Title: Parting
Character(s): Yuuko, Clow (slight Clow/Yuuko)
Theme: Cadence
Genre: General/Angst
Word Count: 470
Rating: PG
Warning: Rated for very slight language?
Summary: Just before Clow leaves Yuuko's shop, they have a short silent conversation.
Disclaimer: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE/xxxHOLiC and its characters belong to CLAMP.

You are leaving already?

The long-haired woman laid across the room in a long armchair, sprawled upon it like a lazy but watchful cat, her head lifted and inclined slightly to eye the bespectacled man at the door. The man turned around to smile at her, his expression as calm and collected as ever, but the woman could simply blew a puff a smoke in his direction, not believing it for a second.

Clow, you know better than to lie to me.

Although his pleasant facade remained, his smile faded for just a moment when looked down at his long black cloak. As he looked up again, smiling as he did before, his dark blue eyes betrayed a tremendous sadness within him. He finally spoke to the woman.

I wish to speak with Keroberos and Yue before I leave, Yuuko.

Yuuko blew another puff of smoke. She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. She knew Clow Reed. He was the most intelligent and most powerful man she had ever come across. He was also very mysterious and secretive - he would not let anyone, especially those supposedly close to him, know exactly what he was thinking. He spoke in the worst riddles and annoyed her to no end.

Yuuko, I'm sorry you have to bear this burden.

Yuuko almost snorted with laughter. Clow Reed felt sorry? Whatever for? Many times before he had somehow coaxed her into doing many things she had not agreed to in the beginning, teasing and mocking her with all too familiar smile of his as she went about it scorning him with all her being. Now, for something that she had taken up voluntarily, he was actually feeling guilty about it?

Don't you dare pity me, Clow Reed.

Unexpectedly, Clow laughed. Yuuko looked at him. Long as they had been together, Clow rarely laughed. It was a strange sound. It did not sound as easy and warm and light-hearted as the kind of laughter Yuuko usually heard. Clow's laugh was very short and a little dry. He was not used to laughing, she could tell.

I do not pity you, Yuuko. You do not deserve it.

Yuuko felt like glaring at him, but thought the better of it. She breathed from her pipe again. The annoying bastard was never going to learn. She decided that it would be better off not caring. He was not worth all that trouble. Clow looked at her, still smiling in that annoying way.

Goodbye.

Clow turned and slid the door open. Yuuko watched through half-open eyes as his figure disappeared in the bright light outside. That man was insane, thinking he could change the world. Still, perhaps, if it was him, he might actually succeed. Who knew? Yuuko sighed lazily.

You are an idiot, Clow; you know that?