Heaven by your Side

By brokenshadow23

Summary:

Eriol Hiiragizawa was the protector Tomoyo could ask for. Despite the number of times she pushed him away, he remained on her side and held her tight. But what if an inevitable thing comes their way? How can he protect her fragile heart?

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to Clamp.

Author's Notes: Another chapter before our summer classes next week! ^-^ Thank you for all those who read the previous chapter. I was really happy about the status of this story. You have given me inspiration to write the next chapters. :))

Of course, I also want to thank my amazing beta-reader, Bubble-wings-love-anime, for helping me with this story and teaching me many things to improve my writing. Hehehe… :D

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Last Chapter:

Closing the door behind her, Tomoyo put the keys in her pockets and started to walk side by side with Eriol. And finally, she had the courage to speak. "You seem to have lot on your mind."

"Just a little thing." Eriol answered, honestly. "There's no need to worry."

"If you are sure…" the girl answered, giving him a warm and comforting smile. "Anyway, I'm here if you want to talk about anything."

With a nod as recognition, Eriol glanced at her for a moment and looked up to the sky. 'But how can I, Tomoyo? I have promised to keep it from you. and… I don't know if I can handle it once I won't see that warm smile of yours anymore.'

Chapter Nine:

Sorting of feelings

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Hues of orange and red started to fill the sky slowly. The yellow sun began to set, signaling the end of another long and busy day.

Leaning comfortably on the tree just beside their school gate, Eriol watched the breath-taking view. He saw the white clouds turn into dark ones, and then felt the cold wind blow. He let himself be absorbed by it, hoping that it would calm him. Since Saturday, he had been wondering a lot about what to do with those three letters. Until that moment, he still didn't know how to give it to Tomoyo or rather, if he should give it or not.

"You have been thinking a lot," a female voice suddenly cut his reverie. "…Hiiragizawa-kun."

"Tomoyo-chan." He called out, not even minding how she addressed him. Eriol stood to his full height, ready to go. "Have you been standing there for long?"

"Five minutes?" Tomoyo tried to tease him. "It's really surprising that you haven't even noticed my presence until now."

"Gomen," Eriol said as he mentally smacked himself for getting off guard. He put a smile on his face, trying his best not to make Tomoyo feel more suspicious. "Shall we go to the bookshop now?"

Tomoyo studied him for a second and moved. She walked ahead of him and in a moment, she saw him follow to walk side-by-side with her.

Neither of them said anything while walking. It wasn't uncomfortable, but the silence gave way for different questions on their mind.

Glancing in Eriol's direction, Tomoyo saw the smile he had on his lips. 'It had always been there…' she said to herself. 'Happy or not. He always has that smile of his. But it isn't enough for him to hide his feelings.

'"Why do you keep on pretending anyway?"

Eriol halted as he heard the question. His throat tightened and the soft ambiance filled with tension. He looked at her, finding that she was staring back at him. "What do you mean?"

Tomoyo, herself, was surprised. She didn't mean to say it out loud. Actually, she was willing to wait for him to tell her something, but it seems her body has its own way of thinking. "Well… I… I just keep on wondering why you keep on hiding what you really feel from me and the others."

"Ever since we were in elementary, you had always been like that." She continued in a soft voice. "You care for all, yet you wouldn't let us get through you."

'I am sorry, Tomoyo.' Eriol answered her in his mind. 'It's just that, now isn't the right time for me to tell you.'

"You are really a great observer, Tomoyo-chan." Eriol mumbled after a while. He didn't know how to answer her, for he was trying to think of how to switch the topic.

"Like you do." Tomoyo said, voice softening.

Averting his eyes from hers, Eriol started to walk again. When Tomoyo followed her, he took a quick glance on her face and said, "well, isn't it my task?" He paused, remembering again some of those moments with her. "Did I not tell you that I'll be always here to protect you?"

"Yeah," the girl simply answered. And with that, they had fallen into silence.

"Demo," Eriol said, "do you really want to know what I'm thinking?"

Tomoyo looked at him, confused. One moment he was hiding and now, it was like he was ready to open up. "Well," she told him. "The choice is yours. I can never push you to say anything you know."

Smiling at that, Eriol readied himself. He pondered on his thoughts and, "can I ask you a question?"

The girl nodded.

Eriol took a deep breath and let his sapphire eyes fall on her. "Will you tell the truth to someone even though you know you might hurt that person?"

"The truth is still the truth," Tomoyo answered without hesitation. She wasn't looking at him so she didn't see the expression in his sapphire orbs. "If that truth will be for the good of that person, what right do you have to keep it from her?"

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

Eriol sat down on the red chair in his library and closed his sapphire eyes. After waiting for Tomoyo to fall asleep, he went out and headed to his mansion. Different thoughts were coming into his mind each second, and if he couldn't let it out, he knew he was going to explode.

"Are you alright, master?" Nakuru asked as she opened the door. Her voice was full of concern.

Eriol nodded in response. His body was so tired and heavy; he needed to rest for a moment before engaging into any serious talk. "Where is Kaho?"

"She is just talking to her husband for a while." The guardian answered, leaning on the door frame. "Why did you come all of a sudden anyway?"

"I just need to talk to Kaho about some important matters," He told her. Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned to look at the young woman, who was looking at him. A smile passed by his lips as he said, "don't worry, it is not worse."

'Well, perhaps not yet…' Eriol added in his mind. 'But if I don't find any solution about this, it will.'

Before Nakuru could even respond to his statement, Kaho made her way in the room. She walked in, eyes centered on the blue haired guy. "Sorry for taking so long."

"It's alright," Eriol replied then he glanced at his guardian. "Thank you for the short company, Nakuru. Please take a rest now. Have a good sleep."

"As you wish, master." Nakuru said, bowing for respect. "I'll see you and Tomoyo-chan at the bookshop tomorrow."

Kaho caught Eriol's expression as the name of the dark haired girl passed on the guardian's lips. Closing the door, she locked it and began, "what about Tomoyo-chan?"

Eriol stared at Kaho, who had chosen to stand by the long windows of the room. He wasn't surprised that she had gotten it so easily. After all, she had been watching Tomoyo since she had come to England and that also included him.

Few moments more, and Eriol managed to speak. "Why am I feeling this way, Kaho?" he began, sadness present in his voice. "The more I'm with her, the more it is hard for me to decide if I should give her those letters."

"It's like I feel I am betraying her and I am breaking my promise not to be involved in her past…" he trailed off.

"Is that really it?" Kaho asked, having another thing in mind. She studied the figure before her, noting how much he had changed. "Is it really about your promise?"

He gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Look at everything you have done for her, Eriol." Kaho told him, finally having the chance to share her thoughts. Pausing for a while, she took a breath and continued, "you always try to protect her. You always want her to be happy."

"I am her friend, Kaho."

"I don't doubt that." The scarlet haired woman told him, smiling. "But tell me, if Sakura was the one in her place, would you do the same things? Would you decide in the middle of the night to stay with her? Would you even look after her and try to switch her back to the girl you had known?"

Eriol pondered those things and realized that at some point, Kaho was right. Yes, he would help the Card Mistress. He would try to cheer her up, but not the way he did to Tomoyo. The raven haired girl was strong, yet so fragile. Being with her was too different than being with other people.

When she knew that he had understood what she was saying, Kaho softened her voice. "Don't blind yourself from the truth, Eriol."

Ring!-Ring!-Ring!

Sighing heavily, Eriol reached for the phone on his right. He looked at the clock and began to wonder who was calling at eleven in the evening. "Hello? Hiiragizawa rescidence."

"Good evening, I'm sorry for disturbing you. But can I speak to Hiiragizawa Eriol?"

With the accent, Eriol concluded that the female speaking on the other line was Japanese. His chest pounded in nervousness as he listened to the voice. "This is Eriol. How can I help you?"

"I am glad that I have finally talked to you, Hiiragizawa-san."

"Right." He muttered, trying to control his voice. Throwing Kaho a look, he gave her an impression that he had a bad feeling about this call. "But may I know who is speaking first?"

"Gomen. This is Sonomi Daidouji, Tomoyo's mother."

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

-Eriol's POV-

It was already one in the morning when I managed to get back to the apartment. After having a short talk with Tomoyo's mother, Kaho left me with some words that I actually couldn't understand. Only that, after I left the mansion, I discovered one thing:

I am afraid to lose her.

But then, why? I had never felt this way before. I had been used to being alone, so how come this thing is happening?

I opened the door silently and walked in. Seeing darkness all over the place, I felt my body get heavier. My eyes were starting to fall so I removed my shoes and decided to hit the bed. So many things had happened yesterday, and I deserved a rest.

Passing by the living room and the kitchen, I reached the door of my room. I was about to enter when I found the door beside mine slightly open.

Without any hesitation, I slowly pushed it open. The first thing I saw was a sleeping figure of an angel. The moonlight shone upon her, giving me a better view of the peaceful expression on her face.

All of a sudden, I felt my heart throb. This wasn't the first time it happened, but tonight it was so evident that I couldn't control it. My sapphire eyes didn't leave Tomoyo's face as I walked near her. Kneeling on the floor just beside her bed, I gazed at her peaceful face.

I smiled. 'She is troubled, yet her beauty doesn't fade.'

Automatically, my hand moved to her face. Slowly, I traced it from her hair then to her jaw. "Tomoyo…"

And then, I saw her amethyst eyes shoot open

"Eriol?"

Hearing my name, the pounding in my chest got harder. I didn't know why, but her whole presence made everything around me vanish. I only got to sense her. Only her.

"Tomoyo," I called out once again. This time, more slowly and with different feelings that I couldn't figure out. After that, everything went too fast.

I felt myself leaning on her, then after a moment, I held her lips unto mine. I unconsciously began to kiss her, slowly and sweetly. I didn't know why, but I felt that there was no need to rush.

After a while, to my surprise, Tomoyo tilted her head on the side to give me a better access. Her hands wrapped around my neck. That was when I realized that both of us had surrendered. She kissed me back with hesitation on the first second, but became more intense after.

We kissed each other for who knows how long. When we parted to take in breath, we found ourselves lost in each other's eyes. With that, I knew then. I knew the reason why it was hard for me to let her go…

I knew then, that I was in love with Tomoyo Daidouji.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

-Tomoyo's POV-

A kiss…

Walking alone in the halls of the university, I started to remember once again what happened that morning. Everything was still clear like it had only happened few moments ago. I knew it wasn't my imagination either, for after the incident I hadn't been able to sleep.

The happening was shocking, yet I didn't regret it. Not even a bit. The comfort and warmth in the kiss felt so right though it built up some questions in my mind. It's not that we have problems with it. Actually, when we saw each other again at breakfast, things were all the same.

But still… why did Eriol do that and why on earth did I respond?

"Tomoyo-sama."

I stopped my tracks as I heard the voice from behind. Pushing all thoughts of Eriol to the back of my head, I turned around and saw a black haired woman in a black suit. Though she was wearing shades, I could tell whom she was. "Hotaru-san."

"I am glad that you still remember me, young madam." Hotaru greeted with a smile. "Can I ask you for a coffee for a few minutes?"

Knowing that there was no other choice, I nodded. I followed my mother's faithful agent then after a while, we entered a small cafeteria in the middle of the town. We sat at the table in one corner of the area and when we had gotten our orders, I decided to talk first.

"How did you know I am here?"

"Li-sama and Sakura-sama put the pieces of puzzle together." Hotaru answered as she sipped her coffee. "They came over to your mansion one day and told us about a hunch. Then I was sent to search for you."

Hearing my best friend's name, I felt a slight pang in my chest. How long hadn't I been with her anyway? How was she doing now that her best friend wasn't there to tease her every time she had a date with Li Syaoran?

"If you are wondering, your friends are fine." Hotaru answered, like she was reading my mind. "Only Sakura-sama and Li-sama knew what was happening so they try their best not to worry the others."

I looked at Hotaru, giving her a thankful look. I remained silent, for I knew that she had some words at hand.

"Until when are you planning to stay here, young madam?"

"I don't know…" I answered softly.

"Everybody is waiting for you in Japan, Tomoyo-sama." Hotaru tried to pursue me, even though she knew what my answer would be. "Sakura-sama, Li-sama, your other friends and your mother are worrying for you. Why do you have to escape just like that?"

Listening to her, I knew she was right. But I myself have my own decisions. "Not to be rude, Hotaru-san. Demo, I don't remember giving you permission to question my decision."

"But Tomoyo-sama, don't you realize that your father might—"

"I want to stay here." I said in a low voice, cutting her off. "I am happy being here… being with Eriol-kun. So please… please don't make things harder for me."

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

"Please have a seat," Eriol offered politely to the woman in front of him. He put his bag on the floor as he sat down on the couch. Looking at the amethyst eyes, same as Tomoyo's, he felt nervous of the woman's presence.

"Thank you." Sonomi said softly and smiled at him. She sat across from him then scanned the small place. "This is where you and Tomoyo are living, right?"

"Yes." Eriol answered. "I know it isn't much, but she is more comfortable here than being in the mansion."

"I see…" Sonomi mumbled, leaning on the couch. By simply staring at the room, she could easily feel the happy presence of her daughter. She didn't know why, but it certainly included the young man before her. "I am really thankful that you are watching over my Tomoyo."

Smiling for a moment, Eriol tried his best control himself. It was only last night that he had talked to her on the phone, but now Tomoyo's mother was already in from of him. "I don't mind giving her help. Demo, it makes me wonder… Why did you suddenly come here?"

"I have been in England since I learned that my daughter was here." Sonomi explained. "I can't help worrying until I see her."

"But I think, she didn't want—"

"I know. I know." She cut him off, knowing already what he was thinking.

"Then why?"

Sonomi took a deep breath first and studied him. "I want you to protect her." She said, "My agents found out that Ryoji, Tomoyo's ex-boyfriend, is one of the men of her father."

Eriol gave a questioning look, not knowing what Sonomi was talking about. In a way, he already knew something about Ryoji, but other things remained a ghost to him.

"She hasn't told you yet…" The short haired woman declared, preparing herself to say the history.

With a nod, Eriol lent his ears. Though he knew that it would break his promise, it was about time to know what was going on. But before Sonomi continue, she and Eriol heard the door unlock. Few seconds more and a figure of a dark haired girl made her way into the living room.

Eriol rose, surprise and terror immediately showing on his face.

"Eriol, what's the meaning of this?"

Review replies for the previous chapter:

** tomoyo-amethyst… that's true. I wonder if there will be a guy like Eriol in the real world. Haha.. ;D and what do you think? There is always someone watching the move of Tomoyo, Eriol and the others so what do you think will happen. :D

** krissy… thank you once again. But honestly I thought no one would like this story. It's really drama and all. As I have observed people mostly read about romance and humor fics. ^-^

** James Birdsong… hehehe.. XD I was free of school works so I have more time to write my ideas.

** cheng… easy. Hahaha… XD It's not like I am really evil. Besides, I made 'Dreaming of You' have a good ending right? Why did you think that it will have a bad endng? Haha.. XD

** Vinnie Warlock… well, it's only a fic after all. Hehe… :D But to answer your question, of course Tomoyo first used her name while moving out of the country and registering on school. I failed to explain that she didn't think of using her English name, but when she saw Eriol she decided to do that since she didn't want to deal anything about Japan because of her problem.

**smile4meeh.. of course, everything will be fine for those two. It will be soon though. There will be more to come. ^-^

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You know my line guys: REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.brokenshadow23.