Disclaimer: the characters other than CLAMP's + the story belongs
to me (wish I
own Subaru-kun for dessert, *nyum, but i don't unfortunately,
oh well, I
torture him in my fic instead *evil grin*)
Warnings: This fic takes place 3-4 years after the final battle.
Everything before the X manga volume 8 remain the same (including
TYOB), after
volume 9 would be my own alter setting. Everyone's alive except
Kotori. There
would be NO shonen ai or Yaoi, though some scenes you might find
them inclined
to shonen ai. I will change some couples...aw don't get dissapointed
yet, I
promise I will torture them good ^^ This is an AU story so, prepare
for OOC.
What else? Oh I have bad grammar and bad direction on story telling.
^_^;;
You've been warned!
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Dreams: Psychic
C & P by G. Arnet Stone -aka- The Lady of the Night, 2001
[Oh my life is changing everyday...
In every possible way...
And though my dreams...
It's never quite as it seems...
Never quite as it seems
- Cranberries "Dreams" ]
Layer 00: Prelude
On the surface of the water, a shadowy figure was standing like a ghost, silhouetted by the silvery moon. The thick mist was hovering above the surface of the water, around the figure, savoring the delicate skin like ice blades.
Only her eyes reflected the shades of purple with golden tint. The wind was playing her long hair, whispering sweet words, which meant nothing to her.
[ She smiled...
...A secretive smile ]
Slowly the shadow faded along with the rose petals.
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Layer I: Dreams
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A secret, a mystery, sealed in its slumber. Only its scents lingered trough the park, but its self still hidden beyond the shadows of the darkness. Who would think to wake this treasured beauty from its sleep?
One dared, and he was the chosen guardian of the tree.
It was said that the tree has the will to control the mind, the body, the soul of its protector, but what about the heart?
...
A green eyed man walked further into the park. He walked calmly yet determinedly, he knew where to go and what he came for. The trees' leaves made disturbing sounds as he walked pass them, as if they knew why he came, but they could only watch without saying anything.
Silence greeted him in one place he knew too well; knowing that when he stepped in the illusion would begin.
And it did.
A wave of magic washed through his thin frame, a silent wall enclosed around him, enveloping him with a deadly embrace. He strengthened his inner barrier, lessening the impact between the dark magic and his being.
A sakura petal brushed against his cheek, savoring the gentle warm skin. Like a lover's kiss, soft and lingering. The scent was alluring like he could taste it, like drunken wine, bitter sweet.
In the corner of his eyesight, there was... a Sakura tree in full blossom. Rich with beauty and exotic grace, but sadly, colored by unseen blood.
A tall, handsome man leaned against the tree trunk, smiling coldly as usual at his prey. His eye glint behind his black glasses.
Their eyes locked in a strange tension. It was the battle of will.
"Subaru-kun."
"Seishirou-san," replied the younger man.
"What brings you here?" asked Seishirou. "Fulfilling your wish I suppose." He chuckled.
Subaru stared silently at his nemesis then replied calmly, "You don't know my true wish, Seishirou-san."
"Do I not?"
"You think you know everything, Seishirou-san. But the truth is, you don't."
"Touchy. I will see to that." Seishirou smirked, "and why are you here? I have no all day."
"...Last night I dreamt, of you..." paused Subaru, "locked in one's embrace..."
Seishirou smiled slightly, "Jealous, Subaru-kun?" he teased. "I never knew you'd be jealous with my partner...I'm sure I..."
"It's not that boy, Seishirou-san," Subaru snapped irritably. "And it didn't end there either. I saw blood from your body."
Taken a back at that, Seishirou went silent and his smile disappeared.
Subaru looked away, "I came here for a warning, and that's that." He looked at Seishirou again, "no one fulfills my wish but I." Then he turned around and disappeared behind the darkness of the illusive veil, leaving Seishirou alone with his own thoughts.
...
Subaru took a drag. Smoking was bad, he knew. Kamui would be furious. He knew that too. But ending this dreadful day without one would strip him of his control.
After his encounter with Seishirou, he got to his apartment. It was already 11 PM.
To think about it, it was pointless to meet Seishirou anyway. Rushing from Kyoto to Tokyo to meet the older man right away. Subaru felt stupid now. Even if he /had/ to go to Tokyo, but it was for his next job. Why would he need to see him /again/?
The air tonight was humid from the evening rain. Water dripped from the ceiling down into the window of his room.
He lounged on his white-sheeted bed. It was a plain bed with a thin white blanket with a stuffed pillow. He looked around the emptiness of his room. It was so much like him, this room. Dull.
He took another drag and feeling a little bit more in control.
Subaru recalled his encounter with Seishirou again and how cold his heart was. Because he had to be cold to deal with the assassin, or he would be toyed with again.
Their game would never end...he knew that.
He took one last drag and put out the light.
The night was chilly to the bone; yet, he got used to it. He yawned in exhaustion, not from the body. No. He was tired, inside his mind.
Subaru lay back against the wall, exhaling. He didn't tell Seishirou the absolute truth. His complete dream. Not that he wanted to.
Subaru exhaled again.
The dream was still too vague even for him. Only flashes of hands, entwined, passionate kisses, a warm lover's embrace, under the Sakura tree. Between who and whom... he only recognized Seishirou. He flushed and recognized the body was warm with sticky blood. And that was when he woke up.
The misty memory sent a shiver through his veins.
He shut his eyes tightly, trying to get some sleep without that horrid dream again. He needed as much sleep as he could.
...
She looked down into the reflection of the glass. She knelt down as she touched the ice-cold mirror, which reflected back to her what she didn't want to see.
[The Future]
Two men, one with hazy gray eyes and the other one with the same color but with one eye darker.
She was keeping her eyes on the two young men, as the older man and the younger man loved each other. Embracing in a passionate encounter without losing their focus on how would end.
And then...
Blood.
Always began this way. Always ended this way. It hurt. No matter how much she wanted to change the future, it would /never/ change. She has no power, no right, to get involved.
She closed her mind and the mirror blurred. Clenching her fist and halting herself from screaming, she wiped the mirror once again. It showed her another reality...
[The Present]
Two men, one in gray emerald green eye and the other one is the color of darker gray.
*Interesting. *
She pursed her lips in amusement.
She was surprise to see the change of [The Present] as much as seeing the young innocent boy became a handsome young man. Truth to be told, it was never like this. He has never been there. Pretty...green emerald eye... such an innocent young man with complex feelings, though now the green was darker.
She always marveled those eyes that were clear windows for her to see the owner's soul. Such expressive eyes. Within the eyes, she saw the sadness... regret... angry... then... the love... and compassion. Oh she had seen him before in another time, in another reality, [The past]. She never thought that he would exist in [The Present].
*Interesting. *
The /present/ had changed. She mused. All she had to do was just wait. Maybe...maybe, she could get involved after all. Maybe, this time, she could change [The Future].
Her eyes sparkled with joy and hope.
/ I'll do anything to change his _future _. Anything/
...
She woke up, breathing hard. She clenched the bed sheet tightly and brought it to her chest as if, the blanket could protect her. Those dreams again. She hasn't seen those dreams for years. Her back felt damp from cold sweat.
"Sakura-chan? Daijobu ka?"
"Ah...daijobu...Kero-chan. Domo-arigato."
Kerberos in his chibi form frowned in silent worry. He flew from his comfortable little pillow to Sakura's side.
"Are you sure?" Kero-chan asked again.
Sakura nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay, Kero-chan." Sakura gave the stuffed animal a faint smile, "Just had a disturbing dream that's all."
Kero-chan twitched, "A dream?" His expression was now full of worry. He knew whenever Sakura had one of her /disturbing/ dreams, something would come up, and he didn't like it one bit. It has been a few years since her last dream, of Eriol. That was the last. And what in the world was this dream about?
"What did you see?"
Sakura frowned before answering Kero-chan's question, "I...don't remember."
"What?" Kero-chan frowned deeper.
Sakura faced Kero-chan, "I really don't remember."
"Hmm."
The door opened slowly, "Sakura, daijobu ka?"
Kero-chan lay on Sakura's bed quickly as he glanced to the young man.
"Hai, Onii-chan. I'm alright."
Touya came in, and sat on the bed beside Kero. "Having a nightmare Sakura? I could hear your screams down the hall. Lucky dad isn't here or he would worried sick."
"I'm alright, onii-chan. It was just a dream."
Touya brushed a lock of hair from her pale face, somewhat unconvinced. She was sweating in this cold weather? He was really worried now.
"It's okay," she told him again.
"You want to tell me what you dreamt?"
"I want to, but the thing is... I... can't remember." Sakura smiled sheepishly.
Touya quirked an eyebrow. "I will go down and get you a hot chocolate okay?" He kissed her brow.
"Okay, onii-chan."
As the door closed, Sakura and Kero-chan looked at each other again.
"Try to get some sleep, after you drink Touya's famous chocolate milk, you will feel better, Sakura-chan. Let's not think about it for a while."
"Yeah, sure thing, Kero-chan."
...
Kamui had a disturbing dream; it was more vivid, unlike the other similar dreams. It was not like he didn't know Seishirou, but he never had any dream of him until now. To his utter relief, the one who really caught his attention was the shadow behind the Sakura tree. A young girl who was as still as a shadow. He saw her crying but couldn't recall what her face looked like.
The dream ended as blood spilled and she screamed.
He woke up and gripped the bed sheets tightly.
The dream again. It has been two fucking weeks. He barely knew the Sakurazukamori. He didn't understand why he has been dreaming the assassin.
That he couldn't answer. He wished he could tell Subaru about this. Maybe they could talk something out. But Kamui decided against the idea. Subaru was probably busy and he didn't want to disturb the young Sumeragi.
Kamui sighed and leaned against the pillow. He wiped his face to ease the tension.
He took a big breath and glanced at the clock near his dresser, 4 am. Might as well he go take a shower and go get ready for school...he meant class. He did graduate high school and pre-college in 4 years.
Kamui rose up from his comfortable bed which was decorated nicely with modern deco style, simple and yet elegant black. With white striped blue sheet (which crumpled under his grown body) with matching pillows.
He went to his dresser and picked his uniform. Walking slowly, he went to the bathroom.
...
Yuzuriha woke up lazily. What a dream, she thought. She wasn't that concerned about it anyway. Only sadness seeing someone she barely knew is killed. And the weird thing was, the guy with Seishirou wasn't Subaru. Since she knew the connection between the Sumeragi and the Sakurazukamori.
Yuzuriha stretched out and lay on her comfortable peach colored bed. Her room was as much the same as Kamui's with the addition of feminine touch for mirror and little tables for her accessories. Hey, she was a young woman now!
She looked at the Batz-Batz Maru clock on the wall, 4:20 am. *Gee, morning already? * She decided to get up to prepare breakfast. It was her turn anyway. But...shower first.
She grabbed her uniform from the chair, which she had prepared last night.
She hummed 'Forever Love' softly as she entered the bathroom and... screamed, which, woke up the entire apartment, namely, the other two residents staying there, Sorata and Arashi.
Sorata and Arashi rushed to aid Yuzuriha, thinking that she was in trouble or something.
They found out eventually that Yuzuriha had entered the bathroom with Kamui in it, only with towel wrapped around his waist.
Kamui's face reddened, trapped in a situation like this.
Yuzuriha's too, but with shame. She covered her red face. "Sorrrrrryyyyyyyyyy!"
Sorata laughed hard at the duo.
A smile crept on Arashi's lips as she pushed Yuzuriha away from the situation and went down the stair.
...
Subaru knocked on the door. In a few seconds, it opened with a grinning Sorata.
Subaru quirked an eyebrow upon Sorata's expression, which was more genki with that funny suppressed laughter on his face.
"What's wrong?" asked Subaru as he entered.
"Oh, young missy here..." Sorata pointed at an embarrassed-girl-dressed-in-her-uniform who was sitting on the chair in the dining table, "Had seen how /manly/ Kamui is." He snickered.
"Huh?" Subaru's expression was clueless.
Ignoring both Yuzuriha's and Kamui's embarrassment, Sorata continued his chattering, "You should see the way..."
"Cut it, Sorata. You are embarrassing them," said Arashi.
"Why not? I know I would like to see my sweet Arashi in the bathroom with just a to-..." Before he could finish his sentence, Arashi gave him a pinch in his abdomen, which brought the effect of a howling monk.
Subaru shook his head in amazement. Those two had been like that for few years. Then he noticed the two younger kids, teenagers, he corrected, were munching their food in silence.
Subaru patted Yuzuriha and Kamui lightly on their shoulders and gave them a reassuring smile before getting himself some breakfast.
Since Subaru was older than any of them there and he had a job as a sorcerer, he gave some of his money to his four comrades in exchange for home cooking meals, three times a day and a place to stay if he visits Tokyo, anytime. The other four didn't mind, they told him so many times he didn't have to pay. With Imonoyama's generosity of Sorata and Arashi's job in CLAMP Campus, they could afford a place and a nice living. But being a Sumeragi, he had to do something for them too.
They continued their breakfast in peace with some light conversations, with the additional of several thwacking sounds.
*She sure has the hots for me, * thought Sorata as he winced painfully at Arashi's assaults.
Oh you didn't know the half of it, boy.
...
In another part of the city...
A car pulled over in front of the gate of CLAMP Gakuen Senior High School. The elegant car was a green arcadia Subaru WRX, built for race with the combination of speed and style. The driver, who was the owner, was a young woman in her early twenties. Her red ruby eyes were sharp with intelligence of a business- woman. Her beauty was complete with her long light curled brown hair, which framed her face nicely.
"We're here..." she said as-a-matter-of-facts in soft tone.
"Hai." Came the short reply from a younger girl in the passenger seat next to her.
The young woman glanced at the young girl, and once again felt drawn to her innocent beauty. Her long black hair shone brightly in dark brown highlights, matching the soft glowed blue orbs of her eyes. She was just like her little sister. The young woman chuckled slightly at the thought. *No wonder he likes her so much, * mused the young woman. *Such exotic beauty. A rare gem indeed. *
The young girl gathered all her books and belonging. "Arigato, Fionn-san," she said with her sweet innocent smile which once again captivated Fionn's eyes. She couldn't help it. It was in her genes to like beautiful things.
Fionn smiled in return and replied, "No problem, Hyourin-san."
"Can you give him my best regards, Fionn-san?"
"Sure." Fionn nodded knowingly. Fionn's eyes were glinting mischievously, which made the younger girl blushed in crimson. "After all, it was his request." Fionn giggled slightly.
Hyourin blushed some more and clumsily opened the door.
She bowed once again once she got out. Fionn nodded politely at her with the smile still on her lips and drove off.
Hyourin turned to see her new school and whistled in amazement. "It's bigger than my old school!" She just hoped she could get much fun here like in her old school. She still missed them.
She took a deep breath and entered the biggest school in Japan.
...
Later that evening...
A young man leaned against the tree trunk under the soft ray of sunlight. His beautiful purple eyes glanced around the fountain with the funny gold fish in the center of it. His searching eyes found nothing.
He was late for his appointment, which worried him for some reason.
The young man smiled in relief. "Thank you Kami-sama! She's not here yet. I couldn't imagine if you turned into..."
His words were cut as a familiar voice spoke up loudly from behind him, "Turn to WHAT? Kamui-chan?"
He turned to faced the now irritated young girl "O...o...spoke too soon..."
Yuzuriha glared at the now shrinking boy. "Tell me, Kamui-chan, I can turn to what?" said Yuzuriha, sweetly with dangerous glints in her eyes.
Kamui sweated and swallowed hard.
"Nothing, nothing!!! You're a sweet girl and... and beautiful yeah that's it! You won't turn into a monstrous dea- ops...!" Kamui clapped his both hands on his mouth. He sure talked a lot.
Yuzuriha's eyes burned golden red, "WHAT???????"
She raised her fist and was about to give him a good punch when God decided to let Kamui live another day. A sweet gentle voice interrupted them.
"Sumimasen..."
The two teens turned back to see who was the intruder. A shy looking girl was standing solemnly not far from where they stood from the direction Yuzuriha came.
She held their gaze calmly and blushed with the shades of red. "I don't mean to interrupt, but..." she started slowly.
"Meian-chan!!!" exclaimed Yuzuriha (with a little writing on the side of her head: completely forgot about her because of Kamui). "Gomen nasai, Meian-chan! Kamui-chan has a bit of tendency to make me extremely out of control." Yuzuriha smiled at her friend and quickly glared back at Kamui. Kamui smiled sheepishly in response.
Meian giggled slyly, "You two are so cute. I'm so glad to meet such lovely faces." She smiled secretively.
Kamui and Yuzuriha blushed.
"Ah...Gomen nasai, I forgot to introduce myself! Where are my manners! My name is Hyourin Meian, pleased to meet you." She bowed politely.
Kamui bowed in return and introduced himself. "It's a pleasure to meet such a pretty girl too, "he added.
Yuzuriha smirked and said, "She's new in my class. Look but don't touch."
"I'm not!" Kamui smirked back.
"I know you will! Yuzuriha stuck out her tongue.
Meian giggled shyly.
There was someone chuckled from behind them too. That someone tapped Kamui's shoulder from behind, "Good evening, Kamui and Yuzu-chan."
Yuzuriha leaped in delight, "Waiiii! Subaru-san!" Yuzuriha cried out loud and bounced energetically. "What are you doing here?"
Subaru's green eye grew wider as he chuckled at Yuzuriha's cheerfulness. "I have to meet someone to discuss about a job. I supposed to meet him here but he called and wanted to meet somewhere else," said Subaru. "I decided to walk around upon waiting for him, but I met you instead."
The Subaru noticed a young girl behind Yuzuriha. "Say, who is she?" question the young Sumeragi.
"Oh, she's my new classmate! Meian-chan, this is Sumeragi Subaru," introduced Yuzuriha.
Meian bowed slightly, "Hyourin Meian desu, nice to meet you!"
"Sumeragi Subaru, nice to meet you too." Subaru bower politely. Subaru looked at Yuzuriha's new friend closely, but before he could inspect the younger girl, Kamui yelled and waved his hand.
"Hey! Fuuma, Nataku! Over here!"
The two former Dragons of Earth soon joined the crowd. Nataku put his best smile at Kamui and the others. Strangely he had managed to develop human emotion through the years of living with his comrades. He liked the feeling and currently developed a new feeling toward a certain Dragon.
Yuzuriha continued to introduce Meian with the two Angels.
"It's like a reunion, ne?" sighed Kamui happily.
Since his last fateful encounter with the dark Kamui, everyone had left and went on with their lives. Kamui, Yuzuriha, Arashi and Sorata were still staying at the same house and going to CLAMP Campus. Kamui went to pre-college in CLAMP Campus branch. Yuzuriha went to CLAMP high school. Sorata and Arashi went to post graduate and working side jobs. The other Seals, like Seiichirou, went back to his family and continued to work as an editor. Subaru went back to Kyoto as the head of Sumeragi clan but occasionally visited them in Tokyo or because of his job.
Nataku, Fuuma and Kusanagi lived in Togakushi Shrine, rebuilt. Sometimes Nataku and Fuuma went out with Kamui for a movie or something. Kakyou was taken back to the hospital for medical care, alive and well. Satsuki and Yuuto continued working with the government, with Satsuki attending college or rather, just taking tests to graduate so she could earn a degree.
"Yes, a small reunion," agreed Subaru. He was always cherished his time with his friends, especially Kamui and Yuzuriha. If only he could put the past behind and get along with a certain assassin. He greeted his teeth silently at the memory from a few days ago.
They soon involved in some good conversation, with Fuuma teasing Kamui sometimes and Yuzuriha's bouncy attitude. Yuzuriha kept urging her new friend to join their chattering. Meian replied with shy words and innocent smiles.
Subaru then have the time to look at the young girl after his musing over Seishirou was over. Once again, he felt a funny feeling every time he laid his green and silver eyes on Meian. She was beautiful with a sweet smile. Even do, there was something about her that was not right. Subaru couldn't tell what, but he sensed a strange aura within her, different from the Dragons, different from other people.
Meian alternated her gaze from Yuzuriha to Subaru, as Yuzuriha was busy talking with Kamui and Fuuma with Nataku occasionally join the conversation. She held his gaze in such a manner; Subaru got caught up staring at her eyes as if she had hypnotized him. Meian smiled at him with her blue orbs having a deep moist expression of cold water.
Subaru shuddered at the contact. He knew he had seen those eyes before, but he couldn't remember at all.
Meian focused her attention back to Yuzuriha as the over energetic girl asked her about the homework for today.
Subaru shook his head slightly and decided to think about that
later. He has his mind occupied with his exorcising job, why bother
a strange young girl. He glanced at his watch and realized it
was almost the time to meet with the contact for his next job.
"Would you guys like to go to Karen's café? I have
a meeting someone about my next job there. We can talk more comfortably,"
said Subaru.
"Karen's café? Okay! Let's go!" exclaimed Yuzuriha.
- [ Tsuzuku ] -
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Layer I
1. Finished: 170201
Credits: to Sumeragi Aoi, Isman, Melissa Koh & Cleo Tan for proofreading the first and second chapter.
Thank you for reading.
R & R + C & C please, domo-arigato
L,
The Lady of the Night
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A single eternal rose is such a deadly beautiful flower.
Red like blood, frail like a thousand shattered glass of dreams.
Such rare exotic beauty exists only to be cursed and damned forever.
Frozen in eternal beauty.
http://LuneNautique.net