Hurt, Hope, and Happiness

*Chapter Ten - Stop*

Eriol bit his lip as he tried to stand, "That'll leave a mark." He said between his teeth.

He looked down at his knees, seeing the pants were torn into and he was bleeding horribly.

Passers-by looked at the Englishman, "Are you okay?" A little girl suddenly was beside him, she looked at him with her small violet eyes, "What are you doing on the ground?"

Eriol stared up at her, "I think so. Do you know where the chapel were Ms. Tomoyo is getting married?"

"Ms. Tomoyo?" The girl's face lit up, "She was director in the movie I'm in! She's getting married." The girl said shyly, pushing a lock of her strawberry-blond hair out of her face. "Are you Mr. Eriol?"

He stared in amazement, "Yes. And I'm in a hurry, I really need to get to the chapel! Who are you?"

The girl grinned, "I know you, Ms. Tomoyo was always talking about you during the sessions at the studio!" The grin faded from the girl's face, "Until she got engaged."

"But who are you?"

"Oh, me? I'm Suni. You knowSuni Chipmerdai? The child actress? I don't want to actit was my mommy's ideaI really want to be an artist."

Eriol knew this was no time to chat, he had to get to the chapel, but he stared at the mature child with interest.

~*~

All the 'stalling' done by Syaoran and Sakura's children was over and the wedding continued.

Tomoyo smiled, looking back and forth at all the people as she walked down the isle. She held her head up with pride. She knew most people wouldn't be able to see her smile because of the lace veil in front of her face, but all the same, she wanted to smile.

Trave looked at his bride-to-be with interest, She holds her head up so high, she expects people to think she's stable and brave. He laughed inwardly, remembering the Tomoyo that had been so unsure of herself when they first met. Tomoyo had always felt like a close sister to him.

~*~

Eriol looked down at his knees, knowing that it would be hard to run, or even walk, to the chapel.

Suni looked at him curiously, "You came to stop the wedding. Didn't you?"

"Maybe" Eriol's voice trailed off.

Suni grinned, "Great! I can help with that!"

Eriol lifted an eyebrow, "How?"

~*~

Tomoyo stood in front of Trave, staring into his eyes.

The reverend's words unheard by her ears.

Everything that had happened in her life was going through her head as she thought Am I doing the right thing?

"Do you, Trave Laenenjio, take Tomoyo Daidouji to be your" Tomoyo became lost in thought, only to be taken out when hearing Trave's voice, "I do. With all my heart I do."

Trave looked into her eyes, I feel as though I've lost her. I don't know how or why...Tomoyo...why do you feel so far away? Out of my reach?

~*~

Suni squinted at Eriol, "Does this mean you're in love with Ms. Tomoyo-sensei?"

Eriol sighed, this was really getting frustrating, "What does it take to convince you!?" He had been wasting precious time standing here and listen to Suni question him about his love for 'Ms. Tomoyo-sensei".

Suni eyes went blank and she looked as innocent as possible, "I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thinghee hee."

She giggled, "The truth is, even though Sensei continually talked about you, she also loves Trave-sensei."

Eriol fell anime-style, "WHAT!?!? How can you love two people at once?!?!?"

Suni looked thoughtful for a moment, "My mum once told my Aunt Momo that Ms. Tomoyo-sensei was confused and couldn't figure out who she really loved."

Eriol's face faltered, "Oh."

He turned, his hair covering his tear stricken eyes, he thought he had lost.

He ignored Suni's cries when she tried to run after him, only to be held back by someone grabbing her.

"There you are Miss Chipmerdai! You need to stop running off!"

"What? W-who are you?"

"Come on brat." The man said under his breath.

"Mr. Eriol!!!" Suni called after him, "Help!!!"

Eriol fought back tears as Suni's words faded through him. He could only think of Tomoyo, not Suni's cries for help. Even his pain in his bleeding leg was forgotten as he trudged into the crowd ahead of him.

The busy streets covered her from his view.

Suni squirmed out of her captor's grasp and ran after Eriol.

The man took in a sharp breath of air as he got a walkie talkie out and muttered into it, "She got away, but not far. Close in."

"Mr. Eriol! Mr. Eriol! Help Help!!! Stop Mr. Eriol! HELP ME!!" Her violet eyes shook in fear as she looked around, trying to make sure that the man wouldn't get her while still looking for Eriol.

She finally sniffled, this was getting too big for someone as young as her.

The seven-year-old bit her lip as her little legs went out and she burst into tears.

Her strawberry-blond hair soaked up with tears as she cried her eyes out.

Then, in the midst of her crying, two hands picked her up.

Suni became alert of the hands and she thrashed against the person picking her up.

She finally sniffled once more, then fell asleep.

Eriol smiled at the little girl, I'm sorry Suni. I shouldn't have left you like that. Don't worry.

As Eriol turned around towards the direction of the chapel, he came face to face with the man.

"Alright, hand the little munchkin over mister and no one gets hurt."

Eriol's teeth clenched as he held protectively to Suni, Suni was something special to Tomoyo. He could tell.

And since Suni was special to Tomoyo, nothingnothing would happen to Suni if he could help it.

"Back off." Eriol said as politely as he could.

The man chuckled, "What makes you think I'll do that."

Well. It turned out that for a journalist, Eriol had a pretty good kick.

Even so, people were closing in around him and Suni. His eyes darted from side to side, counting the men.

"6all this for a lousy kid?" Eriol murmured.

He eyed each one before trudging past them.

The kidnapers all decided that Suni wasn't worth the random if she had some English guy with her all the time.

Eriol hurried to the chapel with the still sleeping Suni in his arms, What is it about this girl? Why would she be so special to Tomoyo?

Finally he saw the chapel. The chapel he had been looking for.

He looked at it in awe for a moment, then finally realized he had a job to do.

He ran to the front of the chapel to burst in.

The doors flew open, banging against the sides of the walls.

He stood, panting, gasping for air.

Everyone in the chapel turned to see what had happened. A lady passed out.

Tomoyo's hands flew to her mouth as she tried to believe what her eyes were telling her.

People gasped as they took in the site.

Eriol's pants were torn, his leg was bleeding.

His hair was ruffled and messy.

He held a sleeping child movie star in his arms.

And he only uttered one word, at the top of his lungs.

"STOP!"

.

Sneak Peek into Chapter Ten

"I should have never left...but can't you be reasonable about it?"

"REASONABLE?!? REASONABLE?!? YOU WANT ME TO BE REASONABLE!?!?"

Quick Note: I now have my own AOLIM account! Send me an IM to tell me what you think of the story...or just pop a little review. Screen name = sunsoragoddess