Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN CARDCAPTOR SAKURA NOR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS - THEY BELONG PURELY TO CLAMP

Brooding Darkness: Yay! Last one! I can't believe that I've finally managed to get this finished! It's my first multi-chaptered story which I've actually managed to finish! Yay, me! Now, on with the show!

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A big Thank you to all of my reviewers as they always make my day!

Just a shout out here:

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Warning: Mentions of violence and sexual content.

"Blah blah blah" is speech
"Blah blah blah" is the person talking on the other end of the phone
/Blah blah blah/ is a person's thought

Gypsy Dance
by Brooding Darkness

Part 17

"I look ridiculous," Syaoran muttered to himself.

"You look amazing," Eriol replied not taking his eyes off the road.

"No, I don't," the brunette gritted out. Practically tearing the mask off in his frustration, Syaoran ran a hand through his hair in the hopes that it might calm him – even if it was all just in his head.

"She's going to be fine. It's probably from lack of sleep, and we're probably going to feel like idiots for panicking and rushing to get there," Eriol consoled, hope filling his voice.

"I hope so. But, I can't help feeling like I've missed something. Like I've seen it, right there in front of me, and I've just missed it!" Hitting the back of his head against the passenger seat, the brunette breathed through his nose, closing his eyes. "But I don't have any idea what it is."

"I know what you mean. It's like she's said or done something and I haven't registered what it is yet," the bluenette bemoaned. Truth-be-told, he was just as frustrated as his lover, only he wasn't going to let it get to him. They just needed to get to the hospital and then they'd know that everything will be just fine.

Pulling into a stop at the next red light, Eriol quickly leaned over towards to passenger seat stealing a quick kiss while holding tightly onto the brunettes hand. Trying to send the message 'soon' before turning back to the road and setting off again when the light changed to amber and then green.

They rode in silence for the next forty-three minutes and all the way into the hospital car park. Rummaging through his bag while Eriol got out of the car to buy the parking ticket¹ Syaoran grabbed his jacket and quickly tugged it on before stepping out of the car.

A few minutes later and the two had made their way inside and were searching for the reception area relevant to them. Upon getting to the correct wing and floor of the hospital Syaoran leant on the counter staring intently at the nurse sat behind the desk typing into his computer.

"Yes?"

"Tomoyo Daidouji? Which room?" Syaoran spoke trying not to spit the words out.

"Your relation?" The nurse asked back.

"Best friend and practically adoptive brother."

Raising an eyebrow at the younger man, the nurse indicated the plastic chairs stationed along the wall. "A minute please."

Gritting his teeth, Syaoran tried not to stomp his way to the small row of seats, Eriol following silently behind. Holding the brunettes hand, Eriol tried to give as much contact as he could through the touch.

"She'll be fine. She's probably still answering the doctor's questions and we'll be allowed to see her soon," the bluenette spoke, sounding like he was trying to reassure himself more than the other man.

"Or she's still unconscious and something very bad is happening to her," Syaoran said quietly, squeezing Eriol's hand slightly.

"She'll be fine," Eriol answered, squeezing back.

~*~*~'Cause I'm a Gypsy~*~*~

Stumbling back three steps, Yue lightly touched the now bruising area on his right cheek glaring defiantly at the man before him. Standing up straight, the sliverette straightened his clothes before pointing at the blonde man.

"That was a big mistake," he spoke with pure ice in his voice.

"Oh, really? How?" Cleon sneered.

Slamming the palm of his hand into Cleon's nose, Yue followed the move up with a swipe of his leg forcing the blonde man to tumble backwards with blood flowing down his face.

Standing straight once more, Yue stood tall giving the other man the most wilting look he could muster.

"Start talking."

Clutching his broken nose, Cleon groaned pushing himself into a sitting position. Glaring through his hands, the blonde studied the silver haired man towering over him.

"About what?"

"Why you seem to be so obsessed with Ms Li." Leaving his posture open in case Cleon decided to retaliate, Yue kept his glare steady and wondering what he would have to do to keep the man away from women /If this is how he treats them/.

"I'm not obsessed with her. She's a slut and I no longer want anything to do with her," the blonde sneered darkly, the look causing his face to turn ugly.

"You hit her," Yue seethed.

"She deserved it."

"No one deserves to be beaten."

"Say's you."

"Say's the law, parliament and every women's rights group. If you assault someone you go to jail."

"Only if she calls the police. Which she won't. She wouldn't dare," the blonde man glared back, a glint of malice in his eyes. Getting shakily to his feet, Cleon smirked. "She's way too scared."

"Really?" Yue quirked a fine eyebrow. "Because she called them before I came here."

"What? Then why come here?" the blonde snarled.

"To make sure you didn't leave," he replied evenly. Taking one step forward, Yue punched Cleon right between his eyes knocking out the blonde and coldly watching his body fall to the carpet.

Shrugging lightly, Yue turned on his heel and walked out of the apartment and to the lift, pushing the button for the doors to open. After getting to the ground floor, Yue smirked inwardly as a police car pulled up to the building.

*RING RING RING RING*

"Hello?"

"Yue?"

"Yukito? What's wrong?"

"Do you remember Tomoyo? Sakura's girlfriend?"

"Yes," he replied frowning at the worry in the question.

"She's collapsed and we're heading to the hospital to support her and Sakura."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," the older twin replied, turning to hail a cab. "Which hospital is she at?"

~*~*~Are you coming with me?~*~*~

Growling in frustration, Chiharu plucked at a loose thread on the too-large jacket that Yamazaki had wrapped around her - as she and Sakura had dashed their way out of the catwalk show dressed in nothing but their under-dresses - as she waited for the red light to change and hoping that Yamazaki would break every speeding law to get to the hospital that much quicker.

Worrying at her bottom lip, Sakura kept her arms wrapped tightly about herself as she wished and prayed that nothing was really wrong and that Tomoyo was simply just overworked - maybe she had accidently hit her head on a table after dropping something? - whatever it was, she hoped it was nothing too serious.

"She'll be fine! We'll get there and she'll just be dehydrated. Tomoyo really needs to learn to take care of herself," Chiharu muttered, angry at herself more than the woman she was speaking of.

"Probably. But they won't let her leave unless she has someone to go home with, so if she gets annoyed at us for leaving the fashion shoot, we'll just tell her that we're here to give her a lift and that we're gonna take turns making sure she stays hydrated." Yamazaki tried to sound reassuring as he focused on pushing his smart car into third gear and trying not to drive dangerously at a little over the speed limit. Regardless of what both he and his fiancé wanted, he wasn't about to get arrested.

Nibbling on her bottom lip, Sakura sent off a quick text to Eriol. Mere seconds later her phone lit up, Eriol's name flashing across the screen. Pressing the green acceptance button, she put the call onto speaker.

"Eriol?"

"Speaking with a nurse. How far away from the hospital are you?" Syaoran's voice came over the speaker, surprising everyone in the car.

"Ran? You're with Eriol right now?" Yamazaki asked.

"Yeah. We were at the same venue. How far away?" the brunette reiterated.

"Not too far," Chiharu answered.

"About ten minutes. What do you know?" Yamazaki's eyes flicked to the rear-view mirror, where he could see Sakura sat, and back onto the road.

"Not much. They're only letting family in to see her, but Eriol's trying to work something out with one of the nurses. And failing if the look on his face is anything to go off."

"Is she okay?" Sakura asked, trying not to sound as desperate as she felt.

"I don't know for sure. We've just been told to sit and wait, but at least it can't be so serious that they'll tell friends the cause." From his tone of voice, Sakura just knew that he was tired and worrying away at his own lip. "Hang on, Eriol's coming back."

For the next thirty seconds the only sound you could hear in the car was the engine and passing traffic. Then:

"So?"

"She was taken into an emergency room for assessment as soon as she came in. The nurse wouldn't tell me anything else. A family member or partner need to be here for us to receive any real information," Eriol's voice came over the speaker, slightly tinny.

"So, they'll tell me when I get there?" Sakura jumped at the word 'partner', grasping onto it with hope.

"They should," the bluenette replied, slightly clearer this time.

"We're about five minutes away, guys. We'll see you then," Yamazaki confirmed.

"Okay, don't drive too fast getting here."

"Not too fast. See you."

"Bye."

~*~*~I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me~*~*~

The small burgundy Vauxhall Vectra taxi pulled up to the curb, the west-Asian driver nodding along to the radio quietly.

"£23.60, please."

"Wait a moment. I'm just going to grab someone and then you can drive us elsewhere," Yue spoke over his shoulder to the taxi driver as he pushed the car door closed.

Taking the few steps up to the front gate of a white town house, Yue pressed the little buzzer and waited patiently for a reply. After a minute, the speaker attached to the buzzer fizzed with static before the irate voice of one Meiling Li spoke.

"Yes?"

"Li-san? It's Tsukishiro Yue."

"Hold on."

With a click and more static, the speaker switched off. Quirking a silver eyebrow, Yue merely took a small step back. His curiosity only had to hold on for a minute before a slightly dishevelled raven haired Meiling opened the front door, pulling it shut behind her as she approached Yue at the gate.

Her red-cried eyes looked much better - due to her make-up being on point as usual. Her long black hair was pulled back into a high pony-tail and her white blouse and black pencil skirt complimented her red shoes, belt and lipstick. It took a moment for Yue to recall why he was there. It was a quick moment, but a moment none the less.

"Yes?"

Clearing his throat, the silverette replied, "Two things. One: The police have arrested Cleon, and two: I believe a friend of yours, Daidouji Tomoyo? Yes, she's currently been hospitalised and I am on my way there myself if you would like to join me."

"Tomoyo's in the hospital?! Why didn't you lead with that you oaf!" Glaring daggers, the raven haired woman brushed past him a proceeded to open the taxi car door. With one leg in she turned back to the elder twin. "Well? I thought you were coming too?"

"Yes." Trying not to blink owlishly at the insult, the silverette shook his head slightly before climbing into the other side of the cab. Now was not the time to try to understand the red eyed woman. If there ever would be a time.

~*~*~Never made agreements~*~*~

Speed walking down the hospital corridor, Sakura, Chiharu and Yamazaki finally arrived at the waiting room where Syaoran and Eriol were sat in a corner holding hands. Upon seeing the trio arrive, the two shot up out of their seats and moved quickly across the room.

"Anything?" Chiharu asked quietly.

Shaking his head, Eriol watched as a teary Sakura walked past them and up to the desk where a nurse was typing into a computer. After gaining the nurses attention the two spoke very quietly to each other while the two couples behind waited almost with bated breath. After a few minutes conversing, the nurse sighed and nodded. Smiling back, Sakura nodded politely back before waving to the four still watching the two.

Stepping towards the green eyed model, Syaoran patted her shoulder. "Take a breath."

"The doctor's going to be along soon to talk to me. It doesn't look good," Sakura said teary. Resting her head on the other brunettes shoulder, she allowed herself a moment of weakness knowing that Syaoran would never hold this against her, and wishing that she had had this for the many years that they had been estranged.

"She'll be fine. And if not, she has us," Syaoran spoke softly, rubbing her back and holding her in a light hug as he hoped to comfort her.

"All of us," Eriol added, brushing his fingers lightly through her short hair.

"Not that we'll be much use," Yamazaki muttered. Slapping him up the head, Chiharu glared darkly at him. "But we're here for whatever she needs," he quickly amended.

"Even if I have to kill a certain someone to do it," Chiharu huffed crossing her arms and still glaring darkly at her fiancée. "Like this guy said," she continued pointing at Syaoran. "She'll be fine."

" 'This guy'?" Syaoran repeated wryly, quirking an eyebrow. "Li Syaoran, nice to meet you, despite the circumstances."

"Oh! Sorry! Miharu Chiharu. Nice to meet you too, despite the circumstances," she nodded in greeting to the brunette.

"Miharu? As in Yamazaki's Miharu?"

"Yep."

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry, it's too late now anyway," she shrugged smiling slightly.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Yamazaki pouted.

"He's right," Eriol inserted, pointing at the black haired man. "You're only engaged Chiharu. You can still get out of this."

"Oi!"

Giggling, the two women exchanged a look before Chiharu shook her head.

"Nope, I love him. Despite trying not to."

"Ah, well, not much can be done then," Eriol replied nodding sympathetically.

"I hate you all."

Pulling away from the hug with a watery smile, she took Eriol's offered handkerchief and wiped her eyes. Letting Syaoran guide her into a chair Sakura gulped and tried not to wring her hands as she sat and held onto his hand.

They all took seats around her and waited.

They waited for almost three hours before the nurse from behind the desk called out Sakura's name. Standing up, and pulling Syaoran along with her, the green eyed woman advanced towards the desk.

"You can go through to the recovery room now. It's just down that hall, past the double set of doors and the fifth door on the right," the nurse instructed. "Miss Daidouji's doctor will be with you when you get there." Murmuring their thanks the small group briskly walked in the direction indicated, pushing through the doors and down the hall they filed into the recovery room scanning the eight beds² until Eriol spotted Tomoyo at one end of the room.

Moving to stand around her, Sakura took her hand.

Tomoyo was still unconscious and was hooked up to a number of machines, an air mask covering her nose and mouth. She was paler than usual, but the quiet beeping showed a steady heartbeat. She was dressed in a standard removable operating gown and her hair, which lacked it usual lustre, was spread behind her.

Pushing her fellow model into the chair which had been placed next to the bed, Chiharu felt teary herself at seeing her friend in such a state. She grasped Yamazaki's hand tightly in hers, instantly forgetting her anger at him.

The five of them stayed silent for the next twenty minutes until a young doctor dressed in blue scrubs walked into the room and strolled towards them.

"Hello, I'm Mr.³ Bahrana. Which of you are Miss Daidouji's relative?" He asked politely.

"I am. I'm her girlfriend. These are her friends - we're all practically family," Sakura replied, standing up.

Nodding to each of them, the surgeon sighed before keeping eye contact with Sakura. "Miss Daidouji was brought in with what we first diagnosed as dehydration mixed with painkillers. However, when we ran a few tests to confirm, we found a small mass growing in the left side of her brain which we suspect to be a tumour. However, we can't be sure until we receive the results."

"Oh my God!" Gasping harshly, Sakura sank back into the chair, slipping her hand out of Syaoran's and covering her mouth.

"Are you testing for cancer?" Eriol asked quietly.

"We can't test for that just yet as that will involve invasive surgery, so we've scheduled a surgery to take place tomorrow where we are going to try to completely remove the mass. Once the mass has been removed, or we have removed as much of it as we can, then we'll send what we've taken off to the lab for further testing." Glancing between each of them, Mr. Bahrana continued, "We're optimistic at this point, and it's likely that we can remove the mass in one go. If there is anything else connected, then, we are hopeful that it has been caught early. If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," Syaoran nodded.

"Thank you," Yamazaki echoed.

Nodding to them all once again, Mr Bahrana left them to stare in silent horror at one another.

~*~*~Just like a Gypsy~*~*~

Slamming the taxi's car door behind her, Meiling looked up at the hospital in front of her as Yue finished paying for the ride. She had been quickly texting back and forth with her cousin the entire ride there, but Syaoran was refusing to tell her what exactly was wrong with Tomoyo, stating that he needed to tell her in person.

Hearing the taxi drive off, she turned slight as Yue cam to stand beside her.

"Shall we?" He asked, holding his arm out in the direction of the building. Nodding her reply, the two set off for the entrance both keeping their thoughts to themselves as they passed through the automatic doors and through the various corridors with Meiling only glancing down at her phone, where Syaoran had typed out directions for them to get to the room.

A few minutes later, and the two walked into the small waiting area to find Syaoran and Eriol sat in two of the chairs holding hands. Upon seeing them, Syaoran stood, letting Eriol's hand fall away. Rushing into his arms, the two cousin's hugged tightly, the men exchanging nods in sombre greetings.

"How is she? Has she woken up yet?" the red eyed woman asked worriedly.

"She's still out, but it could be a while before she wakes. As for how she is... she's not good. We've spoken with one of the doctor's and he's told us that a mass has formed in her brain. It's small, but we don't know anything else at this stage," Syaoran spoke quietly, rubbing his hands soothingly up and down Meiling's arms.

"A mass? Are they going to remove it?" Yue asked, wondering if he sounded as shocked as he felt. He did not know Tomoyo that well, but he did know that she had been praised by all to be a kind person. And for such a thing to happen to someone so young... it even struck him.

"They've scheduled an operation for tomorrow to remove it. They'll know more then," Eriol replied, letting the cousin's take comfort in each other.

"This is horrible! Syaoran, how could we miss it? We knew that she hadn't been well," Meiling cried.

Shaking his head, he just pulled the woman into a tight hug.

~*~*~I won't break down 'cause life's already bit me~*~*~

Ten minutes after Meiling and Yue had arrived, Yukito and Touya walked into the small waiting room to find most of the odd group of friends there. So as not to overwhelm Sakura, they were each taking turns sitting with her and watching over Tomoyo. Currently, Syaoran and Meiling were in with her while the others sat in various chairs in the waiting area.

Standing to hug his twin and shake hands with Touya, Yue quietly filled them in on what was happening. The three then took seats near one another waiting for something, anything really, to happen.

Inside the patient room Sakura, Syaoran and Meiling spoke quietly to one another, all keeping a eye on Tomoyo.

"She'll be fine. She's strong and she's got all of us," Meiling was trying to reassure the green eyed model.

"I know, but I can't help feeling like something worse is going to happen. As if not noticing how bad this was was enough!" Sakura sighed, upset but calming.

"None of us noticed. That's what we get for being invested in ourselves I suppose," Syaoran spoke, still angry at himself. The three of them fell into a short silence at that.

"That just makes me feel worse," Meiling huffed.

"Well, I'll tell you what I did notice," Syaoran continued, hoping to cheer Sakura up. "You and Yue came here together."

"They did?" Eyes wide, Sakura stared at the receptionist unbelievingly.

"It was cheaper to split a taxi," she avoided, cheeks glowing red. "That's all."

"Yeah, sure. That's it," Syaoran hummed, the first attempted smile since everything had happened.

"It is! And you don't get to tease me, thank you very much," she said, crossing her arms.

"He does after the stick you've given him for Eriol," Sakura pointed out.

"And us," a gentle voice croaked.

Jumping up, Sakura leaned over Tomoyo almost squealing when she realised that her girlfriends eyes were open and staring back at her. "You're awake!" leaning further over, Sakura kissed the woman's forehead, squeezing her hand lightly and sending up a prayer of thanks.

"I'll tell the others," Meiling volunteered.

"How are you feeling?" Syaoran asked moving to sit on Tomoyo's other side.

"Like smacking you up the head."

"What?" Furrowing his brow in confusion, the brunette wondered if he had heard right.

"You're supposed to be at a competition... unless it's already finished?" Tomoyo asked shakily, letting Sakura help her to sit up. Tugging the air mask down lightly, Tomoyo smiled at the other woman, loving her all the more.

"No, it should still be on. It's split into two parts, the second part should be on right now. Besides, how could I be there when I need to be here," Syaoran smiled down at her, holding back his tears of relief.

"Because I made you an amazing mask and outfit, and you really love dancing," she smiled back.

"You dance, Syaoran?" Sakura asked, slightly amazed that she didn't know something about him.

"Yeah, sort of," he blushed, eyes flickering away. It took a moment for the conversation to sink in he was so relieved at Tomoyo having awoken. But it only lasted a moment. "Hang on. You know I dance? And wear your clothes when I do?" He practically squeaked, face paling.

Attempting to smirk at him, Tomoyo nodded. "Well I didn't know if you actually wore any of the outfits I've made you, but you just confirmed that. As for the dancing? Yes, I've know. Why else would you have an invitation to dance at that competition just laying on your desk?"

Hiding his face in his hands, Syaoran didn't know whether to cry or laugh. "At least you're feeling better," he muttered.

"A little. What exactly happened? Why am I here?"

"Well..."

~*~*~I won't cry, I'm too young to die~*~*~

Half an hour later, they were all gathered around Tomoyo and her bedside. She had taken the news well, having broken down crying in relief that her headaches hadn't been caused by her pill-popping or lack of sleep, although she was concerned about the upcoming operation. However, she looked at it this way: she shouldn't take anything into account and she should just hope for the best. It if was just a small mass and nothing else, then there was nothing to be worried about. If it was more than that... well, she had a great support system.

Smiling around her group of friends - her family - she knew that whatever happened next she could deal with. And she would fight it until she won.

"Why are watching this?" Touya asked, an eyebrow quirked.

"I know someone there," Syaoran replied, not taking his eyes off of the small screen.

Each bed had a small television set that a patient could use provided the volume didn't affect anyone else in the room. The channel they were watching was currently showing the talent contest, and Maki was dancing away beautifully.

"Maybe next time," Eriol whispered, leaning towards Syaoran's ear and kissing his cheek.

"Ha! Of course," the amber eyed man smirked back.

~*~*~'Cause I'm a Gypsy~*~*~

Brooding Darkness: There will be an epilogue, a small one, but it will be there.

I would once again like to thank everyone who has kept with me and continued to support this work as it has been so hard to find the time to write, but it has finally been completed! So pat yourselves on the back and lets party! Cookie and cake for everyone!

Thank you again.

Notes:

¹The fact that you have to pay for a parking ticket at a Hospital car park is appalling, but true.

²In the majority of NHS run hospitals, rooms have up to 10 beds (five either side) in a room. I'm not too sure about rooming if you go private, but I believe that it is only under special circumstances that you can have a private room. Otherwise you go into a room with other people with similar symptoms/illnesses/reasons for being in the hospital.

³In the UK surgeons are titled 'Mr' or 'Ms/Miss/Mrs', although they are still referred to as doctors.