Author Notes:

Sorry about the late update, it's just that Murphy won't leave me alone. First I couldn't enter ff.net, then my whole connection got screwed up, my teachers are making me study (really, they think their class is the only one we have) and the cherry on top is that my right index finger is broken, so I've got it immobilized, which causes me to write much slower even on the PC (yes, really).

About chapter 7, thanks a lot for the reviews. I've always been a pure S+S fan, you see, and only lately I've started loving E+T as well. So, I'll confess, I was a bit nervous about including a whole E+T chapter in this story. But it has run pretty smoothly, huh? Not over yet, though. This chapter, actually, includes a nice part with Tomoyo's perspective about everything that happened last chapter and more. It could be a sort of closure of chapter 7, but only partially. I've still got a lot of E+T to explore.

This chapter also includes a bit of Syaoran's side too. Not exactly a POV since it's in 3rd person, but nearly.

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. And for the ones who like action, don't worry. Lots of action in following chapters.

Dedicated, of course, to my reviewers. A million thanks to you guys!

"I'll say goodbye for the two of us: When the truth breaks the silence"

Part eight: "Blame"

By cherry blossom

Daidouji Tomoyo let out a deep, content sigh. She couldn't tell when was the last time she had felt so good, so...complete. She was lying in her bed, and Eriol was hugging her from behind, his arms possessively wrapped around her waist. She snuggled even deeper into his warm embrace. She felt so safe, so loved...it simply felt right. She just wanted to stay that way forever.

Tomoyo closed her eyes wanting to drift off again, but she couldn't. Her body had gotten used to an almost complete restlessness, so it was very hard for her to sleep these days. Not like you had any problem last night, ne? Too much action, maybe... she thought with a half smile in her face. She loosened herself from his arms and deposited a soft kiss on his front. Tomoyo looked at him tenderly. Eriol looked so cute in sleep, with a boyish grin on his face instead of the humble I-know-it-all look on his eyes. She shivered as the temperature felt cold to her and decided she'd better wear something. The room was dark, and she took the first thing she found from the pile of rumpled clothes. His shirt. Tomoyo smiled as she put it on. It was almost like being in his arms. I love you she whispered, and left the room.

She reached the hallway and went trough a huge window (more like a glass door, really) that led to a small terrace. The air was cool, and she was glad she had donned his shirt. Tomoyo contemplated the immensity of the sky above her. It was dark blue, getting lighter apparently, and she could glimpse a few golden streaks. Sunrise any minute she thought, and she was actually looking forward to seeing it. The thought surprised her, but damn, it just was so good to feel again. The world of numbness she'd been living in...She shuddered to think about it. But it was over. She now, in addition to an incredible friend as Syaoran was, had the love of her life by her side. She, too, was finally on her way to find Sakura, and she actually had a good feeling about this wild-goose chase. So why did she feel it was wrong to be happy?

Dazed in her thoughts, she didn't notice someone coming until she felt his arms around her.

"Good morning, beautiful" he whispered in her ear, sending vibes through her spine. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep" she replied simply "What about you?"

"There was something missing in my arms so I came out to look for it" he said as he trailed kisses on her neck.

Tomoyo smiled again and watched the sun slowly ascend. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked.

"Not as you are" he responded as he turned her around, so as to see her face. Tomoyo could see the love in his eyes and felt warmth inside her. Nevertheless, she sighed.

"What's troubling you my dear?" he asked preoccupied.

She shook her head softly. "I'm not sure I can explain"

Eriol nodded understandingly. "Give it a shot" he encouraged.

"I just...I've been feeling so happy since...well, since last night" she glanced at him, already expecting a reaction. Sure enough, a sly smile appeared in his face. He waited for her to continue, and when she didn't, he gave her a questioning look. "I don't see what's wrong. Am I missing something here?" he asked.

Her brow furred in concentration as she tried to choose the right words. "I just...It feels wrong to be happy when Sakura is still missing and suffering somewhere. I-I feel like I shouldn't be happy or..." she shook her head again indicating that her explanation was as confused as she felt, and looked at him silently asking for help. Eriol explored the depths of her amethyst eyes looking for an answer and found it immediately.

Guilt.

"You feel guilty, Tomoyo-chan. You feel you don't deserve happiness while your friend is suffering. You think you should be blue, as if paying respect to Sakura. Am I right?" he asked gently.

Tomoyo's eyes clouded over as she nodded. It was exactly how she felt, but was she right? Was she being disloyal to Sakura by actually feeling happy without her? Her head still low, her eyes darted up at Eriol once again.

Eriol smiled and lifted her chin with his hand. "You are wrong" he said never leaving her eyes. "It's your selflessness that's playing against you. I know how much Sakura means to you. She means a lot to me too. But that doesn't mean you have to be miserable until she comes back. Do you think Sakura would want you to be sad?" he asked kindly.

Tomoyo shook her head softly. "She was too good" she whispered

"Is, Tomoyo. Don't use past tense. Don't you think we'll find her?" he questioned

"I just...I'm so afraid to get my hopes up. To be happy again. When you become attached to someone who is suddenly taken away from you it hurts so much. It almost makes you want to forget you ever met that person, so as not to suffer anymore" she replied, amazed at how her feelings came out when she talked to him.

"Tomoyo, don't. Don't feel that way. We will find her. I promise" he said tenderly "But meanwhile, don't be afraid to be happy. You deserve happiness after everything you've gone through, everything you are still going through. And if you can find that happiness in me, it will make me the luckiest man on earth. And out of earth" he added smiling.

Tomoyo nodded, relieved. She had forgotten what it was to confide her problems to him. He would always make her understand, feel better about her self. Especially now that she had become so insecure. Eriol seemed to notice this and held a finger to her lips.

"Don't thank me" he said. "It's not even the millionth part of what you do for me"

That said, he brought Tomoyo to a tighter embrace, and she could feel her uncertainties and anxiousness slip away. They stayed that way for a while, both simply enjoying each other's presence, until Eriol broke the silence.

"Sunrise, my dear. It's time" he said softly.

Tomoyo nodded and untangled herself from his arms. "Let's get our stuff, Syaoran will be coming here soon" she said.

So they left the balcony, holding hands, ready to set off in this journey.

Together.

*************************************************************************************

Li Syaoran stood at Tomoyo's front door for a while before knocking. He wanted to order his thoughts a bit before entering. But it was probably Mission Impossible III, he thought bitterly. His head was such a mess. But there's hope now he reminded himself for the millionth time that morning. Sighing, he knocked.

Tomoyo came out almost immediately, and greeted Syaoran breathlessly.

"Hello, Syaoran" she said with a smile. Syaoran was totally taken aback by this. Was she actually smiling? He closes his eyes, but when he looked again the smile was still there. And it wasn't just that. He could feel something different about her.

"Hello, Tomoyo-chan" he said and they exchanged a quick hug. "Ready to go?"

"Almost, Eriol is still making some arrangements. Come in, please"

Syaoran stepped inside and followed Tomoyo to the living room. Sure enough, Eriol was on the phone, apparently speaking to a lamebrained person.

"No, miss, that would be 3 tickets, not 2. Yes, I need them right away. NO, it can NOT wait until tomorrow. Yes, to Africa. So? I don't care. Just get those tickets. Yeah. Yeah. Fine" Eriol hung up, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Really" he said exasperated "Those ticket sellers are so stupid! It only takes a bit of a brain to understand my request, simple as it is. I'm definitely complaining to the company!" He sighed and then noticed Syaoran.

"Good morning, my descendant. How was your sleep?" he asked courteously, and Syaoran felt like punching him right on the face for looking so unpreoccupied. But he didn't want to make a big deal in front of Tomoyo, so he simply scowled.

"Not a good one I guess" said Eriol. "So are you guys ready?" he asked.

"I think we are. Oh, wait, has anyone let Kero know about this?" Tomoyo asked

"Yeah, he's meeting us there" Eriol replied. "Ok, let's get going" he said.

They gathered their things and called a cab to drop them to the airport. The trip was silent, as each was deep in their own thoughts, but Syaoran noticed Eriol staring at Tomoyo, who was looking out through the window nonstop, with a foolish love sick look in his eyes. Now what's that about? thought Syaoran I wonder if something happened last night He wanted to ask Tomoyo, but decided it would be better if they were alone, so he remained silent.

Finally they reached the airport, and Eriol said he'd go to look for the tickets. Perfect opportunity to ask her about it thought Syaoran.

"Tomoyo?" he asked.

"Yes, Syaoran?" she replied distractedly.

"Hmmm...what is it about you and Hiragizawa?"

Tomoyo's face went a shade of pink, and she lowered her eyes.

"So there is something" Syaoran confirmed. "Have you two...solved your past?"

"Well, actually we have. Last night" she said and a smile appeared on her face. She looked at Syaoran's eyes, apprehensively.

So that is why they look happier he realized. But have they completely forgotten about Sakura? How can they be happy while she could be suffering? Syaoran felt anger and disappointment, towards Eriol and especially Tomoyo, flicker through him. Maybe she doesn't even notice anymore, with Eriol to occupy her thoughts he thought. But the look in her eyes was telling him a different story. She looked distressed, almost fearful. Probably knows what I'm thinking he guessed She can read me too well. Concentrated as he was, he didn't realize that minutes had passed and he stilled remained silent.

"Syaoran? Is everything ok? Do you..." she hesitated. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Syaoran shook his head, determined to keep her from knowing this. He somehow felt deserted. Like she had moved on, and left him behind in Pain Land. Alone. And he wouldn't trust someone who would give up like that.

But Tomoyo didn't seem convinced.

"Tell me the truth, please" she asked quietly.

"The truth?" he repeated sarcastically

"I know how you-" she began

"No, you don't. I thought you did, but-" he started angrily, but was interrupted by Eriol.

"Hey guys" Eriol said "Got the tickets, let's get going"

Syaoran noticed how Tomoyo's eyes brightened, almost as if they smiled on their own when Eriol came to scene.

"But you have just proven otherwise" he finished coldly, and took off in direction to the boarding room.

A very ashamed Tomoyo, and a perplexed Eriol were left behind.

"What was that about?" he asked confused.

Tomoyo sighed.