Enchantress Azure: Whoops, took a while to update, huh? ^^;;; Heh... sorry? *scratches back of head* Anyway, why don't I just get on with
the fic, I believe I delayed it long enough... Oh, and the song featured at the end is called Running by No Doubt. ^_^
Don't Say You Love Me
Chapter Ten: Running
By: Enchantress Azure
Haven't you ever felt like crying? Haven't you ever felt as if you just want to break down and let it all out?
And when you finally let your tears fall, you find that it isn't enough to release the anger...
the frustration...
the stress...
the sorrow...
the fright...
the aching.
You find that tears aren't enough to show what you truly feel inside; to release it all so you can be free again. Haven't you ever felt that way... as if your heart was being torn apart; as if it were aching? Don't you just wanna let it all out...?
Well, that's how Eriol Hiiragizawa felt at the moment when watching helplessly as Tomoyo was shot to death...
Bang...
That's how he felt as he watched her drop lifelessly to the ground...
One shot...
...as he saw her once full-of-life amethyst orbs, become devoid of emotion; of life...
That's all it takes.
He, the almighty reincarnation of the famous Clow Reed, was powerless to stop her life from being taken away. He could feel his eyes sting heavily with tears. He could hear the rapid beating of his pulse as his heart thumped hollow-like against his chest. His whole body trembled. Eriol blinked, and that was all the force it took for his tears to fall. Lifting up a shaking arm, he aimed his pistol at Romare.
Bang...
Romare dropped dead instantly to the ground. Without thinking twice, CIA Agent Hiiragizawa shot Aleron.
You're dead.
He watched with tear-shimmering eyes as Aleron went limp and collapsed on the cement-coated ground before closing his eyes, only to never open them again. His whole body was numb, and he seemed completely oblivious to the world around him as the cold winter wind brushed by, sending some of the snow sliding to the side when being caught by the wind. His sapphire orbs landed on the body of Tomoyo Daidouji, red staining the white substance beneath her form. Eriol stumbled towards her, the crunching of snow slicing through the icy air of silence. He didn't notice Syaoran hastily punching in a number on his cell phone and making a quick call to the police. He didn't notice the rest of Aleron's men running around in an attempt of escape from the police. He didn't hear the loud sirens of an ambulance, of a fire truck, of police cars... He didn't notice anything... His body was numb, his senses didn't seem to function correctly... All that mattered was getting to Tomoyo...
"I have to save her..." he mumbled absentmindedly, his eyes wide. He collapsed next to her bleeding form. "I have to help her... I can't let her die... Tomoyo..." He gazed at her pale face; at the face of one close to death. Bringing up a hand, he gently touched her cheek, but pulled it away when feeling how hauntingly cold she felt. He then brought his hand over her wound. Syaoran glanced at Eriol and noticed his blue aura wavering around his form before entangling around Tomoyo. "I'm not gonna let you die, Tomoyo..." Eriol continued to mumble softly, his eyelids feeling heavy as he transferred whatever life force he could into her. "You have to live..." He felt fatigue; exhausted. "I can't let you die... I can't let you leave... I can't let you leave your Okaa-san... or your friends..." His breathing came out irregular, his skin looking oddly pale as he rested his head below Tomoyo's neck where he could hear the faint beating of her heart. His eyelids concealed his eyes from view, the world of consciousness gradually taking over. His mumbling became softer and softer till it died out. "I can't let you leave me, Tomoyo... I love you..." He fainted.
__________
She could hear faint talking...
"She's lost a lot of blood."
'Who are they talking about...?'
"It's a miracle that she's survived for this long."
'Are they talking about me?'
"C'mon, hurry, we have to fix that wound before she bleeds to death..."
'Where am I...?' she wondered to herself before loosing consciousness and falling into a dark abyss.
__________
He lied there, close to death, the doctors not knowing what to do since they didn't know the cause of what was wrong with him... why he was so close to dying. The heart monitor beeped repeatedly, showing that he was still alive, just barely. Anyone with the magical eye could see his blue aura, flickering strongly, then faintly around his pale form. He was oblivious to the activity going around him as the doctors checked his body for anything irregular that maybe the cause of what's happening to him. But they weren't able to find anything wrong with him. They didn't understand why his heart was pumping less blood. Nothing was wrong with his organs. It's like... most of his life force was drained away from him. As he slept, he looked calm, like he usually does when he's awake. As he slept, death crept upon him like an invisible shadow, waiting... waiting to take his soul.
Having reluctantly given up hope in saving the young Agent's life, the doctors brought him to a patient's room and left him there with grim faces, feeling like total failures, like they have so many times in the past. Time seemed to stand still as the monitor sounded clearly through the room...
Beep... beep... beep...
The knob could be seen, turning as the door opened. Syaoran stepped into the room and carefully shut the door, not wanting to disturb the sleeping. Looking worried, yet grim, he approached the bed and stared down at Eriol's pale, yet calm looking face. Pulling up a chair, Syaoran placed it next to Eriol's bed and sat on it. All was silent...
Beep... beep... beep...
"You shouldn't have done that, Hirragizawa... You shouldn't have given most of your life force to Daidouji," Syaoran murmured seriously, staring intently at him. "There could've been another alternative, you know. Now look who's dying. Look at where you ended up..." He let out a frustrated sigh, racking his fingers through his hair. "But... I would've done the same for Sakura if I knew how to, or if something like that happened to her. I understand why you did it... You still love Daidouji, huh? ...I should've known." He rubbed his closed eyelids. "I feel stupid right now. I feel as if I'm talking to myself. C'mon, Hirragizawa, get your ass up. You can't leave us... You wouldn't let Daidouji leave you, and I'm not 'bout to let you leave her. Don't die on us, not now; not after all that we've been through..." Syaoran went silent, as if waiting for a response, but all that greeted him was the continuous beating of the heart monitor.
Beep... beep... beep...
__________
Everything was dark as she walked down the cobbled street. Lifting her head up, she gazed at the starless, moonless space above. Looking forward, street lamps stood tall on either side of the street, alighting her path as she walked. All she could hear was the clicking of her heals as it hit the ground over and over again. Tomoyo wondered where she was, whether this was a dream or if it wasn't. She remembered getting shot by Romare, seeing Eriol's surprised expression, then going completely blank. Maybe she was dead now and walking down the road that led to her end; that led to Heaven. Yet, for some reason, she felt... alive. She couldn't explain it, she just did. But she could've sworn she was dying not too long ago...
Then she remembered... She had heard Eriol murmuring incoherent words to her, and the next thing she knew, she felt as if she were being pulled back, back to the realm of the living and his words were becoming clearer and clearer. She remembered the only thing she had heard him say: 'I can't let you die... I can't let you leave... I can't let you leave your Okaa-san... or your friends... I can't let you leave me, Tomoyo... I love you...'
"Eriol, where are you...?" she whispered softly in the silence of the night. She wanted to see his face, to see his reassuring grin that everything would be alright. She wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to tell him that it was a lie; that her not loving him anymore was a lie. The only reason why she had denied her feelings towards him in the first place was because she was scared... scared of getting hurt; scared of him leaving her again.
"Tomoyo..." a familiar, masculine voice murmured gently.
Lifting her head up, her eyes widened in surprise when seeing Eriol standing a few feet away from her. His sapphire eyes gazed at her tenderly, and his lips were tugged in a warm, comforting grin. "Eriol!" Tomoyo exclaimed, breaking into a run, but too her confusion and dismay, he gradually turned around and ran off. He seemed to be running in slow motion, but no matter how hard or how fast she ran, he seemed to be getting farther and farther away. "Eriol... matte..." she gasped out breathlessly, desperately trying to catch up to him. Her foot got caught in a crack on the cobbled street and she found herself colliding harshly against the ground. Trying her hardest not to cry, she lifted her head up and saw him standing there, so near, yet so far. Her eyes widened when seeing his body slowly fading away. Bringing up a shaky hand, she reached out towards him, panic seizing her and clutching at her heart. "Eriol... Iie! Don't leave me!" He simply continued to smile at her reassuringly as he mouthed an audible 'I love you.' "Eriol! Come back!!!!"
End of Dream Sequence
Tomoyo's eyes suddenly snapped open, only to be greeted by the bright rays of the light. Groaning in annoyance, she shut her eyes in order to block it away. When she got use to the light penetrating through her eyelids, she opened them and blinked groggily till she adjusted to her surroundings. "Where... am I?" she mumbled. The next thing she knew, she was enveloped in a tight embrace.
"Tomoyo! You're alright! You're alive!" a female voice cried out in relief, sounding as if she's been crying for quite a while.
She couldn't help but notice how familiar her voice sounded... Her heart skipped a beat as it begun to pound heavily against the inside of her rib cage. Tears stung her eyes and she said shakily, "O-Okaa-san...?"
"Hai, Tomoyo, it's me," Sonomi reassured her, withdrawing from the hug and giving her daughter a watery grin. Her cheeks were damp from crying so much, and fresh ones started to cascade down her face.
Tomoyo stared at her mother, as if making sure that this wasn't a dream, but reality. Joy beyond words engulfed her body, a warm feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. Eyes glazing over, tears spilled from her eyes as she threw herself at Sonomi and wrapped her arms tightly around her. "Okaa-san!!! I've missed you sooo much!!!"
"I missed you, too, Tomoyo," Sonomi sobbed, hugging her back with the same amount of force.
"I'm so sorry for leaving you, 'kaa-san," Tomoyo murmured through her sobs as her body trembled. "I didn't want to... I really didn't want to leave you..."
"It's alright, dear. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I should've listened to you," Sonomi reassured, crying silently as she stroked Tomoyo's hair soothingly. She was so glad and relieved to have her daughter back. "It's my fault that you ran away in the first place..."
"No. I was stupid enough to run away from my problems instead of facing it," she persisted. "I really am sorry, 'kaa-san..."
"Hush, child. You don't have to be sorry," Sonomi hushed gently, slightly withdrawing from the hug and smiling at Tomoyo comfortingly. She tucked a strand of her raven hair behind one of her ears. "Let's just forget it."
Tomoyo nodded and sniffled slightly. "Hey, Okaa-san? What happened to Aleron anyway?"
"Him and the man who had shot you, were both killed by Eriol-san," Sonomi answered with a sigh. "I believe those two got what they deserved..."
"Where's Eriol?" Tomoyo questioned, looking around her patient's room.
Her face became grave and sympathetic at the same time, scaring Tomoyo and leaving her worried for Eriol's well being. What could've happened that made her mother look at her in such a manner? "Tomoyo..." she began, wondering how she was going to break this to her daughter. More tears surfaced as she thought of the young man who had saved her daughter's life.
"Okaa-san, what is it?" Tomoyo asked in panic, slightly shaking Sonomi by her shoulders. "Tell me!"
She looked away, then back at her. "He's dying, Tomoyo..."
She stopped shaking her, but her hands remained on her shoulders. Tomoyo's eyes were wide in disbelief, shock, and horror as her whole body went numb and rigid. Eriol... dying? "....What?" Tomoyo whispered, unable to find her voice as she chocked on her tears. "This has to be some sorta joke! Eriol can't be dying!!! He was just fine when I last saw him!!!!'
"Syaoran-san told me that he had given you his life force in order to keep you alive," Sonomi said, bowing her head. (A/N: She knows about the Clow Cards and all that crap...)
"NANI?!?!?!" Tomoyo exclaimed in surprise. Throwing the covers off of her, she ignored the pain in her side as she jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.
"Tomoyo, matte!" Sonomi called after her, running behind Tomoyo.
Running to a nearby Information Center, Tomoyo approached the nurse at the desk and asked hastily and breathlessly, "What room is Hirragizawa, Eriol being kept in?!?!"
She pointed to the right, blinking. "He's in room 24A... Right down this hall and somewhere on the right..."
"Merci," Tomoyo called a hasty thanks as she headed down to the right. "He can't be dying, he can't be dying, he can't be dying..." she mumbled beneath her breath, glancing at the numbers on the door as she ran. Tears trailed behind her, worry for Eriol clearly evident on her face. 'He just can't be dying...' Bursting into the room, she stopped dead in her tracks at the frame of the door. Syaoran still sat near the edge of the bed, lifting his head up, startled, when hearing the sudden burst. But Tomoyo didn't seem to see him, let alone know he was there. Her gaze was on the body laying on the deathbed. Her gaze was on the body of Eriol Hirragizawa. "No..." she whispered in denial, her tears coming more quickly. She rushed to the bedside and gently started to shake the unconscious Eriol by his shoulders. "Wake up, Eriol! Wake up right now!" Tomoyo demanded forcefully, but her tone wavered as her tears splattered on the white bed sheets. "You have to wake up!!!"
"Daidouji..." Syaoran murmured sympathetically, standing up and holding Tomoyo away from Eriol. "He's not going to wake up..."
"But he has to!!!" she exclaimed, staring helplessly at the peaceful look plastered on Eriol's face. "He's not dead yet! I have to wake him up!"
"He's not going to wake up," Syaoran repeated, staring her intently in the eyes. She stared back and could clearly see the unshed tears gleaming in his amber orbs. "There's no way we could save him... He... He gave you his life, Daidouji."
Her bottom lip quivered as she looked at him, then back at Eriol. Tomoyo's knees buckled beneath her weight, but Syaoran held her in his arms before she could fall to the ground. She cried freely and mournfully, holding onto Syaoran tightly. "No... Eriol... Why did he have to do that...? Why...?"
Sonomi came into the room and gazed sadly and sympathetically at the scene before her. She placed a hand over her mouth to hide her quivering lips, and her own tears leaked from her eyes. 'If only there was a way to bring him back...'
Pulling away from Syaoran, Tomoyo embraced Eriol and buried her face in his chest, muffled sobs emitting from her throat. Sonomi walked slowly towards them. "Tomoyo..."
"Both of you... please... just...just leave... I - I wish to be alone with Eriol..." she murmured, still holding onto him.
Syaoran and Sonomi glanced at each other sympathetically, but they obliged to Tomoyo's wish and left, closing the door behind them. Lifting her head up, Tomoyo gazed longingly and sadly at Eriol's sleeping face.
"Please, wake up..." she pleaded between her sobs. Bringing up a hand, she stroked his bangs back in an affectionate manner. "Eriol, c'mon, you gotta open your eyes. The truth is, Eriol, I need you... I've always needed you. I can't bare living without you once more... But this time, if you leave me, I know it'll be forever. Open your eyes, won't you...?" She pressed her cheek against his, murmuring in a heart-breaking tone, "I can't survive without you next to me... Don't die on me now, Eriol. Please... Don't die on me..." She broke into tears once more. 'Onegai, Kami-sama, bring him back...'
__________
He floated alone in space, stars circling slowly around him. He could see planets, star constellations... He could even see Earth. But he drifted farther away from it, away from home, away from Tomoyo. Something seemed to be pulling him away from reality. Something seemed to be calling him. He had to find the source of it. Who was calling him anyway?
"You're time has come, Eriol... It's time for you to die..."
"No..." Eriol murmured, the cold air of space wrapping around his body.
"It's over. You're over. You're going to die..."
He gradually began to believe the voice, the cold air becoming oddly thicker as it suffocated him. Eriol wanted to die. No longer did he wish to live. He just wanted to get away from everything... away from it all. Tomoyo was alive, he knew that, and he was content. At least he could die knowing she was well. Closing his eyes, his breathing became softer... Then... That's when he heard her... That's when he heard her voice...
"Eriol, please, come back..."
His heart ached when hearing the pain in her voice, and he could tell by the sound of her tone that she was crying. He had the sudden urge to comfort the crying person... Opening his eyes, he whispered, "Tomoyo... I need to get back to Tomoyo... "
He heard another voice.
"Don't die on us, not now; not after all that we've been through..."
A small grin played its way across Eriol's face. He commented jokingly to no one in particular, "I knew you cared, Syaoran..." The will to live suddenly overcame him like a crash land back to reality. He couldn't believe just a moment ago he wanted to die. No... death wasn't the answer. He had so much to live for, so much to look forward to. He wasn't about to throw what he had, all away. Besides, he wasn't about to give up on Tomoyo. He loved her, and he wasn't about to leave her, nor let her leave him. Soon, Eriol felt a great tug as he was being pulled back, his blue aura flaring with life around his body. He smiled gently while murmuring, "I'm coming back, Tomoyo... Wait for me..."
__________
Tomoyo sat on the chair, her head resting against Eriol's chest. She listened to the faint beating of his heart, and to her horror, it seemed to be getting fainter and fainter. Holding onto his body as if there'd be no tomorrow if she didn't, she continued to cry. She continued to pray. Looking up at his face, Tomoyo caressed his cheek gently, and couldn't help but notice how he felt cold, but the cold seemed to be going away minute by minute. She gazed at him pleadingly. "Eriol, please, come back... I never got to tell you..." Tomoyo bit down on her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. "I never got to tell you that... I love you." She rested the side of her face against his chest once more, closing her eyes and allowing the tears to fall freely. It was then she noticed that the beating of his heart became stronger and her eyes snapped open in surprise. She sat up and stared at his face, seeing the color returning to his skin. He was breathing regularly now as his chest heaved up and down. The heart monitor beeped at a steady pace, and a sudden feeling of joy and relief overwhelmed her. "He's going to live..." Tomoyo murmured, a smile making its way across her face. "He's going to live!!!!" she exclaimed, running out of the room to find Sonomi and Syaoran sitting on two cushioned chairs in front of the door. They looked up at her in surprise as she exclaimed once more, tears of happiness spilling from her eyes. "Eriol's going to live!"
They both stood up and ran into the room, seeing how Eriol looked... well... alive while he was sleeping. Sonomi burst into her own tears of joy as Syaoran laughed in relief while shaking his head and racking his fingers through his hair. "Well I'll be damned..."
The doctors rushed into the room when hearing Tomoyo's sudden burst. They checked Eriol to confirm Tomoyo's statement. A doctor walked up to the three of them, grinning from ear to ear. "I didn't understand why he was dying earlier, and I must say, I don't understand how he has survived. This young man really is going to live longer."
Tomoyo and Sonomi embraced each other tightly, overjoyed by the news. Syaoran's grin simply widened as he looked at Eriol's sleeping figure.'You amaze me sometimes, Hiiragizawa.'
Later on, everyone left Tomoyo alone in the room with Eriol. She sat on the chair, gazing at his face while caressing his cheek tenderly. Her heart thumped heavily in her chest, and each time she saw him stir, or heard him groan, eagerness would take over, expecting him to open his eyes and wake up. But much to her disappointment, he'd just go limp and resume his sleeping. Sighing, Tomoyo rested the side of her face against his chest, and listened to the steady thumping of his heart once more. Closing her eyes, a small grin crossed her face. 'Eriol's alive... Nothing matters anymore. All that matters is that he's alive...'
Eriol's eyes fluttered open, only to be met by the bright rays of the light beaming above him. Groaning, he was about to shut them again when he felt a light weight on his torso. Craning his neck up, Eriol looked down to see Tomoyo, and a smile tugged at his lips as he gently shook her by the shoulder. She moaned in annoyance, shrugging his hand off. She didn't bother to open her eyes. Smiling even wider, he murmured in a singsong voice, "Tomoyo..."
Her eyelids instantly parted. "Eriol!" Tomoyo exclaimed, beaming brightly as she sat up and embraced him tightly. "You're awake!!!"
"Yep," he confirmed with a chuckle, hugging her back. "I'm awake, alright."
"I'm so glad," she said, pulling away from the hug and grinning broadly, but joyful tears shimmered in her amethyst eyes. Then to his confusion, she glared at him and lightly smacked his arm. "Don't you ever do something like that again, Eriol!!!!" she snapped angrily.
"Wha-?" Eriol stammered in bewilderment. Why was she so mad at him?
"Don't you ever sacrifice your life for mine! This is the SECOND TIME DAMN IT!" she continued to babble, looking really peeved off. "You could've died this time, Eriol!!! You were about to die, you know that, right?! Damn it! You fuckin' scared the hell outta me!" Eriol winced when hearing her swear.
'She really must be mad at me...' "Tomoyo, calm down! I'm alive, there's nothing to worry about anymore..."
"I know that," she began, looking up at him helplessly. "But I nearly lost you, Eriol... I felt so scared..."
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and drew her closer to him. "I'm not dead, Tomoyo. I'm alive. That's all that matters. Forget about what just happened... that's the past, this is the present." Eriol rubbed her back, then looked down at her with a reassuring grin. "I'm not goin' anywhere."
She snuggled closer to him, feeling warm and secure in his arms. It felt so right being with him, and no longer did she feel scared of him leaving her. He was right there in front of her, holding her tightly. "Eriol, why'd ya do it anyway...? Why'd you sacrifice yourself?" Tomoyo asked, pulling away from the hug and looking at him. She stared into his sapphire orbs, seeing deep into his soul where she knew the answer lied. And she found it and instantly knew why.
"I did that, Tomoyo..." Eriol started after a moment of pausing. "I did that because I lo-."
Before he could finish his sentence, she brought up a finger and placed it gently against his lips, silencing him. Shaking her head, Tomoyo smiled. "Hush, Eriol. Don't say you love me... I already know you do..." She leaned towards him, bringing her hand back down. She murmured against his lips, "It's my turn, Eriol, to say... I love you."
He gazed into her amethyst orbs, seeing nothing but the love she held for him mirroring in them. Grinning, Eriol closed the gap between them and captured her lips in a kiss that she willingly returned.
Two Weeks Later
Tomoyo's POV
It's been two weeks since the whole incident, and now here I am, standing with my Okaa-san, Syaoran (who finally, after years and years, let me call him by his first name...), and with my fiancé, Eriol. Yeah, you heard right! Eriol proposed to me just last week, and now we're waiting for our flight to Tokyo, Japan. I'm heading back to Tomoeda... back to home. Oh, I never knew I missed it so much till now.
The reason why Syaoran became an F.B.I. Agent for America was because the agency had contacted Hong Kong, China for assistance on the Thorn Case. They asked if they could get help from the best they had, and Syaoran, who at that time worked for one of the Secret Agencies in China, was brought to their aid. And you know what else? I talked to Sakura-chan not too long ago! She's coming from Hong Kong and we're planning to meet up with her in Tomoeda. And she's bringing her kid! Syaoran showed me a picture of her, and let me tell you, she's the cutest little thing! She has Syaoran's chestnut hair, but her eyes... her eyes are just like her mother's. Her name's Kohana... she's absolutely KAWAII!! And from what I've heard, Sakura's pregnant with another baby. Ooh I'm SOOO going to have to design clothes for her kids!!!
It's only now I realize how much I missed home, my friends, my Okaa-san, and Eriol... I can't believe I'm going home and I still find it hard to believe that Aleron's finally gone from my life. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, scared that he was in my room, just waiting to pounce... but then I see Eriol sleeping right next to me and no longer do I feel scared. I just snuggle with him and easily fall back to sleep. It feels as if everything's returning back to normal; back to the day before Eriol ever left and returned to England. I grinned at nothing in particular.
Normal POV
"Tomoyo!" Eriol called after Tomoyo, him, Sonomi and Syaoran having run ahead of Tomoyo before they could miss their flight. She somehow managed to stray behind.
"Huh?" she said, shaking her head and snapping back to reality. She saw Eriol beckoning her to catch up and quick. "Oh! Sorry!" Tomoyo called back hastily, running and trying to catch up. She saw Eriol continue forward in a jog, and she ran faster in order to catch up. "Eriol! Matte!!! Wait for me!" Her foot got caught in something and she found herself colliding harshly against the ground. "Itai...! That hurt..." She thought at first that Eriol had gone on with out her and followed Sonomi and Syaoran, but when she lifted her head up, she saw someone extending their hand out to her. Following the arm, her gaze landed on Eriol's smiling face. She couldn't help but smile back as she took his hand.
[Music starts]
Run
Running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side
Me
I'm the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most
I'm so sorry that I'm falling
Help me up lets keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
Heaving her up to her feet, Eriol didn't let go of her hand. "You alright?"
She nodded her head in response. "Hai."
"Alright, c'mon! We gotta catch up to the others..." Tugging gently on her hand, Eriol broke into a run, with Tomoyo running right by his side. She beamed happily, knowing that no matter what, Eriol was always going to be right beside her as they ran towards a new future... a new beginning.
Be
Be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
The future...
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
The End...
Enchantress Azure: ...*blinking* ... *at a loss for words* ... Oh wow... I can't believe it... I'm finished... I'M FINISHED WITH THIS FIC!!! WAAAIII!!!! At first when I started typing up this chapter, I wasn't sad that this was coming to a close, I was more around the words of... relieved. But now that I finished it, I'm kinda sad that I won't be working on it anymore, but I'm still relieved I got this done with. :P So how did ya'll like the ending? I hope it turned out good. And NO there won't be a sequel... I'm already workin' on two sequels and I can't STAND to do another one. Well, before I go, I just wanna thank these people who have reviewed the story:
Syvonair; kawaiiaznangel36; Devils Sanctuary; KyteAura; Jae; Sally; MegamiNoHikari; sakura90; Sakura-Rai; ms. Evil; cherryblossomsakura2111; babyg2988; HeavenlyAnimeAngel- Amaterasu; Eriol > Syaoran; MarikzAngel; Inni-chan; Kari Y. Yokhosama; fefa-chan; starquestor; Nadine; Jess; June6; MoonMaiden; Frances; Amanda; Kasumi Destruction; animechick345; BlueBerryAngel; Chrisie B; Eriol is MINE; kawaii-kirei; raven; m@ve! ; silverg3r; omi; yuki shinomori; Chocolate Drop; Bunny Luvr; InSaNeOtAkU ; DarkTenshi; and thanks to the person who left a review but no name.
Arigatou, minna-san! Your reviews were a great inspiration to me to keep this fic going after that one time where I planned on discontinuing it. Thank you all so much... and I really hope you enjoyed this fic. :D Also, check out some of my other fics if ya like. ^_~ Well, R+R, plz. Chao!
Chapter Ten: Running
By: Enchantress Azure
Haven't you ever felt like crying? Haven't you ever felt as if you just want to break down and let it all out?
And when you finally let your tears fall, you find that it isn't enough to release the anger...
the frustration...
the stress...
the sorrow...
the fright...
the aching.
You find that tears aren't enough to show what you truly feel inside; to release it all so you can be free again. Haven't you ever felt that way... as if your heart was being torn apart; as if it were aching? Don't you just wanna let it all out...?
Well, that's how Eriol Hiiragizawa felt at the moment when watching helplessly as Tomoyo was shot to death...
Bang...
That's how he felt as he watched her drop lifelessly to the ground...
One shot...
...as he saw her once full-of-life amethyst orbs, become devoid of emotion; of life...
That's all it takes.
He, the almighty reincarnation of the famous Clow Reed, was powerless to stop her life from being taken away. He could feel his eyes sting heavily with tears. He could hear the rapid beating of his pulse as his heart thumped hollow-like against his chest. His whole body trembled. Eriol blinked, and that was all the force it took for his tears to fall. Lifting up a shaking arm, he aimed his pistol at Romare.
Bang...
Romare dropped dead instantly to the ground. Without thinking twice, CIA Agent Hiiragizawa shot Aleron.
You're dead.
He watched with tear-shimmering eyes as Aleron went limp and collapsed on the cement-coated ground before closing his eyes, only to never open them again. His whole body was numb, and he seemed completely oblivious to the world around him as the cold winter wind brushed by, sending some of the snow sliding to the side when being caught by the wind. His sapphire orbs landed on the body of Tomoyo Daidouji, red staining the white substance beneath her form. Eriol stumbled towards her, the crunching of snow slicing through the icy air of silence. He didn't notice Syaoran hastily punching in a number on his cell phone and making a quick call to the police. He didn't notice the rest of Aleron's men running around in an attempt of escape from the police. He didn't hear the loud sirens of an ambulance, of a fire truck, of police cars... He didn't notice anything... His body was numb, his senses didn't seem to function correctly... All that mattered was getting to Tomoyo...
"I have to save her..." he mumbled absentmindedly, his eyes wide. He collapsed next to her bleeding form. "I have to help her... I can't let her die... Tomoyo..." He gazed at her pale face; at the face of one close to death. Bringing up a hand, he gently touched her cheek, but pulled it away when feeling how hauntingly cold she felt. He then brought his hand over her wound. Syaoran glanced at Eriol and noticed his blue aura wavering around his form before entangling around Tomoyo. "I'm not gonna let you die, Tomoyo..." Eriol continued to mumble softly, his eyelids feeling heavy as he transferred whatever life force he could into her. "You have to live..." He felt fatigue; exhausted. "I can't let you die... I can't let you leave... I can't let you leave your Okaa-san... or your friends..." His breathing came out irregular, his skin looking oddly pale as he rested his head below Tomoyo's neck where he could hear the faint beating of her heart. His eyelids concealed his eyes from view, the world of consciousness gradually taking over. His mumbling became softer and softer till it died out. "I can't let you leave me, Tomoyo... I love you..." He fainted.
She could hear faint talking...
"She's lost a lot of blood."
'Who are they talking about...?'
"It's a miracle that she's survived for this long."
'Are they talking about me?'
"C'mon, hurry, we have to fix that wound before she bleeds to death..."
'Where am I...?' she wondered to herself before loosing consciousness and falling into a dark abyss.
He lied there, close to death, the doctors not knowing what to do since they didn't know the cause of what was wrong with him... why he was so close to dying. The heart monitor beeped repeatedly, showing that he was still alive, just barely. Anyone with the magical eye could see his blue aura, flickering strongly, then faintly around his pale form. He was oblivious to the activity going around him as the doctors checked his body for anything irregular that maybe the cause of what's happening to him. But they weren't able to find anything wrong with him. They didn't understand why his heart was pumping less blood. Nothing was wrong with his organs. It's like... most of his life force was drained away from him. As he slept, he looked calm, like he usually does when he's awake. As he slept, death crept upon him like an invisible shadow, waiting... waiting to take his soul.
Having reluctantly given up hope in saving the young Agent's life, the doctors brought him to a patient's room and left him there with grim faces, feeling like total failures, like they have so many times in the past. Time seemed to stand still as the monitor sounded clearly through the room...
Beep... beep... beep...
The knob could be seen, turning as the door opened. Syaoran stepped into the room and carefully shut the door, not wanting to disturb the sleeping. Looking worried, yet grim, he approached the bed and stared down at Eriol's pale, yet calm looking face. Pulling up a chair, Syaoran placed it next to Eriol's bed and sat on it. All was silent...
Beep... beep... beep...
"You shouldn't have done that, Hirragizawa... You shouldn't have given most of your life force to Daidouji," Syaoran murmured seriously, staring intently at him. "There could've been another alternative, you know. Now look who's dying. Look at where you ended up..." He let out a frustrated sigh, racking his fingers through his hair. "But... I would've done the same for Sakura if I knew how to, or if something like that happened to her. I understand why you did it... You still love Daidouji, huh? ...I should've known." He rubbed his closed eyelids. "I feel stupid right now. I feel as if I'm talking to myself. C'mon, Hirragizawa, get your ass up. You can't leave us... You wouldn't let Daidouji leave you, and I'm not 'bout to let you leave her. Don't die on us, not now; not after all that we've been through..." Syaoran went silent, as if waiting for a response, but all that greeted him was the continuous beating of the heart monitor.
Beep... beep... beep...
Everything was dark as she walked down the cobbled street. Lifting her head up, she gazed at the starless, moonless space above. Looking forward, street lamps stood tall on either side of the street, alighting her path as she walked. All she could hear was the clicking of her heals as it hit the ground over and over again. Tomoyo wondered where she was, whether this was a dream or if it wasn't. She remembered getting shot by Romare, seeing Eriol's surprised expression, then going completely blank. Maybe she was dead now and walking down the road that led to her end; that led to Heaven. Yet, for some reason, she felt... alive. She couldn't explain it, she just did. But she could've sworn she was dying not too long ago...
Then she remembered... She had heard Eriol murmuring incoherent words to her, and the next thing she knew, she felt as if she were being pulled back, back to the realm of the living and his words were becoming clearer and clearer. She remembered the only thing she had heard him say: 'I can't let you die... I can't let you leave... I can't let you leave your Okaa-san... or your friends... I can't let you leave me, Tomoyo... I love you...'
"Eriol, where are you...?" she whispered softly in the silence of the night. She wanted to see his face, to see his reassuring grin that everything would be alright. She wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to tell him that it was a lie; that her not loving him anymore was a lie. The only reason why she had denied her feelings towards him in the first place was because she was scared... scared of getting hurt; scared of him leaving her again.
"Tomoyo..." a familiar, masculine voice murmured gently.
Lifting her head up, her eyes widened in surprise when seeing Eriol standing a few feet away from her. His sapphire eyes gazed at her tenderly, and his lips were tugged in a warm, comforting grin. "Eriol!" Tomoyo exclaimed, breaking into a run, but too her confusion and dismay, he gradually turned around and ran off. He seemed to be running in slow motion, but no matter how hard or how fast she ran, he seemed to be getting farther and farther away. "Eriol... matte..." she gasped out breathlessly, desperately trying to catch up to him. Her foot got caught in a crack on the cobbled street and she found herself colliding harshly against the ground. Trying her hardest not to cry, she lifted her head up and saw him standing there, so near, yet so far. Her eyes widened when seeing his body slowly fading away. Bringing up a shaky hand, she reached out towards him, panic seizing her and clutching at her heart. "Eriol... Iie! Don't leave me!" He simply continued to smile at her reassuringly as he mouthed an audible 'I love you.' "Eriol! Come back!!!!"
End of Dream Sequence
Tomoyo's eyes suddenly snapped open, only to be greeted by the bright rays of the light. Groaning in annoyance, she shut her eyes in order to block it away. When she got use to the light penetrating through her eyelids, she opened them and blinked groggily till she adjusted to her surroundings. "Where... am I?" she mumbled. The next thing she knew, she was enveloped in a tight embrace.
"Tomoyo! You're alright! You're alive!" a female voice cried out in relief, sounding as if she's been crying for quite a while.
She couldn't help but notice how familiar her voice sounded... Her heart skipped a beat as it begun to pound heavily against the inside of her rib cage. Tears stung her eyes and she said shakily, "O-Okaa-san...?"
"Hai, Tomoyo, it's me," Sonomi reassured her, withdrawing from the hug and giving her daughter a watery grin. Her cheeks were damp from crying so much, and fresh ones started to cascade down her face.
Tomoyo stared at her mother, as if making sure that this wasn't a dream, but reality. Joy beyond words engulfed her body, a warm feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. Eyes glazing over, tears spilled from her eyes as she threw herself at Sonomi and wrapped her arms tightly around her. "Okaa-san!!! I've missed you sooo much!!!"
"I missed you, too, Tomoyo," Sonomi sobbed, hugging her back with the same amount of force.
"I'm so sorry for leaving you, 'kaa-san," Tomoyo murmured through her sobs as her body trembled. "I didn't want to... I really didn't want to leave you..."
"It's alright, dear. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I should've listened to you," Sonomi reassured, crying silently as she stroked Tomoyo's hair soothingly. She was so glad and relieved to have her daughter back. "It's my fault that you ran away in the first place..."
"No. I was stupid enough to run away from my problems instead of facing it," she persisted. "I really am sorry, 'kaa-san..."
"Hush, child. You don't have to be sorry," Sonomi hushed gently, slightly withdrawing from the hug and smiling at Tomoyo comfortingly. She tucked a strand of her raven hair behind one of her ears. "Let's just forget it."
Tomoyo nodded and sniffled slightly. "Hey, Okaa-san? What happened to Aleron anyway?"
"Him and the man who had shot you, were both killed by Eriol-san," Sonomi answered with a sigh. "I believe those two got what they deserved..."
"Where's Eriol?" Tomoyo questioned, looking around her patient's room.
Her face became grave and sympathetic at the same time, scaring Tomoyo and leaving her worried for Eriol's well being. What could've happened that made her mother look at her in such a manner? "Tomoyo..." she began, wondering how she was going to break this to her daughter. More tears surfaced as she thought of the young man who had saved her daughter's life.
"Okaa-san, what is it?" Tomoyo asked in panic, slightly shaking Sonomi by her shoulders. "Tell me!"
She looked away, then back at her. "He's dying, Tomoyo..."
She stopped shaking her, but her hands remained on her shoulders. Tomoyo's eyes were wide in disbelief, shock, and horror as her whole body went numb and rigid. Eriol... dying? "....What?" Tomoyo whispered, unable to find her voice as she chocked on her tears. "This has to be some sorta joke! Eriol can't be dying!!! He was just fine when I last saw him!!!!'
"Syaoran-san told me that he had given you his life force in order to keep you alive," Sonomi said, bowing her head. (A/N: She knows about the Clow Cards and all that crap...)
"NANI?!?!?!" Tomoyo exclaimed in surprise. Throwing the covers off of her, she ignored the pain in her side as she jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.
"Tomoyo, matte!" Sonomi called after her, running behind Tomoyo.
Running to a nearby Information Center, Tomoyo approached the nurse at the desk and asked hastily and breathlessly, "What room is Hirragizawa, Eriol being kept in?!?!"
She pointed to the right, blinking. "He's in room 24A... Right down this hall and somewhere on the right..."
"Merci," Tomoyo called a hasty thanks as she headed down to the right. "He can't be dying, he can't be dying, he can't be dying..." she mumbled beneath her breath, glancing at the numbers on the door as she ran. Tears trailed behind her, worry for Eriol clearly evident on her face. 'He just can't be dying...' Bursting into the room, she stopped dead in her tracks at the frame of the door. Syaoran still sat near the edge of the bed, lifting his head up, startled, when hearing the sudden burst. But Tomoyo didn't seem to see him, let alone know he was there. Her gaze was on the body laying on the deathbed. Her gaze was on the body of Eriol Hirragizawa. "No..." she whispered in denial, her tears coming more quickly. She rushed to the bedside and gently started to shake the unconscious Eriol by his shoulders. "Wake up, Eriol! Wake up right now!" Tomoyo demanded forcefully, but her tone wavered as her tears splattered on the white bed sheets. "You have to wake up!!!"
"Daidouji..." Syaoran murmured sympathetically, standing up and holding Tomoyo away from Eriol. "He's not going to wake up..."
"But he has to!!!" she exclaimed, staring helplessly at the peaceful look plastered on Eriol's face. "He's not dead yet! I have to wake him up!"
"He's not going to wake up," Syaoran repeated, staring her intently in the eyes. She stared back and could clearly see the unshed tears gleaming in his amber orbs. "There's no way we could save him... He... He gave you his life, Daidouji."
Her bottom lip quivered as she looked at him, then back at Eriol. Tomoyo's knees buckled beneath her weight, but Syaoran held her in his arms before she could fall to the ground. She cried freely and mournfully, holding onto Syaoran tightly. "No... Eriol... Why did he have to do that...? Why...?"
Sonomi came into the room and gazed sadly and sympathetically at the scene before her. She placed a hand over her mouth to hide her quivering lips, and her own tears leaked from her eyes. 'If only there was a way to bring him back...'
Pulling away from Syaoran, Tomoyo embraced Eriol and buried her face in his chest, muffled sobs emitting from her throat. Sonomi walked slowly towards them. "Tomoyo..."
"Both of you... please... just...just leave... I - I wish to be alone with Eriol..." she murmured, still holding onto him.
Syaoran and Sonomi glanced at each other sympathetically, but they obliged to Tomoyo's wish and left, closing the door behind them. Lifting her head up, Tomoyo gazed longingly and sadly at Eriol's sleeping face.
"Please, wake up..." she pleaded between her sobs. Bringing up a hand, she stroked his bangs back in an affectionate manner. "Eriol, c'mon, you gotta open your eyes. The truth is, Eriol, I need you... I've always needed you. I can't bare living without you once more... But this time, if you leave me, I know it'll be forever. Open your eyes, won't you...?" She pressed her cheek against his, murmuring in a heart-breaking tone, "I can't survive without you next to me... Don't die on me now, Eriol. Please... Don't die on me..." She broke into tears once more. 'Onegai, Kami-sama, bring him back...'
He floated alone in space, stars circling slowly around him. He could see planets, star constellations... He could even see Earth. But he drifted farther away from it, away from home, away from Tomoyo. Something seemed to be pulling him away from reality. Something seemed to be calling him. He had to find the source of it. Who was calling him anyway?
"You're time has come, Eriol... It's time for you to die..."
"No..." Eriol murmured, the cold air of space wrapping around his body.
"It's over. You're over. You're going to die..."
He gradually began to believe the voice, the cold air becoming oddly thicker as it suffocated him. Eriol wanted to die. No longer did he wish to live. He just wanted to get away from everything... away from it all. Tomoyo was alive, he knew that, and he was content. At least he could die knowing she was well. Closing his eyes, his breathing became softer... Then... That's when he heard her... That's when he heard her voice...
"Eriol, please, come back..."
His heart ached when hearing the pain in her voice, and he could tell by the sound of her tone that she was crying. He had the sudden urge to comfort the crying person... Opening his eyes, he whispered, "Tomoyo... I need to get back to Tomoyo... "
He heard another voice.
"Don't die on us, not now; not after all that we've been through..."
A small grin played its way across Eriol's face. He commented jokingly to no one in particular, "I knew you cared, Syaoran..." The will to live suddenly overcame him like a crash land back to reality. He couldn't believe just a moment ago he wanted to die. No... death wasn't the answer. He had so much to live for, so much to look forward to. He wasn't about to throw what he had, all away. Besides, he wasn't about to give up on Tomoyo. He loved her, and he wasn't about to leave her, nor let her leave him. Soon, Eriol felt a great tug as he was being pulled back, his blue aura flaring with life around his body. He smiled gently while murmuring, "I'm coming back, Tomoyo... Wait for me..."
Tomoyo sat on the chair, her head resting against Eriol's chest. She listened to the faint beating of his heart, and to her horror, it seemed to be getting fainter and fainter. Holding onto his body as if there'd be no tomorrow if she didn't, she continued to cry. She continued to pray. Looking up at his face, Tomoyo caressed his cheek gently, and couldn't help but notice how he felt cold, but the cold seemed to be going away minute by minute. She gazed at him pleadingly. "Eriol, please, come back... I never got to tell you..." Tomoyo bit down on her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. "I never got to tell you that... I love you." She rested the side of her face against his chest once more, closing her eyes and allowing the tears to fall freely. It was then she noticed that the beating of his heart became stronger and her eyes snapped open in surprise. She sat up and stared at his face, seeing the color returning to his skin. He was breathing regularly now as his chest heaved up and down. The heart monitor beeped at a steady pace, and a sudden feeling of joy and relief overwhelmed her. "He's going to live..." Tomoyo murmured, a smile making its way across her face. "He's going to live!!!!" she exclaimed, running out of the room to find Sonomi and Syaoran sitting on two cushioned chairs in front of the door. They looked up at her in surprise as she exclaimed once more, tears of happiness spilling from her eyes. "Eriol's going to live!"
They both stood up and ran into the room, seeing how Eriol looked... well... alive while he was sleeping. Sonomi burst into her own tears of joy as Syaoran laughed in relief while shaking his head and racking his fingers through his hair. "Well I'll be damned..."
The doctors rushed into the room when hearing Tomoyo's sudden burst. They checked Eriol to confirm Tomoyo's statement. A doctor walked up to the three of them, grinning from ear to ear. "I didn't understand why he was dying earlier, and I must say, I don't understand how he has survived. This young man really is going to live longer."
Tomoyo and Sonomi embraced each other tightly, overjoyed by the news. Syaoran's grin simply widened as he looked at Eriol's sleeping figure.'You amaze me sometimes, Hiiragizawa.'
Later on, everyone left Tomoyo alone in the room with Eriol. She sat on the chair, gazing at his face while caressing his cheek tenderly. Her heart thumped heavily in her chest, and each time she saw him stir, or heard him groan, eagerness would take over, expecting him to open his eyes and wake up. But much to her disappointment, he'd just go limp and resume his sleeping. Sighing, Tomoyo rested the side of her face against his chest, and listened to the steady thumping of his heart once more. Closing her eyes, a small grin crossed her face. 'Eriol's alive... Nothing matters anymore. All that matters is that he's alive...'
Eriol's eyes fluttered open, only to be met by the bright rays of the light beaming above him. Groaning, he was about to shut them again when he felt a light weight on his torso. Craning his neck up, Eriol looked down to see Tomoyo, and a smile tugged at his lips as he gently shook her by the shoulder. She moaned in annoyance, shrugging his hand off. She didn't bother to open her eyes. Smiling even wider, he murmured in a singsong voice, "Tomoyo..."
Her eyelids instantly parted. "Eriol!" Tomoyo exclaimed, beaming brightly as she sat up and embraced him tightly. "You're awake!!!"
"Yep," he confirmed with a chuckle, hugging her back. "I'm awake, alright."
"I'm so glad," she said, pulling away from the hug and grinning broadly, but joyful tears shimmered in her amethyst eyes. Then to his confusion, she glared at him and lightly smacked his arm. "Don't you ever do something like that again, Eriol!!!!" she snapped angrily.
"Wha-?" Eriol stammered in bewilderment. Why was she so mad at him?
"Don't you ever sacrifice your life for mine! This is the SECOND TIME DAMN IT!" she continued to babble, looking really peeved off. "You could've died this time, Eriol!!! You were about to die, you know that, right?! Damn it! You fuckin' scared the hell outta me!" Eriol winced when hearing her swear.
'She really must be mad at me...' "Tomoyo, calm down! I'm alive, there's nothing to worry about anymore..."
"I know that," she began, looking up at him helplessly. "But I nearly lost you, Eriol... I felt so scared..."
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and drew her closer to him. "I'm not dead, Tomoyo. I'm alive. That's all that matters. Forget about what just happened... that's the past, this is the present." Eriol rubbed her back, then looked down at her with a reassuring grin. "I'm not goin' anywhere."
She snuggled closer to him, feeling warm and secure in his arms. It felt so right being with him, and no longer did she feel scared of him leaving her. He was right there in front of her, holding her tightly. "Eriol, why'd ya do it anyway...? Why'd you sacrifice yourself?" Tomoyo asked, pulling away from the hug and looking at him. She stared into his sapphire orbs, seeing deep into his soul where she knew the answer lied. And she found it and instantly knew why.
"I did that, Tomoyo..." Eriol started after a moment of pausing. "I did that because I lo-."
Before he could finish his sentence, she brought up a finger and placed it gently against his lips, silencing him. Shaking her head, Tomoyo smiled. "Hush, Eriol. Don't say you love me... I already know you do..." She leaned towards him, bringing her hand back down. She murmured against his lips, "It's my turn, Eriol, to say... I love you."
He gazed into her amethyst orbs, seeing nothing but the love she held for him mirroring in them. Grinning, Eriol closed the gap between them and captured her lips in a kiss that she willingly returned.
Two Weeks Later
Tomoyo's POV
It's been two weeks since the whole incident, and now here I am, standing with my Okaa-san, Syaoran (who finally, after years and years, let me call him by his first name...), and with my fiancé, Eriol. Yeah, you heard right! Eriol proposed to me just last week, and now we're waiting for our flight to Tokyo, Japan. I'm heading back to Tomoeda... back to home. Oh, I never knew I missed it so much till now.
The reason why Syaoran became an F.B.I. Agent for America was because the agency had contacted Hong Kong, China for assistance on the Thorn Case. They asked if they could get help from the best they had, and Syaoran, who at that time worked for one of the Secret Agencies in China, was brought to their aid. And you know what else? I talked to Sakura-chan not too long ago! She's coming from Hong Kong and we're planning to meet up with her in Tomoeda. And she's bringing her kid! Syaoran showed me a picture of her, and let me tell you, she's the cutest little thing! She has Syaoran's chestnut hair, but her eyes... her eyes are just like her mother's. Her name's Kohana... she's absolutely KAWAII!! And from what I've heard, Sakura's pregnant with another baby. Ooh I'm SOOO going to have to design clothes for her kids!!!
It's only now I realize how much I missed home, my friends, my Okaa-san, and Eriol... I can't believe I'm going home and I still find it hard to believe that Aleron's finally gone from my life. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, scared that he was in my room, just waiting to pounce... but then I see Eriol sleeping right next to me and no longer do I feel scared. I just snuggle with him and easily fall back to sleep. It feels as if everything's returning back to normal; back to the day before Eriol ever left and returned to England. I grinned at nothing in particular.
Normal POV
"Tomoyo!" Eriol called after Tomoyo, him, Sonomi and Syaoran having run ahead of Tomoyo before they could miss their flight. She somehow managed to stray behind.
"Huh?" she said, shaking her head and snapping back to reality. She saw Eriol beckoning her to catch up and quick. "Oh! Sorry!" Tomoyo called back hastily, running and trying to catch up. She saw Eriol continue forward in a jog, and she ran faster in order to catch up. "Eriol! Matte!!! Wait for me!" Her foot got caught in something and she found herself colliding harshly against the ground. "Itai...! That hurt..." She thought at first that Eriol had gone on with out her and followed Sonomi and Syaoran, but when she lifted her head up, she saw someone extending their hand out to her. Following the arm, her gaze landed on Eriol's smiling face. She couldn't help but smile back as she took his hand.
[Music starts]
Running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side
Me
I'm the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most
I'm so sorry that I'm falling
Help me up lets keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
Heaving her up to her feet, Eriol didn't let go of her hand. "You alright?"
She nodded her head in response. "Hai."
"Alright, c'mon! We gotta catch up to the others..." Tugging gently on her hand, Eriol broke into a run, with Tomoyo running right by his side. She beamed happily, knowing that no matter what, Eriol was always going to be right beside her as they ran towards a new future... a new beginning.
Be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
The future...
Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
The End...
Enchantress Azure: ...*blinking* ... *at a loss for words* ... Oh wow... I can't believe it... I'm finished... I'M FINISHED WITH THIS FIC!!! WAAAIII!!!! At first when I started typing up this chapter, I wasn't sad that this was coming to a close, I was more around the words of... relieved. But now that I finished it, I'm kinda sad that I won't be working on it anymore, but I'm still relieved I got this done with. :P So how did ya'll like the ending? I hope it turned out good. And NO there won't be a sequel... I'm already workin' on two sequels and I can't STAND to do another one. Well, before I go, I just wanna thank these people who have reviewed the story:
Syvonair; kawaiiaznangel36; Devils Sanctuary; KyteAura; Jae; Sally; MegamiNoHikari; sakura90; Sakura-Rai; ms. Evil; cherryblossomsakura2111; babyg2988; HeavenlyAnimeAngel- Amaterasu; Eriol > Syaoran; MarikzAngel; Inni-chan; Kari Y. Yokhosama; fefa-chan; starquestor; Nadine; Jess; June6; MoonMaiden; Frances; Amanda; Kasumi Destruction; animechick345; BlueBerryAngel; Chrisie B; Eriol is MINE; kawaii-kirei; raven; m@ve! ; silverg3r; omi; yuki shinomori; Chocolate Drop; Bunny Luvr; InSaNeOtAkU ; DarkTenshi; and thanks to the person who left a review but no name.
Arigatou, minna-san! Your reviews were a great inspiration to me to keep this fic going after that one time where I planned on discontinuing it. Thank you all so much... and I really hope you enjoyed this fic. :D Also, check out some of my other fics if ya like. ^_~ Well, R+R, plz. Chao!