Disclaimer: I don't own xxxHolic, the ladies of clamp do. I'm just borrowing them.

Spoiler alert for recent chapters and the manga arcs.

AN: This story starts just after the spider eye arc in the manga. After that it is AU meaning the characters can be OOC at times (hey you would too if you went thru all this, LOL) story lines use the Manga in the some of the following chapters. I have changed the rating to M for language, violence and some very adult themes.

Warning: Yaoi, Het and Yuri ahead. Lots of drinking. The seeming OC is actually not one, her real identity will be revealed in future chapters. Don't ya love suspense.

Chapter 1 - Beginnings

The Mage sat on the storeroom floor holding a half empty bottle of wine. No need for glasses today, this was a day for drinking straight from the bottle, the Archer had carried the semi-comatose Seer back into the main house. Yuuko was gone now. The soulless twin girls Moro and Maru, would be freed soon from their duty of keeping the shop 'here'. Though they had elected to stay. Yuuko had used the last of her power to make it so that they weren't needed to hold the shops reality. Mokona would be returning soon as well, she'd really missed the little pip squeak.

Watanuki Kimihiro had made his choice, to pay this heavy price. It was time for the rest of them to choose. Would they stay by his side as he waited? She smiled, really it was an easy choice to make, they'd all already made it, it wasn't even a question, she'd made her choice a long time ago.

She looked at the bottle of wine in her hands, not really seeing it, thinking back on the events, the witch, and the wish that had brought her to this day. The heartfelt wish of a lonely woman who didn't want to just live any old life, but one of meaning, purpose, strength and full of love. Even if it meant sacrifices.

Yukko had granted her that wish, that along with others had put into motion the events that had led up to today. For the Mage she had turned back the hands of time, bringing her here, to this dimension. Her memories from her previous lives and other worlds intact. That was part of the price. To leave behind everyone and everything that she had known. Learning how to use her abilities had been another price, and it was almost too horrible to bear…..and worse she'd had to go back to High School! ((Shudder))

How had it all started you ask? Yuuko had set it all up of course. A distant relative of the Kunogi's, an orphan and here in Japan as a Foreign Exchange student. Needless to say the story was rather flimsy and farfetched, but no one seemed to question it. Not even Himiwari's parent's, (though they rarely questioned anything). But the Mage had learned not to question the dimensional witch about such trivial things, like facts.

Aya…. That's the name she used here now. She liked it, it was short and simple the true name of her soul known only to a few, her Very Important People, one of whom was now gone. But I digress lets go to where it all started, at least for the Mage.

February 14th and Himiwari Kunogi was staying home again this year. But unlike last year she would be able to get the boys the chocolate's she had bought for them on Valentine's Day and not the day after. Because a distant relative from her mother's family. One who had come to stay with them just recently from the America's. Today was the day she was starting at her school. Her name was Aya and they were the same age. Aya had said she would be happy to give the boys the Chocolates for her. After all it wasn't like she knew anybody to give chocolates to herself, so this way she would feel like she was giving away chocolates too. A win win for both of them.

And that's why Himiwari liked Ay-chan, that's what she had taken to calling her…Aya was very sweet and nice to her, that and the fact that she didn't seem to be bothered by her bad luck at all. For the first time in her life Himiwari had a girlfriend to talk too and share things with. Sure Watanuki-kun and Doumeki-kun were her good friends. But it just wasn't the same as having a BFF girlfriend. Boys just don't understand certain things, really they don't, it was like they were missing a part of their brains or something.

So the newest student at the school was standing at the school gate waiting for the 2 boys that had been described to her in detail. She had been told she wouldn't be able to miss them.

That was a huge understatement….

It was 'impossible' for her to not notice them. The slender boy SCREAMING at the top of his lungs, flailing his arms at the quietly walking athletic boy with his finger in his ear, wearing a smirk. Yep that was them no doubt about it. Taking Wari-chans advise she addressed not the quiet silent one first but the energetic slender boy.

"Excuse me, but are you Watanuki Kimihiro?"

This caused the slim teen to stop his yelling and flailing and look at the person addressing him. HIM, and not that cretin Doumeki. And even better, it was a really Cute Girl. Ha! Take that Domeki! She stood there expectantly with a small smile on her face waiting for his answer.

"Yes, I am. Are in one of the other classes? I don't recall seeing you before"

"Ah yeah," (WOW, Those eyes….neither Yuuko nor Himiwari had told her he was so freaking beautiful, Okay breath girl, breath) "That's because it's my first day here. I only just moved here. I'm staying with Himiwari Kunogi and her family. She asked me to tell you that she was sorry, but that she wouldn't be in school today." At these words the slender teen fell dramatically to the ground, deflated.

Ok, that was 'Interesting'.

"But, she also asked me to give you these chocolates." At those words the teen jumped back to his feet twirled several times, hearts and sparkles floating everywhere as he took the box of chocolates she handed him clutching them to his chest.

After batting a few stray hearts away from her face she faced Doumeki and said, as if it was an afterthought. "Oh, you are Doumeki-kun I take it. Yes? she gave me a box for you too." Handing the other box of chocolates to the silent archer. Watanuki was so thrilled and happy to have a box of chocolates from his beloved Himiwari-chan given to him ON Valentine's day. That this time he let it slide that Doumeki got the exact same box of chocolates too.

Bending to pick up her school bags, she tossed the strap of the long case she had with her over one shoulder and turned to go. And THAT is what finally got Doumeki's attention. This girl wasn't planning to stick around and moon all over him like all the other girls did. Maybe she wasn't a 'fangirl' and what did she say? Oh yeah, that she was 'living' with Kunogi. And still looked pretty damn healthy to him. Yeah, really 'healthy' now that he was actually looking at her, Nice long legs, curvy, with light golden blonde hair and soft warm eyes. He was a sucker for beautiful eyes. He mentally shook his head to clear his thoughts… his hormones were really kicking into high gear this morning. First Watanuki and now this new girl…..Hn.

Oh yeah. "Oi"

"Yes?"

'You didn't tell us your name?"

"Oh! Your right, I'm sorry I totally forgot. It's Suboshi Aya, Himiwari has been calling me Ay-chan. I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance."

By this point Watanuki had calmed down enough from his dance of joy, and took over the conversation from that (in his mind anyway) complete jerk Doumeki.

"So Aya-chan, what classes do you have?"

"Well, Let's see, Here it is…My Homeroom is 2B…." Pulling out a schedule she shared it with the 2 boys.

"That's the same as Doumeki's, and we all have gym together. Ah this is great, you have the same Lunch period as we do. You can have lunch with us. Seeing as Himiwari-chan isn't here today and I made this wonderful Bento for her today. You can help me out by eating it instead."

"Really? Himiwari said there was a cafeteria here. I don't want to impose or…

"No really, if you don't eat it then this gluttonous pig (pointing to Doumeki) will just eat it all. You don't want him to get fat, do you?"

"I'd Love to! Thank you so very much Watanuki-kun, Doumeki-kun. " Giving both boys a genuine smile.

"Oi, we'd better get going the bell is about to ring"

And with that the trio entered the building, Watanuki headed off to his homeroom and Doumeki walked with the 'New Girl' to their homeroom. Thanks to her presence only about a half dozen girls managed screwed up their courage enough to approach him and give him Valentine's Days Chocolates. She stood silently at his side as each girl stammered her way thru some variation of schoolgirl crushyness and love confessions. With a small smile on her face after the 4th girl she raised a delicately shape blonde eyebrow at him. Blue, Green, Gray... nope, he couldn't quite label the unusual color of her eyes.

"Is it like this every Valentines' Day?"

"Basically"

"It must be hard on you"

His eyes narrowing slightly, "Are you trying to be funny?"

"That's not what I meant at all, I can see that you aren't interested in any of these girls, but you don't just callously crush their feelings or lead them on either. It's a fine line and it's not easy to do. Most boys wouldn't even try." Looking up at the door before her. "Oh, Is this our Classroom? I'd better go in and see the teacher." With that she left him standing in the hallway outside staring at her as she walked into the classroom.

Two more girls gave him chocolates before he managed to get to the relative safety of his seat at the back of the class.

"Good Morning, Class"

"Good Morning, Sensei"

"Well, today we have a new student joining us. Suboshi Aya from the United States. Suboshi-Chan please tell the class a little bit about yourself"

"Yes Sensei. Well I'm Japanese on my fathers side, the rest is Norwegian, I was born in the United states. I'm here on a Student Exchange Scholarship for now. I hope to stay and go on to university here in Japan and study ancient history and folk lore."

"Excellent! Thank you Suboshi-chan. Hmmm, why don't you take that seat there in front of Doumeki-kun. He is the Student Council President and can answer any questions you may have about the school."

"Thank you Sensei"

If looks really could kill Aya would have been on the floor, bleeding out from several mortal wounds long before she took the coveted desk near teen heartthrob Shizuka Doumeki.

She had most of her classes with Doumeki, math with Watanuki and chemistry with both. (AN: I couldn't resist, LOL) By lunch time she was exhausted from the long day so far and starving. She had gone to her locker to drop off some of her books, so the boys were already on the stairwell where they ate lunch during the colder weather. Watanuki patted the space next to him, and handed her a bento box as she sat down.

"Thank You, I am SO Hungry " breaking apart the chopsticks she dug right in with an appetite that nearly rivaled the glutton sitting on the stairs behind her.

"Mmmm, Watanuki-kun this is wonderful. You made this yourself? You have real talent. "

"Thank you it's something I really love to do, especially for people (dumbasses not included) who really appreciate it. Can you cook? Here have some of this chocolate I made for Valentine's Day." Not quite looking at him, he handed Doumeki some as well. "I made enough for you to, I figured you'd just eat some of it anyway"

"Oooo Mmmm this is delicious. Yes I can cook, but not in the Japanese style. I don't know the first thing about how to cook like this. I can cook Italian, Mexican and good ole fashioned American stuff. Hey,.. I know, Himiwari will be back tomorrow. How about I cook something like lasagna, say for lunch tomorrow? I'd really like to, to show you my thanks for sharing this bento with me and being so nice to me on my first day."

"Well I usually make this Jerks bento for him, (really long story). But I'd love to try your lasagna."

Doumeki who had been eating the chocolate and listening to the conversation between the two below him decided to speak up at this point. It was about food after all.

"I'll try it." Watanuki, turned to look at his 'Not Friend' and blinked.

"Really? No insane out of season requests today, or I'll only eat 'your' bento's."

"I want garlic cheese bread sticks." Oh okay, all was right with the world.

"Well then, I'll need to make a shopping list" Aya took out some paper and a pencil and began writing down what she would need for the lasagna and breadsticks.

"Do know where to go to get what you need?" Watanuki asked.

"No, I figured I could ask Himiwari's mother when I get home."

"I know some great markets that sell western style groceries, we could go shopping after school."

Doumeki decided he could kill several birds with 1 stone. 1. Get Watanuki to accept his company (aka protection), 2. Spend more time with this new and very interesting person, and 3. (most importantly to his stomach) make sure he got exactly what he wanted for lunch tomorrow "I have archery practice today, why don't you both come and wait for me. Then we can all go together, you'll need some extra hands to carry those groceries." There that ought to circumvent any pending spaz attack the smaller teen might start.

"That would be awesome! I can do my homework while Watanuki-kun and I wait for you. Crap, look at the time." Grabbing the long case she had placed at her feet when she sat down slinging the strap over her should Aya stood up. "I have to go back to my locker. I'll see you in class, okay." And with that she walked away down the hall.

Both boys watched her until she was out of sight. Watanuki was rather perplexed by Doumeki's behavior, he usually avoided girls like the plague, not that he was mean to them or anything, it's just that he never invited them to come watch him practice before. Not that it stopped them from coming. He just never asked. Not even Himiwari-chan.

"You're interested in her" It was more a statement, than a question.

"Hn, You too"

"But you've NEVER invited anyone to your practice before. Not even Himiwari-chan"

Doumeki had packed up the bento, and handing it to Watanuki "Yes I have, You" With that Doumeki got up and headed off towards his next class. Leaving behind a strangely silent (for once) teen, his mouth hanging open as his mind processed all this new information 1. Close mouth, looks stupid, 2. Doumeki WASN'T his rival for Himiwari-Chan this whole time, (he would have invited her to a practice!), 3. He HAD invited Watanuki to come and watch, but Watanuki usually just waited for him outside by the locker room or in the library, 4. He HAD also just invited Aya-chan, 5. So it went without saying that Doumeki was interested in Aya-Chan...and HIM?!

Watanuki may be a little slow at times (okay very) and quite naïve, but he wasn't that stupid. A slight blush stained the cheeks of the pale slender teen as the thoughts collided in his head. Things that had been confusing to him before, he now understood. And only his perfect Himiwari-chan could hold a candle to Aya-Chan. Oh My God, had he just thought that. Doumeki was right! He liked her too! Himiwari more of course, She was his perfect love. But, but.. Aya-Chan was just well.…she was different.

Yeah that's it. Different. His feelings for each one of them was similar, yet it was a slightly different feeling. Oh God, even Doumeki! When did THAT happen?! Watanuki sighed.. this was going to take some getting used to, (not actually hating the stoic archer) and a LOT of thought. Well no need to rush things. With that, Watanuki headed off to his next class, just as the bell began to ring. Crap! He was going to be late again if he didn't hurry.

One word explained it all, if he asked Yuuko she would tell him readily enough. Actually, she had BEEN telling him it, in regards to Doumeki, ever since the beginning. It was all…

Hitsuzen