The Only Gift
Written by: FuuMegami
Email: FuuNeko@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I don't own Rayearth, all characters belong to CLAMP.

Chapter Three



"You aren't serious," Fuu said softly. "Right?"

"Yes, I am. I gave everything up to be with you. I gave my kingdom to Clef, who will appoint a new prince. I did it all for you." Ferio replied.

Fuu reached out to take his hand, but he pulled back.

"Ferio, I'm sorry but-" Fuu began as her eyes began to fill with tears.

"Shush. Don't speak, maybe I won't remember the words I have not heard." Ferio said as he pressed a finger to Fuu's soft lips.

Fuu took Ferio's finger from her lips. "Ferio, I gave up on you four years ago. I couldn't live in a dream. In a hope that I'd see you someday."

"I never gave up on you. The fire inside me never died." Ferio replied as he put his hand over his heart.

"But I'm in love with Sam now." Fuu replied softly. "I would break his heart if I left him for you."

"But you will break my heart a thousand times over every time you look at me. Every time I think of what I gave up for you." Ferio replied harshly.

"It's not my fault you lived in a silly fantasy that we would meet again. It's not my fault, all you had to do was forget about me." Fuu said angrily.

"How could I? How could I ever forget you?" Ferio replied as he put a hand on the side of her face. "There wasn't a single thing about you that I ever forgot. Fuu I felt like I died inside when you left." Tears filled his eyes. "But it was like dieing a million times over when I saw in your eyes that you were in love, and that it wasn't with me."

"I never meant to hurt you," Fuu said as she placed her hand over his.

"But you don't love me." Ferio said as he face hardened.

"I can't hurt Sam too." Fuu replied.

"I understand." Ferio replied numbly.

"Can we talk about you?" Fuu asked.

Ferio nodded slowly.

"How about I make some hot chocolate and we can sit by the fire?" Fuu suggested.

Ferio nodded, "sounds good."

Fuu smiled faintly, she turned to leave, and caught herself looking back at him. She finally got up enough sense to leave the room and go into the kitchen.

Ferio flopped back on to the couch as soon as she was gone. He let out a heavy and troubled sigh.

"I feel so stupid," Ferio mumbled as he pushed his hair out of his eyes, only to have it fall back once more, like a green screen.

He had done the one thing he had never wanted to do; cause Fuu any pain. He silently scolded himself for not thinking about Fuu's feelings. He then began to wish he had never come to earth.


Fuu stood at the kitchen counter filling a pot with milk. She couldn't believe how thoughtless she was. How heartless and harsh she had seemed. She scolded herself for not thinking about Ferio's feelings. She could see his heart breaking as she told him that she couldn't live a dream.

"To see his eyes filled with a mixture of tears and hurt... I'll never be able to forgive myself."

She shook her head in disgust of herself. Then she realized that the milk was pouring over the rim of the pot, onto the counter and then to the floor. Fuu bit down on her lip and put down the plastic milk jug. She put the pot on the stove and then began cleaning up the spilled milk.

And all the while she thought about Ferio. And she began to wish she had told Ferio how hard it was to decide to move on. She also wished she had told him that for the first two years she had hopped he would find a way to get to her.

And she was heart broken over leaving Cephiro. She cried a thousand times, only to cry until there were no more tears, and so she had to cry inside.

Fuu then looked up and took the pot off the stove. She poured the milk into two mint green mugs, and then she added the chocolate. She took both mugs into the living room where Ferio sat on the couch, deep in thought. She felt like she had no right to disturb him, that she had thrown that right away. It wasn't until he turned around that she even dared to say anything.

"The hot chocolate is ready," Fuu mumbled.

Ferio smiled and patted the seat, "sit down then." Then he added, "I won't bite."

Fuu laughed and handed Ferio a mug. She sat down and took a sip of her hot chocolate.

"While I was in Cephiro, after you had left, I really began to wish I had a picture of you." Ferio said softly. "But I also set a side a time to because I always had that mental picture, and with the one in my heart, it was almost like you were there with me."

"I wish I'd had a picture of you too. And you know, none of it was easy for me either." Fuu said softly.

"I'm sure it wasn't easy. And yet you managed." Ferio said without looking at her.

Fuu sighed. "What can I do to make you forgive me?"

"Just don't push me away any more than you already have. I won't stay for long. Two days tops while I look for a place. But tonight, can we just talk?" Ferio replied.

Fuu nodded. "Sure. Sounds good."

Ferio put his empty mug on the coffee table. Then he put his arms behind his head.

"I guess I'll go first." Ferio said.

Fuu put her mug down and focused her attention on Ferio.

"Caldina and Lafarga have a daughter named Skyla. Ascot's got his own monster training program, he enjoy's teaching kids how to handle them. Presea and Clef spend *a lot* of time together, alone, in his study. We all know what's going on, but no one will say anything."

Fuu laughed and Ferio smiled. her *loved* Fuu's laughter.

"Aska and Sanyun are engaged, they'll be married in the spring."

"Oh?! I wish I could be there!" Fuu said, full of excitement.

"So, what's been up with you?" Ferio asked, wishing he could know every detail of her life, but he would have to settle.

"I graduated jr. high, went on to a fancy high school where I'm the top student. I'll graduate this year from high school. Two years ago I met Sam... He's a nice guy. Very protective."

Ferio made a snorting noise. Fuu stuck her tongue out at him.

"Umi Hikaru and I have been best friends all this time. Cephiro created a very strong bond between us."

"Cephiro is a wonderful place. And the three of you made it even more wonderful. You and all of Cephiro share a bond." Ferio said.

Fuu nodded. "Very true."

"Is there a bong between you and I?" Ferio asked hopefully.

Fuu blinked, "Yes. There is, you were my first love."

Ferio wanted to kiss her, it seemed like a good time. The perfect time, but he stopped himself.

"I used to imaging going back. Maybe you'd ask me to stay, and marry you. We'd have kids." Tears filled her eyes. "Impossible stuff."

Ferio shook his head. "It wasn't impossible. You just didn't believe... I was dreaming about the same things you know."

Fuu suddenly burst into tears and collapsed into his chest. "I waited... But I gave up too soon. I'm sorry!" Fuu sobbed into his chest.

He stroked her head. "It's ok. Just forget about it."

She sobbed while Ferio stroked her head. When her sobs finally subsided she, she remained in his arms. And soon after her breathing deepened and she fell asleep in his arms. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes. An hour later Kuu found the two snuggled up together asleep. She carefully put a green and white quilt on the two then she turned out the light.

"Whoever you are Ferio, you obviously love her. Sleep well you two." Kuu whispered.


At one point in the night Fuu woke up, or at least half way, she looked up at Ferio and smiled. He looked so comfy and happy.

"What a wonderful dream," Fuu mumbled before snuggling into his chest.

She then went back to sleep. She felt very warm and amazingly calm. Ferio put his arm around Fuu, snuggling her like a kitten.


When Fuu finally woke up, it was a cloudy morning. Ferio was sleeping happily. He looked so at peace, unlike when he had first stepped into her house. She could kick herself for not only falling asleep in his arms, but for enjoying still being in his arms.

His eyes opened slowly, like a sun rise. Revealing the breath taking glowing gold of his eyes.

"Mornin'," Ferio said sleepily.

Fuu reached up and stoked his face. He was so beautiful and so warm. But she already had a boyfriend...

"I need to get up," Fuu said softly.

She took her hand back and continued to look into his eyes.

"Then why aren't you leaving?" Ferio asked with a leer.

Fuu giggled and got up. She left Ferio to sigh alone on the couch.

"I should've kissed her," Ferio said to himself.