langdon. Erik Theobald was the one who picked me out of hundreds of dorms that were looking for a roommate and at first I didn't understand why, until he came to my dorm the day before I met him and gave me flowers. I was confused at first and when he told me how he felt about me, I was freaked out. I told him that I didn't 'swing' that way and Erik just nodded and took back the flowers. He was embarrassed after that, but he came back anyway and told me he wanted to start all over again and- yeah, I had to accept him. He was a nice guy and we needed someone to help out around the house, since Langdon, who was my roommate before didn't know how to clean. Erik was the type who liked everything neat and tidy. How I came to know Langdon...? That was another story.

"Hey Erik, isn't this your favorite show?" Langdon spoke up, with his usual, loud and obnoxious voice. Sometimes Langdon irritated me, but I knew he was that type of man who was just plain, rude, obnoxious and loud. Then again, where would I be without Langdon. I was almost killed while walking across the street of London when this crazy drunk driver almost hit me. I would have used my magic to avoid contact, but I couldn't do it with people around me.

Erik looked up and shrugged, sighing with a hint of redness around his cheeks. I looked up at where Langdon was pointing at and found him staring at a show of an attractive woman cooking something in a large pot. Confused, I looked at the blond. "Erik? I didn't know you..."

The blond looked up and shook his head. "No, it's not what you think."

Langdon laughed. "Oh I think so. That woman seems very attractive Erik!" He stood up and joined us to the dining room table, quickly stealing my toast from my plate and ate it whole. I was used to Langdon's bad habits so I didn't complain. "So! Tell us! Is she your girlfriend now or something?" he asked, slapping Erik hard on the back.

I could sense Erik's anger rising and if Langdon didn't stop it soon, who knows what Erik would do. However, with me watching closely, Erik just shook his head and continued reading the newspaper. Now that was odd. Maybe Erik WAS attracted to women. I closed my eyes and sighed. It was a good thing nothing ugly came out of Langdon's taunting. It was one thing the dark haired young man I found annoying and that was him jerking us around. I couldn't understand the concept of having someone as rude as him, but I guess everyone has to have one immature member of the household to keep everyone from being boring.

Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on the door. It was so soft that I don't think Erik, nor Langdon heard that one, except for myself, because of my super sensor. I guess having all that ability still hadn't disappeared from my body. I had given up being a Magician, but I knew that if I did, I would lose both Spinel Sun and Ruby Moon. I decided to keep myself magic-free for it would only cost my friends and family to get hurt, just like before...

"Hey, Eriol, it's for you!" I looked up, unaware that Erik had left his seat and had answered the door. At first, my mind was a blank when he said that, but the moment Erik turned back to the person by the door and asked him/her to step inside, I blinked and finally removed myself from my thoughts and back to reality. I looked up, fixing my glasses on my nose. Erik stepped aside, probably to close the door behind the visitor and led the person inside, revealing a woman, with long, lavender hair dressed in a blue blazer with a matching blue skirt.

Kaho Mizuki looked sad and tired with the expression she was giving me. I was fully aware of her thoughts, for, after all, we were together once. I knew how to read her like a book. "Good afternoon, Hiragizawa-san," she spoke. Since when did we ever spoke of last name basis?

"Kaho? What are you doing calling me that?" I told her, realizing the formalities of her words.

"Yeah! 'Sides, you're in England now, not in Japan!" Langdon yelled out from the couch, his eyes fixated on the television.

Erik glanced at me and rolled his eyes, then turned his attention on Langdon. "Hey, idiot! Get up from there! These two need to talk alone!"

I could tell Langdon wanted to protest, but Erik had trapped him under his gaze and before I knew it, the two were already gone out of the door and to God-knows where. When we were both alone, I stood up and pulled out a chair beside me and offered her a seat. Kaho politely declined, shaking her head and finally spoke, after a few seconds of silence.

"I'm not staying long, Eriol. I'm just here to tell you something."

Something? I thought to myself. When Kaho said that word, it meant that something bad had happened. "Do you know what happens when you say that?" I told her, pushing back the chair I offered her. I turned to the attention of the kitchen, the coffee that Erik started to brew was heating up.

"You know me better, Eriol," I heard Kaho say.

I took out two mugs and poured coffee only half full for each and handed her one. "Do you think we should sit down for this then?" I had her figured out. I knew how to pursuade her. I sat back down on my usual seat, while Kaho, sighing with contempt, finally gave up and sat down across from me, pulling out the chair herself, while putting the coffee down on the table.

I knew what she was going to say. I felt it the moment I held Tomoyo's picture in my hands. I knew that someday something like this would happen. Tomoyo was missing and Kaho could tell I knew. My face was easy to read when in a distress. "I guess I don't have to spell it out for you," Kaho spoke up, sipping her coffee.

My shoulders sagged. I wish it wasn't true though. "I told her that I was going to visit her soon, but I guess she couldn't wait to see me." I took a sip of my mug and swallowed it whole, not caring how hot it was, just as long as I had something to do, while my hands were shaking. I looked up and frowned. Kaho knew that her husband would one day lose his mind and take in the role of his Uncle. "You should have known better, Kaho, than just come here and tell me about it. You knew your husband more than I do." I was getting angry all of a sudden. I guess even before she came, I didn't think about it much, but since she reminded me, I could feel the heat rising in my face. If I lost Tomoyo, I wouldn't know what I would do with myself.

Kaho stared at her mug, ashamed to look at me and nodded. "I understand you are angry with me, Eriol, but I had no power to stop him from doing anything. Jiro's spirit has completely taken over him and his powers are growing." I could see tears coming from her eyes. The woman looked up and stared me straight in the face. "If you plan on getting Tomoyo back, please don't hurt him. He is still my husband."

I shook my head. I knew I was being unfair, but it was also unfair that if Tomoyo dies, then my own heart would also falter with sadness and disease of not being with her. "That I cannot guarantee, Kaho. It would depend on your husband if he continues to have Jiro completely take over his mind. If he does anything to hurt Tomoyo, then I cannot stop myself from killing him." My words struck Kaho like a knife and as I watched her, I knew I had hurt her completely. She stood up, her face covered by her long tresses and clenched her fists at her sides. Forgetting about the coffee, she turned around and began to leave, but not before she turned and looked at me, now with fogged eyes.

"Then I will not stand in your way," Kaho said, surprising me. She had on a firm look on her face, telling me she was serious, but I was concerned. She turned and left, closing the door behind her, without saying anything more. I stood up and walked over to the door, making quick thinking whether to follow her and apologize, or just stand there and punch the door. However, as soon as Tomoyo's face beamed into my mind, I just leaned my head on the door and closed my eyes. Clenching my fists, I punched the door as hard as I could, leaving a small dent slightly in the middle and sat back down on my chair, staring at the empty chair where Kaho sat.
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I couldn't think. I couldn't pay attention to my Professor as he lectured about the reason for Science to exist in the first place. My mind was on Tomoyo, thinking how scared she must be while tied down by a man who wants nothing more than a black book to gain power for his own. That morning, with the conversation between Kaho and I and after she left, I just sat there, staring at the empty seat. Erik and Langdon found me doing that when they returned and was concerned for me when I came to. I just left them, with curious looks for class without saying a word. I had to figure out what to do. I had to find her. I knew this was Jiro's plan- to make Tomoyo a bait so I would give him the black book. If I gave him the black book, then everything that I have stood for would have gone to waste and if I don't, then everything that I have lived for would die in my arms. If I make a plan and trap the man and find a way to kill him, then I would still be held guilty for his death. Kaho would never be able to forgive me. If I let him go and still trap him, then there's a chance that Jiro might appear... I blinked. That was it! I needed to trap him and maybe release Kei from Jiro's grasp and send his spirit to the other world.

With this decision, I closed my text book and my notebook and stuffed them in my backpack and stood up, leaving the classroom quietly. It was normal for every student to leave without having to interrupt the session. Professors don't normally care if we left or not, since Professor Donally knows that I have aced every test from last Semester. In the corner of my eyes, I could see Erik staring after me until I left the room for good, but he did not follow me and for that I breathed a sigh of relief. It would take months to explain to them everything about Jiro and Tomoyo and Kaho. I would lose my patients if they didn't understand then. I had to get back to the mansion and tell my two companions about this decision I have made.
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"Eriol-sama! You're back!" I closed the door behind me and watched Nakuru and Spinel Sun approach me in large steps. I could tell, by their excited faces that they were glad to see me. The mansion, was still the same. I trusted my two creations to keep it clean and the same and I was surprised when they kept their word. They knew how to make me happy. I left Nakuru in charge of the mansion, though Spinel Sun wasn't quite happy with the idea, so I told him that if anything goes wrong, he would be the one to fix it. Last semester I would come and visit them, just to check up on the both of them and to make sure the places in the mansion was still in tact, without any signs of physical fights between the both of them. Nakuru and Spinel Sun have been throwing fits at each other ever since we came back here. This semester though, my visits became few, since second semester was always the busiest months in the history of College.

"I am glad to be back," I replied, putting my suitcases down. Nakuru and Spinel Sun stared at the luggages on the floor. "Don't be surprised. I won't be staying here long. Just until we find Tomoyo." I walked pass them and examined the first area of the house- the living room. I glanced behind me. The both of them were staring at each other, then at me, wondering what I meant. Fixing my glasses, I turned around and frowned, nodding my head. "All right, if you bring my suitcases and fix me something to eat, then I will tell you both everything."

Nakuru nodded. "Hai!" she spoke, picking up the heavy luggages with one hand. Spinel Sun, with his false form, flew to the kitchen and prepared something for me to eat, just as I said and quickly came back with two large muffins. Nakuru came back too, excitement on her face for whatever news she was going to hear. I was amazed at how fast they did everything. I guess they were expecting me to come back sooner or later.

Satisfied, I brought my plate of two muffins with me to the kitchen and sat down that regular spot I usually sat on when eating breakfast and waited until Nakuru and Spinel Sun seated themselves as well. "Tomoyo is missing," I began. I heard gasps from my companions. I lifted up my hand to make them listen and they turned their heads back at me. "She came here to England just to see me and she never made it far," I explained with confidence. Why was I confident? Tomoyo could die!

"Are you telling us master that Jiro is alive?" Spinel Sun spoke, his eyes widening in surprise.

I nodded. "I knew even before that he was coming back. With the Black Book still on Earth, I believe Jiro will stop at nothing to have it."

"Then, what do you suppose we do, Master?" Nakuru asked, fidgetting with the napkin in her hand nervously. She stared at me worriedly. She must think I have gone over the edge because Tomoyo went missing.

"It has been only a day since she went missing. We will wait until we hear from Jiro's warnings." I couldn't stand talking to them about that. I couldn't stand myself for being so calm. My heart was pounding with worry and distress. I wanted Tomoyo back as bad as any man who has ever loved her. I knew that my words weren't true. I didn't want to wait. I wanted to find Jiro and kill him for good so I could have my Tomoyo back.

"Are you not worried for Tomoyo, Master?" Spinel Sun asked.

I closed my eyes and sighed. "No," I replied simply. "I know that Jiro will not harm her until he has the Black Book." I was lying to them and to myself, but I guess they already knew I was. I looked out the window of our kitchen and noticed the dark clouds coming in. It was starting to rain soon. I stood up and looked at my creations. "I will rest now. If any signs of darkness from Jiro comes, please warn me," I said.

The two of them bowed as I turned and left the kitchen. "Of course," I heard Nakuru say. I walked up the stairs and began my journey to my room. My room is the only place where I felt content and free to do whatever I wanted.

When I was there, I opened the door and closed it behind me as I stepped inside. It was quiet and warm- just the right temperature for my aching heart. I knew that if I didn't find Tomoyo soon, then I would be blamed for her death or her absence. Her mother and her friends know that she came to England just to visit me. I don't even want to think about what Sakura and Syaoran would do if they ever find out that their friend was missing. I couldn't blame them. Tomoyo was valuable to them and to me.

I could see the rain pouring madly outside from my window. I approached it suddenly and watched mother nature's tears making puddles in the roads. I could see my reflection staring back at me- pitying me for my failure. I placed my palm and my reflection did the same as if I was touching another person.

The rain was the reflection of the turmoil I was facing now. Tomoyo was the sunlight and she brightened the days that brought me darkness. Without her, I would just be a puddle of rain washed while people walked around it without even caring. But... I knew that I had to be confident- for Tomoyo's sake and mine. I promised her that I would never feel this way again if something ever happened to her. I promised her that I would smile at myself and believe that she was coming back to me.

"I believe in everything, Eriol," Tomoyo had written to me. "I believe that anything can happen. If you just stop and then be sad all the time, then nothing will ever be accomplished."

Then, I wrote back to her, asking her why she was trying so hard to hide her real feelings inside, instead of actually showing the truth.

She replied, "Because if I do, then everyone else will be saddened because of me and I don't want that. I don't like others being sad. So if anything happens to me, Eriol, please promise me that you will be brave about it. Don't shut yourself out now because I'm gone. Can you just believe that I will come back to you?"

I told her, yes... I promised her then. I promised her that I will ignored all my negative thoughts and be confident. I closed my eyes... tears suddenly fell from my eyes. "I guess you're braver than me, Tomoyo," I whispered. "I can never be braver than you."

GoodGurl: WOOH! Finally finished that one! I know Eriol's wasn't long, but we all know that Eriol is a Magician and he knows everything...well not everything... Anwyayz, that's all! I hope you enjoyed it! _