Warning: Some abusive content is in this chapter, so be warned. Also, be warned of spelling mistakes. I got too lazy to spell check cuz it's late and I don't feel like doing that right now. =P
Don't Say You Love Me
Chapter Seven: I Need You
By: Azure Rosas
A black limousine pulled up near the house. Yellow plastic straps surrounded the lawn of the house that was held up by various wooden poles. Women and men could be seen, some of them wearing blue jackets with the letters F.B.I imprinted on the back. Others wore the uniform that the police of Paris wore and the rest adorned other business like clothing. The front door was widely ajar where more activity was taking place. Something must've happened over at that house...
The chauffeur exited the limosuine and rounded the front as he opened the back door. A woman stepped out, wearing leather brown high heels, stockings, and a warm brown hued winter coat. She glanced down at the piece of paper where something was scribbled down, then she looked at the number of the house where the police, F.B.I, and the CIA were investigating and a sudden wave of worry washed over her. She practically jogged across the icy streets as strands of her pale brown hair flew from its bun and framed her face. She was about to walk up the pavement that led to the porch, but a CIA agent stopped her.
"Excuse me, Madame, but no one's allowed here. This place is a restricted area."
She stared him in the eye and glared deathly at him. "I demand to see the person who lives here!"
"That's impossible," he replied, making a move to lead her away, but she stood firmly glued to her spot.
"And why not?"
"She's not here," came his flat answer.
"What do you mean she's not here!?" she shrieked, catching the other agents' attention. "If this is her house, then of course she'd be here!"
"What is going on here?" A stern looking man around his early 40's approached them. "Cody, I thought I told you that no one is allowed here."
Cody let out an exasperrated sigh. "I know, boss, what do you think I've been tryin' to tell this woman!?!"
"Madame, you're going to have to clear this area," he said to her.
"I am not leaving until I see Tomoyo Daidouji!" she continued to protest.
"How do you know Daidouji?" Cody's boss question as he eyed the elderly lady.
She lifted her head up. "I am her mother, Sonomi Daidouji."
Cody and his boss, Hishima, glanced at each other. Hishima heaved a sigh as he began to lead her towards the house. "I'm afraid we have bad news, Miss Daidouji..."
Later On - After the News
"WHAAATTT!?!?!?!?!"
Some winced, some cringed, others covered their ears. Sonomi's reaction was exactly as they predicted it would be. Her eyes were wide with tears brimming the edges. A look of utter disbelief and surprise was written all over her now pale and ghastly face.
"Daidouji-san..." Eriol spoke, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. When he heard the news of Tomoyo's kidnap sometime around four in the morning, like Sonomi, he couldn't accept that until he had proof. And then when he arrived to investigate her house, he somehow managed to accept it with every ounce of sorrow and reluctance. "It's going to be all right..."
Her tears coarsed down her cheeks as she sent the sapphire eyed man a glare and snapped at him in Japanese. "No it WILL NOT be all right until I know my daughter is safe and sound! But how can I know that when she's been KIDNAPPED!?!?!"
"Daidouji-san, onegai, calm yourself..."
"HOW CAN I CALM MYSELF!?!?!?!" she shrieked in outrage. "MY ONLY DAUGHTER IS GONE!!! AND NONE OF YOU WERE ABLE TO PREVENT HER KIDNAP! IT'S ALL OF YOUR GUY'S FAULT!!!" Her accusation and blame rained down on Eriol and he felt guiltier with each harsh and icy word she spoke. "I TRUSTED you, Hirrigazawa! You promised you were going to watch her for me, but you broke that promise and therefore you broke my trust!" Eriol avoided looking into her piercing eyes. Her words felt like a knife being driven into his heart. He couldn't help but agree with her last statement. It was all his fault Tomoyo was taken... He promised to protect her... He promised her everything was going to be all right... But he broke it. He bowed his head so his bangs swayed and concealed his eyes.
"Gomen nasai, Daidouji-san," he murmured sincerely, trying to hide his wavering tone. This wasn't the place to cry and mourn over Tomoyo's disappearance.
Sonomi's expression softened when realizing he was just as hurt as she was. After all these years, she knew the boy still loved her daughter and she felt instantly guilty for blaming him for something he didn't mean to happen. She shook her head. "Iie. I should be the one who's sorry, Eriol-san. Gomen nasai for shouting at you like that. It's just that..." Sonomi bit her bottom lip before burrying her face in her hands and crying. "I miss Tomoyo so much..."
Eriol lifted his head up and stared at the elderly woman in sympathy. He fought his tears as he embraced the one he considered like a mother he never had. "I'll find her, Daidouji-san, if it's the last thing I do... I swear I'll find Tomoyo and bring her back to you."
Meanwhile
Conciousness returned to her, but she didn't open her eyes. Her body felt sore and stiff all over and as she moved, she stopped and groaned when feeling the binds of the ropes cut into her wrist and ankles. A rag was wrapped tightly around her mouth so she wouldn't be able to speak and only the world of silence greeted her ears. She found that for what felt like days, she's been sleeping in a sitting position on a hard wooden chair. Every bone in her body ached and screamed tirelessly for her to move so she could remove the stiffness. But that thought was dashed by the secure binds strapped around her wrists, arms, waist, and ankles.
When she finally found the will to open her eyes, she parted her eye lids with every ounce of strength and realized she was in an old abandoned werehouse. There was a stair case that led to the second floor where a few boxes could be seen, but besides that, the whole place was empty. A single lamp hung above her, bathing her frail form in dull yellow-orange light. She still wore her pajamas which wasn't a good combination with the winter weather. No warmth or security could be found in the abandoned werehouse and thanks to the cold temperature, her whole body felt rather numb.
The sound of a door being open reached her ears and she turned her aching neck to the side to see someone step into the werehouse as he shut the door behind him. It was hard to make out who he was considering that he wore all black: black sunglasses, black shirt, long black trench coat, black pants, and black snow boots. The only thing distinguishable about him were his rather out of place dirty blond hair. When he noticed her gaze was focused on him, he approached her with a thin smirk crossing his pale face as he removed the rag around her mouth.
"So you're awake, Mademoiselle Daidouji," he spoke with a perfect, gruff French accent. "Monsieur Thorn will be pleased to know that I have you in my possession."
Tomoyo sent the man a glare. "Who are you?"
He removed his shades to reveal a pair of cold blue eyes. "I am Romare, an employee of Aleron Thorn."
"Why did you kidnap me?" Tomoyo demanded to know, her voice sounding poisonous. "I demand you to let me free!!!"
He chuckled and waved his index finger. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
"Why not!?!" she asked indignantly.
"Because, if I let you go, then I won't be able to get my pay."
"Is that all you care about," Tomoyo snorted, "money!?! If that's all you want, then I'll give you the money just to let me go!"
Romare shook his head. "No matter how tempting that sounds, milady, I can not do that. If I take your money and set you free, then Aleron will be out for my head and I'll be dead before I can put the money to use."
She growled at him. That didn't work. "Where's Aleron anyway? Why can't he do his own dirty work!?!"
He started to dig through his pockets. "He's outta town for some business. But he'll be back tonight to retrieve you. Until then..." He pulled out a cell phone and punched in a number. "I'll have to watch you." The phone rang a few times and he diverted his attention from her. "Yeah, I got her... 'Kay... All right..." He turned his phone off and put it away. He kneeled down a bit so they were at eye level. Romare flashed her a sinister smirk as he lifted her head up and tapped her cheek. "Now, be a good girl for me until he comes." Tomoyo was about to curse him out when he brought the rag back around her mouth.
She struggled desperately to get free of the binds that bound her to the chair, but it was useless. They were tight and it was obvious that Romare guy knew how to tie knots. She narrowed her tear-filled eyes to tiny slits and he chuckled as he shook his head and took a seat near a single round table. He set his feet on the furnace and rested his hands behind his head. He gave her a smirk before dozing off in his uncomfortable position. Time ticked by. Minutes which slowly turned into hours passed and when she was sure he was in deep sleep, she allowed her tears to fall.
She cried and cried, not knowing what else to do. She had no clue where she was and she didn't even know if she was still in Paris. All hopes of a bright future was dashed from her mind, but a dim ray of hope still glinted somewhere far in her heart. She cried until she could cry no more, and she cried herself to sleep, with only a single thought running in her mind,
'Eriol... Save me.'
Meanwhile
11:57 A.M.
He slumped onto his couch and cupped his head between his hands with his elbows resting on his knees. He racked his fingers through tousled midnight blue hair as he heaved a deep sigh and stared dully at the surface of the coffee table. He just returned home from a tiring day of investigating the scene of Tomoyo's abduction. Truth is, he didn't need to do the whole investigation thing simply because he had magical abilities that would help him locate her presence. But considering he hasn't usen them for years, he hopes it won't be a tiring and power-drain process, because his instincts told him he'd be needing all his energy for whatever may come in the future.
A bitter look crossed his face as he mused dully in his mind, 'It was my instincts that told me Tomoyo would be in trouble. But did I listen to them? No! Damn it. See if I ever mistrust them. I should've been there, with Tomoyo, to protect her like I promised I would. I told her everything was going to be all right... I promised her no harm would come to her...' He tightly shut his eyes, trying to block out reality. "But I failed. That's what I am: a failure!"
In his frustration, he stood up, walked across the room, and slammed his fist into the wall. The force caused a dent to form and a few cracks to spread out around the dent in the wall. He rested his arm and forehead against it as he rubbed his eyelids with his other hand. Eriol could feel the hot stinging sensation of tears well in his eyes, but he didn't allow them to fall. He had to stay strong if he wanted to find Tomoyo.
He stared blankly, yet grimly, between the gaps of his bangs and at the wall. Determination gleamed and glinted brightly in his dangerous sapphire orbs. He was going to set his failures straight because... Eriol Hirrigazawa, the reincarnation of Clow Reed, never fails. Gathering his coat, bullets, and his guns, he exited his apartment with one thought and one mission in mind:
To find Tomoyo, and kill Aleron.
'Don't worry Tomoyo, I'm coming...'
1:34 P.M.
She parted her heavy eyelids and peered through half opened eyes at Romare. He sat at the table comfortably, nice and warm with a mug of hot chocolate and food. Her stomach growled and she shivered uncontrollably; her face looking feverish. She couldn't focus her vision and in no time at all, she fell back into a deep sleep.
2:05 P.M.
Eriol growled in frustration at the slow progress traffic was showing. It never seemed to be improving and from where he was at, the line and roads of cars looked like it went on and on. The sounds of cars honking echoed continuously in the still winter air and with each passing minute, Eriol grew more wrestless. He hoped Tomoyo was doing all right...
Tomoyo's Dream/Flashback
She found that she was no longer the twenty year old woman back in France, but the fifteen year old teenager she left behind in Tomoeda. At this point, she was already witnessing and going through Aleron's abusive ways and she found that she was getting closer to breaking down. Everything around her was dark: the ground, the sky, and to her right and to her left was nothing but pitch black. Bruises and scars covered her body and her clothes looked tattered, dirty, and poorly kept. A force caused her to fall backwards and onto the ground. She lifted her dirty and bruised face, tears leaking rapidly down her dirty cheeks. Fear flashed in her amethyst eyes when meeting the cold, sinister indigo eyes of seventeen year old Aleron. He had the same sneer plastered on his pale, yet handsome and dark features.
"What have I told you!?!" he snapped in anger, striking her again across the face. She cowered and whimpered helplessly. "I thought I told you to keep what goes on between us a SECRET!?" He gathered some of her hair in his hands and forced her to stare into his eyes. He growled in outrage. "But you went on and complained to your mother! Do you not love me!?!"
"H-hai," she stammered through her sobs. "I-I...love y-y-you..."
Aleron snarled and pushed her back. "Well then, if you loved me, you wouldn't go trying to put me in jail!!!!"
She tightly shut her eyes and pleaded, knowing that if she didn't, he'd just hurt her a lot worse. "O-Onegai... Aleron...! I'm r-r-really sorry! I'll never disobey you again."
He stared down at her as if he were her superior and she was nothing but a mere, common peasent who he considered 'trash.' "Good. Now go and get yourself cleaned up, and I swear, Tomoyo, if you whine one more time to your mother, I'm going to have to punish you a lot worse..." He left her to ponder over his words as he mumbled something that sounded audibly like 'worthless piece of trash.'
Once he was gone and out of sight, Tomoyo lied on her side and curled up into a tight ball with her knees drawn close to her chest. She cried and sobbed brokenly, already in hysterics as she hiccuped once in a while. Her heart ached tremendously, not from the physical pain that was inflicted on her by Aleron, but the mental pain of all the things she's been put through.
"Oh Eriol," she murmured between her sobs. "Where are you? I need you..."
3:22 P.M.
Traffic finally had died down around 3:11 and he found himself gliding speedily and freely down the highway. His blue aura blazed around him as he followed the faint signal of Tomoyo. But with each passing minute, he was getting closer to her. Eriol furrowed his eyebrows deeply as he grind his teeth. He pressed more on the pedal and the car sped even faster down the freeway.
Meanwhile
Romare glanced at Tomoyo and noted how flushed her cheeks looked. A pained expression was evident on her now pale face. She was having another of her feverish nightmares, or more like unwanted flashbacks of her past.
__________
"I warned you, Tomoyo!" He pushed her against the wall, his fingers wrapped around her small neck.
She kept her hands on his wrist as she struggled to breath. "I-I'm s...s...sorry! Really! I ... I am!"
Her amethyst orbs were wide and she stared fearfully in his enraged indigo eyes. She had made yet the same mistake by 'complaining' to her mother that Aleron was an abusive man.
"Bullshit!" he snapped, pulling her away from the wall and pushing her into a dresser, where a mirror was at. Her collision caused the mirror to fall sideways and shatter into pieces on the rugged floor. Aleron struck her across the face and she placed a hand over her throbbing cheek as she stared frightened with tear-filled eyes. "I told you the consequence would be a lot worse if you told your mother ONE MORE TIME! But you ignored my warning so now you must be punished."
Tomoyo began to back away from him, the bottom of her shoe causing the already broken glass on the floor, to break more. She was trying to keep whatever distance she could between her and the advancing Aleron Thorn. But to her dismay, her back collided into the wall and her eyes went wide as he raised his hand to strike her. She shut her eyes, prepared for the beating she was about to receive.
Tour, France
3:27 P.M.
Eriol exited out of the free way and entered Tour, France. Thanks mostly to the traffic, it had taken him more than three hours just to get from Paris, and to Tour. He shifted the gear and rode through the streets of Tour, following Tomoyo's life signal. But as he got nearer, he couldn't help but note the fear and pain that was emitting from her.
'I swear to Kami-sama that if anyone has hurt Tomoyo, they'll pay,' he vowed in his mind with his jaws locked firmly and his sapphrie orbs blazing dangerously.
__________
Tomoyo hugged her beaten form to herself as she sat at the corner of the room, feeling completely small and hurt. She had her eyes shut with fresh tears mixing with her already shedded tears. The sound of Aleron leaving the house and shutting the door behind him echoed in the house, but it was like music to her ears at the thought of him being away. Sobbing, crying, and sniffing, Tomoyo stared at nothing really through half opened eyes. She was getting sick and tired of Aleron's abusive ways and it was a wonder to her why she hasn't run to the police yet. But she knew they wouldn't believe her considering that he was the owner of one of the most biggest companies in the world.
What was she suppose to do? The only person who ever gave her strength and the will to live was one person: Eriol Hirrigazawa. But he was far away in England and she hasn't seen him in years. All hope for his return had faded from her mind long ago and she doubted he would ever come back to her. Still... one can't help but wish. She needed him. She was crumbling day by day without him. Where was he?
End of Dream/Flashback
Through her nightmares and feverish mind, Tomoyo returned back to reality and the world of consciousness. She opened her eyes, only to find that Romare wasn't anywhere in the werehouse. He was probably outside. Taking his absence to her opportunity, she let her concealed tears fall one by one down her cheeks.
'Onegai, hurry up Eriol,' Tomoyo thought pleadingly. 'I'm scared... and I need you.'
To Be Continued
Azure Rosas: Okay, okay... I know ya'll are thinkin' that I'm evil for delaying the part where the 'hero' saves his 'damsel in distress.' ^^;; Sorry, sorry. Anyway, after reading this chapter, you read some things that happened in Tomoyo's past. Kinda sad how Aleron treated her, huh? But at least she has Eriol to make her day more brighter and life worth living, ne? ^.^ Also, as you can see, I changed the title Ne dites pas Que Vous M'aimez to the simple English version of Don't Say You Love Me. ^^ I was gettin' tired of havin' to type out that long ol' French version of the title. Heh. ^^;; Welp, I'd like to thank Devils Sanctuary, Kawaiiaznangel36, and Syvonair for reviewing and being my constant supporters. Thanks you three~!~ It means a lot to me! Welp, I ask myself why I'm up around 12 midnight, typing this chapter. *yawns* I guess you can say that I'm your devoted authoress who...*yawns again* hates to keep her readers waiting...*starts to doze off* but I'm also your devoted authoress who's...*head falls on the computer* devoted to sleeping. -_- ZzZzZzZzzzz.....
Chapter Seven: I Need You
By: Azure Rosas
A black limousine pulled up near the house. Yellow plastic straps surrounded the lawn of the house that was held up by various wooden poles. Women and men could be seen, some of them wearing blue jackets with the letters F.B.I imprinted on the back. Others wore the uniform that the police of Paris wore and the rest adorned other business like clothing. The front door was widely ajar where more activity was taking place. Something must've happened over at that house...
The chauffeur exited the limosuine and rounded the front as he opened the back door. A woman stepped out, wearing leather brown high heels, stockings, and a warm brown hued winter coat. She glanced down at the piece of paper where something was scribbled down, then she looked at the number of the house where the police, F.B.I, and the CIA were investigating and a sudden wave of worry washed over her. She practically jogged across the icy streets as strands of her pale brown hair flew from its bun and framed her face. She was about to walk up the pavement that led to the porch, but a CIA agent stopped her.
"Excuse me, Madame, but no one's allowed here. This place is a restricted area."
She stared him in the eye and glared deathly at him. "I demand to see the person who lives here!"
"That's impossible," he replied, making a move to lead her away, but she stood firmly glued to her spot.
"And why not?"
"She's not here," came his flat answer.
"What do you mean she's not here!?" she shrieked, catching the other agents' attention. "If this is her house, then of course she'd be here!"
"What is going on here?" A stern looking man around his early 40's approached them. "Cody, I thought I told you that no one is allowed here."
Cody let out an exasperrated sigh. "I know, boss, what do you think I've been tryin' to tell this woman!?!"
"Madame, you're going to have to clear this area," he said to her.
"I am not leaving until I see Tomoyo Daidouji!" she continued to protest.
"How do you know Daidouji?" Cody's boss question as he eyed the elderly lady.
She lifted her head up. "I am her mother, Sonomi Daidouji."
Cody and his boss, Hishima, glanced at each other. Hishima heaved a sigh as he began to lead her towards the house. "I'm afraid we have bad news, Miss Daidouji..."
Later On - After the News
"WHAAATTT!?!?!?!?!"
Some winced, some cringed, others covered their ears. Sonomi's reaction was exactly as they predicted it would be. Her eyes were wide with tears brimming the edges. A look of utter disbelief and surprise was written all over her now pale and ghastly face.
"Daidouji-san..." Eriol spoke, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. When he heard the news of Tomoyo's kidnap sometime around four in the morning, like Sonomi, he couldn't accept that until he had proof. And then when he arrived to investigate her house, he somehow managed to accept it with every ounce of sorrow and reluctance. "It's going to be all right..."
Her tears coarsed down her cheeks as she sent the sapphire eyed man a glare and snapped at him in Japanese. "No it WILL NOT be all right until I know my daughter is safe and sound! But how can I know that when she's been KIDNAPPED!?!?!"
"Daidouji-san, onegai, calm yourself..."
"HOW CAN I CALM MYSELF!?!?!?!" she shrieked in outrage. "MY ONLY DAUGHTER IS GONE!!! AND NONE OF YOU WERE ABLE TO PREVENT HER KIDNAP! IT'S ALL OF YOUR GUY'S FAULT!!!" Her accusation and blame rained down on Eriol and he felt guiltier with each harsh and icy word she spoke. "I TRUSTED you, Hirrigazawa! You promised you were going to watch her for me, but you broke that promise and therefore you broke my trust!" Eriol avoided looking into her piercing eyes. Her words felt like a knife being driven into his heart. He couldn't help but agree with her last statement. It was all his fault Tomoyo was taken... He promised to protect her... He promised her everything was going to be all right... But he broke it. He bowed his head so his bangs swayed and concealed his eyes.
"Gomen nasai, Daidouji-san," he murmured sincerely, trying to hide his wavering tone. This wasn't the place to cry and mourn over Tomoyo's disappearance.
Sonomi's expression softened when realizing he was just as hurt as she was. After all these years, she knew the boy still loved her daughter and she felt instantly guilty for blaming him for something he didn't mean to happen. She shook her head. "Iie. I should be the one who's sorry, Eriol-san. Gomen nasai for shouting at you like that. It's just that..." Sonomi bit her bottom lip before burrying her face in her hands and crying. "I miss Tomoyo so much..."
Eriol lifted his head up and stared at the elderly woman in sympathy. He fought his tears as he embraced the one he considered like a mother he never had. "I'll find her, Daidouji-san, if it's the last thing I do... I swear I'll find Tomoyo and bring her back to you."
Meanwhile
Conciousness returned to her, but she didn't open her eyes. Her body felt sore and stiff all over and as she moved, she stopped and groaned when feeling the binds of the ropes cut into her wrist and ankles. A rag was wrapped tightly around her mouth so she wouldn't be able to speak and only the world of silence greeted her ears. She found that for what felt like days, she's been sleeping in a sitting position on a hard wooden chair. Every bone in her body ached and screamed tirelessly for her to move so she could remove the stiffness. But that thought was dashed by the secure binds strapped around her wrists, arms, waist, and ankles.
When she finally found the will to open her eyes, she parted her eye lids with every ounce of strength and realized she was in an old abandoned werehouse. There was a stair case that led to the second floor where a few boxes could be seen, but besides that, the whole place was empty. A single lamp hung above her, bathing her frail form in dull yellow-orange light. She still wore her pajamas which wasn't a good combination with the winter weather. No warmth or security could be found in the abandoned werehouse and thanks to the cold temperature, her whole body felt rather numb.
The sound of a door being open reached her ears and she turned her aching neck to the side to see someone step into the werehouse as he shut the door behind him. It was hard to make out who he was considering that he wore all black: black sunglasses, black shirt, long black trench coat, black pants, and black snow boots. The only thing distinguishable about him were his rather out of place dirty blond hair. When he noticed her gaze was focused on him, he approached her with a thin smirk crossing his pale face as he removed the rag around her mouth.
"So you're awake, Mademoiselle Daidouji," he spoke with a perfect, gruff French accent. "Monsieur Thorn will be pleased to know that I have you in my possession."
Tomoyo sent the man a glare. "Who are you?"
He removed his shades to reveal a pair of cold blue eyes. "I am Romare, an employee of Aleron Thorn."
"Why did you kidnap me?" Tomoyo demanded to know, her voice sounding poisonous. "I demand you to let me free!!!"
He chuckled and waved his index finger. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
"Why not!?!" she asked indignantly.
"Because, if I let you go, then I won't be able to get my pay."
"Is that all you care about," Tomoyo snorted, "money!?! If that's all you want, then I'll give you the money just to let me go!"
Romare shook his head. "No matter how tempting that sounds, milady, I can not do that. If I take your money and set you free, then Aleron will be out for my head and I'll be dead before I can put the money to use."
She growled at him. That didn't work. "Where's Aleron anyway? Why can't he do his own dirty work!?!"
He started to dig through his pockets. "He's outta town for some business. But he'll be back tonight to retrieve you. Until then..." He pulled out a cell phone and punched in a number. "I'll have to watch you." The phone rang a few times and he diverted his attention from her. "Yeah, I got her... 'Kay... All right..." He turned his phone off and put it away. He kneeled down a bit so they were at eye level. Romare flashed her a sinister smirk as he lifted her head up and tapped her cheek. "Now, be a good girl for me until he comes." Tomoyo was about to curse him out when he brought the rag back around her mouth.
She struggled desperately to get free of the binds that bound her to the chair, but it was useless. They were tight and it was obvious that Romare guy knew how to tie knots. She narrowed her tear-filled eyes to tiny slits and he chuckled as he shook his head and took a seat near a single round table. He set his feet on the furnace and rested his hands behind his head. He gave her a smirk before dozing off in his uncomfortable position. Time ticked by. Minutes which slowly turned into hours passed and when she was sure he was in deep sleep, she allowed her tears to fall.
She cried and cried, not knowing what else to do. She had no clue where she was and she didn't even know if she was still in Paris. All hopes of a bright future was dashed from her mind, but a dim ray of hope still glinted somewhere far in her heart. She cried until she could cry no more, and she cried herself to sleep, with only a single thought running in her mind,
'Eriol... Save me.'
Meanwhile
11:57 A.M.
He slumped onto his couch and cupped his head between his hands with his elbows resting on his knees. He racked his fingers through tousled midnight blue hair as he heaved a deep sigh and stared dully at the surface of the coffee table. He just returned home from a tiring day of investigating the scene of Tomoyo's abduction. Truth is, he didn't need to do the whole investigation thing simply because he had magical abilities that would help him locate her presence. But considering he hasn't usen them for years, he hopes it won't be a tiring and power-drain process, because his instincts told him he'd be needing all his energy for whatever may come in the future.
A bitter look crossed his face as he mused dully in his mind, 'It was my instincts that told me Tomoyo would be in trouble. But did I listen to them? No! Damn it. See if I ever mistrust them. I should've been there, with Tomoyo, to protect her like I promised I would. I told her everything was going to be all right... I promised her no harm would come to her...' He tightly shut his eyes, trying to block out reality. "But I failed. That's what I am: a failure!"
In his frustration, he stood up, walked across the room, and slammed his fist into the wall. The force caused a dent to form and a few cracks to spread out around the dent in the wall. He rested his arm and forehead against it as he rubbed his eyelids with his other hand. Eriol could feel the hot stinging sensation of tears well in his eyes, but he didn't allow them to fall. He had to stay strong if he wanted to find Tomoyo.
He stared blankly, yet grimly, between the gaps of his bangs and at the wall. Determination gleamed and glinted brightly in his dangerous sapphire orbs. He was going to set his failures straight because... Eriol Hirrigazawa, the reincarnation of Clow Reed, never fails. Gathering his coat, bullets, and his guns, he exited his apartment with one thought and one mission in mind:
To find Tomoyo, and kill Aleron.
'Don't worry Tomoyo, I'm coming...'
1:34 P.M.
She parted her heavy eyelids and peered through half opened eyes at Romare. He sat at the table comfortably, nice and warm with a mug of hot chocolate and food. Her stomach growled and she shivered uncontrollably; her face looking feverish. She couldn't focus her vision and in no time at all, she fell back into a deep sleep.
2:05 P.M.
Eriol growled in frustration at the slow progress traffic was showing. It never seemed to be improving and from where he was at, the line and roads of cars looked like it went on and on. The sounds of cars honking echoed continuously in the still winter air and with each passing minute, Eriol grew more wrestless. He hoped Tomoyo was doing all right...
Tomoyo's Dream/Flashback
She found that she was no longer the twenty year old woman back in France, but the fifteen year old teenager she left behind in Tomoeda. At this point, she was already witnessing and going through Aleron's abusive ways and she found that she was getting closer to breaking down. Everything around her was dark: the ground, the sky, and to her right and to her left was nothing but pitch black. Bruises and scars covered her body and her clothes looked tattered, dirty, and poorly kept. A force caused her to fall backwards and onto the ground. She lifted her dirty and bruised face, tears leaking rapidly down her dirty cheeks. Fear flashed in her amethyst eyes when meeting the cold, sinister indigo eyes of seventeen year old Aleron. He had the same sneer plastered on his pale, yet handsome and dark features.
"What have I told you!?!" he snapped in anger, striking her again across the face. She cowered and whimpered helplessly. "I thought I told you to keep what goes on between us a SECRET!?" He gathered some of her hair in his hands and forced her to stare into his eyes. He growled in outrage. "But you went on and complained to your mother! Do you not love me!?!"
"H-hai," she stammered through her sobs. "I-I...love y-y-you..."
Aleron snarled and pushed her back. "Well then, if you loved me, you wouldn't go trying to put me in jail!!!!"
She tightly shut her eyes and pleaded, knowing that if she didn't, he'd just hurt her a lot worse. "O-Onegai... Aleron...! I'm r-r-really sorry! I'll never disobey you again."
He stared down at her as if he were her superior and she was nothing but a mere, common peasent who he considered 'trash.' "Good. Now go and get yourself cleaned up, and I swear, Tomoyo, if you whine one more time to your mother, I'm going to have to punish you a lot worse..." He left her to ponder over his words as he mumbled something that sounded audibly like 'worthless piece of trash.'
Once he was gone and out of sight, Tomoyo lied on her side and curled up into a tight ball with her knees drawn close to her chest. She cried and sobbed brokenly, already in hysterics as she hiccuped once in a while. Her heart ached tremendously, not from the physical pain that was inflicted on her by Aleron, but the mental pain of all the things she's been put through.
"Oh Eriol," she murmured between her sobs. "Where are you? I need you..."
3:22 P.M.
Traffic finally had died down around 3:11 and he found himself gliding speedily and freely down the highway. His blue aura blazed around him as he followed the faint signal of Tomoyo. But with each passing minute, he was getting closer to her. Eriol furrowed his eyebrows deeply as he grind his teeth. He pressed more on the pedal and the car sped even faster down the freeway.
Meanwhile
Romare glanced at Tomoyo and noted how flushed her cheeks looked. A pained expression was evident on her now pale face. She was having another of her feverish nightmares, or more like unwanted flashbacks of her past.
"I warned you, Tomoyo!" He pushed her against the wall, his fingers wrapped around her small neck.
She kept her hands on his wrist as she struggled to breath. "I-I'm s...s...sorry! Really! I ... I am!"
Her amethyst orbs were wide and she stared fearfully in his enraged indigo eyes. She had made yet the same mistake by 'complaining' to her mother that Aleron was an abusive man.
"Bullshit!" he snapped, pulling her away from the wall and pushing her into a dresser, where a mirror was at. Her collision caused the mirror to fall sideways and shatter into pieces on the rugged floor. Aleron struck her across the face and she placed a hand over her throbbing cheek as she stared frightened with tear-filled eyes. "I told you the consequence would be a lot worse if you told your mother ONE MORE TIME! But you ignored my warning so now you must be punished."
Tomoyo began to back away from him, the bottom of her shoe causing the already broken glass on the floor, to break more. She was trying to keep whatever distance she could between her and the advancing Aleron Thorn. But to her dismay, her back collided into the wall and her eyes went wide as he raised his hand to strike her. She shut her eyes, prepared for the beating she was about to receive.
Tour, France
3:27 P.M.
Eriol exited out of the free way and entered Tour, France. Thanks mostly to the traffic, it had taken him more than three hours just to get from Paris, and to Tour. He shifted the gear and rode through the streets of Tour, following Tomoyo's life signal. But as he got nearer, he couldn't help but note the fear and pain that was emitting from her.
'I swear to Kami-sama that if anyone has hurt Tomoyo, they'll pay,' he vowed in his mind with his jaws locked firmly and his sapphrie orbs blazing dangerously.
Tomoyo hugged her beaten form to herself as she sat at the corner of the room, feeling completely small and hurt. She had her eyes shut with fresh tears mixing with her already shedded tears. The sound of Aleron leaving the house and shutting the door behind him echoed in the house, but it was like music to her ears at the thought of him being away. Sobbing, crying, and sniffing, Tomoyo stared at nothing really through half opened eyes. She was getting sick and tired of Aleron's abusive ways and it was a wonder to her why she hasn't run to the police yet. But she knew they wouldn't believe her considering that he was the owner of one of the most biggest companies in the world.
What was she suppose to do? The only person who ever gave her strength and the will to live was one person: Eriol Hirrigazawa. But he was far away in England and she hasn't seen him in years. All hope for his return had faded from her mind long ago and she doubted he would ever come back to her. Still... one can't help but wish. She needed him. She was crumbling day by day without him. Where was he?
End of Dream/Flashback
Through her nightmares and feverish mind, Tomoyo returned back to reality and the world of consciousness. She opened her eyes, only to find that Romare wasn't anywhere in the werehouse. He was probably outside. Taking his absence to her opportunity, she let her concealed tears fall one by one down her cheeks.
'Onegai, hurry up Eriol,' Tomoyo thought pleadingly. 'I'm scared... and I need you.'
To Be Continued
Azure Rosas: Okay, okay... I know ya'll are thinkin' that I'm evil for delaying the part where the 'hero' saves his 'damsel in distress.' ^^;; Sorry, sorry. Anyway, after reading this chapter, you read some things that happened in Tomoyo's past. Kinda sad how Aleron treated her, huh? But at least she has Eriol to make her day more brighter and life worth living, ne? ^.^ Also, as you can see, I changed the title Ne dites pas Que Vous M'aimez to the simple English version of Don't Say You Love Me. ^^ I was gettin' tired of havin' to type out that long ol' French version of the title. Heh. ^^;; Welp, I'd like to thank Devils Sanctuary, Kawaiiaznangel36, and Syvonair for reviewing and being my constant supporters. Thanks you three~!~ It means a lot to me! Welp, I ask myself why I'm up around 12 midnight, typing this chapter. *yawns* I guess you can say that I'm your devoted authoress who...*yawns again* hates to keep her readers waiting...*starts to doze off* but I'm also your devoted authoress who's...*head falls on the computer* devoted to sleeping. -_- ZzZzZzZzzzz.....