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 official characters that will grace this story; it's all CLAMP's! Always has been, always will be! I *DO*, however, own Marcibay Hilligans and Hei-ying Reed!! I also own Mystrasa Kyree, and the dragon isn't mine, it's on loan from my good friend, the Blue Goo! And what the heck . . . I own the mansion as well! [Laughs] 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! And I don't pretend to be able to write any sort of accents so please don't hate me!!
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
In This Tainted Soul. . .
By Dr Megalomania.
Part Six: Creations
Today was *the* day.
Clow stood outside his study as if he was waiting to be called in. he raised his hand to the dark wood door, and pressed lightly, he was going to go in *now*.
Clow pulled his hand back as if burnt, "Or maybe later . . ." he murmured, he walked a few steps away from the door.
"Was 'e like this when 'e made thee?" Hilligans was leant against the wall a dozen doors away. He was talking to the Move card, who like its sibling cards, was floating patiently with the coachman. They had watch Clow walk up to the door, pause and turn away for the last hour now.
The card turned itself upside down, which had become the card's sign for 'no'. Hilligans and the cards had developed their own little language over the three weeks since Clow had had his first truly disturbing vision. Clow refused to talk about it, but Hilligans believed it had something to do with knives, because he had found Clow once in the kitchen staring thoughtfully at a large bread knife. He was shaking his head, muttering something that sounded like, "It wasn't this, it had two blades . . . or did it . . .?"
Clow hadn't had another vision like it since, and was puzzled by it. But Marcibay knew Clow, if anything the now eighteen year-old magician loved puzzles, he's created a maze card for that sole purpose, so he could go rambling for hours on end, just looking for the exit. Hilligans never joined Clow on such excursions because . . . as Clow had so cheerfully enthused, it would take them *days* to find their way out.
Hilligans sighed as Clow walked up to his study door again; the magician didn't even put his hand on the door this time before turning away. The poor boy was a bundle of nerves. He'd woken up today, and quite enthusiastically informed Hilligans that "Today is *the* day!"
Hilligans had looked up from his porridge, and eyed Clow suspiciously, "Day for what, Laddie?"
"Today . . ." Clow leant on the heavy wooden table, "Today, my cards are to be complete."
Although excited by the prospect, the implications of the act of creating the last cards soon sunk in. soon, Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of both the Eastern and the Western Spheres of magic, would be in possession of the completed set of Clow Cards. Cards that were beyond the imagination of many wizards, warlocks and witches. Cards that would, one day; Clow had confided in Hilligans, would escape, and would change the lives and futures of so many people. Clow had smiled when he said this; he stared up at the nighttime sky and looked at the brightest star. "I hope she can catch them . . ." he murmured.
Hilligans had joined him at the window, and stared at the bright star, "Do you know who she is now?"
Clow didn't take his eyes off the star as he laughed quietly, "No. . ." He clapped Hilligans on the shoulder, his dark eyes sparkling. "But she'll have one hell of a time . . . my cards will make sure of it."
Clow touched the hard wood again, now he was going to go in. he paused and glanced down the corridor, at Hilligans and the cards that waited so good- naturedly for their master to create the last four cards.
Hilligans nodded once and sharply, while the cards glowed and bobbed up and down, Clow could feel their excitement from where he stood. He drew a breath and opened the door. //it's time, Reed . . . magic? Don't fail me now . . .//The study glowed with the yellow rays of the afternoon sun, the sunlight poured over his desk, on the hard, polished floor, the deep wine red rug, and onto the isles of books. Dust motes floated lazily in the streams of light, unaware of the importance of the day. Clow looked back at the cards and then at Hilligans. He breathed out slowly, and smiled. "Would you like to watch?"
"I've no time for thy black magic an' voodoo!" Hilligans waved his hand dismissively. But the cards spun elatedly, they gathered behind the grouchy coach driver, and pushed him forward much in the same manner that they had force Clow up the stairs. "Laddie!" Hilligans called warningly, "call off thy ruddy cards!"
But Clow wasn't listening, he straightened the collar of his robes, brushed the golden sun and moon over twice, he wiped his slightly sweaty palms on his thighs. "I command thee . . . etcetera, etcetera" Clow murmured as he rehearsed the spell, "fire, . . .wind, . . .water, . . . earth . . . fire, wind, water . . . earth. Fire, wind, water, earth . . . got it!" He was nervous, and excited at the prospect of fulfilling the largest spell he had ever cast. He glanced at the leather, red seat that he called his thinking chair. Hilligans' shouts died out . . . lost as the latest vision took it's place.
The boy with the blue hair was back. And this time he wasn't alone. The beautiful butterfly girl was back, and she was lovingly draped over the back of the chair. At the boy's feet, the midnight blue panther was sitting calmly, almost regally observing the centre of the study, where Clow was going to create the last four cards. They were waiting for something, and only the boy seemed aware that Clow was watching him. The corner of his lips twitched ever so slightly as he glanced briefly at Clow. The boy's eyes were still obstructed by a shadow, his identity still a mystery to Clow. He nodded once to Clow and Clow nodded back, before the boy's attention slipped off him and over to the other side of the room. Clow followed the boy's gaze. The girl was back again. But this time she was wearing a yellow uniform type thing, with stars as her mark. She clutched her staff close to her, as she stepped forward. She too was waiting, although Clow doubted she was aware of him like the boy was. On her side, the cheerful lion rubbed himself against her, affectionate and openly loving. The girl let go of her staff, to rub between the lion's ears. Both his and the girl's eyes were obscured by impossible shadows, but Clow had come to except the fact that the visions wouldn't allow him all the facts about the future. The lion looked up and behind himself, the longhaired white angel stood there, arms folded. Clow blinked as he looked at one of the angel's elbows. One of his hands lay below it, and in the hand the angel held two Clow cards. Their backs were to Clow, so he didn't know what cards they were but Clow wondered . . . did he give the two cards to the angel, or—
"Laddie!" Hilligans voice brought Clow back to reality, barely seconds had past Clow realised as the cards were still pushing Hilligans toward Clow's study. "Ruddy cards!" The old man swore. "Nowt but mischief the lot o' thee!"
Clow smiled, today was indeed *the* day.
Clow stood in the middle of study, Hilligans had opted to stand close to the door, and the cards floated around Clow excitedly in their orbit. He was going to complete them, they could feel the magic gathering, reaching it's peak over the last week. Clow held out his key, and let go of the lace. The magical glowing sphere of light caught it in the air in front of him, preparing to change the tiny golden key to the gilded staff of Clow Reed's creation.
"O Key, which hides the forces of darkness;" Clow raised his pale hands, magic circle began to write itself upon the floor, "Reveal thy true form before me." The cards shuddered with anticipation, Clow continued, his eyes sliding shut, "I, Clow Reed, command thee under our contract."
Hilligans muttered under his breath, "Here goes Laddie . . . you can do it . . . jus' concentrate . . ."
Clow smiled, within the magic circle, despite the howling magical wind, he could hear Hilligans' whispered prayer, he could feel the cards' exhilaration. He open his eyes and threw his arms forward, "Release!"
The magic exploded and wrapped around his key eagerly, it too was more than ready to complete the set of cards.
Grasping his staff, Clow turned within the circle. He gazed at each of the cards. They had begun to spin, just as they had in his vision, the one when he had come to the decision about the last four. At the compass points, the four remaining playing cards remained still and hovering, the kings looking faded and old against the gleaming, golden cards. //Magic . . .// Clow prayed once more, // . . . see me through . . .// He took a deep breath as he started the incantation that would finish his immense task.
"Thy art the Clow Cards," he began, "Thy art a power unto thine own. Today, I, Clow Reed, thy master, have elected to fashion for thee four cards of power greater than thy own . . ." he paused for breath, as he slowly turned, "These will be thy rulers, after me; thee will obey them. Nevertheless, in order for their creation, I must lend on thy magic." The Move card was the first to give it's decision, it moved slightly closer and glowed brightly. Clow inclined his head, "Your faith and your loyalty is greatly appreciated, dear friend," he looked up and around, "cards, what is thy inclination?" The cards intensified their glowing, which Clow took to mean they agreed. Clow clutched his staff closer to him; he turned to his first card. While it wasn't strictly necessary he took the magic in order of their creation, the move card seemed like a good place to start. Dropping one arm to the side, Clow swung the gilded staff towards the weak card. "Move!" The card stopped spinning, shimmered and was sucked into his staff, Clow spun as his body went into automatic, he began slowly and quietly, " . . . Dash! . . . Song! . . . Lock! . . . Sleep!" He smiled as he gathered pace and his voice grew louder and more confident, "Float! Loop! Mist! Flower! Woody! Wave!" Hilligans smiled as the young magician virtually danced as he swung his golden staff at each card, his cards gleefully melded themselves with his staff. "Dark! Light! Silent! Voice! Rain! Illusion! Sand! Storm! Thunder!" Clow's hair began to fall from its deep violet tie, as the magic surged though his body." Fly! Snow! Power! Shield! Mirror! Fight! Jump! Twin! Dream!" The magic circle grew brighter and started to give off powerful blue ripples as Clow reached half way, "Bubbles! Through! Return! Big! Little! Glow! Time!" The strong glowing wind whipped around his feet, the magic building at an almost frightening pace, Clow drew a deep breath as he whirled, "CHANGE! FREEZE! SHOT! MAZE! SWORD! LIBRA! ARROW! SHADOW!" Clow staggered a little, the power of his cards combined with his own potent soul was making him a little light headed. He raised his staff and cried out the name of the last card, "CREATE!" The young magician actually leapt a few feet off the ground as his staff struck this last card.
The Create card he had purposely left until last. It was the magic purpose of this card that would help Clow with his mission. He paused as he absorbed the power from the cards, lacing it strongly with his own. The four cards at the compass points suddenly began to vibrate as Clow turned his attention on them. He licked his lips; even they tingled with the shock of magic.
He turned to the south as he had in his vision; "I command thee . . . with all the supremacy over the four winds of the Earth at thy will . . . Wind spirit, seal thyself into the form I have chosen . . ." The pale yellow woman, beautiful and gently, appeared for the briefest of seconds to confirm her creation, Clow swung the staff down hard and struck the air. "CLOW CARD!" Shimmering gold tendrils of magic obscured the woman from his sight and the card came into existence.
Clow swung around to the east, raising his staff once more, "I command thee . . ." he called above the howling wind, "With all the supremacy over the three infernos of space, man and the earth at thy will . . ." the fiery girl began to appear, in a heated sphere of magic, her wings of pure flame spreading and filling the room with illuminating glow. He could feel her burn against his cheek as he brought the staff crashing down, "Fire spirit, seal thyself in the form I have chosen . . ." scarlet whips of magic wrapped themselves about the girl's form and dragged her towards her power's confine. " . . .CLOW CARD!!" the card burned the reddest red before turning a cool blue.
Clow let his eyes slid shut, his body starting to tire from the vast energy. He took one stilted breath, trying to clear his mind of the fatigue. He turned to the west, his vision swimming a little as he focus on the old playing card. //two more. . . magic, that's all . . . two more. . .// he thought as he raised his staff. "I . . ." he panted, Hilligans fidgeted by the door, he could feel Clow's strength waning. "C'mon Laddie. . ." he breathed.
Clow raised his head and swallowed, "I command thee. . ." he ground out, "With all the supremacy over the six oceans of the earth at thy will. . . Water Spirit. . ." he grimaced as his head began to feel to heavy to hold up, "Water spirit, seal thyself in the form which I have chosen. . ." Clow sucked in a deep breath; he pulled the staff down with all his fading force. "CLOW CARD!!"
He fought to keep his eyes on the vicious looking water girl as her sapphire constraints pulled her towards her new form. As the card formed, Clow turned and staggered towards the last card. This was the most powerful, and it was going to claim the last vestiges of his strength. He fell to one knee before it, grasping his staff to prevent him from falling to the ground. Panting deeply, Clow glanced at the three other cards, they were perfectly sealed, but could he handle creating the last one?
"What if I can't do it?" Clow murmured, his well of self doubt reopened like an old wound. He could barely bring his head up to look at the card much less seal the last spirit in it.
//Thy can Laddie// Clow raised his head enough to look at the old man by the door, he had his eyes closed and was standing rigidly. Clow realised what Hilligans was doing when he found strength enough to stand. Hilligans was willing his strength upon Clow, like the cards were allowing Clow to tap their magic; Hilligans was offering what little he possessed to help the young magician. Clow smiled gratefully, as he faced the card again. He took a moment to compose himself and pressed the back of his pale hand against his sweating forehead. A look of determination crossed his face as he slowly raised his staff, //For the final time, magic . . . do not fail me . . .// Clow was slightly surprised to suddenly hear differing echoes of his prayer sound in his mind, // Do not fail our master . . . Do not fail this good lad . . .//
Clow tighten his grip on his gilded staff as he called the final verse of the incantation, "I command thee . . . with all the supremacy of the earth at thy will. . . Earth spirit. . . seal thyself in this form I have chosen . . ." he slammed the staff down as hard as he could, as the emerald green woman came on to this celestial plain. "CLOOOW CARD!!" Clow roared as he complete the seal on the last card of the Clow Cards.
There was a slight breeze against his face, as if someone was fanning him . . .
"Master?!" A voice said in surprise and disbelief. "What do you mean?!"
"This is a joke right?!" Yelled another, furious and shocked, "You're kidding."
Clow opened his eyes, he was in his downstairs study, where he usually keep his thinking chair. . . the chair he was sitting in now, for that matter. . . Clow looked around, but found he couldn't move, in fact his body seemed to be working by itself. //it's a vision . . .// a calm, logical voice reminded him, //pay attention . . .// Clow looked at the two beings in front of him . . . And the first thing that amazed him was the fact he could make out their eyes, but not the colours, the light from the windows too bright to make them out. The cheerful lion was staring at him in incredulity, while the angel . . . Clow struggled to make out the features of this angel, again the almost blinding blue light from the high windows blotted out any telling colours in the angel's features. Again Clow couldn't tell if this was the black haired or the white haired angel . . . but he wished he knew, when he felt his heart twist in agony when the being looked up at him, hurt and betrayal making him look away almost as quickly. He didn't understand why he felt himself force a smile on his face and say, "This is no joke. Today I shall leave this life."
The lion cast a glance at the angel, who moved away to stare out the window, Clow realise the lion was looking at the angel with brotherly concern. "Today? This minute? Tonight? Or perhaps a quick cup of tea, maybe a bit of crumpet then you'll just pop your clogs?!" The lion growled at him, Clow could tell he was angry not for himself, but for the harm Clow was causing to the beautiful angel. "That's what you've always been, Clow, damned stubborn!" The lion looked at the angel, "What about . . .?"
The angel glared at the lion over his shoulder, silently warning him not to continue. The lion cast one angrier look at Clow before stalking out of the room, evidently beyond expressing his fury civilly. Clow looked at the angel, he desperately wish he could ask the questions that were burning in his mind, //the black haired one or the white one? If the dark, then why were you trying to escape. . . if the light, who were you going to attack. . .? // Clow didn't understand the sudden need to know, he just wanted to know which of the two angels he was breaking the heart of.
The angel bit a perfectly full lip, and looked at him tearfully, "You're going to leave us . . . leave me?" He stepped hesitantly closer, "Why? Master, why are you leaving me?"
Clow wanted to leapt out of his chair and sooth the angel, do anything for him, just to see him happy again, but again his body betrayed him. "I am so tired of this life," he explained calmly, "I *need* to go."
The angel looked down at the floor as he tried to absorb this fact. "Why? Why would you want to . . . unless . . . Are we the—?"
"No." Clow answered simply. "You're not the reason . . . neither of you have ever brought a single moment of unhappiness to my life."
The angel instantly looked up, he fought a short battle with himself, and chose to fall to his knees by Clow's chair. He picked up Clow's hand and started to press it against his face. Clow leaned towards him, the smell of fresh snow and lavender emanated from the angel, he ran his fingers into the silken hair, it's colour still a mystery. "Then why?" The angel sobbed finally.
Clow murmured his response, "Because I am sick of knowing everything that has happened, that is happening, that will happen."
"But I love you!" The angel cried then flinched as if he had committed some terrible sin. He looked down in shame; Clow slid his fingers under the angel's chin and pulled it up gently. "I knew this as well;" he gently ran his fingers over the angel's lips, wishing he could kiss the ice-cold pale lips. He laughed cynically, "But I also know that one day you will fall in love with another, and he will be more than I ever could be to you. . ."
"No-one . . ." the angel pressed his head against Clow's knee, not willing to hear Clow's words. "Never . . . nobody . . . I'll do anything, just please don't leave me . . ." Clow raised his hand, and placed it softly on the angel's head, he could feel the angel's name rising to his own lips.
"There's nothing you can do, for it has already been decided . . ." //here it comes,// Clow thought, he concentrated hard so not to lose the name once it had been spoken. "My beloved -----"
A cold splash of water on his face made Clow's eyes snap open, he sat up and came face to face with the watery features of . . .
"Watery?" the young looking water spirit nodded, a soft pressure from behind him made him look around slightly, the gentle features of the Windy smiled at him. She floated over to sit with the Earthy, She smiled and held her arms forward, and a warm breeze brushed Clow's cheek. Clow smiled as she dipped and leaned near him. He raised his hand and stroked her cheek; she turned her head and placed a soft kiss on his hand. "Windy . . ." he murmured, her name. He glanced around he was in his bedroom, Hilligans was lying unconscious on a nearby sofa, the Firey was lighting a fire and the Earthy held the cards in her lap as she sat on the end of the bed. She nodded to the watery, who bowed respectfully before turning back to her card form. The Firey cast one glance at her new master before bowing politely, she joined the watery and the two cards floated to join the pile of cards. The Windy left her master, once she was satisfied that the young magician was comfortably settled back, and checked briefly on Hilligans. She nodded at Clow to assure him that his friend was fine, and then also returned to her card form. Once the cards were settled, the Earthy silently stood and glided over to his desk. She picked up the golden key, and glided back to Clow. She handed him the cards and then the key, nodded her respects and returned to her card form. She floated over and joined the set of cards her new master held in his hands.
Clow sat for a few moments, just staring at the cards in his hands. Their magic seeping out, reverberating into his palms, he could feel their pleasure and satisfaction, and he too felt it.
He smiled, he'd done it!
"I did it. . ." he murmured, then it sank in, his head jerked up and he gasped, "I did it! I really did it!!" He looked at the card and then the key, and started to laugh, "I really did it!!"
Despite being drained and paler than usual, and being eighteen years of age, Clow reed got up and started to jump up and down on his bed. He laughed joyfully, as his cards floated out of his hand and put on a glowing, orbiting dance around him.
Hilligans opened his eyes to see the young Clow reed in his pyjamas, surrounded by his magical creations; he pushed himself up and stood. He staggered slightly, but put that down to his tiredness. Clow leapt off the bed when he spotted Hilligans was awake. The dark haired magician grabbed the old man's hands and started to spin the pair. "I did it!!" He cried, "I really did it Mister Hilligans!!"
Hilligans stumbled and landed rather hard on his backside, Clow blushed and put his hands over his mouth, "Gomen!"
Hilligans looked up and smiled, "I don't mind the odd bruise Laddie . . . least now you've finished with them ruddy cards, an' there won't be any more o' thy mumbo-jumbo!"
Two months later, Clow was staring out of his study's window. He'd had had a strange dream the night before and it troubled him. He couldn't tell whether it had been a mere dream or a vision posing as a dream. In the dream/vision, Clow had been sitting up in bed, reading some nameless book, when he had heard a knock at the door. When he looked up, a person had stepped into the room, Clow almost gasped as the wave of melodious love, of pure affection, and of yearning desire made his body tingle. Only the candle he carried lighted the face of the being, but Clow knew it was the weeping angel. Clow couldn't take his eyes off the angel; he didn't want to, he felt like he had been waiting for this moment. The angel's head dipped slightly, his face betraying a slight embarrassment. Clow blinked, feeling his head turn, unwillingly, towards the window. There was a storm raging outside, a snowstorm. //Snow . . .// Clow instantly knew that the angel loved snow, he smiled slightly as the angel fumbled with his candle, trying hard not to fidget and wanting to find a different excuse for why he was in Clow's room, other than the fact he had had a disturbing dream.
"I'm happy you're here . . ." Clow began, he was giving the angel an excuse, "The storm was . . . upsetting me . . . will you stay with me?"
The angel looked at him gratefully, and moved closer. He blew out his candle and crawled onto the bed. Clow set aside the book, and held out his arms. With almost childlike glee, the angel dived into the embrace, and pressed his head against Clow's chest. Clow giggled slightly as he felt the angel purr. "You're purring!" He had remarked with amusement. The angel lifted his catlike eyes to him. He had stopped purring. "No, don't stop . . ." Clow whispered, "I like it."
But the angel had paid no attention. He raised his cool hand, and ran his fingers over Clow's lips. His attention completely focused on them as he drew closer. Clow's eyes slid closed, as he tasted ice-cold pale lips press lightly against his. As soon as they stopped kissing, Clow promised himself, he was going to ask the being's name, what colour his hair was because it was too dark to tell, when was he going to enter Clow's life because Clow was already in love with the gorgeous, alien eyed creature---
And then Clow had woken. He was breathing deeply, it was still very early in the morning and even Hilligans wasn't awake. Clow had tried to go back to sleep, but he was flushed, aroused, and he couldn't help glancing at the door every few minutes . . . praying for another visitation.
Clow shook his head, and leaned his forehead against the glass of his study's window. He sighed deeply. //Mister Hilligans?//
//Aye Laddie?// came Hilligans reply, he was mending the wheel on the coach, Clow had offered to do it but the old man had declined, stating that he didn't want the coach to have any of Clow's patent 'improvements'.
// I'm bored//
//there's worked to be done in the garden, if thy can leave thy cards alone for a few hours//
Clow looked back at his desk, the cards were sleeping, //I'm bored Mister Hilligans . . . but not *that* bored.//
//Then I canne help thee . . .// There was a pause as Hilligans stopped to think about what he could suggest, Clow could imagine that the old man paused, hammer in the air, and leaning heavily on the wooden frame of the wheel. //Thy could try learning to cook . . . thy did say that thee had had enough o' my porridge in the mornin'. . . although. . . I bet thee couldn't learn it without magic!// the man was teasing, it was in the tone of his voice, but Clow was intrigued. He'd never done anything manual like cooking before.
Clow smiled, //Mister Hilligans, I'm insulted! I can do things without my magic! . . . very well then, I take your challenge.//
A few hours later, Marcibay trudged into the kitchen, expecting to see the bubbles card hard at work clearing up Clow's failed attempt at cook. When he couldn't feel the magical aura of the card, he pushed open the door. The sweet smell of cake was the first thing he encountered. Cooling on a rack was seven different types of cake, some he'd never even seen before. He saw Clow, sitting at a table virtually heaving with books, with his sleeves rolled up and an apron loosely tied about his waist. A book was floating in front of him as he read from it, ". . . Mix batter until butter and sugar have form a thick bond. . ." Clow lifted the spoon from the bowl, a lump of butter and sugar plopped rather unceremoniously from it. "Hmmm. . . Clow frowned at it and turned back to the book, it turned a page as he continued to read, " Add milk and flour to mixture . . . fold in egg . . ."
He put the bowl down, and turned away to fetch the ingredients from a nearby counter. Hilligans smiled as the spoon continued to mix the batter.
"Milk . . . flour . . . and . . ." Clow looked up at the shelf, an egg floated down and past him. It hovered over the bowl, as he brought the milk and flour over. He paused as he sniffed the air. Clow's dark eyes widened in concern as he stared at the oven. Hilligans chuckled as Clow let go of the flour and milk, which was left floating in the air, and rushed over to the slightly smoking oven. "My cookies!" he exclaimed disappointedly, as the door flew open and a tray of round, burnt things levitated out. Clow frowned, sighed and said over his shoulder, "Before you say a word Mister Hilligans . . ."
Hilligans shrugged out of his thick working coat, "Laddie . . . it helps if you concentrate on one task at a time . . . you 'ave to focus your energies." He motioned towards the self-mixing bowl, the hovering egg, jug of milk and packet of flour, the book, and the floating tray of burnt cookies. "It's better to centre on one job an' do it well, rather than try an' do many and end up wit' a mess."
Clow sighed; "It seems to work for magic."
"Aye, Laddie but that's magic . . . it needs you to multi-task . . ." Hilligans cut himself a slice of one of the perfect cakes that Clow was cooling on the windowsill. "Life, thankfully, is a mite bit harder, but in the long run, a little more simpler." He moves towards the oven, and placed the kettle on the hub, he leaned against the counter, as he bit into the cake slice; it had a lemony tang, but was very sweet. "I 'ave one question though. . ."
Clow looked up from his book, "Hmmm?"
Hilligans pointed at the cakes, "Who's going t' eat *all* of those? It's jus' the two o' us lads, an' thy cards don't eat a crumb."
Clow shrugged slightly and joked; "Maybe your horses would like some . . ."
As Hilligans scowled at him and turned away to tend to the kettle, Clow stared thoughtfully at the extra food, he realised that it would be nice to have someone extra to share everything that he had with.
The next few days Clow spent roaming his grounds thoughtfully, spring was just coming into the Reed Mansion. He was still thinking about the extra cakes. He and Hilligans had been alone at the mansion for two years now, they were happy but still . . .
Clow sighed, perhaps it was time he went to the town and employed some sort of butler. As soon as the idea came into his head, he nixed it. Clow wasn't as pampered as he had been when he had left home, he didn't need a butler, nor would he want one. He paused by Hilligans' work shed, he wasn't there, and the old coach driver had gone to the town for a new saw. Clow looked around, the small shed was of dark wood, Hilligans made it of course. The man simply wouldn't let Clow make nor fix things for him. Curiosity getting the better of him, Clow placed a hand on the door to open it.
//Laddie, don't thee get into mischief; leave well alone// Hilligans' voice floated into his mind. Clow chuckled slightly as he lifted his hand off the door. "So . . ." murmured Clow to himself, "You do know a few hexes." He turned away from the charmed door. The sun played on the surface of the water as Clow approached it. He wasn't certain what was drawing him closer to the water, but he knelt down by it. He leant forward to peer into it.
Clow gasped as the boy with the blue hair stared back, he smiled at Clow as the young magician's mouth fell open. The boy appeared to chuckle as Clow sat up suddenly. "Well . . . that was . . . unexpected." He said, before leaning forward again. The boy was gone, but Clow's reflection still hadn't returned, instead a man stared back, his eyes widening in shock too. Clow smiled slightly as he recognised the man, he was the one from his first vision. He was the one that had caught the beautiful grey haired girl when she had fallen out of the tree. Clow laughed slightly, he liked the look of this man. But for him, Clow realised it was night, it felt like he was staring into another world, //or another time . . .// his mind calmly stated. As the man disappeared from the water, Clow sat back too. "This is all very . . . strange," Clow said, but he didn't feel that disturbed by the sight of the blue haired boy and the kind looking man, in fact he felt . . . // comforted? // . . . Pleased that he had seen them. Clow smiled as he leaned forward who would he see this time.
At first Clow thought it was merely his own reflection, but then he realised that not only was the person staring back much older, it was also a woman. The woman was upset, and angry about something, she lifted her hand to the water, her eyes were sharp, and black, very dark. Her hair was curly, with grey highlights. It used to be shiny black like his, he could feel it, and he could also feel her thoughts. She knew she was dying, fading away, she didn't have enough . . . her eyes widened as she became aware of Clow. Her face twisted in a horrible scowl, it was unpleasant, and cruel. The mysterious woman slapped the water, and her image disappeared. Again, Clow sat back on his heels. He didn't feel like he did after seeing the first two reflections, that was a nice warm feeling, the woman inspired a cold feeling, like she was something wrong. He didn't dwell on it, and chose to obey his curiosity once more, a boy . . . perhaps the same age as he, looked back, and he smiled and placed a hand against the water. Clow let his hand hover over the spot, afraid of disturbing the surface. The boy was beautiful, more than beautiful, he was damn near perfect. He wasn't human; no human could have such jade green eyes. Clow looked closer, and the boy smiled happily. The jade green eyes were slits, like cat eyes, they were so . . .
"Enchanting . . ." Clow murmured, and blinked as the boy's pale lips mouthed the word a few seconds later. It was a younger version of the black haired angel, Clow realised. His hair was glossier, and his pale skin was close to perfection, he looked like the angel he had dreamed of. Clow had realised that the weeping angel, the one that cried out his love for Clow, the one that had inspired such love from Clow, could be this angel. It was either the black haired one, or the white haired one.
As Clow stared deeply at this black haired youth, he felt a desire stir in himself. It wasn't the sweet, affectionate loving one he had had in his dream, it was more . . . primal, he felt lust for this angel, and could see the same feelings reflected in the deep jade eyes.
Clow sighed, "When will you come into my life . . .?"
He was startled as the reflection mouthed an answer.
"Whenever you decide it . . ."
-------------------
And now it's Time for LEAVE IT TO DR MEGALOMANIA!!
Clow: Is that him?
DrM: hmm?
Clow: sheesh! You don't even pay attention during your own fics! How do you even expect the readers to?!
DrM: [sheepish] well . . . I'm a little nervous . . .
Clow: about what?
DrM: about dude!!
Clow: dude?
Black haired angel: I think she means me. . .
Clow: [drooling] gaaaaahhhh!
BH angel: [nods] yeah I know. . . I'm gorgeous like that!
Yue: just because you look like—POOF!![DrM boots him to his right chapter]
DrM: [kinda jittery with nerves] so? How was it? Please R&R!! And see you in the next chapter!!
I state for the record that, despite the fact I really, really wish I did, I don't own any of the official characters that will grace this story; it's all CLAMP's! Always has been, always will be! I *DO*, however, own Marcibay Hilligans and Hei-ying Reed!! I also own Mystrasa Kyree, and the dragon isn't mine, it's on loan from my good friend, the Blue Goo! And what the heck . . . I own the mansion as well! [Laughs] 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! And I don't pretend to be able to write any sort of accents so please don't hate me!!
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
In This Tainted Soul. . .
By Dr Megalomania.
Part Six: Creations
Today was *the* day.
Clow stood outside his study as if he was waiting to be called in. he raised his hand to the dark wood door, and pressed lightly, he was going to go in *now*.
Clow pulled his hand back as if burnt, "Or maybe later . . ." he murmured, he walked a few steps away from the door.
"Was 'e like this when 'e made thee?" Hilligans was leant against the wall a dozen doors away. He was talking to the Move card, who like its sibling cards, was floating patiently with the coachman. They had watch Clow walk up to the door, pause and turn away for the last hour now.
The card turned itself upside down, which had become the card's sign for 'no'. Hilligans and the cards had developed their own little language over the three weeks since Clow had had his first truly disturbing vision. Clow refused to talk about it, but Hilligans believed it had something to do with knives, because he had found Clow once in the kitchen staring thoughtfully at a large bread knife. He was shaking his head, muttering something that sounded like, "It wasn't this, it had two blades . . . or did it . . .?"
Clow hadn't had another vision like it since, and was puzzled by it. But Marcibay knew Clow, if anything the now eighteen year-old magician loved puzzles, he's created a maze card for that sole purpose, so he could go rambling for hours on end, just looking for the exit. Hilligans never joined Clow on such excursions because . . . as Clow had so cheerfully enthused, it would take them *days* to find their way out.
Hilligans sighed as Clow walked up to his study door again; the magician didn't even put his hand on the door this time before turning away. The poor boy was a bundle of nerves. He'd woken up today, and quite enthusiastically informed Hilligans that "Today is *the* day!"
Hilligans had looked up from his porridge, and eyed Clow suspiciously, "Day for what, Laddie?"
"Today . . ." Clow leant on the heavy wooden table, "Today, my cards are to be complete."
Although excited by the prospect, the implications of the act of creating the last cards soon sunk in. soon, Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of both the Eastern and the Western Spheres of magic, would be in possession of the completed set of Clow Cards. Cards that were beyond the imagination of many wizards, warlocks and witches. Cards that would, one day; Clow had confided in Hilligans, would escape, and would change the lives and futures of so many people. Clow had smiled when he said this; he stared up at the nighttime sky and looked at the brightest star. "I hope she can catch them . . ." he murmured.
Hilligans had joined him at the window, and stared at the bright star, "Do you know who she is now?"
Clow didn't take his eyes off the star as he laughed quietly, "No. . ." He clapped Hilligans on the shoulder, his dark eyes sparkling. "But she'll have one hell of a time . . . my cards will make sure of it."
Clow touched the hard wood again, now he was going to go in. he paused and glanced down the corridor, at Hilligans and the cards that waited so good- naturedly for their master to create the last four cards.
Hilligans nodded once and sharply, while the cards glowed and bobbed up and down, Clow could feel their excitement from where he stood. He drew a breath and opened the door. //it's time, Reed . . . magic? Don't fail me now . . .//The study glowed with the yellow rays of the afternoon sun, the sunlight poured over his desk, on the hard, polished floor, the deep wine red rug, and onto the isles of books. Dust motes floated lazily in the streams of light, unaware of the importance of the day. Clow looked back at the cards and then at Hilligans. He breathed out slowly, and smiled. "Would you like to watch?"
"I've no time for thy black magic an' voodoo!" Hilligans waved his hand dismissively. But the cards spun elatedly, they gathered behind the grouchy coach driver, and pushed him forward much in the same manner that they had force Clow up the stairs. "Laddie!" Hilligans called warningly, "call off thy ruddy cards!"
But Clow wasn't listening, he straightened the collar of his robes, brushed the golden sun and moon over twice, he wiped his slightly sweaty palms on his thighs. "I command thee . . . etcetera, etcetera" Clow murmured as he rehearsed the spell, "fire, . . .wind, . . .water, . . . earth . . . fire, wind, water . . . earth. Fire, wind, water, earth . . . got it!" He was nervous, and excited at the prospect of fulfilling the largest spell he had ever cast. He glanced at the leather, red seat that he called his thinking chair. Hilligans' shouts died out . . . lost as the latest vision took it's place.
The boy with the blue hair was back. And this time he wasn't alone. The beautiful butterfly girl was back, and she was lovingly draped over the back of the chair. At the boy's feet, the midnight blue panther was sitting calmly, almost regally observing the centre of the study, where Clow was going to create the last four cards. They were waiting for something, and only the boy seemed aware that Clow was watching him. The corner of his lips twitched ever so slightly as he glanced briefly at Clow. The boy's eyes were still obstructed by a shadow, his identity still a mystery to Clow. He nodded once to Clow and Clow nodded back, before the boy's attention slipped off him and over to the other side of the room. Clow followed the boy's gaze. The girl was back again. But this time she was wearing a yellow uniform type thing, with stars as her mark. She clutched her staff close to her, as she stepped forward. She too was waiting, although Clow doubted she was aware of him like the boy was. On her side, the cheerful lion rubbed himself against her, affectionate and openly loving. The girl let go of her staff, to rub between the lion's ears. Both his and the girl's eyes were obscured by impossible shadows, but Clow had come to except the fact that the visions wouldn't allow him all the facts about the future. The lion looked up and behind himself, the longhaired white angel stood there, arms folded. Clow blinked as he looked at one of the angel's elbows. One of his hands lay below it, and in the hand the angel held two Clow cards. Their backs were to Clow, so he didn't know what cards they were but Clow wondered . . . did he give the two cards to the angel, or—
"Laddie!" Hilligans voice brought Clow back to reality, barely seconds had past Clow realised as the cards were still pushing Hilligans toward Clow's study. "Ruddy cards!" The old man swore. "Nowt but mischief the lot o' thee!"
Clow smiled, today was indeed *the* day.
Clow stood in the middle of study, Hilligans had opted to stand close to the door, and the cards floated around Clow excitedly in their orbit. He was going to complete them, they could feel the magic gathering, reaching it's peak over the last week. Clow held out his key, and let go of the lace. The magical glowing sphere of light caught it in the air in front of him, preparing to change the tiny golden key to the gilded staff of Clow Reed's creation.
"O Key, which hides the forces of darkness;" Clow raised his pale hands, magic circle began to write itself upon the floor, "Reveal thy true form before me." The cards shuddered with anticipation, Clow continued, his eyes sliding shut, "I, Clow Reed, command thee under our contract."
Hilligans muttered under his breath, "Here goes Laddie . . . you can do it . . . jus' concentrate . . ."
Clow smiled, within the magic circle, despite the howling magical wind, he could hear Hilligans' whispered prayer, he could feel the cards' exhilaration. He open his eyes and threw his arms forward, "Release!"
The magic exploded and wrapped around his key eagerly, it too was more than ready to complete the set of cards.
Grasping his staff, Clow turned within the circle. He gazed at each of the cards. They had begun to spin, just as they had in his vision, the one when he had come to the decision about the last four. At the compass points, the four remaining playing cards remained still and hovering, the kings looking faded and old against the gleaming, golden cards. //Magic . . .// Clow prayed once more, // . . . see me through . . .// He took a deep breath as he started the incantation that would finish his immense task.
"Thy art the Clow Cards," he began, "Thy art a power unto thine own. Today, I, Clow Reed, thy master, have elected to fashion for thee four cards of power greater than thy own . . ." he paused for breath, as he slowly turned, "These will be thy rulers, after me; thee will obey them. Nevertheless, in order for their creation, I must lend on thy magic." The Move card was the first to give it's decision, it moved slightly closer and glowed brightly. Clow inclined his head, "Your faith and your loyalty is greatly appreciated, dear friend," he looked up and around, "cards, what is thy inclination?" The cards intensified their glowing, which Clow took to mean they agreed. Clow clutched his staff closer to him; he turned to his first card. While it wasn't strictly necessary he took the magic in order of their creation, the move card seemed like a good place to start. Dropping one arm to the side, Clow swung the gilded staff towards the weak card. "Move!" The card stopped spinning, shimmered and was sucked into his staff, Clow spun as his body went into automatic, he began slowly and quietly, " . . . Dash! . . . Song! . . . Lock! . . . Sleep!" He smiled as he gathered pace and his voice grew louder and more confident, "Float! Loop! Mist! Flower! Woody! Wave!" Hilligans smiled as the young magician virtually danced as he swung his golden staff at each card, his cards gleefully melded themselves with his staff. "Dark! Light! Silent! Voice! Rain! Illusion! Sand! Storm! Thunder!" Clow's hair began to fall from its deep violet tie, as the magic surged though his body." Fly! Snow! Power! Shield! Mirror! Fight! Jump! Twin! Dream!" The magic circle grew brighter and started to give off powerful blue ripples as Clow reached half way, "Bubbles! Through! Return! Big! Little! Glow! Time!" The strong glowing wind whipped around his feet, the magic building at an almost frightening pace, Clow drew a deep breath as he whirled, "CHANGE! FREEZE! SHOT! MAZE! SWORD! LIBRA! ARROW! SHADOW!" Clow staggered a little, the power of his cards combined with his own potent soul was making him a little light headed. He raised his staff and cried out the name of the last card, "CREATE!" The young magician actually leapt a few feet off the ground as his staff struck this last card.
The Create card he had purposely left until last. It was the magic purpose of this card that would help Clow with his mission. He paused as he absorbed the power from the cards, lacing it strongly with his own. The four cards at the compass points suddenly began to vibrate as Clow turned his attention on them. He licked his lips; even they tingled with the shock of magic.
He turned to the south as he had in his vision; "I command thee . . . with all the supremacy over the four winds of the Earth at thy will . . . Wind spirit, seal thyself into the form I have chosen . . ." The pale yellow woman, beautiful and gently, appeared for the briefest of seconds to confirm her creation, Clow swung the staff down hard and struck the air. "CLOW CARD!" Shimmering gold tendrils of magic obscured the woman from his sight and the card came into existence.
Clow swung around to the east, raising his staff once more, "I command thee . . ." he called above the howling wind, "With all the supremacy over the three infernos of space, man and the earth at thy will . . ." the fiery girl began to appear, in a heated sphere of magic, her wings of pure flame spreading and filling the room with illuminating glow. He could feel her burn against his cheek as he brought the staff crashing down, "Fire spirit, seal thyself in the form I have chosen . . ." scarlet whips of magic wrapped themselves about the girl's form and dragged her towards her power's confine. " . . .CLOW CARD!!" the card burned the reddest red before turning a cool blue.
Clow let his eyes slid shut, his body starting to tire from the vast energy. He took one stilted breath, trying to clear his mind of the fatigue. He turned to the west, his vision swimming a little as he focus on the old playing card. //two more. . . magic, that's all . . . two more. . .// he thought as he raised his staff. "I . . ." he panted, Hilligans fidgeted by the door, he could feel Clow's strength waning. "C'mon Laddie. . ." he breathed.
Clow raised his head and swallowed, "I command thee. . ." he ground out, "With all the supremacy over the six oceans of the earth at thy will. . . Water Spirit. . ." he grimaced as his head began to feel to heavy to hold up, "Water spirit, seal thyself in the form which I have chosen. . ." Clow sucked in a deep breath; he pulled the staff down with all his fading force. "CLOW CARD!!"
He fought to keep his eyes on the vicious looking water girl as her sapphire constraints pulled her towards her new form. As the card formed, Clow turned and staggered towards the last card. This was the most powerful, and it was going to claim the last vestiges of his strength. He fell to one knee before it, grasping his staff to prevent him from falling to the ground. Panting deeply, Clow glanced at the three other cards, they were perfectly sealed, but could he handle creating the last one?
"What if I can't do it?" Clow murmured, his well of self doubt reopened like an old wound. He could barely bring his head up to look at the card much less seal the last spirit in it.
//Thy can Laddie// Clow raised his head enough to look at the old man by the door, he had his eyes closed and was standing rigidly. Clow realised what Hilligans was doing when he found strength enough to stand. Hilligans was willing his strength upon Clow, like the cards were allowing Clow to tap their magic; Hilligans was offering what little he possessed to help the young magician. Clow smiled gratefully, as he faced the card again. He took a moment to compose himself and pressed the back of his pale hand against his sweating forehead. A look of determination crossed his face as he slowly raised his staff, //For the final time, magic . . . do not fail me . . .// Clow was slightly surprised to suddenly hear differing echoes of his prayer sound in his mind, // Do not fail our master . . . Do not fail this good lad . . .//
Clow tighten his grip on his gilded staff as he called the final verse of the incantation, "I command thee . . . with all the supremacy of the earth at thy will. . . Earth spirit. . . seal thyself in this form I have chosen . . ." he slammed the staff down as hard as he could, as the emerald green woman came on to this celestial plain. "CLOOOW CARD!!" Clow roared as he complete the seal on the last card of the Clow Cards.
There was a slight breeze against his face, as if someone was fanning him . . .
"Master?!" A voice said in surprise and disbelief. "What do you mean?!"
"This is a joke right?!" Yelled another, furious and shocked, "You're kidding."
Clow opened his eyes, he was in his downstairs study, where he usually keep his thinking chair. . . the chair he was sitting in now, for that matter. . . Clow looked around, but found he couldn't move, in fact his body seemed to be working by itself. //it's a vision . . .// a calm, logical voice reminded him, //pay attention . . .// Clow looked at the two beings in front of him . . . And the first thing that amazed him was the fact he could make out their eyes, but not the colours, the light from the windows too bright to make them out. The cheerful lion was staring at him in incredulity, while the angel . . . Clow struggled to make out the features of this angel, again the almost blinding blue light from the high windows blotted out any telling colours in the angel's features. Again Clow couldn't tell if this was the black haired or the white haired angel . . . but he wished he knew, when he felt his heart twist in agony when the being looked up at him, hurt and betrayal making him look away almost as quickly. He didn't understand why he felt himself force a smile on his face and say, "This is no joke. Today I shall leave this life."
The lion cast a glance at the angel, who moved away to stare out the window, Clow realise the lion was looking at the angel with brotherly concern. "Today? This minute? Tonight? Or perhaps a quick cup of tea, maybe a bit of crumpet then you'll just pop your clogs?!" The lion growled at him, Clow could tell he was angry not for himself, but for the harm Clow was causing to the beautiful angel. "That's what you've always been, Clow, damned stubborn!" The lion looked at the angel, "What about . . .?"
The angel glared at the lion over his shoulder, silently warning him not to continue. The lion cast one angrier look at Clow before stalking out of the room, evidently beyond expressing his fury civilly. Clow looked at the angel, he desperately wish he could ask the questions that were burning in his mind, //the black haired one or the white one? If the dark, then why were you trying to escape. . . if the light, who were you going to attack. . .? // Clow didn't understand the sudden need to know, he just wanted to know which of the two angels he was breaking the heart of.
The angel bit a perfectly full lip, and looked at him tearfully, "You're going to leave us . . . leave me?" He stepped hesitantly closer, "Why? Master, why are you leaving me?"
Clow wanted to leapt out of his chair and sooth the angel, do anything for him, just to see him happy again, but again his body betrayed him. "I am so tired of this life," he explained calmly, "I *need* to go."
The angel looked down at the floor as he tried to absorb this fact. "Why? Why would you want to . . . unless . . . Are we the—?"
"No." Clow answered simply. "You're not the reason . . . neither of you have ever brought a single moment of unhappiness to my life."
The angel instantly looked up, he fought a short battle with himself, and chose to fall to his knees by Clow's chair. He picked up Clow's hand and started to press it against his face. Clow leaned towards him, the smell of fresh snow and lavender emanated from the angel, he ran his fingers into the silken hair, it's colour still a mystery. "Then why?" The angel sobbed finally.
Clow murmured his response, "Because I am sick of knowing everything that has happened, that is happening, that will happen."
"But I love you!" The angel cried then flinched as if he had committed some terrible sin. He looked down in shame; Clow slid his fingers under the angel's chin and pulled it up gently. "I knew this as well;" he gently ran his fingers over the angel's lips, wishing he could kiss the ice-cold pale lips. He laughed cynically, "But I also know that one day you will fall in love with another, and he will be more than I ever could be to you. . ."
"No-one . . ." the angel pressed his head against Clow's knee, not willing to hear Clow's words. "Never . . . nobody . . . I'll do anything, just please don't leave me . . ." Clow raised his hand, and placed it softly on the angel's head, he could feel the angel's name rising to his own lips.
"There's nothing you can do, for it has already been decided . . ." //here it comes,// Clow thought, he concentrated hard so not to lose the name once it had been spoken. "My beloved -----"
A cold splash of water on his face made Clow's eyes snap open, he sat up and came face to face with the watery features of . . .
"Watery?" the young looking water spirit nodded, a soft pressure from behind him made him look around slightly, the gentle features of the Windy smiled at him. She floated over to sit with the Earthy, She smiled and held her arms forward, and a warm breeze brushed Clow's cheek. Clow smiled as she dipped and leaned near him. He raised his hand and stroked her cheek; she turned her head and placed a soft kiss on his hand. "Windy . . ." he murmured, her name. He glanced around he was in his bedroom, Hilligans was lying unconscious on a nearby sofa, the Firey was lighting a fire and the Earthy held the cards in her lap as she sat on the end of the bed. She nodded to the watery, who bowed respectfully before turning back to her card form. The Firey cast one glance at her new master before bowing politely, she joined the watery and the two cards floated to join the pile of cards. The Windy left her master, once she was satisfied that the young magician was comfortably settled back, and checked briefly on Hilligans. She nodded at Clow to assure him that his friend was fine, and then also returned to her card form. Once the cards were settled, the Earthy silently stood and glided over to his desk. She picked up the golden key, and glided back to Clow. She handed him the cards and then the key, nodded her respects and returned to her card form. She floated over and joined the set of cards her new master held in his hands.
Clow sat for a few moments, just staring at the cards in his hands. Their magic seeping out, reverberating into his palms, he could feel their pleasure and satisfaction, and he too felt it.
He smiled, he'd done it!
"I did it. . ." he murmured, then it sank in, his head jerked up and he gasped, "I did it! I really did it!!" He looked at the card and then the key, and started to laugh, "I really did it!!"
Despite being drained and paler than usual, and being eighteen years of age, Clow reed got up and started to jump up and down on his bed. He laughed joyfully, as his cards floated out of his hand and put on a glowing, orbiting dance around him.
Hilligans opened his eyes to see the young Clow reed in his pyjamas, surrounded by his magical creations; he pushed himself up and stood. He staggered slightly, but put that down to his tiredness. Clow leapt off the bed when he spotted Hilligans was awake. The dark haired magician grabbed the old man's hands and started to spin the pair. "I did it!!" He cried, "I really did it Mister Hilligans!!"
Hilligans stumbled and landed rather hard on his backside, Clow blushed and put his hands over his mouth, "Gomen!"
Hilligans looked up and smiled, "I don't mind the odd bruise Laddie . . . least now you've finished with them ruddy cards, an' there won't be any more o' thy mumbo-jumbo!"
Two months later, Clow was staring out of his study's window. He'd had had a strange dream the night before and it troubled him. He couldn't tell whether it had been a mere dream or a vision posing as a dream. In the dream/vision, Clow had been sitting up in bed, reading some nameless book, when he had heard a knock at the door. When he looked up, a person had stepped into the room, Clow almost gasped as the wave of melodious love, of pure affection, and of yearning desire made his body tingle. Only the candle he carried lighted the face of the being, but Clow knew it was the weeping angel. Clow couldn't take his eyes off the angel; he didn't want to, he felt like he had been waiting for this moment. The angel's head dipped slightly, his face betraying a slight embarrassment. Clow blinked, feeling his head turn, unwillingly, towards the window. There was a storm raging outside, a snowstorm. //Snow . . .// Clow instantly knew that the angel loved snow, he smiled slightly as the angel fumbled with his candle, trying hard not to fidget and wanting to find a different excuse for why he was in Clow's room, other than the fact he had had a disturbing dream.
"I'm happy you're here . . ." Clow began, he was giving the angel an excuse, "The storm was . . . upsetting me . . . will you stay with me?"
The angel looked at him gratefully, and moved closer. He blew out his candle and crawled onto the bed. Clow set aside the book, and held out his arms. With almost childlike glee, the angel dived into the embrace, and pressed his head against Clow's chest. Clow giggled slightly as he felt the angel purr. "You're purring!" He had remarked with amusement. The angel lifted his catlike eyes to him. He had stopped purring. "No, don't stop . . ." Clow whispered, "I like it."
But the angel had paid no attention. He raised his cool hand, and ran his fingers over Clow's lips. His attention completely focused on them as he drew closer. Clow's eyes slid closed, as he tasted ice-cold pale lips press lightly against his. As soon as they stopped kissing, Clow promised himself, he was going to ask the being's name, what colour his hair was because it was too dark to tell, when was he going to enter Clow's life because Clow was already in love with the gorgeous, alien eyed creature---
And then Clow had woken. He was breathing deeply, it was still very early in the morning and even Hilligans wasn't awake. Clow had tried to go back to sleep, but he was flushed, aroused, and he couldn't help glancing at the door every few minutes . . . praying for another visitation.
Clow shook his head, and leaned his forehead against the glass of his study's window. He sighed deeply. //Mister Hilligans?//
//Aye Laddie?// came Hilligans reply, he was mending the wheel on the coach, Clow had offered to do it but the old man had declined, stating that he didn't want the coach to have any of Clow's patent 'improvements'.
// I'm bored//
//there's worked to be done in the garden, if thy can leave thy cards alone for a few hours//
Clow looked back at his desk, the cards were sleeping, //I'm bored Mister Hilligans . . . but not *that* bored.//
//Then I canne help thee . . .// There was a pause as Hilligans stopped to think about what he could suggest, Clow could imagine that the old man paused, hammer in the air, and leaning heavily on the wooden frame of the wheel. //Thy could try learning to cook . . . thy did say that thee had had enough o' my porridge in the mornin'. . . although. . . I bet thee couldn't learn it without magic!// the man was teasing, it was in the tone of his voice, but Clow was intrigued. He'd never done anything manual like cooking before.
Clow smiled, //Mister Hilligans, I'm insulted! I can do things without my magic! . . . very well then, I take your challenge.//
A few hours later, Marcibay trudged into the kitchen, expecting to see the bubbles card hard at work clearing up Clow's failed attempt at cook. When he couldn't feel the magical aura of the card, he pushed open the door. The sweet smell of cake was the first thing he encountered. Cooling on a rack was seven different types of cake, some he'd never even seen before. He saw Clow, sitting at a table virtually heaving with books, with his sleeves rolled up and an apron loosely tied about his waist. A book was floating in front of him as he read from it, ". . . Mix batter until butter and sugar have form a thick bond. . ." Clow lifted the spoon from the bowl, a lump of butter and sugar plopped rather unceremoniously from it. "Hmmm. . . Clow frowned at it and turned back to the book, it turned a page as he continued to read, " Add milk and flour to mixture . . . fold in egg . . ."
He put the bowl down, and turned away to fetch the ingredients from a nearby counter. Hilligans smiled as the spoon continued to mix the batter.
"Milk . . . flour . . . and . . ." Clow looked up at the shelf, an egg floated down and past him. It hovered over the bowl, as he brought the milk and flour over. He paused as he sniffed the air. Clow's dark eyes widened in concern as he stared at the oven. Hilligans chuckled as Clow let go of the flour and milk, which was left floating in the air, and rushed over to the slightly smoking oven. "My cookies!" he exclaimed disappointedly, as the door flew open and a tray of round, burnt things levitated out. Clow frowned, sighed and said over his shoulder, "Before you say a word Mister Hilligans . . ."
Hilligans shrugged out of his thick working coat, "Laddie . . . it helps if you concentrate on one task at a time . . . you 'ave to focus your energies." He motioned towards the self-mixing bowl, the hovering egg, jug of milk and packet of flour, the book, and the floating tray of burnt cookies. "It's better to centre on one job an' do it well, rather than try an' do many and end up wit' a mess."
Clow sighed; "It seems to work for magic."
"Aye, Laddie but that's magic . . . it needs you to multi-task . . ." Hilligans cut himself a slice of one of the perfect cakes that Clow was cooling on the windowsill. "Life, thankfully, is a mite bit harder, but in the long run, a little more simpler." He moves towards the oven, and placed the kettle on the hub, he leaned against the counter, as he bit into the cake slice; it had a lemony tang, but was very sweet. "I 'ave one question though. . ."
Clow looked up from his book, "Hmmm?"
Hilligans pointed at the cakes, "Who's going t' eat *all* of those? It's jus' the two o' us lads, an' thy cards don't eat a crumb."
Clow shrugged slightly and joked; "Maybe your horses would like some . . ."
As Hilligans scowled at him and turned away to tend to the kettle, Clow stared thoughtfully at the extra food, he realised that it would be nice to have someone extra to share everything that he had with.
The next few days Clow spent roaming his grounds thoughtfully, spring was just coming into the Reed Mansion. He was still thinking about the extra cakes. He and Hilligans had been alone at the mansion for two years now, they were happy but still . . .
Clow sighed, perhaps it was time he went to the town and employed some sort of butler. As soon as the idea came into his head, he nixed it. Clow wasn't as pampered as he had been when he had left home, he didn't need a butler, nor would he want one. He paused by Hilligans' work shed, he wasn't there, and the old coach driver had gone to the town for a new saw. Clow looked around, the small shed was of dark wood, Hilligans made it of course. The man simply wouldn't let Clow make nor fix things for him. Curiosity getting the better of him, Clow placed a hand on the door to open it.
//Laddie, don't thee get into mischief; leave well alone// Hilligans' voice floated into his mind. Clow chuckled slightly as he lifted his hand off the door. "So . . ." murmured Clow to himself, "You do know a few hexes." He turned away from the charmed door. The sun played on the surface of the water as Clow approached it. He wasn't certain what was drawing him closer to the water, but he knelt down by it. He leant forward to peer into it.
Clow gasped as the boy with the blue hair stared back, he smiled at Clow as the young magician's mouth fell open. The boy appeared to chuckle as Clow sat up suddenly. "Well . . . that was . . . unexpected." He said, before leaning forward again. The boy was gone, but Clow's reflection still hadn't returned, instead a man stared back, his eyes widening in shock too. Clow smiled slightly as he recognised the man, he was the one from his first vision. He was the one that had caught the beautiful grey haired girl when she had fallen out of the tree. Clow laughed slightly, he liked the look of this man. But for him, Clow realised it was night, it felt like he was staring into another world, //or another time . . .// his mind calmly stated. As the man disappeared from the water, Clow sat back too. "This is all very . . . strange," Clow said, but he didn't feel that disturbed by the sight of the blue haired boy and the kind looking man, in fact he felt . . . // comforted? // . . . Pleased that he had seen them. Clow smiled as he leaned forward who would he see this time.
At first Clow thought it was merely his own reflection, but then he realised that not only was the person staring back much older, it was also a woman. The woman was upset, and angry about something, she lifted her hand to the water, her eyes were sharp, and black, very dark. Her hair was curly, with grey highlights. It used to be shiny black like his, he could feel it, and he could also feel her thoughts. She knew she was dying, fading away, she didn't have enough . . . her eyes widened as she became aware of Clow. Her face twisted in a horrible scowl, it was unpleasant, and cruel. The mysterious woman slapped the water, and her image disappeared. Again, Clow sat back on his heels. He didn't feel like he did after seeing the first two reflections, that was a nice warm feeling, the woman inspired a cold feeling, like she was something wrong. He didn't dwell on it, and chose to obey his curiosity once more, a boy . . . perhaps the same age as he, looked back, and he smiled and placed a hand against the water. Clow let his hand hover over the spot, afraid of disturbing the surface. The boy was beautiful, more than beautiful, he was damn near perfect. He wasn't human; no human could have such jade green eyes. Clow looked closer, and the boy smiled happily. The jade green eyes were slits, like cat eyes, they were so . . .
"Enchanting . . ." Clow murmured, and blinked as the boy's pale lips mouthed the word a few seconds later. It was a younger version of the black haired angel, Clow realised. His hair was glossier, and his pale skin was close to perfection, he looked like the angel he had dreamed of. Clow had realised that the weeping angel, the one that cried out his love for Clow, the one that had inspired such love from Clow, could be this angel. It was either the black haired one, or the white haired one.
As Clow stared deeply at this black haired youth, he felt a desire stir in himself. It wasn't the sweet, affectionate loving one he had had in his dream, it was more . . . primal, he felt lust for this angel, and could see the same feelings reflected in the deep jade eyes.
Clow sighed, "When will you come into my life . . .?"
He was startled as the reflection mouthed an answer.
"Whenever you decide it . . ."
-------------------
And now it's Time for LEAVE IT TO DR MEGALOMANIA!!
Clow: Is that him?
DrM: hmm?
Clow: sheesh! You don't even pay attention during your own fics! How do you even expect the readers to?!
DrM: [sheepish] well . . . I'm a little nervous . . .
Clow: about what?
DrM: about dude!!
Clow: dude?
Black haired angel: I think she means me. . .
Clow: [drooling] gaaaaahhhh!
BH angel: [nods] yeah I know. . . I'm gorgeous like that!
Yue: just because you look like—POOF!![DrM boots him to his right chapter]
DrM: [kinda jittery with nerves] so? How was it? Please R&R!! And see you in the next chapter!!