Prologue

Silently watching the unfolding scene before them the lithe form remained leaning against the window frame behind them, the pale light of the moon doing little to chase away the shadows which surrounded them. Unable to prevent what was happening the quiet watcher could only tighten their arms even more around themselves, knowing it was a vain attempt at trying to hold in the barrage of emotions that were raging inside them. Love, happiness all emotions that were strange, frightening to someone like them, but because of them they had come to understand why were such feelings were treasured. Yet, these feelings right now where unlike anything they had ever felt, this sense of emptiness and betrayal was overwhelming, like it was eating them from the inside.

Seeing pale wings cocoon the one they considered a brother they had mere moments to take in a last glimpse before in a flash of light they disappeared. Quickly tearing their gaze from the now empty spot they turned silver-blue eyes towards the night sky, taking in the many pinpricks of scattered light.

"Mei-Xing"

Hearing the soothing voice of the one their served they knew that things where coming to end, it was only a matter of what would happen to them now.

"What is to be my fate? Am I to be sealed away as well?"

Putting across all their feelings of hurt and pain into those few words the shadowed figure couldn't bring themselves to face the one they loved, knowing the moment they did that what little hold they had over these feelings inside would break.

"My fallen one, you of all creatures were never meant to be hidden in the shadows. Come here, I would wish to see my fallen one as that which I named you. Will you not allow me a final embrace before I leave?"

Hearing the gently spoken words the one know as Mei-Xing felt the dam within in her break, all the fear she felt quickly replacing any pain. Turning her silver-blue eyes towards the one she had called master for so long she saw nothing but patience and understanding within Clow Reeds eyes; his arms open to either side awaiting her response.

With the briefest flick of pearlessence wings Mei-Xing covered the distance, welcoming Clow Reeds embrace as his arms settled around her slender form. Holding the angelic form next to him Clow Reed could feel the dampness settling into this robes front; though no sound came from the one he held he knew that tears were flowing. Running his hand over silver strands Clow Reed knew that this simple gesture would comfort the one he held more than any words he could say.

"Please do not leave me, I will doing anything, but do not leave me."

"Even I got outrun death Mei-Xing, I am only human despites everything."

"Then seal me away, anything but being alone. It isn't enough that I'm losing you, but I've also lost Yue as well, I wouldn't even have Kerberos beside me."

Hearing the sorrow filled words from the one he held Clow Reed, despites the sadness of the occasion, couldn't help the slight smile which graced him upon hearing Mei-Xing's plea. Thinking back on their first meeting he would never have imagined that the arrogant and aloft creature that he had met all those years ago would have turned into such a caring and companionable being. With drawing Mei-Xing from his embrace Clow Reed was surprised to see her downturned head. Placing fingers under Mei-Xing's chin he gently lifted her face towards him, allowing him to gaze upon his fallen ones face for the first time that evening.

Despites the crystalline streaks that showed against Mei-Xing's pale skin Clow Reed still saw a being that's beauty was only rivalled by Yue. Although he had intended a different path for the one before him Clow Reed knew the moment he looked into those eyes that if she truly desired it he would carry out her requested.

"If you truly desire to join Yue and Kerberos in their sleep then I will grant your request however, I would first ask you to listen to the task that I was hoping you would do for me until you can be reunited with them."

Nodding slowly at the request Mei-Xing knew by the change of tone within Clow Reeds voice that something important was being decided this night.

"My fallen one, remember when you asked me to make me your master and I refused; do you know why I refused despites all the power you possessed?"

"No, I have never understood your decision. Why you would let me call you master in name, but never really be my master."

"I used my magic to sustain your early existence not due to weakness of your own magic, but because your magic was raw and unfocused. You still have a long way to go before you reach your full potential, but I have never doubt that you will reach it."

"Clow?"

"I want you to be a guardian that does not rely on a master, rather one that chooses to serve a master of your own free will. That is the path I have been preparing you for, to be the guardian that would not be tied therefore able to be a guide and teacher to the future master of the cards without being bound."

Although she now knew Clow Reeds reasons for refusing to be her true master Mei-Xing was still having trouble understanding exactly what he wanted from her. Over the years she had noticed that the magic Clow Reed had used to sustain her had slowly been decreasing, but she never realised it was because of this. Being what she was Mei-Xing knew she was a being of magic, but had never imagined that she could be self-sustaining, able to survive without relying on a master. However, she couldn't understand what this had to do with the request Clow Reed wanted to make of her.

"My fallen one, I want you to go to my mother's family and serve them as you have served me."

"But why?"

"The Li Clan is well established in the ways of magic and in serving them you will learn to focus your own magic, so that when Yue and Kerberos return not only will you be able to guide them in their new time, but you will be the guardian that can act where they cannot."

Moving away from the one she called master Mei-Xing turned from the figure of calm demeanour, unable to think clearly while looking at him. Understanding the reasons he had presented to her Mei-Xing still felt part of her heart wanting to run away and hide, the idea of being without the ones she loved and cared for to overwhelming.

Walking over the window she had originally started the night at she found her gaze drawn to the pale orb of the moon, its full face showing for all. Looking silently at the pale object she soon found herself thinking about the one who shared its name, a slight smile gracing her as she thought of him. Shifting her gaze Mei-Xing happened to catch her reflection in the glass pane before her, a band of silver across her forehead soon becoming the focus of her attention. Raising her hand to the head piece her fingers faintly traced the star and crescent moons that adorned the piece, remembering the day that Yue had given it to her.

Caught up in the memories of her time with the three beings that had become so important to her Mei-Xing found that she knew the answer to Clow Reeds request. Although some ounce of fear still dwelt within she knew that after everything they had done for her that this was the least she could do to repay them.

"If I serve your mother's family how can you be sure that they wouldn't try and become my master?"

"I have prepared a spell that would prevent anyone from ever being able to do that, one that only I would be able to break and since this is my final night that will never happen."

"Very well, I'll serve the Li Clan and I will use the time to focus my magic and become the guardian you want me to be. I will bid my time until the new master of the cards is revealed."

"Then come Mei-Xing and let us begin, so that you may also start your new life."

Moving to Clow Reeds side Mei-Xing took the offered hand of her master, although she knew the path ahead of her was uncertain she could only trust in the faith that everything would be alright and if not that she would keep going until the day Yue and Kerberos awoke.