La Belle Au Bois Dormant

by Anath Tsurugi

Queen Sakura had longed for children for many years, but when Yuui and Fai are finally born to her, a terrible curse is placed upon their heads. A Sleeping Beauty story. AU. KuroFai! ManyOthers!

12. I Know What You'll Do

(A/N) Words cannot express how truly sorry I am that these chapters take so long. Right after I posted the last chapter, I was stricken with pneumonia and I was sort of dying from it for about a month. When I finally got to go home for spring break, I had to spend my time recuperating instead of writing, like I'd planned to. Then when I got back, school tried to eat me again. But now that summer break is on, I will have a lot more time on my hands and we should see plenty of new chapters.

Before we get started, I would like to inform you all of a veritable plethora of fan art that has been drawn for this story. We have…

http : / / i240 . photobucket . com / albums / ff213 / osakakitty / Fai0098x7yz . png ? t = 1238983582

http : / / i240 . photobucket . com / albums / ff213 / osakakitty / Kuro0087xy9 . png ? t = 1238983581

These are character sketches of Fai and Kurogane by osakakitty.

http : / / tomoyonyx . deviantart . com / art / Yuui - chan - 115197475

This is a drawing of Yuui by TomoyoNyx. Very pretty.

http : / / moro-moro . deviantart . com / gallery / # Tsubasa-Fanart

This is a link to Moro-Moro's deviantart Tsubasa gallery. She's got about six different pictures for the story called The Blood Will Tell, A Mother's Tears, Vision of the Future, All I Wish Is To Dream Again, The Dream That Shattered, and Tears to Roses. Tears to Roses has a lineart and a colored version. Moro-chan's art is especially evocative and I've been ridiculously giddy for the last few months waiting to share all of these with you. When you get a moment, you should definitely check all of these out. I don't know which one's my favorite. It's a close shave between All I Wish and Tears to Roses. They'll both break your heart. She also tells me that there're more on the way. EEEEEE! I can't wait! I heart you, Moro-chan!

So, in order to combat the backwash of FaiOC shit that's been rearing its ugly head on the site lately, I bring you this humble offering of KuroFai, the OTP. (And no, I will not be politically correct and apologize for that one. I speaks nothing but the truth. Charmkeeper has a wonderful rant on that on her profile if anyone hasn't seen it.)

I suppose I should also warn you that there are two rape scenes in this chapter.

In honor of their utter and complete epicness, this chapter is dedicated to Moro-Moro, TomoyoNyx, and osakakitty. Without further ado…

La Belle Au Bois Dormant

Chapter 11: I Know What You'll Do

Himawari had forgotten how beautiful Spirit Lake was from this side. It was night now and her quarters had a beautiful view of the bridge between worlds. The full moon was shining down on the crystalline surface of the water, reflecting silvery light. Unfortunately, the beauty of the night was lost on Himawari. For her, the still promise of the night air was a lie. The people she loved were on the other side right now, risking their lives…and she couldn't help. Her curse would only make things worse; so all she could do was wait.

Kurogane had been moved to her chambers so that she could keep an eye on him, but she was keeping her distance from the dazed prince. He didn't need any more misfortune. He was supposed to be sleeping in her bedchamber, but she highly doubted that he really was. She didn't blame him. Yuui had told her about his nightmare. If she couldn't get him to eat or sleep, she was at least supposed to make sure that he didn't go wandering and get himself hurt. She had set a kind of magic alarm that would alert her if he tried to leave her quarters.

"Is he sleeping?" she suddenly heard her father's voice. She couldn't say that she hadn't been expecting him.

"I don't think he is," she said sadly, not turning to look at him. "He's…too tired to sleep…too afraid." It was such an awful thing…to know that there was someone who loved Fai so deeply…and to see how what had happened could destroy him so completely. She wanted very badly to know the man that her son loved. Would she ever have the chance to?

Why am I still calling him my son…when his real kaa-san is only a few rooms away waiting for our daughter to return? And there I go again. Our daughter? Sakura-sama's daughter, not mine…never mine. But…what gives you the right, Sakura-sama? I'm the one who cradled them as babies! I'm the one who sheltered them from harm! I'm the one…who's losing everything! They're my babies!

No, they're not, Himawari. Why do you keep doing this to yourself?

"Clow-sama…told me what happened to you," Eagle said sadly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Suddenly, Himawari felt his hand on her shoulder. On instinct, she flinched away from him.

"Don't touch me!"

"Himawari!"

"Tou-san…I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I don't want to kill both my parents."

"It doesn't matter that she gave birth to you. Alcyone was no kaa-san to you. You shouldn't feel bad for what happened to her. She brought it on herself." He had secretly rejoiced in Alcyone's death. He had hated her. He hated her still…and it had nothing to do with their failed marriage. He had used her just as much as she'd used him. She'd only wanted the status he could bring her. He'd married her for several reasons…all of them selfish. When Umi had died giving birth to Kimihiro and Ascot had abandoned him, unfairly blaming him for the death of his beloved wife, Eagle had raised the boy as his own in memory of a woman who had been like an aunt to him. After the joy of having Kimihiro in his life, he'd wanted a child of his own. So, near the end of the war, when a romantic relationship with his childhood friend, Geo, had ended badly and Alcyone had come into his life, he'd married her…to warm his bed and to bear his children. While he had never really liked her, it was never her machinations that he hated her for. In fact, they'd hardly ever taken notice of each other before Himawari's birth. No…he hated Alcyone because she'd left Himawari to die. Seconds after her birth, that creature had taken his sweet, innocent daughter and hidden her within the coldest depths of the Shirahime Mountains, hoping that she'd never be found…that her own child would die of exposure. Even fey children only hours old could die like that.

Fuuma had told him the story. The young Monou lord had been walking with "Lady Alcyone" when her birth pangs had suddenly come upon her. Fuuma had insisted on fetching help, but Alcyone wouldn't hear of it. She'd already been plotting the dark deed. She'd had Fuuma take her to one of the gardens and there, with his help, she'd delivered a beautiful baby girl. However, even before her body had healed she'd snatched the newborn from Fuuma and vanished with it. Fuuma had rushed to find him and he'd demanded to be taken to the spot of her disappearance, immediately realizing her betrayal. Thankfully, because she was his daughter, he'd been able to trace the little girl. He'd found her alone on a snowy mountaintop in the middle of a blizzard. He'd almost missed her tiny body, buried in the snow. When he'd pulled the baby from the snow, he'd been terrified that he was too late. Her skin was turning blue and she was so cold, she could barely manage to cry out. Crying tears of relief as he wrapped his infant daughter in his cloak, he'd quickly produced a bottle of warm milk for her to keep her from dying of starvation. When he felt her tiny fingers clutching desperately at his tunic, his hatred for Alcyone was born. A mortal child would have died…she almost did. What sort of woman was capable of taking the baby she'd just given birth to…still half-blind, reaching desperately for the mother that was meant to love and care for it…tear it from her breast, and throw it out into the cold? He could never forgive Alcyone for such a crime. He had named the baby Himawari in defiance of the way her own mother had tried to kill her…Sunflower.

"Do you think…that maybe…since my own kaa-san didn't love me…that I'm not…capable of being one myself?" she asked, breaking into his thoughts. He would have hugged her if she would let him.

"Don't think like that. Alcyone didn't love anyone. It wasn't you. You're loved, Himawari…and you're perfectly capable of giving that love back. Fai-kun and Yuui-chan know that you love them. Things are just difficult right now."

"I let them down," she whispered as fresh tears slid down her face. "I couldn't protect Fai-kun from Seishiro. I couldn't help Yuui-chan when Fuuma-kun…took her. I haven't been able to help support her through this pregnancy. A-and this baby…the child that she already loves so much…she doesn't even know…I don't want her to be hurt! She'd hate me for it, but I'd choose her over her baby any day! As if that weren't enough, now they're forcing her to be queen. And…and Fai-kun…dear God, Fai! My little Fai! Tou, I-I'll lose both of them!" she sobbed, sinking hopelessly to her knees, gripping the stone balcony railing in deathly white hands.

"Himawari," he started, coming as close as he could without actually touching her. "If it's any consolation, I can sympathize. I've never seen my daughter in more pain and I can't hold her close in her time of need because she won't let me. I'm not afraid for myself. I only want you to be happy. You're my world, little sunflower."

"But you've still got things worth living for, Tou-san. What about Geo?" She knew that the two had started seeing each other again shortly before she'd attended the naming ceremony that fateful day eighteen years ago.

"That's true. He and I do have…something."

"Something?" she whispered. "I remember the way your eyes would shine whenever he walked past. Your skin probably glows for him."

Eagle smiled sadly at his daughter's back. "That was what made it all the more painful when we parted ways the first time…that even though our skin glowed when we made love, he could still look me in the eye and tell me that he didn't want to be with me. But, after the fact, there was some joy in that parting. If we hadn't, then I wouldn't have you."

"And look where I ended up. A failure of a guardian with delusions of being a kaa-san. Perhaps your life would have been better if you hadn't found me on the mountain that day?"

"Don't say that!" he insisted vehemently. "Don't ever! You gave me a life. You and Kimihiro." He tried to place a hand on her shoulder again, but this time she slapped him away.

"It's no use!" she sobbed heartbrokenly. "No use! No use at all."

Eagle desperately wanted to take her in his arms, cradle her and sing to her as he'd done when she was small…tell her that he would make the monsters go away…but she wouldn't let him. She remained there, broken, crumpled on the stone floor, sobbing. And all of that time that Eagle stood there, silently watching over his shattered child, Kurogane stood just inside the room, cradling Fai's rose protectively against his heart, watching the two of them with empty eyes and a tear-stained face.

XxX

"Sol-sama, for eighteen hundred years, I have fought at your side, followed your every order, and never once questioned your wisdom. So, please, permit me this one question."

"Yes, Touki-chan?"

"What…exactly…is this thing doing on the field with us?" the water sprite demanded calmly, turning her eyes on an anxious Soel, who was settled atop Ryuuki's head.

"The Mokona are their only means of escape if things don't go according to plan. You may not know this, but the Mokona twins have served as the three guardians' safeguard against Yuuko's minions for the past eighteen years."

"How's that?" Ryuuki asked, turning his eyes up to where he knew the white Mokona was perched.

"The Mokona can create portals. If the rescue operation goes badly, those inside Shirasagi can use Larg to transport themselves here to where Soel is."

"Why didn't they take both Mokona then? They could have split up and covered more ground," Touki observed.

"They don't mean to split up. The princess claims that she will be able to find Tomoyo-hime."

"And if she doesn't? Or worse…if she finds her-"

"Then they will abandon the mission and Fuuma-kun will give the order to attack the city," Ransho said sadly, glancing out over the darkened plain. Their army lay waiting along the borders of Celes. The lights of Shirasagi were visible in the distance and the full moon shone down on a seemingly empty plain, but Ransho knew better. Their opponents were not fools. The Oni were waiting for them.

"What is their plan of attack?" the water general asked, stoic as ever.

"They know that Kyle's expecting them and he undoubtedly knows that they know. Princess Tomoyo is the bait. There's nothing for it but to meet the enemy head on. The city has not been warded…all the more proof that he means for them to come to him. First, the eight of them will teleport to different spots along the city's outer wall, then eight different points in the city, then different points in the castle itself, all at different times in order to confuse the enemy. Yuui-sama will teleport herself to Prince Kurogane's chambers and summon the others to her one by one. Once inside, they will go from there."

"And if Yuui-hime is taken?"

"Then Lady and Consort help us all."

XxX

Yuui took a moment to breathe in the crisp night air as her body materialized atop Shirasagi's outer wall. Larg was settled on her shoulder. First her, then Fuuma, Doumeki, Kamui, Rasetsu, Watanuki, Sai, and Karura, all at random, each one given five seconds. Once the forty seconds had passed and she felt each one of them enter, she began her second teleport. Just as she was vanishing, she heard an arrow whiz through the air. It passed right through the spot where her body had been.

Instead of moving in a straight line toward the castle, she chose a random direction and made the jump. The idea was to be as sporadic as possible. They knew that their enemies would be able to sense their movements, but they couldn't counter effectively against all of them moving at once. Another forty seconds and she jumped again. This jump brought her into the castle stables. Another forty seconds and making certain that all were accounted for, and she made the jump to Kurogane's bedchamber. The others would make more random jumps until she called for them.

Fuuma-san, she called out in her thoughts once she'd made certain the coast was clear. Come to me.

The next moment, the fey lord was by her side.

"No problems yet, my princess."

Doumeki…come to me.

The assassin appeared from thin air, just as Fuuma had. His silence indicated that all was well.

Kamui-san…come to my side.

Her second knight appeared among the others.

"All is well, Princess."

Rasetsu-san…come to my side.

"Majesty," the dark-haired lord responded, nodding curtly as he appeared beside Kamui.

Watanuki…come to me.

The nature sprite was also silent as he teleported into the room. She was fairly certain that he had picked up on the fact that she was uncomfortable with him addressing her as anything but Yuui-chan.

Sai-san…come to me.

The brunette earth spirit also appeared silently.

Karura-san…come to my side.

The white-haired weather spirit did not appear.

"Why isn't she coming?" Yuui asked. "I can feel her, but she won't answer me."

"I was afraid this might happen when she volunteered for the mission," Fuuma started. "She cannot hear you. Not completely, anyway. Our mental link to you is still new and fragile, but it should at least be enough for simple thoughts like that. Lady Karura will not recognize you, therefore she blocks herself from hearing your thoughts."

"Is there any way to contact her? I think she's in danger."

"If you will permit me…" Fuuma trailed off. She nodded.

Lady Karura…come here to us. Your princess has need of you.

As Karura appeared among them, she was pulling an arrow out of her shoulder.

"She is not my princess!" she hissed defiantly.

"Are you alright?" Yuui asked, though she noted that the blood flow had already stopped.

Karura did not dignify her with an answer. She just glared.

"They already know we're here," she said to Fuuma. "We must move quickly."

"Where do we go from here, Yuui-hime?" Kamui asked.

"I assume everyone can sense the two wards that exist within the palace?"

"Yes. Is the throne room protected by one of them, perchance?" Rasetsu asked.

"No. I know the palace well. The wards protect Tomoyo's bedchamber and the central dungeon, where traitors to the crown are kept."

"Clearly Kyle meant for us to come here," Watanuki said angrily. "It's not too late for you to get out, Yuui-chan. We can continue without you."

"No," she said calmly. "I will see this through to the end. I know this place better than any of you." As she spoke, she glanced sadly around the room. Her two brothers had been here only two nights ago, enjoying their last night of peace for who knew how long, thinking that they would soon be celebrating their marriage. How had everything gone so wrong?

"The guards will probably be here any moment. What's the plan?" Kamui asked.

"We will rescue Tomoyo first. If we can, we will free the prisoners in the dungeon as well."

"Everyone will travel in formation around the princess," Fuuma ordered as they moved out into the corridor. "No one breaks the line and not one assailant touches her."

Yuui hated this…having other people form a living shield around her. But she could not convince any of them to change this. So they continued forward.

"Can Yuui help Tomoyo?" Larg asked uncertainly.

"She's not letting me in," Yuui whispered sadly. Ever since becoming one in the dreamscape, they had shared a very deep telepathic link…much deeper than anything she would ever share with any of her "subjects". She knew that something had happened to Tomoyo yesterday, but the younger princess was blocking her, preventing her from seeing her mind. She knew that Tomoyo hadn't slept last night because she'd spent the better part of the night trying to connect with her and she wouldn't budge.

Yuui's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Karura's excited hiss of, "Here they come."

At first, all Yuui could see were a few shadows moving swiftly down the dim corridor, but the next moment…everything went to Hell.

A giant black thing that had no definite shape but a definite set of teeth shot out of the wall and latched onto Doumeki. Watanuki turned to help and Kamui snapped, "Don't break the circ-" His exclamation was cut off by another Oni going for his throat. Almost instantly, the corridor became a writhing, seething mass of demonic Oni. One almost took Yuui's head off, but Sai managed to stop it.

"YUUI-CHAN!" Fuuma shouted. "YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE! GET TO TOMOYO-HIME AND GET YOURSELVES OUT!"

"What about you?" she screamed. She couldn't just leave them all here.

"GO!" Doumeki ordered.

"LARG! GET HER OUT!" Watanuki shouted.

The next moment, there was a flash of light and Yuui felt a strange, floating sensation…almost as if she'd been detached from her body. Then she was slamming down to earth again.

"What a trip," she mumbled dazedly to herself as she struggled to her feet. She had never experienced Larg's transportation abilities before. They were different from teleporting herself. She wouldn't have been able to get herself inside Kyle's wards on her own, but the Mokona were a law unto themselves. Kyle couldn't ward against their magic.

"Y-Yuui…chan?"

Yuui glanced around and found herself face to face with…

"Souma-chan!" Instantly, she jumped forward and seized her shocked friend in a desperate hug.

"H-how did you get in? The whole room's sealed."

"Mokona got Yuui inside," the little black thing said proudly.

"Are you alright?" Yuui asked, still clinging to Souma.

"I'm fine, but what's happening outside? Tomoyo-chan won't speak to us. She just keeps saying that Fai-kun's gone. He…he's not-"

"No!" Yuui insisted vehemently. "He'll be okay. I can't explain now. We have to get everyone out first."

"Can you heal Chitose-san?"

"Where's Tomoyo?"

"O-over there," Souma said sadly, pointing toward the balcony. Tomoyo was curled up into a ball beside the door, not looking at them. Yuui knew that Tomoyo had been aware of her presence the moment she entered the city and this rejection hurt. The only thing she wanted to do right now was rush to Tomoyo and hold her in her arms, but she knew that she had to see the plan through to the end if she meant for everyone to live.

"I'll take care of things here, but I need you to take Larg to the central dungeon and get the prisoners out. Larg can get you in and out of the wards and you can transport everyone safely out of Shirasagi."

"What about you?" Souma asked as Larg was passed into her arms.

"We'll be able to hold our own until you get back, but you must come back. Larg is our only hope of escape."

Souma nodded her agreement as Larg opened its mouth wide and a magic circle appeared beneath her feet.

"I'll come back for you," she said seriously. Yuui watched in awe as her body was sucked into Larg's mouth. Then the tiny creature passed through the magic circle and it vanished as if it had never been. Taking only a moment to get over her amazement, Yuui then rushed over to the ailing Chitose.

The woman had gone silent. She was pale and still. Fearful, Yuui listened for the sound of her breath as she unraveled the crude bandage from around the wound. Thankfully, she was still alive. Yuui hummed a soothing melody as she placed her glowing hands on the dying woman's body. Chitose's eyes flew open as the wound closed under the warm glow of Yuui's power.

"Who are you?" she whispered as she gazed up at Yuui.

"A friend. I'm here to help."

"Are you…fey?"

"A little," she replied before standing and walking toward Tomoyo.

"You won't hurt her…will you?" Chitose asked worriedly.

Yuui shook her head. "I won't hurt her. I love her more than my own life. If only she would see that…" she said softly as she knelt before Tomoyo and wrapped her arms around her.

"Why did you come here?" Tomoyo whispered, her voice thick with tears.

"I came here for you," she responded fiercely, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"You shouldn't have come. It's a trap! I'm the bait, Yuui! Don't you see? He knew you would come for me! He'll kill you, Yuui! He'll kill you!"

"I know that, Tomoyo. I know all of that," she soothed, running her fingers through the younger girl's hair. "I came for you anyway. I'll always come for you. Nothing could have stopped me."

Tomoyo finally looked up at her as she pressed a hand against her swollen stomach.

"Not even K-"

"Shh," Yuui shushed her, smiling slightly. "We're not alone right now." Then she leaned forward and pressed a loving kiss to her fiancé's lips. Tomoyo wrapped her arms around her and kissed her back…fearing that it would be the last time. Yuui held on…even when she felt the wards tremble around them.

"I knew you would come…Princess."

Yuui held tightly to Tomoyo as they stood up together, protecting each other and the child cocooned between them. Yuui did not even deign to turn and face Kyle.

"And you honestly thought you would catch me by surprise?"

"Well, not by surprise. You know, Yuui-chan, you look exactly like your brother from behind. It's almost frightening."

That caught her attention. Yuui turned, enraged, but enough in possession of her senses to keep Tomoyo right behind her. Upon turning, she discovered that Kyle was not alone. The man from the other night was there as well…Koryu.

"Where is he?" she demanded. "What have you done with Fai?"

"He is in a place where you can never reach him. Even if your pathetic exiled prince's kiss could save him, he cannot reach him. The only way to see your brother again is to enter the sleep of death yourself…and only nightmares await you there."

Kyle's taunting lit a fire in Yuui's heart, awakening power in her the likes of which she had never known. Her blood boiled with it. Her very being sang with it. But it was nothing like the magic she typically used. She was a healer…but this…this was death she held in her hands. This raw power that burned inside of her…seeking a release, any release…was the power to destroy. Something in her knew that if she let this power fly, she would no longer be its master. She would only be the conduit. But at this very moment, she could not bring herself to care. She knew only that she wanted Kyle dead. She screamed in rage.

"DAMN YOU!" she shrieked as she flew forward, raising her hands to strike. Kyle didn't even look worried. In fact, he looked exhilarated.

"Yes, little princess," he whispered in anticipation. "Show me your power. Show me what you've got."

"YUUI!" Tomoyo screamed. Her lover's terrified voice broke through to the maddened princess. She stopped inches from Kyle, his wicked smile suddenly registering in her mind. She looked down at herself and saw her body glowing with dark fire.

What…what am I doing?

"Yuui, please don't!" Tomoyo sobbed. "I don't want to see you like this." Somehow she knew that if she let Yuui choose this path…she could never come back to her again.

The young woman stared at her hands as the dark fire slowly burned out. How…how could she have…?

"Tomoyo, I…I…"

"Couldn't do it, eh?" Kyle asked mockingly, seizing her wrists. "Pathetic."

"Let go of me!"

"You could easily make me release you if you summoned up even a fraction of the power you just displayed…but you won't do it. You're too scared."

"Let her go!" Tomoyo shouted. She rushed forward, the fact that she was terrified of Kyle cancelled out by the fact that his hands were on Yuui.

"NO! Tomoyo, no! Stay back!" Just as Yuui turned her horrified eyes to her beloved, her slender body went flying through the air and crashed against the wall.

"TOMOYO!"

The dark-haired princess raised her head and weakly tried to reach a hand out to Yuui, but they both fell.

"Y-Yuui…"

"Tomoyo-hime!" Chitose cried out, beginning to move from Amaterasu's side.

"Move and she dies," Kyle warned casually. Chitose froze.

Instantly, Yuui felt the black fire return to her heart. Kyle hurt Tomoyo. That was unforgivable!

"Yes," Kyle hissed as the demonic fire took hold of her again. "Do you hate me, little Yuui? Do you feel the rage flowing through your veins? I hurt her. I deserve it. You know what to do. Make me pay!"

Yuui snarled, struggling her hardest against Kyle. She knew she was being pushed, but she didn't care anymore. She'd lost too much. She wasn't going to lose anything more.

Except yourself.

At the moment she would have unleashed the full fury of her power upon Kyle, she felt something clench deep within her body.

The…baby…? My…baby…

The child was moving again, kicking, really. Once again, the fire drained out of her and she fell to her knees as Kyle released her wrists. With tears in her eyes, she placed her hands on her stomach, feeling the tiny kicks through the skin. It was painful, but it was a reminder that she couldn't just lose control. There were people depending on her.

"No," she whispered, clutching her stomach. "No! I won't hurt them."

"Damn," Kyle muttered, his triumphant expression falling. "I was so close. Oh well, I suppose we'll just have to move to plan B. Koryu, if you would be so kind…"

Koryu glanced down at the princess with what could be classified as pity in his eyes…before snapping his fingers. The next instant, the room was filled with swirling, shifting shadows. When the shadows finally solidified into the nightmarish forms of the Oni, they revealed seven bound prisoners among them.

"No," Yuui whispered in horror. Her faerie guard lay on the ground, all of them bound hand and foot. However, the thing that boggled was that not a one of them was injured. They all just lay on the floor, staring helplessly at her.

"We failed you, Princess," Sai said sadly.

"Please forgive us," Fuuma added.

"What are you all doing?" Yuui asked in despair. "You're not hurt. Rope can't hold you. Why won't you fight?"

Doumeki turned away from her and Watanuki looked like he might cry.

"Yuui-chan…we're so sorry."

"I think you'll find that this rope will hold them. I created this spell using a strand of your hair that I pulled off of Tomoyo-chan…a rather ingenious use of magic, if I do say so myself."

"What have you done to them?" Yuui demanded.

"You see, this rope is very fragile. It wouldn't take much for them to break it…but therein lies their peril. This rope is magically linked to you. For every strand of rope that breaks…a piece of you will break with it. And I know that no one here wants to find out just how much abuse your body can take before your mortality kicks in."

"Karura-san, if you make one move against the princess-" Fuuma started to warn.

"Don't worry. I'm not that stupid," the weather sprite retorted. "The wretch is carrying your child, after all."

"You must choose, little princess. Your loyal servants, the people who have loved and protected you…or the woman you love, the one person who makes your skin glow and your life complete. Who will it be?"

No. NO! Dear Goddess! How did this happen?

She had survived a fall from a tower. Maybe she wasn't as mortal as they claimed? Perhaps she could-

"Don't even think about it, Yuui," Doumeki snarled, causing Yuui to withdraw the hand she'd been stretching out toward them. "You're not dying for us."

"Y-Yuui, please…don't…" Tomoyo struggled to speak as she rose slowly to her knees. "I don't…want…"

What can I do?

You can use what you have. I am your weapon, my daughter. Use me.

Wait! What's happening to me?

No one quite knew what was happening at first. Yuui fell to her knees and screamed, a sound that was at once terrifying and rapturous. Her body trembled violently for a few moments; then she climbed shakily to her feet.

"Yuui?" Doumeki whispered.

She was different. It wasn't the aura of the fey that surrounded her. This was something entirely different. Her eyes were empty and power fairly cracked in the air around her. She was Yuui no longer.

"Please…don't harm her," Watanuki begged fearfully. Most in the room were already aware that they were in the presence of the Goddess Herself. She was using Yuui to act…as Her tool. It was not uncommon for the Lady and her Consort to speak through the sovereign of Faerie…but would Yuui's mortal body be able to bear the weight of the Lady's true voice? The girl who was known as Yuui could easily be lost in all that power. Would the Goddess leave her intact once Her will had been worked?

She slowly raised Her hands, gazing toward Heaven. Her mouth opened slightly in a whisper and the ropes binding the seven faeries instantly fell away, unbroken. They moved to their knees in awe and fear, watching as Yuui-who-wasn't turned and began to walk slowly toward Tomoyo.

Nihon's princess knelt, trembling in fear, not of the Goddess, but for the lover that she could no longer see in the eyes that she knew so well. She had seen this once before…in her dreams.

"Who…who are you?" she asked, tears streaming freely down her face.

"I am Yuui." When She spoke, Her voice seemed to fill Tomoyo up, thrumming inside of her until it seemed that she would be swallowed up by the music of Her voice.

"But…not Yuui alone," she whispered, trying to contradict without openly contradicting.

A small smile flitted about the mouth, but the eyes remained empty as She knelt before her. "No. Not alone."

"Please…give Yuui back to me."

The stranger in her lover's body placed Her hands on her shoulders, leaned down, and kissed her lips. Tomoyo felt heat fill her body at the contact and all of her wounds instantly melted away.

"Will you still bear the burden of loving one who could be lost to you so easily? Will you still take her hand?"

"She will always be Yuui!" Tomoyo sobbed, struggling in the Goddess' embrace. "Please bring her back! Please! I must have my Yuui back! I must!"

"Why do you turn away?" the deity asked sadly.

"Because I can't bear to see Yuui's eyes so empty like that. It's like I've lost her! I can't stand it!"

Again, a small smile alighted on the mouth, only this one was sad…and no matter how the face changed, the eyes remained empty.

"Do not fear. You will have her back…but we will meet again before you come to me, Tomoyo-hime. There is yet a decision for you to make."

Then She blinked…and Yuui lived within her eyes once again. She fell forward and Tomoyo quickly caught her in her arms.

"Yuui-chan!" Watanuki shouted.

"Princess!" Kamui cried out. The two guardians and the two knights made to move forward, but Kyle holding out his arm stopped them dead.

"Take one more step and I kill them both."

"Yuui! My Yuui! Are you alright? Tell me you're not hurt!" Tomoyo sobbed, holding her love close and crying into her hair.

"I…She was so…so bright, koibito…" Yuui whispered against Tomoyo's chest, holding tightly to her. Yuui had barely managed to hold onto herself in the maelstrom of power. She felt that if she let go of Tomoyo, she would lose herself and spiral away into the cold darkness of oblivion. "Please…just…hold onto me."

Had they been alone, their tender moment would have lasted much longer and Yuui would have had time to recover herself. However, they were not and the next thing they both heard was the sound of Kyle applauding.

"Charming performance, my darling princesses. But this is only magic to distract me. I don't know how you escaped my spell, but it matters not. I still hold one bit of leverage over you. Prepare to live in an endless nightmare, little Yuui."

Kyle held out his hand and gave it a sharp twist. At that same moment, Yuui doubled over in pain. It felt as if someone had rammed a dagger through her stomach and was twisting her insides. Then she felt a horrible pain screaming out in her mind…a pain that was not her own…and she could almost swear that she could hear a baby crying.

"Oh! Oh, God, Yuui! Yuui, look! Look! It's- no! Oh, dear Goddess! No! The baby! She's-"

As horrified realization dawned on Yuui, she glanced down to where Tomoyo was pointing and saw that the skirt she was wearing and the floor beneath her were all stained with blood. A great black river of blood was flowing from between her legs.

"Oh, God," Fuuma whispered. His child…their child…

"Please, no," Watanuki prayed.

The baby…her baby…her sweet little daughter, who had not even tasted life yet…

My baby!

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

She screamed…and screamed and screamed and screamed. She couldn't stop screaming.

I lost her! I lost her! My baby! My sweet daughter! She's gone! I didn't…even get to see her face.

Power began to boil off of her body like a solar fire. She had barely enough presence of mind to shove Tomoyo away from her before her magic exploded.

The room filled with the brilliance of the sun. The Oni scattered in the face of the wild magic and Koryu fell to his knees in awe. Kyle's face lit with a kind of demonic joy.

"YOU FOOL!" Doumeki shouted at the dark faerie. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHH!"

"YUUIIIIIIIII!" Tomoyo screamed, desperately trying to get through to her. But Yuui's pain would not be contained.

"Damn it, Kyle! You've got to release this barrier or we'll all be killed!" Kamui shouted.

"Never!" Kyle cried out in glee. "I will not die. What better way for the princess to perish than knowing that she killed all of you?"

"STOP THIS!" Watanuki screamed. He couldn't bear to see his daughter suffering so.

Fuuma hadn't yet reacted to Yuui's outburst. He could only stand and stare at the clotted blood that flowed onto the floor from Yuui's body. That was…their daughter…the little life that they had created together…bleeding onto the floor like so much waste…never to see the sunlight or draw her first breath.

Sai, Karura, Rasetsu, and Chitose all looked on in shock. This was the scene that Souma and Larg teleported into.

"What's happening?" the confused kunoichi shouted.

"YUUI!" Larg screamed.

Tomoyo slowly rose from the floor where Yuui had shoved her, gazing upon the conflagration that was her love in awe and terror. Slowly, she began to move toward Yuui.

"TOMOYO-HIME! STAY BACK!" Watanuki shouted at her, but the princess was deaf to all but Yuui's shrieks of heartbreak. Certainly she was stricken by the loss of the child, but Yuui was her primary concern right now.

You're not leaving me, Yuui. I won't let you destroy yourself like this.

She could feel her skin getting hot as she approached the maddened blonde. When she actually reached forward and took hold of her wrists, she could feel her hands searing. As she gazed into her eyes, she felt like she was gazing into the heart of a star…if a star could feel pain, loss, and despair. But no matter how much harm it was causing her, no matter how much pain she herself was feeling, now that she had gotten a hold of Yuui, she would not relinquish that hold.

"Yuui…please…come back to me," she pleaded softly. "Come all the way about."

In all of her anguish, Yuui finally seemed to hear her lover. She looked her in the eyes and she felt herself through all of her pain. The power her body was spinning off subsided and she collapsed into Tomoyo's arms once more.

"She's gone, Tomoyo. Gone! Why? I never…got to hold her. Our little girl," she sobbed openly against Tomoyo's breast.

"I'm sorry, Yuui. I'm so sorry," she whispered, sobbing quietly as she held the distraught blonde close. But the next thing she knew, arms were pulling Yuui away from her and another pair of arms was wrapping around her own waist.

"Wait! No! Yuui!" she shouted in panic.

"Now, Larg!" she heard someone shout. Then there was a brilliant flash of light and Tomoyo suddenly had the feeling of being utterly weightless. Then, just as suddenly, she was slamming back to earth. They were in Celes, surrounded by the armies of Faerie.

"Yuui! Yuui! Where's Yuui?" she cried out as the arms released her.

"She's here. She's…fine." The arms pointed her in the right direction and she found Doumeki kneeling with Yuui cradled protectively in his arms. She was crying weakly and clinging desperately to him.

"She's gone, Doumeki! She's gone! M-my baby! My little girl! My little girl!"

Doumeki remained silent as he laid Yuui down on the ground, pressing first his hands, then his head to her womb. If there was even the slightest chance…they had to be one hundred percent sure.

Please, let her be there. She's got to be there. Yuui needs her. If she's not there…there is no hope left. Live! You've got to live!

But…I don't feel anything.

"What good is my power?" Yuui sobbed as Tomoyo knelt beside her and pulled her head into her lap. "It can't even save one small life."

Give me back my baby! Give her back!

However, just when Doumeki was ready to give up hope, he felt something reach out to him…a thought…a tiny, faint whisper…something entirely foreign to him. It was…an emotion. Pain…and fear…fear of not existing…of no longer being held safe in Kaa's embrace. At first, he did not understand. Why was he feeling these things? They were not his emotions. But then it clicked. Of course he was receiving these impressions in the form of emotion. A child not yet born could not think in words.

"Yuui! Yuui, she's still alive," he reported urgently. "She's still in there."

Yuui's eyes opened wide. Her tear-stained face shone brightly beneath the full moon's light.

"W-what?"

"She's calling out…crying for you. She's in pain. She's frightened. She needs you. Kyle didn't kill her. She's not dead yet. You have to heal her."

"You're sure?" Fuuma asked.

"Not…dead?" Yuui whispered as she placed her hands on her stomach.

"You have to do it now, or she won't make it. Now, Yuui!"

Yuui drew in a sharp breath as her hands began to glow. She felt her magic working in her body, repairing, healing, saving.

Please…don't go. I love you. I need you. Let me hold you in my arms. Let me see your face.

She finally released the breath she'd been holding when she felt her womb settle. Her child was safe. The threat of death was over…for now. The tears flowing down her face as Tomoyo leaned down to kiss her were tears of relief. She clung very tightly to her princess as they kissed, never wanting to let go. In this moment, she was surrounded by the family they were building together and she feared that if she let go, something might happen…something like what had almost happened…and she would lose them forever.

When the two princesses finally separated, Yuui let her head fall back into Tomoyo's lap and reached up a hand to stroke her cheek. Tomoyo's face was just as tear-streaked as her own.

"It's alright now, Yuui," Tomoyo whispered gently as she reached down to wipe the tears from her face, wincing lightly as her burned skin came into contact with the salt water on Yuui's face.

"Oh!" Yuui gasped, realizing the problem and seizing Tomoyo's wrists to examine the damage. "Oh, God! I've hurt you!"

"It's not your fault," Tomoyo soothed, smiling weakly. "You…thought she was gone. You couldn't have been expected to control it. Besides, healing is no problem for you."

Yuui shook her head as her hands began to glow again, healing the burns. The circumstances did not matter. Nothing could ever change the fact that she had brought harm to Tomoyo. It was inexcusable…unforgivable.

"Yuui…chan?" Fuuma whispered hesitantly as he approached the couple. "Are you…alright?"

"Yes…Fuuma-san," she replied just as softly as Tomoyo helped her to sit up. "We're fine. We're okay."

"Thank the Consort," Kamui said softly as he moved to stand beside Fuuma, placing a hand on his shoulder. The action was involuntary, something to reassure both Fuuma and himself that everything was alright. When they both actually noticed the contact, they turned to look at each other. Fuuma stared curiously at the younger faerie and Kamui felt himself blushing faintly, but he did not take his hand back. Why did he suddenly feel so self-conscious? Admittedly, he had had certain thoughts about the older noble, but nothing that had ever made him feel quite like this. Almost before he had realized it, Fuuma had reached up his own hand and placed it upon his. Neither knew why, but they both felt that they were taking a step forward tonight…that they were taking steps that could not be untaken…doing things that could not be undone.

"How?" Yuui asked softly in the relieved silence around them. "How did…she live? Why didn't she die…when Kyle attacked her?" She didn't understand how such a little thing could bleed so much and still be alive.

"My only guess is that he underestimated her," Watanuki responded. "That spell would have killed a mortal child. Perhaps he thought she didn't have enough fey blood to save her? Even by fey standards, a child still in the womb is vulnerable to such an attack."

"You challenged the Dark Court, Princess," Karura said, a little less scornfully than usual. "You should have known that there might be consequences."

"Never again," Yuui vowed as she and Tomoyo stood. "I won't put her in such danger again. I won't face him again until she's born."

"A wise decision, Highness," Sai put in. "It would be unwise to risk your heir anymore than necessary."

Yuui briefly wondered if that was all any of them cared about, but her bitter thoughts were interrupted by Souma flinging her arms around both her and Tomoyo. As the three young women embraced, they all remembered the last time the three of them had been together not two days ago. Everything was so very different now.

"Y-Yuui-chan," Souma finally whispered against her. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I…I let Kyle take her."

"There wasn't anything you could have done," Yuui said softly. "Not against him."

"It's alright," Tomoyo whispered, snuggling between her lover and her friend. "It will be alright now."

No. No, it's not. It might never be alright again.

"We'll talk more when we're all safe," Yuui said as she pulled back, though she still leaned against the two other girls, seeking support. "We can't stay here."

"Yuui-chan?" Fuuma broke in softly. "I'm sorry, but it would appear that we're not all accounted for."

"What?" Yuui demanded. "What happened? Who are we missing?"

"Chang Ang-sama, Arashi-chan, and Sorata-kun," Kusanagi reported as he approached them. He had somehow become the unspoken leader of the dissenters of Shirasagi. "They weren't imprisoned with us. When we fought against the invaders, Arashi-chan and Sorata-kun fought against Seishiro. They were taken. We've no idea what's become of them or Chang Ang-sama. I'm sorry, my princess," the ninja master said as he knelt before Tomoyo. "But…what has become of our prince? Where is Kurogane-sama?" he asked. His eyes were filled with worry for the boy he'd guarded since infancy.

"He's safe," Yuui answered for the uncertain Tomoyo. "You'll…be able to see him when we return to Faerie."

"The prince is…on the other side?" Kusanagi asked, amazed.

"It's the safest place right now," Fuuma explained. "For the time being, we will all withdraw."

Kusanagi looked thoughtful for a moment before rising, taking Tomoyo's and Yuui's hands in his.

"Forgive me, Majesties, but I cannot. My place is in Nihon. I must gather followers for the true king. My princess," he said, raising Tomoyo's hand to his lips and kissing it. Then he raised Yuui's hand and kissed it as well before addressing her. "I know you and I have never met, Princess Yuui Fluorite, but Souma-chan has told me of you. So young, yet so willing to sacrifice for the ones you care about. You saved our lives, Princess, and we are forever in your debt. I'm certain that you will make a worthy queen, so you must understand that my duty is to my own king. We will rouse the land; raise the people against this evil. You may tell Kurogane-sama that many remain who are loyal to him. We will serve no one but the true sovereign and we will win him back his crown." Then the ninja master took their two hands and joined them, looking up and gazing piercingly into Yuui's eyes. "Please…take care of our Tomoyo-sama. She is dear to us all."

Yuui stared back just as unflinchingly, clasping Tomoyo's hand all the tighter. "I will. I swear it. She is dear to me, too. No harm will come to Tomoyo while there is still breath in my body."

Smiling gratefully, Kusanagi bowed low before them before going back to the group of liberated rebels to address them.

"My fellow ninja, we were all imprisoned for the same reason…we will have no one but Kurogane-sama as our lord. Now is the time to put that loyalty to the test. A choice lies before you. War has come to Nihon…and you must choose whom you will stand with. I will lead those who are willing and together we will build an army of soldiers who remain faithful. However, if anyone does not wish to join this dangerous quest, there will be a place of safe haven in Faerie. No one will be thought any less of for choosing safety. This will be dangerous. But, for those who will join me, now is the time!"

"That's my man!" Yuzuriha shouted as she ran toward her lover and embraced him. Loud cheers rose up around the couple as the fledgling army surged around them. Not a one of them stepped back from Kusanagi.

"Rasetsu-san?" Yuui called hesitantly to the Yama lord, who came instantly to her side.

"Yes, my princess?"

"Would you…could you…stay with Kusanagi-san and the others? Could you protect them?" Keeping Kusanagi and the others safe was the least she could do for Kurogane and Tomoyo.

Rasetsu bowed low before her and took her hand in his, kissing it gently. "As you wish, my lady," he said softly before going to join the Nihon rebellion. As he moved to join them, someone else stepped away from the crowd. Lord Kakyo Kuzuki…Souma's father.

"You're…going to Faerie?" the man asked his daughter, an odd tone to his voice that Souma couldn't place because she had never heard it from him before.

"Yes. So if you're going to try to tell me not to, you may as well save your breath, Otou-san. My friends need me. Our nation needs me. Nothing you can say will stop me," she replied, the bitterness that always entered her voice when she spoke to her father returning in force. She couldn't be civil to him even in this charged atmosphere.

"Indeed," he said, a touch of the usual spite entering his voice. "Heaven knows if I could have stopped you doing anything, I would have had some measure of success before now, but…just…be careful." Kakyo stood awkwardly for a moment before moving forward to give his daughter an awkward hug. Souma just stood there, a little too surprised to even think of returning it. When he finally backed off, she stared at him curiously. He had never shown her affection, not once…that she could remember, anyway.

"Be careful," he repeated before returning to the fledgling rebellion. Souma could only stand and stare in silence.

"Princess?" Ransho began as he approached the three girls. "If it pleases you, Touki-chan and the Water Guard will remain here to protect the borders of the forest. Ryuuki-kun will accompany you back to Faerie and I will lead the Earth and Fire Guards to honor our alliance with Valeria. That is undoubtedly where Yuuko will turn her gaze."

Yuui looked completely lost for a moment. She had no idea if this was a good plan or not. She had no gift for grand strategies and wars. She had not been trained to lead…but she suddenly found herself with no choice. She glanced first to Fuuma, then to her two fathers, all of whom nodded. She turned to Souma and Tomoyo last of all for their thoughts. After all, they were her friends and they had more experience in this arena than she did. Souma nodded and Tomoyo smiled encouragingly.

"A-alright. Do as you will. I leave it to you."

"Princess," he said, also giving her an encouraging look as he repeated Rasetsu's action. Were these people always going to be kissing her hand?

"My lady," A red-haired faerie started as he approached her and performed the whole ritual again. She had seen him during the council, but they'd not been introduced.

"Ryuuki-san?" she guessed.

"Yes. It is time we were getting back. Amaterasu-sama is in need of a healer and a bed, and I think that you and Tomoyo-hime could do with some rest."

"Amaterasu?" Yuui asked, turning to look at Tomoyo, who smiled weakly.

"Yes. Fuuma-san brought her and Chitose-san with us when we made the jump. Perhaps there is someone in Faerie who can help her. Yuui…is…is Kurogane really alright?"

For a moment, Yuui was silent. Then she pulled Tomoyo back into her arms.

"You'll just have…to see for yourself. He's safe, but…Tomoyo…I really don't know what we can do for him."

XxX

When Arashi awoke, she found herself lying on a bed in a room she had never seen before. It was dark and cold, and she couldn't see much beyond the bed where she lay. Upon closer inspection, she found that she'd been stripped of her weapons and armor and she could feel that she was very much naked beneath the blanket that covered her body. Her head spun slightly as she sat up, pressing the blanket against her chest. She had to fight the urge to throw up from the dizziness. The last thing she remembered was fighting against Seishiro with Sorata at her side. Kusanagi had warned them not to take him on, but it had happened just the same. She remembered Sorata falling…a scream of rage…an intense pain in her head…then nothing.

"Ah, you're awake. Excellent," a voice called out from the darkness of the room.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "Show yourself!"

"You know me, Arashi-chan. I am your future."

"What are you talking about? Where am I? Why have you brought me here? Where's Sorata?"

"Oh, your Sorata-kun's safe…for now." As the voice spoke, its owner finally stepped into her view. The dark faerie prince with the single grey eye…Seishiro. The ninja mistress immediately felt her anger flare up.

"Where is he? What have you done with him?"

"He is unharmed…and he will remain so if you cooperate with me," he said as he sat down on the bed.

"What do you want with me?" she asked quietly, staring distrustfully at her enemy.

"Nihon has fallen. Kyle Rondart sits upon your throne now and he is my kaa-san's vassal. That makes you subject to my whim," he explained, reaching forward to stroke her cheek. She quickly slapped him away, briefly exposing herself.

"I will never bow to you!" she hissed.

Seishiro just shook his head, smiling condescendingly. "Arashi-chan, you are a beautiful young woman naked on a bed with no way out and a prince who has need of your body. What do you think is going to happen here tonight? There's not a thing you can do against me." Again, he leaned forward to touch her, and again, she slapped him away.

"Whatever you've done with Sorata, set him free right now!"

"No fear. Truly amazing. I've just told you that I'm going to rape you and you've shown not one sign of fear. You are an amazing specimen, Arashi-chan."

"I don't care what you do to me. Nothing you do can defeat me. I don't mean to sit passively by, but whatever you want with me, he's not a part of it. I demand that you release him."

Seishiro laughed. "Not only an exemplary specimen, but also amusing. I really have chosen the perfect vessel. What is Sorata-kun to you, Arashi-chan? He is not your family, nor your lover. He has given you countless declarations of his love for you and you remain cold and indifferent. If he is worth so little to you, why do you demand his freedom?"

Arashi remained silent for a long moment, her thoughts hovering over ground that she had avoided for many years. The question was there, in her mind and heart, waiting to be answered…but she was afraid to answer it. Love…if it was even that which lurked in her soul…was pain to her. It had only ever brought her sorrow…as it would this night if she chose to embrace it. For now, she just wanted him safe.

"Because he's not part of this. He's innocent. If he means as little to me as you claim, what need is there to keep him prisoner?"

"Because you and I both know that you're lying to yourself, migoto otome. You will know it before the night is out, but it will no longer matter. You belong to me now."

"I belong to no one."

"Indeed? We shall see."

There was no sudden flood of light. The horrible vision simply became clear before her eyes…like an apparition out of the morning mist. Sorata was lying on the bed beside them. Bound hand and foot and gagged. He was struggling against his bonds and trying to scream, his eyes filled with horror and fear…not for himself, but for her.

"Still planning on fighting?"

"Let him go now!"

"Now why would I do that? He is my hold over you. Do you see what I mean now? If you resist in any way…then Sorata-kun's life is forfeit."

As Seishiro spoke, the gag in the ninja's mouth loosened and disappeared and he struggled more violently against his bonds.

"Arashi, don't worry about me! I don't care what he does to me! You can't give into him! You can't!"

"I'd stop that if I were you, Sorata-kun," Seishiro warned, reaching a hand over to stroke Arashi's hair. She did not pull away. "If you move so much as one eye lash, I'll kill your precious Arashi-chan. She's a rare specimen, but I can always find myself another vessel."

Sorata immediately fell still, his eyes burning with pain and helpless rage.

Arashi turned her hard gaze down to her hands, clutching the blanket. She couldn't risk Sorata's safety…and he clearly wouldn't risk hers. They were trapped.

"Why me?" she asked, staring neither at Sorata nor their captor, only blankly ahead into the darkness. Sorata wasn't certain, but he thought the hands that held the blanket against her chest were shaking just slightly.

"Because you have fey blood in you. Fey blood mingled with human blood…and, as I said before, you are indeed a rare find. Such a strong woman. If I am to be king of Faerie, I must have an heir. Your body will be the cradle that nurtures and brings forth my royal seed. I will take you, Arashi-chan. I will come inside of you and place my child in your womb," he explained as he placed a hand against her stomach. She could feel the coldness of his skin even through the blanket. She felt like she might be sick but she did not pull away for fear of bringing harm to Sorata.

"Why would you want your heir to have human blood?" Arashi tried to reason. "I thought you dark fey wanted to stamp out the stain of mortality."

"It will be stamped out eventually, but for now, the Dark Court needs an ally in the half-fey. Nihon and Valeria are littered with the products of human/fey trysts. These mongrels have traditionally been able to find a home in Valeria, but before too long, that nation will no longer exist. Nihon's relations with its half-fey population have also traditionally been shaky. Amaterasu-chan changed that, but now that Kyle is in charge, things are going to change. The people don't know that he's fey. He will drive the half-fey out of Nihon and the Dark Court will offer them asylum in exchange for their loyalty. We need shields to throw against Faerie. Our enemies take issue with attacking defenseless humans."

"That's so disgusting," Arashi said, carefully keeping her voice toneless. If she allowed her feelings to get away from her right now, it would not go well for Sorata.

"Disgusting? But my dear Arashi-chan, you will be the foundation of this brilliant plan. When they see that the mother of my child is part human, they will flock to us in droves. It all begins with you…right in here," he whispered in her ear, pressing a hand between her legs as he pulled her body up against his. When his fingers touched a certain spot, an intense bolt of pleasure shot through her body and she almost began to cry. No one had ever touched her there. She had never touched herself there. She was still a virgin. Her family had been killed and she had grown up with almost no women in her life. She had thrown herself so vigorously into her ninja training that she barely understood the parts of her body that made her a woman. She had never undertaken those first delicate explorations that most young women do. She had almost panicked upon bleeding for the first time. She didn't understand why the things Seishiro was doing to her body felt so good. She didn't know that she couldn't help the way her body reacted to just the right stimulation…and, in its own way, unwanted pleasure is worse than any pain could ever be. For him to make her feel this way…did it mean that…she wanted it?

No. No! Goddess, no!

"Does that feel good, Arashi-chan? You like it, don't you?" he whispered to her as he continued to pleasure her through the blanket. Another hand slipped beneath the blanket to fondle her breast.

It did feel good. Why did it feel good? It shouldn't feel good! He was raping her!

"Nngh! Please!" she cried out, on the verge of tears. "No! Stop!" She grabbed at the hands on her body, desperately pushing them away from her. She was no longer certain that she could handle it…for him to violate her like this. She clutched the blanket tighter against her body than ever.

"You monster!" Sorata growled, struggling to remain still. "How can you use her like this?"

"I thought we talked about this, Sorata-kun. How do you prefer her? Defiled…or dead? Either way works for me."

Sorata closed his eyes for a moment. He felt that he might cry for how helpless and enraged he felt.

"Arashi, please," he begged, finally opening his eyes and looking up at his comrade, the woman he loved. "I'm not important. I don't want you to have to go through this for my sake. Don't protect me just because I'm your fellow ninja. I don't want something this horrible to be in your memory because of me. Just get yourself out. Let me go. Please!"

Arashi gazed down at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. Then she reached out to place a trembling hand on his cheek. "You are," she said softly.

"What?"

"You are important…Sorata…so important…the most…important…" She broke off when she felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She couldn't cry in front of him…not now. She had to be strong for him.

"What…are you saying…Arashi?" He felt something stir deep in his chest…something that he knew he shouldn't be feeling right now. Could she really…?

"I'm trying to say…that I love you," she said, smiling, though her eyes were full of pain. "I think…that I always did. I just couldn't ever admit it to myself. I love you. I love you so much."

Sorata said nothing. He simply turned his head to the side and kissed the palm of her hand. For a very brief moment, it was just the two of them.

"My Arashi," he whispered.

"This is all very touching, but are you quite finished yet? I have a womb to seed here," Seishiro chided, slipping an arm around Arashi's waist. Again, the kunoichi had the feeling that she might be sick, but she held fast this time, allowing the dark prince to touch her body. Sorata was about to explode at Seishiro, but Arashi leaned down and sealed his lips with her own. They shared their first tender, heartbreaking kiss even as she was wrapped in the arms of another man.

"Arashi, listen to me," he whispered against her lips as she began to pull away. "Don't do this."

"But I must," she said, smiling sadly as she laid herself back down on the bed. "I can't let you die…not now. It's alright. I love you…but you must let me go."

He was about to ask her what she meant, but she turned away before he had the chance. She looked away from both of them as Seishiro slowly pulled the blanket off of her, laying her bare.

"That's a good girl, Arashi-chan. Don't be afraid. I'll make you feel good," he whispered to her, kissing her breasts as he started to pleasure her again. This time there were no barriers between them. The tears started when he brought her to her first ever climax. She felt like she could have ripped her heart out and smashed it into the ground as the wave of pleasure swept through her body. She was such a disgusting woman. She knew this was kinder, but she still couldn't stand how dirty she felt as he worked his fingers inside of her, making her ready for him. She made not a sound as she sobbed in heartbreak. She refused to look up at him when he finally entered her. It hurt. Goddess, it hurt…but her tears knew nothing of pain. She cried because she hated herself. She had just told Sorata that she loved him, and…with him right beside her in the bed…she was giving her virginity to someone else. Could she really even call it rape if she was letting him do it? How would she be able to rise from her futon in the mornings? How would she be able to face herself ever again? Why…why did he have to see her ravished? Why did he have to see her like this?

I'm so awful. I can't stand it!

Then, with a last animalistic groan, Seishiro finished in her and, for all she knew…she was pregnant with his child.

"Thank you, Arashi-chan," he said as he cleaned up and dressed himself. "Our business is complete. The two of you will be kept here for the time being." Then, just like that, he was gone.

The second their tormentor was gone, Sorata found himself unbound and he quickly wrapped his arms around Arashi's trembling form.

"Oh, Arashi! I'm so sorry! I couldn't stop it! I'm sorry I didn't protect you!"

"It's not – your fault," she whispered brokenly. "There wasn't any other way. Sorata…that was…my first time."

"Oh, God…God, I'm sorry," he said over and over again, though he knew that nothing he could say could ever make up for what she'd had to suffer through tonight.

They lay like that for the longest time, Sorata just holding Arashi, stroking her hair and allowing her to cry silently into his chest. When at last her tears seemed to still, he lifted her face up so that he could look her in the eyes.

"What did you mean before…when you said that I had to let you go?"

Again, Arashi turned away from him, more tears threatening to fall.

"Why in the world would you want me now…now that I've been…dishonored like this? I let him take me. I may have saved you, but I've given the enemy a weapon. There's no worse traitor in any land."

Pulling her closer, Sorata made Arashi look back at him. He had a very serious expression on his face.

"Here this now, Arashi Kishu…I don't care how others might perceive what was done here tonight. It doesn't matter that he violated you. You're still you. You're still Arashi…the woman I love…have always loved. Nothing else matters…except that you have me here to hold you. I'll always be here…so long as you're still Arashi," he said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Oh, Sorata!" she hissed as she clung desperately to him, her voice having the sound of some wild beast in pain. She held fast to him like he was the last real thing in the world, like the darkness that was eating away at the edges of her life would come and take him from her, too.

XxX

Tomoyo was silent as she followed Yuui through the corridors of the faerie sithen. The journey through the lake had been jarring, to say the least, and she hadn't even been able to see the sithen until she'd entered it. After the things that Yuui had said, she was anxious and afraid to see her brother.

Fuuma and Kamui were in the lead of their small entourage, followed by Yuui and herself. Souma and Ryuuki came after them. Soel and Larg were perched on Souma's shoulders. They were followed by Doumeki and Watanuki. Watanuki was leading Chitose and Doumeki was carrying Amaterasu. Fuuma had sent Sai ahead to bring Subaru, Himawari, and Kurogane to the former king's chambers. There were, apparently, things that they needed to discuss away from prying ears.

When they arrived, Kotori was already waiting for them in the main room. She quickly came forward and hugged Fuuma and Kamui.

"I've brought them, Nii-sama, just as you asked. I'm so glad no one was hurt."

"Thank you," Fuuma said softly before moving past her and leading Kamui toward the bedroom where the others waited. Watanuki, Chitose, and Doumeki with Amaterasu followed after them.

"If it pleases you, Yuui-hime, I will stand guard outside the door," Ryuuki said, bowing low and taking her hand.

"Yes, sure…whatever you think best," she said absently. Ryuuki then kissed her hand, giving her a friendly smile before leaving. Once he had gone, Kotori gathered the three girls into her arms. When they separated, she gave Tomoyo a good, long look.

"You're…Kotori-san?" the young woman asked, her eyes wide. She had seen Kotori before.

"Yes," Kotori said with a smile. "We are the same, the three of us."

"Did I…do what you said?" she asked hesitantly, remembering the request she'd made in the dream two years ago.

Kotori shook her head. "No. That moment hasn't yet come. But I have faith that you will make the right decision…and…Tomoyo-chan…I'm sorry," she said sadly, reaching a hand forward to cup Tomoyo's cheek in her palm. Then she turned and followed the others to the bedchamber. The princess stood in shocked silence for a moment, staring after her.

"What?" she whispered.

"No, Tomoyo. Don't be afraid," Yuui insisted vehemently as she seized one of Tomoyo's hands in hers. "It's not too late. We can make him better. We can still make this right." Then, with a look of determination set firmly on her face, Yuui turned and led Tomoyo and Souma into Clow's bedchamber.

Tomoyo had no idea what to expect upon entering the room, but it certainly wasn't what she saw. Her eyes zeroed in on her brother and, for a moment, she froze. He was crouched on a windowsill, his knees drawn up against his chest. In his hands, he cradled a single rose, gazing upon the fragile bloom as if it were some sort of angel. She stood, shaking her head in disbelief. She had never seen him so broken…never. His posture was weak and desperate. His eyes were tired and lost, and an air of defeat hung about him. As far as she knew, her brother had never wished for death, not once in his life…but now it seemed that that wish was what defined him. He was a dead man walking, a ghost among the living…a lost soul barely clinging to life.

"Nii-sama!" she cried out, rushing toward him and flinging her arms around him, being careful not to crush the rose he held. "Oh, Kurogane! What's happened to you?"

It took the fallen prince a moment to register his sister's presence. He remained focused on the rose. But, after a time, he began to feel her arms around him and he started to hear her voice.

"I…mouto?" he whispered, slightly confused.

"Yes! Yes, Nii-sama, it's me! Tomoyo! You know me, don't you?"

"Tomoyo," he said, his voice getting a little louder as he wrapped his arms around her. "Tomoyo. You're…alright."

My imouto is safe. She's here, but…Fai…Fai's not…he's still…

"Fai," he whispered, the tiny spark of happiness and relief in his eyes dying as he began to repeat his lover's name, seeking refuge in the repetition…his charm against insanity.

"He's hanging on by a thread," Yuui explained sadly. "I think he does that to keep himself from losing control and slipping away…"

…into the darkness…into the madness of his guilt and grief…his nightmares.

Yuui didn't need to say it aloud. Tomoyo heard it.

"Oh, God," Souma whispered in shock as she gazed upon her friend…helpless as a small child.

"I've been trying not to let him look directly at me. Whenever he sees me…he thinks that I'm Fai. If it goes on…I'm afraid of what it might do to him."

"Has he eaten anything?" Tomoyo asked, gently stroking his face. He paid her no mind. He kept staring at the rose, chanting Fai's name endlessly as everyone else looked on sadly.

"Nothing. I've tried, but he won't eat or rest. He slept for about an hour last night, but his nightmares kept him awake. He hasn't slept any since last night."

"What a nightmare," the younger princess whispered, staring sadly into the face of the brother who could not see her. She had known that something was going to happen, but she could never have foreseen this. She had been so caught up in Fai and Yuui's futures that she'd failed to see her own brother's fate.

"Don't worry, koibito," Yuui's voice suddenly sounded in her ear. "We'll get him back. We have to. We'll get through to him."

"Fuuma-sama," Sai said as she entered the room. "I've brought him."

A few moments later, Subaru trudged into the room, looking just as bad as Kurogane. His steps were heavy as he moved and his shoulders were hunched in defeat. He wouldn't meet anyone's gaze, but they could all see that his eyes were utterly empty.

"Are you alright, Subaru?" Kamui asked, beginning to move from his place beside Fuuma. Subaru did not answer. Neither did he acknowledge him in any way. He just stood there, staring blankly at nothing. Kamui didn't want to admit it, but he knew that Subaru would still be sitting in his chambers had Sai not told him that someone needed his help. Like Yuui, he possessed a Hand of Healing and, being a healer, he could not resist the cry of someone in pain.

Kamui briefly stared at the floor, attempting to keep his emotions from spiraling out of control. He couldn't let the others see his pain. Besides…what was his pain compared with Subaru's, or Yuui's, or Kurogane's?

Finally managing to gain control of himself, Kamui pointed toward the bed, where Doumeki had deposited Amaterasu.

"Her mind is in thrall to the darkness. It is beyond Yuui-sama's skill to heal. She needs help."

Again, Subaru made no acknowledgment. He simply drifted toward the bed, his hands beginning to glow. When he reached her side, he placed his hands on either side of Amaterasu's head, seeking the demon that inhabited the queen's mind.

"Even with all of Subaru-kun's skill, this may take several months to heal," Fuuma explained to Tomoyo. "She's been under Rondart's influence for years. It will take all of his art…and time…time exposed to the healing power of Faerie itself…and…there is also the fact that she's with child to consider."

"His child," Souma hissed in disgust.

"There is something that you should know about that. You, in specific, Yuui," Doumeki said, staring levelly at his daughter.

"What does Amaterasu-sama being pregnant have to do with me?" Yuui asked, taking a look around the room for the first time. It was actually quite crowded. There was, of course, herself, Tomoyo, Kurogane, Souma, Doumeki, Watanuki, Himawari, Soel, Larg, Fuuma, Kamui, Kotori, Sai, Subaru, Sakura, Amaterasu, and Chitose there, but Kero, Yue, Kakei, and a man that Yuui had never seen before were all present as well.

"How much do you know about human-fey…relations?" Fuuma asked.

"Not much. Why?"

"A human body is not strong enough to bear a fey child. Whether it wants to or not, the child of a human woman and a fey man cannot help but kill its kaa-san."

"Then…why is Queen Sakura still alive?"

"She is part fey herself. She was able to handle the strain of giving birth to you and Fai-kun. There is also the fact that you are more human than she herself is. Under normal circumstances, only a first generation half blood will kill its kaa-san. As the generations pass, the blood is diluted and becomes less powerful. That is the reason that we fear for your safety."

"What are you saying?"

"Yuui-chan," Watanuki began softly. "Your baby is about three-quarters fey. You yourself are only one-quarter fey. While that one-quarter does manifest very strongly in you and you…certainly have the Goddess' favor…we're worried that your body won't be able to handle the strain…you will be the first woman with mortal blood to bear an almost fully fey child. Your only chance for survival is the fey blood you possess. We just…don't know…"

The silence left by Watanuki's unfinished fear was quickly filled by Sakura's sharp cry of despair. Yuui...was in danger? First Fai…then Yuui? She wanted nothing more than to sweep her daughter into her arms…to comfort the both of them…but Yuui wasn't showing any signs of needing comfort. At Watanuki's admission, her eyes had gone directly to Fuuma.

"If you knew this…if it bothered you so much…why did you get me with child in the first place?" she demanded quietly.

"Because I liked your odds of surviving much better in the mortal world," he answered sadly.

"What does that mean?"

"We've never had situations like these before. No mortal woman has ever given birth to a fey child inside Faerie before. No one knows how it will affect you or the baby. It could be a miracle in disguise…or it could be your destruction. The fact of the matter is that we have no way of knowing," the Monou lord explained, his fury at being so powerless beginning to bleed through in his words.

"Why does she have to stay in Faerie?" Souma asked. "If the chances of her survival are greater on the other side, then isn't that where she should be?"

"We don't know if her chances of survival are any less here. That's why we're afraid. But we do know that the mortal world is dangerous because Yuuko can get to her there. Princess," Fuuma said, returning to formalities to prove to her how serious he was. "You will be my queen one day and I will be yours alone to command, that much is true. But as the situation stands right now, I am forced to give you one direct order as your knight and elder. You will not leave Faerie until the child is born."

Yuui was a little angry at Fuuma assuming so much control over her, but it wasn't like she was going to argue with him. The near loss of the small life cradled in her womb had scared all of them. Right now, she could only do what was best for the baby.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Himawari whispered hesitantly, reaching a hand out toward her little girl. "You don't have to have the baby…or take this crown. You don't."

Yuui looked shocked for a moment…that Himawari would even suggest not having the baby…but the fire drained out of her when she saw the defeated way her adopted mother stood. It wasn't Himawari's fault. She simply felt for Yuui what Yuui herself felt for her unborn child. She was just afraid for her safety. Yuui slowly looked around at the others: her family, her friends. Tomoyo, whose eyes looked sick with worry. Himawari, who looked like she might cry. Watanuki, who looked lost. Doumeki, who actually looked…defeated. Sakura, who was crying softly. Kamui and Fuuma, who looked both stern and worried at the same time. Kotori, the only one among them who looked reassuring. Subaru and Amaterasu, who looked very nearly dead. Souma, who was cuddling Soel and Larg. All three looked extremely worried. Kurogane, who was breaking. Everyone. The only one missing…was Fai…her brother…her twin…her other half…the one who had been with her from the beginning. He was the one who should be here now. She should be the one who…not him. She wanted her life back. She wanted to wake in the morning and know that he was near…that he would always be there to share her life with. She wanted to see him and Kurogane together again, happy. She wanted to raise her daughter in peace with Tomoyo by her side, surrounded by the people they loved. She wanted more of those sweet days in Celes with Tomoyo, her two brothers, Souma, and the Mokona. This was the only way she could have them.

It should have been me, Fai…not you. It was supposed to be me. But I'll get you back. I'll make things right again.

"No. I'm afraid I do. This is the only way…the only way to get Fai back, and to make a safe world for the people I love," she said softly as Tomoyo came to stand beside her, taking her hand in hers.

"But…Yuui-chan…what is that world going to be worth if you die making it?" Sakura asked tearfully.

"I won't die," Yuui replied, gripping Tomoyo's hand tightly. "I can't…not while my family needs me."

"F-Fuuma-sama?" Tomoyo began hesitantly. "What about…my kaa-san?"

Everyone fell silent at this. They all knew that there could only be one answer to the question. Even Tomoyo knew it…but she had to ask just the same.

"Tomoyo-hime," Fuuma began, the tone in his voice soft and pitying. "Your okaa-san is a human woman…and her mind has been overthrown. Even if she makes a full recovery before the child is born…I'm afraid that there's no way that we know of in which she can feasibly be saved. But we will keep trying, Princess. We will do our best," he promised.

Tomoyo swallowed hard, holding onto Yuui's hand for dear life as she nodded. Everything…everything was falling to pieces around her. Her family was breaking, fading into the darkness that had crept in around them over the years…and she could do nothing. Would…would she lose Yuui, too? Yuui and the baby?

No! I cannot let that happen! I will not!

"Why not simply kill the child?" the mystery man suggested, making himself known for the first time. "Does anyone here really want the spawn of Kyle Rondart to be born? It is nothing but a hurt to us." All of this was said with a casual smile.

Yuui shuddered inwardly as she surveyed the stranger. He was tall and slender with dark hair. His eyes were an amazingly rich violet color and, while talking of killing children, he wore a friendly, unassuming smile. All in all, he reminded the older princess too much of Seishiro. Already, she didn't trust him. After nearly losing her own child, something in her revolted at the mere thought of killing children…even her enemy's child.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I am called Kujaku, my princess."

"Just Kujaku?"

"Yes, just that. Any family name I might have had is of no consequence to the current situation. I was summoned here because Fuuma-san believes that I might be of use to you in the coming months."

"Really? How so?"

"Because, dear princess, when the time comes…I can help you reach the Dark Court, where your precious brother is being held."

Yuui was about to respond to this bit of news, but it wasn't her who spoke next.

"You…can take us…to Fai?"

Everyone in the room turned to look at Kurogane. For a moment, none of them quite believed that he'd actually spoken. He was sitting up and making eye contact with Kujaku. He was still shaking slightly and he still looked haunted…hunted…but those who knew him could see that this was a huge step forward for him. He was reaching…trying to climb out of his pit of black despair and madness. He was trying to come back…trying so hard…to come back to them…back to Fai…

"I can at that, little prince," Kujaku replied, grinning amiably. "I have the darkness in me."

Kurogane shook his head as he got to his feet. "No…don't…not a…prince…" He stood for a moment, clutching the rose desperately in both hands.

"Kurogane?" Tomoyo whispered.

The sound of his name triggered something in Kurogane…and he snapped. He collapsed to his knees, pressing the rose against his heart. The howl of anguish that tore from his throat was so primal and so horrible that it raised the hair on even Kakei's neck.

"FAAAIIIIII!" he screamed, no longer certain if he was trying to banish the memory or hold onto it. It was the only thing keeping him afloat in his dark ocean of insanity. The waters beneath him were infinitely deep. If he let go of his raft now, then he would be lost forever, unable to ever break the surface again…slowly drowning in madness.

But…it would be so easy to let go…to relinquish his hold on sanity and life. There were others swimming in that vast ocean beneath his feet. Now that his crucial moment had come, they swam to the surface, laying hands on him and whispering dark things in his ears.

Yes…come be with us, Kurogane. Come down and lie with us in the darkness for eternity. If you let go…then you will lose your pain. You are not Kurogane anymore. How can you be? You failed Fai. The real Kurogane wouldn't have failed him. He loved him. He would have found a way. If you let go of Fai…then you can forget how you failed him. Come.

He was forgetting. It was slipping away from him. A name and a face that should mean the world to him…but he just couldn't remember. He reached with desperate fingers…trying his hardest to grasp the sliver of sanity, but it was drifting away. He would never be able to reclaim it.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed, thrashing about in an attempt to keep himself from sinking. "COME BACK!" He couldn't fight it anymore. The water closed over his head.

Breathe it in, they whispered to him, caressing him with cold hands. Let go. You are one of us now.

He wanted to scream for help, but he knew that if he did, his last grip on sanity would be gone. Besides…what could possibly save him now?

"Kurogane!"

"Kurogane-kun!"

"Kurogane-san!"

"Nii-sama!"

The cries came from all around. Yuui, Tomoyo, and Souma had all gathered around the young man's writhing form, kneeling. Tomoyo gathered him in her arms as best she could and the others placed their hands on him. They knew that this was it for him. If he didn't come back now, then he never would.

"Kurogane-kun, please don't leave us," Yuui begged. "We need you."

No one knew what to do. They knew nothing of his internal struggle against the demons in his head. Only Kotori stepped forward, a look of empathy on her face as she knelt among the distraught young women. She reached a hand forward and placed it on the struggling prince's forehead.

"I know what it's like," Kurogane suddenly heard the bright, strong voice in his head, driving away the cold and darkness. "To lose your grip and sink slowly into the ocean."

Please, he cried out in his mind. Someone help me!

"I was so young when it happened to me. There was no one who could help me. I had no choice but to accept the drowning ocean in my head. It was the only way to stay alive…and I found that I could see further in the water than out of it…and I saw this. It is the price you pay for being able to see the farthest…but this sight isn't for you. You don't have to drown. I can help you."

At that moment, the boy felt a hand clasp his. He gazed up through the water and saw the face that was dearer to him than even life.

"Kuro-koi," he called softly. "Come back to me."

Tears of relief filled his eyes as he grasped his sanity once again. He had it. He was holding it now. They weren't going to take it from him.

"Fai," he whispered, the water beginning to flood in. But, just as his last breath was exhaled on that precious name, he was pulled free of the ocean and he awoke, breathing hard and blinking as he stared up into Kotori's face.

"I knew you could do it," she said with a playful smile.

"Nii-sama!" Tomoyo cried out, crushing him against her chest. "You're alright!"

Kurogane remained silent as Tomoyo fussed over him. When he finally managed to sit up, he felt a different hand on his shoulder. He looked to his left and saw Yuui…not Fai…Yuui.

"Kurogane-kun…are you here?"

Kurogane stared a few moments longer…then nodded. All the time he had wasted…he could just stab himself.

"We need to get him back."

"Yes," she replied, smiling in relief. "Yes, we do."

"Now that you've decided to join the meeting, Kurogane-kun, you should also know that we won't be able to undertake this journey for awhile yet. I imagine we won't be going anywhere at least until the princess' baby is born. I've no doubt she'll want to join in on this little quest," Kujaku continued as if the whole episode had never happened.

"That's fine," Kurogane said calmly, glancing down at his hands, curling and uncurling them into fists. "I need to train. I need to get stronger if I'm going to have any prayer of rescuing him. They took me down like I was nothing. I can't let that happen again. I'll also need a new sword. Sohi was a good weapon, but I'll need something better." When he'd finished speaking, Kurogane reached up and tucked Fai's rose behind his ear, twining it into his hair. Then he stood and helped the other three to their feet.

"We can help you there, Kurogane-sama," Kamui promised. "We can make for you a blade that will stand against any dark faerie, and I believe that Ryuuki-san could teach you some attacks that may be useful."

"Then I'll do that, too."

"Yuui," Doumeki started up again. "There is…one other thing you should all know."

"What?" Yuui asked. She really didn't like the tone of her guardian's voice.

"Spells aren't permanent. They all break down eventually without care. The longevity of the spell depends on the caster. A curse of death is one of the few things that is permanent. Yuuko is much more powerful than I will ever be. Fai is out of my reach now and I cannot repair my gift as I've been doing all the time the two of you were with us. You've nothing to fear if you remain near me, but…if we don't get to him soon, my protection will wear off…and Yuuko's original curse will set in. Fai will die."

Kurogane, Yuui, Tomoyo, Souma, and Sakura all stared at the assassin in horror for a long moment. Yuui's first thought was to demand why none of them had told her sooner, for surely everyone else had known. How could they not? But she also realized that Doumeki had been right to wait. Would she really have listened? Deal with things one crisis at a time…that was how it was.

"How much time?" Kurogane asked solemnly, voicing the question that was in everyone's head.

"Three months…maybe a little longer. The child should be born before the time runs out. The rose will keep us informed. It's our only link to him, Kurogane. You must guard it with your life."

Kurogane nodded. "Nothing less."

"Yuui-chan," Fuuma broke in once again. "I need to ask…once the child is born…and you set off on this journey-"

"My daughter stays with me," Yuui answered succinctly, not even waiting for Fuuma to finish the question.

"But it will be dangerous."

"I can protect her."

"Like you did tonight?"

"I didn't see you rushing to help. I'm the one who saved her."

"No. That was Doumeki-san. You would have left her to die."

"I thought she was dead, Fuuma-san!" Yuui cried out. "What would you have done?"

"You can't make mistakes like that with a baby. You're little more than a child yourself, Yuui-chan. Don't I get a say in this? She's my daughter, too."

"I think you gave up your claim to this child when you raped me!"

That hit home. Fuuma took a step back, as if she'd delivered a physical blow. In an instant, he was back in the labyrinth, standing over Yuui's body, on the verge of tears.

"I…I…no…"

"Oh, God," Yuui whispered, immediately seeing the hurt and shock in his eyes. "I…I'm so sorry, Fuuma-san. I didn't think…I was just…so angry. I don't want anyone to take her from me and I don't want to be apart from her. I went too far. I'm sorry."

"I…never meant to hurt you," he whispered back, gazing sadly back at her. "Look what I've done to you…brought on you. I'm not worthy to be the father of your child."

"No. I couldn't have asked for a better one from all the men this world could show me. It wasn't your fault. You did what you had to…to protect me…to protect everyone.

Just like I have to do now.

"I know it's going to be dangerous, but my baby stays with me. I can protect her. And if I can't…my own daughter…what right have I to be anyone's queen? I know she's yours, too…but you did give me the final say."

"I did, didn't I," he said, a small, sad smile taking up residence on his face. "Yuui-chan…do you…have you…picked out a name for her yet?" With the word of both Yuui and Kotori, no one really doubted that the unborn child would be a little girl.

Yuui smiled, taking Fuuma's hand in one of hers and taking Tomoyo's in the other. Then she joined all three of them together. They were a very strange family. The world had never seen their like before, but they were a family nonetheless. Through thick and thin, they were bound together by love…love and the child growing inside of Yuui.

"I have, but I don't want anyone else to know until she's born. I want to keep it safe."

"I understand."

"Oh, Goddess," Kurogane suddenly whispered sharply, falling weakly to his knees once more. He had forgotten. Everything falling to pieces around him had made him forget. But all of this talk of his niece-to-be was forcing him to remember. "Bleeding Goddess!"

"Kurogane-kun!" Yuui shouted as she, Tomoyo, and Souma all moved back to his side. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

The fallen prince's hands shot out and seized Yuui's shoulders, clutching them desperately. "Yuui…I can't…I can't marry him. I can't…ever…marry Fai. Not now. I'll lose him!"

Yuui shook her head. "What are you talking about? Of course you can marry him. You have to marry him! Fai needs you, Kurogane-kun! You need him, too. You made a promise to him! You can't abandon him now!"

Kurogane gazed into her eyes for a long moment, trying to convey to her just how trapped he was. "I'm not abandoning him. I'll stay with him. I just can't marry him."

"Why not? I don't understand."

"That bastard Kyle put a curse on me. If I marry him…then he dies. I can't lose him, Yuui. I can't."

Yuui found herself shaking, gripping Kurogane just as tightly as he was gripping her. One step ahead…their enemies were always one step ahead of them. At every turn, they had them beat.

"It's not fair," she whispered over and over again. "It's just not fair!"

"Is there any way out?" Watanuki asked Kurogane.

"Yeah…but it's impossible. He said…that if Fai could give birth to a child of his body that I'm father to…we could get married…but there's nothing we can do…nothing."

"Aside from that, the only way to break a curse is to kill the faerie who cast it. You two would be free to marry if we could kill Kyle," Doumeki said. He didn't say it, but the implication hung heavy in the air that this was also the way to free Himawari from her curse.

"Wait," Kurogane suddenly started, shooting to his feet, followed slowly by the three girls. "If that's the way to break a curse, why can't we kill Yuuko and save Fai?"

"Because there is a geis on our people…a spell that binds us," Fuuma explained, stepping in to field the next set of questions. He had explained the true reason for Yuuko's decent into madness to the others before tonight's mission. "We are bound by Faerie itself not to kill Yuuko."

"What? Why?"

"As you know, Yuuko was once Clow Reed's wife. Long before your country was even called Nihon, she was cursed to kill the one she loved the most, my uncle. In desperation, she sought to destroy herself, but my uncle could not bear to lose her. He made her swear not to kill herself…and to the fey, there is nothing worse than to be seen as a breaker of one's oath. Knowing that even that would not stop her, Clow placed the geis on all who possessed even the tiniest drop of fey blood. No faerie may take Yuuko's life. Only one who is purely human can do this…and what human is strong enough to?"

"There has to be a way," Kurogane insisted.

"Well, perhaps if you managed to get Assassin's Hand away from Seishiro. Again, a feat that is impossible a thousand times over," Kujaku put in.

"Assassin's Hand?"

"Yes. You've done battle with it, Kurogane," Doumeki said, fixing the banished prince with a very pointed stare. "Assassin's Hand is the dark blade wielded by Seishiro, forged with his blood. It is nigh infinitely powerful. This sword has the ability to kill the immortal fey. If you could get that, then you could conceivably kill Yuuko, but even that may not work."

"Why not?"

"Certainly it would be a good thing to have Yuuko vanquished, but it may not help Fai…because Yuuko is a queen."

"What's that to do with anything?" Kurogane asked impatiently.

"It is the reason why my uncle's geis holds even after his death, and why the former king's curse on Yuuko transcended his death all those years ago. A sovereign's will is one with Faerie. A spell cast by a sovereign will outlast their death if they so will it," Fuuma said. "Yuuko is queen of the Dark Court and the Dark Court is a Faerie of itself. Yuuko's rage became a core all its own. We have no way of knowing whether or not the same rules apply to the Dark Court. Yuuko's curse might be ended with her death and it might not be."

"Right now it would probably be best to focus on getting to Fai," Watanuki said.

"Yeah," Kurogane agreed. He had no chance against Seishiro and he knew it. Painful as it was, he knew that it would be best to wait and get proper training so that he would be ready to face his enemies when the time came.

"I have done all that I can for now," Subaru's soft voice suddenly broke into the conversation. "It will take several weeks."

All eyes in the room turned toward the bed where the poisoned queen was lying. Subaru was just standing up from the bed and Chitose was tending to her. As Tomoyo and Kurogane both moved toward their mother, they saw that, for the first time in what felt like years, she was actually resting, her eyes closed in sleep and not staring blankly at nothing.

"I think there's been enough talking for one night," Yuui said firmly. "It's late. We all need rest."

"Yes, of course," Fuuma agreed, catching on. "Rooms will be made ready for all of you."

No one could have possibly foreseen it, least of all Yuui herself, but she found herself thinking about keeping Kurogane and Souma close by. No sooner had the thought entered her head than a loud grinding sound echoed through the chamber and everyone was instantly on the defensive. Kurogane and Souma took up stances around Yuui and Tomoyo and everyone else fell into place around them.

"What's happening?" Soel shouted.

Almost as soon as they had begun, the noises stopped.

"Yuui-hime," Yue said softly. "Look."

Everyone looked where the Moon Guardian indicated…and found four doors along the western wall that had definitely not been there before. Yuui took a step forward, but Doumeki quickly threw an arm out to stop her, moving toward the doors himself.

"It might be a trap," Watanuki said softly, stepping up behind her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

Doumeki opened the first door and cautiously moved inside. When he emerged a few moments later, his face gave away nothing. He repeated the process with the next three doors and when he had checked all of them, he came back to the group.

"Rooms. Four fully furnished bedchambers. That's what they are."

All of the faeries, except Doumeki, Kujaku, and Subaru, turned to stare at Yuui in amazement.

"Could it…be…?" Fuuma whispered.

"Yuui-sama…what were you thinking about before those appeared?" Kero asked her.

The blonde tilted her head curiously to the side, slightly confused. "I…I was thinking that I wanted to keep them close...Kurogane-kun and Souma-chan…and Fuuma-san was talking about rooms, so…"

"By the Goddess," Kamui swore softly.

"It knows the princess. It must," Sai said, amazed.

"But…how can it be?" Watanuki wondered aloud. "She's not queen yet."

"Wait. Slow down. What are you talking about?" Yuui asked them, thoroughly confused.

"Yuui-hime," Kakei addressed her, moving forward to be heard. "The sithen recognizes its master. The sithen is in tune with a sovereign's very thoughts. When the sithen recognizes a new master, it acts accordingly. You must be careful of your thoughts. If it is within the sithen's power, it will grant to you what you desire."

For a moment, all Yuui could do was stare at him in shock.

"A – are you saying that this…this place is inside my head? It knows what I'm thinking?"

"Yes. The sithen is alive. It recognizes you as a potential new master. Your mental bonds to Faerie are just beginning to form. Someday, the thoughts of all of your subjects…nay, even the thoughts of all things that live…will be yours if you wish it. But we will not be able to see your mind unless you will it. The sithen is different. It can always hear the words you do not say. It can see your mind."

"I…I think I need to sit down." No sooner were the words out of her mouth, than a chair appeared beside her. Yuui immediately jumped away from it, moving closer to Tomoyo, clinging to her. Tomoyo wrapped her arms around her, comfortingly patting her back.

"No. No," she mumbled into Tomoyo's chest. "I don't want this. I don't want some strange magic castle living in my head!" Her shoulders started to shake.

"Yuui-chan," Watanuki whispered sadly. "Is there anything we can do?"

Yuui just continued to shake, on the verge of breaking down, clinging all the tighter to her love. "Just go away," she rasped.

All of them thought of a hundred things they could have said, but they could all clearly see that Yuui would hear none of them, so they began to disperse. Doumeki began to distribute the rooms. He led Kurogane to the first one, and as he entered, Soel hopped up on his shoulder.

"Mokona will sleep with Kurogane tonight."

"Yeah, sure. Fine," Kurogane muttered, not really feeling up to arguing. Company, however cutesy and annoying, would be welcome tonight…even if he didn't really plan on sleeping.

Souma was shown to the second room. Larg joined her. Doumeki picked Amaterasu up again and carried her into the third room. Sakura was given the last room.

"Will you be needing anything from me, Princess?" Chitose asked Tomoyo.

"No. You can get some rest, Chitose-san," Tomoyo replied as she led her trembling fiancé over to the bed. "Yuui needs me tonight."

Chitose nodded once before disappearing into the third room. Kujaku, Kakei, and Sai had long since slipped out.

"You should all get some rest," Doumeki said to Kamui and Fuuma. "Watanuki, Kunogi, and I will take the watch tonight."

"We'll join you later. There's just…something I need to do tonight," Fuuma said before turning to Kamui. "If you don't mind…I need to speak with you."

"It's alright," Kamui said after an expectant pause. "I need to speak with you, too. I just need to take Subaru back to his room first."

"Don't worry about Subaru-kun," Kotori said, smiling gently as she came and gave him a hug. "I'll take care of him. It's the least I can do. You've both been such good friends."

Then Kotori pulled Kamui even closer against her and whispered in his ear, "Please…take care of my onii-sama. He needs you now." Then she gave him a kiss on the cheek before backing away. He stared at her in slight confusion as she moved over to her brother.

She also pulled Fuuma into a tight hug, pressing her mouth against his ear to whisper to him.

"You've always put me above your own needs. No one could have had a better nii-san. I love you…but it's time to drown."

Fuuma pulled back, staring confusedly down at his little sister. Usually he could tell, but right now he just wasn't sure if she was lucid or not…and if she was…where was all of this coming from?

Without another word, Kotori danced away from him and took Subaru's hand in hers, cheerfully leading him out of the room. Fuuma and Kamui exchanged looks of confusion before following, heading in the direction of Fuuma's chambers. Yue and Kero followed soon after, heading for the sitting room. Himawari, Watanuki, and Doumeki lingered a moment, all watching Tomoyo attempt to comfort their daughter with their own expressions of worry. But then they were gone, and the two princesses were alone.

XxX

Kurogane did nothing to prepare for sleep. He didn't even lie down on the bed. He just plucked Soel off his shoulder and set the small white creature down on the pillows before moving over to the windowsill, sitting down, and staring out into the night. After a long while of just watching him, Soel hopped off of the bed and over to him, hopping up and into his lap. Kurogane did not respond.

"Isn't Kurogane going to sleep?" Soel asked, glancing worriedly up at the banished prince.

"No," he said softly.

"But…Kurogane must be tired. Shouldn't Kurogane get some rest?"

"Heh, he should," he mumbled, imitating the Mokona's odd speech pattern in order to avoid feeling like he was actually talking about himself. "But he doesn't really want to."

"Why not? Fai would want Kurogane to take care of himself. He would feel bad if he didn't."

"Kurogane knows that," he said, roughly patting the manjuu's head as he stared out at the fey landscape.

"Then why?"

Kurogane remained silent for a long time while Soel waited patiently for him to respond. When he finally did, it was with reluctance.

"Because…he's afraid."

Soel questioned him further, but he didn't respond. He couldn't even hear the tiny voice. He was lost in the memory of his nightmare. If he slept, then he would see Fai…hurt or killed. He knew he would. He was being punished for his failure. Part of him wanted to be made to suffer…but the other part couldn't bear it. He knew that he would have to sleep sometime. He could only push himself so far before he dropped, but he would push himself for as long as he possibly could. He wanted to see Fai, but he didn't want to see the light leave his eyes night after night. He just couldn't take it. He knew that he would lose Fai a hundred times over before this was ended and he wanted to escape it for as long as possible.

When Kurogane finally came back to himself, the little fluff ball was snoozing fitfully in his lap. He sighed as he turned his eyes outward once more to watch the moon's passage across the night sky.

XxX

Souma was quite different from Kurogane. She immediately collapsed on the bed that had been provided for her, cuddling Larg in her arms. She felt like the only thing she could do was sleep. She hadn't for the past two nights. The night of the masque, she hadn't slept for being unable to get the thought of Tomoyo and Yuui alone in the princess' chamber out of her head…and out of her body. Last night she'd stayed awake making sure that nothing came within an inch of Tomoyo…and trying to get her to sleep herself. Now…now she would give almost anything to go back to the night of the masque…the night before everything fell apart and Fai was still with them. Fai and Yuui…royalty? The lost prince and princess of legend? Fai…the victim of the Dark Queen's curse? And Yuui…next in line to rule over the realm of Faerie? When had things become so hopelessly tangled? Fai and Yuui were meant to be their sanctuary…and now they, too, were caught up in the intrigue. The madness had touched even them.

And then there was her father…the man whom, for her, was at the center of the madness. A man who had been indifferent to who she really was her entire life. The only times he had ever paid attention to her were to beat her back into line whenever she tried to break free of him. When she had fallen under Arashi's tutelage, he had essentially disowned her. Even before that, she could not recall a time when he had ever hugged her or held her. Her earliest memories were of Sonomi…and her father's face, not his embrace, as it should have been, but his face…either sad or angry. She could faintly recall the first time he'd hit her. It was over a small thing…a broken cup, perhaps. It was all so very distant. He'd looked…almost shocked. He'd stared at his hand…like he couldn't quite believe it was his. After that, there had only been anger. It was that small moment of regret that she clung to in her heart, that made her keep going back for more…that made her believe he could still be a father to her. But nothing ever changed. Why now…as the world was crumbling around them…did he choose to hold her close and express a wish for her safety?

All of it…it was just too much.

"I don't understand!" she cried weakly as a few teardrops escaped her eyes. Larg said nothing, just snuggled closer as the young kunoichi cried herself to sleep.

XxX

"Well, here we are, Subaru-kun. Your room," Kotori said with a grin, stopping in front of the doors that led into the Shiro lord's quarters. As expected, he made no real reaction. Kotori turned to face him, her smile dimming slightly, but her eyes remaining warm and gentle. She pulled him into a hug as she'd done with her brother and his.

"You're so kind, you and your nii-san, both. You've been like brothers to me, and you've stood by Fuuma all these years. My cousin's only trying to do what he thinks is best. He can't help the way he sees things. It was always going to happen this way. It will destroy Kamui-san…what's to happen. Please, Subaru-kun, you mustn't let him face Seishiro-san. He would be killed. Seishiro-san would have no choice. That's for you and you alone." Kotori was perfectly aware that he wasn't hearing any of what she was telling him, but she also knew that he would still remember the warning. He would recall when the time came. She giggled when she found that she had to stand on tiptoe in order to kiss his forehead.

"Goodbye, Subaru-kun. Please, don't give up on him. Don't ever let go of him. You're meant to go on…all of you."

XxX

"Why wouldn't you let me see into your mind?"

Tomoyo remained silent for a long moment, staring down into her lover's eyes. Once she had gotten Yuui to calm down, the light had darkened for them and they had both changed into simple nightgowns. Tomoyo was sitting against the headboard of the bed, nearly lost among all the pillows, and Yuui was laying with her head in her lap. They were both playing idly with the other's hair, though Tomoyo had a significantly less amount than usual to toy with. She was leaning slightly forward so that her own hair cascaded around her shoulders and fell around Yuui's face like a curtain. They had even pulled the curtains closed around the bed to give themselves even more privacy. Upon hearing the question, though, Tomoyo's eyes went dark.

"Because I…didn't want you to see."

"You've never kept anything from me before," Yuui said sadly, glancing away. "All this time we've lived in each other's dreams…these two years we've been able to know each other's thoughts…you've never wanted to keep anything from me before now. And it wasn't to keep me from coming after you. You knew I would do that no matter what anyone did or said."

"There was one thing. I didn't tell you that I knew who you were. Almost…from the very beginning…I knew who you and Fai really were…where you really came from…"

"I don't blame you for that," Yuui said. "That wasn't your secret to tell. But…now…it's the same as when…I hid myself from you…after Fuuma-san…took me…"

Tomoyo smiled sadly. "How did you know?"

"I saw your mind…when I healed you. That's what happens when I use that power. I see the things that have caused you pain…mentally as well as physically. I saw…what he did to you." He hadn't taken her, but for all that he had done to her…he may as well have. The memory of his hands on her body would live in her heart like a scar. The fact that he had forced her to feel pleasure would forever be a guilty burden to her. As tears formed in her eyes, Yuui drew her down for a deep, cleansing kiss.

"It wasn't your fault," Yuui whispered against her when they finally separated, reaching up to wipe the tears away. "I understand. For all you knew, I was already gone. It's no one's fault but his." He had tormented Fai's fragile psyche. He had violated Tomoyo…her Tomoyo. If Kurogane didn't kill Kyle Rondart first, then she certainly would. Even if he did, she would most likely try and kill him a second time.

"Please…don't tell Kurogane," Tomoyo pleaded softly. "He's got so much to worry about right now. He doesn't need this, too. Someday…but not right now."

Yuui shook her head. "I won't tell him. You should be the one to. But he's probably already guessed at it. There's just…so much happening all at once…"

"Yuui?" Tomoyo began in a stoic voice, pointedly looking away from her lover. "Why did you put on a nightgown if you're not going to sleep?"

And here we are, Yuui thought with a sad smile. She had known that this conversation was coming. She just hadn't known when Tomoyo would ask her.

"I suppose I just wanted to make you feel a little better about our situation. Kero-san told me that I don't actually need to sleep…no faerie needs to sleep, but many of them indulge in it just the same because they find it enjoyable…like eating chocolate or making love. I'm just used to doing it because I've lived my life as a human. My body still thinks that I need to. I'm starting to get used to it…so you won't have to worry about me just dropping from exhaustion. Though…I'm almost amazed that…what happened tonight…didn't bring the curse upon me. Those few moments…when I thought I'd lost her…that…I…I was so ready to let go…to just give up on everything and sleep. If Doumeki hadn't thought to check…I probably wouldn't be here right now."

"Don't say that!" Tomoyo cried out, pulling Yuui up, pressing her desperately close against her body. "Please don't say that."

"But…Tomoyo…I've been thinking about…just going to sleep…and getting it over with."

Upon hearing this, every muscle in Tomoyo's body went limp and Yuui fell lightly back into her lap, smiling weakly up at her shocked face.

"Why would you say something like that?"

"Think about it, koibito. We could do it tonight…right now. If we did it…then no one could come and take me away like they did Fai. We could go to sleep…and when you wake up in the morning, you could kiss me awake…and it would be over and done with."

Tomoyo shook her head in disbelief. "You don't know that. You don't know that it's safe to just…let it happen. Something could happen…and I'd lose you forever. And…what if Nii-sama's right…and it doesn't work because it's not our first kiss?"

"Then you find another way."

"But they said that even killing Yuuko might not work. What if…what if it doesn't work because…because…"

"Because what, Tomoyo?" Yuui asked calmly.

"Because I'm not the one? What if it's not me…who's your true love?"

Yuui smiled softly, shaking her head and reaching a hand up to stroke Tomoyo's cheek. "That's just ridiculous. When we make love, my skin shines like the moon…and I love you with all my heart…and you love me…and I want to be with you forever. I have to be with you forever. What proof do you still need?"

"I…I know all of this, Yuui…but I'm still…so afraid. Please…promise me you won't fall asleep."

"I can't promise you that, Tomoyo. I can't know if something might happen to make me sleep."

"But…what about our daughter? What happens to her if you fall asleep?"

Yuui looked away from Tomoyo at this, her eyes becoming sad and distant. "I…I don't know. Maybe…it would be best to wait…at least until she's born."

"Yes," Tomoyo encouraged, desperately grasping at this last slender thread. "At least until then. Please…just hold on, Yuui. We'll find a way. I know we will." With that, Tomoyo fell to kissing Yuui's face with a desperation so wild it left them both gasping. Neither had planned for it to happen, but almost before they were aware of it, they were both naked and Tomoyo was straddling Yuui, kissing the pregnant swell of her belly. In the moments before Tomoyo knew it would be too late to stop herself, she glanced up at Yuui's straining face, silently asking for permission. She nodded, breathing heavily.

"Yes…but…please…be gentle. The baby…"

"I know," she whispered back, lovingly kissing her way down the rest of Yuui's body, nestling her face against the hottest part of her. Yuui inhaled sharply at the feeling the simple contact inspired. Moaning softly and sighing Tomoyo's name, she tangled her fingers in her dark hair, urging her on. The younger princess kissed every inch of her sex that she could get at, working even deeper with her tongue. When she felt Yuui begin to tremble beneath her, she moved her mouth to the hidden bundle of nerves that would help her bring Yuui pleasure and wrapped her lips around the fleshy nub.

Yuui cried out, resisting the urge to press Tomoyo more firmly against her. She spread her legs even wider, allowing her dark lover more room to work. After a time, she wrapped her legs around Tomoyo's torso, tangling them together as one. Tomoyo sucked on her like an infant suckles at the breast. It was a more apt comparison than anyone would ever know. Yuui's pleasure was the very breath of life to the Nihon princess. She could feel fire growing in her own loins as Yuui's legs slowly tightened around her. The older princess' gasps and moans grew steadily in volume as the warmth in her nether regions grew hotter and tighter, threatening to erupt with every passing second. She had to fight very hard to keep herself from bucking up against Tomoyo, both for her sake and for the baby's. She knew that, with the accelerated development of her child, she was probably entering the stages of her pregnancy where it wasn't smart to be doing this, but she couldn't help it. It wasn't like she was using any of her usual tricks. Perhaps…just one more time. They both needed this night.

Tomoyo could feel herself growing tenser and wetter as Yuui's skin began to glow. This was the part that she loved best. Watching her lover glow like a star and smelling her delicious scent as it filled the air…the sweetness of golden honey and the tartness of freshly picked apples. Any moment now, her cries of bliss would peak and she would become the light of the moon as she reached the absolute height of her ecstasy…and the best part of this was that, deep down, Tomoyo knew that she was the only one who could do this for Yuui. The faerie princess glowed only for her. She knew in her heart what this meant, but she couldn't help being afraid…after seeing Fai so cold. She didn't want to see Yuui like that…and the thought of it even maybe happening to her made her want to feel more alive. She dug her fingers into the blonde's hips, working all the harder to bring her to completion. All of a sudden, she felt the taller girl's legs tighten around her almost to the point of crushing.

"Ah!" Yuui cried out, her head falling back as her climax came upon her in sweet waves, her fingers clutching desperately at Tomoyo. The smaller girl smiled inwardly when she felt the flesh in her mouth tighten, undulating in a sensual dance beneath her tongue.

As Yuui came down from her high, breathing heavily, the tremors from the orgasm coming further and further apart, Tomoyo crawled up beside her once again, leaning in close to kiss her. For a while after, they just lay side by side, gazing into each other's eyes. However, it wasn't long before Yuui recovered her energy and began to move herself.

Tomoyo slept very little that night.

XxX

When they reached Fuuma's quarters, Kamui and Fuuma both remained silent for a long while. Fuuma stood facing away from Kamui in the darkness of his sitting room. The only light came from the moon. They both knew why they were there and that there was much to be said…but they were both terrified to be the first one to speak and end the centuries of silence, stolen glances, and half-formed thoughts.

"What did you want to speak with me about?" Kamui finally whispered.

Fuuma let out a soft but harsh laugh at this, still looking away from Kamui. "What did you want to speak with me about, Kamui-kun?" he whispered back. Human ears would have barely been able to detect their conversation, but they could hear each other perfectly. To one, there was only the sound of the other's voice…as if a roll of thunder were sounding in the heavens.

"You spoke first," Kamui reminded him.

"I suppose I did," Fuuma continued to whisper, finally turning to face Kamui. "You know…don't you?"

"I do…and of course you know. You can see what's in my heart, after all."

"I can," he whispered, beginning to move closer to the younger faerie.

"How long have you known…what I didn't even know myself?" he asked, glancing down at the floor.

Fuuma reached forward, hesitantly placing a hand on Kamui's cheek. "I have always known it. I cannot help but see a person's truest desire. Even when you were a baby…the moment you could recognize my face, we were bonded. I was what you wanted…even if it wasn't in a romantic sense all those years ago. For the longest time, you were content. You had my absolute devotion as a friend and mentor as you grew…but I knew that you would one day need more from me…and that was just as well, for I had fallen in love with you. I just didn't know how long I would have to wait before you realized it yourself. Your heart had what it wanted for such a long time…that I don't think that you realized that there might come a day when you would be without it. I don't think you realized that possibility until I entered your room that day covered in blood. That was when you began to realize what you really wanted me to be to you…and what you wanted to be to me."

Kamui leaned into Fuuma's gentle caress, his mind slowly beginning to drift. "Then…why now?" he whispered.

"Because tonight…you finally know your own heart. The desire rings clear to me. It's not a latent wish or confused wandering. You know what you want. So…I can finally say it. Kamui Shiro…I love you."

Kamui smiled, his eyes glistening slightly as he leaned even further into the touch. Slowly, he drew his own hand up and placed it over Fuuma's. "Say it again," he whispered.

"I love you. I love you. Please…let me hear you say it."

"Heh, you already have, haven't you?"

"I have. I've heard the whisper of your heart, but I want to hear the words from your mouth. I want to hear you claim them as your own."

"Fuuma Monou…I love you."

"Finally," the older faerie whispered in relief before drawing the younger into his arms and kissing him. It wasn't a violent, passionate affair, as their first one had been. This one was gentle…soothing…loving. It was the kiss that they had both been holding back for many lifetimes of men.

When they finally separated, they just stood together, holding each other close. Kamui leaned his head against Fuuma's chest as Fuuma ran his fingers through his dark hair.

"I'm sorry…Kamui," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of his head.

"Sorry?" Kamui queried, backing away a little. "What are you sorry for?"

"I can't start this with a lie. What happened to Subaru-kun was my fault."

Kamui shook his head. "What…what are you talking about?"

"I knew…that Seishiro was the Sakurazukamori. I've known for almost four years now. I could have stopped it. But…even I had hope when he said that Subaru-kun made him glow…and that he glowed for him. My foolish hope led to Subaru-kun's downfall. I should have stepped in. I-"

Kamui smiled sadly, pressing a finger to Fuuma's lips to silence him. "I don't blame you for that. You couldn't have known that he was after Subaru. If anyone is to blame in this, it's me…for letting him out of my sight all those years ago…and letting that monster sink his teeth into him in the first place."

"No," Fuuma whispered, pulling Kamui back into his arms. "Don't blame yourself. We'll get through to him somehow."

"I just feel like…like we're running out of time," Kamui whispered against him, clinging to him slightly. "That…if we don't do this now…there might not be another chance."

"I know," Fuuma replied softly. In truth, he had been feeling the same way. They were on the brink of war. It felt like they were somehow standing on the edge…like…nothing was going to be the same after tonight.

"Come to my bed," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the younger faerie's ear.

Kamui chuckled softly, almost bitterly. Even now, in a moment that was supposed to be all joy and wonder, he could not quite let go of his weary cynicism. "Why? Because we don't know whether or not we'll be alive tomorrow night?"

"No," Fuuma replied, briefly kissing his lips. "Because I love you and you love me and I want to be with you. Who cares if we discovered it on the eve of war?"

All it took was a nod. Just one nod from the violet-eyed faerie and Fuuma had led him into his bedchamber. Neither of them really remembered stripping each other naked, but before they knew it, they were in just such a state on Fuuma's bed, lying in each other's arms and kissing fervently.

"Take me," Kamui whispered breathlessly against Fuuma's lips. "Take me!"

"Wait," Fuuma returned, pressing a restraining hand against his chest. Disentangling himself from Kamui, he rummaged through a drawer in a table by the bed, drawing out a small bottle of amber liquid. When it was opened, the scent of musk filled the room.

"Oil?" Kamui questioned with a wry grin. "You were…planning this?"

Fuuma shook his head as he coated his index finger with the oil. "Not planning…just waiting. I know it can be painful."

Kamui knew it, too. It wasn't as if either of them was a virgin…he just couldn't bring himself to care whether or not it would hurt. He could handle pain. What he wasn't certain of was whether or not Fuuma could handle hurting him. Fuuma had been extremely fragile ever since getting Yuui with child. He was a kind person by nature and Kamui hadn't realized what he was doing to him until it was too late. Now he couldn't even bear the mere thought of hurting someone he cared about. So, if he had any care at all for Fuuma's heart, he would have to tread carefully tonight. Even in this heated moment…even though there was a fierce and desperate need in both of them…he would have to make sure that they were both careful. Even the smallest cry of pain from him would cost Fuuma dearly. The elder noble would spend the next fifty years hating himself.

However, even knowing that, he couldn't wait through much more than a cursory preparation, a few probing thrusts of Fuuma's slicked finger. The feeling that they were running out of time was getting stronger with each passing second. He needed to have Fuuma claim him now!

"Please," he moaned in between kisses. "Now! I want you inside me now!" To accentuate his plea, he grabbed hold of Fuuma's already prevalent erection and began to stroke it generously, urging him on. He gave a strangled cry, nearly collapsing on top of Kamui. Then he laughed softly, attempting to master himself.

"Someone's eager," he teased, shaking his head again as he sat back up and quickly coated himself with the oil.

"Heh," Kamui snickered as he began to lift up his legs for Fuuma. "I should think you'd be a little more eager…with how long you've waited for me."

Fuuma smiled adoringly down at the younger faerie as he positioned himself. "One must learn patience, Kamui…or it could not be endured. Besides…I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I can take it. Now…take me!" he hissed, thrusting his body upward and impaling himself on Fuuma. His face scrunched up briefly as they collapsed back on the bed, tangled up in each other.

"Are you alright?" Fuuma demanded, trying to see Kamui's face. The Shiro gave him a smile.

"Fine. Just…just move," he whispered against him.

Fuuma nodded, burying his face in Kamui's hair. The scent of thistles filled his nose as he slowly began to move. Kamui moaned softly as the familiar sensations of pleasure began to fill his body. Before long, his skin began to glow with an ethereal lavender light, bathing the chamber in a rhapsody of color as his glow blended with the honey golden glow of Fuuma's skin. The intertwined beauty and danger of their magic and their love crashed together like bolts of lightning as they made love. To them, it seemed that the heavens were crashing down around them as they moved together…joining with the earth as they melted into each other. It was a miracle for both of them. Though they had both slept with countless others, no one else had ever been able to bring forth the sacred light.

A revelation…an experience out of time and space…Eternity in a single moment…the Beginning and the End. This was the truth of the light of the soul.

Then, in a moment that lasted forever and yet took no time at all, their dance of light peaked and passionate cries of the other's name brought ecstasy. Hot seed spilled upon and within.

When he was completely spent, Fuuma released Kamui and collapsed beside him, breathing hard. Breathing just as hard, Kamui reached his arms forward and pulled Fuuma to him, holding him close as their conjoined glow slowly faded. The room was very strongly inundated with the scents of thistles, cinnamon, and sex.

"Fuuma," Kamui whispered joyfully, his eyes bright with happy tears. "I...I had no idea-"

"Neither did I," he whispered back, his eyes glistening just as heavily with tears of joy as he closed the short distance between them and sealed Kamui's lips with a tender kiss

"I love you," Kamui whispered against him, already nodding off. He wanted to sleep so that he could have the pleasure of waking up in Fuuma's arms.

"And I love you," Fuuma returned just as softly, beginning to doze himself. He was exhausted. He had tried to be gentle, but he had still called out so much of his power just by being with Kamui. They were joined…now and forever.

There would be no going back.

Whatever happens…it's no one's fault.

XxX

Fai sat, alone, curled up in a miserable little ball, crying his poor heart out. He could only weep. He knew exactly where he was…and what was about to happen. He was on the giant bed…in the dark room. Seishiro would come for him soon.

I'm…so cold. Why am…I cold? Cold…so…cold…

"Fai-kun~," Seishiro's hypnotic voice sang as his body melted into being out of the darkness. Fai didn't look up. He only cried harder. He flinched when he felt Seishiro's hands on him. The dark prince cradled his face in his hands and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. Before Fai could slap him away, he pulled him up against his chest, very nearly crushing him. "Why are you crying, my pretty little Fai-kun?" he asked, kissing the boy's fair hair and rubbing his back soothingly while keeping him imprisoned in his steel embrace. Fai sobbed all the harder. He didn't want to speak to his tormentor, but he couldn't help it. No matter how hard he struggled, it seemed that a part of him would forever remain enslaved to the dark prince.

"B-because you're…going to…r-r...hurt me…again."

"No, I am not. I could never hurt you, my sweet little cherry blossom," he whispered in Fai's ear, tilting his head back to kiss his smooth, white throat.

"Please stop. Please stop," Fai sobbed weakly, shaking his head back and forth in an attempt to discourage the attention. "You hurt me before. You'll do it again."

"Listen to me, dear one. I only did what I had to," he said with a condescending smile…as if Fai were an ignorant child who didn't know what was best for himself. "Besides, there was no rape that night. You could have fought…but you didn't. You let me come inside you. You gave me the most precious gift you have to offer…your virginity."

"No! I didn't!" Fai shouted, struggling, even though he knew it was useless. "I gave that to Kurogane!"

"Did you, my sweet? What happened between us two years ago…was it an illusion or reality? You can never truly know. Face it, Fai-kun. Face the truth. I knew you first…and no matter how hard you try, you can never…ever…forget your first time. You will never be able to truly let go of the memory of the one who kissed you first…held you first…touched your body first…claimed you…first made you feel true pleasure…loved you first!" As he spoke, Seishiro slipped a hand down between their bodies and began to stroke Fai, who had no choice but to become fully and painfully hard at the mere touch.

"STOP IT!" Fai screamed, struggling helplessly against the vise-like arm that held him against Seishiro's chest. "You don't love me! Kurogane loves me!"

Seishiro only laughed, taking things a step further and sliding his hand directly into Fai's pants, rubbing against the bare flesh. Fai couldn't concentrate. "What are you talking about? Of course I love you. We're family, you and I."

"You're lying!" Without his permission, a moan of passion escaped Fai's throat. That wasn't him…was it? No! It couldn't have been! He'd never! Seishiro must be controlling him again. More tears slid down his face as he threw his head back and moaned all the louder.

"Oh, you like that, do you?" Seishiro whispered against him, sucking roughly on his ear as he pinched the tip between his thumb and pinky while drumming the other fingers harshly against the underside of Fai's throbbing length. Fai cried out in delight at the sensation, mentally slitting his throat for the traitorous action. "And why would I lie to you about something like that? Don't you know where your fey blood comes from? Clow Reed himself. Your okaa-san was his daughter…my half-sister. I am your uncle, Fai-kun. We are bound by blood."

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" Fai shrieked, still trying to escape, even though his body was also reacting to Seishiro. He couldn't believe it. If it were true…then it meant that he had been raped…was being molested by…his own uncle! And what was worse…he didn't think he'd be able to survive knowing for certain that he had the same blood as this…creature!

"But it's true," Seishiro said softly, licking Fai's neck as he continued to jerk him off. Nothing Fai did seemed to deter him…and the things he was doing to Fai only made his body feel even better. "No one knows you better than your dear uncle does. I have seen everything that's in your heart…the good and the bad. I know every disgusting, sinful, beautiful, divine thing about you. You're not the person that your Kurogane-kun thinks you are. I know the things that even he doesn't know. Even seeing what you truly are, I still love you, Fai-kun. No one can love you like I can. No one can satisfy you like I can. That prince is only a human, Fai-kun. You're royalty yourself…fey royalty at that. Kurogane-kun is not worthy of you, my love. You can't know how powerful you are. You deserve a consort who is your equal."

"Oh…oh…Seishiro!" Fai cried out, moaning loudly as he moved against him. But just as he was about to lean forward and kiss him back, he re-mastered himself. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" he screamed, renewing his struggle.

"How do you know that I'm in your head, sweet koibito? You can still move of your own accord, can't you?" he asked, kissing Fai very harshly on the lips. He continued his ministrations, but he kept Fai's tip pinched, forbidding him to come, causing the sensations in his body to intensify beyond what any mortal could handle of pleasure. They both knew that it would soon drive him insane. "You do want me, Fai-kun. You just won't admit it.'

"IT'S NOT TRUE!" he screamed, but in the very next breath he was moaning, gasping Seishiro's name, begging for more. "Oh…Mm…Nngh…Yes…Yes! Seishiro…touch me!" Even as he cried out in pleasure and passion, tears of self-hatred and disgust flowed down his face. He pounded his fists against Seishiro's chest, still trying to escape, even as his traitorous body begged for the dark prince's touch.

"Do you want to come, Fai-kun?" Seishiro asked.

"Not with you!" the confused boy sobbed, though his arms were reaching to wrap around Seishiro. His uncle smirked sadistically as he gave him another kiss. This time Fai pressed eagerly up against him, kissing him back with a fiery passion as he pounded into his hand, desperately trying to come. Suddenly, his only desire in the world was to come by Seishiro's hand. He had to belong to Seishiro. He needed Seishiro inside of him! And even as the thoughts were born, his salty pain flowed down his face. His love for Kurogane existed hand in hand with his newfound love for Seishiro…his uncle! Every atom of his body tingled with pleasure, lust, love, and hatred. It was tearing him apart. In the next instant, he was reaching up, as if he meant to try and put out Seishiro's remaining eye. He began the struggle again. "LET ME GO!"

"Do you want to come, my love?' he asked again, continuing to stimulate his helpless nephew, driving him closer and closer to the breaking point.

"NEVER!" But even as he screamed in protest, it turned into a scream of desire and he swung his legs up, wrapping them around Seishiro's waist and pounding furiously into his hand. He needed to come! He would die if Seishiro didn't bring him to climax now! "Oh, God…oh, God! Please…oh…oh! Seishiro-koi! Touch me…TOUCH MEEEE!"

Traitor! Traitor! Vile betrayer! You don't deserve Kurogane! You're not faithful to him! You're cheating on him with your Goddess damn uncle! Your God damn rapist! You're sick, Fai! YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!

"Do you want to come, darling?" Seishiro asked again.

"NO! I HATE YOU!" Fai screamed, even as he pounded into Seishiro's hand and his fingers reached up to tangle in his silky black hair. This time, he was the aggressor in their heated kissing, plunging his tongue into Seishiro's mouth. The next moment, he bit down on the dark faerie's tongue, drawing blood. He wanted to hurt him! He wanted to be hurt by him! He needed him! He wanted to hate him! He wanted to love him! He wanted him to fuck him! He wanted to kill him! He wanted him to kill him! He wanted to fuck him! He couldn't stand it! He didn't know what he wanted. He felt so good!He felt so awful! He felt so sick! He was sick! He was insane!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" he screamed in both bliss and agony.

"Your body doesn't say no, my sweet. Which one is the liar? Tell me how much you love me, nephew of mine. Tell me what you want me to do to you."

"I…I love you, Seishiro! I want you! I need you! I need you inside me! God, yes! Yes, Uncle! Take me! Fuck me! I'm yours! Claim me! Dirty me! I love you!" He could feel his heart shattering as the false declarations spewed from his mouth. He could almost swear he was tasting vomit in his mouth as he smashed his lips against Seishiro's. He dug his fingernails into his scalp…anything to cause pain, to draw blood…but the injuries healed almost instantly.

"You see? This is what you really are," the dark prince said, smiling in triumph as he kissed every inch of Fai's sweating face. He was no longer imprisoning Fai against his body. They were holding each other, Fai pounding into his hand as he held him, refusing him release. "You're kissing me of your own free will. You want me to touch your body. I'm not using even one ounce of my Hand of Illusion on you. The only magic here is the magic of you finally realizing whom it is that you truly want. You only protest because you want to believe that you're still in love with Kurogane-kun, but it's not true. You love me, Fai-kun. You always have."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Fai screamed in anguish. "IT'S A LIE! IT'S A FILTHY, UGLY LIE!" He wanted to deny this, but deep down, he knew that he could not. He was kissing Seishiro because he wanted to. He was pounding against Seishiro's body because it felt so wonderful when he touched him like this. He was consciously accepting Seishiro. Everything…absolutely everything that he had done tonight had been done of his own free will. Every kiss…every touch…every moan and cry of desire…He wanted Seishiro. He wanted to be with him. He loved both Kurogane and Seishiro.

Maybe…maybe…he even loved…only Seishiro?

"Fai-kun, my sweet koibito, my beloved, my only nephew…if you open your eyes, you will see that the love between us is real."

Fai did as his uncle asked…and was almost blinded by the combined glow of their skin…his own white light and Seishiro's light red, almost pink, light. Pain and joy gripped his heart in equal measure. Tears flowed, thick and fast, down his face.

"There is nothing to equal the magic of two soul mates finding each other…no light more beautiful. It would be even more glorious if we two were naked on my bed, making love."

"But…but…Kuro…koi…"

"I know you glow for him, Fai-kun. I understand. I realize that you probably still have feelings for him and that's fine with me. I won't hold it against you. But he's only a human. What you feel will pass in time. It must…for someday, your Kurogane-kun will die and leave you alone…but you and I will live on. Though, for now…if you want…we could all be together," he suggested, giving Fai a gentle kiss, one hand tenderly stroking his hair while the other mercilessly continued its assault on the disoriented boy's sex, holding him on the edge. Fai clung to him weakly with both his arms and legs, never ceasing the thrusting motions as he sobbed into Seishiro's tunic. Neither his body nor his sanity would take much more of this.

"I…I don't…think he would like that. Oh, dear Goddess! I don't care about Kurogane! Please, Seishiro! I'm going to die!" he shrieked, seizing the older faerie in a violent kiss. He really was going to die once this was over…if not from this destructive orgasm when Seishiro finally released him, then from the outright lie he'd just dared to give voice to. He was almost gone now. At the exact same moment he could believe that it was both a lie and a truth.

"I'll only ask you one more time. Do you want me to let you come, Fai-koi?" he asked once more, giving the poor boy's abused cock a particularly violent squeeze. Fai screamed at the sensation, cleaving to his tormentor and savior like flesh to bone.

"Yes! Yes! Please!" he begged. "I'll do anything! I don't care! Make me come!"

Seishiro sneered. "You really shouldn't have said that, darling."

With that, he threw Fai down on the bed, kissing him harshly as he exposed him to the cold air, large and red. A normal human would have been killed by the force with which Seishiro threw him down and was now holding him. Still he did not release him.

Fai screamed into the kiss. He could no longer tell if it was pleasure or pain. They were the same…at this gateway between life and death. Seishiro bit savagely into his lip, drawing blood. Fai writhed against him, needing, begging for more. He wanted more of the pleasure. He needed for Seishiro to give it to him. At the same time, he desperately wanted more pain. He needed to be punished for his sins against Kurogane.

"JUST LET ME DIE!" he shrieked, still thrusting up against Seishiro. With a last cruel smile, his uncle let go.

It was the most violent experience he'd ever suffered through. He felt as if his body was trying to eject his very soul along with the seemingly endless stream of seed. It was death and rebirth in the same moment. It was the most painful…and the most wonderful thing he'd ever felt. It was far worse than all of the pain Seishiro had caused him before this moment because it felt so unbelievably amazing. In the very same instant, it was Heaven and Hell. The abused prince wept for the utter beauty and the sheer horror of it. How could it possibly feel so wretchedly wonderful to be so utterly destroyed?

When his body had been all used up, Fai lay on the bed, still trembling violently and clinging to Seishiro as he cried.

I'll never be free of that feeling, will I? It's always going to be there.

Seishiro slowly drew his hand up to Fai's face, allowing the yellow-white essence that the boy had gushed into the hand to dribble onto Fai's body as he moved. He took a long whiff of it, then licked a decent amount from one of his fingers.

"Mm, tastes nice," he said sultrily as he smeared the cooling release across Fai's face. He prodded the corner of Fai's mouth several times before he got the message and began to suck on his fingers, licking him clean, crying in despair all the while. "You taste good, don't you? My pretty little nephew," he cooed to the boy, as if speaking to a pet. Fai could only nod in agreement as he sobbed.

What could have been minutes or hours passed away before Fai pulled Seishiro down on top of him, drawing him into a loving kiss.

"I hate you so much," he cried against his lips as he wrapped his legs around his waist once more, tangling their bodies together. "Why…do I need to touch you…and to have you touch me?" He could feel the hardness of his uncle through the fabric of his clothing. Seishiro said nothing. He just let Fai indulge himself. He let him kiss, touch, whisper, stroke, fondle, bite, scratch, gouge, break, and explore to his heart's content.

"I…I love you…Seishiro…Uncle. I love you so much. But I…I'm so confused." He didn't want to love him. He couldn't love him. He did love him. He needed to love him. His world was breaking, falling into darkness all around him. Seishiro remained silent.

"Please! Let me go! Don't touch me! JUST STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Fai shrieked, shoving Seishiro away. He shot up from the bed and was about to make a run for it when his uncle finally spoke.

"Where will you go, Fai-kun? I'm the only person you've got left in the whole world. Kurogane-kun won't want you after tonight. I'll make sure of it. Your prince will dream of our night together…and he will see you for what you really are. What's more, I can assure you that the moment you try to flee into the darkness beyond this bed, you will find yourself right back in my arms. You've nothing left and nowhere to run to. Stay with me…and think about my offer."

"What offer?"

"My offer of marriage."

Fai looked lost. When had…he made such an offer? Was that what he meant when he spoke of becoming his consort? Marry his own uncle? His rapist? Marry the man whom he loved more than his own life? NO! That wasn't Seishiro! That was Kurogane! He and Kurogane were going to be married!

"But I…I love…Kuro-sama," he protested weakly, his hands dangling uselessly at his sides.

"No, you don't, Fai-kun. You're just confused. You love me. You lust for Kurogane-kun. It will pass in time."

"No," Fai continued to protest, reaching for something that ought to be on his pinky finger…but that seemed to be missing. "Kuro-sama and I…are getting married."

Seishiro shook his head and held out his hand. "Come to me, Fai-kun. Come here to me."

Fai obeyed without question, all memory of his lost engagement ring passing from his mind. He climbed back onto the bed and knelt before Seishiro.

"Suck," the dark faerie commanded, and again, Fai obeyed. He took Seishiro's hand in his and began to suck on his fingers. Seishiro used his thumb to stroke Fai's sticky cheek. "It will all come together someday, my sweet little boy. You will figure it out. Do you want to marry me, koibito?"

"Yes, Uncle. Very much," Fai responded eagerly, nuzzling his cheek against Seishiro's palm before going back to sucking on his fingers.

"Good boy, Fai-kun. If you and I unite, there will be no power in the world that can stand against us…the prince of light and the prince of darkness. We could rule the world forever if we wanted to."

Fai's expression briefly went blank and he found himself unable to gather his thoughts. Unite? Marriage? Kurogane? Seishiro? Lover? Uncle? Prince? Power? Unite? Sex?

"Fai-kun?" Seishiro queried, not particularly pleased that Fai had stopped sucking. Fai looked up upon hearing his name. The first thought that entered his head upon registering Seishiro's face in his mind was sex…unite…marriage…sex and love.

NO! he screamed at himself. It shouldn't be that! It can't be that! I don't love him! I won't marry him. He can't be my uncle! He raped me! Kuro-sama loves me! I love him! I'm going to marry him! We need to be together! Almost before he was aware of it, Fai had reached out and swiped his fingers across Seishiro's face, gouging out a great deal of skin. Fai started screaming hysterically and began to beat his fists against Seishiro's chest. Seishiro just smiled as the bloody wounds on his face healed over. Then he reached forward and began to pat Fai on the head.

"Now, now, Fai-kun, you really mustn't lose control like that. If we're going to be married, then you will have to learn to use your words to tell me when something makes you angry," he explained, as if chastising a petulant five-year-old.

"No! No! I won't do it! I won't let it end like this!" Fai shouted, his hysterics growing weaker all the time.

"But…koibito…don't you want to unite with me?" Seishiro asked, sounding a little hurt.

Again, Fai's thoughts became hazy. Only this time, when he resurfaced and saw Seishiro's face, it was the part of him that loved his incestuous uncle that resurfaced with him.

"U…unite?" he whispered, sounding like a confused child. Seishiro smiled, taking his hand and placing it over his erection. Understanding slowly dawned on him. "Seishiro-koi wants to fuck?"

"Yes, little wife, Seishiro-koi would very much like to fuck," he said, taking Fai's wrists and pulling him closer. Fai smiled innocently before getting a very seductive look on his face. He quickly closed the distance between them, taking possession of his fiancé's lips with his own and moaning passionately against him, resisting some wild, unexplainable urge to bite him. He was already hard again, fully aroused simply by kissing the man he loved.

"I love you, Seishiro. Put your hands on me," he whispered against his lips.

"Ooh," Seishiro shivered in anticipation as he slid his hands down Fai's pants once more. "You're so sexy when you're turned on, Fai-kun. You make me hard just thinking about you." He slid a hand down to Fai's inner thigh, massaging the baby soft skin.

"Oh…Oooh…Seishiro…my love," he moaned as their lips came together several more times. "Please…make love to me. I want you to bed me, Uncle."

"As you wish," he replied with a sneer, slowly taking his hands off of Fai's trembling body. "But won't you undress for me? You're such a lovely slut. I love watching you strip for me."

Fai nodded, standing up on the bed. He danced before Seishiro's hungry eyes, moving his lithe body in the most sensual of ways as he removed his clothing and tossed it away. He writhed in the air…as if Seishiro were already buried deep inside him. However, during this intensely sexual performance, Fai refused to look at the man who had raped him…who was raping him even now. Tears were falling from his eyes again.

"Please…I beg you," he sobbed quietly as he continued to dance for Seishiro. "Kill me. Kill me now! Don't make me do this!"

"Fai-kun, we've been through this. I'm not making you do anything. You're not here with me against your will. You want to be with me. You love me."

"Yes," Fai whispered. "Yes, I do." The next moment, Fai had collapsed into Seishiro's lap and they were kissing again. Fai tore at Seishiro's clothing until it lay in shreds around them. Growling possessively, Seishiro grabbed him and flipped him over, pinning him beneath him.

"You belong to me now," Seishiro growled as he positioned himself.

"Nngh…yes…yes! I love you, Uncle. Take me!" he moaned passionately.

"You see?" Seishiro hissed in his ear as he thrust deep inside him. "I didn't rape you at all. You asked me to make you feel good. You begged me to fuck you. You gave yourself to me. You're unfaithful, Fai-kun. You don't deserve Kurogane-kun. You're such a little whore!"

Suddenly remembering, Fai felt a piece of his heart die. With Seishiro's amused laughter echoing in his ears as he fucked him, Fai threw his head back and screamed in agony.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Even after…all of that…he was still cold. So…very…cold…

XxX

Subaru honestly didn't notice much of a difference. Waking and sleeping had become very much the same to him. He had been surrounded by darkness a moment ago…and he was surrounded by darkness now. He didn't notice anything different until he heard his name.

"Subaru-kun~," Seishiro whispered in his ear as his arms snaked around his body. Subaru inhaled sharply at the sensation and leaned back into the embrace, but he did not speak.

"Won't you speak to me?" Seishiro finally asked after what felt like hours of petting to Subaru. "I've really missed you."

Subaru still said nothing. He only groaned softly.

"Guess where I've just come from. Well, I suppose I shouldn't ask you to guess, since you aren't speaking to me, but it might interest you to know the condition of your precious prince."

"Fai…kun?" the Shiro lord whispered numbly.

"Yes. I've just seen him very thoroughly mind-raped. The Darkness holds him in its thrall and it will make him its own. It took my form…and then it took him, because it knows that, deep down, I am what that boy fears the most. I must say, the performance was masterful. It used my Hand of Illusion to its maximum depth, penetrating even into the sacred territory of his soul, implanting false desires and convictions. Even I might not have risked such a penetration. Such a profound alteration of his reality could easily destroy him."

"Why?" Subaru finally whispered, his voice on the verge of breaking.

"Ah, the boy finally speaks," Seishiro said with a smile, kissing his former lover on the cheek.

"Why…did you hurt…Fai-kun?" he asked again, tears beginning to slide down his face. "You…told me that…you wanted to help him."

"I also told you that I loved you, Subaru-kun. I'm quite capable of lying. Your dear Fai-kun was in the way, plain and simple. He had to be removed. That child is broken beyond repair."

"But…why only him? What about…Yuui-chan…and the baby?" He was crying openly now, albeit silently.

"Oh, don't worry. They will be dealt with before too long. In fact, I've chosen a woman. By the time Yuui-chan and her child are out of the way, my seed will be ready to take their place."

"Oh, God," Subaru cried, burying his face in his hands as Seishiro held him. "Oh, God!"

Seishiro snickered as he pressed a kiss to Subaru's ear. "The God? The Goddess? Do you really think They'll save you all now? I was deemed a worthy candidate to inherit my otou-san's crown. If I'm so horrible…so evil…what makes me worthy? Where is Their so called justice?"

Subaru shook his head. He no longer knew up from down, future from past, friend from enemy, darkness from light. He didn't know if he was dreaming…or awake…or trapped in an illusion. He wrapped his arms around himself, twining his fingers together with Seishiro's as the dark prince continued to kiss him "No…no…Sei…shiro…san. Why?"

"Because you're a fool, dear Subaru-kun. You sold yourself to me," he whispered to him as he ran his hands up and down his arms. The sakura scars turned red and began to burn.

"Ah…ah! Seishiro…san! Please…don't!" he hissed in pain. It was an agony such as he had never known…a wound that would not heal…and it extended deep into his chest.

"You are the prey of the Sakurazukamori, koibito…and you will never be free."

XxX

Tsubasa Island really was a beautiful sight in the early morning. The sun was just beginning to trickle through the trees and the surface of Spirit Lake sparkled as the warm rays struck the water. A warm spring breeze whispered through the forest. Celes knew nothing of the ominous events taking shape outside of its borders. Here, the morning was peaceful. It made Kotori happy to know that this was the place where her uncle had drawn his last breath. He had loved the forest so much. She would be content to end her days here as well.

Kotori was strolling along the edge of the forest within sight of the shore. She had come when it was only just beginning to lighten to pick flowers. Now she was walking along, counting out the blossoms in her bouquet to herself.

Roses…forget-me-nots…rosemary…pansies…fennel…columbines…rue…daisies…and violets. They will not wither. Death is only a rebirth in disguise.

"Love lives forever," she said to herself, inhaling the sweet scent of her message. As she counted out the flowers over and over again, she began to sing to a melody that only she could hear.

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries.

Her placenta falls to the floor.

The angel opens her eyes.

The confusion sets in

Before the doctor can even close the door.

Lightning crashes, an old mother dies.

Her intentions fall to the floor.

The angel closes her eyes.

The confusion that was hers

Belongs now, to the baby down the hall.

I'm sorry, Yuui-chan, Fuuma, Kamui-san, Subaru-kun…I know you all still need me…but the beautiful morning that I saw so long ago has finally arrived. I'm ready now. Yuui-chan…I wish I could be there to help you deliver my sweet little niece…but I can at least guarantee you that she will be born healthy and whole.

Oh now feel it comin' back again,

Like a roll of thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it.

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries.

This moment she's been waiting for.

The angel opens her eyes,

Pale blue-colored eyes.

Presents the circle,

Puts the glory out to hide, hide.

Oh now feel it comin' back again,

Like a roll of thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it. I can feel it.

Oh, why? Oh, why? Oh, why?

I can feel it comin' back again,

Like a roll of thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it.

I can feel it comin' back again,

Like a roll of thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it.

I can feel it comin' back again,

Like a roll of thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it. I can feel it.

I can feel it.

As the last notes drifted away from her on the wind, Kotori Monou heaved a sigh. Yes, she would miss this…but if it was a choice between her and her family…her brother, the Shiro brothers…Yuui, Fai, and the baby…then she would prefer that she be the one to break, not any of them.

There was no sound, no burst of light or color, no shift in the air nor scent upon the wind, but Kotori knew that the new arrival was there, just the same. Slowly, she turned to face the intruder, a warm, welcoming smile on her face.

"You're late," she said softly. "I was beginning to wonder what was keeping you."

XxX

It's not your fault.

Fuuma's eyes shot open as he bolted up in bed, glancing around frantically. He could have sworn that he'd heard Kotori's voice just now. Something was somehow…off. When he couldn't quite figure out what, he decided that the reason must be that Kamui wasn't with him. His arms were empty and the violet-eyed faerie's side of the bed was cold. He must have risen before him and gone to take up his turn on watch.

The Monou lord sat on the bed for a long while, enjoying the warm sunlight shining into his room with a dazed smile on his face. He felt a vivid sense of completion…a most wonderful freedom. He could finally hold Kamui close and call him his own. It was almost the most perfect morning he could have asked for…though he would definitely have to scold Kamui for leaving him to wake on his own.

Good morning, dear cousin. My, but you've got quite the post-coital expression. You finally got darling Kamui-chan into bed. Brilliant, Cousin, absolutely brilliant.

Fuuma froze at the sound of the voice in his head. "What do you want, Seishiro?" he asked aloud.

Do I have to want something for me to speak with my little cousin? We speak so rarely, you and I. I only want to speak with you.

"What if I don't want to?" he retorted sharply. He hadn't moved an inch.

I suppose you'll just have to ask Kamui-chan what happens then. No point in denying that it was he that you slept with. He's rife with your scent.

Fuuma felt himself stabbed through the chest. His heart stopped and he very nearly choked on his own breath. "What have you done?"

Come to Tsubasa Island right now, alone. If you don't, then your precious Kamui-chan's life is forfeit and he will never see another night.

Taking several deep breaths in order to re-master himself, Fuuma tried to continue the exchange without doing something foolish. "How do I know that you even have Kamui? Do you have any proof? Why should I believe you? Every word out of your mouth is a lie."

You cannot know. Any evidence that I could possibly give you could have easily been fabricated by me. Think of it in this light…What choice have you got? Can you really afford to run the risk that I might be lying? Would you wager Kamui-chan's life on it? I'll kill him. You know I will. If you aren't here in five minutes, then… He let the threat hang, unfinished.

With a dreadful cry that combined both rage and terror, Fuuma was up on his feet. He was dashing out of the sithen in all of five seconds. It was a trap. He knew it was a trap, but that didn't matter. It was as Seishiro said. He couldn't risk Kamui's precious life…not for anything.

XxX

Take care of Kamui-san…and remember what I told you.

Subaru blinked several times, trying to make sense of the intrusion on his conscience. It wasn't only Kotori's voice that he heard in his head. There was someone else there. Slowly, he struggled up from his bed, fighting to collect his shattered self enough to move forward.

"Sei…shiro…san?" he whispered in confusion, his voice having the tone of one deep in a trance.

The scars on his arms gave a resounding throb of pain. Seishiro was calling him. He had to answer…no matter what he might lose because of it. He could not help himself. Seishiro…was master of his very existence.

He had to go to Seishiro.

XxX

It's not your fault. Please…take care of yourself…and my nii-san. Remember…the future has yet to be decided.

Kamui stopped, glancing around the empty corridor. He could almost swear that he'd heard Kotori's voice in his head. He shook his head briefly and continued back toward Fuuma's quarters. He had arisen with the sun, snuggled up contentedly in Fuuma's embrace…just as he'd wished for. As he'd gazed upon Fuuma's face, finally peaceful in his contented sleep, he'd suddenly felt a very strong desire to do things for him, just to do them, really…in order to make him happy. So he'd extricated himself from Fuuma's arms, gotten dressed, and headed down to the kitchens to make them breakfast. It wasn't as if he couldn't just summon up food from somewhere or call some servants for it. It was just that he really wanted to cook for Fuuma himself. So here he was, walking back up to Fuuma's chambers with a tray of fruit, toast, and sausage, and still blushing faintly. The cooks had teased him mercilessly, telling him that he'd been going around with a damn fool smile on his face all morning and wanting to know whom his lucky bedfellow was. Even now, he couldn't help it. He knew he was smiling. He couldn't wait to see Fuuma again…to be by his side. They were going to be together from now on.

My, my, but someone's happy this morning. Tell me, Kamui-chan, was my little cousin good?

Kamui stopped dead in his tracks. "What do you want, Seishiro?"

Just a chat. I'm afraid things have gone terribly wrong between us of late and I was hoping we might sort it all out.

"What's to sort out?" he asked angrily, the tray shaking in his hands. "You betrayed my otouto and broke his heart! You took his soul away from him, you monster!"

Kamui-chan, behavior like that will get you nowhere. If you won't talk with me, you just might lose something even more precious.

"What are you talking about?" Kamui asked quietly, suddenly fearful.

Remember that sex you were planning to have? Ever again? It might be a little difficult if my dear cousin is dead.

"What have you done with him?" the violet-eyed Shiro demanded furiously. There was no doubt in his mind that the former prince was capable of orchestrating something like this.

Oh, he's safe…for the moment, but if you don't come to Tsubasa Island alone in the next five minutes, I can't make any promises.

"Seishiro, if you harm him, I swear I'll-"

There will be no need for threats if you get yourself here in time. I only want to talk.

There was no time to summon help. He couldn't take the chance that Seishiro might actually carry out his threat. Fuuma was far too important for that. He couldn't for the life of him fathom why Seishiro would need to go to such lengths to draw him out, but there was no time to figure things out.

Before the breakfast tray had even hit the ground, Kamui was bursting out of the gates, fire burning in his eyes. Nothing and no one would take Fuuma away from him…not now!

XxX

Remember, dear imouto, I will always be with you.

Yuui blinked. "Kotori?"

She'd been lying in bed, holding Tomoyo, who was sleeping peacefully. Tomoyo had been asleep for a few hours and Yuui had lain awake, holding her and stoking her hair. But…just now…she could have sworn she'd heard Kotori's voice. For a moment, her hold on Tomoyo tightened and the change caused the younger princess to awaken.

"Yuui?" she mumbled in confusion. "What is it?"

Yuui shook her head and gave Tomoyo a very tender good morning kiss, about to reassure her that nothing was wrong. But then she felt it.

Something was happening.

"Something's wrong," she said, snapping into motion. "Hurry and get dressed. Wake Souma-chan. I'll get Kurogane-kun. We have to get to the other side right now!"

I only hope we're not too late.

XxX

When Fuuma burst through the trees, at first, all he could see was Seishiro.

"I am here, alone, as you asked. Now free Kamui."

"I would, you see, but the trouble is that Kamui-chan's not here yet."

Yet? Had he somehow tricked them both into coming here? Why? What could he possibly want with them?

"Fuuma!" Kamui shouted as he raced into the clearing.

"No! Kamui! Go back! It's a trap!" he tried to warn him.

"Too late," Seishiro said softly, smiling benignly at them. "It's an interesting thing. Kyle came screaming into our presence last night. He seemed to think that he'd killed Yuui-chan's child and, by extension, undone Yuui-chan. But my kaa-san and I took this news with a grain of salt. It turns out that we were right to. It wasn't that hard to discover that the infant was unharmed. As such, I can no longer afford to let the lot of you do as you please. I've lain with a woman and she's undoubtedly carrying my child. But how, oh how, can I get to the princess when she's still surrounded by her faithful knights? You see my dilemma. Therefore, if you would be so kind as to not resist while I thin you out-"

"You honestly think we'd let you kill us?" Kamui demanded furiously. Seishiro only laughed at this.

"Oh, heavens, Kamui-chan. I don't want to kill you. Why would I do that? The two of you are far too amusing. No, I have something much more delicious in mind. Look above you."

The two nobles hesitated a moment, then did as they were told. What they saw horrified them.

Kotori was suspended above them, seemingly by nothing, but they both knew better. She appeared to be unconscious.

"What is this?" Fuuma demanded. "What have you done?"

Seishiro said nothing. He simply raised his arms and sakura branches burst forth from them, seizing Kamui and Fuuma, just as they had done with Subaru. They both cried out as the branches dug into the flesh of their arms.

"The two of you belong to the Sakurazukamori now, but that's not quite enough. This will be different from Subaru-kun." Slowly, Seishiro retracted the sakura branches and Fuuma and Kamui both fell to their knees, bleeding profusely from the injuries. Still smiling, Seishiro drew Assassin's Hand and sent it drifting toward them.

"Rise," he commanded, raising a hand. Fuuma and Kamui's bodies jerked upward in unison. Against their wills, their hands reached out to grasp the hilt of Assassin's Hand.

"What…are you…doing?" Kamui grunted in pain.

"I need to possess at least one of you fully. We will perform a blood sacrifice here today. Kotori-chan will be my sacrifice."

"What are you talking about?" Fuuma demanded, his voice thick with pain.

Seishiro tilted his head upward and their bodies slowly began to rise into the air, until they were facing Kotori. The point of Assassin's Hand came to rest against her heart. One good thrust was all it would take.

"Oh, Goddess," Fuuma breathed in horror.

"You see, Cousin, the Sakurazukamori is a thing of death. Now that you and Kamui-chan have been marked by it, all you need to do is make one kill. The blood will splash on you and your mind will be taken over by the Sakurazukamori, just as mine was fifteen hundred years ago. The question is…which one of you will it be?"

At that very moment, Kotori opened her eyes, smiling softly at the two of them. Horror filled both of their hearts at the expression.

"Hello, Fuuma Nii-san, Kamui-san."

"No. No, no, no, no, no," Kamui repeated over and over again. This couldn't be happening! It just couldn't!

Just then, Subaru came running onto the scene, followed by Yuui, Tomoyo, Kurogane, Souma, the Mokona, Doumeki, Watanuki, and Himawari.

"Kotori-san?" Subaru whispered. "Seishiro-san?"

"Dear God," Watanuki whispered in horror.

"What's happening?" Yuui shouted.

"No!" Fuuma cried out, noticing her. "Yuui-chan…stay back!"

"Kill her," Seishiro commanded calmly. Kamui and Fuuma suddenly felt themselves moving. Barely managing to stop themselves, they fought desperately to keep their bodies from carrying out Seishiro's order.

"Oh, my God," Yuui whispered, finally realizing what was happening.

"Hold on, Fuuma-kun!" Himawari cried out. They would find a way to save them. They just had to!

"Nii-san," Kotori said softly as she reached past the sword to place her hands on theirs. "It's alright. You can let go now."

"Never!" Fuuma shouted, shaking his head furiously. "Don't you understand? If we let go, you'll be killed!"

But Kotori did understand. She was perfectly lucid…in this moment before her last. "But I want you to kill me, Fuuma. It is my time. I want you to be the one to set me free."

"No! No!" he cried out, tears beginning to escape his eyes against his will. "Please! Don't make me do this!"

Kotori shook her head, smiling. "You must. This is your fate. Ever since I was small, I have known…that you would be the one to take my life from me."

Horror blossomed anew on Fuuma's face as he listened to the secrets that had been locked inside of his baby sister all this time. She had lived every day…knowing when she would breathe her last?

"You knew? You knew…all this time…and you never said anything? Why did you come? Why didn't you fight?" he sobbed.

"It is not given to me to try and change the future…only to see it. Events have poured into my head ever since I lost my mind all those years ago. I have seen it all…and I only wish to be free of it. All this time…so many memories…all these years, it's been killing me."

"No! No! Imouto, no!"

"Don't cry," she said softly, trying to console him. "This is my destiny. The destiny that I chose."

"Why me?" he sobbed brokenly. "Why did you choose me?"

"I didn't, Nii-san. This was always going to happen. Someday you will look back…and you will know that you did the best thing you could have done for me. I love you very much…and I'll miss you."

"No! Please…don't!"

"Goodbye," she whispered, calling a spell to her hand. She sent the blast outward, pushing Kamui away from them. That moment of distraction was all it took. Fuuma lost his hold on himself and he plunged the blade into his sister's beating heart.

As Kamui fell to earth, he looked back up and saw the blood splash onto Fuuma's horrified face.

"FUUMA! KOTORI!"

Still smiling, albeit in pain, Kotori pulled herself up along the blade toward her distraught brother. As tears of anguish poured down his face, she pulled him into her arms, gently kissing his cheek.

"Thank you. I'm sorry."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!" Fuuma screamed in agony as his sister's body fell away from him. The transformation was already beginning.

Kamui was there to catch Kotori as she fell. His vision was stained red with her blood. There was no hope. Her chest was still and her warm eyes were glazed over in death. Almost immediately, her body began to break down, fading away into nothing. All that remained in Kamui's arms was Assassin's Hand.

"KOTORIIIIIIIIIII!" he shrieked in anguish.

"Fuuma-san!" Yuui's cry drew Kamui away from the fresh loss. He looked up and saw his lover drifting slowly back to earth, hanging limply as if held in the grip of some invisible giant. He was deposited mere inches from Kamui and the distraught Shiro was immediately on the move, kneeling beside Fuuma and cradling his lifeless form in his arms.

"Fuuma! Fuuma, please! Don't do this to me! Wake up! You've got to wake up! Fuuma!"

And he did. His brown eyes shot open and he seized Kamui by the throat. The fresh scars on his arms were glowing an angry red color. He seized Assassin's Hand from where Kamui had dropped it and plunged the blade into the younger faerie's right leg, then his left leg. Kamui could only manage a weak scream, unable to draw air for more than that.

"Fuuma-san, stop! What are you doing?" Yuui screamed. She tried to move forward to help, but Doumeki held her back. Fuuma continued with his grizzly task, stabbing Kamui's arms and finally plunging the blade into his right shoulder, pinning him to the ground.

"Fuuma," Seishiro said warningly, as if chastising a child for stealing cookies before dinner. It took the Monou lord visible effort to rein himself in. When he was in control, he straddled Kamui's body and knelt down over him and kissed him, beginning to lick some of the blood from his face.

"You and I were just like this, weren't we?" he asked sadistically.

"F-Fuuma…why?" he whispered weakly.

The incensed faerie offered no explanation. He only leaned down closer and whispered in his former lover's ear, "Kamui…hear me well. I will be the one to kill you."

The next moment, he was in motion again. Before anyone could react, he had a hold of Yuui.

"Fuuma-san?" she whispered, terrified at the utterly nonchalant look in his eyes. He held her close, pressing a kiss to her ear as he whispered to her, just as he had done with Kamui.

"I have become the nightmare you once thought me to be." As he spoke, he ran a hand down her body, coming to rest against her womb and pressing his fingers roughly against the swollen skin, as if he meant to plunge directly in and rip the child out. Yuui couldn't even summon up the voice to scream for her terror.

"No…no…please…"

Fuuma just sneered and flung her back at Doumeki. Tomoyo and the others began to move toward them, but they were stopped in their tracks when Seishiro moved toward them, smiling, as always.

"Darkness, I'll let you keep her for now. But Yuui-chan, know that the day will come when I cut that child out of you and smash its broken body against the earth."

"What…did you do…to Fuuma-kun?" Himawari asked shakily.

"Fuuma is mine now, just like Subaru-kun…and Kamui-chan can be mine if he wishes. All he need do is kill. We all belong to the sakura." As he gave his explanation, Seishiro turned his attention from everyone else and focused it on Subaru. "And don't worry, Subaru-kun. I will come for you before too long." Then he pulled Subaru to him and pressed a kiss to his lips before disappearing into the morning air, followed by Fuuma and Assassin's Hand. Once they were gone, Subaru rushed to Kamui. The sight of his brother broken seemed to have finally snapped the young lord out of his trance. Tomoyo, Souma, Kurogane, and the Mokona all gathered around Yuui and Doumeki. Doumeki passed Yuui to Tomoyo before he and Watanuki began to move toward the Shiro brothers. Himawari remained a safe distance from them all.

"How…c-could he?" Yuui cried weakly as she clung to Tomoyo. They were all still in shock.

"What can we do?" Watanuki asked quietly as he and Doumeki watched over the shattered brothers.

"We have no choice…but to treat him as a servant of the Dark Court," Doumeki said dispassionately. "The moment he raised a hand against the princess, he became the enemy. We are sworn to protect Yuui and Fai…forsaking all else for that charge."

"I…I know, but…Fuuma? Could you really kill Fuuma?"

"If I have to…then yes. I am the Darkness for a reason. The twins come first."

"And…Kamui and Subaru…could that…really happen to them, too?"

Doumeki shook his head. "I don't know."

Subaru seemed to realize that he was being spoken about and glanced up at the assassin and the former vizier. His normally gentle green eyes were alight with rage as he cradled his brother's broken body to him.

"Fuuma! Fuuma!" Kamui cried over and over again, tears streaming openly down his face.

"I'll kill him," Subaru swore. If it was the last thing he did, he would get revenge for his brother, Fuuma, Kotori…himself! He would kill Seishiro. "I'LL KILL HIM!"

Before anyone could react to this bold vow, Sai suddenly came running into the clearing where everyone was gathered, ignorant of the tragedy that they had all experienced.

"Yuui-hime! You must come at once! It's begun! Valeria is under attack!"

XxX

(A/N) Dear Goddess, I did it again. Absolute angst. Well, what can you do?

Notes: 1. Kunoichi – female ninja. 2. Roses and forget-me-nots being the exception, the flowers that Kotori was picking were the same ones that Shakespeare's Ophelia picked after she went mad in Hamlet. Boom, boom, ain't it great to be crazy? 3. The song in this chapter is "Lightning Crashes" by Live. An excellent song that should be listened to at all costs. 4. Last chapter I was channeling Tokyo Babylon. This time around I seem to be channeling X.

Review Responses: Beebs: Zohmygods, my story's being pimped, tee-hee! (blush) Haven't had a chance to read anything else by Block, though Psyche is the inspiration for a Tsubasa idea I sort of have. Don't know if I'll pursue it yet. On the book front, I'm trying to catch up with the old Tamora Pierce books. I never got around to reading them and my roommate's in love with them, so yeah. Pretty epic so far. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.

Niki: Assuming you also got around to reading chapter ten, I'm glad you enjoyed those updates and hope that this one was also good. Actually no, I did not remove any of the erotic scenes. They went to my professor just as they were. He ate it up. It was my classmates that did the blushing. Tee-hee!

Cricket: Oh, my. Apparently I'm an inspiration. Tell me more…nah, just kidding. Don't even worry about it. I'll never give up on this story. I'll keep writing it until it's finished. It just takes awhile sometimes because life tries to eat me. Sometimes it feels like La Belle Au Bois Dormant is one of the only things keeping me going. It's sort of like…my soul right now.

Other Things: Of course, Tsubasa has only managed to get more epic in the time since I last posted. We have us an SxS confession. Now all we need is a KuroFai one (though I'd definitely count the arm and the magic pretty high up there…and the prey thing…and their night alone in Clow…and…yeah…)…and as we all know, a confession for them will take the form of Fai returning to Nihon with Kurogane. 219 was a ridiculously epic chapter for them. First we had epic V!Fai, now we have Kuro to the rescue. I totally fangasmed all over that. As epic as it is though, xxxholic is just as sad as Tsubasa is epic. 182 almost got me crying.

Tsubasa Shunraiki was also quite epic. Not the best animation quality, but I'll take what they give me. I was just happy to have the escape from Celes and the KuroFai make-out scene. (glances back) Sorry, that should actually say make-up. (evil grin) Yay! New AMV material! It was also quite fangasmic to have the flashbacks from the Celes arc and from the flashback that never ends in the second half. The thing I fangasmed over the most, though, was definitely Fai's flashback to their arrival in Nihon, since that heart-wrenching begging wasn't in the manga. I played that scene over and over again, and I was all, "Oh, cuuuuuuuute. That's a vampire in love right there". At random points during the following days, I would collapse into a squealing pile of helpless fangirlness just because of that scene. My roommate will attest to this. I imagine it got a little scary after awhile.

One last thing. All the arrangements are made. It's official…I'M GOING TO MY FIRST CONVENTION! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Tee-hee! A bunch of us are going to Anime Iowa in August and four of us are going to be the Tsubasa gang! I get to be the big bad Kuro-puppy! My roommate and best friend Aqua will be the Fai-kitty to my Kuro-sama and we even have our very own Little Puppy, Little Kitty, and a nice soft Mokona plushie! It's all so exciting! As if that weren't epic enough, I also managed to get a hold of red contact lenses and a real katana for my costume. I'm seriously in love with this freaking sword…though I think my family's scared of me now…eheh.

Aaaaaaaaaanyway, I certainly hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter and I can definitely tell you that I won't be keeping you in suspense quite so long this time since it's summer and all. Well, until next time, arigatou to saiyonara.