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!

"Speaking"

*Stress/emphasis*

//Thinking//

In This Tainted Soul . . .

By Dr Megalomania.

Part Twenty-Three: But Must Every Story . . .

****IN THE TIME OF THE CARDCAPTOR****

The capture had gone well, it was his first as an adviser but he was confident that what he had learned from his own learnings would suffice for the new Cardcaptor. He couldn't sleep, so he fluttered up to the windowsill. It was no way as comfortable as the window seat in Clow's study, //That *was* in Clow's study// he revised. He sighed, he wasn't tired at all, //How can you sleep after spending the last thirty years dead to the world?//

He gazed at his false form's reflection in the glass, he was glad Clow had chosen this form, the little girl was panicky and would no doubt find his true form slightly scary. //It's still cooler than this one!// he thought obstinately. He sighed and looked at the little girl who Clow had predicted would be the Mistress of his Cards, he cocked his head, he had been expecting the Cardcaptor to be . . . more brave, bold, courageous, filled with a huge desire to tame the Cards but instead . . . //So you are the Cardcaptor . . .// Keroberos stood on the small windowsill and stared down at the sleeping girl, //Cardcaptor Sakura . . . sounds perfect!// he smiled, and looked out into the night, the Moon was just a sliver of light in the bejewelled night's sky. He felt a pang of sadness, "Yue . . ."

The Clow book hovered nearby, as the Windy and the Fly joined him on the ledge.  They faced the window as if to gaze at the clear night, Keroberos threw a glance at back of the book; Yue's symbol was missing. It had been missing for nearly ten years, Clow had cast a spell so when the Cardcaptor had been born Yue's false form would seek her out. Keroberos struggled to remember what the false form's name was, "Rabbit . . . or snow or something like that," He muttered, he quirked an eyebrow at the sound of his voice, the Osaka accent he acquired made him sound slightly different but he enjoyed it.

He gazed at the Cardcaptor again, "I will not fail Clow . . . and I will never fail you, Sakura . . . never."

Sakura was much braver than she showed, Keroberos was very proud of her as she conquered every Card that threatened her. He started to think about the final judgement and how Yue would manifest himself. At first he had thought that Sakura's new teacher . . . he frowned as he tried to remember her name, "Something Kaho . . ." He muttered. Keroberos (or as Sakura and Tomoyo had taken to calling him, Kero-chan) looked over at Sakura, her hand had slipped off the bed and was holding Tomoyo's as the two little girls slept.

Tomoyo was responsible for the shortening of his name; he didn't like it at first. It made him sound like some sort of frog, however it was infinitely better than the insult that the Gaki had taken to calling him. Kero glared out of the window, he might actually like that Li kid if he didn't insist on using the one, most painful insult that reminded him of the thing that would have advised Sakura. He looked at her again, she reminded him of . . . he snorted slightly, she reminded him of his little brother, Yue, so full of life and giggles. It was nice to be around such a happy person again, Sakura wasn't the only happy person that was in the house tonight, he thought as he looked at the wall that was between Sakura's and Touya's rooms. It was an all-round sleep over thing, as Touya had brought one of his friends around to sleep as well.

Tsukishiro Yukito, the snow rabbit, was sleeping over again on one of their study nights. Kero frowned, the name sounded so familiar, he knew that Yue's other form was called Yukito but he couldn't remember the last name Clow had given the small boy. Keroberos shook his head, Tsukishiro didn't look that much like Yukito, his hair was straighter, shorter and a darker grey. Also, Yue's false form had perfect vision, Tsukishiro couldn't see past the end of his nose without his wide glasses. Keroberos sighed, besides he couldn't feel any magic from Tsukishiro. "He couldn't be Yue . . ." He muttered as he stared at the wall harder, "Datte . . ."

A few months later, Keroberos finally gave into his curiosity. Touya's best friend reminded him of something . . . he fluttered quietly into the bedroom where the two were sleeping. Keroberos smiled, so the two *were* lovers, Touya had been very careful to keep this fact a secret. He fluttered over the bed and peered at Tsukishiro. //White Castle?// there was something so familiar about him, his gentle face, his peaceful smile. . .

"Could you be . . .?" He began but something else brushed against his senses, he flew straight back to Sakura's room, he sensed a Clow Card!

The Final Judgement was over.

Keroberos sighed a breath of relief, Sakura had won and Yue was just performing the closing spell. He glanced at Kaho, and wondered when Clow had made the strange bell she had used. Why didn't Clow tell them that he thought Sakura might fail first time? He chuckled slightly as he realised that Clow might have actually taken in some of Keroberos' concerns instead of just believing that Sakura would be instantly powerful enough to defeat Yue. He looked up as Sakura reappeared some distance off. He let Tomoyo and the Li boy take care of her; he had someone else to see. He bounded towards the magic aura he had missed for so long, once he spotted him, his large wings spread and carried him to his missing brother.

Yue was sitting on a nearby roof, watching Sakura. //She looks nothing like Clow// he reflected, //Touya does though . . .// he frowned as the thought crossed his mind again, //Just because Yukito is his lover it doesn't mean that I must be as well//

"All is well." A deep voice rumbled beside him, "And as Clow predicted, Sakura is the new Card Mistress."

"Hmmm. . ." Yue hummed before looking at Keroberos, he raised a teasing eyebrow while keeping a perfectly straight face, "And you've put on some weight . . ."

"I did say that if you didn't cook for me, I'd just ask her to provide me with an unending supply of pudding!" Keroberos snorted, "And besides, you've become very serious . . . whatever happened to . . ." He pranced up and down slightly, "It's snowing! It's snowing! Keroberos! Let's go play in the snow!"

Yue frowned; "I've never done that!"

"Yes, you have!" Keroberos rubbed his head affectionately under his younger brother's chin, "And what's this about you and Touya?"

"There is nothing between the Mistress' brother and me . . . it is merely Yukito's infatuation."

Keroberos chuckled, "I almost didn't recognise you . . . since when did Yukito need glasses?"

"He doesn't, he just thinks he does . . . and you didn't recognise me . . . you thought I was that Moon priestess." He glanced at Keroberos when his elder brother didn't answer, "Nani?"

Keroberos looked at him warmly, "I missed you so much little one . . ."

"I'm not little . . ." Yue smiled, "And I missed you too Oniichan . . . although . . . I don't remember you ever talking like that . . . is that Osaka?"

Keroberos grinned and looked at Sakura, "She has done well, she will make an excellent Mistress."

"It looks just like the one in England!"

Ruby looked around the new house; she dropped her bags on the hard wood floor, and stepped forward. Her child Master was just behind her, she peered down at him as he followed her in, he now looked like a ten year-old, where as she had fully grown. She had the appearance of an 18-year old girl, or so she had decided.

"I know . . ." Eriol carried in his bags, "It's perfect!"

Ruby frowned, "We moved all the way to Japan to live in a house that looks exactly like our old one?"

"It's not exactly the same!" Spinel fluttered in, his small plushie form almost unbearably cute with it's tiny clear butterfly wings and large head, "It's missing the upper three floors . . ."

Eriol smiled again, "It's perfect . . . and the better thing is they won't really recognise it!"

Ruby blinked, "They? You mean the other two?"

Eriol nodded, "The new Card Mistress will have a few days' reprieve to rest from the battle with my Moonbeam, and then we will start playing with her."

"We have a new transfer student . . . he comes from England, everyone please give a warm welcome to Hiirawagizawa Eriol . . ." The teacher turned to the tall blue haired boy, "Please introduce yourself to the class."

"Certainly," Eriol smiled as he turned to face the class of fourth formers. He quickly searched their faces, looking for his cute little descendant, the Cardcaptor and the Cardcaptor's best friend. He smiled as soon as he spotted the unmistakeable emerald eyes of the Cardcaptor. "Hello . . . I'm Hiirawagizawa Eriol; it's a pleasure to meet all of you!"

He quickly bowed as the class echoed his greeting, the teacher quickly scanned the room, "Umm . . . there is a place beside Li Syaoran, please sit there."

"Hai!" Eriol beamed, //Perfect!// he was going to sit behind the Cardcaptor's best friend and right next to his cute little descendant. He couldn't help but pause as he came to the Cardcaptor; he smiled as he looked at her. He had waited so long to meet her; it was more of his past life speaking as he beamed at her, "Hello Sakura!"

She blinked at him, and the little descendent glowered at him; he smiled at the descendant and could sense the boy had growing feelings for her. He memorised this fact, knowing that his descendant's love for the Cardcaptor would help her someday, he would encourage it, he decided. He glanced at the best friend; she smiled at him in a way that made him blink. She had a very pretty smile, kind and full. He smiled to himself as he sat. These three would be quite interesting to get to know, Sakura, Syaoran and . . . he glanced up at the long purple hair of the girl in front of him, the scent of lavender drifted from it . . . and Tomoyo . . .

"We have a new transfer student . . . she comes from England . . ." Touya glanced at Yukito; the snow rabbit had always struck him as British. He wondered if maybe in some past life, Yuki had once lived there. Touya smiled as his double vision allowed him to briefly see the being that lived inside of Yuki. This angel-like being blinked and turned his head to look at Touya, a few seconds later Yuki did the same thing. "Nani?" He whispered.

"Nothing . . ." Touya smiled, the being blinked again then fell back asleep, sometimes, just sometimes the being would stay awake much longer and continue to stare at him. When he had first met Yuki, he had thought this being was some sort of soul eater, but quickly realised the being was very benevolent. In fact it seemed like Yuki was hiding him, even though Yuki wasn't aware that his body was part of someone else's. He glanced up at the new student; she was staring at Yuki as if she had just found him. She was like Yuki, Touya realised, and she was hiding someone else as well. He blinked, as her attention fell on him, her lip curled slightly into a smile, she had found something else of interest.

"Please introduce yourself to the class."

"Hello! I'm Akizuki Nakuru! It's such a pleasure to meet all of you!" She glanced at Yuki again and smiled. Touya frowned, she'd better not try and seduce Yuki . . . because for one thing Yuki wasn't that way inclined, second he was taken and third, he was Touya's koi, and no-one else's.

Yue looked up at the damage the giant teddy bear had caused to Yukito's home, //How am I going to convince Yukito that *this* isn't anything to worry about?//

"That strange presence is back again!" Keroberos growled. Yue understood why Keroberos was so angry, whatever it was, the presence seemed to be mimicking Clow's aura.

Unaware he was being watched, Yue looked around. Eriol and his guardians watched them from a nearby building, "That's them?" Ruby smiled, "They don't look so fearsome."

"Not every thing that is dangerous looks that way . . ." Spinel muttered, "That seemed a little subtle for your tastes, Master.

"I thought I'd start small and work up from there . . ." Eriol smiled, he stared at Yue. He knew he shouldn't, after all he had been lecturing Ruby and Spinel to ensure that they didn't reveal their presence to his former life's guardians but he couldn't resist it. He hadn't been so close to Yue in such a long time. He closed his eyes and thought the idea very quietly to Yue.

//Little One . . . I miss you . . .//

Yue's head snapped upward, //Papa?!//

"What is it?"" Keroberos asked. Yue glanced at him and shook his head.

"It's. . ." Yue paused, he had never called Clow 'Papa' before, and this presence seemed too much like Clow, perhaps it was just his imagination. ". . .nothing. . ."

As Keroberos went to check on Sakura and her purple haired friend, Yue looked up at the Moon, the strange thought had provoke a respond, and while he didn't dare say it aloud, he did think it back just as quietly.

Eriol smiled as Yue's response came to him, //Clow . . . I miss you too . . .// Spinel and Ruby followed Eriol obediently as he turned and they returned to their home once more.

It was raining outside heavily, and normally he would have been aware of the rain spirits dancing on their roof, but since the transfer . . .

Touya gasped as he awoke. He no longer had his powers but he could feel when someone was breathing just a few centimetres away from his face.

"Why does everyone do that when I appear?" Yue muttered as he fluttered away from Touya, he landed softly on the floor at the end of the bed. Touya sat up, "Maybe because you do it so unexpectedly?"

Yue's only response was to make his wings disappear; he folded his arms and gazed at Touya. Touya swung his feet to the floor, "Why are you here? Is Sakura all right?"

"The Mistress is fine . . . in fact she has not needed to call me . . ." Yue glanced at the door; "I do not believe she is aware I am here."

"Why are you here then?" Touya shrugged into a dressing gown. Yue put a hand on his hip and gazed at Touya, he blinked and turned away, "I . . . do not know . . ."

"Is everything all right with Yuki?"

Yue stared out the window at the full Moon, magic suffusing his body. He closed his eyes and took it all in, "I'm fine, To-ya . . ."

Touya blinked, for a moment there he couldn't tell which of them was speaking, he cautiously approached Yue. Yukito had just found out that he was also Yue, and he had asked Touya to speak to Yue when he had the chance. "Are you sure?"

Yue nodded, he even chuckled slightly, "Are you developing a Yukito-complex?" He turned and smiled at Touya, teasing in the exact tone of voice Yukito did. Touya smiled, so the true self wasn't as different from the false self at all.

"Not at all . . . it's just Yukito asked me to—"

"Check up on me the first chance you got . . . I know; I was there too."

"You are aware when we're—"

"Yue held up a hand, yes I am . . ." He smiled, "I don't mind and I hope you don't either. Yukito enjoys it a lot, I-- he would be saddened if you became uncomfortable with me . . ." He straightened his robes before sitting on the edge of the bed, a moment of silence past before Touya sat beside him.

"Why are you here?"

"I want to know why I am . . . I mean why Yukito is so attracted to you . . . he's supposed to be attracted to Sakura."

"Pardon me?"

"We're supposed to be attracted to Sakura because of her power, like Keroberos is, only more so . . ." Yue looked at him, "Why are you . . . why did this . . ." Yue raised his hand and stroked Touya's cheek, he seemed mesmerised by the dark haired boy, "How did you do this to me?"

Touya laced his fingers with Yue's; "I don't know . . . you tell me."

Yue pulled his fingers away and stood, he glided over to the window silently, "I said I would never fall in love with anyone ever again . . . why have you done this to me again?"

Touya stood, "Who did before?"

Yue's expression softened as he gazed out on the rain, "My creator."

"You were in love with Clow."

"I *am*. I am in love with Clow."

"But he's dead." Touya moved behind Yue, and placed a light hand on the middle of Yue's back. "And there's no real chance of him ever coming back is there?"

Yue shivered as Touya started to rub his back in slow circles. "No. . . there isn't. . ." he turned unwillingly, "But I don't want to forget him. . ."

Far above them on the roof, Eriol was listening with a degree of sadness. Yue wasn't playing the right game. He closed his eyes; Yue was safe now from Sakura's lack of power. He smiled as he sent the fragmented memory to Yue.

//But don't worry, while I won't be able to show you how much you mean to me . . . you will be well taken care of, you will find a love so much better deserving of you . . . because there will be someone else you will love, someone else, another . . . someone purer than this tainted soul . . . and he will take my place within your heart . . .// Eriol smiled, as he added one more piece to the memory, //Please allow him . . . it would hurt me so much to know that you are not happy . . . let him. . .// Eriol sighed, part of him never wanted to let go, be selfish and take his angel back to be his once more, and the consequences be damned, //Let him heal you . . .//

Yue stared at Touya, //Please// at first he resisted as Touya put his arms around him, //Please allow// Touya smiled, and laced his fingers in Yue's thick hair. Yue's eyes slid shut as Touya started to kiss him lightly, //Please allow him//. Maybe it was so wrong of him, maybe Clow would understand, //it would hurt me so much// maybe Touya would help, help him get over the pain in his heart that Clow had caused when he left, //hurt me so much to know// maybe Touya would love him, maybe //so much to know// Touya could love the both of him, //to know that// maybe even one day . . . he and Yukito could be one again . . . //know that you// he let himself be pulled towards the bed, maybe just for tonight, Yue and Yukito could be one again. . . //it would hurt me so much to know that you// one again. . . just for one night. . . //know that you are not happy. . .// . . .one with Touya. . . just one night. . . //let him. . .// one night together, and the pain would be. . . //heal you. . .//

"I love you . . ." Yue raised his hand, as Touya laid him back gently, he traced the usually serious brows, and stared wonderingly into the deep sapphire eyes, ". . .Touya."   

The light was almost blinding as Eriol's powerful spell was revoked, he smiled proudly at Sakura. "Well done!" He clapped, "Very well done!!"

She had done it; she had transformed the last few Sakura Cards, and had managed to beat him. He glanced at his own guardians, Ruby and Spinel as they looked at him confused. "I thought you wanted to beat her!"2 Ruby cried out.

"No. . . I wanted to help her . . ." Eriol leapt off the shrine's gate and landed softly. Ruby and Spinel followed, they all waited patiently as Yue and Keroberos returned from the staff. Sakura regarded him warily. "Why did you do this?"

"Because I knew you had to change the Cards . . . and I wanted to help you . . ." he looked at Keroberos and Yue, "You've both grown a lot . . . "

Yue and Keroberos exchange a look then glared at him, "You are Clow Reed? You can't be!" Keroberos growled, "We saw you die!"

"I know you did . . ." Eriol smiled, "I also know that for your last birthdays before that, I gave you the Light and Dark Cards . . . the first Card I gave you Keroberos was the Flower Card and for Yue the Glow . . ."

"You can't be him!" Yue spat, "He died!"

"I am not Clow, I am Eriol . . . but I am Clow's half reincarnation."

"Half reincarnation?" Syaoran slide his sword into its cover.

"Yes, my cute little descendant . . ." Eriol smiled at him, he was very much like Clow's uncle. He looked at Ruby and Spinel; "These are my Sun and Moon guardians." He turned to Ruby and Spinel, "Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun . . . this is my past life's Sun and Moon guardians, from Clow's mother's side, the Li clan head Li Syaoran, my cute little descendant, Tomoyo is the Card Mistress' best friend, and chief provider of her wonderful costumes, and this is the Card Mistress . . . " Eriol turned stepped forward, he grasped her hand and gazed fondly at her, "Her name is Sakura . . . she's my daughter . . . "

Sakura blinked, "Hoe?! "

Eriol smiled, "Well, not my blood daughter, but most certainly my soul's . . . your father is the other reincarnation . . . "

Sakura blinked again, "Clow Reed . . . but why? "

"I had to make sure you changed the Cards . . . and, if you'll permit me to be a bit selfish . . . I wanted to meet you. " He smiled, "And I wanted to see how Yue and Keroberos had done . . . " He looked at them, "You have both grown so much . . . " he shook his head, "I wish I could have come sooner, to see you in your final judgement . . . "

Yue glanced from Eriol to Ruby Moon, who walked up to him, "I guess this makes us siblings then . . . " She stuck out her hand, "My name's Ruby . . . this is my twin brother, Suppi."

"*Spinel*! My name is Spinel!" The large blue panther snapped, as Keroberos looked at him.

"You said your name was Suppi when we met," Keroberos chuckled, so now he had even younger siblings.

"Well, I lied. " Spinel glared at him, "My name is Spinel."

Eriol chuckled, and pulled out his pocket watch, "Oh my!" He gasped, "We're late!"

"Late for what?" Cried Sakura as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her over to a pond.

"I didn't think it would take so long for you to figure it out!" He called out, "Come along all of you!"

"That sounds like Clow all right!" Grumbled Keroberos as the group gathered around the pond. Sakura gasped as she realised what was wrong with the water's surface. It wasn't reflecting the late evening's sky; the sky in the pond was a bright summer blue. "What the hell is this?" Syaoran called from the back.

Eriol smiled, "It's something that needs to be done!" He touched the water lightly causing a slight ripple. The group gasped collectively as Clow Reed leaned over the water. The magician looked much younger than when Sakura had met him.

Eriol turned to Sakura, "This is Clow . . . he doesn't know about you yet . . . "

"What do you mean?"

"Time is relative, the times we have met him before haven't happened to him yet . . . this is a long time before he figured out you and the judgement."

Ruby pushed forward and stared in amazement, "He does look a little like you . . . especially here in the eye depar—"

"No!" Yue quickly grabbed her arm, "You might make him disappear!"

Clow's expression was one of pure puzzlement, he looked like he didn't recognise anyone. He cocked his head at Yue, and a funny sort of smile crossed his face. He suddenly disappeared from the water.

"Where'd he go?!" Yue cried in disappointment.

"I know . . ." Eriol got up and crossed to the other side of the water, he raised his hand and beckoned at the water, "Come back here."

He walked back to the group who were leaning closer to the water; he smiled as Clow leaned back into view. The magician smiled and waved at them. Yue sighed and leaned back slightly, Sakura giggled, "Look Tomoyo! This is Clow Reed! Can you see him through your camera?"

"Yes! This is incredible!" Tomoyo breathed as she focused her camera on the water. Eriol watched as Clow's attention wavered towards the digital camera, he smiled, //I probably don't know what one of those are// he leaned towards Tomoyo, making sure Clow could see his face clearly, he said slowly, "He doesn't know what it is, please . . . this is important, we can't let him be distracted by the camera."

The group including his own guardians looked at him as if he'd just gone insane, Clow however looked at him questioningly and mouthed something at Eriol.

"Why are you speaking so slowly?" Syaoran asked.

Eriol smiled briefly at Clow before answering Syaoran, "Because he can't hear us . . . it's just so he can lip-read what we're saying."

"Oh . . ." Syaoran frowned.

"What's he laughing at?" Ruby pulled the attention back to Clow, who was now laughing at the water.

Eriol smiled, "Go on . . ." he said clearly, "Tell them . . ."

Clow smiled and pointed at Syaoran, "He's my cute little descendant!"

Syaoran's eyes widened as Eriol laughed at the name, Eriol turned and shrugged, "I can't help it . . . you really are very cute . . ." he turned serious slightly, "Now it's very important you all leave . . . except for you, Sakura and Keroberos . . ."

Yue didn't look like he wanted to leave, "Please Yue . . . you can see him again soon . . . "

Yue nodded and withdrew from Clow's sight. Eriol smiled and motioned Keroberos to sit by him, Sakura sat on the other side, "What are you doing? "

Eriol smiled, and turned to her, he spoke with his hand covering his mouth from Clow. "He hasn't created Keroberos yet . . . so I'm going to give him a little clue . . . "

Keroberos snapped his head towards the reincarnation in shock, "What do you mean? "

"Lean closer to the water please . . . and say hello . . . "

Keroberos shrugged and did as he was told; he smiled widely to make Clow feel comfortable, "Konbanwa! "

Clow glanced at Eriol, then back at Keroberos. He mouthed something Keroberos didn't catch. He looked at Eriol for a translation, "What did he say? "

He said, "Who are you? "

"NANI?! " Keroberos' head snapped towards the reflection, "It's me! " He frowned, "MEEEEEEE!!! "

Clow didn't seem to understand as he looked from Eriol to Sakura, Sakura put her hand on Keroberos' shoulder, "He really doesn't know who you are . . . " She looked into the water, "Keroberos . . . Keehh—row—bear—ros! " She clarified. "Keroberos! "

Clow mouthed the word back, and Keroberos nodded enthusiastically, "Keroberos! " He motioned at himself to make sure Clow was getting it right, "Keroberos! I'm the guardian beast of the—" he glared at Eriol as the blue haired boy clamped his hand over his mouth, he shook his head.

Clow glared at Eriol as well as he demanded something that neither Sakura or Keroberos understood, Eriol smiled regrettably, and leaned towards Keroberos, "Tell him he will have to figure it out for himself . . . "

Once he released his muzzle, Keroberos leaned towards the water; "You will have to figure it out for yourself. "

Clow frowned again, and then mouthed something else, Eriol leaned towards Keroberos, "He wants to know when he will create you, say very clearly 'Whenever you decide it.' "

Keroberos sucked in a breathe, this moment would result in his own creation, he looked over his shoulder, "What about him? " Yue stood close by, unaware of the importance of the moment. Keroberos looked at Eriol who refused to say anymore, he just pointed at Clow, Keroberos looked at Clow's reincarnation, and then at Yue, then at Sakura, finally he looked down at Clow. Smiling as warmly as he could, Keroberos said as clearly as he could, "Whenever you decide it . . . "

Eriol smiled and nodded, he looked over at the rest of the group, "You can have one more look, if you like . . . "

Yue was the first there, he stared down at Clow, he hadn't seen him in so long. Clow stared back; he looked like he had never seen Yue before. Eriol raised his hand over the water, and Clow pulled his attention away from Yue to look at him, he mouthed something at Eriol, but Eriol paid no attention as he struck the water. The vision was gone.

"What was that? " Sakura turned to Eriol, who was smiling at his watch.

"That was Keroberos . . . in about three hours, we shall do Yue . . . "

"What are you talking about? " Keroberos turned to him.

"I am twenty-nine in that vision, in the three hours for us, for me in that time a few months will have past, and I will start to think about creating Yue. In fact, Keroberos do you remember that night when I couldn't stop saying 'Yue'? "

"Yeah I do . . . " Keroberos glanced at Yue, "Does this mean we will see him through the pond again? " He frowned, "No wait . . . Clow destroyed that pond when . . . "

"I know. " Eriol cut him off suddenly, "That is why we are going to call him into his study . . . "

Three hours past as the group got to know each other a little better, Ruby and Spinel were a little hesitant to Yue but Keroberos enjoyed the prospect of being an older brother to all of them. Eriol watched them fondly, and smiled as he felt Sakura approach him, "Are you really Clow Reed reborn? "

"Yes . . . I am . . . " he held up his hand, and clasped hers gently; "I am so pleased that you managed to get over all of my tasks. " He sighed, "It's time . . . Yue . . . "

The group went to the pool again, and stared down. The reflection was rippling slightly, deep violet ripples began to appear, Eriol smiled, his magic is creating the vision this time. "He has grown very strong now . . . Yue . . . please call him. "

Yue frowned slightly and knelt by the water edge, "Clow . . .? . . . Clow Reed? " The water still rippled, "Where are you? " He glanced at Eriol, who nodded, ". . . Clow Reed? "

Clow's voice echoed slightly, but was echoing in the wrong direction, instead of the last sound of the words being repeated, the first sound was. It almost sounded like he was talking backwards. "Who's there . . .? "

Eriol smiled, "Clow . . . come in. . . We're waiting for you . . . "

"Eriol?! " Clow's voice sounded faint, "Eriol? Is that . . .? "

"Yes . . . " Eriol smiled at the water as it turned black, it's rippled glowing even more, "Please . . . come in. . . "

There was a pause, and Eriol looked at Yue, Yue understood and spoke again, "Clow . . .? Are you here now? "

"Yes . . . " Eriol suddenly motioned everyone to get back, "Who's there? " The water rippled strongly and cleared, Clow was staring back now, and he looked like he was indoors.

Eriol smiled, "Konbanwa . . . how are you? "

"I am . . . fine . . . I wasn't expecting to see you so soon . . . "

"Time is relative . . . " Eriol explained swiftly, "The times we have met have not been in the same order as they have occurred to you . . . "

"Why can I talk to you now? " Clow smiled.

"You have become much more powerful since we last talked . . . you think so as well. "

"How do you know . . .? "

Eriol smiled simply, "I just do . . . "

As Sakura moved closer Eriol bent down quickly and had a very quiet conversation with Clow. She wondered what they were talking about; she glanced at Yue and hoped that all went well. She didn't want to lose him. She knelt by the water, "Hello Clow-sama . . . "

"Hello again. " Clow smiled warmly, he looked around the gathered group's faces, ". . . to all of you."

Ruby couldn't contain herself anymore, she leant closer to the water, "Are you really Clow Reed? "

"Mmm-Hmmm, " Clow nodded.

"Really? "

Eriol laughed slightly, as Spinel turned to her, "Of course, really."

Keroberos leaned over the water, "Hello Clow! How am I? "

Clow chuckled, "You're brilliant! "

"I'm so handsome in my true form, aren't I? " Keroberos grinned.

Clow sniggered, "Yes, you are. "

Keroberos smiled fondly at him before turning to Eriol, seriousness now tainting his expression. "Now? "

Eriol smiled and started to nod, "Yes, Keroberos . . . now. "

The group shuffled back as Yue stepped forward, he leant over the water. He glanced first at Keroberos, who nudged him, then at Eriol who smiled confidently. He took a deep breath and leaned closer to the water. "Hello Yue. " Clow murmured.

Yue gasped, "How did you . . .? "

"I guessed. " Clow answered simply, he looked utterly calm and knowing. It was time.

Yue looked up at Keroberos, who put a paw on his shoulder and smiled. Yue looked back at Clow who, for reasons unknown to him, gasped. Clow composed himself instantly and asked, "When will you come into my life . . .? "

Yue felt unable to answer, knowing that his response would result in his creation. He lifted a trembling hand to the water and traced Clow's face just above the surface. His lips moving but making no sound, he was nearly overwhelmed. Clow was there, just there unaware of the future, unaware of his love for him. Keroberos patted Yue on the shoulder, "You don't have to say anything . . . you don't have to spend the rest of eternity with me or—"

"Keroberos! " Eriol lifted a finger to his lips to stop Keroberos from saying 'Sakura'; it wasn't the time to inform Clow of her name just yet, "Shh! " He looked at Yue, "It's time . . . "

Yue nodded, he seemed to be a little breathless now, "Whenever . . . " he murmured then paused, his eyes betrayed a sadness, "Whenever you decide it . . . "

Clow nodded, "I know . . . " 

"Clow . . . I . . . " Yue begun but was stopped by Eriol, "Please . . . I . . . " Eriol shook his head silently, and raised his hand to strike the water. "Demo . . . no, please let me--!"

Just as Eriol's hand struck the water, Clow raised his hand. Instead of disappearing the image remained, the water on their side rippled. Eriol looked at him with annoyance, he had certainly been very stubborn in his other life. Clow held his hand over the water as he raised himself to sit on his heels; he leant over the water to stare at Yue. He pressed his finger against his lips much like Eriol had done. "I will see you soon, Yue . . . you can tell me then . . . "

Yue swallowed, and nodded. "Sayonara. " He murmured, knowing that this would be the last time he'd ever see Clow.

"Iie. . . " Clow murmured, "Ja ne . . . because I will see you later. " Clow raise his hand off the image and nodded at Eriol. Eriol smiled appreciating, and raised his water to strike the vision into a close, he glanced at Yue. The Moon angel held his creator's eyes as long as he could before looking away. Yue didn't want to see Clow disappear from his life again.

Shortly afterwards, Yue stormed away, and Touya had woken from the sleep that Eriol's powerful spell had cast over Tomoeda.

"Yue, wait! " Touya called after him, he ran after his sister's Moon guardian, "Yue, please! "

"Go away! " Yue shouted as he walked into some bushes, there was a blue glow and Touya expected to see Yukito stumble out again, when there was no sign of the snow bunny, Touya went in to investigate. Yue's cocoon of feathers was floating over his ice blue magic circle. "Yue? "

"Leave me alone! "

"Yue! Come here, just let me . . . "

"I said leave me alone! " He sounded like he was upset.

"Look, I can be just as stubborn as you! " Touya stood next to the cocoon, "You're upset and you're upsetting Keroberos, and Keroberos is upset so *both* of you are upsetting the kaijuu!"

"I'm not upset! "

"Then how come you stuck halfway through your transformation? " Touya tried to pry the wings apart. "What was it you saw in that pond? "

"I'm not stuck and that's none of your business! " Yue yelled through he feathers.

"Yue! Come out here this minute! " Touya snapped, he hadn't met much of Yue since he had given him his powers, Yukito wasn't best pleased when he found out about Yue but had slowly come to realise that the angel might be lonely. He had asked Touya to take care of his other form. Slowly, the two had become lovers, and with Yukito's consent, but that didn't stop Yue from hiding away a lot of the time.

"Since when did I pronounce you the Card Master?! " Yue growled, "Go away! "

"Yue! Out or I'm coming in! " There was a pause as Yue tried to hide a laugh, Touya smiled as he realised that Yue was softening, "I'm deadly serious, I'm coming in, and then I'll drag you out if needs be! "

There was another pause before Yue's wings started to peel back, Yue stood, floating a few inches off the ground. He looked upset and amused at the same time, "I saw Clow. . . "

"Wasn't that good? "

Yue landed and made his wings disappear, he turned away, "It was, but then it wasn't. . . I . . . I . . . " he turned back to the dark haired boy, "I love you. " Touya blinked, as Yue turned away again.

"I love you too, " Touya wrapped his arms around Yue, "I've told you this so many times . . . I have always loved you and Yukito. Both of you mean everything to me. "

Yue's face creased as Touya confessed this, "I know, I know, we both know . . . but Clow . . . "

The dark haired boy pulled a hand up and cupped Yue's cheek, he leant closer towards Yue, "He's gone . . . but I'm here, let me . . . "

Yue didn't let him finish as he pushed up on his toes and kissed Touya, he knew Touya was right, and somewhere in his mind he could hear Clow saying that this was all right, that by loving Touya made Clow happy. Touya smiled as he felt Yue deepen the kiss; perhaps this meant the angel was letting go of his past, and coming to accept Touya and his love . . .

. . . But Must Every Story . . .

-------------------

And Now It's Time For LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!

Kero: We're Back!!

Yue: Yay us!

Sakura: ooooh . . . brand new A/N's to inhabit!

Syaoran: [folds arms] I don't trust that Eriol Bloke!

Eriol: What's there to not to tr. . . let me put that another way, what's there to trust?

Tomoyo: Hello Eriol!

Eriol: Hanyannnnn!

Ruby: Uh, master?

Spinel: hoo-boy. . . so Bluest Of The Goo-est, how are you?

Blue gOo: Hey look! I got capitals! And. . . DrM. . . sweetie. . . darling. . . PUNDTUATE YOUR DARN WORK *A*S* YOU'RE WRITING!!

DrM: Okay. . . so we just spent the last hour punctuating this darn thing . . . [Shrugs] that's nothing! Anyway . . . anyone we didn't get in here?

Clow: ME!!

Meilin: AND ME!!

DrM: Clow baby you had all. . . *twenty* chapters of these damnable A/N's to say your piece! [Points at Meilin] and you have your *own* fic! [Clicks fingers and both disappear, DrM starts to cry] Okay . . . well, here it is . . . the real last A/N's for this fic, yep, that it there's no more after this except for one last chapter . . . [Sniff] so I'd like to say thank you to every one who has read and reviewed this fic, thank you even more for the 100+ reviews, and to assure you that Hei-ying, whether you love him . . .

Mystrasa: Awww! Hei-ying!

DrM: [raises eyebrow] . . . indeed . . . or loathe him . . .

Kero: THAT BASTARD!!

DrM: [raises other eyebrow] . . . indeed . . . or indeed have absolutely no memory of him . . .

Yue: huh?

DrM: [lack of eyebrows so calls The Rock and gets him to do The People's Eyebrow for her] . . . yeah, that too . . . whatever you feel about him, he will be back . . . in the sequel. . .

In This Tainted Soul . . . There Lies Hope.

DrM: So until then. . . please R&R, please read the next chapter and R&R, and . . . [takes sweeping bow] Arigato my friends and Goodnight. . . Ja Ne. . .