Before I begin I'd like to do some acknowledgements;
xSapphirexRosesxFanxwho was concerned about Sakura I want to say "thankyou thankyou thankyou! - you just gave me another fabulous idea!" to Will Kaisenwho continues to review and criticise my spelling and wording especial thanks for prompting me to re continue my work on this fanfic and to all of the others who are enjoying my work 'you're all fantastic, I can't thank you lot enough. I mean it!'
Okey dokey. lets continue, shall we?
I do not own CCS.
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Tenby remained seated downstairs as Eriol took in the story. Kero came in and settled down on the coffee table. 'Hey, erm... Tenby? I wanted to say thank you. I don't know how to say how grateful I am...' he swallowed and dabbed at his eyes which had started to brim with tears. Tenby leaned down and gave a knowing smile. 'Little guardian, it was my pleasure.' he rose and went into the kitchen for a moment returning with a covered plate which he set down next to the guardian and uncovered it after a moment. 'Have some sponge. You look like you need a little treat. May I offer you a slice young Eriol?' He offered politely as he cut into the small sponge cake. 'I'm not really hungry sir, but some more tea would certainly be welcome.' Tenby nodded and went out to fetch some more. He heard whispering as he went out and grinned - he'd love to see how the Guardian would react to Eriol's claim that Syaorans butler and guardian was the reincarnation of England's most powerful magician. 'Help yourself to more cake if you're hungry Kero Beros.' If you've as bad a sweet tooth as Syaoran says I'll need more cake he thought quietly to himself as the water boiled. He returned with an extra cup and some fresh teas, when he finally settled back in his chair he noticed the guardian was frowning in puzzlement at him. He smiled and raised his cup to his lips 'It's alright you can ask; "If I'm a mage reputed to have lived since the dark ages how have I kept myself alive and hidden so long?" Am I right?'
Kero nodded 'I wasn't there to see it but I gathered that since the house is still standing and you're unhurt that you destroyed the Lust with no trouble, that means you're even stronger than Syaoran, Eriol or even Sakura!' Tenby rubbed his chin and looked amused 'Well no, actually I didn't destroy her. I expelled her with her own magic. I tricked her out.' Kero's jaw dropped 'You mean she's still alive!?' Tenby frowned and pursed his lips 'I don't believe in killing Kero Beros. Not whilst the alternative is available.' Eriol spoke up from his quiet reflections. 'Sir? You are aware that these spirits are evil? They are the manifestation of the Seven Sins; Wrath, Pride, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Greed and Gluttony. They will bring serious harm to innocent people if they aren't stopped soon.' Tenby took a sip of tea and replied 'But you are stopping them? I felt their presences disappear. Two are gone, five remain. Your party needs time to recover though, do you have anyone who can help?' Kero looked up and replied 'I'm good for looking during the day and Yue can do night watch provided it's not busy.' Eriol nodded 'However, I am the only one fit to take battle to these 'Sin Cards'. The others need rest - Sakura's been through enough these past two days and Syaoran needs to recover from his injuries.' Tenby sighed and put his cup down. 'Let me think on it and I'll have an answer by tomorrow.' he rose and went into his garden. His two guests followed his progress until he reached his oak tree and he sat down in its shade to lie back against it.
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Lust sobbed and fled as quickly as she could to the gathering place. She could sense the others waiting for her and she stopped only when she felt them all around her. She was blind and formless, going only on feelings rather than any senses. The air was thick with fear and tension, but the theme beneath it dripped malice and malcontent. She trembled as words flowed through her mind in Wraths cruel voice SO YOU COME CRAWLING BACK TO US SISTER. Lust shivered and tried to speak but could only manage to generate a weak and vague feeling of apology Wrath sneered GIVE THIS PITIFUL CREATURE SOME OF YOUR POWER, YOU'VE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN YOURSELF there was a very negative feel now and she sensed that whoever was being spoken to didn't want to comply. YOU DARE DISOBEY MY ORDER?! The air around Lust exploded with pain and fear then suddenly unharnessed magic was all around her DRINK UP she heard Wrath order. Lust began to absorb as much as she could of it and she felt herself taking form. First it was feeling and then flesh, she hadn't finished drinking when she fully formed into her beautiful physical self, she took two large intakes of the sweet magic and sighed slowly as she opened her eyes. The gathering place was a large derelict mansion that looked half torn down, there was a battered red armchair in front of a ruined fireplace in the corner, she heard grunts from behind her and she turned to look, what she saw made her retch and run to hide from the sight.
Gluttony had been opened up like a gutted fish and a greenish glow was fast escaping the open wound, and she now realised that the Sins had just gorged themselves on the life sustaining magic of one of their own. She wanted to run and hide and it was clear everyone shared her horror and revulsion, yet no one dared move - all eyes were on Wrath who was still feasting. He gorged himself till there was no more and slowly stood. He paused and let out a low belch, then after a moment they all sensed a massive change in him, and Wrath started his own transformation. He grew tall and muscular with leathery dark skin, his hands hooked into thicker boney claws and his hooded form started to degrade and age, becoming tattered rags covered by the remains of the cowl that had covered much of his torso. He drew the hood back to reveal his face, which looked like it had been burned and healed poorly leaving dark red brown flesh covered in minature scarring. He opened his eyes with a snarl and everyone gasped, they were glowing like white hot coals! He drew back his black lips to roar in truimph which revealed sharpened teeth. He turned to face the assembled group and whispered in his quiet rasp 'Does anyone feel brave?'
Wrath smiled softly and went over to the remains of Gluttony 'fool' he said quietly 'Still! He did serve one purpose in his wretched existence - now we can all hear why sweet little Lust has been gone so long!' he turned to face Lust who was cowering in the corner, the others followed his lead and dragged her into the center of the room, eager to please Wrath. He shoed them away from her and pulled the armchair over so he could sit whilst he spoke 'So, sister, perhaps you'd care to tell me whats been happening these past few days? I asked you to find the girl. Then suddenly you vanish! You're gone...' he licked his lips and leant in close to whisper in her ear 'What were you doing?' Lust trembled and gave a weak smile 'I was following her like you said-' 'DON'T LIE TO ME YOU LITTLE WHORE!' Wrath screamed and struck her across the face, he then picked her up by her hair and started to punch her in the back 'WHERE WERE YOU LUST?' she screamed and struggled and Wrath turned her to sucker punch her. As she curled up, sobbing at his feet he snorted and turned to his entourage 'Go. I want her found and brought to me alive. ALIVE AND UNHURT!'
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Sakura lay next to Syaoran and slowly stroked his face as he slept. She smiled softly at him and tried to remember what had happened in the past two days, however it was like a stubborn dream that she couldn't bring to mind. she mentally shrugged and gave up after a few attempts. She knew that somehow she had been under control by something shortly after she had made love to Syaoran, but that was due to her friends filling in the missing gaps in her memory. She was lucky to have such caring friends, she thought to herself. She looked at Syaoran and lifted the covers to look at his wounds. They were recovering fast thanks to Tenbys administrations with a potion that had smelled like springtime flowers. He had smiled at her and whispered that it didn't taste as good as it smelled, then to prove it he had taken a sip and his face had puckered so comically she had giggled. She saw Tenby as a kind old man who enjoyed his tricks and mischief almost as much as Kero, he was like a teasing caretaker to her now. He had decided to leave them together after the treatment. Sakura smiled as she looked at Syaorans chest and suddenly she felt weak with passion, it rose hot and intoxicating inside her and she slipped into its comforting embrace.
Downstairs Kero called out mentally to Yue Follow my magic brother, we have to talk. there was a momentary pause before the reply came thats alright. I'm finished here anyway. I'll be as fast as Yukito can make it. his signal faded and Kero sighed. Whatever Yue had been up to whislt they had chased after Sakura he had been vague in the explanation save that he needed to see Sakura's brother Touya. Kero wanted to know about Yue's plan, and more importantly if he remembered Clow ever mentioning a 'Merlin'. Eriol had left to spend some time with Tomoyo and Tenby was still reflecting outside. Kero sighed and went over to the sponge cake. 'OH BOY! You're going to taste great!' he exclaimed before leaping on top of it to scarf as much as he could as quickly as possible. He had just finished when he felt something strange. It was an echo or something from far away reaching him... it had a response from above him and he gasped 'SAKURA!' he shouted and rushed upstairs. He burst into the room 'OK! STOP RIGHT THERE!' he looked at the two individuals in the bed and cut off his speech in embarrased shock. Sakura was on top of Syaoran, who was making small grunts of pleasure, whilst she was bent over his crotch. Her hair fortunately blocked most of his view but the wet noises and the small pleasured moans that sounded far too much like she had her mouth full made Kero suddenly shudder and gag. However Sakura opened her eyes at the intrusion and her cheeks sported the most fantastic shade of red as she realised who her audience was. Her eyes showed white all around and she pulled herself away from Syoarans erection. Syaorans eyes looked misty and he let out a displeased moan. However his eyes cleared in moments and he swiftly covered himself before he awkwardly asked 'Can I help you?' Kero turned his back on them before muttering 'No... No. I thought there was something in here with you two. but it's not here anymore... I'll just excuse myself.' he left the two of them slowly before bolting to the bathroom to retch. 'Oh boy... I really could have gone the rest of my life without knowing they do that when I'm out of the room.' a thought occured to him that perhaps they might have done that in Sakura's bed as well as Syaorans and Kero have to bend over the bowl until he felt better.
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Tenby sighed and tried to think 'when I interfere I cause trouble' he said softly to the tree 'I tried to make a country better once upon a time and all I got in the end was a broken heart and a shattered dream' there was a soft gentle song and a womans voice spoke softly in his head
The shattered dream was Arthurs, Merlin. Not yours.
'What is to say that this incident won't be the same? She has friends and Guardians to protect her, she is armed with Clows Wand'
You know this is different this time. Arthur wielded a magical weapon too, and he had friends and allies. But without you he was killed by the Mordread. These Sins are many times greater than the Mordread. If you let her go off alone without your help she WILL die.
'But I can't do it anymore Lady! I'm not Merlin anymore. I am William Tenby.'
you can hide from your past, but no matter what name you give yourself; William Tenby the butler, Mr Jacob Niles the teacher or Li Nerm the healer. You will always be the reincarnation of Merlin. You will never be rid of your past errors, but perhaps this will help you atone for them and then you can decide what to do with yourself.
Tenby thought about it for a moment 'You've been with me all my long lives. But you're still young next to me. You remember what I was like as Merlin?'
I do my old friend. perfectly.
'I need to speak to Syaoran before I make this decision.'
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The Sins searched with all haste. Pride and Sloth faded into the background as they felt out for magic. Pride scoffed 'Just as I thought! These people are nothing!' Sloth scratched his chest and stretched 'Thats very...' he yawned 'observant, my dear Pride. However not very constructive. This time you spend lauding it over others is all time you could be spending searching so that Wrath doesn't flay us to an inch of our miserable lives.' Pride shuddered. It had gorged on Gluttony out of fear but it knew that ultimately the fear was a sign that no matter how proud it was of itself, it was still an underling. Lesser than Wrath. More however than Sloth. It turned and sneered 'Sloth, all you do is tell us what we should be doing without contribution. Get up off your fat backside and get working.' Sloth rose an eyebrow and with deliberate slowness set to the task he'd been appointed. After all - he reasoned - Wrath hadn't set a time to complete the job.
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Syaoran went out to Tenby who waited patiently for his young master. 'Have they told you about my history?' Tenby asked. 'No Tenby. What is it?' Tenby looked distant and said quietly 'There are some things in this world that are better seen than heard.' Syaoran smiled and mutttered 'Not according to Kero Beros.' Tenby looked puzzled and Syaoran waved the comment away 'What are you getting at Tenby?' Tenby took hold of Syoarans hand and placed it on a smooth patch on his oak tree. 'Its time you knew all about your old guardian's past exploits my young master.'
Eriol smiled and stroked Tomoyos hair as she lay on his chest, he thought he was a very lucky man indeed to be alone with her with her mother being as protective as she was after the attack that had hospitalised her daughters bodyguards. However Tomoyo had been insitant and refused to let her mother send Eriol away. He had met her in her garden which took his breath away and smiled at her. She leant over to whisper in his ear that he might enjoy a tour and he'd grinned. Before long the two young adults, quite sure they were not being followed, were sharing passionate kisses. Tomoyo pulled back flushed 'I thought' she said breathlessly 'that you deserved a proper thankyou for what you've done for me recently.' Eriol grinned and took her hand to kiss slowly up her arm. Tomoyo let out a small whimper as reached her neck and kissed upwards till her nibbled her earlobe gently. Tomoyo felt herself growing hot very quickly and her legs clamped tightly together. 'Wait!' she whispered breathlessly 'The cameras...! Eriol please not here, someone might see us!' she thought and suddenly it dawned on her. 'My bedroom!' she gave him a quick, yet very satisfying, kiss and giggled. 'but you have to promise to be a good boy!'
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The young boy leant over the desk and yawned. He looked out of the window and saw that it was a beatiful spring day and he groaned. He was stuck indoors on a fine day... he frowned as he saw a man sleeping beneath the tree outside his house. He went outside to look curiously at him. He had grey curled hair that had been neatly cropped at the shoulders, a neatly trimmed beard and grey/blue eyes had the creases of age about them. He looked physically fit for a man of advanced years and it occured to the boy that he wasn't exactly sure why he'd so readily come to greet a stranger. He cleared his throat and the gentleman looked up with a small smile 'Ah good. You've come. You are the young man learning about magic upon this premises, yes?' The boys voice stiffened at that comment and he replied 'I am the young master of this premises. And I'm not learning magic. I am practising it.' The old man chuckled 'Ah the arrogance of youth! very well young master' he beckoned to the tree he sat beneath 'make fruit grow from this tree.' the boy frowned and replied 'Magic is for the benefit of others not oneself. Besides the tree will bear fruit given time.' the old man raised an eyebrow 'true. But it will not bear fruit till summer and I'm hungry now.' the boy sighed and concentrated. Two large berries dropped from the flowering branches into the mans lap and he nodded approvingly 'Good start lad. Now turn them into something more substantial, theres a godd fellow.' The other started to lose patience 'I have no time for these games, old man. This is my tree and you are trespassing.' the elder tutted disapprovingly and carressed the berries which glowed and turned into large apples. The boys eyes widened and he gazed in further wonderment as the man became younger before his eyes. The hair lost the grey and became a fine copper brown of slightly greater length, the beard dissapeared from his chin and his eyes transformed into a jade green. He rose and stretched, and the boy realised that his man was only a few years older than himself, the stranger bowed before taking a large bite out of the apple. He tossed his remaining apple the other to the boy, who caught it and after a moments pause took a bite. Sweet juice ran down his chin and the two started to chuckle at each other. The young man bowed a second time with exaggerated grandiose. 'I am Merlin. I was looking for a place to rest and decided to stop for a nap beneath the fine tree before heading into that town down there.' the boy smiled at the carefree nature of his new aquaintance 'My name is Clow Reid, and I think that in exchange for some lessons on creating things with magic that I could find you a room in my humble dwelling.' Merlin turned to look at Clows large mansion and laughed before shaking Clows hand. -----
Ahhh. I know, I know you're probably a little vexed at me for skirting away into the past at the end of this chapter. The next chapter will continue the history and explain what Yue has been up to which will return us to the plotline. Please R+R especially if it's on the 'Merlin' character, do you like it or is he hogging the limelight? The next installment will be up as quickly as I can get it on paper.
