Chapter Five: Beneath the Moonlight
Subaru smiled softly as he closed the door to Solis' room. She'd been so tired since that day when Tsukishiro found her. Looking up, his solitary shadowed eye found the distraught Kamui standing in the doorway leading to the living room. "She was really tired ne? Dira-chan told me that she'd taken a pretty bad fall on the field this afternoon…"
The onmyouji nodded slowly and followed the younger boy into the living room silently. Waving a hand to the couch, Kamui sat down and crossed his arms. "Would you like anything to drink?"
Kamui looked up at him with wide blue violet eyes then nodded. "Coffee would be nice…"
Subaru smiled lightly and walked into the area he called the kitchen, where in truth, its walls were made of a bar with a few stools pushed beneath it. Shuffling about he pulled out some cups and started to make the coffee in the coffee machine. After starting the process he pulled out a pack of cigarettes that only made Kamui frown disapprovingly. With a sigh he sat it down on the counter and gazed at the boy with his one good eye. "Not you too…"
"It's not good for you. Besides, Lis-chan would die if she knew." Subaru chuckled lightly then sat on one of the stools nearest to the teen. "Subaru-san… Was Lis-chan always so cool and stoic?"
A brow arched slightly at the question then his head dropped heavily. "Iie. There was a time when her smile was ever-present and bright enough to light up an entire room."
Kamui blinked in surprise as he studied the Sumeragi head. "Honto ni? What happened to change that?"
Raising his eyes, Kamui could see the pain in the older man's solitary green eye. "I wasn't alive enough to see what needed to be seen."
"What do you mean?"
An angry smirk crossed his lips as he turned to look at the door to her room just as you left the living room into the small hallway. "When she was really young. Ten I believe… she stayed with me instead of with Obaasan. I would walk her to school everyday and make sure she'd get there ok. But one day… I walked off without making sure… because she was touching on a sore spot in my heart. Because of my selfishness, she didn't get to school safely." Standing slowly he walked over to a drawer and opened it. Carefully he pulled out two pictures and gazed at them sadly.
"What happened?" The worry was easy to read on his face, and he knew that if he didn't find out now, he'd never be able to. Sadira and Naisumi were out shopping finally leaving Kamui some time to spend with Solis and Subaru.
Subaru's eyes never left the two pictures. "She was beaten by a group of boys… If only… I'd stayed… she wouldn't be this way." Shaking his head slowly he didn't want to think he was capable of crying. "But… it never happened again…" Suddenly he threw the pictures to Kamui and turned back to the place where the coffee was just about ready.
Kamui looked at the pictures with wide eyes then smiled. One was of a beautifully smiling girl with waist length brown hair. It seemed as thought the angelic child knew nothing of hate or defilement. Sighing softly he looked to the other picture and gasped. It was the same girl, a bit older than the last with a boyish hair cut and a look that spoke of brokenness. "Poor girl… Subaru-kun… what do you mean by 'it never happened again'?"
Subaru looked up with a wicked smirk on his face. "Let's just say, I found the guilty parties."
Kamui blinked in surprise then shook his head in disbelief. "You didn't Sumeragi-kun…"
The smirk changed into a grin as he poured the steaming liquid. No answer came only making Kamui look more flustered. "I can't believe you Sumeragi-kun!" Subaru laughed softly and handed a cup to the boy on the couch.
~*~
Solis stared up at the ceiling calmly as her mind reeled with thoughts she didn't quite understand. She'd carried the Kinomoto child home even though every ounce of her told her to just let the child suffer by herself. Why did she want to be so cold? Was her heart so dead that she wanted the suffering of an innocent child? Letting out a long sad sigh, she rose to her feet and walked to the large window with the sliding glass door. Pressing a warm hand to the glass, a light mist surrounded it upon the glass.
Finally pushing the door open she looked out into the Tokyo night and just smiled. Closing her eyes she suddenly had a panicky feeling. Her consciousness was slipping again and soon everything went black. As she began to lose her footing, pearl white wings once more sprouted from her back and surrounded that limp form. Reopening, the angelic being in garments of black and white was all that remained.
A sudden sadistic grin crossed her lips as the cat like eyes looked up at the moon. The silver slits seemed to glow brightly in its light as she jumped from the window into the cold night. Her lips moved silently as an illusion was weaved to obscure her from the vision of others. She had a job to do, and she didn't need any prying eyes to interfere.
~*~
Kero was once more playing his favorite N64 video game as Sakura walked into the room quietly. Looking up to see his mistress he blinked in surprise. She wasn't her normal bubbly self and it bothered him. "Daijoubu Sakura-chan?" The little yellow stuffed animal asked rather loudly.
"E? Nani mo… Just a long night…" Smiling in melancholy she flopped onto her bed letting out a long saddened sigh.
"Uso! Doushitano!? Tell me now!" The small figure floated up into the air with its small paws rested in fists on his sides.
Laughing lightly she shook her head. "Kero-chan… if I tell you… I'm sure you will tell oniichan… and the last thing I need is the two of you angry." Kero frowned and was about to protest when she spoke again while calmly staring at the ceiling. "Besides Kero-chan… People's hearts can change… and…." The sad smile brightened slightly. "I have to believe that… in order to live on tomorrow."
Blinking in confusion, the animal just shook his head. "I'll get it out of Tomoyo-chan later. Did you feel anything strange tonight Sakura-chan? You shouldn't be alone now… I mean… since that last attack."
Sakura groaned as she remembered the pain in her joints. "Watakushi no koto a anjinaide kudasai. I'll be fine on my own."
"Ne ne! I always worry about you Sakura-chan! You're my mistress you know." The girl laughed softly then sighed as she looked out the window. She really loved her guardians. Both Kero and Yue… Maybe it would be ok… And like Solis had said. Syaoran could have a change of heart and all she could do was hope.
Kero watched her a moment then shrugged only concerned with beating his game of Zelda when something outside the window caught his eye. Stopping he flew to the closed plane and rubbed his bead like eyes persistently. There amidst the branches were two sets of glowing eyes that made his fur ripple. Looking at Sakura he considered saying something, but decided it best to check again. As he turned back they were gone. "Hoe! My imagination is getting to me…" Frowning in dismay he went to his game, saved it, and then turned it off. "Enough game play for tonight!"
Sakura giggled softly and shook her head as the small yellow guardian flew into his drawer after giving a slight wave. What the little guardian didn't know was that it wasn't his imagination. On the limbs of the tree outside, sat the beautiful angel with short brown hair next to a large cat form. Scratching behind his ears softly, she cooed to the animal softly. "What do you think Nekari? Should we ruin the peaceful atmosphere?"
The large cat purred softly and rubbed against its master. "I believe so my lady. Sitting around and watching gets one no where."
The girl laughed softly and looked at her Shikigami with pride. "Nekari no kawaii… You've always been the impatient one. Let's make tonight interesting and attack her school… Sound good to you?" The Cheshire cat grin appeared, as it's golden head nodded amidst the shadows. Rising to her feet she spread her wings and looked one last time at Sakura before smirking. "It seems little mistress… that the unknowing half of me has taken a liking for you. What a pity…" With that her and the animal disappeared into the air in a swirl of silver white feathers.
Sakura blinked and turned her head quickly to the window as a throb of energy hit her full force. "Ne! Kero-chan! Did you feel it?"
The yellow head popped from the drawer with a serious expression on its rounded face. "Hai! Let's go check it out!"
The small teen nodded and jumped to her feet. Grabbing at the key around her neck, a pink light aura surrounded her still form. "Release!" As the star staff grew, Kero gazed at her curiously.
"Aren't you going to call Tomoyo-chan?"
"Iya! For two reasons…" Sakura smiled wryly while pulling out the fly card and throwing it out before her and calling out her command. "Fly!"
As wings sprouted from her back she jumped through the window with Kero following closely behind her calling out to her. "And what are those Sakura-chan?"
"One! I am NOT going to wear another goofy outfit. Two! I don't want her to get hurt! These enemies are diehard and won't mind hurting someone in order to get to me." Kero nodded in understanding as she transformed into his true form in mid air.
"Sou da na. Iku! It's coming from the direction of your school." Sakura nodded as they approached the school building slowly.
"Ano… Kero-chan… do you think we'll be ok without Yue-san?" The girl with short honey brown hair gazed over her shoulder at the immense lion with questioning emerald eyes.
"We'll have to try! We don't have time to call him! Look!" Indicating the ground below them she saw the fields burst into brilliant flames and engulf a few trees in the process. At the center of the fire stood what looked like an ocelot and a tall lady with incredibly white wings.
Instantly Sakura ripped out a card in fear and threw it out before her staff. "Rain card! Create a down pour to put out the flames below!" As soon as the command was given, the card went into action bringing about a heavy rain upon the Tomoeda area.
Gracefully, Sakura landed before the two figures on the ground and glared at them fiercely. "What is your intent? How could you try to destroy a place of learning?"
The angel smiled softly and shrugged. "Because we knew you would come Mistress. Now…" The bright green eyes narrowed as the slits of silver shrank in warning. "Display before me your power and strength." Looking at Keroberos calmly she closed her eyes. "Fire against fire I see… Nekari my dear… you'll need help."
"Not likely my lady! I can handle him!" The distinctly female voice escaped from the feline form as it glared coldly at the lion with wings. "I will not fail you!"
Looking down at Nekari, the angel knelt at her side. "If you're sure… demo… that would leave me to taunt the Mistress, therefore, I must not heed your request." Returning to her feet she drew out a slip of paper and began to mouth the incantation before throwing it out before her. "Hitori!"
The feline Shikigami groaned in disappointment. "Not him…" Soon the paper changed into the shape of an eagle with feathers as white as snow. Holding out her arm, the animal came to rest upon it while giving a low whistle of content while bowing.
"Good evening my lady. How may I be of service?" The iridescent eyes peered at its master as she pointed to the Lion that seemed beyond bewildered at this point. "I understand…" Taking to flight, it seemed to disappear into the darkened night as its body became clear as glass.
"Let it begin…" Stepping back, the angel folded her wings neatly against her back and closed her eyes.
"She's… so cold… Like Yue-san…" Shaking her head, Sakura looked at Nekari who suddenly combusted into flames while still retaining its cat like shape. Fumbling through her cards she pulled out one and threw it in the air. "Watery!"
Nekari watched it calmly come to its master's command then looked up at the card then at the incoming Hitori above him. Suddenly the bird paused in flight and flung its wings forward instantly freezing the watery card before it reached the small feline. "Arigauto Hitori."
The bird hovered a moment beside the cat as a sheen of evilness flickered in it's iridescent eyes. "You owe me Nekari… Now…" Turning to look at Keroberos that had been attempting to attack them, the bird flew high into the air. "Down kitty…" Flaring his wings he sent a sheet of ice that froze the Lion's feet to the ground and sealed his mouth shut.
"I see you're good for something then…" Giving her Cheshire cat grin, she turned to the trembling young girl with her star staff.
"Kero-chan! Watery! Oh no! How could you?" Turning to look angrily at Hitori she pulled out another card that Nekari knew right away.
"I don't recommend that Mistress… As annoying as Hitori is… I won't allow you to hurt him!" Pouncing toward Sakura, the child dropped the card and shouted out for the shield card. Grinning more broadly, Nekari simply deflected herself off of the shield and landed gracefully on her feet facing Sakura whom was trying to recover. Suddenly flames leapt from Nekari's eyes and formed a ring of fire around the shivering card mistress. "Aw… are you cold Mistress?" With those words, the flames approached her slowly undaunted by the rain that still fell due to the Rain card.
As the flames licked her form painfully she went to grab her cards desperately. "Lets see how well you do without those, shall we?" Suddenly the card deck froze over and fell from her hands. Hitori carefully landed on a nearby tree and clicked its beak happily. "Poor Mistress… It's tough to be alone… Isn't it?"
Tears fell from her eyes as she fell to her knees trying to pry her beloved cards out of their icy prison, but to no avail. "How could you? You're so cold! They're my friends…"
Suddenly she felt the icy glares coming from the two animals as they spoke in unison. "I care not for your friends. Only you Mistress. You are not worthy…"
"Yamete! Let my friends go! I don't care if I'm worthy!" There was an eerie silence that followed as the flames paused in their fierce onslaught.
Hitori blinked then looked up in surprise. "Heads up Nekari! We have an unwelcome guest!"
Nekari instantly looked up and shot fire at the oncoming creature with wings without a second thought. The angel blinked and looked up as her Shikigami laid a deadly blow on the unsuspecting guardian that was rushing to its Mistress' aide. Blinking in horror, she watched the beautiful being plummet quickly to the ground. Taking to the air she caught his limp form and gently held him to her. Gazing at the wide eyes of silver blue she was surprised he didn't fight her.
Sakura looked up in time to see Yue get hit, but as she was about to cry out, the female angel took off and caught her moon guardian and gently carried him to the ground. "Yue-san!" She tried to move, but the flames forced her back as she whimpered in pain. Off to the side she could hear the throaty growls of the sun guardian as he tried his best to break free.
Solis blinked and shook her head as she studied the cool countenance twist in pain as she rested his pale form in her lap. Something inside of her seemed to shatter as she saw the silvery blood seep from the wounds he'd received from her beloved Shikigami. "Gomen ne…"
Surprised by her own words she closed her eyes and undid the magic that her beloved animals had cast. Hitori and Nekari looked at her with wide eyes then shrank away the card mistress in fear. "My lady! What's wrong? Why did you dispel our magic?" Hitori cried out in anguish.
"Gomen Hitori… return to me… we will fight another day." The two creatures stared at her in surprise then nodded as they returned back into Ofuda and drifted into her waiting hand.
Keroberos ran swiftly to Sakura and nudged her to her feet in worry. "Daijoubu Sakura-chan?"
Sakura nodded slowly then looked up with tears in her eyes. "What are you going to do with Yue-san? Give him back!"
The angel looked up from the guardian in her arms and smiled at Sakura lightly. "Yue? So that's his name… He's… like the moonlight… He is your moon guardian… correct?"
Sakura nodded slowly while clenching her staff to her chest shakily. "Hai… Please… don't hurt him! He's already been hurt!"
Standing carefully, she lifted Yue's unconscious body in her arms as though he weighed nothing to her. "I will not hurt him… But if I do not take him with me to heal him… he will die…" Suddenly dread filled her own heart as her spring green eyes shifted to his still face and silvery white hair. "He's… so beautiful… more… more of an angel… than I'll… ever be…" A tear slipped from her eye as something in her consciousness stirred and came to life. "We'll meet again Mistress… Do not worry about your guardian… I will not allow him to die."
With those words, both the angel and Yue disappeared in a swirl of pearl white feathers. Sakura began to tremble at the sight and tears rimmed her wavering green eyes. "YUE-SAN!" Falling to her knees she began to cry in torrents not even heeding the gentle words coming from Keroberos. After a long moment, Keroberos tried his best to get her onto his back as he carefully padded his way home.
~*~
Slowly the swirl of feathers died away, and all that remained was Solis in her night pajamas holding a very still Yue in the midst of her darkened room. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she carefully laid the angelic moon guardian on her bed gently. Wiping the tears away she sat down beside him and hovered a hand just above his chest where two gaping holes were. Closing her deep green eyes, a white glow emanated from her finger tips and traveled warmly all over his chest mending the wounds with her life magic.
Soon the tears again began to spill down her cheeks as she pulled the hand away and inspected the area calmly making sure she didn't miss anything. "I'm so sorry… I… I didn't know…" Shakily she rose to her feet and walked into the dark kitchen to find a note lying on the counter.
"Lis-chan, Kamui-san and I went to see the others for a while. Please don't wait up for me and stay out of trouble. I don't want to have to scour Tokyo again trying to find you… I'll be home later. Love, Subaru." Solis looked at the paper and smiled softly before slipping it into one of the pockets on her pj's.
Scrubbing the tears from her eyes she stole into Subaru's room silently and pulled out a pair of silk pajamas and walked back to her room. Looking at the still form upon her bed, the pang in her heart returned. "I didn't know… that my final purpose… was the torturing of an innocent child…" Guilt and pain overcame her, as she knew that there was no way out of this. Whether she knew the truth now or not, she would be forced to do what had to be done.
Setting the clothes on the bed, she carefully nudged the sleeping form. Heavy eyelids slid open slightly to reveal slivers of silver blue that made her skin crawl in pure awe. "Aa kirei da… Yue-san…?"
The white haired man turned his head tiredly toward her then blinked as realization hit him hard. Sitting up quickly he trembled and soon fell back to the bed. "Where am I?" His choked words caused her to shrink back from him.
"You were seriously hurt… So… I brought you here. I tended to your wounds. But… it doesn't mean that you are totally healed. I only took away their seriousness. You'll have to rest in order to regain your absolute health…" Looking down she hoped he wouldn't see the tears falling freely from her eyes. I… never used… to cry this much… not since I was… just a child…
Yue looked at her silently then shook his head before replying coolly. "Arigauto… I take it you won't let me leave till then…"
"Iie… I would rather not… Please… I brought you some clothes. Yours need to be cleaned and fixed…" Yue looked at her blankly and wondered why she wouldn't look at him. Suddenly recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Solis?" Pushing his long white hair from his eyes, he couldn't believe that the girl that caught him was the same girl that his other form had brought home not all that long ago.
Solis looked up in surprise wondering how the guardian knew whom she was. Looking deeply into his eyes she began to tremble. Clenching her hands together she gave an uncertain nod. "Hai… ano… Yue-san… please change. I'll be right outside."
Instantly she ran out of the room and closed the door behind her. Heaving in a deep breath, her legs finally gave out beneath her. She'd used a lot of magic tonight. Onmyoujitsu was not an easy task, especially when you weaved other aspects of magic in with it the way she did. Panting softly, she felt the ache run through her unrelentingly. She wasn't mad at Nekari for her reaction, she was mad at her self. It wasn't like Nekari had asked to be created. Had it been Hitori to attack, Yue probably wouldn't have gotten hurt. Sighing she pulled her knees to her chest and let the tears fall freely. "Gomen ne… Sakura-san… I… can't stop this…"
~*~
The sunlight slowly slipped through the window and fell softly over the balled figure curled up upon the floor. Honey brown hair shadowed her normally sunny face, and her emerald eyes were clouded in pain. Kero sat on her shoulder silently wondering what he could do to ease her melancholy. She'd gone through the deck of Sakura Cards five times since they'd returned home giving more than enough apologies to them. Both of them knew, that the Cards had forgiven her and they felt saddened by her immense grief.
Holding the cards to her chest she didn't seem to even have any tears left for crying. All night she'd sat like this with the cards clenched tightly to herself unable to move, sleep, or even respond to the pleas of her worried sun guardian. She'd slipped deeply into a catatonic state, that Kero was scared she wasn't going to come out of anytime soon.
Suddenly a harsh knock sounded at the door that caused Kero to fall from his perch on his Mistress' shoulder with a tiny thud. "Oi…" Looking up at Sakura he saw that she was completely un-phased. "Poor girl…" Floating into the air he headed for the door. "Come in!"
Touya angrily opened the door and glared at the empty bed when the awful realization hit him. "Kaijuu? Nani? Kero-san… where's…" Looking over to the window, his deep blue eyes fell on the unmoving girl beneath it. "Sakura-chan! Genki da na?" Entering the room, he became even more worried when she didn't respond. Kneeling in front of her, he gently pried the cards away and sat them on her desk gently. "Ne, kaijuu… Daijoubu? Please talk to me…"
Finally Kero landed on his shoulder and shook his head. "Gomen Touya-san… she's been like that all night…"
"Nani? What happened Kero?" The stuffed animal crossed his arms solemnly and looked down.
"We had a battle last night. It seems a very powerful enemy has appeared. We didn't even have a fighting chance! And… and… nothing we did touched these guys! Then… They hurt Yue! Not only that… they took him away too… that really killed Sakura-chan…" Suddenly, Kero didn't feel so strong anymore as the thought of his missing brother finally hit him hard. "Yue…"
Touya blinked in disbelief and gently lifted his little sister and sat her in the bed gently. As he did this, Sakura looked up at him blankly and murmured to him softly. "Both of them… gone… Oniichan…" Tears once more found their way down her young face causing Touya's hurt to twist in his chest.
"Both? Who Sakura-chan?"
"Yue-san… Syaoran-kun… they…. They left me!" Sobbing uncontrollably she buried her face in her brother's shirt.
Anger rose in Touya at the sound of the second person's name. As much as he didn't want to hear that gaki's name, he wouldn't hurt Sakura more by yelling about him. Cradling his imouto to him closely he tried his best to comfort her. "Daijoubu Sakura-chan… Yue-san will be ok… He'll come back… some how… promise."
Sakura raised her head slowly and peered up at her brother with sparkling eyes of emerald. "Honto ni oniichan?"
"Honto… Tell you what squirt. Let's both play hooky and I'll take you to get some breakfast. I can't have my kaijuu chibi running around scaring people." Touya grinned down at her as a frown spread over her face.
"Kaijuu ja nai! I'm not little either!" Fuming slightly he just laughed at her. "Doushite… Arigauto oniichan. Can Kero-chan come too? He's upset too."
"Hai… the little stuffed animal can come too." Touya smiled smugly and ruffled her hair. "Get dressed and meet me down stairs." Standing up he smiled at her once more before grinning. "And hurry up kaijuu!"
Growling lightly under her breath she put in one last-ditch effort. "Kaijuu ja nai!" After huffing to her self a smile finally made its way onto her lips. "Oniichan really loves me ne Kero-chan?"
Kero smiled and nodded happily. "He's not such a bad guy! And he's actually letting me come along!" His bead eyes began to sparkle as he asked the next question. "Do you think he'll buy me some pudding?"
Sakura giggled softly and hugged her stuffed guardian. "I'm sure he will… just don't ask for too much Kero-chan!" Stopping she looked out the window and sighed. "Oniichan is right… Yue-san will be back… I just know he's ok… I can feel it."
Kero smiled brightly and nodded to his young mistress. "You bet! He's a tough one to get rid of. And you right. I can feel it too." Kero landed on her shoulder and leaned his head against hers. "We just have to be patient… he'll be back."
"Hai… Sou na." Smiling she ran into her closet and picked out a pair of jeans and a light pink t-shirt before pointing to the drawer with a giggle. "You know the drill Kero-chan!" Grinning the guardian floated to his draw missing the sidelong glance she gave to the window one last time.
~*~
Yue moved on the bed slightly and allowed his heavy eyelids to slide open one by one. As the light hit his eyes he winced and closed them again. A pain was weighing heavily in his chest that seemed to seep into his every nerve and cause his body to be unwilling to function. Taking in a deep breath he struggled to get his eyes open once more. This time, he tilted his head to the side to avoid the light sneaking in through the vertical blinds. As his vision slowly began to focus he saw the young girl in a chair in the corner of the room with her knees pressed tightly to her chest.
A slight smile curled his lips when he realized the familiarity of the whole situation. Except this time, it was him that was experiencing it and not Yukito. Not to mention the fact that he was the injured party this time. Trying to sit up he felt every muscle protest in utter agony. Collapsing back onto the bed he gasped for air unaware of her awaking and approaching him. A gentle hand rested on his forehead as she smiled warmly upon him. "Iya… You shouldn't move Yue-san… Just rest. Do you need something? Food? Drink?"
The moon guardian blinked a few times as he felt the warmth of her hand flood throughout his entire being. "I… Iie… Daijoubu. Ano… How did you heal the wounds like you did? You're very strong…"
Stepping back and clasped her hands together over her chest as her disheveled chestnut hair fell into her evergreen eyes. "I was rose in the way of Onmyoujitsu. The twelfth and thirteenth head of the Sumeragi clan raised me. I'm… different. I was an orphan I'm guessing… a famous seer, Hinoto-sama, found me and requested that I was cared for by the Sumeragi's." Suddenly she paused and pushed one blind aside to look out the window. "I was taught how to utilize power as an onmyouji as well as the power that was born inside of me. I am… life. An angel of sorts. Executioner… now… the judge as well as that."
The moon guardian gaped at her in disbelief. He could almost hear and see the disbelief in Yukito's demeanor within him. "Solis-san… what do you mean?"
Shaking her head she turned back to look at him silently with a deep melancholy in her eyes. "Yue-san… My past is nothing to be concerned with. I'm sure there are others with bigger problems than mine. For example… you… it was unrequited love wasn't it? Not just once… twice…"
Yue blinked and looked at the ceiling trying not to see her questioning gaze. "How do you know that?"
"I can read it in your eyes. And the cool non-emotional repose you hold… is normally caused by such circumstances. I assume… the card mistress would be the one you care for in that way…" Solis looked away sadly and shook her head. "It's ok Yue-san. I know how you feel. That sort of love is the most painful feeling in the world. It's enough to wish for your own death." Closing her eyes she couldn't bare to look at the pale moonlight angel any longer.
"Hai… and my former master." Solis jerked her head up in surprise to see the misted blue eyes staring up at the ceiling almost too calmly. "Why did I have to feel this way?" Stopping he looked at her carefully and then closed his eyes. "Why am I even telling you this?"
Solis couldn't help but smile at the celestial being of beauty just mere yards from where she stood. Taking slow steps in his direction she allowed her eyes to scan his perfectly curved countenance and gently contoured frame adorned in the most shockingly beautiful silver-white hair. He was enough to take your breath away. So beautiful, and yet so very cold. Untouchable, like the pale elegant light of the moon. "If you need anything Yue-san… I'll be more than happy to help… even if you just want to talk." With gentle hands she took his in hers lightly.
Silver blue eyes flew open to see the warm smile upon her porcelain china doll face. "I don't understand you…"
"Sometimes its better to just question the matter." Sighing softly she reached out her free hand and caressed stray locked of silver white hair from his eyes. "Get some rest Yue-san… I want to get you better so your mistress won't worry about you. Yue-san?"
Feeling the sleep tug at his consciousness he attempted to hear her. "Mm?"
"Please don't tell Sakura-san about any of this… She will find out in due time. I don't want this fact to hinder her. She needs all the odds on her side, for she isn't strong enough to face the judge within me… and even though… I will try to hold back with all my strength… she's still in great danger…" Yue nodded slowly and smiled ever so slightly at her before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
Smiling back she just continued to stare at the man in her bed. "Aa… Kirei da… Ne… Yue-san, you're more of an angel than I am…" Before she even realized what she was doing, she bent down and brushed a tiny kiss onto his cool forehead. A warm rush of color filled her cheeks as she felt his hand tighten about hers lightly. Why does this always happen to me? First I fall for Subaru… now for something even more untouchable than him. And… why is it… that I feel I've met him before? His scent… and even his features… they almost remind me of… Nah couldn't be.
~*~
Yuzuriha ran into the coffee shop while gazing at her watch frantically. "Gomen ne! I had to shake Nai-chan and Dira-chan in order to get here alone!" Smiling slightly at her friends she dropped into the empty spot next to Kamui.
Sighing softly, the young male smiled at her and shrugged. "It's ok… I know how hard that can be." Looking closely, Yuzuriha saw him roll his violet eyes as he remembered similar situations.
"No worries Yuzu-chan! You made it didn't you! Now Sumeragi-san! You and Kamui-kun wanted to meet with all of us, what's the big deal?" Sorata drummed his fingers on the table top lightly while casting a warm look at Arashi whom moved a little uncomfortably.
Subaru looked up from his spot beside Kamui and shook his head. "The executioner has awakened once more."
The cool words brought all eyes to rest solely upon him. Seiichirou tugged at his tie and sighed. "How do you know this Sumeragi-san?"
"Aoki-san… I felt her power last night. It was much stronger than usual. Something is going to happen and I don't like that I'm totally clueless over the matter…" Kamui frowned and looked at Subaru calmly. "Sumeragi-san even told me that she disappeared the other day and had no memory of what happened…"
"Maybe she just fainted… Isn't it better to not believe the worst all of the time…?" Karen gazed into the solitaire green orb that spoke of pessimism no matter what angel you looked at the matter from.
"I wish that were so Kasumi-san. Demo… what if it's not a false alarm? What are we risking in this matter?" Subaru looked at her intently and she nodded curtly in understanding.
"But why the executioner? She has the power over life and death… Besides… what could we do against her? She gave us our lives back… wouldn't it be just as easy to take them away?" Arashi spoke softly as she looked up into Sorata's warm gaze with an unnoticed tremor.
Yuzuriha looked at the ghost dog at her side and sighed softly. Inuki then placed his head lightly in her lap and whimpered. "I really like her too Inuki… If all else fails guys… She didn't resurrect Kamui. We'll just have to believe in him… and the person she is responsible for." All eyes fell on her distracted disposition but she didn't seem to notice.
"That's a good point…" Sorata pointed out softly and looked at Kamui. "Guess it all lies with you again… Let's just hope nothing bad happens. She won't be an easy one to control…"
Kamui nodded in agreement before turning to Yuzuriha. "Doushitano Yuzu-chan?"
The dark haired girl looked at him in surprise then smiled softly. "Nani mo. Demo… Touya-san can see Inuki…" A wider smile spread over her face that seemed to warm the boy's heart.
"That's great Yuzu-chan… Hey… don't worry over this ok? I know how much she means to you. Just focus on supporting her… I'll just keep an eye on her from a distance." Kamui smiled warmly at her before feeling a gentle hand rest on his shoulder. Turning about he saw the soft smile that rarely ever touched the Sumeragi's lips.
"You're a good kid Shirou-kun… I'll take care of her… but in the end everything will depend on you… Solis-chan… as much as I love her… is a dangerous opponent. I don't want to lose any of you…." Slowly his voice died away as the memories began to cloud his mind.
Kamui rested a hand on his shoulder in return and just smiled. "Don't worry Sumeragi-san… In the end… everything will be ok."
"I really hope so Shirou-kun…" Looking out the window of the small coffee shop he hadn't noticed that a waitress that was looking extremely irritated was taking their orders.
"Yo! Sumeragi-san!" The older man looked up at the monk and arched an eyebrow questioningly. "Place your order! Oh… and um… could you cover it today? I'm a little short handed!" The boy gave him a laughing smile and tried to pretend he didn't feel Arashi pinching his arm extremely hard.
Taking a deep breath he let out a long sigh. "You're hopeless Arisugawa-kun." Looking up at the waitress he just told her he wanted black coffee then handed her the money for everyone's orders. I don't want to lose anyone else…
~*~
Yue shot up in the bed panting for air looking about wildly. He had just had a very disturbing dream that he didn't care to remember. Frantically he looked about the room with wide silver blue eyes only calming when he found the brunette beside his bed with her head resting upon her crossed arms. Reaching out a cautious hand he gently ran his fingers threw her soft locks. "I hope… it wasn't a vision."
Suddenly the girl moved and peered up at him curiously. "What did your dream entail?" Horror filled his catlike eyes as she smiled up at him gently. "It's ok Yue-san… Tell me please? Maybe I can help…"
The white haired man moved uncomfortably before nodding and clenching the covers tightly in his large slender hands. "I had a dream I was watching my mistress fight…" He paused as he looked at her debating on how to put it. "She was fighting a beautiful angel with light green eyes and the same color hair as yours… demo… Sakura-san couldn't even touch her. She was getting beat horribly…" She watched his eyes mist over in anguish as he fought the emotions in his heart. "Finally I knew I had a choice… one… attack the woman in order to save Sakura… or two… allow my mistress to be killed…"
"Of course you chose to save your mistress, correct?" Yue nodded slowly and looked at her with eyes full of pain. "I know you know who that woman is… I don't pretend to not know. And I agree with that decision." Before he could say something she placed a finger on his lips softly. "Daijoubu Yue-san. It's for the best."
Yue watched her a moment then gasped as he saw tears streak from her eyes even through her warm smiled. "Ano… I wasn't supposed to cry." Looking down nervously she reached up to wipe them away, but Yue beat her to it.
"I… don't want to be faced with such a decision…" Slowly she smiled and shook her head.
"Yue-san… You shouldn't have to deal with this…" Leaning forward she tried to ignore the pain in her heart. "Gomen nesai… Yue-san…" Kissing her forehead lightly, a light erupted from the contact and seeped into his head. As she pulled away, he stared at her blankly almost in confusion.
"Solis-san… what just happened?"
"Nani mo… You just had a bad dream." Her voice was soft even through her bright smile.
"Sou da na… I don't remember it though. Strange…" Looking at her a moment he tilted his head. "Daijoubu Solis-san? Your smile…."
Blinking, Solis just shook her head and pressed him back on to the bed. "Daijoubu… no need to worry about me. Please just sleep…" Covering him with the blankets, she merely smiled and walked to the door. "I'm going to go eat, but I'll be back soon. Don't worry." With one last smile she disappeared out of the room leaving Yue to stare at the door with nothing but confusion in his heart.
~*~
TBC….
