Why, Hello and welcome to my little world of weirdness!

I state for the record that, while I really, really wish I did, I don't own any of the wonderful characters that will grace this story . . . they are all CLAMP's, always have been, always will be! However I do lay claim to a few of the original characters, for example . . . I own Hei-ying, and his false form, Tomodachi Yukito, I own Mystrasa Kyree, and Carolyn and Amanda Reed, I don't own The Dragon, Saurian because he is on loan from my very good friend, the ever intangible Blue Goo.

In This Tainted Soul . . . There Lies Hope . . .

By Dr Megalomania

Part Seven: Eye For An Eye

A few days later . . .

The harsh weather of the last few days let up for a bit, and winter allowed some warm sunlight in.

The dragon sunned himself on the windowsill, it was the eve of battle he could sense it. He had to be prepared for the fight against his mistress' past life's mistakes. He growled slightly as his brother of sixty years entered the room. They disliked each other, and rarely spoke. Except when they were taunting each other. "What are you doing here, Moonbeam?"

"Don't call me that!"

"Why not . . . Moonbeam?"

"Shut your mouth . . ." Hei-ying pulled a book off the shelf, and glared at him, " . . . Or I will be forced to shut it for you."

"As if you could." Saurian huffed, "How goes your mission?"

"My induction is on Monday. I have made sure that I will be in the right class."

"Good, things are finally beginning to move, enough of this procrastination!" The dragon raised his head and stared at Hei-ying as the moon guardian joined him in the window seat of their mistress' study. "It is time we set the balance correctly . . . once and for all!"

Hei-ying nodded, but then sighed. His eyes slid off the book of new incantations and stared at the sky outside. Four years had past, sixty four since he was resurrected, but merely four since he had taken the life of one of Clow Reed's reincarnations.

Kinomoto Fujitaka was almost too easy, too trusting of him as he led him to the pond that would become his watery tomb. Over the years since, Hei-ying felt something in his heart, a small flicker of some unknown emotion. He didn't like the fact that he had been the cause of the man's death, that he had been the decoy, the lure, the bait to his mistress' meticulously planned slaughter. Being so close to the Kinomotos the other night had only served to bring up old memories, old feelings, the need to tell someone again, tell them and ask for . . . ask for . . . understanding? Forgiveness? He sighed, shook his head and glanced at the sun guardian.

Saurian was a fierce, sadistic dragon, a true product of the mistress' hatred. He was the one who had performed the act, and had enjoyed it immensely. The only remorse he felt was the leaving behind of perfectly good food, he loved the taste of blood, Hei-ying frowned, it was almost pitiful. They had gone out recently, when saurian had suddenly demanded a feed. Hei-ying's false form had been the perfect lure, and the child didn't suspect a thing as he guided the greedy runt into the woods, with the promise of a sweet treat.

The only one who got a sweet treat out of the outing was Saurian, as the child was "-Particularly fond of sweet potato snacks . . ." Saurian remarked, licking his bloodied lips.

Hei-ying sighed again; soon he would be the cause of more bloodshed. He glanced at his reflection, and hoped that Saurian would be more careful this time . . . blood was very hard to get out of his robes . . . and the icy feelings out of his heart . . .

Monday . . .

The lunch time bell ran and three of Sejiou High school's more senior and supernatural students immediately made their way to their favourite Sakura tree, away from prying eyes and from noise.

Nakuru sighed, "I still say he's creepy . . ."

Touya laughed slightly as he sat in the tree, "Just because he emits a little bit of magic . . ."

"It's not just that . . ." Nakuru folded her arms, and fell quiet for a while, "I just feel like I have met him before . . ."

"Kero-chan says that too . . ." Yukito murmured quietly, "But Yue just thinks . . ." He paused.

Touya tilted his head, "What does Yue think?"

"He looks a bit like Clow Reed." Nakuru and Touya blinked as they looked at Yuki, who sighed and took a bite out of his sandwich. They were all back at their respective schools, Nakuru easily joining her class once more, and Eriol being welcomed back. Touya had smiled in amusement as the gossip mills nearly burnt themselves out trying to get to Nakuru first to break the news about his attachment to Yuki. Touya looked at Yukito a little longer, little over a month and a half had past since the discovery of Clow's power.

The part of him that was now Clow sighed in sorrow, he hadn't seen Yue much over the few days . . . only briefly when his opinion was needed, then the angel would disappear as soon as he could get away. Touya knew that Yue spent hours with Keroberos, and for this he was grateful, it meant that Yue was trying to work it out, but still . . . it hurt that he couldn't see his moon angel. He shook his head out of the melancholy and teased lightly, "What do you mean he looks like Clow?"

Yukito looked up, and smiled at Touya, "I forgot that you're . . ." Touya laughed and waved his hand, waving the comment away easily, Yukito smiled, "Yue keeps staring at his hair and wondering how it's possible he could take the same strands of hair and let them lie like that . . . the only difference is that they curl slightly."

Touya looked at Nakuru as she laughed, "Trust Yue to be distracted by such a simple thing, just because--"

"I am not distracted by anything." Yukito snapped uncharacteristically, Touya raised an eyebrow, as the purple shading faded from Yukito's eyes.

"You are!" Nakuru's own eyes were darkening to a deep pink, "Just because you are reminded of Clow . . ."

Yukito growled as the amethyst returned, "I am not distracted."

Touya sighed as he lifted his hands, he place them on the middle of their backs and rubbed in small circles, directing a small amount of magic there. He had seen Eriol do this to Nakuru once when she was annoyed by Syaoran's teaching, and had been looking forward to trying it out for himself. Clow had whispered instructions as to what to do, and seemed to advise him to do it to Yukito even if Yukito wasn't angry. Touya smiled as both false forms' eyes crossed slightly, Nakuru's thighs clenched and she bit her lip. Touya smiled and directed a little more, he glanced at Yukito. The snow rabbit's mouth had fallen open slightly, his amethyst tinted eyes half lidded, he groaned slightly as Touya pressed his hand a little harder.

Nakuru's fingers began to dig into the tree branch, and Yukito's eyes closed completely, his head dropping down to his chest. Touya wondered what it was doing to them; they didn't seem to be in any pain. Nakuru started to half snort, taking her breaths in half gulps. Inside he could feel Clow, and himself deriving some pleasure from holding this unknown power over them, he smiled and directed a large amount of magic to his hands, and watched with surprise as Yukito gasped and grimaced. The snow rabbit curled closer to him as Nakuru's back arched and she groaned, she giggled slightly and grabbed blindly at his arm.

Touya watched her keenly as she began to kiss his fingers and the palm of his hand; the pink haired girl purred at the back of her throat and slowed her kissing.

She pressed his hand against her neck, and smiled at him. "You have no idea what you just did . . ."she purred, and glanced at Yukito, "Do you want to tell him?"

Yukito raised his head weakly, he smiled languidly, and pulled off his glasses, "I don't know . . ."

She laughed as Yukito leant forward and kissed Touya's shoulder slowly. Touya smiled as he lifted his hand off Yukito's back, and laced it into the snow rabbit's dapple hair, Yukito yawned and started to dose. Touya turned to Nakuru, who was smiling still and linking her fingers with his hand, he smiled at her, "What did I just do?"

Nakuru leant forward and whispered into his ear, loud enough for Yukito's sake, "You just caused two magical beings to climax." She giggled as Yukito sat up instantly, wide-eyed shock and mouth moving soundlessly. Touya looked from Yukito and Nakuru quickly, "I did?"

Nakuru turned slightly and motioned the middle of her back, "Wing joint."

"What does that mean?" Yukito reached around with his back trying to touch the point, Nakuru laughed and turned back to them.

"You mean Yue's never showed you the joy of magic intercourse?" Touya looked at Yukito who shook his head silently, Nakuru looked around quickly, and whispered impishly, "It's the best thing! No mess, no clean up, and it can look as innocent as . . ."

Touya held his hand up, "I saw Eriol do it . . ."

"Eriol doesn't do what you just did!!" Nakuru laughed, she leant towards them knowingly, "When there is magic, there is a form of . . ." she grinned, and made a quick motion with her hand.

Touya laughed, "You mean this is like . . ."

"You mean we were . . .?" Nakuru nodded enthusiastically as Yukito blushed, "In public?!"

Nakuru looked out across the courtyard, "To them, it would look like Touya's squeezing a pressure point . . . but anyone with any magical knowledge would know . . ."

"Does Sakura?" Touya said suddenly, he just remembered he'd seen her stoke Yue's back like that one time.

Yukito shook his head, "I don't think so . . ." he pulled his winter jacked a little tighter around him, and peered at Nakuru, "How do you . . . know?"

"He told me . . ." Nakuru said quietly, "Hiirawagizawa-sama's a lot older than you think . . . and Spinel and I . . . we fell under the Yin-Yang Syndrome a few years before we came to Japan."

"The what?" Yukito blinked, unfamiliar with the Syndrome. "I've heard of the Effect, Yue was telling me about it, but there's a Syndrome?"

"Mmmm . . ." Nakuru nodded, and stared out, "It's a very intense feeling . . . When you can't even control yourself, and there's pain when you're too far away from your counterpoint." Nakuru seemed a little uncomfortable, "It's like a sudden desire to be as close, as one, with your counterpart as the infinity symbol, some braces of beings eat each other, some—"

"What do you mean by 'braces'?"

"It's an old magic term . . . it means a couple, a duo of magical animal/humanoid guardians . . ." She smiled as Yukito nodded his understanding, "Some braces transform and meld their bodies, killing each other trying to be as close as possible . . . It's a sort of madness, a real problem for self-aware creations, only really discovered by the Magic Community in the last few centuries . . . It's usually brought on by intense feelings or a minor defect in the creation process." She looked at Yukito, "It's usually hereditary if a magician creates several guardians . . . haven't you and Keroberos ever . . .?"

Yukito's eyes blanked for a bit as he asked Yue, he shrugged and shook his head, "Just the Effect, we've never been subjected to the full Syndrome. What happened to you two?"

She smiled, "Clow Reed used the Effect for you and Kero, to make sure you remained loyal to each other, Hiirawagizawa-sama tried to do the same to us but . . ." She snorted slightly, "He was very young and put a little too much effort. In some extremely rare cases . . ." Nakuru turned very serious for a little while as she stared out on to the courtyard again, "Some braces become lovers . . . despite the idea that it's translated as incest in human terms . . ." She looked down quickly, and murmured, "I don't regret anything . . ." She shook her head, shaking off the unusually serious manner, "Besides it cleared our minds of the Syndrome, stop us from almost killing ourselves."

Touya nodded, "So, that's how you know." Nakuru nodded, and he sighed, "I'm sorry . . . Clow thought it would be a good idea, and he enjoyed himself quite a bit . . ."

Nakuru laughed loudly, and whispered mischievously, "I'm sure he did . . . When I said in some rare cases, braces become lovers, that is because they were given the capability of being sexual creatures . . . Most are not created for such purposes."

"I was not created to---" Yue snapped through Yukito's voice.

Nakuru laughed again, "Just as I am sure Hiirawagizawa-sama created me to be capable of being so damn cute, I am sure Clow at some point of his life looked at you, maybe hard at work, bent over the cabbage patch, or fine tuning a piano and thought . . ." She leant over, and whispered huskily, "What would it be like . . .?"

As Yukito blushed furiously, and Nakuru began to list other potentially arousing situations, Touya suddenly felt Clow stir in his mind. If he were to describe the sensation as a metaphor it was as if Clow had stood, and held his hand out to Touya, bidding him to come and see a memory . . .

Clow stepped out of his study and yawned, it was so late and he had stayed up so long. He stretched and pulled out the Glow, "Glow card . . . Please illuminate my way . . ." As the small bobbing lights lit his way to his bedroom, Clow noticed a door open. He held out his hand and silently bid the Glow to come to him. As he folded the card away into his deep pockets, Clow stepped closer to the room, he paused in the doorway and felt his mouth fall open.

Yue was asleep in the window seat, his long hair unbound and spilling like moonlight all over his pale body, his favourite hairbrush slipping from his hand. His robes were neatly folded over a chair; Clow stepped in further, allowing himself to drink in every detail of his angel's body. It was a full moon that night, and the moonlight just reflected of the angel's skin, causing him to glow slightly. His hair shimmered gently, as he stretched slowly in his sleep, Clow stepped back a bit, scared of waking this slumbering angel. He raised his hands and waved a silent spell over Yue, bidding the angel to fall into a deeper sleep. Clow bit his lip and shrugged off his robes' large coat, he moved quietly and quickly and knelt by Yue's side, looking at the angel's face as if kneeling at an alter. Clow felt ready to worship this creation of beauty, Yue's beautiful eyes were closed, a smile gracing his face. He was bathing in the moonlight's magic.

Clow let out a sigh, "If only you were awake . . ." He leant closer and pressed a light kiss on Yue's exposed stomach, "I'd do anything for you . . ." He opened his eyes, and glanced at Yue's face again, the angel slept on.

Clow sighed again, and stood, he pulled his cloak up, and laid it gently over Yue's slumbering body. Once he was sure that Yue was comfortable, Clow leant over the angel and pressed his lips against the pale mouth. "One day I shall cover you like this myself . . . like a warm blanket . . . One day, you and I shall be together . . ." Clow straightened, and smiled, "Until this time . . . I shall never force you . . ."

"Kinomoto-san!"

Touya blinked as he came back to his senses, Nakuru and Yukito stopped their teasing and looked down. The new student in their class waved up at them, "Akizuki-san, Tsukishiro-san! What are you doing up in that tree?"

"We're talking!" Nakuru's expression fell into a neutral, wary way. This new student still gave her the creeps. She looked at Yukito, Yue's eye colour faded quickly, but his expression was still slightly guarded as he looked at the new student.

Tomodachi Yukito smiled and waved up at them, "May I join you?"

Touya looked at Nakuru and then Yukito, "Hai!" He smiled slightly, "If you can reach us . . ."

Syaoran smiled slightly as he read Meilin's latest letter, still as boisterous as usual, she demanded to know how he and Sakura were preceding, if he had proposed yet, when their wedding would be, if he would ask Sakura to remember to not serve the various types of food she didn't like at the reception but to make sure that . . . he shook his head and walked over towards Eriol. He didn't need to look up as Eriol freely allowed his aura to be felt now. Eriol chuckled, "Perhaps I should hide myself . . . You have become altogether too accustomed to my presence."

Syaoran nodded, as he sat beside Eriol on the pond's wall. "Have you received a letter too?"

Eriol nodded and looked down, "It's from one of the Reed's family doctors . . ."

"May I ask--?"

Eriol stood suddenly, his voice dipping to Clow's tone, "No, you may not . . ." He strode off suddenly. Syaoran ran after him, and caught the blue haired boy's shoulder.

"What is it?"

Eriol's jaw tensed, "It's about the Reeds . . ." The bell rang, and Eriol began to walk again. "I shall tell you and the rest tonight . . . it's important . . ."

Sakura raised her fingers, as Syaoran brushed past, their fingers touched and there was a brief exchange of magic. The rest of the students filed in slowly, full of chatter as the news spread. They were going to receive a new teacher, Sakura leaned over to Tomoyo, "What do you think they will be like?"

Tomoyo smiled, "I'm sure whoever she is she will adore you."

Sakura blushed slightly, and Syaoran snorted quietly, neither noticed Eriol. He looked away at Tomoyo's obviously loving tone, //She loves Sakura. Try to remember this, stop letting yourself drop your guard.//

Tedara cleared his throat loudly, "Students . . . we have a new supply teacher for you . . . Please rise and give her a respectful welcome . . ." He glanced at the door, as a tall, black haired woman swept in gracefully. "Students, please welcome your new teacher, she comes from England. Her name is Mystrasa Kyree." Their head teacher turned to the new teacher, "Please . . .?"

Sakura's eyes widened, she could feel some tiny resonance of magic from the woman, and for some reason she felt familiar. The teacher frowned as she took in the new class.

"I am Mystrasa Kyree, your new teacher." She drawled quietly, "Understand this, you are here to learn. I will not tolerate any bad behaviour. I am your teacher, and most certainly not your friend. You will work harder for this class than you have ever worked before . . . do you understand this fact?"

"Hai!"

"Very well." She murmured, "This lesson . . ." Her cool eyes settled on Sakura, ". . . will begin now."

Sakura skated back from the store, mentally checking off each item she had bought. She giggled slightly, it was Yue's turn to cook that night and she wondered what he would make. She, despite objections from Keroberos and her brother, decided Yue had had long enough to mull over things, and that it was time for him to rejoin their lives. Yukito had readily agreed, and in the morning, Sakura found a neatly written list of things she would need to buy for Yue. She smiled as she pulled out Yue's list again, it was written in archaic language, and spelling. Yue, unlike Keroberos, had not learnt to change with modern times.

She looked up and stared at the house, in which Yukito used to live, it was bare now and quiet. She shivered as it reminded her of the time when she had failed the final judgement. She closed her eyes, and silently thanked Kaho once again for being there to give her a second chance . . . Sakura could never have survived in a world without love . . .

"Ompt!"

Sakura fell to the ground, and her bag of groceries rolled slightly, "Gomen ni?" Sakura murmured as she sat up, she looked up to see whom she had skated into.

Mystrasa-san glared down at her, her near black eyes narrowed as another person moved out from behind her. "Daijobu?"

Sakura smiled nervously at Mystrasa-san, and answered, "Hai . . . Tomodachi-san, Mystrasa-sensei . . . It's a pleasure to meet you out on such a---"

"You will watch your guard." Mystrasa spat, she narrowed her gazed at Sakura, "How can such a petty, careless child like you ever hope to understand my . . ." She trailed off, growled and tapped her walking stick down hard on the ground beside Sakura.

Sakura jumped slightly and looked at the dark wooden stick out the side of her eye, it was engraved with a nasty looking dragon spiralled around it, it's teeth were bared and it's one visible eye, a bright orange jewel, seemed to glow brightly, Sakura blinked and jumped again as Mystrasa brought the stick down hard again. "Pay attention to me!"

Tomodachi knelt by her, handing Sakura the bag of food, "It's really not polite to allow your attention to wonder when someone's talking to you, Kinomoto-san . . ."

"Gomen nasai . . ." Sakura scrambled to her feet and carefully bowed respectfully to Mystrasa, the older woman sighed sharply and spun on a heel. Sakura looked at Tomodachi, "You know her?"

"Yes, she's my . . ." he glanced at Mystrasa quickly, "She's my aunt." Tomodachi laughed slightly. His soft voice made Sakura blink, he sounded just like Yukito. She stared at him as more similarities suddenly pointed themselves out to her, Tomodachi had Yukito's chin, he had the same shaped eyes and ears, and . . . her eyes widened slightly, he had the same face as Yukito, just with different hair and different coloured eyes, he was just missing the wide glasses. She looked down quickly.

"Nan desu ka?"

Sakura looked at him and hesitated, "Ano . . . ano . . ."

"Hai?"

"Why must you wear a single glass?"

Tomodachi smiled faintly, "When I was younger I had a fight with someone, and I lost my eye . . ." He motioned the monocle, "As a result this eye has always been weaker . . ."

She blushed, "Gomen!"

"Why are you apologising?" His smile grew, " . . . It is my brother who will pay the price . . ."

"Hoe?"

He stood, "Nothing . . ." Tomodachi looked up, "It's getting late, and I presume your brother will be worrying about you . . ."

Sakura blinked and gasped, "You're right!" She bowed quickly, "Arigato!"

"You're welcome . . ." He smiled at her, and waved her goodbye as the small girl raced away home. Mystrasa slipped her arm around his waist once more, and whispered into his ear, "Don't become too friendly with her . . ." She hissed warningly, "When she begs for your pity . . . I want no mercy killings . . ."

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

And Now It's Time For Leave It To . . .

Yue: Me! Since I had nothing but a naked cameo role in this chapter!

DrM: Mmmmm . . . Yue naked.

Yue: Yes, quite. Anyway, DrM . . . [glances at DrM]

DrM: Mmmmm . . . Yue naked.

Yue: [rolls eyes] DrM is currently unavailable at the moment, so . . . I'll be hosting today's show, ahem, first off . . . does everyone understand the 'science' underlying the Yin-Yang Syndrome? Even though it's all messed up and a complete fictional 'illness' suffered by magical creatures . . . [glares at DrM]

DrM: Mmmmm . . . Yue naked.

Yue: [shakes head in universal sign for, 'Why me?'] The Syndrome and Effect will feature a lot so, but this will be the only chapter explaining it . . . I managed to convince DrM---

DrM: Mmmmm . . . Yue naked.

Yue: --- that she should give people a lot more credit, and to trust they understand without having to go into too much detail. [Sighs] so anyway, please feel free to tell how you feel about the fic so far in a little review, preferably to remind DrM that if she continues to drool---

DrM: Mmmmm . . . Yue naked.

Yue: ---like that she's short out her keyboard. [Sighs again] in any case, please feel free to babble, R&R . . . and run away screaming at the horror that is DrM.

DrM: Mmmmm . . . reviews . . . and Yue naked.