Chapter Eight: Deceiving Appearances
Pressing the mahogany wood instrument beneath her chin, Solis tried her best to balance with her injured left shoulder. Brining up her right arm she held the wooden bow lightly in her slender hand's grasp. Moving uncomfortably on the stool before the bar, she closed her green eyes and sighed heavily. "If it hurts don't do it…"
Without opening her eyes she arched an elegant brow at the offending male voice. "If I wanted your opinion Kamui-kun… I would have asked you." The slender object soon slid over the instrument eliciting a soft melody that seemed undaunted by the pain that ran through her left shoulder and arm.
Kamui sighed and shook his head while peering at the small blonde sitting beside him. "She's a pain sometimes…" Crossing his arms he couldn't help but smile at the soft music that was filtering out from the stringed instrument.
"But you have to admit… it's amazing to be able to not only sing well, but play an instrument like a pro as well." Sadira sighed softly and listened to the melody. "You know Kamui-chan… it's almost like the melody is shedding tears for her… Lissy! Why such a sad tune?"
Solis opened her eyes to reveal clouded jade. "Cause I feel like it…" Pain skirted her voice as her eyes closed once more the blonde's dismay.
Sighing in frustration, she glanced at Kamui for a moment. Ebony hair shaded his closed eyes as he sat deep into the couch with his arms crossed. She marveled at how his black and red school uniform matched perfectly with his pale complexion and rave colored hair. Finally she tore her eyes away to stare at Solis dreamily. "Have you ever been in love Lissy?"
Two sets of eyes turned to stare at her warily with only the slightest slip in the soft melody. "I thought I was…" Sadira blinked at the sound of her heavy voice then tilted her head to the side slowly.
"Was… it Subaru-san?" Kamui turned to Sadira and gave her a cautionary glance before running over to catch the expensive violin before it hit the floor. Solis grasped her wounded shoulder tightly and began to pant. The pain was excruciating as she raised her eyes to her American friend.
"Hai…" Looking down slowly at Kamui she felt a mist of tears cover her eyes. "Where is Subaru-kun anyway? He… hasn't even scolded me yet…"
Blinking, Kamui stared at her with wide violet eyes. "He went out for a walk with Nai-chan… Is something the matter? Can we help?"
"Iie… leave me… onegai." The two nodded slowly and stood to leave. Kamui gazed at her calmly then sighed as he sat the violin carefully on the table.
"Please take care Lis-chan…" Sadira smiled softly then walked out of the door leading into the Sumeragi's apartment. Kamui gazed at her a moment then shook his head before following closely in the blonde's footsteps.
Solis sat silently upon the stool while clutching her shoulder tightly. It hurt so badly, but it wasn't only physical pain, it was also emotional pain. That day nearly two days ago, had completely saw to dislocating that shoulder and even fracture the bone. It wasn't the pain that made her cry though; it was the sadness of knowing how that pain came about. She knew it was wrong to attack Sakura, but she couldn't stop it, and yet, Subaru hurt her knowing what he was doing. Subaru-kun… do you hate me? I… I thought I loved you… but now… when I think of you… it's not the same…
~*~
Subaru walked slowly down the path in Ueno Park holding back the taunting emotions in his head. Reaching into his trench coat to take out a cigarette, he felt a hand rest on his gently. In slight surprise he looked down at the small Chinese girl with wide dark eyes. "Subaru-kun… please don't. It's not good for you." Blinking he retracted his hand and closed his eyes. "Daijoubu?"
Stopping to feel the breeze wash over his face and through his hair he couldn't help but let the worries of his heart overflow. "I don't know anymore…" Looking down at her with his solitaire green eye, he wondered why he would spend so much time with her. She talked almost as much as Hokuto-chan had when she were alive. Solis was the total opposite of Naisumi. Solis was quiet and thoughtful, easy to aggravate, yet gentle and loving in a cool sort of way. Naisumi was bright and warm, fast to show someone her smile and extremely open with her love for others.
She was the perfect picture of his deceased sister and the Solis he knew before that one day when she was ten. Interrupting his thoughts, Naisumi took his hand in hers gently. "You know… if you need to talk, I'd be happy to help you."
The Sumeragi couldn't help but smile at her words giving her hand a soft squeeze before looking away. "It's nothing… It's too hard for me to explain it to you. But allow me to tell you it's about losing people I loved more than anything… and the one I love like family that is still living… is drifting beyond my reach. And… it's my own fault…"
Naisumi blinked in surprise and shook her head. "You mean Lis-chan don't you? Don't worry Subaru-kun… she'll always love you. You are like her only family. Even though people quarrel… and they hurt someone they care about deeply… inside they still love one another. So… just talk to her. Let her know that you still care. Things will be ok. I promise…"
Looking down at her in even greater surprise he felt he had fallen completely speechless. Breathing in deeply he thought about what had just happened. Naisumi hadn't bugged him for more information, and she had gone straight into giving any word of comfort she was capable. And the strangest part was that he wanted to just hug her. "Domo arigauto Nai-chan… That does help…"
Grinning brightly she jumped toward him wrapping her arms about his neck. The mismatched eyes widened for a moment then he hugged her slender form gently while closing his eyes. "I'm glad Subaru-kun!" Feeling the warmth run into his cheeks, he felt startled. He hadn't had a feeling like this since before his beloved twin had died at the hands of the one he had loved.
~*~
Yukito walked with light steps deeper into Tokyo reading a small map that was given to him by Yuzuriha. Sighing softly he looked up and to the side at the building he was searching for. "This must be it… Sumeragi-san sure knew how to pick a place that is quite hard to find…" Putting the map away he proceeded into the building and up the elevator.
The building was extremely luxurious, and he was sure the flat itself would be quite beautiful as well. If it weren't for his own lavishly styled house he'd have felt extremely out of place. His steps slowed as he began to read the numbers on the doors, hoping he'd soon find the right one before he lost his nerve and just walked away.
Suddenly soft music filtered through the next door and he couldn't help but move closer and listen to its soft melody. Smiling he looked at the number on the door and was surprised to find it to be the correct flat. Knocking lightly, he waited for a reply, but none came. Knocking again he was surprised to see the door open just a crack, but no one was there. How strange…
Cautiously he walked into the flat and peered into the dimly lit living room that was strategically placed beside the open kitchen with a bar enclosing it. Hazel nut brown eyes drifted over many pictures in the room of various people and he was sure at least a third of them were of the person he sought to speak with this evening. Finally his eyes rested on the person in question sitting upon a stool gingerly working a bow over a finely tuned violin.
"Hello Yuki…" Her soft voice rang out clearly as she continued to play the song flawlessly. It had startled him though, since she had not even looked up at him since he'd entered the apartment. Hitting the final notes, she seemed to wince from some unknown strain that caused his face to contort in worry.
Stepping toward her, he placed a hand gently on her right hand halting the music altogether. Removing the bow from her hand he gingerly sat it on the counter before relieving her aching shoulder of the glossy wood instrument and placed it with its brother part. "Doushitano Lis-chan?"
Solis looked up at him with wide green eyes that seemed to sparkle in his presence. "Nani mo… It's just…" Unconsciously her right hand rose to grasp her left shoulder protectively. "You shouldn't bother with me Yuki… I deserve all the pain I receive."
Something flashed in his eyes as he cradled her face in his slender hands. "No you don't… Call it a sin if you will… But I can't hate you… and the worst part is… I think I care more deeply about you than even I realize."
Orbs of green searched his deep chocolate eyes in a daze before she shrank from his hold. "Yuki… I don't want to hurt you… I don't even wish to hurt Sakura-san… but it seems I have no control over myself. Tell me Yuki… do you want me to cleanse your memory of me?"
Shock was completely evident in his pale complexion as he searched for the answer to her question. At one point he would have jumped on the opportunity to just forget, to let go of his feelings for the angel before him and enjoy the bliss of ignorance. Though, that was the farthest desire from his heart at this point. Shaking his head, he pressed his forehead lightly against hers. "Let me tell you something Lis-chan… There are so many things worth dying for… and very seldom… if ever… one experiences the miracle of finding something worth living for. Please… don't ever erase my memory of you…"
This time it was her turn to stare at him in shock. She could feel his warm breath washing over her face due to the close proximity and it caused her heart to beat rapidly. "Yuki… but… you'll have to…"
"Protect Sakura-chan? Hai… but somewhere in my heart, I know everything will be ok… and I won't have to chose between the two of you… and if I do… I believe I will make the right decision." Slowly he ran his fingertips over her cheek as a tear slid from her eyes. Wiping it away lightly he finally pulled away and smiled down at her brightly. "Please don't cry…"
Smiling lightly she shook her head causing some hair to fall from the ponytail she wore. "How could I not when I know what I am?"
"The fact that you even care about what you're doing proves to me that you don't deserve any of this pain…" Pulling her into a light hug, he felt her body relax against him. "It'll be ok Lis-chan…"
"Honto ni…? I doubt it… This judgment… I've dreamt about the last battle… One of us must die… And… I think I know who…" Yukito pulled away and stared down at her in disbelief. His heart seemed to tear in two at the thought of losing either the girl he saw as his own sister, or the girl he was sure he loved with all his heart.
"Demo…" Hushing his words with her middle and index finger, she just shook her head.
"Please… don't ask me… and don't say anything to anyone else. You will find out soon enough…" Yukito gave a reluctant nod as the look of defeat washed over his normally happy countenance. It made her heart hurt to see it, but as she was about to speak, a silvery white light erupted from his form as two elegant wings cocooned about him. When they pulled away, she beheld the beautiful moon being that had stolen a piece of her heart. "Yue-san…"
"Solis-san… I… sympathize with you… As does Yukito… He was forced to hurt Sakura-sama as well because of me… I to had to judge her. Wasn't that enough?" Yue's silver blue cat eyes shimmered as they peered at her hopefully.
Shaking her head, she looked straight into his eyes before speaking softly. "Your judgment was to decide whether or not she'd be the mistress over you and the cards… my judgment is to see if the magic within her is worthy of existence. The shining star has reached a point where it can go once of two ways… Collapsing into a black hole, or learn to shine even more brightly than the sun. Yue-san… I have judged many before her, but it wasn't I that had to face them in battle. They had to prove their worth in a battle for the future of the earth and it's inhabitance. All of them died buy one, he was the true judge, and the one that chose the course this world now follows. The others, I deemed worthy and gave their lives back to them. But should I ever sense they were following the wrong path, I could snatch their lives from them as if I had never given them back… Though, in Sakura-san's case… if I take her life, there is no bringing her back."
Yue stood in complete disbelief before the girl that was slowly drawing his heart away from his mistress and was shocked even more so when he saw tears streaming down her cheeks. "Lis-chan…" Cool fingertips gently wiped away the tears while the pain began to surface in his blue eyes. "I didn't realize…"
"No one ever does… Yue-kun… do you want to know… who I am?" The moon angel nodded slowly wondering how well he could stand up to another heart wrenching truth. Instead of talking, Solis slowly leaned toward the guardian and whispered to him softly. "Forgive me Tsuki no tenshi…" With those words, her lips met his for a brief instant bringing about a burst of silvery white light.
Images seemed to flood into his head like a raging river after a heavy downpour knocking him to his knees. He saw everything, from the tiny child in the arms of the dream gazer to the elementary girl trying her best to bring her heart broken Sumeragi out of the walls surrounding his heart. He even caught a glimpse of the beautiful girl being slapped and abused at the hands of boys that didn't understand what they were doing. And last of all, with his own eyes, he experienced the battle for the destiny of the world. As the visions stopped, he found himself on his knees, clutching his hands tightly over his heart. With wide eyes misted over with unshed tears, he looked up at Solis and fought off the urge to cry. "You… you lived this?"
The girl nodded slowly and knelt down before him while pushing away strands of silver white in order to meet his gaze eye to eye. "I'm sorry moon angel… I hadn't meant to show you my whole life…"
Yue shook his head and felt as if he'd been run over by a semi. Feeling a numbing cold run through his shivering form, he was surprised to feel her gentle arms wrapping about him. "Lis-chan… do… you love Sumeragi-san?"
In slight surprise, she met his sorrowful gaze. "Yue-kun… I… I used to… but… I've realized it's something else that I feel for him…" Gently hands grazed his cool smooth cheeks lightly as she closed her eyes. "I believe… I know what Yuki meant earlier… Yue-kun…" Reopening her eyes, she smiled warmly into his eyes. "Please… don't ever forget me Yue-kun… I couldn't bear it if you did… and if Yuki is in there… tell him the same for me…" Sighing lightly she rested her head on his shoulder trying her best to ignore the pain in hers.
The guardian sighed softly and hugged her to him trying to force the images of her sorrowful past from his head. Regret filled him as he remembered how he'd thought it unfair that he was born without emotions only to find out just how painful it was for her merely because of the emotions he coveted. The stranger fact was… seeing her life with his own eyes… was awakening himself to things he'd never felt before. He didn't even know why he was clinging to her with all of his strength at the moment. "I'll never forget you Lis-chan… neither will Tsukishiro-san…"
~*~
Sakura sighed as she watched Kero play his video game with enthusiasm. Honestly she was just glad that he was ok. Her heart began to ache as she realized just how close she had come to losing nearly all of her closest friends. Walking out of her room she hesitated at her oniichan's door. He'd caught a cold from the incident in Ueno Park and it made her sick to know it was her fault. Rapping on the door softly, she heard him tell her to come in through a few wracking coughs.
"Yo kaijuu… What's up?" Normally Sakura would have thrown a fit over this particular nickname, but today she didn't. This fact made the smile on Touya's face fade away. "You ok squirt?"
Normally bright emerald eyes seemed to be clouded over as they rose to stare at him helplessly. "Gomen ne oniichan… demo… naze? Why did you jump in front of me like that? You could have been killed!"
Touya looked at her calmly then smiled the rare warm smile that he reserved primarily for her when he felt inclined to let her know that he loved her. "Come here Sakura-chan…" Sakura sulked in slowly and sat on the bed next to her brother. Carefully he hugged her small frame and sighed. "I know I'm over bearing and over protective… but I can't help it squirt… Just promise me you won't feel guilty for the actions I chose to take…"
Sakura raised surprised eyes up to her brother then smiled as she hugged him back tightly. She knew he was right. There was nothing she could do to prevent him from making that decision; after all, it was his decision and not hers. Silently she thanked the heavens for her oniichan, no matter how cruel he could be to her. "Arigauto oniichan… love you!"
The boy gently ruffled her honey brown hair and smiled. "Yeah yeah… love you too kaijuu… now could you go get me some water? I'm majorly thirsty!"
Sakura giggled and bobbed her head as he released her from the hug. Running to the door she peered over her shoulder in time to catch the smile she loved so much to see on her oniichan's face. Closing the door softly, she raced down the stairs to the kitchen only to be halted in her steps by the doorbell. "Eh? Just a minute!" Turning on her heel, she ran to the door and opened it to see Yuzuriha standing on their doorstep. "Ah! Hi Yuzu-chan!"
The dark haired girl smiled brightly and bowed to Sakura in greeting. "Konnichiwa Sakura-chan! How is your oniichan doing?" Smiling warmly, Sakura stepped aside in order to let the older girl in.
"He's ok! I'm just getting him some water right now, want to join me?" Yuzuriha nodded and followed the young teen into the kitchen and watched her get the item requested as well as preparing a bowl of soup that she insisted Touya would love.
"Sakura-chan… Aren't you going to ask me?" Yuzuriha looked up from the stove to the girl with short brown hair that suddenly seemed to lose her cheery disposition.
"I thought you'd just tell me when you were ready…"
"Don't be so gloomy Sakura-chan… I didn't know I'd ever have to use my power again… therefore I didn't see it as necessary to tell anyone about it…" Sakura looked up at her and nodded in understanding. "You see… two years ago… I was ordained by fate to fight in the battle that decided the future of the end of the world…" Thus the story began keeping the young card mistress totally enraptured the entire time. In that single monologue that Yuzuriha gave, Sakura learned about the seven seals as well as the executioner. And in honesty, Sakura didn't think that the angel was as bad as she attempted to be.
"Demo… I don't understand why she is intent on hurting me…" Just as Yuzuriha moved to answer her, sluggish footsteps entered the kitchen interrupting them.
"Yo! Kaijuu! How hard is it to get water? Did you drown in the sink?" Pausing he looked at Yuzuriha and turned a deep crimson as he realized he was only in his sleeping attire. "Ah… Gomen Yuzu-chan… I didn't know you were here. I'll… I'll just go back upstairs now…" Blushing even more, Touya vanished rather quickly up the stairs and into his room.
Giggling, Sakura picked up the tray of soup and his glass of water and headed for the stairs. "Gomen Yuzu-chan… normally oniichan is more alert to when someone is here or not. It seems the cold is getting to him…" Looking at the black haired Japanese girl she was surprised to see her staring up at Touya's door changing through quite a few shades of red.
Shaking her head, Sakura opened her brother's door and brought him the tray while winking at him. "Oniichan… I think Yuzu-chan has it for you bad! You should see her down there! She's blushing so much she can't even talk!"
Touya winced and shook his head attempting to hide his own blush. "You think so? Ne, Sakura-chan… I really like her…" Sakura looked up and smiled warmly at him.
"I know oniichan… I know…"
~*~
Kero groaned as he listened to the phone ring repeatedly without any answer. "Kuso! Where are you, you winged freak!" Grumbling he turned the phone off and paced across his mistress' desk. "You know more than you are letting on Yue! Why are you holding out on your own mistress? I can understand not telling me things! But Sakura-chan? I though you cared about her!"
The yellow plush toy plopped down on his hindquarters and shook his head while rubbing his temples with his paws. "I just don't understand! What could be more important that knowing all the information on the enemy in order to survive the next battle? We can't keep on with this narrowly making it through crap!" Growling in frustration he fell onto his back and sighed.
"Keroberos… You shouldn't think so hard… you'll blow a brain fuse." Kero jolted upright and stared straight into the ice blue eyes of Yue the moon guardian. "What do you need little brother? I am in no mood to listen to you complain so make it quick."
The sun guardian blinked in surprise as he stared into Yue's eyes. Something was different about them, it was almost as if they'd learned how to show the depths of the guardian's heart. Shaking his head, he decided it was nothing and glared at his brother. "Yue! What are you hiding! I KNOW you are hiding something! Just by the way you've been acting… not to mention even Yukito-san isn't coming around! That makes me beyond suspicious!"
Yue moved uncomfortably at his younger brother's words and moved uneasily to the open window whence he came. His wings ached to take flight wishing he'd never even bothered to answer the distressed calls of the sun guardian Keroberos. "Maybe I am… but it's of no concern of yours. It's better that you not know…"
"And why is that? Any information on the enemy will help! We know nothing!" Balled fists waved frantically in the air as Yue shook his head.
"Normally I would agree Keroberos… but not this time. Knowing the truth will only hinder our mistress even more than if she didn't." Kero arched a brow at him inquisitively silently asking him to explain. "Let me put it this way… had Sakura not known that I was also Tsukishiro-san, she would have been much better off in that battle… Correct?"
At this, the lion like guardian couldn't help but agree. "Are you saying that her enemy is some one that she really cares about? Yue… this isn't good at all…"
"Kero…" The yellow figure looked up in surprise at being called such an informal name only to see the forlorn look in his brother's silver blue eyes. "Stop calling her an 'enemy'. Onegai…"
In sheer shock, Kero floated over to Yue and came to rest on the white clad shoulder. Gently pushing Yue's white hair behind his ear, Kero spoke softly with brotherly compassion in his voice. "Gomen ne Yue… Obviously… it's not only Sakura-chan that is close to this person… I'm going to trust you Yue… But please… Do what you can to protect Sakura-chan…"
Smiling ever so slightly, Yue nodded to the false form of Keroberos. "I will Kero… Arigauto… I'm going to go now." Gently picking up the plush form, he set him back onto the desk. "Tell Sakura-sama that if she needs me, just call. Ja ne Keroberos…"
Watching him leave through the window, Kero sighed softly before calling out one last remark. "What happened to Kero? I was starting to like the informality!"
Yue just smiled softly and closed his eyes. He was glad that Kero had understood him, for some reason, he knew he would. "I promise… that I will not allow my mistress to die… demo… I only hope I will not harm my angel… the angel of life…"
~*~
Solis stood on top of the big slide in the middle of Penguin Park with her eyes closed. It had been nearly a week since she'd last surfaced as the executioner. It was getting harder by the day to suppress that power and remain calm. Each day that she sat in the classroom staring at the board blankly, she felt the fog and agonizing mists in her head making it hard to even think about anything besides keeping the other side of her in check. The only one that had even shown a little bit of worry had been Yukito. Yuki… I need you now… I can't hold it back anymore…
Sighing softly, she knew he couldn't hear her. Before him, she had always had Subaru to talk to. Even Kamui… but that was no longer an option. They were scared of her. At least… Kamui was. Subaru on the other hand seemed to hate her more than ever. "Subaru-kun… you're… so important to me… The only family I've ever had beside Sumeragi-baasan and Hokuto-san…" Hokuto-san… I'm going to die aren't I? Will you be there to greet me Hokuto-san? So I won't be alone…
* "What's wrong with you? I can't believe what you're doing… Please tell me you have no control over this!" Subaru gazed at her icily as she pressed an icepack to her left shoulder.
"I can't control it Subaru! Do you think I'd hurt her on purpose?" Solis couldn't bear to lift her eyes to the one person she looked up to the most as he peered at her with eyes that seemed to deny that he even knew her name.
"Nan de mo… Just don't kill that girl! She's innocent and it's just flat out wrong!"
"Don't you think I know that? The only reason she's alive right now is because I'm using all of my power and will to keep that side of me from doing so? Subaru… please… understand." Solis finally looked up to see tears trailing down his smooth cheeks. "Subaru-kun…" Suddenly the sounds from the radio began to grow louder as the words intensified.
~Crawling in my skin…
These wounds they will not heal…
Fear is how I fall…
Confusing what is real…
Subaru gazed at the offending radio a moment then closed his eyes. "I see you've gotten into American music… Lis-chan…"
Avoiding his eyes once more she looked at the receiver as well. "Hai… This song… I think it's yours…"
~ There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface…
Consuming… confusing…
This lack of self-control I fear is never ending…
Controlling… I can't seem…
"You shouldn't be such a hypocrite… I think it's speaking to you as well…" Subaru sat down at the bar and buried his face in his hands silently.
"At least I didn't fall in love with the man who you knew deep down inside was the Sakurazukamori… And then… you punish everyone including Hokuto-san for that! You died to us that day… didn't we mean more to you than that?" Solis felt the tears fall unbidden down her cheeks in torrents.
~To find myself again… my walls are closing in…
Without a sense of confidence…
And I'm convinced there's just too much pressure to take…
I've felt this way before… So insecure…
Looking up at her in surprise, more tears escaped his solitaire green eye. "What do you know of pain?" Anger swelled inside of him even though he knew she was right and that she knew exactly what pain was.
"How dare you! I guess you never did care about anyone as much as even YOU though! You drowned your own heart in the pain of others so you'd never have to face your own feelings! How sad… You don't even know who you are…" Solis knew the words were harsh, she knew they'd hurt, but nothing had ever caused her heart to hurt the way Subaru did with his last statement.
~ Discomfort endlessly has pulled itself upon me…
Distracting… reacting…
Against my will I stand beside my own reflection…
It's haunting… how I can't seem…
"Maybe you're right Solis! I'm just an unfeeling prick that could give a flying flip about anything! So why even bother huh? Baka na hito! Just stay away from me! I don't want to talk to you anymore! I've had enough!" He didn't really mean it, but the ache in his heart took over and began to speak for him making the cut in her heart grow dangerously deeper.
"FINE! Kore de aiko da… I hurt you… you hurt me… it seems that's all we end up doing!" Tears were falling like raindrops from both of them alike, barely able to hide the pain that seemed to pulsate off of them with every frantic beat of their hearts. In a flurry of motion, Subaru ran into his room and slammed the door while she headed straight for the front door.
~ Crawling in my skin…
These wounds they will not heal…
Fear is how I fall…
Confusing what is real… *
Fresh tears seemed to find their way down her cheeks as she met face to face with her breaking point. "Wait for me Hokuto-san… Please… forgive me for not being able to save Subaru-kun…" Looking around one last time she didn't even see the surroundings, instead all she could see were the cool and loving eyes of both Yue and Yukito. Closing her own eyes she finally submitted to the darkness welling up inside of her. "Gomen ne… Yue-kun… Yuki…"
Sakura walked down the street quietly contemplating her lonesome heart wondering if what Solis had told her was true. She missed Syaoran so badly that it seemed to eat away her heart to a point where it almost seemed better just to give up. "People's hearts can change… Syaoran-kun… will you have a change of heart?"
Suddenly Kero flew face first into her forehead mumbling to him self. "I can feel it! That aura! It's grow… OOF!" Falling backward, Sakura barely reacted fast enough to catch her guardian before he hit the hard concrete. "Sakura-chan! Can't you feel it?"
Looking at him in surprise she took her mind off of her relationship problems and opened up her senses only to be hit by a strong wave of pain and sorrow within the aura that seemed so familiar to her. Wide eyes turned toward the park and she began to run toward it while grasping her star key tightly. "Release!" The staff grew in her hand while letting off a soft pink aura while she never missed a step. "Yue-san! I need you!"
In response to her call, she felt her guardian send his telepathic response softly into her head. "I'll be there as fast as I can Sakura-sama…" Gulping in the harshly cold night air, she stepped into the park and instantly felt her eyes fall on the girl standing on top of the slide.
Looking closely, she made out the khaki slacks and black turtleneck covered by a red blazer. The gathering silver aura caused the wind to build and soon, a black hat that had been resting on the girl's head blew to the ground and rolled onto Sakura's feet. Gasping, she felt heavy eyes of dark jade rest on her with solemn sadness in their depths. "SOLIS-SAN!"
Kero blinked at the sight and felt his jaw go slack. No wonder Yue had not wanted her to know. Now it was his fault that she found out. "Chikushou!" The sun guardian quivered in anxiety as he allowed his form to change into its truthful shape.
The young card mistress gazed in disbelief at the eyes of her friend, as they slowly got lost behind what seemed to be a black cloud. What could she do? Tears began to build in her eyes as she shook her head. She didn't want to believe it, but as her eyes rose to look at Solis again, pearl white wings were encasing her, and the transformation had taken place. "No! It can't be!" Falling to her knees, Sakura felt all of the strength in her legs fail.
Solis peered down at her with feline eyes and just smiled at the quivering girl. "You'll have to believe it… if you want to live…" Looking around slowly, the brunette yawned in boredom. "You can stop hiding now… I know you all are here…"
Sakura blinked in surprise as Subaru and Yuzuriha stepped from the shadows behind her, Kamui emerged from behind a tree on the left, a woman with short auburn hair and a man with glasses walked out onto the ledge of a brick wall, and a girl with long black hair stepped from the shadows on the right with a man with feathery black hair and a black t-shirt that bore a huge white A upon it. "Who… Who are you people?"
Yuzuriha smiled sadly and laid a hand on Sakura's shoulder. Pointing to the first person on the right she closed her eyes. "That is Shirou Kamui…" Moving her hand to the wall she stopped and breathed in sharply. "They are Kasumi Karen and Aoki Seiichirou…" Pointing off to the left at the final couple, Yuzuriha began to quiver. "The two over there are Kishu Arashi and Arisugawa Sorata. We together… make up the seven seals…"
Eyes of sparkling green widened as she looked at all seven seals and blinked. "Why are you here?"
"To make sure your life isn't taken…" Subaru stated quietly from behind her, his eyes closed solemnly. "Solis doesn't know what she's doing… but that doesn't stop the fact that her goal is to either die, or kill you…"
The child nearly fainted in shock before looking back at the beautiful angel clad in silver, black and white. Gripping her cards, she peered into the spring green eyes holding silver slits and began to shiver. "Ok… now that we all know who each other are… let's begin this Mistress…" Solis peered at all of the seals save Kamui and smirked. "You do know… that your lives lie in my hands… Should you interfere... you are as good as dead!"
Yuzuriha shrank back slightly and fought off the urge to cry. "Solis-chan…" Subaru gently rested a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. "I know… it's up to Sakura-chan and Kamui-kun…"
Kamui walked calmly past Solis and stood before Sakura in a defiant position staring coldly up at the angel. "Once my friend… now my enemy… must everything come to this?" The steel like voice made Solis' skin crawl in pain. "I won't allow you to take her life…"
Solis pushed her hair behind her ears nonchalantly with gloved hands and shrugged. "Is that so Shirou-san? I may not be able to kill you as easily as the others… but believe me… you are no match for the executioner…" Deep inside, Solis felt her heartache, but the feeling was shoved aside as she pulled out three Ofuda and threw them into the air. "Hitori, Nekari, Inukari! Come to me…" Instantly the shikigamis stood before her with loving gazes awaiting their instructions. "Keep them back… but leave the Mistress to me… and… Shirou-san… you can't defeat him…"
The three nodded slowly and turned to the others present. Hitori gazed at them a moment then sighed lightly. "I never thought… we'd have to face the seals…"
Nekari growled lightly and nodded her head. "We have no choice… I love my lady… and even if she didn't bid it so… I'd give my life to protect her…" The other two nodded slowly and began to build a barrier around the three people in the center of the park.
The six seals gazed at the barrier in horror realizing that only Kero and Kamui where in there to help the tiny mistress of the cards. "Kuso!" Subaru hissed through his teeth as he balled up his fists. "This can't be happening…"
Yuzuriha stood silently for a moment before gazing up at Subaru with wavering eyes. "Subaru-san… you think she intends to kill Sakura-chan… don't you?"
"Mochiron! What else would her intent be?" Anger seethed in his voice but halted as he saw the sad look in the young girl's eyes.
"Iya Subaru-san… She plans to die…" The soft words nearly tore Subaru's heart from his chest. Why hadn't he thought of that before? Yuzuriha moved uncomfortably as all eyes turned to her. "I… just know… but the look in her eyes… She doesn't want to live anymore…"
Sorata looked at the girl a moment then back at the barrier composed totally of fire, ice and electricity. "I see… poor girl… I never would have guessed at that… but what could possibly hurt her so bad as to wish for her own death?"
Arashi gently rested a hand on his shoulder and managed to smile at him. "Doushite mo… Ato ga warui daroo…" Hugging her to him, they both fell silent amidst the group of people. Subaru felt ill instantly. What had caused it? Looking down he knew the answer. This was his fault. All of it was solely his fault.
Within the barrier, Kamui built up his telekinetic energy and produced the Shinken and held it tightly in his hands. Behind him, Sakura shook violently while clinging to the neck of her sun guardian. "Kero-chan… I can't…"
"What's keeping you Solis-san?" Kamui forced himself to sound threatening as her waved his holy sword at her.
"There is still another player that has yet to appear." Crossing her arms patiently, she looked up to the sky to see the moon guardian flying to his mistress' rescue. "Ah… right on cue…" All eyes fell on Yue as he gracefully touched ground before them with shadowed eyes of silver blue. "Welcome Yue-san… it seems the final nightmare has come true… Now… fight me… or die!"
Yue's eyes widened as her gloved hands stretched out to her sides and grasped two glowing orbs of white in each hand shaping them into elegant swords totally composed of see through crystal. A glint of amusement entered her eyes as she suddenly sprang forward and slammed her swords into the Shinken in Kamui's grasp forming an X shape against it. "Come on… aren't you THE Kamui?"
Kamui's violet blue eyes wavered as he put his strength into shoving her backward. As she lighted onto her feet once more, she watched as the ball of energy formed in the boy's hand. "I don't want to hurt you Solis! Isn't there some other way?" The angel laughed a gentle laugh then shook her head.
"I'm afraid not… now step aside or I'll have to hurt you… I'd hate to do that to one of my former friends…" Sakura watched his repose quiver at her harsh words and she wondered if they were truly her words. Flipping through the cards, she knew she couldn't let the boy who was so valiantly protecting her to get hurt.
Kamui took a deep breath then hurled the energy at Solis only to watch in horror as the swords went up to create a reflective barrier. As the blast returned to him he crossed his arms over his face in an attempt to protect him self only to find that the card mistress had snapped out of it. "Shield!"
A large shield appeared before Kamui and shattered the strong blast right before his eyes. Turning quickly he gave her a thankful smile that she gladly returned. Solis glowered before them and quickly took to the air and came crashing down toward the mistress of the cards with alarming speed. "Abunai!"
The cry was heard just in time as Sakura pulled out a card and called forth it's power. "Sword!" Instantly the staff formed into a sword and prevented the crystal blades from slashing into her. Solis pressed her down to the ground while smirking into her wide green eyes. "Solis-san! Please stop this!" The cries seemed to go unheard, but in truth they hadn't. For a moment her heart wavered and the pressure on Sakura's sword lightened.
Kero cried out in alarm and leapt toward the angel pinning down his friend and mistress, prepared to die if it were necessary if only to save his Sakura-chan. "Let her go!" Instantly, the angel turned her head and glared at the oncoming beast. Quickly slamming one blade into the ground beside Sakura's neck, she raised the free hand to send a silver blast in the direction of the guardian. In moments, the light faded out to reveal the mighty beast of the seal as no more than a kitten with armor far too big for it's body.
Kamui was astonished as he finally came to his senses. How did she have so much power? It seemed as though she were only toying with them. Why? If she could just kill Sakura, why not just get it over with? Leaping into action he brought his sword into ready only to have the sword knocked from his hand and land a good twenty yards from his position. Solis stood slowly backing away from the still form of Sakura. The girl was in shock.
The violet-eyed boy cried out as a sudden flash of pain entered his shoulder and seemed to sear into his very flesh. The angel looked at him sadly and kneeled before him. "I will not kill you Kamui-kun… Please… step down…" Slowly withdrawing her sword from his shoulder, she shoved his limp form to the ground. It seemed to be no use, and it was now all up to Sakura and the remaining guardian.
Taking a deep breath, Solis took slow steps in the direction of the shocked girl on her knees still clutching her sword. Closing her green eyes a moment she fought to silence the pleas in her head to spare the child from any pain, but she knew to listen to the plea, her plan would not work. Gripping the two swords tightly she lunged at Sakura one more time and was pleased to hear the girl yell out for another card. "Fly!" Pearl pink wings burst from her back and she took to the air just as one of the crystal blades pierced the earth where she had been.
"Solis-san…" Tears streamed down her cheeks as Solis turned to look up at her coolly with no emotions. "Onegai… Stop this… for Subaru's sake… and the seals that care so much about you…"
An eyebrow raised slightly in surprise as she stared up at Sakura. "Doushite sore o gozonji desu? How do you know they even care? I am NOBODY to them!" Tears swelled in her eyes as she flew into the air her swords intent on drawing the young girl's blood.
Clashing like lightning, the blades clashed together proving that Solis was the stronger even though Sakura worked hard at keeping up with the bone shattering blows. "I care! Please! I don't want you to hurt any more!"
Tears fell harder as she inflicted an even harder blow sending the small girl hurtling to the ground. "You know nothing! Heartache… pain… I could careless about this world! Let it go on without me…" Diving down at the unmoving card mistress all she had left was the driving pain in her heart.
Yue watched with wide eyes of shimmering blue. He didn't know what to do. He loved Solis so much, and yet, he also loved his young Mistress. As the battle raged on, he prayed that his mistress could talk SOME sort of sense into the crying angel that had stolen his heart. But he knew it wasn't going to happen. Soon he realized that Solis was about to deal the final blow on Sakura and he knew what he had to do. Drawing back his invisible bow he released the arrow of blue light at the descending angel. "Forgive me Lis-chan…" Closing his eyes he didn't expect the shrill cry of the angel, as the arrow pierced deeply into her chest and sent her spiraling to the ground.
In the same instant, the barrier disappeared and the shikigamis ran to their master slowly fading as they came. "My lady! NO!" Their blood chilling cries echoed in the night as three limp Ofuda fell to the ground. Opening his eye, Yue ran to where Solis lay limply on her side. Her once beautifully flawless wings were bent askew, and crimson liquid that flowed from the deep gash in her side stained the beautiful white dress with silver trim.
Yue lifted her into his arms and felt the tears stream down his cheeks as he watched her chest rise with each erratic breath. "Lis-chan…" Light green eyes opened slowly to fall upon the guardian of the moon while a soft smile crossed her porcelain countenance.
"Moon angel… Gomen ne… I didn't want you to have to do that… but it was the only way… Sakura-chan?" The soft voice came in gasps as she struggled to look for the tiny teen with honey brown hair.
"Solis-san!" Sakura ran up to the couple and began to cry as the sight met her eyes. The angel lay drenched in her own blood, wings broken, and eyes shimmering in tears. "No! Don't die!"
Solis smiled at the girl and let out a labored breath in relief. "I'm glad you're ok… Yue-kun…" The silver white haired guardian tried his best to look at her through his tears but felt that he couldn't. "I… always wanted to die at the hands of someone I cared about… it's… better that way…" Smiling softly she looked at Kamui as he walked up clutching his shoulder breathlessly. "Kamui-kun… gomen…"
Tears found their way down his cheeks as he fell to his knees beside her while shaking his head. "Kuso! I should have known this was what you were planning to do!" The angel sighed softly and looked up at the others as they approached her trembling form.
Silently her eyes locked with Subaru's and she just smiled. "Gomen… Subaru-kun… Aishiteru… you were like a brother to me… Mou mayowazu ni ikiteyukeru yo…. Onegai…"
The Sumeragi fell down beside Yue and grasped one of her hands in his before leaning down and kissing her forehead. "Hai… I'll try… Please… forgive me Lis-chan… forgive me…"
Closing her eyes she just nodded lightly as her aching body permitted. Everything was feeling so cold, so very numb and she couldn't seem to move anymore. "Hai… there is nothing to forgive… Sakura-san?"
Peering down at Solis with tear filled eyes she was holding the kitten form of her sun guardian. Fighting off the urge to laugh, Solis shakily wove a hand in Kero's direction and sent him for one instant back to his true state then into his false form. "Daijoubu Sakura-san… Mou nakanai de boku ga iru kara…."
"Demo! You're not staying alive!" The little girl cried out as Solis began to cough sending a small river of blood down her pale cheek.
"It can't be helped Sakura-san… Please forgive me for my ill temperament… I had really wanted to be your friend…" Looking up at Yue with hazy eyes she just smiled. "Moon angel… I love you… Yue-kun? I… can't see you anymore…"
Yue watched the worry etch itself over her face as she tried desperately to see the guardian of the moon. "Lis-chan… Watakushi ga ikite iru aida wa… Aishiteru… Please… find peace…" The angel smiled once more before closing her eyes and taking her final agonizing breath. Holding her limp form close, Yue closed his eyes and just allowed the tears to fall. They were not only his tears, but also the tears of his other form Tsukishiro Yukito.
After a moment, he felt the weight in his arms lighten, forcing him to open his eyes. In an instant, he saw the beautiful angel with green eyes faded into nothing more than a pile of silvery white feathers. Crying out in pain he doubled over and sobbed not even paying attention to the others there joining in his lament.
~*~
Solis blinked and looked around her surprised to even be able to see anything at all. Suddenly her eyes widened when she saw her own limp form in her beloved angel's arms. Sighing softly she wished she could hug his trembling form and tell him everything was ok, but she knew that wasn't possible now.
Hugging her self tightly she whispered soft words that she only hoped he would hear. "I love you my Tsuki no tenshi… I'm sorry that it had to be this way…"
"Oi! Do you really mean that?" Turning about, Solis couldn't believe her eyes. In an instant she ran to the person speaking and hugged her tightly unwilling to let the girl go.
"Hokuto-san!!! It's you! You really did come like I asked! Hokuto-san!" The young Sumeragi just smiled and hugged Solis tightly.
"You did great for Subaru-chan… Arigauto Lis-chan… I knew you'd take care of him for me. I know it was hard… but you've always been so strong…" Hokuto smiled down at Solis with bright green eyes and winked. "No more pain little one, ne? You've got Sumeragi Hokuto to take care of you now!"
Nodding happily she reluctantly released Hokuto and took her hand. "I've missed you so much!"
"And I've missed you! Oh! Sei-chan! Look whose here!" Hokuto beamed as the former Sakurazukamori stepped out into view and smiled warmly at her. But the smile wasn't tainted like it had always been in the past. It was a strictly pure smile and for the first time, Solis knew why Subaru had loved him so much.
"Hello there firecracker… I'm sorry that I've been such a pain to you even in death… But I promise everything will be ok from here on out…" Solis felt herself melt at his gentle words and she wondered if he were actually for real. But at this point it no longer mattered.
"Seishirou-san…" Smiling lightly she closed her eyes and turned back to the darkening scene of people she do dearly loved. "Sayonara… mina-san…"
~*~
Owari? Hee hee… If you want the real ending… you'll just have to write me some reviews.. *smiles evilly* I want to know if anyone is still reading and cares about what happened to my precious Solis-san… *smile* Let me know! Thanks! ~Nightingale
