Disclaimer: Not mine, not now, not ever.

Author's Notes: I'm so deeply, profoundly sorry I haven't updated for so long. I know it's really mean to do that to my so faithful reviewers, and I'll be forever in debt with you for not giving up on me.
This is for my best friend in the whole world, Andre (Moony Lover) and for another great friend, Anime Queen.
And of course, for all of you who have reviewed. Your support is priceless to me.

Enjoy!

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

Part Twelve: "Figure it out"

By cherry blossom

The sun was shinning when Eriol regained consciousness. He awoke suddenly, painfully, as if having a really bad hangover. His head was throbbing and he felt slightly nauseous. It took him a whole minute to remember what he was doing and what had happened.

He figured out that he had somehow been transported to this place, by the same force that had knocked him out. He shuddered for a minute, evoking the coldness and desperation that had assaulted him back in that strange tunnel. Then, sighing, he got up and looked around. He seemed to be back at the island, though there was something different about it. The sun was hurting his eyes, so he held his hand over them. How long since he was at the tunnel? He didn't have the vaguest idea about the time he had spent in there and how long he had slept just now. He bit his lip, trying to decide what to do. He closed his eyes and tried to quiet his worried mind, intending to hear, to feel anything. Then it struck him what was odd about this place.

Not a sound could be heard out there. No birds chirping, no insects buzzing, no wind humming, not even the sound of the waves gently caressing the sand. The silence was so absolute, so thick it was almost palpable. Strange, thought Eriol.

Nevertheless, knowing that didn't help him solve the puzzle he had gotten himself into. He decided the most reasonable thing was to get into the forest, and try to find the tree again. He began walking, noticing how much noise he made in that eerie silence. As he went deeper into the forest, he began noticing the same coldness once more. Desperation was slowly filling his heart again. The answer is right here, I just need to figure out where exactly, he thought trying to keep calm. He finally reached the tree, put his hand over it, and it opened, just as before. He didn't enter this time, though, that would have been foolish. At least I now what NOT to do, he thought sarcastically.

He took a walk around the try trying to find another entrance or anything that would help him. He tried kicking the tree. He tried casting a spell on it. Nothing worked. After a while, exhausted, he rested on a rock just near the entrance that had opened.

"Ok, stupid tree," he began angrily. "I've kicked you, tried magic with you, entered you…and still there is nothing. I know you're a riddle with a simple answer, but I just can't figure it out," he continued, but there was no response whatsoever from the tree. Eriol frowned. He felt stupid talking to a tree, but what else could he do? Really, what did they want from him?

"Listen, tree," he tried again. "I'm having a hard time with this. The thing is, I would do anything to get the medicine for Tomoyo. Absolutely anything. But I don't know what I'm supposed to do in order to get it. I got into that tree thinking that something would attack me, or that I had to reach the other side or something…but nothing happened until I finally…" Eriol let his voice trail off, a thought suddenly coming across his mind. He had been trapped, until the fear of losing Tomoyo, the fear that came from his very love for her had made him explode…So, they key was love. Now, if he would just know how to use it…

He frowned again. He felt like he was facing a terrible mathematical problem, which he knew the answer to, but simply couldn't work it out.

"Ok, tree…the solution is love. I've come this far, how about a little help now?" he offered timidly. In response, a great wind started to blow, making the leaves move noiselessly.

"Right, the silence has something to do with this too…" he said, more to himself than to the tree. "But, what? I don't see the connection"

He looked at the tree again. It was lively and beautiful, its leaves slowly swishing in the wind. "But this is a test, someone's testing me. So this two elements, love and silence are related to me somehow…if I could just find out how," he told the tree. He thought a bit more, and decided maybe he should state the reason why he needed this medicine. Maybe the right combination of words would do something. He passed his theory to the tree, which didn't speak but slowly moved forwards and backwards, as if nodding. Eriol took that for a yes.

"Ok, tree…the reason I need this medicine, is because I have to get it for Tomoyo. I love her, and I don't think I'll be able to live without her. But, I also believe, that she must have it, because it's her will to live. Tomoyo is a free soul, with so much to give…and she simply cannot be silenced, because without her, my world would be silenced too. Now tree, you can ask whatever you want from me, no matter what. I would die for Tomoyo…but I'd much rather live for her…" Eriol whispered, his voice full of emotion, a solitary tear running down his cheek. "If you give me this, I swear I'll never ask for anything else again in my life. Tomoyo is all I want in the world…or elsewhere," he finalized with a catchy voice.

This time, the tree didn't move, but the whole world stood still as the entrance was suddenly lit up by a blinding light, which Eriol followed almost in a trance. When he got out of it he found himself in a beautiful garden, right in the middle of the forest.

The whole place irradiated a sense of beauty and love, and Eriol was lost in the scenery before him for a while. Then, he spotted a black flowered bush, and remembered his task. He approached cautiously, but the bush gave no signs of being harmful at all. Once he had reached it, a bit puzzled by its grand size, he made his way to the center of it.

There, stood proudly the unique white flower, glittering, glowing in the darkness surrounding it. It was breathtakingly beautiful, so pure, so white, so fragile. It had the shape of a rose, and its petals appeared to be made of pure ice. Eriol hesitated for a moment, half expecting something to jump out and attack him, before reaching for it. Nothing jumped, but something did happen. No sooner he had laid hands on the flower, it had sent him a powerful vibration that had burnt his hand, making him let go of the rose. He frowned. Frankly, he had had enough of mysterious tests and stuff around this issue. Should he speak to the flower as well? Something was telling him it wasn't that simple…

Suddenly, he noticed a piece of parchment in front of the flower. He picked it up, vaguely wondering why he hadn't spotted it before. It read: "Reciprocity." It was a pretty clear message in Eriol's opinion. He evoked memories about his readings on Laws of Nature and sure enough, the Reciprocity Law came to his head: "Equilibrium in nature is essential. Take and something shall be taken from you. Give and you shall be given." It was simple, as all important things are. He had to give something in exchange for the magical flower. But what? Reciprocity law was clear on it: equilibrium. It was obvious that he would have to give up something extremely valuable to get that flower. The problem was that he didn't posses anything valuable at all. Well, except for his magic, of course, but surely that wasn't…Or was it? He fingered his magic key for a moment, uneasily. No, it had to be a mistake. Surely, he couldn't…

He looked at the piece of parchment in his hand, and was a bit surprised to notice it had changed. It now read the word "Love".

Eriol bit his lip. He had pronounced that word himself earlier. He had in fact assured the tree he was ready to give up anything for love. And love meant Tomoyo. And Tomoyo meant everything that was good in his pathetic existence. But it hadn't crossed his mind that this would be the price he had to pay for it. Weren't you complaining earlier about being Clow's reincarnation? Didn't you say you magic wasn't needed for Tomoyo?, an annoying voice in the back of his head said. He frowned once again. But then noticed yet another word had appeared on the slip of parchment. "Silence" Then he got it. It was either his magic, or facing the complete silence of the rest of his lonely existence. There wasn't much choice.

He took off the necklace holding the key, and softly placed it by the flower as he took it. He also put down the parchment beside the key, turned around and walked towards where he had left his love waiting for him. He held the rose to his heart, a warm feeling growing inside him. And in that instant, he was convinced he had made the right decision.

He didn't look back once.

 It was the afternoon of the second day, and to say that Syaoran was worried was a bit of an understatement. To say that he was savagely, utterly, completely, desperately panicking and very near to the line of declared insanity…well, you were getting in the neighborhood.

Unlike the first day, when Tomoyo had seemed lively and happy (even if it was just a performance), she was now either over her acting aspiration, or in too much pain to pretend anymore. She was lying in Syaoran's arms, who was desperately trying to keep her warm, but not succeeding. He had enveloped her icy body in his own heat, right beside a fire, he had talked, even sang to her. He had offered him food and water and whatever he could think about to make her more comfortable. But still, she remained silent, breathing heavily, her eyes open and out of focus.

Where the hell was Eriol?

He asked himself that question for what seemed to be the millionth time in that minute, when he sensed someone coming. He stopped his sweet-talk to Tomoyo and listened. Sure enough, footsteps could be heard. He crossed his fingers for good luck, and waited.

Sure enough, Eriol's tired figure appeared out of the dark. To Syaoran's pleasure and great relief, he was holding what appeared to be a rose made out of ice. Once Eriol had spotted them, he rushed to their side.

"How is she?" he asked miserably, in a faint voice. Syaoran was startled. Never in his life had he seen Eriol looking so beaten down. Sure, the circumstances made it reasonable, but it was still impressive to see him in that state.

"Not well," he responded gravely. "Get her the medicine now."

Eriol frowned, breathing shallowly. Syaoran gave him an inquiring look. "Do something with that flower!" he exclaimed. Eriol shook his head, wordlessly.

"What?" cried Syaoran. "What?!"

Eriol didn't respond this time. He needed magic to do the potion that would cure Tomoyo. And, of course, that simply hadn't occurred to him, while he was so poetically giving up the only damn thing he was good at. Hadn't the fucking piece of parchment foreseen that? I'm never making deals with plants again, he thought bitterly. There was no use cursing now, anyway. Instead he concentrated deeply and prayed, with all the passion he had. Oh, God, he pleaded. Please, help me with magic just this once! Then, to his amazement, the rose he was clutching suddenly changed into a small tube with a glowing white substance. Not loosing a second, he opened Tomoyo's mouth and made her swallow the substance.

The recovery was instant. Tomoyo suddenly sat up, confused and stared at him. The color was returning to her cheeks. Eriol pulled her towards him, and hugged her tightly, kissing her neck then moving all the way to her lips. Syaoran smiled, relieved, and left them alone, deciding he would welcome Tomoyo back later.

"Eriol," Tomoyo whispered. "What happened? How did you…?"

"It doesn't matter, Tomoyo. All that matters is that you're here with me now, and that I love you and I'm never going to let you go again," he said passionately. He felt overflowing with love for her, wanting to hold her to him and never let go.

"But what did you do? Did they do something to you?" she inquired still worried.

"No, my love," he whispered. "Nothing essential."

And then, both of them feeling very tired, they laid down, caressing each other, wanting that moment to go on endlessly. But when Tomoyo finally fell asleep, and Eriol was trying to, he suddenly remembered what had happened. Roses didn't transform into medicine tubes just like that, as far as he knew. Magic had definitely been involved in that transformation. But who's? His? He was supposed not to have it anymore! What had happened then?

Syaoran then approached, interrupting his thoughts.

"You seemed preoccupied," Syaoran told him, as he sat down beside him. Eriol nodded.

"Care to tell me about it?" Syaoran inquired.

Eriol did. He told him everything that had happened. The tunnel, the silent island, how he had talked to the tree, the garden, the flower and the piece of parchment. Syaoran seemed as puzzled as him. They spoke for a while, thinking up theories, none too convincing. After a while, Syaoran desisted.

"Well, it's pointless to wonder why it happened. It matters that you were able to do magic and that Tomoyo is better. Let it be," he stated, before lying down himself. Eriol nodded to him, but he still kept wondering. Then, he noticed that Tomoyo's right hand was closed, apparently holding something. He softly opened it to reveal a piece of parchment, identical to that beside the rose. He looked at it and smiled. It read a simple, but true phrase. Eriol closed his eyes, finally resting, and thought that maybe he wasn't that useless after all. He dozed off quickly, and the parchment was softly swept by the wind, carrying a message that Eriol would remember for the rest of his life.

"The real magic is in you heart"

Sakura awoke suddenly, a hand over her heart, her eyes wide open, her senses fully alert. She quickly stabilized her irregular breathing and looked around. Two things about the scenery before her struck her as odd. Firstly, the colour of the sky, the golden light of sunrise. When she had finally fallen asleep, the sun was in the exact same position. She felt like she had slept for quite a while…but had she slept so long that the sun was rising again? Or had she really slept at all? Time was behaving in a most peculiar way, and keeping track of it was getting harder. Not that it really mattered, did it? She frowned, trying to remember why she had been so obsessed about knowing these things a few days ago. Or had it been weeks? She thought about it for a few moments, and then realized she didn't really care.

The second thing that had struck her as odd was the definite presence of someone else near her. She just knew that someone had been very close to her, and wasn't far away now, but who could it be? She had thought this was a dessert island…well, not that she had thought about it much, she had simply assumed it was uninhabited. Why would anyone be there? For the same reason as she was, perhaps? But then again, why was she there in the first place? She frowned again. Nothing like this had occurred to her before…it had just seemed…natural for things to be the way they were. And to add weirdness to this whole thing, she had sensed a vague trace of familiarity in the aura. But what would her family and friends be doing here? Oh, yes, she could remember the people she knew very well, but their relationship with her was becoming more blurred with time. Her memories seemed to her as delicate pieces which, even though they belonged to the same puzzle, didn't seem to fit together. Trying to make them fit, looking for a connection between them...it was all emotionally exhausting.

Sakura rubbed her temples. She was starting to have a terrible headache. She looked at the sky, and found the sun shunning brightly high in the sky. Midday? But the sun was just rising a little while ago…, she thought, but her headache was getting even worse, so she decided not to pay attention to any of those issues...  

Did they really matter?