Names


A name, Yukito knew, could be a spell.

Evening had fallen, and the heat of the day rose from the dunes. Outside the palace window, tiny yellow acacia blossoms shivered and loosed a honey scent that carried for miles. Travelers surrounded by only sand and sky would be driven mad by the scent, Yukito thought, for it promised an oasis just beyond the horizon.

In reality, the King's garden lay sequestered behind distant, marble walls.

Somewhere, out there, weathered merchants and parched camels, jackals and desert snakes stilled, closed their eyes, and, with upturned faces, dreamed for a little while...

In rare moments, after Sakura had been taken away, Yukito wondered who wasn't dreaming in Clow Country.

"You shouldn't make Sakura sad," he had said to the King. He could feel Touya's warmth beside him. He held still as he had taught himself to and smiled because he was happy, even so.

"When we're alone," the King said, "don't speak so formally, Yukito. Even Kings and Priests were friends once."

"Yes, ah, yeah…" He could only smile.

Yukito was considered a powerful priest, renown across the dimensions. His magic kept Clow Country tranquil and prosperous; he protected and cared for his people.

It was a testament to the King's power that Touya could turn a name into a magic that made even the high priest dream foolishly.

It was a testament, perhaps, to the strength of the royal family, for even when Sakura was a little girl, she cried "Syaoran" a hundred times, grinning playfully all the while, to which, even seven years later, the poor, blushing boy could only murmur, "Princess…"

And sometimes Yukito dreamed of Sakura and Syaoran, world-hopping, and two strangers who refused to say each other's names, as if desperately pretending not to see each other…

Which, perhaps, was wise.

A name could be a spell, Yukito knew all too well. Every spell has a price.


AN: I wish there were more fic with Touya and Yukito.