Hello everyone! This week, instead of writing a new chapter I decided to rewrite Chapter 9. I finally understood why I didn't like that chapter, so I'll change a few things that are crucial to the story. Please forgive me, but read this chapter again because you won't understand anything if you don't!
Many thanks to everyone who reviewed. I can't believe I got 105 reviews already. Keep them coming! Kisses to everyone! ***
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! Not from the anime, mangas or movies, they're all Clamp's property.
"…" – Dialogue
«…» - Thoughts
'…' – Whispers, or words with double meaning
(…) – Author notes
# Italic # - Flashback
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~ - Scene change
Stay with me!
Chapter 9: Emptiness and fulfil ness
*By: NightAngel*
[Last Chapter]
"Eriol-kun, I missed you so much!" – and for the second time I lost my temper and cried out like never before. He was back ... the man I loved was back...
[Last Chapter]
It felt so good, and at the same time so strange, to have my arms around him.
When he left five years ago, I had only a small crush on him, and I though that that silly feeling would go away quickly, especially after he left.
But I was so completely wrong. As the time went by, my feelings for him grew in such measure, that sometimes I seemed to be suffocating me. My heart seemed to be crushed, it was so tight it hurt. I never showed these feeling to anyone, only to Sakura, my best friend, the one who always listened to everything I had to say.
And after five years I realise that my feelings for him would grow even more with time. I wish I had the courage to tell him how I feel, but truth is I'm afraid of denial. I wouldn't be able to hear him say he didn't feel the same. I'd rather keep the feeling that he can in some way feel the same for me, even if it's all an illusion.
I felt his arms around me and I was in heaven for a moment, but I realised this was actually a very awkward position, and to my dismay, I had to move off.
As my arms slipped away from him, I felt that so familiar emptiness fill me once again. Why was this so hard? Why couldn't life be good for me just once?
"I missed you too Tomoyo-chan." – he was as kind as when e left, or even more.
He looked so mature, even more than when he left. But I could see a hint of sadness in his eyes, and I'd give everything to make that sadness go away.
"Eriol-kun, when did you arrive? Why didn't you warn us of your arrival? And why the hell haven't you said a word or sent a letter in so many years?" – he looked apparently nervous. Good!
"You see Tomoyo-chan, I've been so busy that it was impossible for me to maintain contact with you. I'm full of problems … and they aren't even my own." – my eyes softened at that. He must be a very busy young boy. With the magic stuff and all …
"Yeah I understand. I'm sorry for yelling a you" – he nodded in understandment. – "So. Did you come for good this time?" – I so wished he said yes, but I saw in his eyes that he wasn't, before he even answered my question.
"Unfortunately no. I'm here looking for someone. But I think it will take me a while to find him. I don't even have a clue in which city he is. Damn that boy!" – he muttered the last sentence under his breath, but I heard it perfectly.
"Maybe I can help you! Who are you looking for?" – I was eager to help him on something. Maybe that way he would notice me like I wanted him to.
"I doubt it, but … what bad can it be to give it a try." – he took a picture from his jacket pocket and showed it to me. Hopefully there was light around and I could perfectly see the person in the picture.
My eyes widened when I saw Syaoran in a Chinese vest, with his normal frown. He really looked pissed off. Behind him were four women who all looked the same, but with different hair cuts (I think Syaoran's sisters are twins. I read that somewhere, but I'm not really sure!) And they all seemed to want to jump over Syaoran. Weird! (:p)
"It's Syaoran-kun!" – I yelled. Eriol's eyes widened.
"Syaoran? Oh that bastard adopted a Japanese version of his name. No wonder I wasn't able to locate him anywhere. He's going to see what I've got up my sleeve for him." – he had that mysterious grin of his plastered on his face. And it actually gave me the creeps. – "Do you know were he lives Tomoyo-chan? It's a life or death situation!"
(Yeah! Syaoran's death! :p )
"Sure I do! I'll take you there" – He took my hands between his and I blushed so hard, you wouldn't be able to difference me from a tomato.
"Arigatou gozaimasu Tomoyo-chan." – he bowed and let go of my hand. But I preyed for him to keep them where they were before. But my prayers weren't listened.
I led him up the streets of Tomoeda. My mind wondered everywhere, especially to him. Why did he have to love Mizuki? She's far too old for him. Besides … he has me!
It was then I decided to speak, breaking the silence that had embraced us for the longest time.
"How have you been doing in England? And Suppi-chan and Azuki-chan, how are they?" – he answered me as truthfully as he could.
"We're all fine, thank you for asking. I still can't manage to stop Nakuru from filling Suppi with candies, so he gets crazy a lot of times. ( :p ) But, aside from that everything is normal." – He was about to ask me something, but I talked first.
"What about Mizuki-sensei?" – Part of me prayed that he'd say she's dead, but Mizuki was a good person and I wouldn't wish that for her.
"She's married!" – My heart seemed to stop when he said those simple, yet fatal words.
I looked down at his left hand, but saw no ring. Then I looked up at him and he was smiling
"Not to me of course!" – well that was a HELL of a surprise.
"But I though … you and her … you …" – he still had that enigmatic smile all the time.
"We weren't made for each other. She fell in love with another teacher she met in school. She's pregnant of her first child. She also told me she was coming to visit you and the others soon." – I was so surprised that I didn't notice my mouth had been hanging open for the longest time. – "Are you ok Tomoyo-chan?" - I nodded speechlessly. Inside I was bursting with happiness. He was after all, free for a new love. Maybe he would notice me as more than just a friend.
I looked around and noticed we had arrived to our destination. – "Here we are!" – I saw him look around, and lift a brow when he recognised the place. I rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to come open the gates.
"Isn't this Sakura-chan's place?" – I nodded. – "Then what are we doing here?" – before I could answer him, we saw Fujitaka approaching us.
"Goodnight Tomoyo-chan. Eriol-san?" – Fujitaka asked surprised, when he recognised the boy.
"Goodnight Fujitaka-san." – Eriol and I said at the same time.
"Why didn't you warn us of your arrival?" – he asked, opening the gates for us. We stepped in right away and he closed them again.
"My visit was far from being predicted. I came only for family business. But I'm sorry if I wasn't able to tell anyone" – Eriol said bowing.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. Welcome back Eriol-san." – Fujitaka hugged Eriol with care only given to a son. (That's Fujitaka for you!) – "You came to see Sakura right? Well, I'm sure she'll be very happy to see you." – he led us inside and told us to go upstairs. – "Sakura and Syaoran must be upstairs reading another book. That's their favourite hobby during the last weeks." – we nodded and headed upstairs as told to.
"What is Xiao Lang doing upstairs with Sakura-chan? I don't get it Tomoyo-chan." – he asked confused. But I love to torture him.
"Be patient Eriol-kun. You'll soon find out." – we soon reached the top of the stairs. We saw that Sakura's door was slightly open and that the lights were on, so we decided to peek for a little bit.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Inside the room:
Syaoran and Sakura were on the bed. Sakura was between Syaoran's legs, and Kero was on Syaoran's shoulder. The three were looking down at a book that Syaoran had in his hands.
"Syaoran-kun look for something about 'swollen breast'." – Sakura asked calmly, while gently touching her breasts.
"What?!?" – Syaoran asked, getting all red in the face.
"I've been feeling them swollen and I want to know if it's a normal reaction. C'mon!" – she grumped, while Kero muttered a small Poor kid! under his breath.
Syaoran sighed and started looking for that on the index of the book. – "The things I have to do for you."
"You're doing it for the baby. Stop complaining." – you could see she wasn't in her best mood.
"I though swinging moods wouldn't come until later on, you know?" – he said tiredly.
"I'm sorry! I've been a pain the ass lately, haven't I?" – she asked sweetly, and he couldn't help but smile.
"It's ok. I should know what I was getting myself into." – he finally found what he was looking for. –"Here it is! Swollen breasts is a sensation regnant woman get after the first month of gestation. It's a most natural thing because it indicates that her system is creating the milk she will later on feed the baby with. One should not be alarmed by this. It's a most perfectly normal effect of pregnancy ..." – and he went on and on about it. – "See? Nothing to worry about."
"That's a relief. For a moment there, I though my breasts were about to explode or something." – Kero and Syaoran couldn't contain their laugh. – "It's not funny." – she said with a hurt face. Syaoran stopped the laughing abruptly.
"You know what?" – she urged him to go on. – "I don't know how I'm still alive?"
"What do you mean?" – Sakura asked puzzled.
"Well, I was wondering how come your brother hasn't killed me yet?" – Kero sweatdroped.
"And why would Onii-chan do that?" – the always clueless Sakura.
"I don't know. Let's see, maybe because I'M SLEEPING WITH HIS SISTER!" – Sakura giggled, and he wondered if she was crazy to laugh at something like that.
"Syaoran-kun, Touya would never do that. He is kinda crazy, but not all that crazy. Besides, I was the one who made the invitation to my bed, wasn't I?" – Eriol missed Syaoran's embarrassment because he was too busy proceeding the information he now got, and in the wrong way! ( :p )
Eriol couldn't take it anymore. He swung the door open and entered, surprising Sakura, Syaoran and Kero.
"Well, here I was worrying sick about my little cousin, when was he actually having fun with one of my childhood friends. Why am I not surprised?" – he crossed his arms above his chest and stared at the couple, waiting for an answer.
"Eriol?!?" – Sakura and Syaoran asked at the same time.
"In the flesh. Now, care to explain!" – Sakura, Syaoran and Kero sweatdroped. Eriol looked furious. (Sakura had already told Syaoran about Eriol, and he told her that Eriol was a distant cousin of his.)
"This is not what it seems." – the three said in unison and sweatdroped again when seeing the look in Eriol's face.
"I'm not even the father!" – Syaoran said, while Sakura and Kero nodded.
"Right! And I'm Santa in disguise." – they sweatdroped again.
"It's true. Well I am like a father to him, but I'm not his real father." – (Which means he doesn't believe in a word they say.)
"I believe so much, that I'm starting to think Kero is the father." – Eriol said mockingly.
"GROSS!!!!!" – Sakura, Syaoran, Kero and even I said.
"Eriol-kun, can we speak privately?" – I asked.
He nodded and we left for a couple of minutes, which I took to explain the situation to him. When I was over, we entered the room again.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but what was that shit about you sleeping with her?" – the two lovebirds blushed.
"Sakura-chan has nightmares and asked Syaoran to sleep by her side, so they'd go away. And it has been working." – Kero said wisely.
"Oh! Sorry again. Sakura-chan …" – he neared the bed where she sat and with only a look he apologised for not being able to protect her.
She got the message and hugged him tight. – "I'm so glad to see you again." – he nodded.
"I came here to search for a certain someone who has decided to disappear from the face of EARTH!" – he yelled the last word, directly to Syaoran.
"I though the elders didn't have anything else to take from me." – Syaoran said stubbornly, although he was hurt for the fact no one even cared if he was actually fine.
"Who said anything about the elders?" – Syaoran looked up at Eriol, with a hint of hope in his eyes. – "Your mother told me to tell you that you're in big trouble young man!" – Syaoran sweatdroped, but he felt actually relieved, to know that his mother was at least a little worried about him. – "She wants to see you, without the elders awareness. She actually wants to help you in some way. Don't blow it off this time. She might not show that she loves you, but she really cares and was very upset when I told her that you were nowhere to be found. I even had to go to Yoychi's home. That little wrench!" – he muttered the last words under his breath, but we were all able to hear it very well.
#Sakura's P.O.V.#
«So that's her name. Yoychi!» - I saw when Syaoran's eyes dropped at the simple mention of that woman's name.
"How … how is she?" – he asked out of the blue, surprising us all.
"Do you wanna know the real truth, or the lie truth?" – I could see sadness in Eriol's eye. Whatever he had to say wasn't good.
"The real one!" – he answered sadly.
"She's Ok! Actually she is so OK that she tried to seduce me while I was there asking for you! How could you fall for a bitch like that." – I knew Eriol was his friend and only tried to make him see the truth, but Syaoran didn't seem to think the same way.
"Shut up! Who the hell are you to tell me with whom to fall in love with? At least I know who I love, while you try to deny it even to yourself." - «Oh my God! This isn't good.»
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" – Eriol was still calm, but you could actually see a vein wanting to pop out of his head.
"It means what it means." – the two glared at each other. Syaoran I understood, but … I'd never seen Eriol so pissed off in my life.
"I'll be at school tomorrow. Try to decide if you will or will not see your mother to hear what she has to tell you!" – Eriol turned around, to leave. – "Are you coming Tomoyo-chan. I can take you home." – Tomoyo nodded and said goodbye to us. I had barely even noticed her presence there, and tomorrow I'd have to ask her what was she doing there at that time of the night.
When they left, Syaoran fell backwards on the bed, and closed his eyes shut tight. – "Are you ok, Syaoran-kun?"
"No! I'm felling horrible. I fought with the only person who ever cared about me." – he sighed heavily. I laid beside him and caressed his chest.
"Eriol will forgive you. Don't worry about it." – I felt tired, and my eyelids closed slowly. Drifting me off to dreamland. Soon Syaoran joined.
#3rd Person P.O.V.#
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
With Eriol and Tomoyo:
"Tell me the truth Tomoyo-chan." – Tomoyo looked up at him questioningly. – "You ran off right?" – she turned 100 shades of red.
"W-Well .... I ...." – Eriol chuckled and Tomoyo's embarrassment disappeared. It was the first time she saw him chuckle.
They finally arrived to her mansion. – "Do you need help getting inside?" – she smiled but shock her head.
"I'm used to it already." – the two stayed there for a while. Just looking into each other's eyes.
Ever so slowly, Eriol started leaning forward. Tomoyo closed her eyes and raised her head up to meet his.
When their lips were about to touch...
"WHERE IS SHE?" – the two jumped back. Crimson red was the colour of their faces.
"I guess my mother finally noticed my absence." – Tomoyo said embarrassedly.
"I'll help you with this one." – his hands glowed red and suddenly the shouts in the house ceased. – "Goodnight Tomoyo-chan."
"Goodnight." – he lifted his left hand and Tomoyo disappeared from his sight, but appeared inside her room. Then he erased the memory of the last minutes from the people in that house, so she wouldn't get in trouble.
After a few minutes, Eriol saw Tomoyo's lights go off and he sighed. He had been miserable since he left five years ago, and only now he understood why.
Everyday his heart seemed empty, but he never realised that what was missing was the girl with purple eyes. – "And they say Sakura is dense." – he said to no one in particular.
Some parts stayed barely the same, but most of it was changed. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to make another chapter, but the last version of this chapter was getting me nervous. I had to change it … desperately.
Please forgive me and REVIEW!!!!!!!!! Please!
***
{NightAngel}
Next Chapter: (you'll have to read to find out!) :P