A/N: If you haven't finished reading Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle AND xxxHolic, I wouldn't advise you to read this as it may spoil a couple of things for you. You have been warned.
XXX
The evening sky was lit up in various shades of orange and red as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. A flowing river reflected these colours off its calm waters, making it look like a twisting, sparkling road. The banks of the river were covered with a lush carpet of soft grass. A young boy and two men were sitting on the grass, relaxing and enjoying the view.
"This does feel good" Fai said, stretching his arms over his head.
"The country of Koryo seems to be a lot more peaceful now" Syaoran was lying on his back, his eyes gazing at the small puffs of fluffy white clouds that dotted the sky.
"I'm just thankful I'm not mending anybody's roof this time" Kurogane had tucked his hands behind his head and was sitting with his back rested on a rock.
"Well if you miss to so much, how about I break my roof and give you the honour?"
They turned around and saw a young woman with flowing black hair, dressed in long, flowing red and blue robes walking towards them.
"Chunhyang! You're back!" Mokona bounced right into Chunhyang's waiting arms.
"Sorry I kept you guys waiting" Chunhyang said, sitting down, "The meeting in town hall just took too long"
"Oh, don't worry about it" Fai said.
"How long has it been since you last saw us?" Syaoran asked.
"Almost five and a half years I think" Chunhyang answered, "Koryo has changed a lot. We got rid of the feudal system and established a peoples' government. The representatives are chosen through elections, so everyone gets a fair chance"
"And you are the head of the government, right? The Prime Minister?"
"Yup"
"Looks like you've got your stuff together" Kurogane looked at Chunhyang from the corner of his eye, "You'll be fine kid"
"It's all thanks you to you guys" Chunhyang smiled. She then turned to Syaoran, "How is Sakura-chan?"
The smile on the young boy's face dropped on hearing the princess' name. But before anyone could notice, he regained his composure and said, "She is doing very well"
Fai and Kurogane did notice, however.
"The sun has finally set" Fai said, giving Kurogane a meaningful look.
The ninja caught on, "Yeah, we should get going"
The group headed back to the house where Chunhyang lived – Fai, Mokona and Chunhyang chatting the whole time while Kurogane gave a few inputs. Syaoran, on the other hand, trailed behind them silently. They reached the house, had dinner, then gathered their things and prepared to sleep, and through it all, the boy hardly uttered a word. When a question was directed at him, he simply forced a smile and gave a vague answer.
"If this keeps up, Syaoran-kun is going to end up depressed" Fai whispered to Kurogane, casting a worried glance at the boy, whose back was turned to them. Syaoran had laid down his futon a little away from them. Kurogane and Fai had quietly accepted his unspoken request for privacy.
"After all the worlds we have been visiting recently, what do you expect?" Kurogane whispered back.
After travelling the worlds for about five hundred and twenty days, the group had reached Watanuki's shop. And then they had finally found their way back to Clow. Seven days passed by very quickly however, and they had to leave. A hundred and two days had passed since and in that time, all the worlds the travellers found themselves in were the worlds they had previously visited when Sakura was with them. This had made them miss Sakura even more, but, obviously, Syaoran felt the worst of it.
"Should we ask Watanuki-kun for help?" Fai asked.
"And give what in return? We don't have anything" Kurogane answered, "We need to go somewhere new, see some fresh faces, that will fix that kid. Till then, let's hope he can hold on"
XXX
"Cut the connection, Mokona. I've seen what I needed to see" Watanuki took a long drag from his pipe.
The circle of light, which held the image of Fai and Kurogane flickered and died.
"Spying is not your style, Watanuki" Mokona pouted, "You do have a very good reason right?"
"Of course I do"
Watanuki got up and made his way to the shop's storeroom. Mokona hopped in his wake.
"So what is the reason?"
"When I sent Syaoran-kun and the others to Clow, I knew this would happen" Watanuki answered. His eyes were sweeping the storeroom, searching. "So I planned ahead. I just needed to know the right time"
His eyes finally found what they were looking for – a smooth, onyx black scrying bowl. Picked it up and brought it back to the parlour.
"It's time to ask Makarov-san for payment" he said, pouring water into the basin. He closed his eyes and muttered a spell.
The basin glowed brightly and a few seconds later an image formed on the waters' surface. It showed a rectangular room. A number of beds were lined up against the longer walls. Each bed was separated from its neighbour by yellow curtains. Near one of the beds in the far end of the room, stood a short, bald old man. He had tufts of white hair jumping out from behind his ears and a fluffy white moustache.
"It's good to be standing up again" the man said, rotating his right arm energetically.
"I'm glad to see you are well, Makarov-san" Watanuki said.
Makarov jumped and flailed around to find the source of the voice. When he saw Watanuki smiling at him from one of the mirrors, he relaxed.
"Watanuki-kun, you startled me"
"I apologise"
"Oh no, no. Don't" Makarov grinned, "I should be more alert. I am the Master of one of the most troublesome guilds after all" Then he lowered his voice and added, "THE most troublesome guild more like…"
"I see the herbs I gave Poluchka-san worked very well"
"Yes. Thank you for that, Watanuki-kun. I feel young again"
"But you do realize that the medicine is just temporary, you need to take of your health more"
"You sound just like Poluchka"
The silly grin on Makarov's face was replaced by a solemn smile. "What did contact me for, Watanuki-kun? Obviously not just to ask about my health"
"Perceptive as always, Makarov-san" Watanuki replied with a sly smile, "Since the wish has been fulfilled, I will be requiring payment now"
"And what will that be?" A small crease appeared between the old mans' eyebrows.
"There will be three people arriving in Magnolia soon. I want you and your guild to extend your hospitality to them for as long as they stay there"
Makarov was surprised, he had expected a bigger price.
"That's a very simple request, Watanuki-kun" Makarov said, "Is that really all?"
"Yes, Makarov-san" Watanuki replied, "I restored your health. And in return, spending some time with Fairy Tail will restore the mental peace of one of the three travellers"
"I see" Makarov then beamed, "No problem whatsoever then! Plus, it's Hanami tomorrow. The more, the merrier"
"I will be taking my leave then" Watanuki smiled and cut the connection.
XXX
"Syaoran! Kuro-puu! Fai! Wake up!" Mokona hopped, "The earring is shining, we have to go!"
"Is it time already?" Fai asked, stifling a yawn.
"Stop with those nicknames, you stupid pork bun" Kurogane mumbled.
"What's going on you guys?" Chunhyang walked in, rubbing her eyes.
"It's time for us to leave, Chunhyang-san" Syaoran replied while Fai and Kurogane quickly gathered their things.
"Already!? But you just got here!"
"When Mokona says it's time to go, it's time to go" Fai smiled.
"Alright. But do come back okay"
"We will!" Fai chimed. Kurogane raised a hand in acknowledgement while Syaoran smiled and nodded.
Wings sprouted from Mokona's back and a magic circle appeared beneath their feet. Winds gathered around them and the ground melted and rose up and swallowed them whole. A second later, the travellers found themselves in the interdimensional space, hurtling towards their next destination.
XXX
"It's Hanami tomorrow!" Lucy squealed, "I can't wait"
"I'm really looking forward to it myself" Wendy added.
"I really don't understand why this is such a big deal" Carla sighed.
"I still have so much do!" Lucy continued "I still have to decide what to pack for lunch, then I need to bake cookies, then I need to pick what clothes to wear, then I need to decide how I should tie my hair!"
"So this is how Earthland women behave during a festival" Lily observed.
"You are making too much fuss about it you know" Gray said.
"But I am so excited!" Lucy pouted, "It's my first Hanami since I joined the guild"
"Who cares about the sakura!?" Natsu roared, jumping around the table where they were seated, "The bingo tournament is what's important! I will win the tournament for sure!"
Happy flew around him singing, "Aye sir!"
Gray swiftly got up and stopped Natsu. "Stop shouting already, you dolt. You are giving me headache"
"How dare you!" Natsu yelled back, "You walking around in your underpants is burning my eyes out!"
"Here they go again" Lucy sighed as Natsu and Gray continued yelling.
"I WILL GET YOU FOR THAT, YOU SLANT-EYED BASTARD"
"SHUT UP, YOU DROOPY-EYED JACKASS"
Erza was just about to break up the fight when the roof of the guild seemed to twist and melt. A huge glob separated and dropped, falling straight on top of Gray and Natsu. Several gasps echoed throughout the guild hall, and Wendy and Lucy screamed when the glob broke open, revealing a confused Syaoran, a beaming Fai and an annoyed Kurogane. Gray and Natsu were pinned below them.
"Juvia, did you improve your skills and learn how to make people fall out of the sky?" Happy asked.
Everybody in the guild had formed a circle around to see what was going on.
"Juvia did no such thing!" she gasped. On catching a glimpse of Gray she added, "Gray-sama! Are you alright!?"
"For once I'm not the one pinned down" Kurogane smirked, moving out of the way so Gray could sit up straight.
"My, my, we have gathered a lot of attention, haven't we?" Fai said, looking around.
"I am so sorry" Syaoran said, helping Natsu up.
"Who the hell are you guys?" Natsu and Gray spoke at the same time.
"DON'T COPY ME, FROST MAN!"
"I COULD SAY THE SAME, FLAMETHROWER"
"So lively!" Fai cooed.
"Where have you landed us this time pork bun?" Kurogane asked, pulling Mokona's cheeks.
Suddenly, twenty or so swords appeared, surrounding Syaoran, Fai, Kurogane… and for some reason, Gray and Natsu. The crowd parted and Erza walked up to them. "Who are you and how did land right in the middle of our guild!?" she asked, glaring at the intruders.
"Who the hell do you think…?" Kurogane began but Fai interrupted, "Don't Kuro-tan. We have trespassed on their property after all"
"Hey Erza, why are your swords pointing at us too?" Gray asked.
"You two are in the way" Erza snapped.
"Now, now, Erza. We should probably let them speak before threatening them" Mirajane said, giving them a warm smile.
Natsu sniffed the air around Syaoran and said, "Yeah, I don't smell any danger on them"
"As if you can smell something like that" Gray said.
"SHUT UP!"
"Natsu's nose is not something to sneeze at" Erza said thoughtfully.
"That she wants to believe" Lucy said with a weak laugh.
"This is messed up" Kurogane mumbled.
"I think it's fun" Fai beamed. He then pointed at Syaoran and said, "Besides, Syaoran-kun seems to be enjoying it"
It was true. The brooding face was gone, to be replaced by the curiosity that had not graced the boys' features in a long, long time.
"Fine, I'll listen to what they have to say" Erza announced. The swords around them vanished instantly.
"Why don't you all get off the floor and sit comfortably on a chair?" Mirajane offered.
The travellers took up the offer and seated themselves on the chairs nearby.
"Well…" Syaoran began hesitantly. Everyone in the guild were looking at him expectantly, which made him nervous. Fai gave the boy an encouraging nod. This soothed his nerves somewhat and he continued,
"My name is Syaoran. This is Fai" The blonde waved at everyone, "And this is Kurogane" the ninja raised his hand. "We are travellers"
"That means you have been to various lands, right?" Natsu asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet, "Have you ever met a dragon named Igneel?"
Erza clonked him hard on the head. "Natsu, do not interrupt someone when they are speaking!"
"Aye sir" Natsu moaned, rubbing the victimized spot.
"I don't know who Igneel is, Natsu-san" Syaoran said, "We don't know anything about this world actually"
"What do you mean by 'this world'?" Lucy asked.
"We are from another dimension!" Mokona answered, hopping in front of Lucy.
"You are so cute!" Lucy sang. Mokona giggled in response.
"So you are from Edolas then?" Erza asked.
"I have never seen them in Edolas…" Lily said.
"We are not from Edolas" Syaoran answered.
"So… you mean there are there are other dimensions apart from Edolas!?" Lucy asked.
"Yup" Fai beamed.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence as each and every single person in the guild simply stared at the newcomers, their minds processing and digesting this new information. And then suddenly, all of them spoke at once, asking a million different questions at the same time. The fact that Syaoran, Fai and Kurogane were trespassers was forgotten – they were given food and drinks and were treated like guests of honour.
"This is going to be very interesting, don't you think Kuro-mu?" Fai grinned.
Kurogane only huffed in reply.
XXX
A/N: I made a few changes to the Fairy Tail timeline as well. The Hanami festival in this story takes place after the Edolas arc. Also, Team Natsu don't go to Mt. Hakobe for the job, so Lucy doesn't fall sick and can enjoy the festivities with everyone :)