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! And: while the explicit part was in part eight, the rest of this fic will have references to Shounen Ai feelings, if you ain't a happy hippie like me, believing that love can cross all boarders then. . . what are you still doin' here, my friend? Free will and peace is brought to you, use it wisely, practice your will and leave. . . or open your mind, man, transcend and give it a go. . . you might like it. . .
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
In This Tainted Soul . . .
By Dr Megalomania.
Part Nine: Keroberos
Clow lifted the mansion's spell; it was no longer out of the land's time. A decade past and; while Hei-ying grew happier and happier with their situation, Clow became unhappy and isolated. He wished he had someone to talk to, he found he couldn't really talk to Hei-ying. The obedience spell that he had put on the angel had been too strong, Clow realised this about four years after Hilligans' death, Hei-ying was almost incapable of arguing with Clow, and even though Clow had given him permission to use his name, Hei-ying couldn't say it without saying 'Master' before hand.
Hei-ying, on the other hand, thought their life together was perfect, Clow still kissed him, still slept with him, and he assumed that must have meant that Clow was deeply in love with him. He was wrong; Clow actually regretted it, he only continued because it gave him some momentary distraction from the increasing feeling of desolation.
Clow's despair grew worse over the winter of the tenth year, and he used Hei-ying more and more often hoping that the night he had dreamed and had seen in his visions would occur. The vision of the loving angel, that tender loving angel who adored Clow, and made Clow feel so happy was the only thing giving Clow hope during these cold winters. Every snowstorm, Clow sat in bed patiently waiting for Hei-ying to enact the vision, but every snowstorm passed with no sign of Hei-ying . . . Clow's regret started to get stronger, but the more he regretted it, the more he used Hei-ying to bury the desolated feelings. He was getting older, and he was lonely. He wondered about the other visions, and wondered if he'd ever meet any of these other people. He began to wonder about the Cardcaptor and the boy with the blue hair again; about the magical creatures he had seen.
He spent hours in his study, staring out the window across the snow-covered grounds. The grounds seemed to mimic his sadness, he was so lonely, and Hei- ying wasn't company enough. As the tenth year started, Clow would stare out of his study's window, silent tears rolling down his face unchecked. The cards lay sleeping in their book, he didn't even try to call on them anymore, since he had sealed them. At first, whenever he nearer the book, they would respond by making the book glow, but this made him angry, he had sealed them there because he had hated them. They began to realise this and, rather than risk making him angry enough to destroy them, one by one each card fell into a deep sleep, the book's glow getting weaker and weaker. Until one day he noticed, it didn't light at all, at the time he thought this was good, but now . . .
Clow buried his head in his knees . . . at only twenty-nine years of age, Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of both the spheres of Western and Eastern magic, was alone, trapped in a lifeless mansion, surrounded by silence . . .
Summer rolled in, and Clow was working in the garden again, he found that by doing such manual tasks he was distracted from his loneliness. He tried not to think about it but it was now almost ten years to the day that Hilligans had died. Clow sighed and wiped his brow; the tenth anniversary of his last vision had been and gone. Clow wondered if he was still capable of magic, but then thought better of that; of course he was still capable of magic. He had to be or Hei-ying would be dying. He rolled his eyes; Hei- ying was starting to get a little frustrating. It was always, "Yes, Master Clow", "No, Master Clow," "I completely agreed, Master Clow." It was never, "Now listen here!", "That's wrong!" Or even "Don't be ridiculous!", "You're an idiot!"
Clow smiled slightly and laughed, "I'm lamenting the fact he doesn't have the ability to call me an idiot . . ." He paused, and looked up at the sky. It was midday. "I guess I better have something to eat."
Clow's anger at the future had dissipated somewhat, he realised that the cycle of life had to continue and that if the future had warned him, then Clow would have tried everything in his power to prevent the event. "Perhaps it was necessary to the future . . ." Clow muttered as he paused and stared at the pond. It had claimed the life of his friend and was the site of his last vision. He hadn't been near it since Hilligans' death, but for some reason, the still water seemed to capture his attention today.
Clow set his tools down as he stood on the water's edge. He knelt just as he had the last time he had had a vision. He wondered briefly what he would do if he saw the boy with the blue hair and the ever smug look. He sighed and leant forward. There was nothing there . . . not even his own reflection. Clow stared at the water, the reflection of the sky though . . . it was nearing sundown in the reflection. He almost sat up again, when there was a slight ripple in the water; it was strange because the ripple was on the underside of the water. Clow looked into the water in surprise as he saw several people staring back at him. They all looked very tired, as if they had just came out of some sort of battle. Again the impossible shadows hid their eyes, the future still concealing their identities from him.
The boy with the blue hair was there, and there wasn't a trace of a superior gaze, in fact he seemed to realise that Clow wouldn't appreciate any smugness.
The boy turned to the girl, Clow had dubbed her the Cardcaptor, and he was speaking to her and the others and gesturing at the water. The butterfly girl, the laughing one, pushed through them to peer into the water's surface, she was just about to press a finger against the water, when the white haired angel stopped her. He stared into the water, and was very still as if he was afraid any movement on his side would cause Clow to disappear. Clow smiled, he had the sudden urge to play. He sat back on his heels very suddenly, and held his hands over his mouth, to prevent the giggle. He could imagine the look of horror on the silent angel's . . . Clow looked up suddenly, on the other side of the pond the boy with the blue hair reappeared; he motioned Clow to lean back over the water. Clow smiled and complied, the group were all leaning closer now, looking for him. Clow waved as he reappeared to them. The angel sighed slightly, the Cardcaptor giggled and turned to her purple haired friend, she motioned at the water asking a question. The girl was pointing at Clow with a very strange device, he was intrigued by it. He shuffled so he lay on his stomach, interested by the thing she was pointing at him. The blue haired boy waved at the girl and motioned her to put the thing away; he mouthed very clearly what he was saying. 'He doesn't know what it is, please . . . This is important, we can't let him be distracted by the camera'. The people with him stared at him questioningly, but Clow realised that the boy knew Clow couldn't hear him. He beckoned the boy, and mouthed 'How do you know that I can't hear you?'
The boy smiled knowingly, but didn't answer, instead turned to answer the boy with the green robes, who was staring curiously at him. Clow stared at the boy, there was something so familiar about the clothes he was wearing . . . Clow's eyes widened as he recognised his uncle's magic robes, it even had the bells, and the bright orange sash. He looked at the blue haired boy instinctively, who had turned back to Clow. He nodded, knowing that Clow wanted to know if this boy was a Li. As the blue haired boy turned to explain the silent conversation, Clow stared at the Li boy, who had a deep frown set in his young face, he looked like a miniature version of his uncle Hei-ying! //How cute!// . . . He was Clow's descendant then . . . Clow laughed.
The butterfly girl pointed at the water, 'What's he laughing at?' she asked.
The boy motioned at Clow to mouth his response. Clow pointed at the Li boy . . . 'He's my cute little descendant!'
The Li boy's eyes widened and he glared at the blue haired boy who laughed, he shrugged, and then said something to the others that made them stand and leave. The white haired angel was reluctant, but the blue haired boy shushed him away. He bid the Cardcaptor and the cheerful lion to stay. He stared down at the water, and motioned the lion over first; the Cardcaptor crouched on the other side. 'What are you doing?' she asked as she stared at Clow, who was as equally interested.
The blue haired boy covered his mouth with his hand as he explained; he didn't want Clow to know what he was saying. Whatever he said shocked the lion, who looked from the blue haired boy to the water and back again. The boy motioned the lion to lean closer, as he did the shadows on the lion's face began to clear.
Clow smiled, the lion had sparkling gold eyes, and they were filled with joy, a love of life. The lion smiled widely, 'Konbanwa!' he mouthed.
Clow paused, glanced at the boy who nodded, 'Who are you?' Clow mouthed.
The lion looked at the boy for a translation, again his eyes widened with shock. 'NANI?!' could be clearly read. 'It's me!' the lion gestured at himself, 'MEEEEEEEE!!!'
Clow glanced rapidly from the boy to the Cardcaptor; it was the Cardcaptor who answered his question, 'Keroberos' she mouthed, 'Keehh—Row- bear-ros! Keroberos!'
"Keroberos?" Clow murmured aloud, it was one of the three names he had considered for Hei-ying.
'Keroberos!' The lion nodded enthusiastically, and pointed at himself, 'Keroberos! I'm the guardian beast of the—' the blue haired boy clamped a hand over the lion's mouth and shook his head, Clow spoke aloud, "What? What was he going to say? Guardian? Guardian beast of the what?"
The boy smiled regrettably, he leaned over to the lion and whispered words into his large ear, and the lion frowned then mouthed at Clow 'You will have to figure it out for yourself'.
Clow frowned, "What is it? When will I have to figure it out? When will I see you?"
The lion listened once more; he looked as if he was holding his breath, the evident importance of the vision finally sinking into him. He gazed at Clow before looking over at his shoulder, at the white haired angel, 'What about him?'
The boy shook his head, and gestured to the water. The lion with the golden eyes stared at the blue haired boy, then at the white haired angel, and finally at Cardcaptor. He turned his sparkling gaze at Clow, and smiled warmly, 'Whenever you decide it . . .'
Before Clow could protest, the boy allowed the gathered group get one more look at Clow. The angel stared at him hopefully, and Clow stared back wondering who he was. The blue haired boy lifted his hand to strike the water, "No! Please! Wait!"
The boy didn't, and the people faded away. Clow stared at the water for a while, //the guardian beast of the Mansion? No. . . The guardian beast of the . . .// he stood, his mind still asking what it was the lion was guarding. It couldn't have been Clow; he was going to be dead by the time the Cardcaptor released the cards.
The next few weeks saw an improvement in Clow's mood, he began to hum and sing again, as he walked along the corridors of his empty home. Hei-ying was, at first, unnerved by it, having gotten used to the sombre Clow. He began to think that Clow had come to truly accept their situation, and was going to start devoting himself to Hei-ying completely.
He was wrong again, as Clow started to return to his old self, he also began to pay a little less attention to Hei-ying. Not as if he was ignoring Hei-ying or anything, it was just little things began to stop happening, Clow stopped appearing in Hei-ying's bedroom every night that he couldn't sleep, their encounters became less physical, and Clow wouldn't simply take what he wanted, they would just talk. Hei-ying didn't understand why Clow had suddenly lost interest in the things they had been doing over the last ten years. It couldn't be that Hei-ying had grown to be unattractive; he still maintained the look of a boy no older than eighteen at the most. It couldn't be Clow, because Clow was only just twenty-nine.
While Clow's renewed interest in life confused Hei-ying, Clow was trying to figure out what the guardian beast, Keroberos, was the guardian beast of. He thought back to the encounter at the pond, he'd gotten over the shock that he had interacted with the vision, and was now analysing every aspect of it for clues.
Even now, late one hot summer night, Clow sat up in bed. He was unable to read, the lion's golden eyes still clear in his mind, the lion was gold yellow, he had white wings like Hei-ying, and blood red stones on his helmet. He looked very fierce and handsome, but Clow just knew he was a big- hearted, warm being. Clow thought about the others, but always the boy with the blue hair seemed to become the most clear.
The blue haired boy intrigued Clow; he knew what Clow was doing, he knew what he was asking, and that he couldn't hear him. The boy also knew what things Clow wouldn't understand and made sure that they weren't there to distract him. 'Please . . . this is important, we can't let him be distracted . . .' the boy knew things he shouldn't have. Clow knew this wasn't what he was supposed to be trying to figure out; the boy wasn't necessary to the overall plan yet.
He was supposed to be figuring out the purpose of the lion and when he figured out what the lion was supposed to be, Clow knew that *something* would click into place and make sense . . . //but what is it? What is that lion the guardian beast of? Keroberos . . . one of the three names I was thinking of calling Hei-ying . . . this must mean that *I* create Keroberos . . . but why?!// Clow sighed and got out of bed. It wasn't helping so he padded along to his study quietly. "Keroberos . . . who or what are you supposed to be guarding?"
A strange noise made Clow stop suddenly, it was late and Hei-ying was in bed, Clow could sense him in his room. The strange noise sounded again, and Clow mentally kicked himself for leaving his magic key in the drawer of his study's desk. //Is it some kind of intruder?// Clow wondered, //is someone after something in my study?// he paused by the stairs and gazed at the large wooden doors. What could he do if it was an intruder? He had foolishly locked his magic key in the drawer, and even if he had the staff he couldn't do much except bonk the intruder on the head with it because he had rather foolishly locked the cards in the book. It was now Clow started to berate himself for sealing the cards away.
"Baka! Idiot! Moron!" Clow whispered as he continued to stare at his study door, "Congratulations Clow, the thief is probably going to take your cards and sell them as toys . . . and then what are you going to do?"
Clow's eyes widened as a single cherry blossom floated past his face, it floated and danced in front of him. He caught it in his hand and looked at it. It was a vision, the strange noise, everything, he turned and the Cardcaptor stood nervously behind him, she was clutching a metal rod, a baton of some kind, and was staring rather fearfully at the study door. She could hear the noise as well. He followed her as she plucked up the courage to enter the room. As soon as he stepped over the threshold though, the Cardcaptor vanished. Her purpose was to get him into the room he realised; that done, the strange noise continued louder.
Clow closed his eyes and tried to listen to where the noise was coming from. He stood in the middle of the room for ten minutes before he realised it was coming from the small library of books Clow kept in this room.
He stepped over to the three isles, the noise loudest from the middle one. Clow realised with a shock that that was where the Clow book was. As he drew closer, the book glowed eerily, for the first time in ten years the cards were reacting to his presence. He felt guiltily about shutting them away for so long, and he missed their company despite the fact they were a bit like Hei-ying; they could never hold a real argument with him, but still they had their own tempers.
He pulled the book off the shelf, and carried it over to the desk. He put it down as he fumbled with the drawer and pulled out his key. He moved over to the window seat, the moonlight streamed in and on to Clow. He sighed as he turned the book over, he knew the instant the cards were free again that they would give him hell for—
Clow's mouth fell open as he stared at the front of the book; there on the cover was the lion. It was a picture, and slightly fierce looking, but still it was the guardian beast with the golden eyes. Clow blinked and the image was gone. The lion was supposed to guard the book, "No. . ." Clow muttered aloud as he stared at the key in his hand and then the lock on the book, "He's supposed to guard the seal. The seal on the book . . . Keroberos, guardian beast of the seal!" He jumped up excitedly, "Of course the Cardcaptor . . . she's going to break the seal on the book! Therefore I have to create Keroberos in order to make sure that she will be the one that opens my book!"
Clow wasn't exactly sure what the strange noises were, they had sounded like bizarre snores, but he was sure they were supposed to draw him closer to the book. Clow stood and put the book down, he had made his decision.
It was time to create Keroberos.
Clow groaned as he rolled onto his side, "How long have I been asleep?" He murmured as he struggled to get up. His fingers slipped over his key, and he managed to sit upright. "I'm certainly out of practice!" he chuckled; as he realised he'd been out for half an hour. He looked around; the book still lay on the window seat. He raised his hand and made the sealed book come to him. He put the key in the lock and felt it eagerly turn, the book flew open and the cards lay silently in the book. Clow smiled, "I take the hint . . ." he murmured, "I apologise for sealing you in here for so long . . . now wake up . . ." he looked at the tiny cocoon of white feathered wings that lay in the centre of his study, "I have someone to show you . . ."
Hei-ying awoke.
Something had changed. There had been a massive shift in the mansion. He reached out with his senses, he could feel Clow and, it had been nearly a decade, but he could now feel the cards again. But now . . . //There's something new in the house . . . // he sat up and slid out of bed, he silently slipped on his robes; the ceremonial robes Clow had created for him. Hei-ying wore them all the time, and, because Clow had placed them under the same spell that he placed much of the carpets and his own clothes; the robes never needed washing or changing, any rips or tears were instantly repaired. The main reason Hei-ying actually wore them was because the first time he had put them on, Clow had broken a seven day silence and muttered quietly "Very handsome."
Hei-ying smoothed the soft black material, and checked his hair before leaving his room. Hei-ying was very conscious of the way he appeared to the Master. Never a hair out of place, never a single wrinkle in his clothes, he didn't want Clow to think he wasn't perfect. The only time Hei-ying allowed Clow to see him in any state of undress was when Clow desired it. Before he went to sleep, he would plait his hair compulsively, ensuring that his hair would be perfect if the Master stepped in that night, he never complained, never argued back. He just couldn't take the risk of Clow fulfilling Hilligans' prophecy, so he acted perfectly, like the perfect creation he had been fashioned to be. This produced some vaguely disturbing traits in Hei-ying, but Clow had been so deep in his depression, he assumed Hei-ying was just coping with his grief over Hilligans in a different manner.
Hei-ying glided down the corridor, his feet floating swiftly and quietly over the floor. It had been over the last five years that Hei-ying's compulsive need to look perfect had spread to a dislike of walking. Hei- ying thought that the floors, never mind that Clow had created a cleaning spell to keep them clean, Hei-ying thought the floors were filthy, and that if he touched them that this contamination would spread to him and then he would lose his perfect appearance. Outside of his own room, Clow's study and, on the rare occasions he had been permitted, Clow's bedroom, Hei-ying never touched the ground. As he past Clow's bedroom, he heard his Master's voice sound in his mind, "Hei-ying? Are you awake?"
Hei-ying frowned slightly; Clow should have sense that Hei-ying was actually just outside his door. "Yes, Master Clow." Hei-ying noticed that Clow seemed distracted; perhaps that was why he wasn't sure of Hei-ying location.
"Good, I want you to come here please . . ." Clow sounded very excited; "I have something wonderful to show you."
Hei-ying pushed against the door, wondering what had caused the sudden shift in, not only the magical plane of the mansion, but in Clow's mood as well.
Within a day, the tiny kitten had stopped sleeping, and his wings unfurled. He peered with bright gold eyes at the new world. Within a week, he had learned how to walk unsteadily on his four tiny legs, and how to flutter for a few feet using his large white wings, he would follow Clow everywhere he could. He hadn't yet learnt how to get up the stairs, so Clow quite happily carried the tiny kitten up. Within a month, Hei-ying discovered he had a new dislike.
Keroberos.
A few weeks after Keroberos had been created, Clow began teaching Hei-ying again, instructing him once more in the way of the cards. He did this with more surety than he had before, Clow knew now what was the purpose of Keroberos and was figuring out the purpose Hei-ying could play in the destiny the Clow cards. Clow had decided that Keroberos would be the appointer; he would choose the Cardcaptor. And Hei-ying would help her; giving her the guidance she needed to catch the cards quickly. However Clow was stuck about how his creations would know that the Cardcaptor was the right one, maybe he needed to set her some sort of challenge, maybe a judgement of some kind to check if she was capable of being Master over the cards. . .
"Hmmmm . . ." Hei-ying hovered patiently in the centre of Clow's study, he watched as Clow paced in front of him.
"HMMMM!!" Hei-ying glared as Keroberos mimicked Clow, prancing on every spot Clow's feet had just left. It was becoming increasingly clear that the tiny lion's magical senses were starting to flourish. He could evidently see the magic traces that Clow's footsteps left. No doubt it would be soon that the tiny thing would start to speak, Hei-ying rolled his eyes, he also didn't have any doubt that this new ability would get very much on Hei- ying's nerves as well.
It was the middle of summer, and Clow was trying to figure out how the Cardcaptor was supposed to work, how she was going to be selected, what she would do with the cards once she had captured them, he knew that Keroberos was going to guard the seal. Hei-ying was going to be the Cardcaptor's adviser, since he had been with the cards for the longest time, Clow was going to teach him everything about the cards so he would be able to tell the Cardcaptor how best to capture the cards.
Clow glanced briefly behind him; Keroberos was still leaping into each spot where Clow's foot had been. He smiled and changed direction. The lion followed, as Clow stepped to the left suddenly, then to the right. Hei-ying wasn't impressed and rolled his eyes when the lion giggled as Clow started to hop on one foot.
"Cease your commotion!" Hei-ying snapped at the lion, "You're disturbing the Master!"
The lion skidded to a halt, and sat instantly. He had leaned that his Oniichan didn't like it when he had fun, and that it was often better if he just sat quietly. Clow turned and picked up Keroberos, he cradled the lion in his arms as he looked at Hei-ying, "It's only a little laugh Hei-ying . . . I don't mind a little laugh . . ."
When Hei-ying's only response was to glare even harder at the lion, Clow sighed, "Hei-ying, I would like you to go practice your levitation."
Hei-ying's eyes widened slightly and he looked down at his feet, Clow explained, "You can usually float much lower than that . . . I would like you to practice that."
Hei-ying bowed graciously and left to train in his own room. Clow stroked Keroberos' neck, "Now . . . where were we?"
The lion looked at him and put on a very thoughtfully face, "HMMMM!" He hummed, and then giggled. Clow chuckled slightly. "Of course . . ."
They hopped and skipped around the study all afternoon, and the lion never missed a single step. Clow even put a blindfold around the lion's eyes and instructed him to follow him. Keroberos was very good, but still being very young, became very drained very quickly. Clow picked him up as the sun reached the horizon, it's deep red light spilling in though the wide windows. He walked over to the window seat, the yawning lion cradled gently in his arms.
They sat together for another hour, the tiny lion sleeping, Clow just watching the late summer sun slip out of the sky. Clow sighed happily, the lion had brought a little life back to the house, and Clow didn't know what he could give him in return. He scratched the lion's head absently and stared out the window, something was strange about the sight. He frowned as he tried to figure out what was wrong with the landscape.
A single small cherry blossom floated down in front of him. With one hand still supporting Keroberos from underneath, he raise his other hand to catch the delicate petal. He blinked in surprise when he opened his hand and the flower was gone, "A vision . . ." he murmured as he looked at his empty hand, his eyes suddenly focused on the glass of the window. That was it, that was what was wrong . . . the reflection in the window . . . it wasn't . . . the right one.
It still held Clow in it, but he was much older, he was taller, and wearing his magic robes again. The older Clow adjusted his spectacles, as he stared back at Clow. He couldn't see his younger, it was if this older Clow was staring out of the study's window, and Clow was the reflection. He looked at the older Clow's chest; Keroberos was there again. But this time it was an older Keroberos, not the tiny kitten that Clow could hold to his chest with a single hand, a larger lion. However, Clow noticed this older Keroberos wasn't as old as the Cardcaptor's Keroberos, //He must be Keroberos many years from now but in my lifetime . . .// Clow thought as he followed the lion's long tail. It was wrapping itself around someone's hand. The hand shook Keroberos off and turned the page of a book.
Clow gasped, the angel was sitting on the other side of the window seat; one of his bare feet was rubbing up and down against the older Clow's. The angel didn't seem aware that he was doing it, and Keroberos was dozing, heavy head lying on Clow's chest. The older Clow smiled slightly as he looked at the angel happily. Clow sat up and placed Keroberos on the bench gently so not to wake him. He moved to the other side to look closer at the angel. He was still denied the knowledge whether this was Hei-ying or not, but he felt a rush of need and love. He also felt a little silly as he raised his hand to knock lightly on the glass; it wasn't like the angel would be able to hear him.
He tapped lightly on the glass twice, and was surprised when the angel's eyes slipped off the book; a small frown creased his perfect brow. His curious gaze looked first at the dozing Keroberos, then at the older Clow who had resumed his gazing out of the window. As a last check, the perfect angel turned to look out the window. Clow began to curse as he felt the vision slip away from him, the last thing he saw was the angel's perfect eyes widen with surprise. "I love you!" Clow mouthed clearly, hoping the angel had seen him.
He twitched his nose; something was brushing it roughly. There was a concerned growl, and then the brushing continued. Clow realised that the brushing wasn't brushing it was licking. He groaned lightly, and opened his eyes. His eyes widened with surprise as Keroberos' face filled his vision. His tiny fuzzy features were creased in a deep frown, as his concerned gold eyes searched Clow's face. The tiny lion seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Oh, no. . ." Clow murmured, as he brought his hands up to soothe the small lion, "It's okay, I just had a small vision that's all . . ."
The lion trembled into Clow's chest, as Clow sat up. He cooed and murmured quietly as he calmed the lion down. "I'm sorry . . . that must have been very worrying for you . . ."
He looked up, the cards were orbiting them, "I'm all right," he assured them, "I just saw something . . ."
Keroberos pushed himself up to look into Clow's eyes, and then the lion looked up at the cards, he gazed at them amazed. Clow watched Keroberos' expression closely; the lion had proven that he could sense the after- resonance of magic, but it was quite another feat to accurately sense pure magic. "Do you realise what they are, Keroberos?"
Keroberos still stared at the cards, but he nodded. "Tell me what they are . . ." Clow murmured.
"Card. . ." He raised a paw to touch the nearest card; the Earthy graciously lowered herself to allow the curious kitten to make contact with her. He pawed her smooth surface lightly, he jerked back with surprise when she began to glow for him. He glanced at Clow worriedly, to check if Clow approved of what she was doing. When Clow nodded, Keroberos pawed her again, her glowing intensified. She hovered over him and dusted him with some glowing magic. Clow laughed as the lion shook it off. He plucked the card out of the air, and then stood. Keroberos remained on the floor still shaking the sparkling dust off. He growled slightly as the last few flecks refused to leave his tail.
Clow settled back into the window seat, he watched Keroberos fondly. The lion was still a child, happy, playful, and full of life. //just what I need . . .// Clow smiled at the lion as he realised Clow was waiting for him. The golden kitten pranced over, and scrambled up the seat. Clow folded his legs under him, and held the card in front of the lion. Keroberos sat opposite Clow, and stared very seriously at the card. He pressed his paw against the golden banner.
Clow smiled, "This is the Earthy, and she is the last card I created. Do you understand? This . . ." he ran his finger over the gold banner, ". . . Is her name, her name is The Earthy. Hmmmm. . .? Do you understand?"
The lion nodded solemnly, he glanced up from the card and paused. He drew a deep breath and opened his mouth, "My name . . .?"
Clow's eyes crinkled with warmth, he petted Keroberos before answering. "Your name is Keroberos. Keh-row-bear-ros. Keroberos."
"Kaah-rooe-bear-rus."
Clow shook his head slightly, "No. . . Kehh. . ." he motioned the lion to repeat it.
"Kehh. . ." the lion nodded.
Clow smiled then over pronounced the next part, "Rrrow. . ."
"Rrow. . ."
"Bear. . ."
"Bear. . ."
Clow smiled as his finished, "Ross."
"Ross." The lion grinned. "Keroberos!" He leapt to his feet and took several different poses, repeating his name over and over. Clow laughed, and let the Earthy rejoin the pack.
"Who is. . . ?" Keroberos looked to the door, and Clow took this to mean that the small lion wanted to know who Hei-ying was.
"You know that he is your Oniichan, your eldest brother . . .?" Clow checked, when Keroberos nodded, he continued, "His name is Hei-ying Reed."
"Hei-ying Reed?"
"Hei-ying Reed, just as you are Keroberos Reed." Keroberos bit his bottom lip, Clow smiled kindly again. "Go on . . . if you never ask questions then you will never learn . . ."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Clow Reed. I created you. I created Hei-ying. And I created these cards."
Keroberos pressed his nose and forepaws against the glass. "Did you make the outside?"
Clow blushed, "No, I didn't . . . no, only you, Hei-ying and the cards."
Keroberos smiled, and then crawled into Clow's arms again, he yawned. "Must I call you Master?"
While Keroberos was leaning all about his new life, Hei-ying had entered the room silently; he stood in the doorway just observing the Master and his new younger brother.
Sensing that the Master would probably like to teach the younger brother without the distraction of Hei-ying, he back slowly out of the room and turned to return to his room. He paused to listen to Clow's reply to the impertinent lion's request. "No, Keroberos, you don't have to . . . like Hei-ying, I give you permission to use my name. . ."
"Good." Clow put the card back into the pack, and picked out another. He laid it in front of Hei-ying. "Now, the Mirror?"
"You must say it's name. Once it's name is spoken, it will return to it's card form." Hei-ying smiled so far he hadn't gotten a single one wrong.
"Good. Good. Now, the Woody."
Hei-ying laughed, "That's a trick question, Master. You don't need to do anything to turn it back to it's card form. It will do it by itself."
Clow chuckled, "Very good. You have been paying attention."
"Oh, I listen to every word you say, Master." Clow blushed slightly. Hei- ying was doing it again. He was flirting with him, even though they had stopped sleeping together about three months after Keroberos had been created. The small lion wouldn't leave Clow's side for five minutes let alone the time they need to have a good time. In some ways though, Clow felt happier about distancing himself from Hei-ying. His first creation seemed to get very jealous when Clow was out, and while he didn't dare interrogate his Master, he seemed overtly concerned with Clow's dealings when Clow left the mansion. Now, Clow felt Hei-ying understood that their physical relationship was over and was going to remain this way for the time being, but there were times Hei-ying would try and entice Clow back.
Clow coughed and pulled another card from the pack. "Firey?"
Hei-ying smiled, he knew this one too. He was about to answer when . . .
"CLOW?" Keroberos bolted past the door, and then tried to stop. He slid along the floor slightly; then turned and scrambled back into the room. "CLOW!!!"
Clow laughed, the lion had grown a lot in the last three months, and was now lean and slightly lanky in his appearance. "Yes, Keroberos?"
The lion grabbed Clow's robes in his teeth and tried to drag the magician along with him out of the room. "Come look! Look!" He cried excitedly.
Hei-ying stood and snapped, "Keroberos! We are in a lesson! Show more respect to the Master!"
The two brothers glared at each other for a bit, both were a bit headstrong when it came to getting Clow's attention, and therefore rarely backed down. Hei-ying didn't seem to like his new brother. Clow sighed, "Hei-ying, we can continue the lesson later, I have a feeling what Keroberos has to show me is a bit urgent."
"Not only that but it's very important too!" Cried Keroberos as well. He pranced out the room, and called out "Follow me! Come look! Look!"
Hei-ying stared at Clow as he shrugged and followed the brash little lion. He sank slowly into his seat in shock. Clow had chosen the brutish lion above him. Him. Hei-ying, his first creation, his first lover. He felt a tiny pang of the same emotion that had made him stand up and yell at Keroberos. He stood and looked out the window, Clow was laughing, as the lion brought leaf after leaf to him, each leaf was yellow from the affects of autumn. Hei-ying briefly wondered why the lion was so amazed by the leaves that fell from the trees, when it occurred to him. This was Keroberos' first autumn. As Clow crouched down by the lion, Hei-ying knew he was explaining the phenomenon to his younger brother, Hei-ying found himself thinking a silly thought. //Perhaps . . .// he moved closer to the window of his classroom, and pressed a pale hand against the clear glass, he spoke his thoughts aloud to himself.
" . . . I should make this last autumn the last Keroberos sees . . ."
Clow paused in his explanation, and looked up to the classroom window. Hei- ying stared at them briefly before his pale figure shrank back into the shadows.
-------------------
And now it's Time for LEAVE IT TO DR MEGALOMANIA!!
Hei-ying: Hmmm . . . how shall I do it? How? How? How?
Kero: Keep away from me, you psychotic homicidal maniac!
Clow: Kero . . . that was surprisingly well worded of you . . .
Kero: Yeah, I know . . . ol' DrM's been havin' a little too much fun with the synonyms option today!
DrM: I can't help it! My writer's block on 'Whimpy Scaredy Cat' just exploded!! I finally think I cracked it!
Hei-ying: [brightly] Kero's skull?
DrM: [points at evil dude] You. Are. *Sick*.
Hei-ying: Yeah, I know . . . [reads fic] And I'm surprisingly inconsistent!
DrM: Shush! You're insane, insane people don't think straight . . . they think left.
Hei-ying: [dead pan] Oh, now who doesn't make any sense?!
Clow: [whispering] I think we should make a run for it . . .
Kero: [whispering] I agree . . . but before we run away screaming, I think we should ask the readers to R&R. . .
Clow: [whispering] Good point! [Whispers to readers] Please R&R!!!
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! And: while the explicit part was in part eight, the rest of this fic will have references to Shounen Ai feelings, if you ain't a happy hippie like me, believing that love can cross all boarders then. . . what are you still doin' here, my friend? Free will and peace is brought to you, use it wisely, practice your will and leave. . . or open your mind, man, transcend and give it a go. . . you might like it. . .
"Speaking"
*Stress/emphasis*
//Thinking//
In This Tainted Soul . . .
By Dr Megalomania.
Part Nine: Keroberos
Clow lifted the mansion's spell; it was no longer out of the land's time. A decade past and; while Hei-ying grew happier and happier with their situation, Clow became unhappy and isolated. He wished he had someone to talk to, he found he couldn't really talk to Hei-ying. The obedience spell that he had put on the angel had been too strong, Clow realised this about four years after Hilligans' death, Hei-ying was almost incapable of arguing with Clow, and even though Clow had given him permission to use his name, Hei-ying couldn't say it without saying 'Master' before hand.
Hei-ying, on the other hand, thought their life together was perfect, Clow still kissed him, still slept with him, and he assumed that must have meant that Clow was deeply in love with him. He was wrong; Clow actually regretted it, he only continued because it gave him some momentary distraction from the increasing feeling of desolation.
Clow's despair grew worse over the winter of the tenth year, and he used Hei-ying more and more often hoping that the night he had dreamed and had seen in his visions would occur. The vision of the loving angel, that tender loving angel who adored Clow, and made Clow feel so happy was the only thing giving Clow hope during these cold winters. Every snowstorm, Clow sat in bed patiently waiting for Hei-ying to enact the vision, but every snowstorm passed with no sign of Hei-ying . . . Clow's regret started to get stronger, but the more he regretted it, the more he used Hei-ying to bury the desolated feelings. He was getting older, and he was lonely. He wondered about the other visions, and wondered if he'd ever meet any of these other people. He began to wonder about the Cardcaptor and the boy with the blue hair again; about the magical creatures he had seen.
He spent hours in his study, staring out the window across the snow-covered grounds. The grounds seemed to mimic his sadness, he was so lonely, and Hei- ying wasn't company enough. As the tenth year started, Clow would stare out of his study's window, silent tears rolling down his face unchecked. The cards lay sleeping in their book, he didn't even try to call on them anymore, since he had sealed them. At first, whenever he nearer the book, they would respond by making the book glow, but this made him angry, he had sealed them there because he had hated them. They began to realise this and, rather than risk making him angry enough to destroy them, one by one each card fell into a deep sleep, the book's glow getting weaker and weaker. Until one day he noticed, it didn't light at all, at the time he thought this was good, but now . . .
Clow buried his head in his knees . . . at only twenty-nine years of age, Clow Reed, the most powerful magician of both the spheres of Western and Eastern magic, was alone, trapped in a lifeless mansion, surrounded by silence . . .
Summer rolled in, and Clow was working in the garden again, he found that by doing such manual tasks he was distracted from his loneliness. He tried not to think about it but it was now almost ten years to the day that Hilligans had died. Clow sighed and wiped his brow; the tenth anniversary of his last vision had been and gone. Clow wondered if he was still capable of magic, but then thought better of that; of course he was still capable of magic. He had to be or Hei-ying would be dying. He rolled his eyes; Hei- ying was starting to get a little frustrating. It was always, "Yes, Master Clow", "No, Master Clow," "I completely agreed, Master Clow." It was never, "Now listen here!", "That's wrong!" Or even "Don't be ridiculous!", "You're an idiot!"
Clow smiled slightly and laughed, "I'm lamenting the fact he doesn't have the ability to call me an idiot . . ." He paused, and looked up at the sky. It was midday. "I guess I better have something to eat."
Clow's anger at the future had dissipated somewhat, he realised that the cycle of life had to continue and that if the future had warned him, then Clow would have tried everything in his power to prevent the event. "Perhaps it was necessary to the future . . ." Clow muttered as he paused and stared at the pond. It had claimed the life of his friend and was the site of his last vision. He hadn't been near it since Hilligans' death, but for some reason, the still water seemed to capture his attention today.
Clow set his tools down as he stood on the water's edge. He knelt just as he had the last time he had had a vision. He wondered briefly what he would do if he saw the boy with the blue hair and the ever smug look. He sighed and leant forward. There was nothing there . . . not even his own reflection. Clow stared at the water, the reflection of the sky though . . . it was nearing sundown in the reflection. He almost sat up again, when there was a slight ripple in the water; it was strange because the ripple was on the underside of the water. Clow looked into the water in surprise as he saw several people staring back at him. They all looked very tired, as if they had just came out of some sort of battle. Again the impossible shadows hid their eyes, the future still concealing their identities from him.
The boy with the blue hair was there, and there wasn't a trace of a superior gaze, in fact he seemed to realise that Clow wouldn't appreciate any smugness.
The boy turned to the girl, Clow had dubbed her the Cardcaptor, and he was speaking to her and the others and gesturing at the water. The butterfly girl, the laughing one, pushed through them to peer into the water's surface, she was just about to press a finger against the water, when the white haired angel stopped her. He stared into the water, and was very still as if he was afraid any movement on his side would cause Clow to disappear. Clow smiled, he had the sudden urge to play. He sat back on his heels very suddenly, and held his hands over his mouth, to prevent the giggle. He could imagine the look of horror on the silent angel's . . . Clow looked up suddenly, on the other side of the pond the boy with the blue hair reappeared; he motioned Clow to lean back over the water. Clow smiled and complied, the group were all leaning closer now, looking for him. Clow waved as he reappeared to them. The angel sighed slightly, the Cardcaptor giggled and turned to her purple haired friend, she motioned at the water asking a question. The girl was pointing at Clow with a very strange device, he was intrigued by it. He shuffled so he lay on his stomach, interested by the thing she was pointing at him. The blue haired boy waved at the girl and motioned her to put the thing away; he mouthed very clearly what he was saying. 'He doesn't know what it is, please . . . This is important, we can't let him be distracted by the camera'. The people with him stared at him questioningly, but Clow realised that the boy knew Clow couldn't hear him. He beckoned the boy, and mouthed 'How do you know that I can't hear you?'
The boy smiled knowingly, but didn't answer, instead turned to answer the boy with the green robes, who was staring curiously at him. Clow stared at the boy, there was something so familiar about the clothes he was wearing . . . Clow's eyes widened as he recognised his uncle's magic robes, it even had the bells, and the bright orange sash. He looked at the blue haired boy instinctively, who had turned back to Clow. He nodded, knowing that Clow wanted to know if this boy was a Li. As the blue haired boy turned to explain the silent conversation, Clow stared at the Li boy, who had a deep frown set in his young face, he looked like a miniature version of his uncle Hei-ying! //How cute!// . . . He was Clow's descendant then . . . Clow laughed.
The butterfly girl pointed at the water, 'What's he laughing at?' she asked.
The boy motioned at Clow to mouth his response. Clow pointed at the Li boy . . . 'He's my cute little descendant!'
The Li boy's eyes widened and he glared at the blue haired boy who laughed, he shrugged, and then said something to the others that made them stand and leave. The white haired angel was reluctant, but the blue haired boy shushed him away. He bid the Cardcaptor and the cheerful lion to stay. He stared down at the water, and motioned the lion over first; the Cardcaptor crouched on the other side. 'What are you doing?' she asked as she stared at Clow, who was as equally interested.
The blue haired boy covered his mouth with his hand as he explained; he didn't want Clow to know what he was saying. Whatever he said shocked the lion, who looked from the blue haired boy to the water and back again. The boy motioned the lion to lean closer, as he did the shadows on the lion's face began to clear.
Clow smiled, the lion had sparkling gold eyes, and they were filled with joy, a love of life. The lion smiled widely, 'Konbanwa!' he mouthed.
Clow paused, glanced at the boy who nodded, 'Who are you?' Clow mouthed.
The lion looked at the boy for a translation, again his eyes widened with shock. 'NANI?!' could be clearly read. 'It's me!' the lion gestured at himself, 'MEEEEEEEE!!!'
Clow glanced rapidly from the boy to the Cardcaptor; it was the Cardcaptor who answered his question, 'Keroberos' she mouthed, 'Keehh—Row- bear-ros! Keroberos!'
"Keroberos?" Clow murmured aloud, it was one of the three names he had considered for Hei-ying.
'Keroberos!' The lion nodded enthusiastically, and pointed at himself, 'Keroberos! I'm the guardian beast of the—' the blue haired boy clamped a hand over the lion's mouth and shook his head, Clow spoke aloud, "What? What was he going to say? Guardian? Guardian beast of the what?"
The boy smiled regrettably, he leaned over to the lion and whispered words into his large ear, and the lion frowned then mouthed at Clow 'You will have to figure it out for yourself'.
Clow frowned, "What is it? When will I have to figure it out? When will I see you?"
The lion listened once more; he looked as if he was holding his breath, the evident importance of the vision finally sinking into him. He gazed at Clow before looking over at his shoulder, at the white haired angel, 'What about him?'
The boy shook his head, and gestured to the water. The lion with the golden eyes stared at the blue haired boy, then at the white haired angel, and finally at Cardcaptor. He turned his sparkling gaze at Clow, and smiled warmly, 'Whenever you decide it . . .'
Before Clow could protest, the boy allowed the gathered group get one more look at Clow. The angel stared at him hopefully, and Clow stared back wondering who he was. The blue haired boy lifted his hand to strike the water, "No! Please! Wait!"
The boy didn't, and the people faded away. Clow stared at the water for a while, //the guardian beast of the Mansion? No. . . The guardian beast of the . . .// he stood, his mind still asking what it was the lion was guarding. It couldn't have been Clow; he was going to be dead by the time the Cardcaptor released the cards.
The next few weeks saw an improvement in Clow's mood, he began to hum and sing again, as he walked along the corridors of his empty home. Hei-ying was, at first, unnerved by it, having gotten used to the sombre Clow. He began to think that Clow had come to truly accept their situation, and was going to start devoting himself to Hei-ying completely.
He was wrong again, as Clow started to return to his old self, he also began to pay a little less attention to Hei-ying. Not as if he was ignoring Hei-ying or anything, it was just little things began to stop happening, Clow stopped appearing in Hei-ying's bedroom every night that he couldn't sleep, their encounters became less physical, and Clow wouldn't simply take what he wanted, they would just talk. Hei-ying didn't understand why Clow had suddenly lost interest in the things they had been doing over the last ten years. It couldn't be that Hei-ying had grown to be unattractive; he still maintained the look of a boy no older than eighteen at the most. It couldn't be Clow, because Clow was only just twenty-nine.
While Clow's renewed interest in life confused Hei-ying, Clow was trying to figure out what the guardian beast, Keroberos, was the guardian beast of. He thought back to the encounter at the pond, he'd gotten over the shock that he had interacted with the vision, and was now analysing every aspect of it for clues.
Even now, late one hot summer night, Clow sat up in bed. He was unable to read, the lion's golden eyes still clear in his mind, the lion was gold yellow, he had white wings like Hei-ying, and blood red stones on his helmet. He looked very fierce and handsome, but Clow just knew he was a big- hearted, warm being. Clow thought about the others, but always the boy with the blue hair seemed to become the most clear.
The blue haired boy intrigued Clow; he knew what Clow was doing, he knew what he was asking, and that he couldn't hear him. The boy also knew what things Clow wouldn't understand and made sure that they weren't there to distract him. 'Please . . . this is important, we can't let him be distracted . . .' the boy knew things he shouldn't have. Clow knew this wasn't what he was supposed to be trying to figure out; the boy wasn't necessary to the overall plan yet.
He was supposed to be figuring out the purpose of the lion and when he figured out what the lion was supposed to be, Clow knew that *something* would click into place and make sense . . . //but what is it? What is that lion the guardian beast of? Keroberos . . . one of the three names I was thinking of calling Hei-ying . . . this must mean that *I* create Keroberos . . . but why?!// Clow sighed and got out of bed. It wasn't helping so he padded along to his study quietly. "Keroberos . . . who or what are you supposed to be guarding?"
A strange noise made Clow stop suddenly, it was late and Hei-ying was in bed, Clow could sense him in his room. The strange noise sounded again, and Clow mentally kicked himself for leaving his magic key in the drawer of his study's desk. //Is it some kind of intruder?// Clow wondered, //is someone after something in my study?// he paused by the stairs and gazed at the large wooden doors. What could he do if it was an intruder? He had foolishly locked his magic key in the drawer, and even if he had the staff he couldn't do much except bonk the intruder on the head with it because he had rather foolishly locked the cards in the book. It was now Clow started to berate himself for sealing the cards away.
"Baka! Idiot! Moron!" Clow whispered as he continued to stare at his study door, "Congratulations Clow, the thief is probably going to take your cards and sell them as toys . . . and then what are you going to do?"
Clow's eyes widened as a single cherry blossom floated past his face, it floated and danced in front of him. He caught it in his hand and looked at it. It was a vision, the strange noise, everything, he turned and the Cardcaptor stood nervously behind him, she was clutching a metal rod, a baton of some kind, and was staring rather fearfully at the study door. She could hear the noise as well. He followed her as she plucked up the courage to enter the room. As soon as he stepped over the threshold though, the Cardcaptor vanished. Her purpose was to get him into the room he realised; that done, the strange noise continued louder.
Clow closed his eyes and tried to listen to where the noise was coming from. He stood in the middle of the room for ten minutes before he realised it was coming from the small library of books Clow kept in this room.
He stepped over to the three isles, the noise loudest from the middle one. Clow realised with a shock that that was where the Clow book was. As he drew closer, the book glowed eerily, for the first time in ten years the cards were reacting to his presence. He felt guiltily about shutting them away for so long, and he missed their company despite the fact they were a bit like Hei-ying; they could never hold a real argument with him, but still they had their own tempers.
He pulled the book off the shelf, and carried it over to the desk. He put it down as he fumbled with the drawer and pulled out his key. He moved over to the window seat, the moonlight streamed in and on to Clow. He sighed as he turned the book over, he knew the instant the cards were free again that they would give him hell for—
Clow's mouth fell open as he stared at the front of the book; there on the cover was the lion. It was a picture, and slightly fierce looking, but still it was the guardian beast with the golden eyes. Clow blinked and the image was gone. The lion was supposed to guard the book, "No. . ." Clow muttered aloud as he stared at the key in his hand and then the lock on the book, "He's supposed to guard the seal. The seal on the book . . . Keroberos, guardian beast of the seal!" He jumped up excitedly, "Of course the Cardcaptor . . . she's going to break the seal on the book! Therefore I have to create Keroberos in order to make sure that she will be the one that opens my book!"
Clow wasn't exactly sure what the strange noises were, they had sounded like bizarre snores, but he was sure they were supposed to draw him closer to the book. Clow stood and put the book down, he had made his decision.
It was time to create Keroberos.
Clow groaned as he rolled onto his side, "How long have I been asleep?" He murmured as he struggled to get up. His fingers slipped over his key, and he managed to sit upright. "I'm certainly out of practice!" he chuckled; as he realised he'd been out for half an hour. He looked around; the book still lay on the window seat. He raised his hand and made the sealed book come to him. He put the key in the lock and felt it eagerly turn, the book flew open and the cards lay silently in the book. Clow smiled, "I take the hint . . ." he murmured, "I apologise for sealing you in here for so long . . . now wake up . . ." he looked at the tiny cocoon of white feathered wings that lay in the centre of his study, "I have someone to show you . . ."
Hei-ying awoke.
Something had changed. There had been a massive shift in the mansion. He reached out with his senses, he could feel Clow and, it had been nearly a decade, but he could now feel the cards again. But now . . . //There's something new in the house . . . // he sat up and slid out of bed, he silently slipped on his robes; the ceremonial robes Clow had created for him. Hei-ying wore them all the time, and, because Clow had placed them under the same spell that he placed much of the carpets and his own clothes; the robes never needed washing or changing, any rips or tears were instantly repaired. The main reason Hei-ying actually wore them was because the first time he had put them on, Clow had broken a seven day silence and muttered quietly "Very handsome."
Hei-ying smoothed the soft black material, and checked his hair before leaving his room. Hei-ying was very conscious of the way he appeared to the Master. Never a hair out of place, never a single wrinkle in his clothes, he didn't want Clow to think he wasn't perfect. The only time Hei-ying allowed Clow to see him in any state of undress was when Clow desired it. Before he went to sleep, he would plait his hair compulsively, ensuring that his hair would be perfect if the Master stepped in that night, he never complained, never argued back. He just couldn't take the risk of Clow fulfilling Hilligans' prophecy, so he acted perfectly, like the perfect creation he had been fashioned to be. This produced some vaguely disturbing traits in Hei-ying, but Clow had been so deep in his depression, he assumed Hei-ying was just coping with his grief over Hilligans in a different manner.
Hei-ying glided down the corridor, his feet floating swiftly and quietly over the floor. It had been over the last five years that Hei-ying's compulsive need to look perfect had spread to a dislike of walking. Hei- ying thought that the floors, never mind that Clow had created a cleaning spell to keep them clean, Hei-ying thought the floors were filthy, and that if he touched them that this contamination would spread to him and then he would lose his perfect appearance. Outside of his own room, Clow's study and, on the rare occasions he had been permitted, Clow's bedroom, Hei-ying never touched the ground. As he past Clow's bedroom, he heard his Master's voice sound in his mind, "Hei-ying? Are you awake?"
Hei-ying frowned slightly; Clow should have sense that Hei-ying was actually just outside his door. "Yes, Master Clow." Hei-ying noticed that Clow seemed distracted; perhaps that was why he wasn't sure of Hei-ying location.
"Good, I want you to come here please . . ." Clow sounded very excited; "I have something wonderful to show you."
Hei-ying pushed against the door, wondering what had caused the sudden shift in, not only the magical plane of the mansion, but in Clow's mood as well.
Within a day, the tiny kitten had stopped sleeping, and his wings unfurled. He peered with bright gold eyes at the new world. Within a week, he had learned how to walk unsteadily on his four tiny legs, and how to flutter for a few feet using his large white wings, he would follow Clow everywhere he could. He hadn't yet learnt how to get up the stairs, so Clow quite happily carried the tiny kitten up. Within a month, Hei-ying discovered he had a new dislike.
Keroberos.
A few weeks after Keroberos had been created, Clow began teaching Hei-ying again, instructing him once more in the way of the cards. He did this with more surety than he had before, Clow knew now what was the purpose of Keroberos and was figuring out the purpose Hei-ying could play in the destiny the Clow cards. Clow had decided that Keroberos would be the appointer; he would choose the Cardcaptor. And Hei-ying would help her; giving her the guidance she needed to catch the cards quickly. However Clow was stuck about how his creations would know that the Cardcaptor was the right one, maybe he needed to set her some sort of challenge, maybe a judgement of some kind to check if she was capable of being Master over the cards. . .
"Hmmmm . . ." Hei-ying hovered patiently in the centre of Clow's study, he watched as Clow paced in front of him.
"HMMMM!!" Hei-ying glared as Keroberos mimicked Clow, prancing on every spot Clow's feet had just left. It was becoming increasingly clear that the tiny lion's magical senses were starting to flourish. He could evidently see the magic traces that Clow's footsteps left. No doubt it would be soon that the tiny thing would start to speak, Hei-ying rolled his eyes, he also didn't have any doubt that this new ability would get very much on Hei- ying's nerves as well.
It was the middle of summer, and Clow was trying to figure out how the Cardcaptor was supposed to work, how she was going to be selected, what she would do with the cards once she had captured them, he knew that Keroberos was going to guard the seal. Hei-ying was going to be the Cardcaptor's adviser, since he had been with the cards for the longest time, Clow was going to teach him everything about the cards so he would be able to tell the Cardcaptor how best to capture the cards.
Clow glanced briefly behind him; Keroberos was still leaping into each spot where Clow's foot had been. He smiled and changed direction. The lion followed, as Clow stepped to the left suddenly, then to the right. Hei-ying wasn't impressed and rolled his eyes when the lion giggled as Clow started to hop on one foot.
"Cease your commotion!" Hei-ying snapped at the lion, "You're disturbing the Master!"
The lion skidded to a halt, and sat instantly. He had leaned that his Oniichan didn't like it when he had fun, and that it was often better if he just sat quietly. Clow turned and picked up Keroberos, he cradled the lion in his arms as he looked at Hei-ying, "It's only a little laugh Hei-ying . . . I don't mind a little laugh . . ."
When Hei-ying's only response was to glare even harder at the lion, Clow sighed, "Hei-ying, I would like you to go practice your levitation."
Hei-ying's eyes widened slightly and he looked down at his feet, Clow explained, "You can usually float much lower than that . . . I would like you to practice that."
Hei-ying bowed graciously and left to train in his own room. Clow stroked Keroberos' neck, "Now . . . where were we?"
The lion looked at him and put on a very thoughtfully face, "HMMMM!" He hummed, and then giggled. Clow chuckled slightly. "Of course . . ."
They hopped and skipped around the study all afternoon, and the lion never missed a single step. Clow even put a blindfold around the lion's eyes and instructed him to follow him. Keroberos was very good, but still being very young, became very drained very quickly. Clow picked him up as the sun reached the horizon, it's deep red light spilling in though the wide windows. He walked over to the window seat, the yawning lion cradled gently in his arms.
They sat together for another hour, the tiny lion sleeping, Clow just watching the late summer sun slip out of the sky. Clow sighed happily, the lion had brought a little life back to the house, and Clow didn't know what he could give him in return. He scratched the lion's head absently and stared out the window, something was strange about the sight. He frowned as he tried to figure out what was wrong with the landscape.
A single small cherry blossom floated down in front of him. With one hand still supporting Keroberos from underneath, he raise his other hand to catch the delicate petal. He blinked in surprise when he opened his hand and the flower was gone, "A vision . . ." he murmured as he looked at his empty hand, his eyes suddenly focused on the glass of the window. That was it, that was what was wrong . . . the reflection in the window . . . it wasn't . . . the right one.
It still held Clow in it, but he was much older, he was taller, and wearing his magic robes again. The older Clow adjusted his spectacles, as he stared back at Clow. He couldn't see his younger, it was if this older Clow was staring out of the study's window, and Clow was the reflection. He looked at the older Clow's chest; Keroberos was there again. But this time it was an older Keroberos, not the tiny kitten that Clow could hold to his chest with a single hand, a larger lion. However, Clow noticed this older Keroberos wasn't as old as the Cardcaptor's Keroberos, //He must be Keroberos many years from now but in my lifetime . . .// Clow thought as he followed the lion's long tail. It was wrapping itself around someone's hand. The hand shook Keroberos off and turned the page of a book.
Clow gasped, the angel was sitting on the other side of the window seat; one of his bare feet was rubbing up and down against the older Clow's. The angel didn't seem aware that he was doing it, and Keroberos was dozing, heavy head lying on Clow's chest. The older Clow smiled slightly as he looked at the angel happily. Clow sat up and placed Keroberos on the bench gently so not to wake him. He moved to the other side to look closer at the angel. He was still denied the knowledge whether this was Hei-ying or not, but he felt a rush of need and love. He also felt a little silly as he raised his hand to knock lightly on the glass; it wasn't like the angel would be able to hear him.
He tapped lightly on the glass twice, and was surprised when the angel's eyes slipped off the book; a small frown creased his perfect brow. His curious gaze looked first at the dozing Keroberos, then at the older Clow who had resumed his gazing out of the window. As a last check, the perfect angel turned to look out the window. Clow began to curse as he felt the vision slip away from him, the last thing he saw was the angel's perfect eyes widen with surprise. "I love you!" Clow mouthed clearly, hoping the angel had seen him.
He twitched his nose; something was brushing it roughly. There was a concerned growl, and then the brushing continued. Clow realised that the brushing wasn't brushing it was licking. He groaned lightly, and opened his eyes. His eyes widened with surprise as Keroberos' face filled his vision. His tiny fuzzy features were creased in a deep frown, as his concerned gold eyes searched Clow's face. The tiny lion seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Oh, no. . ." Clow murmured, as he brought his hands up to soothe the small lion, "It's okay, I just had a small vision that's all . . ."
The lion trembled into Clow's chest, as Clow sat up. He cooed and murmured quietly as he calmed the lion down. "I'm sorry . . . that must have been very worrying for you . . ."
He looked up, the cards were orbiting them, "I'm all right," he assured them, "I just saw something . . ."
Keroberos pushed himself up to look into Clow's eyes, and then the lion looked up at the cards, he gazed at them amazed. Clow watched Keroberos' expression closely; the lion had proven that he could sense the after- resonance of magic, but it was quite another feat to accurately sense pure magic. "Do you realise what they are, Keroberos?"
Keroberos still stared at the cards, but he nodded. "Tell me what they are . . ." Clow murmured.
"Card. . ." He raised a paw to touch the nearest card; the Earthy graciously lowered herself to allow the curious kitten to make contact with her. He pawed her smooth surface lightly, he jerked back with surprise when she began to glow for him. He glanced at Clow worriedly, to check if Clow approved of what she was doing. When Clow nodded, Keroberos pawed her again, her glowing intensified. She hovered over him and dusted him with some glowing magic. Clow laughed as the lion shook it off. He plucked the card out of the air, and then stood. Keroberos remained on the floor still shaking the sparkling dust off. He growled slightly as the last few flecks refused to leave his tail.
Clow settled back into the window seat, he watched Keroberos fondly. The lion was still a child, happy, playful, and full of life. //just what I need . . .// Clow smiled at the lion as he realised Clow was waiting for him. The golden kitten pranced over, and scrambled up the seat. Clow folded his legs under him, and held the card in front of the lion. Keroberos sat opposite Clow, and stared very seriously at the card. He pressed his paw against the golden banner.
Clow smiled, "This is the Earthy, and she is the last card I created. Do you understand? This . . ." he ran his finger over the gold banner, ". . . Is her name, her name is The Earthy. Hmmmm. . .? Do you understand?"
The lion nodded solemnly, he glanced up from the card and paused. He drew a deep breath and opened his mouth, "My name . . .?"
Clow's eyes crinkled with warmth, he petted Keroberos before answering. "Your name is Keroberos. Keh-row-bear-ros. Keroberos."
"Kaah-rooe-bear-rus."
Clow shook his head slightly, "No. . . Kehh. . ." he motioned the lion to repeat it.
"Kehh. . ." the lion nodded.
Clow smiled then over pronounced the next part, "Rrrow. . ."
"Rrow. . ."
"Bear. . ."
"Bear. . ."
Clow smiled as his finished, "Ross."
"Ross." The lion grinned. "Keroberos!" He leapt to his feet and took several different poses, repeating his name over and over. Clow laughed, and let the Earthy rejoin the pack.
"Who is. . . ?" Keroberos looked to the door, and Clow took this to mean that the small lion wanted to know who Hei-ying was.
"You know that he is your Oniichan, your eldest brother . . .?" Clow checked, when Keroberos nodded, he continued, "His name is Hei-ying Reed."
"Hei-ying Reed?"
"Hei-ying Reed, just as you are Keroberos Reed." Keroberos bit his bottom lip, Clow smiled kindly again. "Go on . . . if you never ask questions then you will never learn . . ."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Clow Reed. I created you. I created Hei-ying. And I created these cards."
Keroberos pressed his nose and forepaws against the glass. "Did you make the outside?"
Clow blushed, "No, I didn't . . . no, only you, Hei-ying and the cards."
Keroberos smiled, and then crawled into Clow's arms again, he yawned. "Must I call you Master?"
While Keroberos was leaning all about his new life, Hei-ying had entered the room silently; he stood in the doorway just observing the Master and his new younger brother.
Sensing that the Master would probably like to teach the younger brother without the distraction of Hei-ying, he back slowly out of the room and turned to return to his room. He paused to listen to Clow's reply to the impertinent lion's request. "No, Keroberos, you don't have to . . . like Hei-ying, I give you permission to use my name. . ."
"Good." Clow put the card back into the pack, and picked out another. He laid it in front of Hei-ying. "Now, the Mirror?"
"You must say it's name. Once it's name is spoken, it will return to it's card form." Hei-ying smiled so far he hadn't gotten a single one wrong.
"Good. Good. Now, the Woody."
Hei-ying laughed, "That's a trick question, Master. You don't need to do anything to turn it back to it's card form. It will do it by itself."
Clow chuckled, "Very good. You have been paying attention."
"Oh, I listen to every word you say, Master." Clow blushed slightly. Hei- ying was doing it again. He was flirting with him, even though they had stopped sleeping together about three months after Keroberos had been created. The small lion wouldn't leave Clow's side for five minutes let alone the time they need to have a good time. In some ways though, Clow felt happier about distancing himself from Hei-ying. His first creation seemed to get very jealous when Clow was out, and while he didn't dare interrogate his Master, he seemed overtly concerned with Clow's dealings when Clow left the mansion. Now, Clow felt Hei-ying understood that their physical relationship was over and was going to remain this way for the time being, but there were times Hei-ying would try and entice Clow back.
Clow coughed and pulled another card from the pack. "Firey?"
Hei-ying smiled, he knew this one too. He was about to answer when . . .
"CLOW?" Keroberos bolted past the door, and then tried to stop. He slid along the floor slightly; then turned and scrambled back into the room. "CLOW!!!"
Clow laughed, the lion had grown a lot in the last three months, and was now lean and slightly lanky in his appearance. "Yes, Keroberos?"
The lion grabbed Clow's robes in his teeth and tried to drag the magician along with him out of the room. "Come look! Look!" He cried excitedly.
Hei-ying stood and snapped, "Keroberos! We are in a lesson! Show more respect to the Master!"
The two brothers glared at each other for a bit, both were a bit headstrong when it came to getting Clow's attention, and therefore rarely backed down. Hei-ying didn't seem to like his new brother. Clow sighed, "Hei-ying, we can continue the lesson later, I have a feeling what Keroberos has to show me is a bit urgent."
"Not only that but it's very important too!" Cried Keroberos as well. He pranced out the room, and called out "Follow me! Come look! Look!"
Hei-ying stared at Clow as he shrugged and followed the brash little lion. He sank slowly into his seat in shock. Clow had chosen the brutish lion above him. Him. Hei-ying, his first creation, his first lover. He felt a tiny pang of the same emotion that had made him stand up and yell at Keroberos. He stood and looked out the window, Clow was laughing, as the lion brought leaf after leaf to him, each leaf was yellow from the affects of autumn. Hei-ying briefly wondered why the lion was so amazed by the leaves that fell from the trees, when it occurred to him. This was Keroberos' first autumn. As Clow crouched down by the lion, Hei-ying knew he was explaining the phenomenon to his younger brother, Hei-ying found himself thinking a silly thought. //Perhaps . . .// he moved closer to the window of his classroom, and pressed a pale hand against the clear glass, he spoke his thoughts aloud to himself.
" . . . I should make this last autumn the last Keroberos sees . . ."
Clow paused in his explanation, and looked up to the classroom window. Hei- ying stared at them briefly before his pale figure shrank back into the shadows.
-------------------
And now it's Time for LEAVE IT TO DR MEGALOMANIA!!
Hei-ying: Hmmm . . . how shall I do it? How? How? How?
Kero: Keep away from me, you psychotic homicidal maniac!
Clow: Kero . . . that was surprisingly well worded of you . . .
Kero: Yeah, I know . . . ol' DrM's been havin' a little too much fun with the synonyms option today!
DrM: I can't help it! My writer's block on 'Whimpy Scaredy Cat' just exploded!! I finally think I cracked it!
Hei-ying: [brightly] Kero's skull?
DrM: [points at evil dude] You. Are. *Sick*.
Hei-ying: Yeah, I know . . . [reads fic] And I'm surprisingly inconsistent!
DrM: Shush! You're insane, insane people don't think straight . . . they think left.
Hei-ying: [dead pan] Oh, now who doesn't make any sense?!
Clow: [whispering] I think we should make a run for it . . .
Kero: [whispering] I agree . . . but before we run away screaming, I think we should ask the readers to R&R. . .
Clow: [whispering] Good point! [Whispers to readers] Please R&R!!!