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

[THANKOO!! THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE BRILLIANT REVIEWS!! WAI!!! THANK YOU!! And when I count it up, I'll be able to tell you who managed to clinch the Two Hundredth review!!! In the mean time, this is another chapter brought to you with a lil assistance of the Ever Intangible Bluegoo, thank you Bluegoo!!]

Part Eighteen: Victory Celebration

"Take only what you need . . . leave the rest . . . We leave on the crack of dawn."

Kyree tossed the order over her shoulder as she stormed off to her study. Yue blinked, and looked around, the house was spacious, and old. Hei-ying grabbed his hand, and tugged him up the stairs. The dragon, Saurian smirked as they past him, "So the fucked become the fuckers . . ."

Hei-ying paused, but chose not to reply. He didn't stop pulling Yue with him until they reached his room and Hei-ying had locked the door. The room was incredible sparse, clear of all clutter; Hei-ying was as orderly and neat as Yue was usually. The white haired angel felt very tired, and sank onto the bed. He hurt all over, his wings, his back, //Our soul . . .// Yukito whispered quietly, Yue frowned and looked up at his eldest brother, "Where are we going now?"

Hei-ying moved around the room quickly, packing efficiently and speedily, "To England . . . Back to our home. The Reed Mansion."

"Why?" Yue moved slightly as Hei-ying pulled a bag from under the bed. The dark angel was swift as he pack what meagre possessions he had. He noted his eldest brother wasn't packing much in the way of clothes. The angel looked slightly harried, as he zipped up the case quickly. "Mistress Mystrasa wishes to fight the Cardcaptor on her own terms, not here in Japan . . ." He paused as he folded some blankets, "We'll need these for the train, if I remember right . . . you always liked to sleep on long journeys."

Yue smiled, his curiosity provoked, "What else do you remember about me?"

"I remember that you were always very curious about life." Hei-ying smiled, "Always very curious . . . it was always what does this do? What does that do?" The dark haired angel smiled slightly as Yue made a funny face at his mocking tone, " 'Really?' this and 'Really?' that . . ." He smiled as Yue chuckled quietly. He moved over to his bedside, and pulled the top drawer open. His concealment book and the white plait lay there. He reached in and pulled them out slowly, everything else fading out of his attention.

"Oniisan?"

Hei-ying nodded absently as he sat on the edge of the bed, the book and the plait held in his lap. He glanced at his ankle, the silver scissors still tied tight to there. His opportunity was now, the door locked, Yue weak and tired. He could take Yue's frail little life and be free of this obsessive hated . . . Clow's love all his own. But then . . . he sighed silently, his mind focusing on the cold feeling that was beginning to form every time he planned Yue's death . . . it was always 'But then . . .' . . .

"Oniisan?" Yue blinked and reached out, Hei-ying jumped slightly as Yue's pale hand clamped down on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking . . ." Hei-ying turned, easily shaking off the distracting feelings . . . there would be time to deal with his remorse later. He stared at Yue for a fraction of a moment, //But then . . .// He smiled slightly, "About you . . How tired you must be, after such a battle . . ."

His brother's long pause was odd, but Yue yawned and nodded slowly, "I am tired . . . But where can I . . .?"

Hei-ying pulled his legs up and opened his arms, his black hair spilling out behind him, "You can sleep here . . . Safe and warm, my little Moonbeam . . ." Yue slipped down, and lay in Hei-ying's arms. The dark angel smirked as Yue's toes brushed against the cold silver scissors. "Safe and warm . . ." He closed his jade eye as he cradled Yue once more, almost singing automatically as the soft smell of lavender and ice floated to him, "Little Sunbeam . . . Little Moonbeam . . . Where are you . . ."

Yue drifted off, to the sound of Hei-ying's melodious voice, singing a centuries old lullaby, both forgotten and instantly memorable.

He sat on stairs.

Looking down seeing . . . no . . . Staring . . . at Clow Reed's wide magic circle . . . it was engraved into the hard dark wood, pure and gold. He blinked as he looked up. A dark figure moving down the stairs silently, floating not walking. A toy bounced down, and the dark figure stopped, stooping to hand the toy back. A quiet growl from behind him made him turn and look up the stairs. Keroberos was sat at the very top, watching them. His usually happy gold eyes narrowed, staring past him. He looked up, Hei-ying glared back at Keroberos, his serious jade eyes narrowing with cold hatred.

"I'm only picking up a toy, Keroberos . . ." Hei-ying gave the small stuffed toy back to Yue, and mockingly half bowed, spreading his arms widely, "There, see? . . . No harm done . . ."

He looked back up the stairs; Keroberos frowned before turning his head. Clow was calling Keroberos away with his silent voice. The lion looked back at Yue . . . Yukito . . . for the first time in his life he couldn't tell . . .

Keroberos closed his eyes, shook his head and padded away silently.

The scene changed, "Clow. . .?"

Clow was sat on the windowsill looking out. He was walking towards the tall mage slowly, nervous. Clow gazed out, and sighed, "What is it, Yukito?"

He blinked and looked at the window, his reflection showing him to be Yue. "I am not Yukito."

Clow jumped visibly, and turned, almost leaping out of the seat. "Yue?!" He rushed over and grabbed Yue's pale hands, "How are you? Are you hungry? What would you like to do?"

Confusion. He felt confusion, he knew he hadn't returned to his true form in some time, but how long had it been?

Clow's hands slid up his arms, touched his face almost like a lover but not quite. Yue blinked . . . and found himself in another old memory. . .

Keroberos was sat quietly, they were waiting.

"What's so special about today?" 

The lion shook his head and murmured a reply, he was tired or sad about something. Yukito frowned, the name of his other form hung in the air. Yukito was surprised as he found himself asking who Yue was, he knew who Yue was but for some reason. . . knowing this fact was bad. . .

He frowned, and shook his head. The dream was painful, it didn't make sense, he knew who he was . . . didn't he?

"Remember . . . My little Moonbeam . . . Do you remember . . .?"

Kyree smiled slyly as she waved her hand over Yue's slumbering face. The deep dark purple glow of her magic casting shadows over his face, as the memories raced across his mind. Smiles chased frowns, confusion dallied with understanding. She stepped back and moved to the foot of the bed, her hands restless. Both angels lay, entwined together. It was a very comfortable sight, the dark angel's torn hair mixed with the fullness of Yue's, their limbs were entwined, and Yue's nose just brushed under his eldest brother's. For the first time since his release, Kyree noted, Hei-ying slept easily. She smiled as she plucked his prized scissors from his ankle, she knew Hei-ying was eager to kill Yue but. . . she passed her hand over the sliver blades, she wouldn't let him until both their purposes were met. She opened the blades and started to test them against her skin. They retained their sharpness, but would cut anything but Yue's flesh.

She smiled again, glancing at Hei-ying's faint smile, as he rolled over and wrapped his arms more securely about Yue's slim waist. She easily slipped the scissors back into Hei-ying's makeshift ankle tie, and straightened to gaze at the two. She felt Clow's lust build again, she couldn't wait until she had become Clow's full self again. She could take both once again as her . . . Clow's own, just as he had desired in life. She felt some dark part of Clow, more than his possessive lust, grow stronger and she grinned darkly. "So, now I have two precious ukes. . ." She turned away silently, and slipped out the door, "Lucky, lucky me . . ."

Saurian smiled as he landed on his Mistress' shoulder, she was walking around the house again. "Mistress . . .?"

"Soon." She raised her hand and petted him, "Soon, we return to England . . . and the Card Mistress and her little friends will follow . . ."

"Then we shall truly win?"

"Ah . . ." She patted her cloak, the Clow Cards safely stored there, "We've already won. All I need to do now is to reclaim my power from the child reincarnation and Yue's lover."

The dragon cocked his head, "And then what do we do with the two Moonbeams?"

"They are my creations, Saurian, leave them be . . ."

"Surely you don't . . ." he wrinkled his snort as if it was a bad taste, ". . . *love* them?"

Kyree's hand shot out, and pinned the tiny dragon to the wall, squeezing his long neck, "*My* creations . . ." She stared at him, "I shall do with them as I please . . ."

So their journey began.

First flights from Japan to Hong Kong main airport. Hei-ying smiled within his false form as he gazed at Yukito, the Snow Rabbit's consciousness held under tight control by Yue. The flights were easy, Kyree obtained tickets simply, no questions asked. They were just a woman and two teenaged boys. Tomodachi held Yuki's hand tightly, the flight from Hong Kong to Germany, before the change over to the small carrier plane from Germany to England.

Yukito fell asleep during the last leg, and Tomodachi spent most of his time observing his face. Sadness reigned, the false form reliving his last moments with his friends. Tomodachi smiled and sat back. They had won, his prize . . . his younger brother, and Clow Reed's love.

Kyree sat bolt upright in her usual manner, her usual book open and unread on her lap, her emotions contained behind a cool mask. She was plotting, planning the next strike. They returned to England, the final battle between her and the Card Mistress to take place, fittingly, at Clow Reed's mansion. Once there, Kyree would trap the Mistress and her friends, exacting her vicious revenge. Each Card would provide a trap, if that was to fail, then Saurian and the Moon guardians would be her next line of defence, and finally Kyree herself would face them. Her plan was simple. Her objective was merely to defeat the Card Mistress one more time, and then take her power back from the two reincarnations. As night fell, and the plane landed at a remote airstrip, Kyree straightened as she disembarked. She paused on the stairs, and glanced around, storms and cold weather gathered, ready for the battle of Clow Reed. Breathing in the cool air, she smiled and stepped down the steps.

The train would take them to their next stop.

The small lamp inside their train cabin afforded little light on the small foursome of beings, Saurian slumbered in the rack above, Kyree sat bolt upright once again, but with her eyes closed. She seemed to be asleep. Hei-ying glanced down at his lap, Yue was curled there. He smiled and lifted his hand, stroking the fine white hair gently. Yue had grown in to a fine, handsome man . . . so much more mature than the child he once knew. A snort from the other seat pulled his attention back up. His Mistress' hard black eyes stared at him keenly.

"You love him."

"I hate him."

A corner of her lip twisted up, she was amused by him, amused by his struggle against the strong feelings he had. "You have the syndrome . . ." Her glinting black eyes slid closed as she mockingly observed, "It's only natural you want him . . ."

"I want him dead!"

"Keep your voice down!" Kyree snarled, quickly snapping from amusement to anger, she glowered at him. "You had better keep your hands off him." She warned, her dark eyes falling on Yue's slumbering face, Clow's dark passion for him twisting a smirk on her blood red lips, "He is mine now."

Something cold twisted in Hei-ying's chest, a deep feeling of dread. //But then . . .// He looked down at Yue, the white haired angel smiled in his sleep, his hand curled around his face, his other arm fallen, and the hand resting on the floor. // . . . But then . . .// Kyree wanted Yue, as much as she wanted Hei-ying. Part of his was repulsed by this, and he was shocked to find himself thinking, //But then Yue's fate is as your own . . . She will corrupt him as she has you . . .// He quashed this strange response and told himself, it was Yue he was 'worrying' about. Yue was deserving of this hell, his precious little brother was deserving of whatever the Mistress did to him . . . even if it meant the circle of abuse was to start once again . . .

He glanced at her, hoping his inner thoughts were not plain on his face. She smirked and closed her eyes.

She knew.

As the train slowed to a stop, Yue opened his eyes, disorientated. Yukito was struggling again, trying to regain control of their shared body. He growled quietly to himself, silencing Yukito's calls and forcing the boy asleep once more. There was a quiet chuckle as Kyree touched his shoulder, "It's time to wake up . . . Little Moonbeam . . . Time to be awake . . ."

The coach journey was slow going, and it had been so long since Yue had used the traditional horse drawn carriage. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass, hoping that would provide some balm to the headache Yukito was bringing . . . he glanced up when he saw a movement out of his eye, Hei-ying smiled as he leant forward, he brushed the hair over Yue's ear back, "False form?" Yue nodded mutely. Hei-ying smiled and slid off his seat, he knelt in front of Yue, and motioned the angel down, "Come here . . ."

Yue dipped his head, and tried not to gasp as Hei-ying started to fiddle with his earring. "What are you doing?"

The dark haired angel chuckled, "You don't remember what these earrings really are, do you?"

His little brother frowned, "What do you mean?"

Hei-ying sat back on his heels, "There now . . ." He hoisted up Yue's deep blue earring, "Better?"

Yue sat still for a moment, then shook his head, "No . . ."

The jade eye blinked in surprise, "But this contains your false form . . . surely . . ."

Kyree sniggered, but remained silent. She was sat back and observing them quietly. She looked back down at her book and continued to read. Saurian glanced up at them, and shook his head, "So. . . What's the first thing you two will do when you get in? Hmmm. . . I wonder . . ." He pressed his tail against his chin sarcastically, "Maybe you'll retire straight to bed and screw around for a bit . . . Hei-ying's been dying to fu--"

"Shut up." Hei-ying's pale hand struck out like lightning and squeezed the dark orange neck. "Shut. Up."

Yue blinked, as Hei-ying shook him once before letting the dragon go, and sat back. "What does he mean?"

Hei-ying looked at him silently, before murmuring, "We have the syndrome . . ."

"The Yin-Yang?"

The dark angel nodded, and said no more. He just turned his head and looked out, the familiar track warping as they entered the centuries old spell surrounding Clow Reed's Mansion.

Yue tipped his head back, his home . . . he hadn't been here in centuries, and didn't think he'd ever see it again. He followed Kyree in, he and Hei-ying carrying the bags. He looked around, not much had changed, here and there he could see some of Ruby's possessions, things they had left behind. He glanced at the magic circle of Clow Reed, it was dark . . . black where gold once was. . .

"What happened to the Circle?"

Kyree paused, standing in the direct centre of the circle. "This is my house."

Yue blinked and looked around, "Where's Kaho?"

Saurian chuckled darkly and hissed as he fluttered past Yue, "Well . . . you're standing on a bit of her . . ."

Yue looked down instantly, the floor was stained in blood, and charred, he glanced up as Hei-ying's jade green foot stirrups and pale toes came into sight. His mouth fell open, and Hei-ying stared back impassively. The dark eyed angel was emotionless as he hoisted his bags up again, "Come on . . ."

"You killed her?"

"I didn't. Saurian did."

"But you killed her anyway, why?"

"It was a necessity, she was in our way." Hei-ying sighed as Yue paced back and forth restless. "Will you sit down please?"

Yue stopped, and stared at Hei-ying, "I didn't realise you were a murderer . . . You're . . . you're responsible for the little Reed girl's death . . ."

"Yes, I am . . ." Hei-ying passed his hand over his jade eye and rubbed it tiredly, he ran his hands through his hair momentarily revealing his missing eye and ear.

"What happened to you?" Yue asked quietly, he never seen such a wound on any magical creation, he'd always assumed that Hei-ying, like he and the rest of Clow's creations, could heal himself. But then . . . he frowned slightly, the kind of injuries Keroberos had inflicted would probably need to healed by Clow himself. Clow hadn't helped him, hadn't healed his terrible injuries. He balked as he stared at the empty hole, it seemed huge against Hei-ying's face, the scars had the markings of sharp claws.

"Hmmm?" The dark angel hummed absently, his black hair falling back into place.

"Your eye and ear . . . what happened?" Yue stepped forward, curious now, he knelt before his eldest brother, resting his hands on Hei-ying's knees, "What happened to them?"

Hei-ying smiled sadly, once again he had to hide the truth from Yue. He placed his hands over Yue's, and squeezed them gently, "Keroberos took them both."

"Why?"

"A petty argument . . ." Hei-ying found lying to Yue surprisingly easy, but then he did want Yue . . . he blinked once as he amended quickly, //to forget about Keroberos.// Hei-ying smiled as if it didn't really mattered as he added quietly, "He broke one of my wings too . . ."

Yue blinked, and glanced at the wing he had noticed was crooked slightly. He thought about asking about Hei-ying's torn hair, but found himself wanting to ask another question. He wanted to blurt it out quickly, get it over and done with, but what would Hei-ying answer? He sighed, feeling hesitant to ask his next question, but he had to know what the truth was . . .

"Did you ever try to kill me?"

Hei-ying opened his mouth, when someone answered for him.

"No. He didn't."

Yue and Hei-ying's heads snapped to the door, Kyree stared back at them impassively, her voice very cool as she ordered them again quietly, "Get rest now . . . the Card Mistress will begin her journey soon . . . very soon . . ."

She blinked, and moved away, just as silently as she had appeared.

"England?"

Sonomi looked at her daughter, she seemed very tired and saddened. She glanced at Sakura, as the amber haired girl sipped her tea. She too had dark rings under her eyes, the last two days Tomoyo had been demanding passage to England. She said that Hiirawagizawa Eriol had invited them to attend a family reunion with him. Sonomi frowned, the excuse was flimsy, and she didn't want Sakura or her daughter to leave the country but . . .

"Are you sure you have to go to England?" She asked again, "Surely . . . I mean it's a very far country to go to . . . Are you sure you have to go?"

"Yes, we are . . ." A usually energetic voice said quietly, dully, Sonomi blinked to hear it. Sakura looked up finally, and Sonomi knew. She just knew, Sakura had to go to England, and her daughter had to follow. She glanced at Eriol; never in all the time Sonomi had known him had she ever seen him not smile. The blue haired boy was solemn, his hand clenched tightly around her daughter's.

They were drawing strength from each other, just as Sakura and Syaoran were. Sonomi sighed, and nodded.

And so their chase began, they were three days behind Mystrasa, Hei-ying and Yue.

They boarded a plane in Japan, and travelled to Hong Kong main airport, they began their long haul flight to England, arriving ten hours later. The group were sombre faced as they travelled, each to his or her own thoughts. Sakura's lay with her Cards and her fallen guardian, Keroberos were more murderous and more than once Spinel had to soothe the seething guardian. The two were kept in a small carrier bag, so the group could easily access them, Ruby kept the bag near her at all times. Ruby glanced over at her master, he, like Touya, sat ramrod straight. His eyes fixed forward, and his thoughts planning and conceiving various ideas. She could tell he was fuming quietly to himself, part of him feeling humiliated at such an easy defeat. Ruby shook her head, she, like her brother, was more shocked by Yue's decision. How could he choose this stranger, even if she was a reincarnation of the master Clow Reed, over his true Mistress?

Such disloyalty was inconceivable to them.

She closed her eyes and sat back, her false form was beginning to display signs of worry and stress, black circles gathering under her pale eyelids. She turned to look at Tomoyo who sat on the other side of Hiirawagizawa-sama, she too was displaying signs of the last few days. Her mother had been very stubborn at first, and Tomoyo had actually had to argue for passage, but something in Sakura's voice had just got it for them. Ruby sighed and promised silently to herself, her own heart, that she wouldn't let anything happen to Tomoyo-chan. //Nothing . . .// She smiled slightly, as Spinel touched the back of her hand, they shared sentiments on Tomoyo's status in Eriol's heart, but Spinel was far too conservative to say anything about it.

Tomoyo, meanwhile, held her thoughts on her dearest friend's loss, Yue's betrayal and how it all affected Sakura. She frowned slightly as she turned her attention on Eriol for a moment, a large part of her worry settled on him as well. She glanced at Ruby, and the butterfly girl flashed her a tired smile, Tomoyo nodded back. She was relieved that his guardians were there to take care of him. //Must have been the same with Clow, Yue and Kero-chan . . . // She thought, she shook her head and returned to her self-appointed task. Tomoyo kept her eye on both Eriol and Sakura, while Syaoran held Sakura's hand throughout. The little wolf thought back to his conversation with the Elders.

"I am travelling to England with the Card Mistress."

The Elders shook their heads, "The Card Mistress has failed, she relinquished the Cards . . . She is not--"

"She is!" Syaoran snapped, for the first time he would not take the Elders, not tolerate them an instance longer. "I am the head of this Clan, do you understand? This Clan has for centuries been dedicated to the protection of the Cards of Clow, now those Cards have been passed to another, and now I obligate our Clan to the protection of these new Cards."

The oldest of the Elders stood, and stared down at the young Clan head, "And if she fails, do you agree banishment?"

Syaoran was silent, his mother stepped forward, "We agree banishment."

"Mother!" He snapped his head towards his mother, "That is my punishment alone."

"No." She looked defiantly at the Elders, "No, for too long this Clan has been growing smaller. We are strong now. . . but if we continue to allow you to dictate who we can or cannot marry, the Li's risk facing the disgrace of the Reeds. If Xiao Lang faces his banishment, then his closest family shall face it too."

"Yulan!" The Elder hissed reproachfully, "Do not bring dishonour into the chamber of the Elders."

She shook her head, "You bring dishonour to us! The Card Mistress, more powerful than us all, cannot depend on the Li Clan for assistance? She is dishonoured by our cowardice . . ."

The Elder blinked, then turned his head slowly to the Clan head, "Xiao Lang . . ." Syaoran nodded to his mother, before addressing the Elder. The Elder nodded, "You may go to assist the Card Mistress . . . and inform her . . ." The Elder paused, "That the Li Clan stand ready to fight any battle . . . but should she fail . . ." He breathed out, his dark eyes narrowing, "Tell her if she fails, she has killed us all . . . the Li Clan are not powerful enough to defeat the Master Clow Reed."

The man nodded once, and sat. Returning to his almost statue like mediation.

Syaoran opened his eyes, and stared at the back of the seat in front, Sakura had the support of her friends, and his family, even though he had not told her of the consequence his Elder had warned of, Syaoran frowned deeper, he could not add to her burdens like that. He tilted his head so he could see her, she was reading a magic book of Yue's, still trying to learn, any spell, any counter curse, anything to keep her mind off her battle. She fiddled with the page's corners nervously, her eyes darting back and forth as she read the passage, re-read the passage. //Anything that could help,// She'd asked him and Keroberos, //Anything I can learn, anything I can do to help Yue-kun.// He sighed, squeezed her hand gently, and looked over at Touya. His eyes were narrowed, his hands clenched around his key.

Touya tried not to growl out aloud, how could he fail Yue like this? Clow's anger was inverted, and focused on himself. Clow felt disgusted with himself, how could he let this get so far? He sighed, feeling the same humiliation he knew Eriol was feeling as well. Sakura had been failed by them both, but also by Clow. And Yue . . . //Yue and Yukito went where he felt safe . . .// He closed his eyes against the bubbling memory of Yue's harsh denial and Yukito's pleading soft eyes. //They are one person . . . what one feels, the other denies . . .// Touya uncurled his hand, and stared at his silver key. It's Moon magic and crescent reminded him of what his heart had lost. //Yue . . . Yukito . . . I . . . // His hand closed again as Clow gave him determination to add to his own, //We will get you back . . . please be all right . . . Please . . .//

Other than that . . . there was nothing they could do, but wish the winds to be kind, and their plane faster.

He didn't know it but his eyes were changing. The very outer edges were changing slightly, but came with no pain . . . therefore, quite simply, he didn't notice it.

Hei-ying was still sleeping when Yue got up; he crept out of his eldest brother's warm embrace, and out of bed, looking around furtively. It was still a little dark, nighttimes had fallen. Slipping out into the corridor quietly, Yue looked around the darkened corridor. The smell of his home hadn't even changed that much. There was the sharp smell of Ruby's favourite perfume tangled with the smell of Saurian's breath. He paused as he neared Clow's old bedroom, the light was still on. He pressed a hand against the door, and smiled as he felt Kyree's aura, it was so like Clow's . . . so alluring . . . //It is nothing like Sakura's// Yue blinked as Yukito's voice sounded, he growled and touched the earring, why couldn't he silence Yukito? Even now?

"Yue?" Kyree's soft voice rang out, Yue blinked, it was just a little lighter than Clow's voice, "Is that you?"

Kyree closed her book as she looked up; she glanced out the window, the sense of déjà vu rolling in her heart. //So the circle begins again// she smiled, Clow's old life, old ways were returning. Yue stood in the doorway, his hair looser than usually, and the sleek black plait fell over his shoulder, Yue stopped trying to hide it now. He looked almost like he did after he'd come running to Clow after having a bad dream. Clow's desire flickered into a bright flame, he . . . she, Kyree wanted Yue more now . . . Her lips curled slyly again, she . . . Clow wondered idly how different Yue would be from Hei-ying, or if, like their physical appearances, they were the same.

"Won't you come in, Yue?"

She smiled at him, and he felt . . . warm . . . she wanted him, in a way Clow had never; she was going to take him . . . in a way Clow never dared. He knew if he chose to step in, she would become his Mistress completely, in every way he wanted . . . Yukito pleaded loudly again, he could walk away, Sakura remaining his Mistress, and Yue could await rescue. // And the love of To-ya . . .// The snow rabbit pulled up memories, every memory of Sakura he had, and then some he didn't, her green eyes tearful as she asked him not to join Kyree. This gave Yue pause, guilt at his betrayal of Sakura the only thing he felt ashamed of. Though the night had been clear as crystal, full of space and Moonlight, his thoughts felt muggy and confused as if to compensate for it. //Sakura . . . // Confusion had dogged him as they fled the island, turmoil chasing each change over, each step of their journey a step away from her, he had made his choice . . . his course was set. The best course, for all of them . . .

Beneath it all ran a current of aching guilt in his heart.

Yue smiled faintly apologetic, as he closed the door.

Guilt he was about to compound.

He was lying on his back, submissive and leaden. Nothing in him had the strength to resist, and truthfully he little wanted to. Around him soft shufflings and rustlings confirmed the presence of his maker . . . or one side of his maker, at least. Kyree had gone to the trouble of preparing the room for his arrival: there was nothing in her that anticipated failure to persuade Yue to her cause.

And perhaps she was right . . . he shook his head, no, she was certainly right. The Mistress was always right.

Yue twisted his face to take in the glimmer of dim candlelight. The musty air of a room sealed and not long re-opened was concealed by the fragrant smoke, and those flickering fairy-lights also hid all but a swaying shadow in the corner of the room. A shadow that grew and loomed towards him, past the barrier of candle-glow, then spread over him as Mystrasa bent to consider her offering.

"Six hundred years of waiting, and your reception has a lot to be desired . . . you can do better than that now, can't you?" She hissed, reaching out with a slender hand to flick the skin of his face. It twitched under the rough sensation. He gritted his teeth. Almost without meaning to the angel reached up with both arms grasping, coldness banished for the moment as let her press down on him, tight close, her own hands shoving him down against the bed.

He sank back and let her do this to him. It felt strange, no, *good*, not strange. There was something inside him and it needed to be put out of its misery. Let it out. Let it go. Give it up . . . One pale hand . . . he registered it as if it were disembodied from his own body . . . touched her dark hair sprawling over his shoulders, pushed her head closer until teeth met beneath his neck.

Fingers like claws gripped him harshly. The hair scratched and tickled. Pinching, prodding. He let it happen, let it happen, caught up in the urgency, and if he half-closed his eyes in the blur of candles he could imagine the lean figure against him was . . . someone else's . . .  and the dark eyes piercing his own . . . if he concentrated hard enough they would change to deep midnight blue, that spiky smile the sardonic grin of his . . .

Hei-ying pushed the door opened, and looked in. So it had begun, first they had pulled him from his friends, and now Kyree was making him her own. He sighed and pulled the door closed again. His brother's pale white flesh, and over heated expression disturbing in more ways than one. He stopped in the corridor as Kyree's voice rang out, calling names, victory cries.

"I'm . . ." He closed his jade eye, surprised when he felt a cool drop of something roll from it. He rubbed it away with the back of his hand harshly, feeling anger and resentment not only to himself for his weakness, but to Kyree. " . . . So . . ." He growled as he felt himself incapable of saying it. He rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand absently, nervously, "Clow . . ." He mumbled, he stumbled away, his mind wheeling as he heard Yue grunt louder. Feelings of brotherly regret and his darker lust for Yue battled. He dipped his head, closed his eye and turned away.

She had won, and now he and Yue . . . were hers.

Clow loved him. Yue smiled as he grunted, pushing harder. Clow loved him, he could ignore the bosom below him, it was a lean hard chest, slightly defined, tight. Larger than he, the slim feminine arms were stronger, muscled. The lean neck stretched out, not feminine at all. Yue deluded himself, pretending he could see Clow's Adam apple bob as the mage experienced the pleasure he had long denied his angel and himself. Yue rammed harder and harder, his white fingers twining with Clow . . . Kyree's . . . *Clow's* dark black hair, Clow loved him, Clow finally loved him. "Clow . . . *Clow*!"

//To-ya . . . I'm sorry . . . To-ya, forgive me! . . . Oh, To-ya!// Yukito fantasised, Touya's face, body in place of Kyree's, even the snow rabbit had to give into the pleasure, Yue closed his eyes, the pleasure exploding in his mind as well. He hissed through clenched teeth as he bestowed long, wet kisses on her passion-swelled lips, "Clow . . ." He glared down into his lover's eyes accusingly, breathing deeply, "You denied us this . . ."

His lover smiled wickedly, and pressed a magic-sated hand against his wing joint, making him hiss. "I know, my loving uke . . . poor, poor Yue . . ."

And then it was over, Yue's loose white hair falling back against the dark violet of the bed's covers, and before he had time to recuperate there was no one beside him, nothing there but smoke. He smiled languidly, as he murmured, "Thank you . . . my Master Clow . . ."

And he wasn't sorry.

Yue's eyes flushed a dark purple as he started to laugh, Yukito was silent now. His laughter echoed around the old room, getting louder and louder, until they racked like sobs. Leaving him laughing and sobbing at the same time.

He wasn't sorry at all.

The hair around the black plait started to change from the roots outward, a centimetre or two now a deep sleek black. His outward appearance beginning to reflect his inner.

He *wasn't.*

Kyree murmured a quiet goodnight as she slipped out the room. She smiled as she walked down the corridor, knowing perfectly well she wasn't alone. A soft rustle from behind her made her stop. She nodded once, and tipped her head back slightly, "Did the bed bug bite?"

She turned at stared at her glowing Moon guardian. Hei-ying was furious but controlled. She smiled as he manoeuvred her against the wall, blocking her escape with his body.

"Why?!" He demanded, his breath harsh as Yue's, his jade eye widened. "Why did you do this to him now?!"

"Or maybe it was the jealous bug. . ." Kyree observed dryly, she slipped her hand down, feeling his semi-arousal, "The sight of Yue getting some a little too much for you?"

Hei-ying growled deep within his throat. "I want him . . ." He dipped his head and kissed her coarsely, pushing himself into her hand, "I want him so much . . ."

Kyree kissed him again before speaking, "You can have him as soon as I'm dead . . ."

Hei-ying paused, "But you plan to live for--"

Kyree threw her head back and barked a harsh laugh, "Forever and ever!" She sang delightedly, her true nature ringing out. His jade eye narrowed, as she smiled mockingly at him, "Now, my precious uke. . . say those words I do so very much love to hear . . ."

"AGAIN!!"

Yue raised his head slightly as Kyree called out, her voice mingled with pain and with pleasure. He sighed and fell back asleep, the sound of Hei-ying and Kyree sinking into the pleasure filled dreams as they rose in his mind. His irises tinged with dark purple, and the centimetre or two of black . . . became two or three . . .

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And Now It's Time For Leave It To Doctor Megalomania!!!

[DrM drops bags and walks in, the sound of a fading police siren, gunshots, and general chaos float to her]

DrM: You leave the country for all of two weeks and what happens . . .

Clow: [chucks beer can at DrM's head] Oi! Down in front!!

DrM: [Roll eyes, and switches off Demolition Man, and turns up the lights, grins] Did ya miss me?

Clow: [shouts from the back] NO!!

DrM: [pouts] Fine then . . . Guess who hasn't got in on all the German food I brought back . . . [grins] Mmmmm German food . . . [picks up new shoes] Mmmm German high heeled boots . . .

Clow: [raises eyebrow] You realise owning more than one pair of high heeled boots, in the form of sandals . . . or . . . [picks up DrM's favourite boots] Knee highs, does technically constitute a fetish . . .?

Hei-ying: [excitedly] did anyone say fetish?!

DrM: [face faults, and kicks Hei-ying] hentai!! Anyway, [hugs readers] I love you, no seriously, I do, I really love you guys!! Thank you for R&R-ing, and 'specially to everyone who baby-sitted for me!! [giggles] can't wait to read this 'Baby Sitting For Doctor Megalomania' fic of yours Clow'd9!! [looks around] which reminds me . . . where's Yue?

Yue: [muffled from behind door] HELP!!

DrM: [breaks down door, finds Yue tied to silken bed, with fanfic writers, fanart artists and just about anyone who watches CCS sitting all around, waving candles. DrM face-faults] Okay . . . the sacrificial virgin joke was a joke you guys . . .

Everyone: [waves candles] Yue . . .

DrM: [shrugs and grabs candle] Then again . . . I could never resist a good sit down . . . [waves candle] Yue . . . R&R . . . Yue . . . R&R . . . Please . . .