Chapter 18: Her Decision, Their Hope
"Do you have any idea how I could connect you three?" Tomoyo asked Syaoran and Sakura. She had just finished explaining what Eriol had explained to her. They were in the guest room by then. All of the things that the Void took are back to normal, except Eriol's feelings.
The two just looked at her, knowing how hurt she is. She had been badly upset because of all of Eriol's lies. And now… Clow decided that she is the right person to handle the responsibility of making their wish come true.
Poor Tomoyo-chan…
"Otou-san said that there are no coincidences. You were chosen to be the maiden because we were destined to be friends. Syaoran-kun was destined to be the last Li Clan Heir because Clow-san trusts that we will be able to answer the riddle. That's why…" she hesitated for a second but continued nonetheless "Why I accepted my father explanation even if he lied. I trust his word that he is Clow-san's reincarnation because it was destined." She shared her thoughts.
She then smiled brightly; a smile so optimistic, it is contagious.
"We can answer this, I'm sure!"
Her sunny sunshine attitude made Tomoyo smile slightly. She really needed that kind of positive aura right now. Sakura-chan is Sakura-chan no matter what kind of situation happens.
Syaoran also smiled. "Wait…" he took their attention as a sudden idea formed inside his head. "A single wish of love would be granted by a tear; a tear not of joy but of sorrow! Do you think… it might be literal? Daidouji-san hasn't cried even after what happened to Hiiragizawa."
"Yeah! But… it should be a tear that really came from sorrow. I think we should wait for that. If Tomoyo-chan tries to cry, then it would be not real and it would just result to failure. Something will happen. Something is destined to happen."
A long silence followed again. The three were immersed in their own thoughts. If they would wait, would there be time left for Syaoran? Is it really possible to just wait?
"Oh! I remember something Eriol-kun said about the riddle." Sakura noticed Tomoyo's eyes sadden while Syaoran's were wide with surprise.
You were the one who talked to him about the riddle?
"I talked to him to ask some questions. I'm sorry I didn't say anything about it" she said as if answering his unasked question.
Syaoran just smiled warmly at her, his eyes answering that he understood. He can't really get angry at the love of his life.
"Well, he said that answering the riddle would be a double-edged sword. I didn't understand it at first but I think I do now. If the maiden, who we now know as Tomoyo-chan, doesn't wish from the bottom of her heart that Li-kun lives then he will…" Sakura couldn't finish the sentence. Just thinking of it makes her heart ache like hell.
"Why would I wish for something else?" Tomoyo whispered to herself.
…
Before she could think of anything else, they noticed the sleeping boy suddenly move. He stretched his arms upward and yawned.
"Eh? Where am I?" He looked around and spotted the three. "Ah! Sakura-chan, Daidouji-san! Why are you here? But more importantly… Why am I here?"
Tomoyo closed her eyes, afraid to look at Eriol straight in the eye.
When she heard him casually call her 'Daidouji-san', she understood what the 'double-edged sword' means. If even a single tear flows down her eyes right now, she might commit the grave mistake of wishing for him to remember her. She would want him to smile again with that unique smile he gives her. She would want to hear him affectionately calling her nicknames just like how they did.
She would only think about herself. She would be selfish.
'Cause she knew that all her life she was selflessly giving way.
Stop! Don't think that! Stop thinking as if you are some saint that haven't committed a sin! Sakura-chan is also selfless when it comes to her family, isn't she? She forgave her father even though he lied to her for the longest time. She is the one who is pure and kind. That's why she is your beloved Sakura-chan, right? Please… make her happy, and make Syaoran live.
Her conscience was yelling at her now. She opened her eyes and looked at the floor. "We are at Li-kun's house." She motioned to Syaoran. "We were here for Li-kun. We were thinking about the riddle… do you remember?"
A look of reminisce dawned on his face. "I remember reading a book then… Arrgh!" He suddenly clutched his forehead, his face screwed in pain. He fell to the floor with a scream of anguish. And because of the great pain, he fainted.
…
"Let me handle this" Out of nowhere, Nakuru appeared beside the window and took Eriol.
Sakura gaped at her and asked, "Aren't you my brother's stalker?"
"Sorry, sister-in-law. I can't talk to you now. I'm in a hurry. First and foremost, I am Eriol-sama's guardian"
She changed to her true from, Ruby moon form, and looked at the teens seriously. "We would advise for the three of you to stay away our master for now. He is undergoing a very hard process so please don't make it harder for him."
She was about to fly away when she remembered something. "Just call us if you are really sure with the answer to the riddle. We would only show up by then"
She flew away without a second glance.
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"Sakura-chan, Tomoyo-chan?" Yelan appeared beside the door. The two girls looked at her with tired expressions. They were exhausted physically and mentally. "Do you want to sleep here? I can call your parents if you want"
Syaoran nodded. "Since we know some of the answers already, you should really stay as close as possible. We might find out something"
"Sleepover!" Sakura managed to say with her little strength left. She was rather excited that they would sleep here in Syaoran's house.
"Okay, I'll call your parents" Yelan walked away.
…
Both of Sakura's and Tomoyo's parents agreed to let them spend the night at Syaoran's house.
As Sakura talked with Touya on the phone (Fujitaka already said yes, but Touya is still being the overly protective brother that he is), Tomoyo went to the balcony to have her alone time. She needed time to think.
(Get ready for a crazy inner battle)
I'm ready to make that wish come true. But… I can't cry. I don't know why. It's just that, no tears come out even if I try to.
Is it really like that? Are you really ready, or are you just saying that to mask the fact that you're afraid? You still can't think what's right, I know. Though it is just plain easy to see that choosing Syaoran's life is way more correct than being selfish and choosing Eriol.
But… it hurts. He doesn't remember me anymore. He suddenly writes this letter and tells me that he is sorry then he tells me that he loves me. What should I do? I don't even know if I love him already! And before I could think properly, all his feelings were gone!
That's the point! You don't know your own feelings. You know how hurt Syaoran is, waiting for Sakura's answer without a clue. So you should also know how Eriol will feel, especially when he knows that you practically hate him after all that has happened. But even with that, he chose to protect you and your happiness.
Huh? Protect me and my happiness?
Don't you remember? If he didn't appear, Sakura would have given up her just-starting love for Syaoran. And you love Sakura, right? She is the little sister you never had! And you act like her mother. Before anything else, you are a match maker who loves to see others happy before yourself. It's your duty to make other happy just because you love that feeling.
Right… I almost forgot my self-pledged duty. Seeing others happy had always given me euphoria. Just because Eriol showed me a new kind of happiness, that doesn't mean that I should forget my own way of joy. Loving my beloved Sakura-chan is always first on the line. Her happiness is my happiness. And now, her happiness lies with Syaoran's life.
Yeah!
But…
Hey! No buts!
Okay…
She opened her eyes, which she unconsciously closed while thinking. She was surprised to see a pearl-like ball escape from her chest. It flew to her eye-level.
"I love you Tomoyo. Please forgive me." Eriol's voice came from the pearl.
Hearing that phrase once again made her break down. Finally feeling that she was really ready, a single tear fell from her eye.
The pearl moved to catch the tear. Upon contact, it glowed brightly.
…
Three persons and three cards also glowed. Eriol, Sakura and Syaoran glowed and floated. Their corresponding cards, Void, Nothing and Purity, also glowed and floated.
The pearl moved forward and embedded itself in Tomoyo's heart. She closed her eyes at first, being shocked of the sudden warm feeling inside her heart. She glowed brightly and floated just like what had happened to her friends.
Feeling more confident, she tried to open her eyes. Her eyes were a plain pearly white. There was no trace of the amethyst color that was there. Her hand folded together in a praying position. She realized that she had no control for her body now. All her efforts to move were dismissed easily.
What's happening?
Just wish what's in your heart. What's the wish you want me to grant? A voice said.
Wait… you are not my conscience?
No… I am the spirit of Clow Reed's beloved maiden that was kept inside you. In a way, you and Nadeshiko are my reincarnation though not like Clow Reed's. You still had much more freedom and fewer responsibilities.
Whoa! That's… shocking
Let's not stray away from the topic. You need to wish now. What is the wish you want me to grant?
…
Anou… Please… make Syaoran better, make his sickness go away for good. Make him live for a very long time so that he and Sakura could live peacefully for all their life.
…
Tomoyo slowly opened her eyes as she felt the warmth escape from her chest. She was deposited back to her feet. Was it over? She tried to move her hand. Sure enough, it did move!
The pearl was back to her eye level.
"What will happen now?" she asked.
The pearl emitted a bright blinding light, startling Tomoyo. "You have done a great job. Thank you"
When the light receded at last, Tomoyo saw a woman that looks almost like Nadeshiko. She smiled gently at the shocked girl.
"You know, Sakura-chan was right. There are no coincidences. It was not a coincidence that your Okaa-sama (mother) loves your auntie Nadeshiko so much that she would like you to look exactly like her beloved cousin. And it was definitely an inevitable event that you would treat Sakura-chan almost like how a mother does. 'Cause in a way, you are her mother…" She looked shocked at her own words. "Wai! That's weird!"
Tomoyo just gawked at her openly. Yeah, what she said was really weird. Duh, Sakura is her best friend since birth!
But then, a small smile graced her lips. It was just like the one she had when they talked to Mizuki Kaho. She believes what the lady said, even if her logical part was screaming for her not to. After all, we're talking about magic… what would be logical?
In love and magic, there is no such thing as logical. There is just the truth.
"Before I go, I have one thing to show you." An almost sad smile was on the maiden's lips. She took Tomoyo's hand and folded it with her own to show her the vision.
…
They were transported back to the time when Sakura sealed the Void. Eriol was inside the black sphere.
"Look," the maiden pointed to Eriol. "He has this creepy smile that spells out that everything will still be alright. Inside, his heart is yelling something along the lines of…" She looked at Tomoyo with a soft smile. "I love you Tomoyo. You are the only one for me. So even if I lose this feeling, I'll still fall for you. Who wouldn't fall for your charms?"
The plum looked at the boy who loved her with all his life. She could almost hear and feel him saying just that with this cute boyish smile of his.
"Clow Reed said that too" the maiden had this wistful smile on her face. "I just forgot to listen. I was blinded by anger. Don't repeat my stupid mistake. Please don't end up like me: regretful and alone."
Tomoyo nodded with renewed confidence. He had fallen once. He will fall again.
I don't know exactly what this feeling is. But I do know that I like the feeling of happiness whenever we're together. And I love the thought that someone like him loves me the way he does.
"Good. Don't judge him for what he says or what you think he acts like. Judge him for what his eye conveys. Because, even with all those lies, his eyes had always twinkled with love for you"
She winked for one last time and walked into a blinding light that suspiciously looks like the human interpretation of heaven.
"Wait! Is Syaoran cured now?" She almost forgot!
"Just as you wished"
This time, the maiden completely disappeared
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura's voice was heard as she slowly opened her eyes. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you?" Her voice was full of concern. What happened?
"What…? No, she didn't hurt me… Wait… Who?" she was rather disoriented of what happened while the maiden brought her back to that time so she didn't know who or what Sakura is saying.
"I just sealed the hope card. She was holding your hand while you were sitting there with your eyes closed. I thought she did something to you!" Sakura hugged her tightly. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Tomoyo smiled. "Sakura-chan, everything will be alright now. All of the cards are sealed…" She placed her hand on her beast friend's back as a comforting gesture. "And Syaoran is cured"
Sakura stiffened, as if in shock. "Really?" She released Tomoyo from her hug and looked at her eyes. "Really?" she repeated.
Seeing Sakura's hopeful eyes made her forget how hard making the decision was. If Sakura and Syaoran would be happy, everything would be worth it.
"Positive. The Hope made my wish come true." She smiled and asked, "Do you want to see Li-kun now?"
Sakura nodded and stood up, waiting for Tomoyo to do the same. Her best friend didn't make any move to stand up. "You go first. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear the news for you. I'll just tell Li-sensei"
Understanding, the overly happy Cherry blossoms hurried to the little wolf's room.
The bittersweet Plum just stayed in her position, even after Sakura was long gone. She was happy, yes. Syaoran is cured now. And Sakura would be happy too. So she should be happy too.
All's well that ends well.
…
Unfortunately, this isn't the end. Oh no, this is not the end. This is just the start of her battle. This is just the start of her fight for happiness.
I can do it! I am THE Daidouji heiress. Besides, I was one of the chosen vessels for the soul of the only maiden that caught Clow Reed's heart. I can do this!
Yatsuiko-chan: Ganbatte, Tomoyo-chan! Yes, you can do it!
I'm really amazed at how weird this fanfic is turning into. I never thought that any of this would happen until the time I wrote this… I mean, I was expecting a normal cliché story of some sorts.
Oh yeah, I'm expecting that the next chapter would be the last. I'm tired of thinking so… yeah.
Thank you to those who read this and quadruple Thank You to those who reviewed:
AngelEmCuti
'tGiveUpYet
michiko14anime (A new reviewer! Can you believe it?)
Preview: Her battle for Happiness; The End
Tomoyo will do everything to make Eriol fall for her again (even if she doesn't exactly know why). But then, Ruby Moon and Spinnel Sun will do something that would hinder her from doing that. Will it be a happy ending? Or will it end with tears?