Disclaimer: My sister doesn't own them. I don't own them. I'd gladly trade my sister for copyrights of X, though… ^__^;;;;;;;

Title: Christmas Time.

Rating: PG, I guess… that's what Sis made it…

Prologue: Go Back To Her

 Sorata Arisugawa groaned. He was bored, depressed, and currently sitting in his room in Mt. Kouya. After the Final Battle, it seemed as though the monks of the temple were putting more pressure on his already stressed out body.

 He sighed again. No doubt, both the Dragons of Heaven and Dragons of Earth had died in the fight (sans Kamui), but when Kamui had won the battle with Fuuma, they all had been given another chance to live, with the Chi no Ryu being cleansed of the soul once again, The Ten no Ryu had been more than ready to welcome them… Welcome them to the bright side of Life.

 Now, two years after the Battle, Nataku was living with Fuuma, Kamui, and Kotori – who had also come back, their guess being because she had been the crucial point to set the wheel in motion – as well as going to school with them. Of course, the other youngsters had been responsible for giving the boy (yes, he had been reborn with a gender this time) some "background information" before enrolling.

 Kuzuki Kakyou was up and out of his coma, using his powers as a Dreamseer to make sure nothing happened that would bring about another tragedy. He was living in an apartment in Tokyo; said Tokyo was repaired after a year and half of hard work.

 Kasumi Karen was no longer staying in Soapland, much to everyone's delight. She was, on the other hand, a Health teacher in the CLAMP Academy…

 Yuuto went to his usual job, while Satsuki became a student/teacher in CLAMP Campus, dealing with the entire Academy's computer system.

 Seishirou works as a vet again, and because of Subaru this time as well. And no, he no longer worked as an assassin. Everyone was relieved to find out that there was no more Sakurazukamori, only a certain onmyouji called Seishrou Sakurazuka.

 Shiyuu Kusanagi is working in the military. Yuzuriha and he had grown to be very close friends, who listened very well to each other.

 Speaking of the youngest Dragon, she was still studying in CLAMP Academy… and living in the school dormitory. Fuuma had offered her a place to stay at his home, but she had preferred to stay where there were other, non-psychic people. Maybe they couldn't see Inuki, and maybe they wouldn't believe of his existence, but she took much joy at the fact that all those people were still alive.

 Seiichirou Aoki was so-so. His wife and child had not survived the Promised Day. He had been sad, but he could not mourn forever. He was now slowly, but surely, turning back to his gentle and happy old self… and many of the Ryu suspected it to be the work of a certain red-head.

 Much to the contrary to the remaining three.

 As much as they loved to stay in Tokyo with their friends, duty called, and Sumeragi Subaru, Arisugawa Sorata, and Kishuu Arashi had been forced to return to their respective homes in Kyoto, Kouya, and Ise. There was no point in protesting, as they were burdened with a job that they could not quit, as much as they would have loved to. It was actually Subaru's apartment that Kakyou was living in right now. The onmyouji had left the Dreamseer the keys right before he'd left, and the remaining Dragons had helped him move in afterwards.

 A soft knock on the door snapped Sorata out of his train of thoughts. "Hai?" He answered in a soft, calm voice.

"Sorata."

"Ah, Jikou-san. May I help you?" Sorata recognized the old priest in front of him.

"Chuu-sama wishes to see you."

"Be there in a moment…"

Minutes later...

 "You wished to see me, Ojii-san?" Sorata sat down after he gave the old Stargazer a bow.

 "Yes. I would like to speak to you for a moment..." The old man gazed at the boy-no, MAN-that he had raised for the past fifteen years.

  "Sure thing. What is it?" Sorata returned the gaze silently, with an air of curiosity.

 After a moment of silence, the elder quietly asked, "What happened to you, Sorata?"

 The latter was taken aback. "Jii-san? What do you mean?"

 "You have changed ever since you had returned from Tokyo. No," He held up his hand and effectively cut him off when the younger started to reply. "You HAVE changed. A great deal. You do not talk as much. You lost your cheerfulness. You lost your smile."

"..."

"Yes, you do smile at times, but it doesn't quite reach your eyes. On the contrary, one could see pain in it if he looks closely. I have raised you for fifteen years, child. Do not attempt to sneak by me."

"..."

 "Is it the girl?"

 "!" Sorata was startled.

 "Is it?" persisted the Stargazer. For such an old man, he was definitely quick at noticing things.

"..."

The old man sighed. "I see… It is true then."

"Jii-san..."

"Go to Tokyo." The aged man said. "Your heart belongs to another, not here in Kouya... Go and find her."

"Jii-san!" Sorata was struck speechless.

The Stargazer merely smiled at him. "I have a feeling that she'll be there. Go, my boy. Pursue your dreams... and your love."

To be continued...

A.N.: Hey minna… I'm ChibiRaihaHK's younger brother. I took up this fic after sis  so mercilessly abandoned it… (Don't worry… her cruelty was dearly paid for… ^__^ she got quite a yelling from me…) and now, with her breathing down my neck, I am in my room in front of my computer retyping the stuff she typed up. Argh… SIS, GET OFF MY BACK!!!!

 *Ahem* Anyway… for the record, the chapters 1- 8 will probably be exactly the same as what she wrote, save for minor changes here and there. Huhuhu….

 Well, enjoy!