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Disclaimer: Never have I owned CCS, and I'm sure you're all wishing I didn't either.
Chapter Eleven
Eriol frowned, Tomoyo not noticing since her back was on him. Why did Sakura want to see his idiot cousin when he was here? Wasn't he the one who placed her life on the line? Didn't Syaoran himself take her first kiss that she wanted so much to keep for her special one? He only took her second one…he should be more tolerable than Li, right?
His frown deepened when he came to an unsure conclusion. Maybe Sakura thought Li was the one for her. Eriol didn't want to believe it, but was there another explanation for her question? It disturbed him but he quickly smiled when Tomoyo turned around. Last thing he wanted was her all over him like a worried mother.
His eyes wavered when he saw the tears on her bright amethyst eyes. He resisted the urge to wipe them away with his own hands.
"Your friend's alright." he said dryly, "Why're you still crying?"
Tomoyo forced out a smile, she couldn't tell him that she was overwhelmed with jealousy when her best friend was searching for Li when she was right there in front of him. Yeah, she had been quite mad at her the last day but now she was here, wasting her precious time just to be with her until all this is over and yet, she ignores her presence. Tomoyo thought she would matter more than that.
"You're not exactly ecstatic either." she commented back, wiping away the tears before glancing back at the bed. "You like her, don't you? Think you still have a chance?"
Her tone held the slightest bit of sarcasm but Eriol brushed it off, choosing to keep his mouth shut. He walked over to a chair and propped it close to the bed. He caressed Sakura's forehead. "At this point, no." he paused, looking at her eyes. "But things have this tendency to change and it so happens that most of the time, it goes my way."
"Oh really?" Now Tomoyo didn't hold back the irony in her words. She cocked a brow to irritate him more. Eriol merely took this as a dare and looked at her with a suggestive look.
"Wanna bet?"
Before Tomoyo could give her reply, Sakura's doctor rushed in and pushed the two of them away, muttering something about blood transfer. Getting the message, they let him pass and simply stared as he and the nurses took her to some place that they have currently no intention of knowing. Sometimes, it was better being oblivious.
Once all of them were gone, Tomoyo faced him and smiled. "Sure, what's at stake?"
--
Fujitaka sat down on the white row of chairs beside the room's double doors, watching his only son as he paced back and forth, back and forth. Finally, he decided to interrupt.
"Touya, you seem more like the father than I am." he said with one of his sweetest smiles. Touya ran a hand through his jet black hair and focused his eyes on the doors.
"B-But…dad! Sakura's in danger!" He resumed pacing. "Man, I don't know what to do."
Fujitaka stood up and placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "Sit down and calm yourself Touya. Sakura would be fine."
Touya looked down, refusing to meet his father's eyes. "I hope so father…I really hope so."
--
Eriol gave his payments before walking over to the table where Tomoyo sat. "They're doing the transfusions right now." Eriol whispered.
"I know." Tomoyo whispered back. She took out her burger from the plastic Eriol was carrying and took a bite. More of avoiding talking rather than satisfying her hunger.
"I hope she it goes well." Eriol took out his glasses and wiped away the tears. "I can't bear seeing her hurt."
Tomoyo scooted over and comforted him. She couldn't either.
"Let's go there and support Sakura, even though she doesn't know." Tomoyo suggested ruefully.
Eriol nodded.
--
They waved at father and son when they arrived. The doctor was there, and unlike the nurse, his face was bright.
"It was successful." the elderly doctor told them. Touya sighed in relief and sunk down a chair, burying his head in his arms.
"God, thank you." he moaned out.
Fujitaka smiled. "Thank you doctor."
"You could visit her a few minutes after she recovers. The same with the boy."
Tomoyo broke down in tears. "Oh my God, Sakura's safe Eriol! She's okay!" She smiled up at him and he smiled back, even grinned.
"I'm glad."
Tomoyo beamed. "So am I!"
--
Syaoran looked around. The light was blinding. He raised his arm to block the light and almost immediately felt a squeeze on his hand. He turned and saw Fujitaka sitting beside him.
"M-Mr. Kinomoto." he stammered, surprised to see his classmate's father beside him. "Mr. Kinomoto! Shouldn't you be with Sakura? Speaking of which, where is she? Is she alright? Will she survive? God, is she alive?"
Fujitaka chuckled and Syaoran calmed down. He suspected that was a yes. "Thank goodness."
"Thank you my boy, for helping my daughter."
"It was nothing Mr. Kinomoto. Besides," Syaoran looked away. "It was partly my fault she got hurt anyway. And if I wasn't there, I'm pretty sure Eriol would gladly take my place."
"All the same, I thank you." Fujitaka held Syaoran's hand. "And please call me Fujitaka."
"Hai…Fujitaka-san." Syaoran muttered, smiling. It had been years since someone had thanked him and to think it was the father of the one he dedicated his life to.
--
Touya barged in to Sakura's door and couldn't stop the tears when he saw her sleeping peacefully at the hospital bed. He walked over and held her hand.
"Even though I hate him, I think I have to thank that brat for saving your life kaijuu."
"T-Touya…I heard that."
Touya's eyes widened. He squeezed Sakura's hand tighter.
"Kaijuu! You're awake!"
"If that isn't obvious enough." she tried to glare at him. "And I told you to stop calling me that."
Touya restrained himself from hugging her. She might have to operate on her bones next if he didn't.
"Where's Syaoran?" she asked.
"The brat?" Touya frowned. "He's at the room adjacent to yours. Dad has gone to check up on him."
Sakura looked at the ceiling. "I want to see him Touya."
"Why?" Touya growled.
"I want to thank him." Sakura reasoned, she pouted over at Touya.
"Dad already thanked him, I'm sure."
"I want to thank him myself onii-chan."
"Let's wait for Tomoyo first."
Sakura smiled and nodded before staring at the curtained windows. Her head hurt like hell but she wouldn't fall asleep until she saw her friends. Yes, she considered them her friends now. They saved her from those thugs at the forest after all and the last time she saw Li's eyes, they were so full of regret.
She hated that look on his face back at camp. She didn't blame him for what happened to her. It was those guys' fault. They attacked them. Syaoran didn't have to feel guilty. Especially now that he was the one who saved her life.
She couldn't wait to see him again. Maybe this time, his eyes wouldn't be so forlorn when she looked into them.
--
Tomoyo sat back down at the chairs. "Sakura's safe." she mumbled, letting out a soft sigh. "I can't believe she's alright Eriol!"
"Yeah." Eriol said, he opened his can of coke and drank a few sips. "When we were back there, I thought I wouldn't see her alive again.
Tomoyo giggled. "You guys were the one who kept insisting that she'll get through this." she told him. "You even argued to the principal for it."
"Oh yeah, Princess Principal." he scoffed before taking a long sip.
"I heard that Hiirigizawa."
Eriol choked and blew all his soda out before turning to see the principal. He gave her a nervous smile.
"I thought I told you kids to keep it a secret." she whispered at them, voice rasp.
Tomoyo threw Eriol a you're-so-stupid look.
He threw her an I-can't-help-it-look.
The principal sighed. "Well, aren't you going to visit those two guys suffering at hospital beds?" she asked, grabbing Eriol's can –despite his protests- and took a long drink, even draining it to the last drop (Ignoring the "Hey!" Eriol yelled.).
"Maybe later." Tomoyo said. "I think Sakura has to stay with her family first."
"How about Mr. Li?"
"He could visit himself." Eriol muttered. Tomoyo and the principal glared at him.
"Eriol, I thought you already forgave him." Tomoyo said sternly. "He already owes you his motorbike, remember?"
Eriol looked away. The principal left, muttering something about a pile of paperwork waiting for her back at school.
"I don't know what to do anymore Tomoyo." He looked around. They were the only ones left in the waiting area. The hospital didn't have a lot of patients today. "I…I feel like I'm left out you know. Syaoran had always been ahead of me. He had always topped me off and I was always secondary to him. It just isn't fair."
"What do you think I feel?" Tomoyo asked sourly. Eriol turned towards her. "You guys ignored me ever since the beginning. I was really happy that despite all the attention she received, Sakura never left me but all you guys did was pretend I didn't even exist!" Tears began to form on her beautiful amethyst eyes.
Eriol walked over her and enveloped her into a friendly embrace. "I'm sorry Tomoyo. I really am."
Tomoyo continued to sob, wrapping her arms around him as well. I feel like… l-like I just don't fit! S-Sometimes…I…I feel like I'm not good enough! That anyone could always take over me easily! I…" she trailed off and met his azure eyes. "Sometimes, I feel envious. Is that how you feel Eriol?"
Eriol nodded. "Yeah…" He couldn't believe that Tomoyo felt that way. She had always been so cheerful, and she had always acted without a care in the world, now she tells him that she wanted attention. He did too… they were the same. He looked at her eyes, the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. Why hadn't he noticed it before? Why did he wait up until now to know more about her? Thinking about it, he felt so utterly stupid.
They stared like that for a moment before Eriol leaned over and whispered into her ear. "But you know what, you made me forget all my doubts the moment I saw your eyes. I regret never seeing them before. I'm sorry Tomoyo, for ignoring you and for letting you feel all that." He leaned back and pressed his lips against hers gently. Finally, he had met his girl.
"So Eriol-kun…" Tomoyo said once they separated.
"Yeah?"
"I guess you don't have a chance with Sakura anymore, huh?"
Eriol grinned. "No, but I believe I have a chance with you." He kissed her again.
--
Syaoran looked at Fujitaka and smiled. "Fujitaka-san…um…do you mind if I go with you to visit Sakura?" he asked timidly.
Fujitaka nodded and helped him up. Syaoran suddenly remembered his mother. He would give anything just to see her again… but she was dead, he had to accept that.
They walked over to the adjacent room, Fujitaka supporting Syaoran from time to time. He was a little unstable. Fujitaka opened the door and Syaoran practically stumbled inside.
"Syaoran?" Sakura said, surprised. Syaoran looked up.
"Sakura!" he smiled, holding unto the doorway. "I'm glad you're okay."
Sakura let go of her brother and hugged her classmate. "Thanks Syaoran. For everything. I'm sorry for making you worry. I really am."
"Does that mean you're not mad at me anymore?"
Sakura shook her head.
"I'm glad." He paused and kissed her on the forehead, surprisingly, Touya didn't kill him. "I'm sorry Sakura."
"It's alright." She looked up to meet his eyes. "But I still have to get back at you."
"For what?"
Sakura brought her face up and met his lips, surprising even Syaoran, but soon he closed his eyes and savored the moment. He opened his mouth and let her roam around. They separated for a breath of air.
"For that pathetic excuse of a kiss back then." She said grinning at him. Syaoran couldn't help but grin back. From now on, he was going to protect Sakura. Protect her more than anything else. He wouldn't let her end up like her mother, grieving, killing herself because of depression. He was going to make sure that the smile on her face would remain and that she would never have to get hurt so much again.
"I love you Sakura Kinomoto." he told her.
"And I do too Syaoran Li." she embraced him, thinking how ironic the situation must be. She had vowed to herself to make them suffer, and now, she was hugging the guy she had once hated the most.
Well, she couldn't care less. She was with the one who made her heart whole. She was with the one who stole her first kiss, with the one whom she had always looked up on school since he was higher than her. She was with Syaoran Li.
--
Fujitaka smiled, seeing his daughter's happiness beside the Li kid.
"I can't believe SHE KISSED HIM!" Touya exclaimed, pacing again at the hallway. They had left the moment Touya began to fume (Which was the moment Syaoran gave Sakura a peck on the forehead.).
"She's a grown-up girl Touya. And I remember you have lost your first kiss when you were younger." Fujitaka remarked with a sly grin.
"DAD!"
Fujitaka chuckled. "Li-san would make her happy. I know it Touya."
Touya looked down. "I do too father." he smiled. "I'm happy for her."
Um…how did it go? Sorry if it was too crappy…I'm not really good with romantic parts…any suggestions? Please review! This is not yet the end! Maybe a two-three chapters before this is done.
Sayonara
Krizzie