Hey Guys! Long time no see. Gomen nasai. I was sick, and plus…I am very lazy. LoL…okie dokie, Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. I know this chapter is very short and kind of lame, but bear with me onegaishimasu. After I come back from my trip, I should be able to post a better chapter, haha! The final battle is coming up soon. Gomen, this chapter is short.

Oh…and I don't own any form of Cardcaptors. Go CLAMP! And GO REVIEWERS!! Okie dokie…on to Chapter 10

Chapter 10-Hide and Seek

The days passed, and the battle seemed never-ending. For the next month, Kuroikumo made seven appearances, his face the only thing that ever appeared in the London news anymore. The thought made Eriol want to vomit as he hastily turned off the television.

'DAMN IT! That makes seven times that we've failed to beat him. Are we just not strong enough? Why not?!' In frustration, Eriol slammed his fist into the floor repeatedly. He didn't mind the pain…it was just one more distraction to keep him from thinking about the future. But just as he was about to break skin, a cushioned barrier intercepted him.

"Ah, master…if you continue to go about what you were doing, I assure you…it would only be that much harder to defeat Kuroikumo. You need rest." Eriol sat back with a sigh, as he watched Spinel float gently toward him.

"I know that, Spinel-Sun, but it seems that this battle is becoming more and more hopeless as the days wear on. How much longer will it be until he finally reaches his goal?" Eriol sighed, and a bone-deep weariness replaced his anger, leaving him bereft. Slowly he sank into his covers seeking reprieve from all the turmoil, but only nightmares awaited him.

Into the dreams of Eriol:

Darkness, a mist, a veil of total oblivion, surrounded Eriol. He was lost in a void and it seemed to be suffocating him. He was alone.

"Help me…someone. Tasukete kudasai (please help me)."

"I'll help you. Stop worrying so much. Here, take my hand." A glowing hand morphed from the shadows, and in his fear, Eriol gratefully took it. A perilous mistake, he would soon figure out. For as soon as his hand grasped that of the stranger's, he was dragged forward, right into the face of Kuroikumo.

"So, you've finally decided you would come see me? How wonderful. I knew you would come to me eventually." While holding back the vomit that welled in his throat, Eriol turned to stare at the beast with confusion. 'What the hell was he talking about?'

"Confused, reincarnation of Clow Reed? I figured as much. They said you were wise, but I knew they were lying. Those bastards…how could a mere boy even think he could take on such responsibilities?" Kuroikumo snarled. Eriol was beginning to panic, believing Kuroikumo to be crazier than they had originally imagined.

"URUSEI (shut up)!" apparently Kuroikumo had heard the thoughts of Eriol. "I am not crazy." He said more quietly. "But you…you worthless, pathetic human…how could you obtain the position that I so rightly deserved? No, I shall prove that you were not worthy of becoming a guardian. I shall prove that, that position belonged TO ME!" With a harsh guttural sound, Kuroikumo thrust a ball of fire at Eriol. A direct hit! Kuroikumo could have let the flames consume the mage who was currently writhing on the floor, but it wasn't enough. Flying at Eriol, the demon cloud began punching him continuously, taking perverse pleasure at hearing the screams of agony. Weakly, Eriol constructed a barrier, which only made Kuroikumo laugh in sheer insanity.

"You think your measly little powers are gonna protect you?" he paused as his expression turned feral, "Think again." With that, Kuroikumo sent eriol and his barrier flying, straight into some sort of wall. Eriol's eyes flew open in pain as he fell to the ground. Groaning, he couldn't even lift his hand as the crazed cloud began to shake him.

"DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU!"

"Eriol! Eriol! ERIOL!"

Whoosh!

End of Dream Sequence

Snapped back to reality, Eriol was confronted by a very worried Tomoyo. He was covered in blood, the red soaked his hair, his shirt, his bed. His breathing was eratic, just short of hyperventilating. Coming down by his side to calm him, Tomoyo rested her hand on his sholder. Eriol's gaze turned toward her hand…the red stain on his shirt seeped onto her hand—Eriol lost it.

Screaming, he fled the room and into the shower. Not even bothering to take his clothes off, he doused himself in scorching water and cried out as the water seemed to pierce his skin. Running after him, Tomoyo immediately turned the water down and threw a towel over Eriol. He just lay there in the tub, completely oblivious to Tomoyo who stood by him with tears in her eyes.

Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun came rushing in, and stared at their master in horror. Ruby Moon quickly lifted her master up and told Tomoyo to set down some towels. She did so and Eriol was set upon it. Gingerly, Tomoyo left so that the Guardians could clean up and bandage their master. Sitting on the terrace, Tomoyo just stared absently into the gardens below, letting the cool breeze calm her erratic nerves. When she had seen Eriol covered in so much blood, she knew that nothing could ever be more horrifying to her. Even Kuroikumo's insane aura, didn't strike as much fear as a dying Eriol.

"Don't leave me Eriol." Tomoyo whispered before letting herself fall into a light sleep, thankfully bereft of dreams.

An Hour later:

Eriol slowly became aware of where he was about an hour after his guardians had bandaged him and left him in a guest room. The dream was still fresh, and the wounds still stung, but he was entirely saner than he had been. Briefly recalling that Tomoyo had been there, he slowly stood up. He had to see her, to explain to her what had happened. No doubt he had given her quite the scare. So he made his way out into the hallway and looked about for Tomoyo. Violet strands caught his gaze as his eyes drifted toward the terrace. Limping slightly he made his way over and called to her softly.

"Tomoyo-san." She didn't stir and as he peered closer, he noticed that she was sleeping. Flinching at how he had tried to do the same thing, he turned toward the setting sun. Calmed by its warmth, Eriol slowly turned back to peer at Tomoyo. 'So peaceful' he thought. Possessed by the overwhelming need of reassurance, Eriol swept Tomoyo into his arms and sat in the chair she had recently occupied. Positioning her head into the crook of his neck, and tucking her feet near his chest, he settled Tomoyo onto his lap and pulled her in close. Breathing in her smell, he felt at peace…for once. However, despite how relaxed he was, he would not sleep knowing that Kuroikumo was there, somewhere in the depths of his subconscious, waiting to find him.

A/N: Happy Holidays review button, and reviewers. What would I like this year? A review? Yes, please. I think I'm going to make a picture of Tomoyo sitting on the terrace with Eriol and post it on my otaku site…check out my profile…I'll go put up my Otaku site. The fanfiction part should be at the bottom of the otaku page. Merry Christmas. Bye bye!