Well, hello! And Welcome to My Little World of Weirdness!
I state for the record that, despite the fact I really, really wish I did, I don't own any of the characters that will grace this story; it's all CLAMP's! Always has been, always will be!
Also I don't pretend to have any Mastery over the language of Japanese or any clue as to correct grammatical structure. I put it in and hope it gets across the point I'm trying to make!
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
Guardian Beast of the Seal, Wimpy, Scaredy Cat.
By Dr Megalomania.
Part six: I want you dead!!
"Okay, okay, let's get this sorted out. . ." the group gathered around the table once more at lunch time the next day, Tomoyo stood, "We can't keep up these five hour stretches for the rest of the time," she looked pointedly Sakura who was the main culprit and then at Eriol and Yuki, who yawned widely, and started to nod off.
"Are you listening Yukito? "
Yukito snored slightly.
"Yuki?" Asked Touya
Yukito snored then murmured, "Can someone carry us up please? I can't wake him up . . ." Yue complained.
Touya sighed as he hauled the snow bunny up and carried him out the room.
"You know what . . ." murmured Yue through Yuki's voice, "There were times I have imagined you doing this . . . although I gotta say, I imagined it being a little more romantic . . ." Yuki's head lolled forward as it creased in a frown, "Am I talking or thinking all of this?"
"You're talking," Touya grunted as he pushed the door open to his bedroom, "And you too are going on a diet!"
"So I propose we draw up a schedule . . ." Tomoyo held up a small hat. "And we're going to do it by chance, so everyone can have the *chance* to work with everyone else." Syaoran held up his hand. "Yes Syaoran?"
"What if we get paired with someone we want to cripple painfully . . . or even kill . . . or at least, if; given half the chance, would let die, laugh in their pain-riddled face, then dance merrily over their grave?" Tomoyo cocked her head in disapproval, Syaoran continued; "It's a serious question."
Touya sailed into the room, and frowned "There will be no blood shed in this house, if there must be any blood shed, for the honour of the family, tradition's sake, or for other such purposes, it will be taken out into the garden."
"How do you do that?" Syaoran flinched. Touya didn't answer as he sat down, merely raising an eyebrow at Tomoyo indicating that she should continue. "So every one write their name down . . . " She put the hat in the middle of the table, " . . .And then put it in the hat."
After each slip had been put in, Tomoyo picked the hat up again and mixed the scrunched up names. "Okay," she withdrew the first name, "The first two hour shift goes to . . ."
"Why me?" Grumbled Syaoran, "Why? What did I do in a past life to deserve this? It must have been so seriously unspeakable that the gods feel I must live this horrible life . . . I must have been Hitler or something!"
His partner glanced up at him; "I don't think it could have been that terrible . . ."
Syaoran folded his arms, "How much longer must we stay together?"
His partner glanced at the wall clock, "About one hour fifty minutes . . ."
"By the ancestors! Why don't I have the time card anymore?!" Syaoran threw his arms into the air and resumed his pacing.
The afternoon was a warm wintry day, Syaoran rested his arms on the windowsill and glared out, "Why me? Why? Why?! WHY?!"
"Would you like to know the answer?" His colleague flicked a page over.
"You don't know the answer!" Syaoran snapped over his shoulder. Then thought of something, "Aren't you the least bit worried about what I could do to you?" He squinted at his chosen partner.
His partner thought about it for a few moments then smiled. "No."
Syaoran growled as he stormed over towards the infuriating other. "I want you dead!" He said passionately.
Hiirawagizawa Eriol folded his bookmark over the page to save his place and closed the book; he stood and looked at Syaoran. After a few moments he raised his hand to Syaoran's cheek, "You're so cute!" He laughed as he pinched the Chinese boy's cheek.
He ducked out the way when Syaoran lunged at him. "I'm going to get some tea;" he called as he slipped out the room, "Would you like some?"
He managed to dodge the flying pillow that came hurtling towards him.
Eriol was still chuckling quietly as he descended the stairs, as he crossed into the kitchen, Syaoran's cousin was standing there preparing some sort of stew.
"Good evening . . . Meilin, is it?" He said politely.
The girl nodded, and then motioned him to be quiet. She pointed through the open living room door; most of the others were fast asleep preparing for their shifts over the next few days. He nodded his understanding and hauled himself on to the counter. As soon as he was comfortable he waved his hand to cause the kettle to levitate to the sink to be filled again. As he magicked a cup of tea together, he said softly, "Would you like some?"
The girl turned to look at him; "Can't you do anything without magic?"
"Oh yes," he said, "But this way is much quieter."
She sighed and nodded, "Okay, then I'll have some green tea please." She turned back to the bubbling pot, "I have a shift with . . ." she pulled a copy of the schedule out of her apron pocket. "Syaoran, I'll have to get some sleep to make sure I'm very alert."
"You don't have any magic . . ." Eriol mentioned quietly.
The girl focused on her stew, "No, I don't."
"You're so lucky." He breathed enviously.
This unexpected confession made Meilin turn and look at him; her eyes narrowed "Don't mock me!"
He snorted without mirth; "I'm serious . . ." he trailed off as he stared at her.
"What's so good about being the only member of the family that doesn't have the tiniest amount of magic?"
"That's not true."
"I'm not the only member?"
"Well, that too . . ." Eriol paused as he looked at her again, "You have a strong aura . . . did you know that?"
"No. . ." She hopped on to the counter beside him easily, "Does that mean anything?"
"Yeah. . ." Eriol nodded, "You have a strong spirit, lots of fight in you. Yours is red, the colour of life. Well . . . the stronger side of life. You're magic doesn't lie in. . ." He raised his hand and a small glow appeared, it pulsed and throbbed then exploded. "It doesn't lie in that . . . it lies in. . ." he motioned all around him, " . . .In the things you do and say, in the way you care for your friends and family. I predict you will have a good family, a strong family, both in spirit and in magic." The kettle whistled its readiness. He lifted his hand and made the kettle pour the tea.
Meilin smiled, "How do you know?" She nodded her thanks as he levitated the two cups over.
Eriol didn't answer; he hoped off the counter and started to walk to the door. He paused and smiled at her. "My. . . I mean, Clow's mother. . ." he smiled even more, "She was just like you. . . the magic bypassed her. . . and went straight to me."
Meilin blinked in surprise as the dark haired magician stared at her intently. She sipped at her tea, still thinking about what he had said. "You said that I wasn't the only other member of the Li family that didn't have the magic . . . your mother was the other?"
Eriol nodded once, then turned and strolled out the door.
Syaoran was tucking a pillow back under Kero's paws when Eriol entered.
"Are you sure you didn't want any tea?"
"I'll get it myself," Syaoran stood and walked to the door.
"Wait," Eriol crossed to Sakura's desk and pulled the Sakura book from out of the drawer. Kero's picture was still missing from the cover. He went and sat near Kero, holding the book in his lap. He looked up at Syaoran who after a few moments sat opposite.
"You can't use them." Syaoran eyed Eriol suspiciously.
"No, I can't . . . but I can ask them politely." He placed a hand on the cover. "Cards of Sakura . . . may I speak with thou?"
The lock snapped open and Eriol placed the book softly on the floor in front of him. The book softly blew open, and the cards glowed as they fluttered out. They fell into a regimental circle as they floated around Eriol and Syaoran.
"Greetings cards. . ." Eriol smiled as he addressed his past life's creation. "Good now; pick an orator, so I might talk with thee."
The cards piled themselves together and began to shuffle themselves faster and faster, until two cards span out of the pack. The room's shadows and light immediately divided and settled on either sides of the room, Eriol sat on the dark half and Syaoran on the light. They looked up to see The Light and The Dark peering down at them.
"Young Hiirawagizawa Eriol, reincarnation of The Master Clow Reed . . ." the two spoke at the same time, their voices combined to create a spooky echo, which was impossible to tell where one voice started and where the other ended. "Thou art our master not, thou hast no control over nor canst thou assume our functions."
"Thy loyalty to thy newest master is commendable . . ." Eriol chuckled, "But still, I hath no desire nor want to ask thee to disobey, I wish merely to replicate another cup of tea . . . with the Twin card."
The two tall cards shared a disbelieving look; "Thou hast broken our seal for this?! Hast thou become paralysed?!" the pair pointed out the door, "Canst thou not get thee to a kitchen?!"
Eriol chuckled again; "I wish simply to hold a converse wit' thou as well. Our beings hath part'd for too long a time . . ."
The two faded and returned to their card form. The two floated back to the waiting pack of cards and reshuffled themselves again. There was a moment of quiet shuffling while the cards decided whether or not to honour Eriol's request. Syaoran leant forward, "What kind of language was that?"
"Ye Olde English," Eriol answered as he gazed at the cards.
"How old?"
"Clow's time old. . ."
"How old's that?"
Eriol smile knowingly but gave no answer. The Twin card spun out of the pack and materialised in front of the pair.
"Thy request hast-"the pink hair twin nodded,
"---Hast been agreed." The blue haired twin nodded.
They pulled the cup out of his hands and held it between them. They looked up and smiled at each other.
"Be sure to clone the cup and saucer as well, Twin!" Said Eriol warningly.
The grins quickly disappeared as they looked at him, he turned to Syaoran, "I know them . . . they'd follow every order you give them. . . right to the letter!"
The two beige beings stared each other then stepped forward, and through each other. They came out both holding an identical cup. "Thank you," said Syaoran as he and Eriol accepted the two cups.
The twins bounced a quick bow then disappeared. The pack spun once more, and spat out two more cards. As the two cards floated there, the pack spun again as if asking a question. The two cards spun in response. The pack paused, then floated back to the book. The two remaining cards spun faster and then exploded into their forms. The Firey folded her flame filled wings and the Earthy straightened the hem of her skirt. "So it is true!" Said the Firey, "He *is* ill!" Her flaming hair shook with anger, "Our guardian is dying!"
The Earthy pulled her heavy skirt up as she kneel beside him, "Thou hath been a true protector of us. . ." she mournfully, "We thank thou. . ."
"He's not dying!" Said Syaoran. "He's just got the 'flu!"
"The 'flu?! Is that it?!" The Firey sat heavily on the bed, "You mean we were all getting worried about nuthin' ?!"
"Firey! Thou hast been in thy humanoid form for too long!" Chastened The Earthy, "Hast thou forgotten how to speak politely?"
"I'll give you damn *politely*!" The young girl threw her head back in annoyance, "There I'm thinkin' he's kicking the buck-"
"FIREY!" Earthy stood and pointed at her.
"What now?!" Firey rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Thou hast set the divan on *fire*!"
Firey looked at the damage she had caused to the bed, "Ah . . ." she muttered. "Crap . . ."
Touya walked, just coming up to the second floor when he smelt burning, his eyes widen in concern when he saw thick black smoke. He kicked the door to his sister's room open, and out stumbled Syaoran and Eriol. Syaoran was a complete mess his face smudged with dirt, his clothes smoky and he was coughing like a good'un. Touya turned to look at Eriol, who was in pristine condition, his pale white face perfectly unsmudged. Touya looked at Syaoran again, who was taking deep, heaving breathes, as he struggled to clear his smoke filled lungs, then at Eriol, who . . . wasn't. Touya looked at Syaoran, as he slid down the wall, evidently his legs couldn't support him anymore. Then at Eriol, whose legs . . . could. Touya grabbed Eriol by his pristine collar and hauled him off his feet. It didn't take him long to come to the conclusion that. . . "You did this!" he roared.
Eriol's eyes widened slightly in surprise, "No, I didn't." He protested.
Touya instantly dropped him and hauled Syaoran up instead. "THEN YOU DID THIS!!" He yelled at the poor smoke seized boy.
"Well, aaaaaactually it was my fault . . ." came a strange female voice. Touya turned to see two strange women behind him standing in the doorway. One, dressed in Earthy green tones, stared disapprovingly at a flame haired younger girl . . .
Touya dropped Syaoran and pointed at the flame haired girl, "CLOW CARD!"
"Eh heh heh . . .Heeeh . . ." the girl laughed sheepishly, "Who's this?" she said quickly to the other woman, who shrugged.
"I know not," she replied rather haughtily, "Young sir! Thou willst identify thyself!"
"Oh! Oh!" A small voice from behind them cried, "I know, I know!"
The two taller women stepped aside to reveal a smaller girl, she can't have been older than his sister. Touya felt a small pang of deja vu, "I know you . . ." he pointed at the girl.
"Oh yeah, we met before . . ." she giggled girlishly.
"Oh . . ." the two women said together, and then turned to him in understanding,
"So, thou art Yo-yo!" said the older woman.
The little girl's face contorted in embarrassment, as she slapped the older woman's arm, "To-ya!!" She corrected hastily, then blushed as she corrected herself again, "I mean Touya, Kinomoto Touya!"
The fire woman, circled Touya, as if assessing him, "So you are Kinomoto Touya . . . the mistress' . . . father?"
"Nooo!" Said the poor little girl, "Brother! He's her brother!"
The older woman chuckled, they were teasing the poor little girl, "We've heard aaaalllllll about thou . . ."
"You have?" Asked Touya eyeing the three suspiciously, the smallest girl looked as if she was going to die of embarrassment.
"Oh yeah . . ." continued the fire woman, "Right down to your . . ." she smirked, as she quoted breathlessly, "Your sparking sapphire eyes, and your dark, unruly, coffee-coloured hair . . ." the woman sighed tragically and pretended to swoon against the older Earthy woman. "You dark, tall, handsome, *passionate* stranger, you!" She started to giggle, "OW!!" She screamed as the small girl kicked her shin.
The small girl looked up at Touya and did an extremely good impression of his sister when she used to have a crush on Yuki and he had said some comment to annoy her. Touya blinked in surprise he'd never had this happen to him before and wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to act. He reached back into his memory and tried to think about what Yuki did when Sakura did something like this.
The small girl blushed furiously, as Touya smiled at her, and looked like he hadn't noticed her brief flash of violence. "So you said we had met before . . ." Touya continued; he had a good idea when they had met, but he wanted to be sure.
"Ano . . . ano . . ." the girl was at a loss of words; Touya was still smiling at her. "Aaaannnnooo . . ."
"Well, the first time you met," the Firey girl stuck her finger in the air; " . . .She led you off a cliff edge."
"That was an accident!" The small girl protested. "I didn't know the cliff was *there* there, I just knew it was around *there* someplace . . ."
"And the second time she had been order to pretend to be the mistress." Continued the Earthy woman.
"Uh-huuh," said Touya he turned his attention on the little girl again and crouched beside her, she blushed again and looked down. She clutched the little mirror closer to her chest. "And I've never been able to ask you, what is your name?"
"The Mi-Mir-Mi-" the girl trembled slightly and then gathered her courage to raise her head and look him in the eye, "The Mirror card."
He smiled reassuringly and took her hand, "Konbanwa . . . it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Awwww! Don't do that!" Moaned the flame haired woman; "She'll be hayaaaann- ing all night now!"
The Mirror blushed again and said, "These are two of the older cards of our pack. The Firey and the Earthy."
The Earthy nodded graciously, while the Firey muttered, "Hayyaaaannnn, Toooooo-yaaaaa! Every five minutes."
A blue skinned woman poked her head thru the door, "Fire's out now."
"Who are you?" Asked Touya.
"I know you!" The blue woman slithered out of the room and pointed at him, "You *stopped* me from drowning that penguin!!!"
"This is The Watery!" The Mirror laughed nervously, Watery always said she was going to drown the one who had ruined her fun.
"Who the hell are you?!" The Watery folded her webbed arms angrily.
"The mistress' brother, Touya," answered the Earthy.
"What?!" The Watery turned on the older woman. "Damnit! . . .Wait. . . the mistress' brother? Isn't he the one Mirror keeps going---"
"Haayyyyyaaaaaannn about? Oh, Yeah!" Said the Firey. "And he's been grinning at her . . . so tell Silent she's on duty tonight *again*." She looked threateningly at mirror and folded her flaming arms. "Either that, or you're top card tonight!"
"Ohhh!" the watery nodded knowingly and looked at Touya. "Mister 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', are we? Mister 'Oh, He's So Handsome!', are we?" She clasped her hands together helplessly, and Firey mimicked her, the pair pressed their shoulders together, "Mister HAAAAAYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!"
"Ladies . . ." Eriol came to the rescue of the poor little girl; "I think we've had enough fun at the expense of Mirror. Please return to your book."
Watery threw one more threatening glance at Touya, as the Firey clasped her hands to her chest and sighed mockingly, Earthy just pushed the giggling, flame haired girl into the bedroom, casting one more respectful nod. Touya, Syaoran and Eriol walked back into the room. Two more women were in the room. One was sweeping her clock around the room, every speck of soot disappeared under it. She nodded, "There we go! The mistress will never know."
"And you are?" Said Touya.
"The Erase card." She answered, and then returned to her card form.
The second woman was leaning out of the window. The Mirror ran up to her, "We're ready now." She said brightly. The pale yellow woman drew her arms back, and a small gust of wind pulled Keroberos back into the room. She motioned with her arms and the wind lowered Keroberos back to his bed. Her gleaming gold eyes flickered to Eriol, "Next time. . ." her voice as soft as the wind, ". . . Go downstairs and fetch a cup of tea thyself. . ."
"This is The Windy card!" The Mirror card quickly introduced Touya to her favourite sister card. The Windy curtsied elegantly, and dissipated slightly to wrap herself around the mirror, she reassembled herself to crouch down low beside her. "So this is Touya." She whispered quietly.
The Mirror blushed again. The Windy smiled gently, "A pleasure to meet you, Kinomoto-san, our little reflection has told us much about you." He nodded respectfully to the polite card as she pressed her hands against the Mirror's shoulders; "It is time to seal the book again."
"So soon?" The mirror looked up at the windy. The Windy smiled gently. She released the girl's shoulder and returned to her card form, "Two hours, then be sure to close the book when you return to the form you were meant to be in!" The kindly card said as she sank back into the book. "Kinomoto- san, I leave the care of this card in your charge."
Touya closed the book, and placed it on the desk, "I will take care of her."
The girl giggled, "Thank you!" She held her mirror away from her. It levitated and span until it was the size of her body. When it stopped spinning, she stepped through the mirror and walked out the other side.
As the glow from the magic faded, the mirror stood there, she still had her tremendous long hair but was now wearing one of his sister's favourite pink pyjamas. Her wings fluttered gently, and her mirror returned to its smaller size. The little girl put it on the desk and turned. She grinned, "Can I help care for him?"
Nakuru hopped up the stairs, happily. Her shift with Touya was due to start any second. As she reached the top, Eriol and Syaoran walked out of the bathroom.
"How is it that you got away without a single speck of soot on you?" Syaoran furiously towel dried his hair. The Chinese boy was in his boxers and Eriol had his clothes neatly folded over one arm.
"Yeah," Eriol nodded, "That's what my butler asked after the great fire of London . . ." he wrapped an arm around Syaoran's shoulders, "I'll tell you what I told him, when one lives near the Thames, one will use the Thames . . ."
Syaoran towelled his ear, "Oh, I get it you get fire damage to the brain!"
Eriol chuckled as Nakuru drew nearer, "What happened?"
"Firey sat on Sakura's bed . . ." Answered Eriol calmly.
"And set fire to it." Finished Syaoran. They continued past as if the whole thing was suddenly explained. Nakuru shrugged and continued into Sakura's room. Kero still slept on the floor, he looked a bit wind-swept. She turned to look at Touya; he was just putting new covers on. "TOOO-YAAAA!!!" She squealed as she leapt on to his back.
"Get off me!"
"To-ya! To-ya! To-ya!!" She squealed, as he stood straight. She didn't notice the small girl crawl out from under the blanket. She blinked at the sight, and then glowed slightly.
"Akizuki! What are you doing here?" Asked Touya irritably. Nakuru blinked in surprise, there were two Touyas.
"N-Nani?" She slid off the back of the Touya she held on to.
The one on the bed smirked at the other, "Damn! If only I had pretended not to notice . . . sorry Mirror card. It was a nice try."
Nakuru squinted at the real Touya, then at the fake one on the bed. Confusion spread over the moon guardian's face as the real one remained silent and looked slightly innocent, and disappointed.
The one on the bed stepped off and stood by the real Touya. Nakuru looked from one to the other, their auras were almost exactly alike. Her shoulders drooped, with her confusion. As the girl walked out the room to fetch Spinel, Touya grabbed the fake Touya, and pulled the replica close. "I could kiss you!" He said happily.
The mirror's version of Touya blushed furiously, and laughed nervously, "I'm not that good . . ." she said self-deprecatingly.
As Nakuru dragged Spinel up the stairs to sort something out for her, Syaoran and Eriol sat in the kitchen together. Syaoran pulled on a sweater Touya had leant him; Eriol set a small bowl of rice in front of him.
Eriol picked up his own chopsticks and picked at the rice as he sat opposite his distant relative. They ate in silence, until Eriol looked up at Syaoran. "So when are you going to tell her?"
"Tell whom what?"
"Sakura." Eriol said quietly, and then patted Syaoran's back as he spluttered on his food.
Syaoran downed a glass of water before his voice returned, "what? Ho-how did you know?"
Eriol smiled and resumed eating, he let his distant relative stew for a few moments before saying, "Everybody knows . . . I mean it, simply everybody knows, *everybody* . . . except Sakura . . . and maybe an executive producer at Nelvana studios in America . . . I think he's in charge of some crummy dubbed anim--" Eriol stopped his rambling when he caught sight of Syaoran's confused look. He coughed quickly and continued, "Look, I just knew, it's fairly obvious that you care a great deal for her . . . and have done for many years . . . and yet . . ." He looked up and stared him in the eye, "You still wait for her to realise it."
Syaoran picked at his food, as he tried to think of a good excuse for it.
"She's a good girl . . . she could make you very happy if you told her . . . or very sad if you don't."
"I know." Syaoran looked at him, "But there are other things . . ."
"Like what, I seem to recall she is over Yue's other form . . . and if you think I'm that interested in her . . ."
"Why not?" Syaoran looked up at him sharply.
"I have . . . someone else." Eriol smiled secretly, and began to eat again.
Syaoran stared at him, the night was beginning to draw near again, and the kitchen was filled with the glow of the twilight. After a minute or two of contemplation, he guessed quietly. "Tomoyo."
Eriol's lavender grey eyes flickered up, and stared at his distant relative. Syaoran stared back. Eriol nodded quietly. "Do you know why I like you so much Syaoran?"
"You *like* me?" Syaoran raised a teasing eyebrow; "I'd hate to think what you would do to me if you hated me."
Eriol laughed slightly, "You're the brother I should have had . . ."
The two stared at each other, Syaoran's face softened slightly in understanding, before Eriol, or possibly Clow, continued mockingly, " . . .or at least tormented, during our childhood . . ."
The two distant relatives chuckled and continued their meal.
One hour and forty minutes later, Spinel and the Mirror had descended the stairs so Spinel could sleep in preparation for his shift and Mirror reluctantly left Touya to ask his sister if she could remain out of the book a while longer.
Touya looked up from fluffing Kero's pillow to glance at Nakuru, she was looking out of the window. Her scarlet silk nightgown fluttered slightly with the breeze. Keroberos coughed and shivered.
"Akizuki? Close the window, it's too cold at night for him."
Nakuru sighed and closed the window. She sat heavily on the bed, "Why don't you like me?" She stared at him in slight sadness.
He decided an honest answer would be better. "You try to push Yuki out of my life."
"Oh . . . I . . ." Nakuru looked at her hands, "So you don't like me at all?"
Touya got up and sat by her, "I don't like you trying to replace Yuki . . . but . . . I guess I like you."
"Do you like me like me or like me love me?" she said brightly.
"Like you like you." He said dryly.
Nakuru pouted playfully, then turned serious, "Oh . . . with Yukito . . . is it like him like him or is it-"
"Like him love him." Touya admitted quietly.
"Does he know?"
"I don't know."
Nakuru squeezed his shoulder, "You should tell him."
"Maybe . . ." Touya decided to change the subject. "How old are you?"
Nakuru smirked, "Much older than you."
"How much so? A century?"
She grinned, "I'm not telling."
"What about Eriol?"
"Sorry, that would be telling too." She pulled up her knees.
Touya stared at her profile for a few moment, "Do you like him?"
"He's my master."
"That doesn't necessarily you have to like him."
She considered this for a few moments, "I love him, and he's a very kind hearted boy if you can tolerate his . . . sense of humour."
"Why did you bring him here?" Touya's head snapped towards Nakuru, as she suddenly turned very serious, and tried to swallow a dry sob. "What? What happened?"
"We were so scared . . ." She admitted.
"Why?"
"A part of him is still Clow, so that means he still loves them a lot . . ." she gestured to Kero's sleeping form. "But we're still his guardians, we're supposed to protect him . . . it was so hard watching him worry day after day about something we couldn't protect him from. So we brought him here . . ."
"Because he couldn't find a cure by himself." Touya understood the guardians' reasoning; "he could help get Kero better."
She nodded, "and we wanted to help as well, they're the closet family we've got . . . Yue and Kero . . . Eriol and Spinel. That's all the family I have."
"Well, if you count Clow Reed . . . then you can count my father in as well, so . . ." Touya closed one eye as he tried to figure it out. "I guess you can consider me a cousin."
"Really?"
Touya shrugged, "yeah."
"Thank you." She murmured as she slipped off the bed and sat by Kero, she pulled the blanket higher over Kero's shoulders. Touya glanced at the door; a warm snowy aura had just merged with a cool amethyst one, the aura's owner was just walking away from the door.
Yue was awake again . . .
. . .and he had heard the entire conversation.
-------------------------------------------
And now it's time for LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!
DrM: Konnichiwa!! Where's Yue?
Firey: Damnit! How could you?!
DrM: Nani?
Firey: Do you know what it's like to in the book with Mirror after she's had a dose of Tooooo-Yaaaaa?
DrM: Anything similar after I've had a dose of Yue or Clow? [Goes starry eyed, Tomoyo-style] Haaaayyyaaaaannnn. . .
Firey: [sighs] Great . . . now she's at it too. [Gets handed a piece of paper] What's this?
Off-screen type guy: It's today's script!
Firey: [presses script against butt, script bursts into flames] Today's script can kiss my sweet ass! [Sighs] Look, all the readers gotta know is that if they don't R I'm gonna come *sit* on them!
DrM: Firey! We don't threaten the readers, it ain't nice!
Firey: I'll give you damn *nice*! [Gets tackled by Mirror]
DrM: Thank you Mirror, you remain my favourite card!
Mirror: [giggles and curtsies then drags Firey off the screen]
DrM: That's it for another chapter, please R&R! Hon na na!
[P.S. a quick side note to Nakuru: Me? Apologise? NEVER!]
I state for the record that, despite the fact I really, really wish I did, I don't own any of the characters that will grace this story; it's all CLAMP's! Always has been, always will be!
Also I don't pretend to have any Mastery over the language of Japanese or any clue as to correct grammatical structure. I put it in and hope it gets across the point I'm trying to make!
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
Guardian Beast of the Seal, Wimpy, Scaredy Cat.
By Dr Megalomania.
Part six: I want you dead!!
"Okay, okay, let's get this sorted out. . ." the group gathered around the table once more at lunch time the next day, Tomoyo stood, "We can't keep up these five hour stretches for the rest of the time," she looked pointedly Sakura who was the main culprit and then at Eriol and Yuki, who yawned widely, and started to nod off.
"Are you listening Yukito? "
Yukito snored slightly.
"Yuki?" Asked Touya
Yukito snored then murmured, "Can someone carry us up please? I can't wake him up . . ." Yue complained.
Touya sighed as he hauled the snow bunny up and carried him out the room.
"You know what . . ." murmured Yue through Yuki's voice, "There were times I have imagined you doing this . . . although I gotta say, I imagined it being a little more romantic . . ." Yuki's head lolled forward as it creased in a frown, "Am I talking or thinking all of this?"
"You're talking," Touya grunted as he pushed the door open to his bedroom, "And you too are going on a diet!"
"So I propose we draw up a schedule . . ." Tomoyo held up a small hat. "And we're going to do it by chance, so everyone can have the *chance* to work with everyone else." Syaoran held up his hand. "Yes Syaoran?"
"What if we get paired with someone we want to cripple painfully . . . or even kill . . . or at least, if; given half the chance, would let die, laugh in their pain-riddled face, then dance merrily over their grave?" Tomoyo cocked her head in disapproval, Syaoran continued; "It's a serious question."
Touya sailed into the room, and frowned "There will be no blood shed in this house, if there must be any blood shed, for the honour of the family, tradition's sake, or for other such purposes, it will be taken out into the garden."
"How do you do that?" Syaoran flinched. Touya didn't answer as he sat down, merely raising an eyebrow at Tomoyo indicating that she should continue. "So every one write their name down . . . " She put the hat in the middle of the table, " . . .And then put it in the hat."
After each slip had been put in, Tomoyo picked the hat up again and mixed the scrunched up names. "Okay," she withdrew the first name, "The first two hour shift goes to . . ."
"Why me?" Grumbled Syaoran, "Why? What did I do in a past life to deserve this? It must have been so seriously unspeakable that the gods feel I must live this horrible life . . . I must have been Hitler or something!"
His partner glanced up at him; "I don't think it could have been that terrible . . ."
Syaoran folded his arms, "How much longer must we stay together?"
His partner glanced at the wall clock, "About one hour fifty minutes . . ."
"By the ancestors! Why don't I have the time card anymore?!" Syaoran threw his arms into the air and resumed his pacing.
The afternoon was a warm wintry day, Syaoran rested his arms on the windowsill and glared out, "Why me? Why? Why?! WHY?!"
"Would you like to know the answer?" His colleague flicked a page over.
"You don't know the answer!" Syaoran snapped over his shoulder. Then thought of something, "Aren't you the least bit worried about what I could do to you?" He squinted at his chosen partner.
His partner thought about it for a few moments then smiled. "No."
Syaoran growled as he stormed over towards the infuriating other. "I want you dead!" He said passionately.
Hiirawagizawa Eriol folded his bookmark over the page to save his place and closed the book; he stood and looked at Syaoran. After a few moments he raised his hand to Syaoran's cheek, "You're so cute!" He laughed as he pinched the Chinese boy's cheek.
He ducked out the way when Syaoran lunged at him. "I'm going to get some tea;" he called as he slipped out the room, "Would you like some?"
He managed to dodge the flying pillow that came hurtling towards him.
Eriol was still chuckling quietly as he descended the stairs, as he crossed into the kitchen, Syaoran's cousin was standing there preparing some sort of stew.
"Good evening . . . Meilin, is it?" He said politely.
The girl nodded, and then motioned him to be quiet. She pointed through the open living room door; most of the others were fast asleep preparing for their shifts over the next few days. He nodded his understanding and hauled himself on to the counter. As soon as he was comfortable he waved his hand to cause the kettle to levitate to the sink to be filled again. As he magicked a cup of tea together, he said softly, "Would you like some?"
The girl turned to look at him; "Can't you do anything without magic?"
"Oh yes," he said, "But this way is much quieter."
She sighed and nodded, "Okay, then I'll have some green tea please." She turned back to the bubbling pot, "I have a shift with . . ." she pulled a copy of the schedule out of her apron pocket. "Syaoran, I'll have to get some sleep to make sure I'm very alert."
"You don't have any magic . . ." Eriol mentioned quietly.
The girl focused on her stew, "No, I don't."
"You're so lucky." He breathed enviously.
This unexpected confession made Meilin turn and look at him; her eyes narrowed "Don't mock me!"
He snorted without mirth; "I'm serious . . ." he trailed off as he stared at her.
"What's so good about being the only member of the family that doesn't have the tiniest amount of magic?"
"That's not true."
"I'm not the only member?"
"Well, that too . . ." Eriol paused as he looked at her again, "You have a strong aura . . . did you know that?"
"No. . ." She hopped on to the counter beside him easily, "Does that mean anything?"
"Yeah. . ." Eriol nodded, "You have a strong spirit, lots of fight in you. Yours is red, the colour of life. Well . . . the stronger side of life. You're magic doesn't lie in. . ." He raised his hand and a small glow appeared, it pulsed and throbbed then exploded. "It doesn't lie in that . . . it lies in. . ." he motioned all around him, " . . .In the things you do and say, in the way you care for your friends and family. I predict you will have a good family, a strong family, both in spirit and in magic." The kettle whistled its readiness. He lifted his hand and made the kettle pour the tea.
Meilin smiled, "How do you know?" She nodded her thanks as he levitated the two cups over.
Eriol didn't answer; he hoped off the counter and started to walk to the door. He paused and smiled at her. "My. . . I mean, Clow's mother. . ." he smiled even more, "She was just like you. . . the magic bypassed her. . . and went straight to me."
Meilin blinked in surprise as the dark haired magician stared at her intently. She sipped at her tea, still thinking about what he had said. "You said that I wasn't the only other member of the Li family that didn't have the magic . . . your mother was the other?"
Eriol nodded once, then turned and strolled out the door.
Syaoran was tucking a pillow back under Kero's paws when Eriol entered.
"Are you sure you didn't want any tea?"
"I'll get it myself," Syaoran stood and walked to the door.
"Wait," Eriol crossed to Sakura's desk and pulled the Sakura book from out of the drawer. Kero's picture was still missing from the cover. He went and sat near Kero, holding the book in his lap. He looked up at Syaoran who after a few moments sat opposite.
"You can't use them." Syaoran eyed Eriol suspiciously.
"No, I can't . . . but I can ask them politely." He placed a hand on the cover. "Cards of Sakura . . . may I speak with thou?"
The lock snapped open and Eriol placed the book softly on the floor in front of him. The book softly blew open, and the cards glowed as they fluttered out. They fell into a regimental circle as they floated around Eriol and Syaoran.
"Greetings cards. . ." Eriol smiled as he addressed his past life's creation. "Good now; pick an orator, so I might talk with thee."
The cards piled themselves together and began to shuffle themselves faster and faster, until two cards span out of the pack. The room's shadows and light immediately divided and settled on either sides of the room, Eriol sat on the dark half and Syaoran on the light. They looked up to see The Light and The Dark peering down at them.
"Young Hiirawagizawa Eriol, reincarnation of The Master Clow Reed . . ." the two spoke at the same time, their voices combined to create a spooky echo, which was impossible to tell where one voice started and where the other ended. "Thou art our master not, thou hast no control over nor canst thou assume our functions."
"Thy loyalty to thy newest master is commendable . . ." Eriol chuckled, "But still, I hath no desire nor want to ask thee to disobey, I wish merely to replicate another cup of tea . . . with the Twin card."
The two tall cards shared a disbelieving look; "Thou hast broken our seal for this?! Hast thou become paralysed?!" the pair pointed out the door, "Canst thou not get thee to a kitchen?!"
Eriol chuckled again; "I wish simply to hold a converse wit' thou as well. Our beings hath part'd for too long a time . . ."
The two faded and returned to their card form. The two floated back to the waiting pack of cards and reshuffled themselves again. There was a moment of quiet shuffling while the cards decided whether or not to honour Eriol's request. Syaoran leant forward, "What kind of language was that?"
"Ye Olde English," Eriol answered as he gazed at the cards.
"How old?"
"Clow's time old. . ."
"How old's that?"
Eriol smile knowingly but gave no answer. The Twin card spun out of the pack and materialised in front of the pair.
"Thy request hast-"the pink hair twin nodded,
"---Hast been agreed." The blue haired twin nodded.
They pulled the cup out of his hands and held it between them. They looked up and smiled at each other.
"Be sure to clone the cup and saucer as well, Twin!" Said Eriol warningly.
The grins quickly disappeared as they looked at him, he turned to Syaoran, "I know them . . . they'd follow every order you give them. . . right to the letter!"
The two beige beings stared each other then stepped forward, and through each other. They came out both holding an identical cup. "Thank you," said Syaoran as he and Eriol accepted the two cups.
The twins bounced a quick bow then disappeared. The pack spun once more, and spat out two more cards. As the two cards floated there, the pack spun again as if asking a question. The two cards spun in response. The pack paused, then floated back to the book. The two remaining cards spun faster and then exploded into their forms. The Firey folded her flame filled wings and the Earthy straightened the hem of her skirt. "So it is true!" Said the Firey, "He *is* ill!" Her flaming hair shook with anger, "Our guardian is dying!"
The Earthy pulled her heavy skirt up as she kneel beside him, "Thou hath been a true protector of us. . ." she mournfully, "We thank thou. . ."
"He's not dying!" Said Syaoran. "He's just got the 'flu!"
"The 'flu?! Is that it?!" The Firey sat heavily on the bed, "You mean we were all getting worried about nuthin' ?!"
"Firey! Thou hast been in thy humanoid form for too long!" Chastened The Earthy, "Hast thou forgotten how to speak politely?"
"I'll give you damn *politely*!" The young girl threw her head back in annoyance, "There I'm thinkin' he's kicking the buck-"
"FIREY!" Earthy stood and pointed at her.
"What now?!" Firey rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Thou hast set the divan on *fire*!"
Firey looked at the damage she had caused to the bed, "Ah . . ." she muttered. "Crap . . ."
Touya walked, just coming up to the second floor when he smelt burning, his eyes widen in concern when he saw thick black smoke. He kicked the door to his sister's room open, and out stumbled Syaoran and Eriol. Syaoran was a complete mess his face smudged with dirt, his clothes smoky and he was coughing like a good'un. Touya turned to look at Eriol, who was in pristine condition, his pale white face perfectly unsmudged. Touya looked at Syaoran again, who was taking deep, heaving breathes, as he struggled to clear his smoke filled lungs, then at Eriol, who . . . wasn't. Touya looked at Syaoran, as he slid down the wall, evidently his legs couldn't support him anymore. Then at Eriol, whose legs . . . could. Touya grabbed Eriol by his pristine collar and hauled him off his feet. It didn't take him long to come to the conclusion that. . . "You did this!" he roared.
Eriol's eyes widened slightly in surprise, "No, I didn't." He protested.
Touya instantly dropped him and hauled Syaoran up instead. "THEN YOU DID THIS!!" He yelled at the poor smoke seized boy.
"Well, aaaaaactually it was my fault . . ." came a strange female voice. Touya turned to see two strange women behind him standing in the doorway. One, dressed in Earthy green tones, stared disapprovingly at a flame haired younger girl . . .
Touya dropped Syaoran and pointed at the flame haired girl, "CLOW CARD!"
"Eh heh heh . . .Heeeh . . ." the girl laughed sheepishly, "Who's this?" she said quickly to the other woman, who shrugged.
"I know not," she replied rather haughtily, "Young sir! Thou willst identify thyself!"
"Oh! Oh!" A small voice from behind them cried, "I know, I know!"
The two taller women stepped aside to reveal a smaller girl, she can't have been older than his sister. Touya felt a small pang of deja vu, "I know you . . ." he pointed at the girl.
"Oh yeah, we met before . . ." she giggled girlishly.
"Oh . . ." the two women said together, and then turned to him in understanding,
"So, thou art Yo-yo!" said the older woman.
The little girl's face contorted in embarrassment, as she slapped the older woman's arm, "To-ya!!" She corrected hastily, then blushed as she corrected herself again, "I mean Touya, Kinomoto Touya!"
The fire woman, circled Touya, as if assessing him, "So you are Kinomoto Touya . . . the mistress' . . . father?"
"Nooo!" Said the poor little girl, "Brother! He's her brother!"
The older woman chuckled, they were teasing the poor little girl, "We've heard aaaalllllll about thou . . ."
"You have?" Asked Touya eyeing the three suspiciously, the smallest girl looked as if she was going to die of embarrassment.
"Oh yeah . . ." continued the fire woman, "Right down to your . . ." she smirked, as she quoted breathlessly, "Your sparking sapphire eyes, and your dark, unruly, coffee-coloured hair . . ." the woman sighed tragically and pretended to swoon against the older Earthy woman. "You dark, tall, handsome, *passionate* stranger, you!" She started to giggle, "OW!!" She screamed as the small girl kicked her shin.
The small girl looked up at Touya and did an extremely good impression of his sister when she used to have a crush on Yuki and he had said some comment to annoy her. Touya blinked in surprise he'd never had this happen to him before and wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to act. He reached back into his memory and tried to think about what Yuki did when Sakura did something like this.
The small girl blushed furiously, as Touya smiled at her, and looked like he hadn't noticed her brief flash of violence. "So you said we had met before . . ." Touya continued; he had a good idea when they had met, but he wanted to be sure.
"Ano . . . ano . . ." the girl was at a loss of words; Touya was still smiling at her. "Aaaannnnooo . . ."
"Well, the first time you met," the Firey girl stuck her finger in the air; " . . .She led you off a cliff edge."
"That was an accident!" The small girl protested. "I didn't know the cliff was *there* there, I just knew it was around *there* someplace . . ."
"And the second time she had been order to pretend to be the mistress." Continued the Earthy woman.
"Uh-huuh," said Touya he turned his attention on the little girl again and crouched beside her, she blushed again and looked down. She clutched the little mirror closer to her chest. "And I've never been able to ask you, what is your name?"
"The Mi-Mir-Mi-" the girl trembled slightly and then gathered her courage to raise her head and look him in the eye, "The Mirror card."
He smiled reassuringly and took her hand, "Konbanwa . . . it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Awwww! Don't do that!" Moaned the flame haired woman; "She'll be hayaaaann- ing all night now!"
The Mirror blushed again and said, "These are two of the older cards of our pack. The Firey and the Earthy."
The Earthy nodded graciously, while the Firey muttered, "Hayyaaaannnn, Toooooo-yaaaaa! Every five minutes."
A blue skinned woman poked her head thru the door, "Fire's out now."
"Who are you?" Asked Touya.
"I know you!" The blue woman slithered out of the room and pointed at him, "You *stopped* me from drowning that penguin!!!"
"This is The Watery!" The Mirror laughed nervously, Watery always said she was going to drown the one who had ruined her fun.
"Who the hell are you?!" The Watery folded her webbed arms angrily.
"The mistress' brother, Touya," answered the Earthy.
"What?!" The Watery turned on the older woman. "Damnit! . . .Wait. . . the mistress' brother? Isn't he the one Mirror keeps going---"
"Haayyyyyaaaaaannn about? Oh, Yeah!" Said the Firey. "And he's been grinning at her . . . so tell Silent she's on duty tonight *again*." She looked threateningly at mirror and folded her flaming arms. "Either that, or you're top card tonight!"
"Ohhh!" the watery nodded knowingly and looked at Touya. "Mister 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', are we? Mister 'Oh, He's So Handsome!', are we?" She clasped her hands together helplessly, and Firey mimicked her, the pair pressed their shoulders together, "Mister HAAAAAYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!"
"Ladies . . ." Eriol came to the rescue of the poor little girl; "I think we've had enough fun at the expense of Mirror. Please return to your book."
Watery threw one more threatening glance at Touya, as the Firey clasped her hands to her chest and sighed mockingly, Earthy just pushed the giggling, flame haired girl into the bedroom, casting one more respectful nod. Touya, Syaoran and Eriol walked back into the room. Two more women were in the room. One was sweeping her clock around the room, every speck of soot disappeared under it. She nodded, "There we go! The mistress will never know."
"And you are?" Said Touya.
"The Erase card." She answered, and then returned to her card form.
The second woman was leaning out of the window. The Mirror ran up to her, "We're ready now." She said brightly. The pale yellow woman drew her arms back, and a small gust of wind pulled Keroberos back into the room. She motioned with her arms and the wind lowered Keroberos back to his bed. Her gleaming gold eyes flickered to Eriol, "Next time. . ." her voice as soft as the wind, ". . . Go downstairs and fetch a cup of tea thyself. . ."
"This is The Windy card!" The Mirror card quickly introduced Touya to her favourite sister card. The Windy curtsied elegantly, and dissipated slightly to wrap herself around the mirror, she reassembled herself to crouch down low beside her. "So this is Touya." She whispered quietly.
The Mirror blushed again. The Windy smiled gently, "A pleasure to meet you, Kinomoto-san, our little reflection has told us much about you." He nodded respectfully to the polite card as she pressed her hands against the Mirror's shoulders; "It is time to seal the book again."
"So soon?" The mirror looked up at the windy. The Windy smiled gently. She released the girl's shoulder and returned to her card form, "Two hours, then be sure to close the book when you return to the form you were meant to be in!" The kindly card said as she sank back into the book. "Kinomoto- san, I leave the care of this card in your charge."
Touya closed the book, and placed it on the desk, "I will take care of her."
The girl giggled, "Thank you!" She held her mirror away from her. It levitated and span until it was the size of her body. When it stopped spinning, she stepped through the mirror and walked out the other side.
As the glow from the magic faded, the mirror stood there, she still had her tremendous long hair but was now wearing one of his sister's favourite pink pyjamas. Her wings fluttered gently, and her mirror returned to its smaller size. The little girl put it on the desk and turned. She grinned, "Can I help care for him?"
Nakuru hopped up the stairs, happily. Her shift with Touya was due to start any second. As she reached the top, Eriol and Syaoran walked out of the bathroom.
"How is it that you got away without a single speck of soot on you?" Syaoran furiously towel dried his hair. The Chinese boy was in his boxers and Eriol had his clothes neatly folded over one arm.
"Yeah," Eriol nodded, "That's what my butler asked after the great fire of London . . ." he wrapped an arm around Syaoran's shoulders, "I'll tell you what I told him, when one lives near the Thames, one will use the Thames . . ."
Syaoran towelled his ear, "Oh, I get it you get fire damage to the brain!"
Eriol chuckled as Nakuru drew nearer, "What happened?"
"Firey sat on Sakura's bed . . ." Answered Eriol calmly.
"And set fire to it." Finished Syaoran. They continued past as if the whole thing was suddenly explained. Nakuru shrugged and continued into Sakura's room. Kero still slept on the floor, he looked a bit wind-swept. She turned to look at Touya; he was just putting new covers on. "TOOO-YAAAA!!!" She squealed as she leapt on to his back.
"Get off me!"
"To-ya! To-ya! To-ya!!" She squealed, as he stood straight. She didn't notice the small girl crawl out from under the blanket. She blinked at the sight, and then glowed slightly.
"Akizuki! What are you doing here?" Asked Touya irritably. Nakuru blinked in surprise, there were two Touyas.
"N-Nani?" She slid off the back of the Touya she held on to.
The one on the bed smirked at the other, "Damn! If only I had pretended not to notice . . . sorry Mirror card. It was a nice try."
Nakuru squinted at the real Touya, then at the fake one on the bed. Confusion spread over the moon guardian's face as the real one remained silent and looked slightly innocent, and disappointed.
The one on the bed stepped off and stood by the real Touya. Nakuru looked from one to the other, their auras were almost exactly alike. Her shoulders drooped, with her confusion. As the girl walked out the room to fetch Spinel, Touya grabbed the fake Touya, and pulled the replica close. "I could kiss you!" He said happily.
The mirror's version of Touya blushed furiously, and laughed nervously, "I'm not that good . . ." she said self-deprecatingly.
As Nakuru dragged Spinel up the stairs to sort something out for her, Syaoran and Eriol sat in the kitchen together. Syaoran pulled on a sweater Touya had leant him; Eriol set a small bowl of rice in front of him.
Eriol picked up his own chopsticks and picked at the rice as he sat opposite his distant relative. They ate in silence, until Eriol looked up at Syaoran. "So when are you going to tell her?"
"Tell whom what?"
"Sakura." Eriol said quietly, and then patted Syaoran's back as he spluttered on his food.
Syaoran downed a glass of water before his voice returned, "what? Ho-how did you know?"
Eriol smiled and resumed eating, he let his distant relative stew for a few moments before saying, "Everybody knows . . . I mean it, simply everybody knows, *everybody* . . . except Sakura . . . and maybe an executive producer at Nelvana studios in America . . . I think he's in charge of some crummy dubbed anim--" Eriol stopped his rambling when he caught sight of Syaoran's confused look. He coughed quickly and continued, "Look, I just knew, it's fairly obvious that you care a great deal for her . . . and have done for many years . . . and yet . . ." He looked up and stared him in the eye, "You still wait for her to realise it."
Syaoran picked at his food, as he tried to think of a good excuse for it.
"She's a good girl . . . she could make you very happy if you told her . . . or very sad if you don't."
"I know." Syaoran looked at him, "But there are other things . . ."
"Like what, I seem to recall she is over Yue's other form . . . and if you think I'm that interested in her . . ."
"Why not?" Syaoran looked up at him sharply.
"I have . . . someone else." Eriol smiled secretly, and began to eat again.
Syaoran stared at him, the night was beginning to draw near again, and the kitchen was filled with the glow of the twilight. After a minute or two of contemplation, he guessed quietly. "Tomoyo."
Eriol's lavender grey eyes flickered up, and stared at his distant relative. Syaoran stared back. Eriol nodded quietly. "Do you know why I like you so much Syaoran?"
"You *like* me?" Syaoran raised a teasing eyebrow; "I'd hate to think what you would do to me if you hated me."
Eriol laughed slightly, "You're the brother I should have had . . ."
The two stared at each other, Syaoran's face softened slightly in understanding, before Eriol, or possibly Clow, continued mockingly, " . . .or at least tormented, during our childhood . . ."
The two distant relatives chuckled and continued their meal.
One hour and forty minutes later, Spinel and the Mirror had descended the stairs so Spinel could sleep in preparation for his shift and Mirror reluctantly left Touya to ask his sister if she could remain out of the book a while longer.
Touya looked up from fluffing Kero's pillow to glance at Nakuru, she was looking out of the window. Her scarlet silk nightgown fluttered slightly with the breeze. Keroberos coughed and shivered.
"Akizuki? Close the window, it's too cold at night for him."
Nakuru sighed and closed the window. She sat heavily on the bed, "Why don't you like me?" She stared at him in slight sadness.
He decided an honest answer would be better. "You try to push Yuki out of my life."
"Oh . . . I . . ." Nakuru looked at her hands, "So you don't like me at all?"
Touya got up and sat by her, "I don't like you trying to replace Yuki . . . but . . . I guess I like you."
"Do you like me like me or like me love me?" she said brightly.
"Like you like you." He said dryly.
Nakuru pouted playfully, then turned serious, "Oh . . . with Yukito . . . is it like him like him or is it-"
"Like him love him." Touya admitted quietly.
"Does he know?"
"I don't know."
Nakuru squeezed his shoulder, "You should tell him."
"Maybe . . ." Touya decided to change the subject. "How old are you?"
Nakuru smirked, "Much older than you."
"How much so? A century?"
She grinned, "I'm not telling."
"What about Eriol?"
"Sorry, that would be telling too." She pulled up her knees.
Touya stared at her profile for a few moment, "Do you like him?"
"He's my master."
"That doesn't necessarily you have to like him."
She considered this for a few moments, "I love him, and he's a very kind hearted boy if you can tolerate his . . . sense of humour."
"Why did you bring him here?" Touya's head snapped towards Nakuru, as she suddenly turned very serious, and tried to swallow a dry sob. "What? What happened?"
"We were so scared . . ." She admitted.
"Why?"
"A part of him is still Clow, so that means he still loves them a lot . . ." she gestured to Kero's sleeping form. "But we're still his guardians, we're supposed to protect him . . . it was so hard watching him worry day after day about something we couldn't protect him from. So we brought him here . . ."
"Because he couldn't find a cure by himself." Touya understood the guardians' reasoning; "he could help get Kero better."
She nodded, "and we wanted to help as well, they're the closet family we've got . . . Yue and Kero . . . Eriol and Spinel. That's all the family I have."
"Well, if you count Clow Reed . . . then you can count my father in as well, so . . ." Touya closed one eye as he tried to figure it out. "I guess you can consider me a cousin."
"Really?"
Touya shrugged, "yeah."
"Thank you." She murmured as she slipped off the bed and sat by Kero, she pulled the blanket higher over Kero's shoulders. Touya glanced at the door; a warm snowy aura had just merged with a cool amethyst one, the aura's owner was just walking away from the door.
Yue was awake again . . .
. . .and he had heard the entire conversation.
-------------------------------------------
And now it's time for LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!
DrM: Konnichiwa!! Where's Yue?
Firey: Damnit! How could you?!
DrM: Nani?
Firey: Do you know what it's like to in the book with Mirror after she's had a dose of Tooooo-Yaaaaa?
DrM: Anything similar after I've had a dose of Yue or Clow? [Goes starry eyed, Tomoyo-style] Haaaayyyaaaaannnn. . .
Firey: [sighs] Great . . . now she's at it too. [Gets handed a piece of paper] What's this?
Off-screen type guy: It's today's script!
Firey: [presses script against butt, script bursts into flames] Today's script can kiss my sweet ass! [Sighs] Look, all the readers gotta know is that if they don't R I'm gonna come *sit* on them!
DrM: Firey! We don't threaten the readers, it ain't nice!
Firey: I'll give you damn *nice*! [Gets tackled by Mirror]
DrM: Thank you Mirror, you remain my favourite card!
Mirror: [giggles and curtsies then drags Firey off the screen]
DrM: That's it for another chapter, please R&R! Hon na na!
[P.S. a quick side note to Nakuru: Me? Apologise? NEVER!]