CHAPTER 10 - War Brews
Syaoran faced down four men, their armor catching the moonlight through the window. Their gauntleted hands each held a large two-handed sword. Syaoran knew that it would be hard to fight all four at once without sustaining an injury.
A woman's voice saved him. "The girl's not in there, so go find her!" The guards sputtered, but left the room, after giving a last glance to Syaoran. He did not lower his sword when he saw who it was that called the guards back.
"Syaoran," she said. "What a surprise." She did not sound happy to see him, and the feeling was mutual.
"Mother, or rather, Yelan," he said to the woman.
***********
Windy took care of the initial set of guards in her way, picking them up and depositing them on top of the castle, where they clung nervously to each other, but Sakura could see that there were many more still coming, and from all four directions. "Kero!" she said, frenziedly.
"You can't fight them all off," he said. "So let's get out of here!" He shuffled her cards, and handed her Fly. She tapped it with her staff, and felt awe as the wings grew out from her back. Kero picked up Tomoyo in his mouth, and the three rose in the air.
"Don't drop me," said Tomoyo. Kero mumbled something he hoped sounded reassuring. Looking below, he could see the astounded soldiers, mouths open, watching them leave. He would have laughed at them, but then he would have dropped Tomoyo.
Once they landed well outside the castle, Kero said, "I'll show you where we'll meet Syaoran." He and Tomoyo started off, but Sakura did not move. "Hey, what are waiting for!"
"I'm going back for him," she said, determination in her voice.
"Are you nuts!" cried Kero. "You're the one they want in there!"
"I'm going anyway!" she said, flying off without another word.
"Geez," said Kero.
"Sakura and Syaoran are much alike," said Tomoyo. "Both heroic and trying to save each other! Very admirable! I have this strange urge to want to put this scene on something we can look at later, but I'm afraid nothing like that exists yet."
Kero declared all three of them crazy.
***********
"Why have you come back?" said Yelan, calmly watching Syaoran.
"I'm with Lady Riya," he said.
"And Saki?" she said, an eyebrow raised. "I assume she is not a servant, however. I would suspect the Lady Riya of trying to fake her way as a noble, but she looks very much the Daidouji."
"Be assured, the Lady is no fake. And neither is the message." Syaoran had to make sure she didn't take the message lightly. "I am only along as her protection."
"You are with the Daidouji family?" she said. "Why did no one there tell me? I would have paid a visit."
"I am not really `with' them. I know Lady Riya as an acquaintance. Besides, I would not welcome your visit."
A flash of agitation crossed the calm facade of Yelan, and was gone as quickly as it came. "I must wonder what the girl is doing with you two, then. It appears you know her magic capabilities as well as I do. But you are not strong enough to bring them out in her, and that is a shame. The girl needs guidance to become as powerful as she could possibly be, don't you agree?"
"The worst thing for her would to become mixed up with you."
"Syaoran, just because you are no longer my son does not mean you should treat me so roughly." Yelan paused to look deeply into Syaoran, and was surprised by what she found. "Syaoran, you're...you're..."
"Powerful? No, I couldn't be," he said acidly.
"But you are!" Yelan could not hide her disturbance. "How can that be? You were judged weak in magic by the elders!" Syaoran started to leave. "No! You can't leave! I want both you and the girl to join us!"
"I don't want to." As soon as Syaoran said it, Yelan clapped her hands, and some lightly armored soldiers entered. They were Yelan's personal bodyguards, and all of them had powerful magic. Syaoran's expression did not change. He raised his sword, and reached for an incantation paper. Then he cursed as he realized he had left them with Kero, not expecting to have to use them, for he hadn't expected to encounter Yelan.
"Attack him," commanded Yelan, "but let him live."
"Syaoran!" called Sakura as she flew in the window, stopping the soldiers as they were advancing on Syaoran. "Come on, no need to fight them!"
"Wings?" said Yelan, seeing the magical appendages sprouting from Sakura's back. "Only one person could do that, and you aren't him!"
Sakura ignored her. "It's my turn to carry you," she said, grabbing Syaoran's hand, and the two leaped from the window, Sakura trying to get away as quickly as possible.
The soldiers were too fast, however. They brought out their own incantation papers, and launched fireballs at them. Syaoran watched with horror as one struck Sakura in the back. She let out a little cry, the wings disappeared, and both of them hurdled back to the ground. He managed to land on his feet, but Sakura hit with a dull thud. He rushed over in time to absorb another attack that would have hit her. The fireball he took was weakened over the distance it traveled, and he shrugged it off.
The soldiers were now augmented with the heavily armored ones without magic. Syaoran tried to concentrate on his own magic. He had been practicing casting using only the sword, without the incantation papers, but had so far been successful in making only a flame big enough to do little more than light a candle. Seeing Sakura's unmoving figure, he knew he needed to do more. And he'd have to learn to do so quickly. He concentrated on the sword, feeling its power...
It came to him so fast he almost didn't notice it. Suddenly he was one with the sword's power. He struggled as the sword's power added to his own became almost more than he could bear. Managing to take control of it, he let the fire form on the tip the sword. Slashing the air with a flourish, the fire snaked out from the sword in a thick line, in the exact arc his sword was swung with. Soldiers fell over, finding armor melted away and thin but deep injuries on their bodies, and writhed with pain.
Yelan watched impassionately. She had been surprised by so many things in such a short time that Syaoran using magic without a paper failed to work enough shock in her to get her to show reaction.
Syaoran prepared another blow for the next line of soldiers, who were suddenly wary of approaching, when Sakura stirred. He knelt down to her. She seemed woozy, but carried no physical markings of injury. The fireball that hit her hadn't even burned away her dress. Despite his request that she remain laying, she stood up anyway, wavering. She grabbed the Fly card from the ground in front of her. "You can't," he said. "It would take too much energy."
"I can get us far enough," she said, hitting the card with the staff. The wings reappeared, and she stumbled as Syaoran held her up. They rose slowly, Sakura gritting her teeth on the strain of using the magic. Syaoran let another line of fire go to keep the soldiers from trying anything. For their part, the soldiers dove out the way of the fire, and made no move to try and stop them from escaping.
The two floated into the air, and over the castle walls. Then Sakura lowered, and as soon as they hit the ground, her wings were gone once again. Yawning, she leaned on Syaoran for support. Syaoran led her to the meeting place where Kero and Tomoyo would be waiting.
*************
Just as Syaoran had predicted, Yelan had instantly mobilized her troops for battle. Soldiers were called together, and they marched through Turento, along with those of Turento's own national guard, the very next day that she received the letter to put on a show before leaving to battle Maghin. As it turned out, only a few of the other nations even wanted to get involved, and all of those who did except for one sided with the more powerful Maghin. Kero said it didn't look good for Turento.
"I hope this turns out okay," said Tomoyo. "It seems it could go wrong."
"How does this turn out okay?" asked Kero. "It's war."
"It turns out okay if Clow is defeated," said Syaoran. "If he is taken out of power, this will make the world better. He's too strong for everyone's good. Besides, the war only has to enter the beginning stages before we find him."
"We?" said Kero.
"This is all just to lure out Clow Reed?" said Sakura.
"Yes. Once he joins the battle, and I think he will, we can find him and beat him."
"Such a simple plan," said Kero caustically.
"Tomoyo, you should leave us now," said Syaoran, turning to the girl. "We appreciate your help, but things are going to get even more dangerous from now on. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm not leaving!" said Tomoyo indignantly. "This is much more fun than anything I've ever done. Besides, I don't have anywhere I want to go."
Syaoran sighed, and nodded. "It's up to you if you want to stay. I'm just warning you."
"Where do you think Clow will surface?" said Sakura.
"It might take a few days," said Syaoran. "But I believe it will be near here."
"We'd best camp outside the city," said Kero. "Sakura can't practice her magic around here, and you both could use all the skills you can get if you're going to foolishly battle Clow."
"Foo...foolishly," stammered Sakura. "You mean we don't have a chance?"
"No, you have a chance," said Kero quickly. "I just wish I could transform. We need to get that Earthy card from him."
"Things will turn out right," said Tomoyo. "I just have a feeling." Kero wished he could agree.
*************
The three humans slept under the stars in an area three miles from Turento's city walls. Kero did not sleep, because he was lost in thought. Something told him Tomoyo was not done being useful. He refused to believe that the only reason they met her was to have her play noble around Yelan. Then there was Mizuki's last prophecy; Sakura would `cure' Clow Reed. He didn't even know what that meant.
Kero tried to remember Clow. It seemed like his memory was in patches. It was hard to remember anything about his time with the man. Only a few things, like poor Sakura's family, stuck out in his mind. Since remembering that came easy, he focused on it. He thought back to his shadowy past, and was treated to a scene that played in his mind...
i
"Clow, what are you planning now?" Keroberos asked, the lion-like beast coming up next to Clow in his study in the Maghin castle. "It doesn't seem good."
"Don't question me," said Clow, his face hard, his mouth set in its permanent scowl, as Keroberos had grown used to from Clow lately. "I am only half as powerful as I used to be. I need the Kinomoto man's power to make me complete again."
"But, even half of what you were, you are still more powerful than anyone else!"
"Quiet, Keroberos!" roared Clow. "I wish you were more like Yue! He respects my decisions, and agrees with everything I do."
"Perhaps I am not as trusting of you as Yue is," said Keroberos angrily. "He doesn't seem to realize how much you've changed! You used to be kind, and gentle! Now you'll do whatever it takes to get that power you crave so much!"
"He is not Clow, not exactly," said Yue, entering the room. "Clow is gone. He left us, Keroberos, and this man came to take his place."
"Who...who are you then, if you are not Clow?" said Keroberos, backing away.
"He is your master, Keroberos," said Yue. "He has assumed the role of Clow, and you do what he wants, and do not stand in his way. That is all you, or I, should need to know."
/i
Kero opened his eyes as the memory faded. "Does that mean...Clow must've died! The man masquerading as Clow is someone else!" He tried to remember more, and like a gushing faucet, more came flooding into his mind.
i
"Keroberos, Yue, come watch." Clow seemed in his best spirits, as good as he had seemed in months. Keroberos was happy for it, because he missed the old Clow, but at the same time it was a guarded happiness, because Clow's enthusiasm carried a bizarre aura. Clow pointed out the window of his tower to the streets below. "Do you see a man in white?" Keroberos searched for a while before spotting him. He was dressed completely in white, and seemed to glow. The man was also a bit fuzzy, like he was out of focus with the rest of the world. "I made him myself. A being with no purpose but to give me my magic."
"He has the disease," said Yue, no emotion tugging his voice.
"He does. It won't hurt him, he's completely formed from magic. A bit poorly, I suppose, but I worked quickly."
"You promised that disease wouldn't be let loose into the world!" roared Keroberos. "The chances of someone surviving are next to none! If it spreads..."
"It won't spread, Keroberos. I am sure of that. And I don't remember making any such promise."
"But...it's so...horrid."
Clow patted Keroberos on the head. "Stop worrying. Perhaps you should have a snack."
Keroberos was in no mood for snacks. "You're going to kill Kinomoto, aren't you?" he growled.
"Yes, he has the other half of the magic, and doesn't know how to use it. Kinomoto doesn't use his magic to its full potential, and it's being wasted! He only concentrates on those fool humanitarian efforts, keeping the poor rabble alive. That fool King Plute keeps loading the man with honors. And his daughter just oozes cute." Clow made a face. "His wife and son are bearable, but the son always seems to stare at me strangely, as if he senses something in me. I must have none of them remain. I had a vision that Kinomoto would destroy me. I will not let that happen!"
Keroberos bowed his head. "I suppose I will have that snack," he said sorrowfully.
"You won't try anything brash, I hope?" Clow said, mildly threatening.
Keroberos did not say anything. He just left the room. Once he was out of earshot of Clow Reed and Yue, and he ran down the tower, his fur a blur. He wouldn't be affected by the disease, either. Maybe if he beat that man in white to the Kinomoto residence, they would be okay. He had to make it in time.
People who he passed in the streets were stupefied as he pumped his legs as fast as they could go. They had never before been permitted to know he existed, but hiding himself was not a concern anymore. The run seemed interminable, but he finally reached the Kinomoto residence. The door was open, a bad sign. He rushed in.
The man in white was leaning over a woman, a small ball of...dark was the best way to describe it...in his hands. Keroberos roared, but the man ignored him. The woman tried to shrink from the man, but he thrust the darkness into her. She slumped over, and the man tossed her aside, onto the chair where Fujitaka and the boy, Touya, lay, also in odd positions. Keroberos knew the woman as Nadeshiko. She had the disease. The three of them did. They were the telltale green color, a sign the disease was in their bodies and working its destructive power.
The man in white turned to Keroberos, and giggled. Another ball of darkness appeared, sucking in the light, and the man went up the stairs. It was too late for the others, but maybe he could still save the girl. Keroberos followed the man, on his heels. The girl was upstairs, sleeping soundly, unaware her family had left her alone in the world.
The man prepared to put the darkness into her sleeping form, but Keroberos leaped in front of her. The man was surprised, and couldn't stop himself. Keroberos felt the disease enter him. It was a strange sensation, difficult to describe. Every part of him tingled with an evil hate. His body, formed from magic, destroyed the disease as quickly as it entered, and the sensation passed. He turned to face the man in white.
The man was no longer giggling. He was snarling. Keroberos launched a fireball at him, which the man batted away effortlessly. "Clow!" he said to the man. He knew the sorcerer had taken full control of the creation in front of him, and that the being held all of Clow's powers. Keroberos could not possibly stand against Clow in a battle. So reason was his only hope. "Leave the girl!"
The man did not reply, instead rushing at Keroberos. A sword formed in his hand from nothing tangible, and he slashed at Keroberos. The beast roared with the pain, and fell to his stomach. The man flourished his white cape proudly, and gave Keroberos a kick that sent him sprawling. Before Keroberos could muster the strength to say or do anything else, the man had given the disease to the girl. Keroberos hung his head as the man, his job completed, bowed and disappeared.
Keroberos got up slowly, defeated and depressed. Blood matted his fur. The wound stung, but he felt like he'd be okay. Better than the Kinomoto family, anyway. The girl had already turned a sick green. The disease was working on her, and soon she would be gone. He felt saddest for her, the youngest one. Barely ten years old, as far as he knew. He vowed never to return to Clow's side. The man was sick.
The family needed a proper burial. At least he could give them that much. He padded to the girl. She was still green, but it seemed more muted. Not noticing it much, he picked her up by the collar of her dress, and positioned her carefully on his back. Back downstairs, he was about to pick up the boy Touya, but then took stock of the boy's color. He was nearly glowing green, as was the two parents. For some reason, the green was not nearly as strong on the girl. As he moved his head closer to her body, he could hear breathing. Impossible! It was shallow and difficult, but it was breathing. She was still alive, when she should have already been gone!
Keroberos burst from the house, assured he still had the girl on his back. He would take her to the one person, aside from Clow Reed, who could possibly save her: Kaho Mizuki. If she had survived this long, perhaps she could still disprove the disease as the perfect killer.
/i
"Kero...Kero!" Kero awoke from his memories to find Sakura staring at his face compassionately. The sun was out, and the three others were awake. "Are you okay? You were just floating there, whispering to yourself."
"Just...remembering what I thought I had forgotten," Kero said. He knew the girl he carried to Mizuki was her. Mizuki had healed Kero, and worked her magic magnificently to save Sakura. "I think what I remembered was important. I'll need to sort through it later." He handed her the key. "Come on, we need to start working your magic stronger. Get that boy over here."
*********************************************
Continued in Chapter 11
Syaoran faced down four men, their armor catching the moonlight through the window. Their gauntleted hands each held a large two-handed sword. Syaoran knew that it would be hard to fight all four at once without sustaining an injury.
A woman's voice saved him. "The girl's not in there, so go find her!" The guards sputtered, but left the room, after giving a last glance to Syaoran. He did not lower his sword when he saw who it was that called the guards back.
"Syaoran," she said. "What a surprise." She did not sound happy to see him, and the feeling was mutual.
"Mother, or rather, Yelan," he said to the woman.
***********
Windy took care of the initial set of guards in her way, picking them up and depositing them on top of the castle, where they clung nervously to each other, but Sakura could see that there were many more still coming, and from all four directions. "Kero!" she said, frenziedly.
"You can't fight them all off," he said. "So let's get out of here!" He shuffled her cards, and handed her Fly. She tapped it with her staff, and felt awe as the wings grew out from her back. Kero picked up Tomoyo in his mouth, and the three rose in the air.
"Don't drop me," said Tomoyo. Kero mumbled something he hoped sounded reassuring. Looking below, he could see the astounded soldiers, mouths open, watching them leave. He would have laughed at them, but then he would have dropped Tomoyo.
Once they landed well outside the castle, Kero said, "I'll show you where we'll meet Syaoran." He and Tomoyo started off, but Sakura did not move. "Hey, what are waiting for!"
"I'm going back for him," she said, determination in her voice.
"Are you nuts!" cried Kero. "You're the one they want in there!"
"I'm going anyway!" she said, flying off without another word.
"Geez," said Kero.
"Sakura and Syaoran are much alike," said Tomoyo. "Both heroic and trying to save each other! Very admirable! I have this strange urge to want to put this scene on something we can look at later, but I'm afraid nothing like that exists yet."
Kero declared all three of them crazy.
***********
"Why have you come back?" said Yelan, calmly watching Syaoran.
"I'm with Lady Riya," he said.
"And Saki?" she said, an eyebrow raised. "I assume she is not a servant, however. I would suspect the Lady Riya of trying to fake her way as a noble, but she looks very much the Daidouji."
"Be assured, the Lady is no fake. And neither is the message." Syaoran had to make sure she didn't take the message lightly. "I am only along as her protection."
"You are with the Daidouji family?" she said. "Why did no one there tell me? I would have paid a visit."
"I am not really `with' them. I know Lady Riya as an acquaintance. Besides, I would not welcome your visit."
A flash of agitation crossed the calm facade of Yelan, and was gone as quickly as it came. "I must wonder what the girl is doing with you two, then. It appears you know her magic capabilities as well as I do. But you are not strong enough to bring them out in her, and that is a shame. The girl needs guidance to become as powerful as she could possibly be, don't you agree?"
"The worst thing for her would to become mixed up with you."
"Syaoran, just because you are no longer my son does not mean you should treat me so roughly." Yelan paused to look deeply into Syaoran, and was surprised by what she found. "Syaoran, you're...you're..."
"Powerful? No, I couldn't be," he said acidly.
"But you are!" Yelan could not hide her disturbance. "How can that be? You were judged weak in magic by the elders!" Syaoran started to leave. "No! You can't leave! I want both you and the girl to join us!"
"I don't want to." As soon as Syaoran said it, Yelan clapped her hands, and some lightly armored soldiers entered. They were Yelan's personal bodyguards, and all of them had powerful magic. Syaoran's expression did not change. He raised his sword, and reached for an incantation paper. Then he cursed as he realized he had left them with Kero, not expecting to have to use them, for he hadn't expected to encounter Yelan.
"Attack him," commanded Yelan, "but let him live."
"Syaoran!" called Sakura as she flew in the window, stopping the soldiers as they were advancing on Syaoran. "Come on, no need to fight them!"
"Wings?" said Yelan, seeing the magical appendages sprouting from Sakura's back. "Only one person could do that, and you aren't him!"
Sakura ignored her. "It's my turn to carry you," she said, grabbing Syaoran's hand, and the two leaped from the window, Sakura trying to get away as quickly as possible.
The soldiers were too fast, however. They brought out their own incantation papers, and launched fireballs at them. Syaoran watched with horror as one struck Sakura in the back. She let out a little cry, the wings disappeared, and both of them hurdled back to the ground. He managed to land on his feet, but Sakura hit with a dull thud. He rushed over in time to absorb another attack that would have hit her. The fireball he took was weakened over the distance it traveled, and he shrugged it off.
The soldiers were now augmented with the heavily armored ones without magic. Syaoran tried to concentrate on his own magic. He had been practicing casting using only the sword, without the incantation papers, but had so far been successful in making only a flame big enough to do little more than light a candle. Seeing Sakura's unmoving figure, he knew he needed to do more. And he'd have to learn to do so quickly. He concentrated on the sword, feeling its power...
It came to him so fast he almost didn't notice it. Suddenly he was one with the sword's power. He struggled as the sword's power added to his own became almost more than he could bear. Managing to take control of it, he let the fire form on the tip the sword. Slashing the air with a flourish, the fire snaked out from the sword in a thick line, in the exact arc his sword was swung with. Soldiers fell over, finding armor melted away and thin but deep injuries on their bodies, and writhed with pain.
Yelan watched impassionately. She had been surprised by so many things in such a short time that Syaoran using magic without a paper failed to work enough shock in her to get her to show reaction.
Syaoran prepared another blow for the next line of soldiers, who were suddenly wary of approaching, when Sakura stirred. He knelt down to her. She seemed woozy, but carried no physical markings of injury. The fireball that hit her hadn't even burned away her dress. Despite his request that she remain laying, she stood up anyway, wavering. She grabbed the Fly card from the ground in front of her. "You can't," he said. "It would take too much energy."
"I can get us far enough," she said, hitting the card with the staff. The wings reappeared, and she stumbled as Syaoran held her up. They rose slowly, Sakura gritting her teeth on the strain of using the magic. Syaoran let another line of fire go to keep the soldiers from trying anything. For their part, the soldiers dove out the way of the fire, and made no move to try and stop them from escaping.
The two floated into the air, and over the castle walls. Then Sakura lowered, and as soon as they hit the ground, her wings were gone once again. Yawning, she leaned on Syaoran for support. Syaoran led her to the meeting place where Kero and Tomoyo would be waiting.
*************
Just as Syaoran had predicted, Yelan had instantly mobilized her troops for battle. Soldiers were called together, and they marched through Turento, along with those of Turento's own national guard, the very next day that she received the letter to put on a show before leaving to battle Maghin. As it turned out, only a few of the other nations even wanted to get involved, and all of those who did except for one sided with the more powerful Maghin. Kero said it didn't look good for Turento.
"I hope this turns out okay," said Tomoyo. "It seems it could go wrong."
"How does this turn out okay?" asked Kero. "It's war."
"It turns out okay if Clow is defeated," said Syaoran. "If he is taken out of power, this will make the world better. He's too strong for everyone's good. Besides, the war only has to enter the beginning stages before we find him."
"We?" said Kero.
"This is all just to lure out Clow Reed?" said Sakura.
"Yes. Once he joins the battle, and I think he will, we can find him and beat him."
"Such a simple plan," said Kero caustically.
"Tomoyo, you should leave us now," said Syaoran, turning to the girl. "We appreciate your help, but things are going to get even more dangerous from now on. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'm not leaving!" said Tomoyo indignantly. "This is much more fun than anything I've ever done. Besides, I don't have anywhere I want to go."
Syaoran sighed, and nodded. "It's up to you if you want to stay. I'm just warning you."
"Where do you think Clow will surface?" said Sakura.
"It might take a few days," said Syaoran. "But I believe it will be near here."
"We'd best camp outside the city," said Kero. "Sakura can't practice her magic around here, and you both could use all the skills you can get if you're going to foolishly battle Clow."
"Foo...foolishly," stammered Sakura. "You mean we don't have a chance?"
"No, you have a chance," said Kero quickly. "I just wish I could transform. We need to get that Earthy card from him."
"Things will turn out right," said Tomoyo. "I just have a feeling." Kero wished he could agree.
*************
The three humans slept under the stars in an area three miles from Turento's city walls. Kero did not sleep, because he was lost in thought. Something told him Tomoyo was not done being useful. He refused to believe that the only reason they met her was to have her play noble around Yelan. Then there was Mizuki's last prophecy; Sakura would `cure' Clow Reed. He didn't even know what that meant.
Kero tried to remember Clow. It seemed like his memory was in patches. It was hard to remember anything about his time with the man. Only a few things, like poor Sakura's family, stuck out in his mind. Since remembering that came easy, he focused on it. He thought back to his shadowy past, and was treated to a scene that played in his mind...
i
"Clow, what are you planning now?" Keroberos asked, the lion-like beast coming up next to Clow in his study in the Maghin castle. "It doesn't seem good."
"Don't question me," said Clow, his face hard, his mouth set in its permanent scowl, as Keroberos had grown used to from Clow lately. "I am only half as powerful as I used to be. I need the Kinomoto man's power to make me complete again."
"But, even half of what you were, you are still more powerful than anyone else!"
"Quiet, Keroberos!" roared Clow. "I wish you were more like Yue! He respects my decisions, and agrees with everything I do."
"Perhaps I am not as trusting of you as Yue is," said Keroberos angrily. "He doesn't seem to realize how much you've changed! You used to be kind, and gentle! Now you'll do whatever it takes to get that power you crave so much!"
"He is not Clow, not exactly," said Yue, entering the room. "Clow is gone. He left us, Keroberos, and this man came to take his place."
"Who...who are you then, if you are not Clow?" said Keroberos, backing away.
"He is your master, Keroberos," said Yue. "He has assumed the role of Clow, and you do what he wants, and do not stand in his way. That is all you, or I, should need to know."
/i
Kero opened his eyes as the memory faded. "Does that mean...Clow must've died! The man masquerading as Clow is someone else!" He tried to remember more, and like a gushing faucet, more came flooding into his mind.
i
"Keroberos, Yue, come watch." Clow seemed in his best spirits, as good as he had seemed in months. Keroberos was happy for it, because he missed the old Clow, but at the same time it was a guarded happiness, because Clow's enthusiasm carried a bizarre aura. Clow pointed out the window of his tower to the streets below. "Do you see a man in white?" Keroberos searched for a while before spotting him. He was dressed completely in white, and seemed to glow. The man was also a bit fuzzy, like he was out of focus with the rest of the world. "I made him myself. A being with no purpose but to give me my magic."
"He has the disease," said Yue, no emotion tugging his voice.
"He does. It won't hurt him, he's completely formed from magic. A bit poorly, I suppose, but I worked quickly."
"You promised that disease wouldn't be let loose into the world!" roared Keroberos. "The chances of someone surviving are next to none! If it spreads..."
"It won't spread, Keroberos. I am sure of that. And I don't remember making any such promise."
"But...it's so...horrid."
Clow patted Keroberos on the head. "Stop worrying. Perhaps you should have a snack."
Keroberos was in no mood for snacks. "You're going to kill Kinomoto, aren't you?" he growled.
"Yes, he has the other half of the magic, and doesn't know how to use it. Kinomoto doesn't use his magic to its full potential, and it's being wasted! He only concentrates on those fool humanitarian efforts, keeping the poor rabble alive. That fool King Plute keeps loading the man with honors. And his daughter just oozes cute." Clow made a face. "His wife and son are bearable, but the son always seems to stare at me strangely, as if he senses something in me. I must have none of them remain. I had a vision that Kinomoto would destroy me. I will not let that happen!"
Keroberos bowed his head. "I suppose I will have that snack," he said sorrowfully.
"You won't try anything brash, I hope?" Clow said, mildly threatening.
Keroberos did not say anything. He just left the room. Once he was out of earshot of Clow Reed and Yue, and he ran down the tower, his fur a blur. He wouldn't be affected by the disease, either. Maybe if he beat that man in white to the Kinomoto residence, they would be okay. He had to make it in time.
People who he passed in the streets were stupefied as he pumped his legs as fast as they could go. They had never before been permitted to know he existed, but hiding himself was not a concern anymore. The run seemed interminable, but he finally reached the Kinomoto residence. The door was open, a bad sign. He rushed in.
The man in white was leaning over a woman, a small ball of...dark was the best way to describe it...in his hands. Keroberos roared, but the man ignored him. The woman tried to shrink from the man, but he thrust the darkness into her. She slumped over, and the man tossed her aside, onto the chair where Fujitaka and the boy, Touya, lay, also in odd positions. Keroberos knew the woman as Nadeshiko. She had the disease. The three of them did. They were the telltale green color, a sign the disease was in their bodies and working its destructive power.
The man in white turned to Keroberos, and giggled. Another ball of darkness appeared, sucking in the light, and the man went up the stairs. It was too late for the others, but maybe he could still save the girl. Keroberos followed the man, on his heels. The girl was upstairs, sleeping soundly, unaware her family had left her alone in the world.
The man prepared to put the darkness into her sleeping form, but Keroberos leaped in front of her. The man was surprised, and couldn't stop himself. Keroberos felt the disease enter him. It was a strange sensation, difficult to describe. Every part of him tingled with an evil hate. His body, formed from magic, destroyed the disease as quickly as it entered, and the sensation passed. He turned to face the man in white.
The man was no longer giggling. He was snarling. Keroberos launched a fireball at him, which the man batted away effortlessly. "Clow!" he said to the man. He knew the sorcerer had taken full control of the creation in front of him, and that the being held all of Clow's powers. Keroberos could not possibly stand against Clow in a battle. So reason was his only hope. "Leave the girl!"
The man did not reply, instead rushing at Keroberos. A sword formed in his hand from nothing tangible, and he slashed at Keroberos. The beast roared with the pain, and fell to his stomach. The man flourished his white cape proudly, and gave Keroberos a kick that sent him sprawling. Before Keroberos could muster the strength to say or do anything else, the man had given the disease to the girl. Keroberos hung his head as the man, his job completed, bowed and disappeared.
Keroberos got up slowly, defeated and depressed. Blood matted his fur. The wound stung, but he felt like he'd be okay. Better than the Kinomoto family, anyway. The girl had already turned a sick green. The disease was working on her, and soon she would be gone. He felt saddest for her, the youngest one. Barely ten years old, as far as he knew. He vowed never to return to Clow's side. The man was sick.
The family needed a proper burial. At least he could give them that much. He padded to the girl. She was still green, but it seemed more muted. Not noticing it much, he picked her up by the collar of her dress, and positioned her carefully on his back. Back downstairs, he was about to pick up the boy Touya, but then took stock of the boy's color. He was nearly glowing green, as was the two parents. For some reason, the green was not nearly as strong on the girl. As he moved his head closer to her body, he could hear breathing. Impossible! It was shallow and difficult, but it was breathing. She was still alive, when she should have already been gone!
Keroberos burst from the house, assured he still had the girl on his back. He would take her to the one person, aside from Clow Reed, who could possibly save her: Kaho Mizuki. If she had survived this long, perhaps she could still disprove the disease as the perfect killer.
/i
"Kero...Kero!" Kero awoke from his memories to find Sakura staring at his face compassionately. The sun was out, and the three others were awake. "Are you okay? You were just floating there, whispering to yourself."
"Just...remembering what I thought I had forgotten," Kero said. He knew the girl he carried to Mizuki was her. Mizuki had healed Kero, and worked her magic magnificently to save Sakura. "I think what I remembered was important. I'll need to sort through it later." He handed her the key. "Come on, we need to start working your magic stronger. Get that boy over here."
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Continued in Chapter 11