Hello and welcome to the second part of Journey's End! Please keep in mind that this is Tsubasa version of my story, Family Ties. It is not necessary for you to read Family Ties to understand this story, that is merely the xxxHolic version of this story.
I hope you enjoyed part one... just think: there are three more parts after this.
Always, I don't own Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle or xxxHolic; just the manga I purchased from the local bookstore.
Please enjoy!

Part II:

The following morning, the travelers awoke and quickly gathered their things before Mokona sucked them up for the last time and transported them to where they began their journey almost two years ago: at the shop of the Time-Space Witch or Dimension Witch (among many other aliases); also known as Ichihara Yûko.

Like the first time the four Inter-Dimensional travelers arrived at the Wish Shop in Japan, it was raining; however, unlike the first time, Sakura was awake. She wasn't surprised to see the Time-Space Witch, but she was surprised to see the black-haired ruby-eyed woman dressed in a black dress and knee-high black boots. Only Fai seem to notice that there were two young men standing behind the Dimension Witch this time, not just the one.

Shortly after the group had landed in the dimension of the Dimension Witch, Kimihiro had awoken from sleeping in his daddy's arms. He peered up at the red-eyed ninja, yawning cutely; Kurogane would never admit it aloud, but he thought his son acted like a kitten sometimes.

Rubbing his sapphire eyes, Kimihiro happily chirped: "Ma-me!" (pronounced as 'mommy') as his blonde haired 'mother' came into his view.

Kurogane shifted his son in his arms before handing him to his lover, who immediately out stretched his arms and tenderly placed their son on his hip then rubbed his nose against Kimihiro's. Fai cooed, "Aren't you just a sweetheart, Kimihiro-chan?" who gurgled in reply before he happily grabbed the long blonde locks of his 'mother' with a chubby hand.

The instant that the white Mokona landed, it bounced from Sakura's shoulder and was permanently attached to the black Mokona, happily recalling the battle against Fei-Wang Reed and the other numerous adventures of the traveling quartet, as well as their various companions from various dimensions. Anyone could hear the beginnings of the exaggerated fight spewing from the white Mokona, as it began to act out some of the various moves made by Syaoran and Kurogane.

"Welcome back to Japan," the black-haired ruby-eyed Dimension Witch cleared her throat and greeted their guests. "Please make yourselves comfortable while you stay with us."

The four travelers were surprised when they were invited into the "Wish" shop; which they had only briefly seen before their journey had begun. She told them in a mysterious voice that they needed to remain in this dimension for some time before they departed for their native dimensions.

A blue haired girl and a pink haired girl happily mimicked the Witch while opening the doors to the shop: "Make yourselves comfortable! Make yourselves comfortable!"

Her voice returning to normal, the Dimension Witch began introductions. "Instead of calling me 'Dimension Witch' or 'Time-Space Witch,' please just call me Yûko. These young ladies are Maru-dashi and Moro-dashi-

"What kind of names are those?!" Kurogane roared, his red eyes narrowed at the blue-haired girl and pink-haired girl before the glare switched to their mistress; he was obviously just a tad bit offended.

Fai exchanged confused looks with his adoptive daughter and his adoptive son, but none made an attempt to ask Kurogane or Yûko about the names of the girls.

Yûko just smirked, ignoring the ninja's interruption and continuing her introductions, "-but you can call them Maru and Moro. The two young men on my left, your right, are Watanuki Kimihiro and Dômeki Shizuka. If you need anything, you can just call on one of us."

Syaoran then piped up and gesturing to the quartet, he said, "Yûko-san, Sakura-chan, Fai-san, Kurogane-san, and I have wishes we would like granted…"

"We can discuss them over dinner!" Yûko happily replied, a bright smile lighting her face, "Now, everybody inside! And Watanuki, bring out some of that wonderful sake you purchased yesterday!"

The shorter of the two black haired teenagers grumbled about his-drunk-for-a-boss, but nonetheless, complied with her wishes and headed back into the shop with the other teen on his heels. Yûko then swept away from the group, the pair of Mokonas eagerly following her.

Sakura giggled and peering up at Fai, she said, "Isn't it cute, Fai-mommy? Dômeki-kun is protective of Watanuki-kun just like Kuro-daddy is protective of you and Kimi-chan!"

Fai then remembered seeing the two male teenagers after his marking had been returned to him. Smiling, he nodded, "Yes, it is quite cute, Sakura-chan. I bet Yûko-san teases Watanuki-kun mercilessly about it."

Shifting Kimihiro on his hip slightly, Fai then pointed to the two girls holding the doors open for them, "Shall we go inside?"

With that said, the four made their way inside and were shown to the room they would be staying in. Sakura and Syaoran were across the hall from Kurogane, Fai and Kimihiro; Maru and Moro informed them that Watanuki and Dômeki were staying in the room a couple doors down from Kurogane and Fai.

Syaoran, Fai and Sakura asked Kurogane for help putting on the yukatas Yûko had lent them, seeing as Kurogane wore similar clothes in his native country. When they were finally dressed, Syaoran wore a light blue yukata with dark blue cloud pattern, Fai wore a light green yukata with dark green floral pattern and matching obi, Sakura was dressed in a lavender yukata with silver moons and stars decorating it and a violet obi, and Kurogane wore a simple crimson yukata with gold obi. Kimihiro had happily been held by Sakura when Fai and Syaoran were being helped into their outfits and then Fai held their son while Sakura was helped into her yukata.

After the travelers had gotten into their new clothes, they were ushered into the dining area by Maru and Moro. Yûko and the Mokonas were already seated and had opened a bottle of sake.

Yûko smiled as Fai sat beside her, Kurogane taking the spot to his lover's right side. Sakura then made her way, with some help from her boyfriend, to the other side of the table. The Mokonas busied themselves pouring sake for Sakura, Syaoran, Fai and Kurogane, little Kimihiro eyeing the manjuus as they happily hopped around.

"Well, who wants to start with their wish?" Yûko enigmatically and gleefully (too gleefully Kurogane concluded) asked before she downed another glass of sake after the Mokonas shouted: "Kampai!"

Glancing at Kurogane, who shrugged, Fai turned his blue eye back to the Dimension Witch: "Kuro-myuu and I wish to return to Nihon, Japan, Kuro-chan's native country, with Kimihiro-chan."

Sakura and Syaoran began a soft conversation about returning to Clow, but were interrupted by the Mokonas, who started asking questions about the Kingdom of Clow. Yûko smiled, "Alright. I can grant your wish, Fai-kun, Kurogane-kun. Part of your price has been paid… but there is just one problem."

Kurogane snorted, "Problem, woman? What problem?"

The Dimension Witch smirked at the black haired ninja. "Wouldn't you like to know, Kurogane-kun?"

Crimson eyes narrowed at the unctuous woman sipping her fourth or fifth glass of sake. Ruby eyes stared back at him; a glimmer in her eyes daring him to say something. Wisely, the ninja kept his mouth shut and settled on rolling his eyes at Yûko.

"The problem is with my magic," she replied, ruby eyes staring intently at Kurogane, before tossing back the rest of the alcohol into her throat. "I will need a minimum of two weeks to be able to transport anyone into another dimension."

Fai and Kurogane exchanged a glance; they were still wondering about the other part of the price. Softly clearing his throat, Fai piped up, "Yûko-san, what is the other part of the price?"

Yûko held up on finger to the blonde haired mage. Sniffing the air, she cried in delight: "You made oden, Watanuki? Oh, and I smell buridaikon… and yakitori… oh, and sôki soba… and gomoku rice and tsukudani! Ah, I knew there was a reason I hired you!"

Watanuki then appeared with Maru and Moro and his boyfriend carrying trays of food for their guests.

Once Watanuki had doled out amounts of each food for all of their guests, everyone began to dig in and the conversation waned from wishes to lesser subjects. Sakura, Syaoran, Dômeki and Watanuki sat on Yûko's left and were swapping stories about their adventures (or misadventures as Watanuki sometimes referred to them). Meanwhile, Fai, Kurogane, and Yûko continued their previous conversion before the two high school students had come out with food.

"The other part of the price for returning to Nihon, Japan," she began, "will be that the dormant gene of spirits being attracted to baby Kimihiro's blood will be activated when he has turned five years of age - in the country of Nihon, that is."

Frowning, Fai and Kurogane exchanged a worried glance. Fai, whose blue eye returned to his son, inquired, "What all does Kimi-chan's blood attracting spirits entail?"

Yûko swallowed some sake, her ruby eyes carefully studying the happy baby. "It means he would see spirits, be able to interact with them… essentially it means that he will be more of an attraction to the spirits than Tomoyo-hime (Princess Tomoyo)."

Keeping their eyes on their crawling son chasing after the Mokona pair around the room, Fai and Kurogane began verbally listing the pros and cons of the situation, trying to keep their voices from growing too loud and scaring Kimihiro. Fai wasn't against paying the price, just was insistent that Kimihiro learn how to defend himself from them. On the other hand, Kurogane was all for Kimihiro learning to protect himself from the spirits, but he was firmly against having their son seeing things they couldn't - although Fai reasoned that Tomoyo could help Kimihiro when he was old enough.

"It would be a price well paid, erm, a decent sacrifice," came a voice interrupting their heated, but quiet, debate. Watanuki had spoken up; it was clear what he had said had caught Fai and Kurogane's attention.

Kurogane's red eyes narrowed at the teen seated opposite him and he grumbled, "How would it be decent?"

The young man's bi-colored eyes hardened. "Because he won't be the only one who sees the spirits. And if there's someone to help him understand what he's seeing and not claim he's being delusional, it would be positive reinforcement for Kimi-chan."

A frown marred Fai's pale face as he gently accepted his son from Sakura. Raising his blue eye to Watanuki's bi-color eyes, he softly inquired, "Do you see spirits as well Watanuki-kun?"

"Yes," came the unhesitant reply. Sapphire and honey orbs turning to look at the mage, Watanuki confessed, "I have seen them since I was five years old."

Fai and Kurogane exchanged a look of disbelief; it was plausible that this Watanuki Kimihiro shared the same soul as Kimihiro - but did they? Looking back at the young man before them who saw spirits, they heard him say, "I have a feeling that if you remain in this dimension, Kimi-chan will lose you both-"

Kurogane snorted at the comment, crossing his arms over his chest; obviously not believing he and his lover would die in this dimension. A gentle slap on his arm from his lover turned his attention back to their son, who was currently attempting to claw his way up the table.

"-and see the spirits anyway. If you pay the price, at least he will remember and be able to interact with his parents."

Standing up, collecting empty trays, he muttered, "Excuse me…" then he left the room. Both Sakura and Dômeki made to stand up to comfort the teen, but Yûko made a gesture for them to stay, while she, Maru and Moro trailed behind Watanuki with any empty dishes or excess plates.

Syaoran and Sakura exchanged worried glances and words about their friend while Dômeki sat back down, his golden eyes still dazed by sad look Watanuki had worn as he exited the room. Fingering the wards he had recently made in the pocket of his jacket, Dômeki then decided the family sitting across from him would need them more than his spirit-seeing boyfriend. After all, he could always take his boyfriend back to the temple until they had replaced the old wards in Watanuki's apartment.

Meanwhile, Kurogane considered what the bi-color eyed teen had told them; staring into the blue eye of the mage, he knew he had no chance of ever winning against his lover. Giving a slight nod of the head, he silently consented to the price. Uncrossing his arms, the ninja then took their son into his arms and began softly talking to the baby in his arms; it seemed Kimihiro was more interested in crawling over his father's shoulder.

Fai held a hand up to his mouth, a poor attempt to hide his smile and giggles. Kurogane then went to pull the little tyke down from his shoulder, but he didn't need to: just then, Kimihiro slid down his yukata, landing in his father's lap with a soft 'plop.' Kimihiro burst out giggling before clutching onto Kurogane's yukata with his chubby hands.

Amidst Kimihiro's adventure on his father's yukata, Dômeki had made his way to the happy couple with their child and presented the blonde with a slim stack of paper.

"They're wards," was the answer to question still remaining on Fai's lips. "My late grandfather used to make them. I made a set for my Kimihiro that he uses. They work when placed in the corners of the North, West, East, and South of a room. I thought they might help Kimihiro-chan when he's old enough."

Fai clutched the wards in hands protectively, his blue eye welling up. "Thank you Dômeki-kun… I'm sure Kimi-chan will greatly appreciate them when he's of age."

Kurogane nodded his thanks to the archer, who then urbanely removed himself from the couple and sat back down in his original seat. Upon Dômeki being seated, Yûko then waltzed her way back into the room they were gathered for eating, carrying a bottle of Shochu liquor.

"Ta-da!" she cried happily.

Baby Kimihiro immediately tried to mimic the Dimension Witch, chirping, "Ta-da!" at an octave higher and threw his arms excitedly in the air. Fai and Sakura giggled at Kimi-chan's mimicking; Kurogane simply frowned, shaking his head, muttering under his breath, "Hiro, you're not supposed to take so much after your mother… I need someone else in the house to take my side…"

Hiro, as Kurogane called their son, hearing his father's grumbling, simply smiled up at the ninja. Fai saw his lover's face melt into a smile as their son beamed up at him; the mage knew Kurogane would do anything for that smile, simply because Kimihiro's smile matched his mother's.

The white Mokona and black Mokona happily sang out, "That's Shochu liquor! Yay!"

Then Watanuki reemerged from the kitchen, carrying a second plate of desserts. Grabbing two plates of crème brûlée; one for himself, one for Dômeki. Then sitting down beside his boyfriend, who instantly grabbed a fork and began devouring the dessert. Syaoran followed Watanuki's example and took a plate for himself and one for Sakura, who was quietly conversing with Watanuki about spirits and asking he was alright.

Fai took two pieces of dessert, one for Kurogane and one for himself. Picking up an extra spoon for Kimihiro, the blonde fed himself a forkful of the dessert. He hummed in appreciation; it was quite delicious. Smiling at his lover, he scooped up a piece of the dessert using the fork, wagging it in front of Kurogane's mouth until the black haired man ate it.

"Watanuki-kun?" came the melodious voice belonging to Fai. "I hear you made this delightful dessert… what is it called?"

Watanuki smiled and replied, "Crème brûlée," as Fai then fed some to Kimi-chan, whose blue eyes lit up with delight as his Ma-me played 'airplane' with his spoon before it landed in his mouth.

Beaming at the spirit-seeing teen, Fai gleefully announced, "We will have to swap recipes! I have some that I think you will like to try!"

Sakura's emerald eyes lit up with excitement as she asked, "Will you teach me how to make this? It's absolutely scrumptious, Watanuki-kun!"

"Sure, Sakura-chan," the spirit-seeing-chef replied, "I'd be happy to teach you!"

Syaoran then piped up, "Tomorrow, Sakura-hime, after we get some sleep."

Sakura cutely pouted, then giggled before chiding her boyfriend, "For the last time, Syaoran-kun, please just call me Sakura-chan!"

Syaoran missed the look that his girlfriend passed to the Dimension Witch, who nodded at the princess; Kurogane didn't miss the look and wondered what Sakura was planning to ask. A small frown crinkled his forehead as he thought; he knew Fai had fed baby Kimihiro several spoonfuls of the dessert from the spirit-seeing teen. Kurogane heard Kimihiro mumbling, "Ma-me… ma-me… ma-me…" before the babe loudly yawned.

Kurogane felt Fai extracted their son from his arms, cradling their son to his chest as the baby fought not to fall asleep. Turning his thoughts away from his adoptive daughter and her wish, Kurogane pulled his mage into his lap. Fai instantly relaxed as his back hit Kurogane's chest while he kept cooing lullabies to their son.

Sakura and Syaoran began a conversation with Yûko about their wish. Their hushed tones kept the happy couple from listening in, but the two already knew that their adoptive son and daughter were eager to return to their native Kingdom of Clow.

"Alright, so Sakura-chan, you and Syaoran-kun want to return to the Kingdom of Clow," Yûko softly cleared her throat and clarified the wish aloud. Then she told the two brunette teens, "the price for the trip has already mostly paid."

Sakura and Syaoran held hands as they exchanged confused and worried glances; oblivious to the looks, Yûko continued, telling them what the other part of their price was: "The only thing you need to concern yourself with is taking a baby Mokona home and a calling-mirror. Any questions?"

The tension eased out of the teens. Sakura beamed, happy at the information, while Syaoran asked, "Baby Mokona?"

Yûko giggled. "Of course! Our Mokonas have mated and are expecting babies!"

Syaoran just blinked his amber eyes; he was surprised that the white Mokona and black Mokona had already mated, when they had barely been in the present dimension for six hours. Kurogane and Watanuki both protested at hearing the information; Watanuki groaning about more alcoholics, while Kurogane complaining about mini-manjuu's running about. Fai and Sakura just 'aww'-ed and asked the white and black Mokonas what they were going to name the babies.

Curiosity getting the better part of her, Sakura somewhat leaned across the table to ask, "What's a calling-mirror?"

Yûko pulled out a mirror with silver handle. "This is a calling-mirror! All you have to do is say the name of the person you want to talk to, and bam! You will see their face appear; that is, if they answer the mirror!"

Sakura's emerald eyes lit up once more, "That's amazing! Who all has one?"

Grinning, Yûko leaned over the other half of the table and whispered in the princess's ear, "When I am done with this group, I will have one, Watanuki and Dômeki-kun will share one, your brother and Yukito-san will share one, you and Syaoran-kun with share one, and Fai-san and Kurogane-san will have one!"

Sakura happily squealed at the information, while Syaoran cast a glance over at Watanuki and Dômeki; both shrugged, neither having an answer for the brunet teen.

It was then that Kurogane took his sleeping son from Fai, who pecked him on the cheek, and then he turned to Syaoran and Sakura, "Alright, time to go to bed - you've had enough to drink."

Syaoran nodded, while Sakura cutely pouted at her adoptive father, her yawn nearly ruining her pout, then she whined, "But Kuro-ddddddaaaaaaaadddddddddddyyyyyyy!"

"C'mon Sakura-chan," Syaoran said, holding out a hand for her. "We'll see Dômeki-kun, Watanuki-kun, and Yûko-san tomorrow morning…"

Kurogane grumbled, "This is the last time I deal with you drunk, Sakura. Just who gave you alcohol?"

No one confessed; even with Kurogane glaring at the white Mokona and black Mokona and Yûko.

Huffing, Sakura grabbed her boyfriend's offered hand, then wobbled over to Fai, giving him a kiss goodnight and mumbling "Good night Fai-mommy," then waved good night to Watanuki and Dômeki, beamed at Yûko, before allowing herself to be helped to the bedroom she was sharing with Syaoran.

Kurogane waited for his adoptive son and adoptive daughter to exit the dining room before he silently followed them. As the two brunettes stumbled to their room, they were giggling. Kurogane resisted rolling his eyes when he realized why the two were giggling.

Well, just what was the cause of their giggle feast? Sakura had let out a "meow" escape her lips instead of saying "goodnight" to Kurogane, while Syaoran had followed with a "woof", although Syaoran had seemed more lucid between the two just moments earlier.

Upon making sure the two brunettes got into their separate beds for the evening, Kurogane crossed the hall to his and Fai's bedroom, where he carefully put their son in his crib. Kimihiro was sound asleep, the black haired man was happy to note; most the time Kimihiro pitched a fit before going to bed. Not tonight - the babe merely grabbed the stuffed cat Fai had bought for his first birthday and was completely out.

Brushing a stray lock of black hair from his son's head, Kurogane pondered what the spirit-seer had told them. Surely seeing ghosts and spirits like Tomoyo-hime wouldn't hinder Kimihiro from learning how to fight and protect others. Tucking the sheets and blankets tightly around his son, Kurogane exited the room without so much a peep.

Upon hearing his lover's softened voice from the other side of the wall, Kurogane paused in his trek back to the dining room; curious as to what the blonde was telling the Witch and her companions.

"-without Kurogane and Kimi-chan, my life is so bleak and empty. And I would die, and I mean die, if I were forced to return to Celes…"

Looking up at Watanuki and Dômeki just enjoying the moment of being wrapped up in each other; part of Fai was envious.

"Kuro-chu taught me how to live and I don't want to go back to half-living again. I- well, if I were bonded - body, soul, heart, and mind - to Kuro-minta, then no one in Nihon, … well, no one could say anything against our relationship and they couldn't hurt Kimi-chan…"

Kurogane then decided that now was the best time to make himself known to his lover and strode into the room before sitting beside his blonde haired lover. Crimson eyes focused on the black haired woman, he declared, "If you're going to bond Fai to me, Witch, then I wish to be bonded - body, soul, heart, and mind - to Fai."

Fai's blue eye widened in surprise at his lover's declaration, before softening at the thought that Kurogane would want to be bonded to him as well.

"Kuro-sama…" he whispered before proceeding to throw himself into Kurogane's open arms, tightly wrapping his own arms around the ninja, who returned the embrace and gently kissed Fai's forehead.

Yûko smiled at the couple. "Like Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun, most of your price has already been paid. The other part-"

"What do you mean it's already been paid, Yûko-san," interrupted Watanuki, who yawned. "I know it's like Syaoran-kun paid ahead of time to save me, but… well, how has it already been paid?"

Yûko turned her ruby eyes to her tired bi-color eyed part-timer worker; he was also her apprentice, although she had yet to tell him. "Well, Watanuki, I'm sure you and Dômeki-kun remember the battle against Fei-Wang Reed and his demise, ne?"

Fai felt Kurogane's arms tighten around his waist at the mere mention of the very, very deceased Fei-Wang Reed; the blonde just relaxed in the embrace assuring his ninja he was indeed fine. Both knew how much they had sacrificed in order to stop the psychotic man from sacrifices even more lives for the sake of his dream.

Both teens nodded. Fai managed to catch the sad glance that the bi-color eyed teen cast at his counterpart; Watanuki wore a frown while Dômeki wore a blank look.

"Fai-san, Kurogane-san, Sakura-chan, and Syaoran-kun fought in that battle as well… you just didn't see them. That is the bulk of their price, because I am limited in what I can do…" Yûko's face clearly showed that she would have liked to have done more.

Turning her attention back to Fai and Kurogane, "The other part of your price is the same as Sakura-chan's and Syaoran-kun's… you will take a calling-mirror and a baby Mokona with you when you return to Nihon. Oh, and I have full Grandmother-rights to Kimi-chan!"

Then her traditional lecherous grin spread across her face, "As well as any otherchildren you might have in the future!"

Kurogane growled before reluctantly agreeing to the terms, while Fai accepted immediately.

Yûko beamed happily at the couple, "We will complete the bonding ceremony tomorrow… seeing as we need four people to witness it."

"Watanuki, you and Dômeki-kun should spend the night… it will be easier tomorrow…" Yûko yawned, before calling to Maru and Moro, who helped their mistress down the hallway, get washed, and go to bed.

Watanuki and Dômeki looked at each other, Dômeki silently shrugged before they stood up and Watanuki grabbed his boyfriend's hand. Dômeki just nodded to the other couple, while Watanuki mumbled, "Well, good night Fai-san, good night Kurogane-san."