Look! People! Let's say hi to the people! Hi, people!
Yes, I am currently a trifle manic. Blame the chocolate.
Official Anti-Lawyer Device: I don't own Card Captor Sakura. I don't own much of anything, except this AU. That, however, is mine. Nya hah!
This is yet another Tsukimine Shrine LJ challenge fic. This was my challenge:
'Prologue'
Complete AU, 500-1000 words
Introduce at least 3 main characters, include a death.
That's all.
This might end up as the prologue to a chapter fic. Don't hold your breath.
~What's Past is Prologue~
The King was dying. All palace activity had stopped, the full nervous energy of a thousand high-strung nobles concentrated on a single room. Everyone waited for the change. They would not have long to wait.
Clow Reed had ruled his kingdom for longer than any but the oldest could remember, but his appearance was still that of a man in no more than middle years. Even so close to death, his serene face showed no sign of the disease that was slowly destroying his body. The paralysis had immobilized his arms and legs. Soon he would be unable to breathe.
Yukito knelt at his father's side. The Crown Prince's face was wet with tears, but he was otherwise perfectly composed. He had no need to make the effort; aside from the old lord and the young, the room was all but empty. Tomoyo, in her position as Yukito's wife and Crown Princess, remained by his side, and at the door stood the tall, dark figure of the young Captain of the Guard, but that was all. No one else was allowed to be present for the King's death. No one else deserved to be.
"My son," began Clow, his even speech as gentle and precise as ever, "I have done my best to raise you to be a good king, as well as a good man. I hope, for your sake and the sake of our country, that I have succeeded."
"Father," replied Yukito, "if I can be one tenth the ruler you have been, I will count myself fortunate. But please, please do not leave yet." Clow slowly shook his head.
"My time is almost up. I would not spend my last days imprisoned in the shell of my own body. I would not have you remember me so. This is my choice, child, to take my leave when the time is right. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father. I will miss you. Oh, Father," the prince sobbed, "I love you!" Clow smiled, just as he had smiled when his only child was born. The name he used then was that laughing child's name.
"And I you, my little White Rabbit." Clow's eyes traveled behind his son to rest on the faces of those who stood, waiting for what would come. His final words were barely spoken, just for them. "Take care of my son."
His eyes slipped closed. Without a word, his Captain stepped forward, shielding him from his son's view. Yukito turned away into his wife's waiting embrace and wept. She held him, comforting, until the movement at the corner of his sight told him that his father was gone, dissolved into the ether to which everyone in time must return.
The Captain slid his bloodless sword back into its sheath and turned to kneel at his new sovereign's feet. His quiet voice was calm, reassuring by its very normalcy, but nothing could detract from the thin circlet of silver and gold that rested in his hands.
"With your permission, Your Majesty, I will give the crown into Lady Yelan's keeping until the time of the coronation." The slightest movement of Yukito's head told him all he needed to know. He rose, bowed deeply as befit one in the presence of his rulers, and left the room. Yukito could hear the cries already echoing through the halls.
"The King is dead! Long live the King!"