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: You are authorized to kill me for not updating for months. Well that is, if can find me. Haha.. :) Alright. I wouldn't explain what happened and such. After all, the most important thing is this chapter right? Hehe.. So just read on and enjoy. REVIEW PLEASE!
Hmm… I want to dedicate this chapter to Bubblewing-luvs-anime. Well there is actually no reason, but I really want to. Hehe..
Last Chapter:
Another gunshot was heard.
The next thing Tomoyo knew was when she shrieked and opened her eyes; she simply saw a figure of man falling in front her. She saw then blood flowing. Sounds of the police car followed and the only thing she knew was she was crying harder. She was too afraid since yesterday with all this darkness and threats.
But then someone finally took her into his arms.
Eriol held her protectively, giving her the support she needed that moment. He felt her shaking so badly and he thought of was he was glad to finally find her safely. Pulling her body towards his, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "It's over now, Tomoyo. There's nothing to be afraid off. I'm here."
Chapter Twelve:
His decision
"Hai. Hai. Everything is alright now, Sakura-chan. Don't worry." Tomoyo assured with a smile playing in her lips. After so many months, she was glad to hear her best friend's voice once again.
Sakura sighed in relief and said, "I am glad to hear that. You don't know how much Syaoran and I panicked when we found out that you left! You didn't even leave any letter and such. I really can't imagine how you did this."
Tomoyo giggled as she imagined her best friend ranting. "Gomen." She said as she stood up and opened the glass windows. The sunrays lightened the room and along with that, the soft wind entered the large hotel room. "It's really a long story, but well I needed to clear my mind."
"Please don't do that again, alright?" Sakura told her. "You know I am always here Tomoyo-chan. I really miss you, you know. I am excited to see you. There are many things that I have to tell you like—"
"Things about Li-kun?" Tomoyo ended Sakura's sentence. To make the other girl feel that she miss her too, she decided to tease her that moment.
Sakura went silent for a second. "Err… well yeah. But there are other things too."
With that, Tomoyo could not stop smiling when she knew that her sentence made her best friend blush and panic. She imagined the auburn haired girl struggling with her thoughts to shift the topic. She listened to her until her world suddenly stopped when Sakura asked,
"When will you come back?"
Well, Tomoyo knew that the question would be asked eventually, but she was caught off guard. She hasn't thought of it yet, or perhaps she didn't want to think about it. Now that she is forced to do so, she felt a pinch in her heart knowing that it is time for her to go.
"Hey," Sakura's worried voice called out. "Are you still there?"
Tomoyo snapped out of her reverie. She cleared her voice and answered, "yes. I just—"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
With that, the door of her room opened. "Tomoyo?"
"—Mom?" Tomoyo responded, with the phone still on her ear. When she saw her mother entered the room, she raised a hand for a moment and turned back. "Ne, Sakura-chan. Sorry but I'll call you later alright? Mom is here."
"oh. Alright." Sakura answered. "Be prepared to talk to Syaoran later. I know he misses you too."
"alright. Ja." Tomoyo said and put her phone down. She turned back, giving a small smile to her mother.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Tomoyo." Sonomi said as she walked towards her. "I just have something for you."
"What is it?"
Sonomi pulled out a white envelop in her pocket and handed it to her. Tomoyo opened it, seeing two small papers she wasn't prepared to see.
xoxoxoxoxox
"Honey, we are here." Sonomi said as the car halted in front of the school.
Tomoyo looked up, realizing that throughout the ride she was lost in her thoughts. She sighed then stared at her mom. "Thanks for driving me here, mom and Hotaru-san."
"You have always wanted me to do this right?" Sonomi said softly. She tugged the strand of hair behind Tomoyo's ear and touched her cheek. Being away from her for long made her realize that she should fill up many things that she had lacked before. "So I'll see you aft class?"
Pondering for a moment, Tomoyo shook her head. "Sorry mom, but I have to do some things after school. I can manage."
Sonomi knew what her daughter meant. She smiled at her. "Alright. Take care sweetheart."
After receiving a kiss on the forhead, Tomoyo stepped out of the car. She first took a deep breath then started to walk. As usual, her first destination was at the back of the building. She immediately saw her four friends with Eriol missing.
"MADISON!" Julict shouted her name as she rushed towards her to give her a hug. "Where on earth have you been? You were missing for three days. We missed you."
"I agree with that." Alexander added. "You and Eriol disappeared at the same time. What were you guys up to?"
Mitch was about to say something but she saw the sad expression on Tomoyo's face. "hey, Madison. What's wrong?"
With that, the others turned their eyes on the raven haired girl. They noted that she wasn't smiling again, but this time sadness was more evident.
"I- I am leaving." Tomoyo announced, sadness written in her voice. She planned to tell them later, but since they already asked she decided to give them answer. She averted her eyes from them, not wanting to see their reactions. It would simply make it hard for her.
"You are w-WHAT?" Alexander exclaimed in disbelief. It had only been few months since she came and it's hard to hear goodbye especially now that they have been friends.
Surprised like the others, Louie just sighed. He stepped forward and took Mitch hand. He gave it a squeeze before turning to the other guy. "You heard him Alexander."
"But—"
"Come on. Don't make it too hard for her now." Julict cut him off. Gazing at the raven-haired girl, she gave off a small sad smile. "Does Eriol already know?"
Tomoyo looked up and shook her head. If saying it to her friends were already hard for her, she couldn't imagine how hard it is to tell Eriol. "Please don't tell him yet. I want to be the one to thank him for all of this."
"Alright. As you wish."
xoxoxoxoxox
-Tomoyo's POV-
My last day in school ended quickly and quietly. After taking my classes, I went to the dean's office to thank everyone and to officially dropped out. I answered questions from my professors for a few minutes and when they already understand what happened, they finally let me off.
It was already sunset when I walked out of the building. Everything was silent for the only people present in the school were the athletes and club officers. When I looked at the gate, memories flashed in my head. I remembered those times Eriol and I met. I remembered how he patiently waited and asked how my day is.
However, this time, I couldn't feel his presence.
I understand it though, after all, I avoided him all day. I sighed, still not understanding that why I had been a coward when it came to him. I only have to inform him, but simply thinking of it makes me weak. Then when he faced me, his unusual silence just increase the tension between us.
Reaching the big gate of the school, I turned around to take a last look at the campus. I might have been stayed here for a few months, but there were too many things I have cherished. When already satisfied, I decided to walk again.
"How have you been?"
I froze. I held my breath for moment, trying figure out if I really heard that deep male voice or it was just my imagination. It took me a few seconds to turn my head to the right and saw a young man leaning on the wall. "Eriol-kun."
He stood straight and smiled warmly at me. "Tomoyo."
I remained silent. Once again, I feel tension coming over.
"I… I heard that you are leaving." Eriol suddenly said, giving me slight relief. I didn't know how he got the news, but I was glad that I didn't have to struggle to find the right words to tell him.
I nodded. Staring at him, I saw him softened his look. There was an unreadable expression in his eyes.
"When?" he asked in a soft tone.
"Tomorrow." I answered. "Eight in the morning."
With that, I saw disappointment in his face. Eriol then took a deep breath. "I see. Finally you'll be able to see them again ne? Say hi to Li-kun and Sakura-chan for me alright?"
I smiled at his words, but I could help noticing his actions. His words were normal, but his expressions were contradicting his statements.
With a minute of silence, Eriol said, "umm.. Are you going back to the hotel now?"
"Iie." I answered. "I actually plan to go back to the apartment. All my stuffs are still there."
"Shall I accompany you then?" Eriol offered, "… at least for the last time."
I gave of a sweet smile and nodded. We started to walk side by side with him in silence.
"Ano, do you want to pass by the bookshop first?"
Xoxoxoxoxox
Cling! Cling!
"Good afternoon! Welco—" Nakuru stopped as she recognized two familiar faces entered the shop. "Master! Tomoyo-chan!"
Eriol smiled at his guardian. "Hello, Nakuru."
Tomoyo greeted the brown haired woman and noticed that Kaho was there too. She was about to move when she felt a young child went over her. "oh, hello Yumi." She said as she lowered down to the eye level of Kaho's daughter.
Yumi showed the book in her hands and said, "read."
With that, Tomoyo did the favor. She was dragged by Yumi in the reading corner for children.
From the counter, Eriol simply looked at the dark haired girl. Surely, he knew that he would miss her. Her eyes, her voice and of course, her smile. Though he was happy before she came, he had been happier when he took care of her.
Kaho, on the other hand, watched Eriol's expression. She knew that this young man before her had discovered her words. "You haven't told her yet, right?" She mumbled.
Hearing her voice, Eriol shifted his eyes to Kaho. He gave of a sad smile for an answer.
"Why?"
"I don't know." Eriol answered, truthfully. "She'll be going back to Japan tomorrow."
"I see." The woman said as she stared at her daughter and Tomoyo. "It seems that I have known a story like this before."
Eriol raised a brow up.
"Sakura-chan and Li-kun." Kaho said, smiling as she remembered her two students. She might not have seen the whole incident before since she already stayed in England, but Eriol was a good source of information. "and same thing, Tomoyo haven't discovered it yet."
Xoxoxoxoxox
-Eriol's POV-
Home. Finally, we were home.
Unlocking the door, I stepped aside to let her in first. After removing our shoes, we proceeded to the living room. Things were a little messy since after everything happened, I decided to rest at the mansion.
"Want to have a drink?" I asked. "Playing with Yumi might have exhausted you."
Tomoyo laughed. She smiled at me and shook her head. "It's alright. Kaho's sweet daughter actually relieves my exhaustion. Being with her gave me the chance to imagine how I should handle Sakura's soon-to-be daughters." She paused for a moment, and said, "I will really miss her while I am gone though."
I softened my look towards her. That moment, there was an urge to ask her not to go. But of course, I knew that it was impossible. My selfish act would be impossible. "I'm sure she'll miss you too."
When both of us fell into silence once again, we stared at each other's eyes.
"I… I'll be in my room if you need something." I said, not thinking right. I didn't know what came into me to retreat.
Tomoyo nodded, so I moved. I also saw her move to her own room.
I sat on the edge of the bed, mentally smacking myself for doing something like that. Then I sighed. 'What am I doing anyway? Why am I being weak for some reasons?' I closed my eyes for a moment to ponder and to clear my mind. When I opened it, my eyes fell on the table, seeing three envelops.
That was when I realized that I haven't been able to give those yet. While battling whether to give them or not, I was visited by Sonomi and everything else followed.
Standing up, I took it. Perhaps, this will be the right time to give it to her. It's her property after all. After building courage, I went out of my room. I knocked on her door.
"Please come in, Eriol-kun." Tomoyo said in her usual sing-sang voice.
I pushed the door open, seeing boxes here and there. Her clothes were on her bed, as she took out her other stuffs from the cabinet. "I didn't know that you have brought too many things before."
Turning to my direction, Tomoyo smiled. "Well, I didn't realize it until now too."
"Umm…"
"Yes?" Tomoyo stopped. Her amethyst eyes then focused on me. It made me shiver inside, but of course, I tried my best to control myself. "What is it, Eriol-kun?"
I held my breath for a moment and exhaled. "Here." I said as I reached out my hand. When she took those envelops from me, I explained. "I got that days ago. Hotaru-san approached me one afternoon."
As Tomoyo looked at it, I watched her expression. I wanted to explain to her more, but words didn't come out. "Is this the reason why you have become so silent?"
I nodded. "I…" I said, "I didn't know whether to give it to you or not. I didn't want to break my word with you."
"That's nice of you, Eriol-kun." Tomoyo answered me, with a smile. She went near me and halted when we were only a foot apart. "I'm glad to hear that you have kept your promise. Gomen for being too much burden for you."
"Iie." I answered her. "You know I didn't think of you that way. I am glad to help."
"Thank you for all the things you have done to me. If it weren't for you, I will still be running as of now. And at least, Ryoji is out of my life now."
Remembering Ryoji, some things entered my mind. There, I came up with the right realization. 'It's not the right time…' I said to myself as I stared at her. I knew that there would be a difference if I'll tell her what I feel now, but then…
I smiled. 'If I love her that much, I should wait for her to be ready about this.'
"What are you thinking?" Tomoyo asked me, maybe noticing my expression.
"Nandemonai." I said. "It's not important for now."
Tomoyo sighed. "You're not fair at all. You discovered all my secrets."
I chuckled. It's my first time seeing her this way. "It's not my fault."I told her. "But you'll know it for sure."
Done!
Review replies for the previous chapter:
Hanisakura: Thank you very much. :)
tomoyo-amethyst: It's not over yet. Hehehehe.. there are still some things I wanted to do with Eriol and Tomoyo. Haha.. :D
Paulita: haha.. Thanks. I didn't know that it would have that kind of effect. Anyway, I actually have some planned stories for Eriol and Tomoyo soon. When I finish this one, I'll upload the next ok? :)
cheng: thanks. Updated. Hehe. :D
Krissy: well, he is not Eriol if he is not awesome. :D
vampirebeast01: hehe… wow. You have a nice goal in life. I hope you continue to be like that. :D