Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. If I did, I wouldn't be writing a FANfic, now would I? And if I did, I would have put Eriol and Tomoyo together at the end, too. ^_^

This chapter is a little weird, but this is probably the only chapter that is going to be like this. Ah, no use explaining. Just read and don't forget to review at the end!

Tomoyo cried. At home where none could see her, she let the bitter tears fall. And it hurt. To let someone you have love most of you life, leave you with the person they love most. It was raining hard, outside. 'Perfect weather to suit my mood.' Tomoyo thought. Salty tears continued to streak down her face. Tomoyo wanted to destroy her memories of Sakura. She didn't want to remember the pain.

'The pain I brought on myself.' She crept downstairs and out the front door, into the rain. The cool droplets made her shiver and goosebumps form on her skin. She walked away from her house, her life. Suddenly, she stopped walking and looked at the sky. She closed her eyes. It helped, a little. It made her forget and feel like nothing in the world mattered. There was only now and the present. No future, no past. She was unbearably cold, but she didn't care. If she died, what did it matter? Tomoyo only wore a thin T-shirt and jeans. Her tears were swept away in the rain and her sobs were unheard in the thunder. Suddenly, everything was enclosed off and the rain didn't pressure her anymore, though her head felt a little light. Azure eyes pierced into her soul and darkness overcame her.

~~~

It had been a strange sight to see for Nakuru and Spinel. Their master coming home from the errand Nakuru sent him on, with an unconscious Tomoyo is his arms. Blue-tinged lips and soaking wet was her condition.

"Change her clothes, Nakuru!" Eriol had barked when he arrived. Nakuru nodded and took Tomoyo up to her own room. Eriol went into one of the guestrooms and started to build a fire in its hearth. Nakuru had dressed her in some of her old clothes and brought her back down to Eriol. Eriol took her and went into the guestroom, closing the door. Nakuru looked at Spinel.

"Maybe you should prepare some food. She will be hungry when she awakens." Spinel suggested. Nakuru nodded and went to the kitchen. Spinel followed her.

~~~

Eriol was trying to warm Tomoyo up near the fire. 'She's cold. So cold.' Eriol thought. Her lips were still blue and her hands cold. 'Wake up.' Eriol demanded in his mind. She didn't stir. He was scared, more than he had ever been in his life. She wasn't getting any warmer and he was running out of ideas. He only had one left. He lay next to her and brought her body near his own. He held her close and closed his eyes. He had soon fallen asleep.

~~~

Eriol awoke to find Tomoyo still in his arms. He pulled her away and looked at her. She was warm again. Her lips were red and her body was heating up. He smiled and looked around. He noticed two trays of food on the table. 'FOR ERIOL' was written on a note placed on one of the trays. The other said, 'FOR TOMOYO' Eriol smiled to himself and started to eat at the food given. He nibbled on a piece of bread, thoughtfully. He brought it outside and sat at the main table to eat. Spinel and Nakuru looked at him, expectantly.

"She's warmer now. She should wake up after a few more hours." Eriol said. "Could you watch over her?" he asked Spinel. Spinel nodded and brought his book to the room and sat inside. Nakuru sat down next to him.

"I wonder what she was doing in the rain?" Nakuru thought aloud. Eriol shrugged.

"She wasn't there by accident. She wanted to be there." Eriol said. Eriol yawned.

"Still tired?" Nakuru asked. He nodded.

"That wasn't the most comfortable sleep I have ever had." Eriol said. Nakuru raised an eyebrow.

"You looked pretty cozy to me." she said. Eriol blushed and Nakuru laughed merrily. "Get some rest and we'll call you if there is any change." Nakuru said. Eriol shook his head.

"I have to inform Daidouji-san first." he said and headed to the phone. He dialed Tomoyo's number and a maid picked up.

"Moshi moshi. Who is this?"

"This is Hiiragizawa Eriol. I wish to speak to Daidouji Sonomi" Eriol said. The maid told him to wait a moment and then put a frantic Sonomi on the line.

"Moshi moshi?" Sonomi said.

"Daidouji-san, this is Hiiragizawa Eriol, a friend of Tomoyo-san's. I just called to inform you that Tomoyo is at my house and for you not to worry. She has fallen asleep so she will not be home any time soon." Eriol informed her. Sonomi gave a sigh of relief.

"Arigatoo gozaimasu for informing me. Take care of her and tell her I have a business meeting overseas, for a while." Sonomi said.

"I will." Eriol assured her.

"Arigatoo" Sonomi hung up and so did Eriol. He trudged up the stairs and promptly fell asleep.

~~~

"Master…master." A voice was calling him.

"Master!" Eriol's eyes snapped open and he sat up in bed. He looked at the clock.

"It's 3:37, Nakuru. What is it?" Eriol asked, sleepily. Nakuru's eyes were serious.

"Master, it has been hours already. Tomoyo still hasn't woken up. She's breathing fine and everything, though." Nakuru said as Eriol brushed past her. He hadn't changed when he had fallen asleep, so he was still in his normal clothes. H e walked into the guestroom and closed the door. Nakuru looked at Spinel.

"You thinks he's in love, again?" Nakuru asked. Spinel nodded.

"Definitely."

~~~

Tomoyo was lying in the bed, fully clothed and breathing normally. Eriol sat down on the bed, next to her. 'She should have woken up by now.' Eriol thought and put his hands on her forehead. Tomoyo didn't wake up because…she didn't want to. Her consciousness was hiding in her mind and didn't wish to come out. Eriol pulled his hands away and sat back. Tomoyo was more affected by Sakura leaving than he had originally thought. He needed to pull her out and back into reality. 'But how?' He thought. There was only one solution he could think of. He would have to go into Tomoyo's mind and bring her consciousness back. Eriol shivered. Delving into someone's mind was one of the worst crimes you could commit on a person, but he needed to or Tomoyo would stay "sleeping" until she wanted to come out again. It could be years before that happened. Eriol also need more power. He wouldn't be able to accomplish this without help.

~~~

::Sakura-san::

Sakura dropped her spoon.

::Sakura-san::

"Eriol-kun?" Sakura said, aloud. She was currently eating with Syaoran and his mother.

"Is something wrong Sakura?" Syaoran asked, worriedly. She shook her head.

::Yes, it's me, Sakura-san. Onegai, I need to borrow some of your power for a little while.::

"What for?" Sakura asked. Yelan was watching her, curiously. Sakura seemed to be talking to space, but she had called out Clow Reed's reincarnation's name.

::Just trust me, Sakura-san. You'll get your power back soon enough.::

Sakura sighed.

"That wasn't what I was asking. Okay, Eriol-kun. Just wait a second." she said and lent some of her power to Eriol through their connection. "Is that enough?"

::Yes. Arigatoo.::

Eriol broke off their connection. Sakura blinked, as if coming out from a daze.

"Are you alright?" Syaoran asked. Sakura smiled, cheerfully.

"Of course! It was just Eriol-kun. Don't worry, everything's fine!" Yelan looked at her suspiciously, but didn't say anything.

~~~

Eriol felt power coming into him.

::Is that enough?::

'Yes. Arigatoo.' Eriol thought and broke off his connection with Sakura. He looked at Tomoyo. He lay down next to her and pulled her into his arms, pressing their foreheads together. Eriol closed his eyes. 'Forgive me, Tomoyo-san.'

~~~

Eriol opened his eyes. He was at school, their junior high school. A faint singing noise sounded in his ears, sadly beautiful. 'Tomoyo must be in one of these classrooms.' Eriol thought as he walked the hallway. He opened a door. A dozen other doors met his eyes. 'How will I ever find her in this labyrinth?' he thought.

"Tomoyo-san!" Eriol called out. The sound of an iron door slamming sounded and the singing stopped.

"Who are you?" Tomoyo's voice echoed, drifting down the hallway. He tried to follow the direction of the voice.

"It's me. Eriol." Eriol said.

"No. I don't know you. Tell me who you really are." Tomoyo's voice said. Eriol turned a corner and continued to follow. He was getting closer.

"I really am who I say I am." he said. Tomoyo paused.

"Okay, I'll believe you. What are you doing here? If you're looking for Sakura, she's not here." Tomoyo said. Eriol opened a door and stepped into another hallway.

"Actually, I'm looking for you." Another pause.

"Me?" she asked, incredulously. He continued to follow the sound of her voice.

"Yes. Where are you?" he asked. Tomoyo giggled a tinkling laugh.

"If I told you, the game wouldn't be fun, now would it?" was her answer. He was nearly there. Five door to chose from, but which was it? He needed her to talk again.

"Where are you hiding?" he asked.

"Find me, Eriol-san!" Eriol stood in front of a door. This was the one. He turned the doorknob.

"I've found you." Eriol opened the door and was engulfed in darkness.

~~~

"Oh no. He's in her mind!" Nakuru said. She tried to make for the door, but Spinel stopped her.

"If you do anything to disrupt them, you could kill them both!" Spinel said. Nakuru held Spinel in her hands. Worry showed in her eyes.

"I do hope they'll be alright." she said.

"Me, too."

~~~

Eriol was in a sea of flowers? No, the scene kept changing. Flowers to dust to petals to blood. Tomoyo sat in the middle of the sea, skirt spread around her, back to him. Eriol took a step towards her, but then a strong wind blew at him, tugging at his clothes. He fell to his knees, gasping. The wind wasn't normal. It was Tomoyo's raw emotions, amplified by the fact that he was in her mind. Hurt, worry, grief all struck him. Loneliness was the strongest of these. Eriol clutched at his chest. It felt like his heart was being ripped from him, but he knew it was only emotionally. Tears fell from his eyes and fell into the sea of red, causing ripples. From the ripples, the sea changed to deep blue water. Tomoyo used one hand and scooped up some water in a hand and look at it.

"Why are you crying?" she asked. More tears sprung from his eyes.

"Make it stop." he said. Tomoyo cast him an indifferent glance and the air was still again. All was quiet except for Eriol's laboured breathing. Tears continued to fall.

"Tell me why you are crying." Tomoyo said.

"Your sadness, your grief and your hurt. I felt them and…it was just too much." Eriol said. She turned and looked at him.

"What are you talking about? I'm happy. There's nothing to be sad about." she said. Eriol went and sat next to her, with a wry smile.

"Why do you lie to yourself like that, Tomoyo?" he asked. She looked at him, confused.

"Like what?" she asked.

"You surround yourself in this fantasy world, but you aren't happy." he said. Tomoyo stood and took a few steps away from him.

"I'm happy." Tomoyo said, as if trying to convince herself. Eriol stood, too.

"Come home, Tomoyo. There's nothing for you here." he said.

"I don't want to go back! Don't take me back there!" Tomoyo shouted. "There's no pain, no loneliness here. I'm happy because nothing can hurt me."

"Come home." Eriol repeated, holding out his hand. She backed away.

"Stay here, then. We can both be happy. I know you feel as I do." Tomoyo pleaded. He walked closer.

"That as it may be, but I can't. We can't stay here. Everyone will be sad. Sakura will be sad." Eriol said. She flinched.

"Sakura doesn't care about me! Why should I care?" Tomoyo shouted. She wiped her eyes. "It hurts outside. So sad it is in reality. No just me, but all the people of the world are sad." Eriol shook his head.

"There is happiness as well." he said. She laughed, bitterly.

"Only for Sakura." Tomoyo shook her head. She gestured to the sea and the water became a field of flowers. "Isn't it beautiful? Why would I want to leave this place?" she asked. He extended his hand further.

"This is a lonely place. You are alone here." Eriol stated.

"Then stay with me." Eriol was tempted, but he knew this was only a fantasy. "I don't want to be alone." He shook his head.

"You're not alone. I'm here. I can save you, I can take you away from here." he said. Tomoyo lowered her head.

"You'll stay with me?" she asked.

"I will." She looked up. Tomoyo reached for his hand, but hesitated. Finally, she clasped it in her own.

"Then take me home."

~~~

Eriol opened his eyes. Shining amethyst eyes stared back at him. Tomoyo noticed their closeness and blushed. He pulled away and sat up. He rubbed his eyes, tiredly. Even though he had had a goodnight's sleep, now he was incredibly tired. He was startled to find tears on his face. Tomoyo placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her.

"Arigatoo gozaimasu, Eriol-kun."  Tomoyo said, gratitude showing through her eyes.

"Are you…alright now?" Eriol asked.

"I think so."  Tomoyo looked away. "I'm glad you came for me. You're a good friend" Eriol smiled, bitterly. 'A friend.'

"Don't worry about it." Eriol said. She looked up into his eyes. She saw relief and…some other emotion Tomoyo couldn't find a name for. It scared her, a little. She got up off the bed and stretched. Eriol started to get up, too, but Tomoyo stopped him by putting her hand on his arm.

"You're tired, I can tell. Just get some rest, okay?" she told him. Without waiting for a reply, Tomoyo left the room and closed the door. Eriol smiled to himself and lay back down. The moment he closed his eyes, he fell into sleep.

~~~

Tomoyo looked at the dress she was wearing and noticed it wasn't her own. She looked around Eriol's house, touching things. 'How would I have lived without this world?' Tomoyo asked herself.

"TOMOYO-CHAN! YOU'RE AWAKE!" rang a female voice loudly throughout the hallways. Before Tomoyo could turned around in the direction of the voice, she was engulfed in a tight hug.

"N-Nakuru-chan." Tomoyo gasped. "I-I think need to breathe n-now." Nakuru laughed and hastily let her go from her famous deathgrip.

"Gomenne, Tomoyo-chan. Are you hungry? I'll make you something to eat." Nakuru said, bouncing into the kitchen. Spinel landed on Tomoyo's shoulder.

"You'd better watched out for her cooking." Spinel said, not-so-quietly into her ear. Tomoyo giggled and walked into the kitchen. Nakuru glared at Spinel.

"I heard that Suppi! Why are so mean to me?" Nakuru sobbed. Tomoyo walked next to Nakuru and patted her back.

"I'm sure your cooking is fine. Can I help you with it?" Tomoyo asked. Nakuru immediately lit up and stuck out her tongue at Spinel.

"See? Tomoyo-chan likes my cooking! She's the only nice one in this house!" she said. Tomoyo sat down at the table and Nakuru joined her shortly after. "Are you alright now?" she asked, worried. Tomoyo nodded.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Thanks to Eriol-kun." Tomoyo said.

"I was so worried about you. So was Eriol. I don't think I've ever seen him so upset." Nakuru told the younger girl.

"I'm glad to be friends with such a person as him." Tomoyo said.

"Just friends?" Nakuru asked, questioningly. Before Tomoyo could ask what she meant, the clock chimed and she looked at it.

"Uh oh." Tomoyo muttered. Nakuru and Spinel turned to look at her.

"What's wrong?" Spinel asked. Tomoyo looked at them, nervously.

"Does anyone even know I'm here?" she asked. Nakuru and Spinel looked at her as she sweatdropped.

"Don't worry. Master informed your mother about you staying here." Spinel said. Tomoyo sighed in relief.

"I'd better call her now, anyway." she said, standing up.

"Daidouji-san is on a business trip." Spinel said.

"Oh." Tomoyo said and sat down again. Nakuru suddenly stood up and pulled Tomoyo up with her.

"Come on! Let's make something for you to eat." Nakuru said, taking her to the kitchen. Nakuru donned a frilly red apron. Tomoyo giggled and donned a white one.

Another chapter done! I'm not sure if it is nearing the end or not, but I guess we'll have to see! Please review!