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 Nineteen: Where Loyalties Lie

Sakura wrapped her cloak around her shoulders tightly as they approached their first stop in hours. The jet lag made her feel nauseous, and even though the anger she felt could sustain her awareness, it could not sustain her in the long run. She, like her friends, needed to sleep, needed to eat . . . needed to mourn.

The hotel was small, but quiet. Eriol's vast fortune, and Sonomi's protective instincts secured them a luxury suite each. Keroberos, Ruby, Touya and Spinel took the room closest to the waterfront. The middle room was Sakura's and Tomoyo's and the room opposite was Eriol's and Syaoran's. Sakura lay back on her bed, and closed her eyes; she was asleep in a matter of seconds. Tomoyo sat up and started to sew. Even in the dim lamplight, she made sure every stitch was tight, every knot tied, no part left opened, easy to latch onto at all. The uniform this time was protective and she had to make sure everything was perfect. No more frilly ribbons that could easily catch, no bell to be heard and give warning. Her hat was small and close to her head; it was hardened to ensure protection, and a radio to keep some sort of contact . . .

A whimper drew her attention. "Yue . . . Onegai . . ."

Tomoyo glanced at Sakura, a deep frown misplaced on her brow, she shook her head and concentrated on the gloves she was making. They stretched up the arm, special padding in the elbow, and were supported in the forearm, in case Sakura had to use her arm to protect her. Tomoyo frowned deeply as she concentrated, unable to let herself sleep while the threat hung over her precious friend. She glanced once more at Sakura; silently promising she'd protect Sakura. No matter what. She returned to the gloves. Heat proof, and slip proof, grips in the fingerprints and on the palm, elasticised for extra protection . . .

"Try to get some sleep."

"I can't sleep. I need to think . . ." Eriol stopped pacing for a few moments and glanced at his distant relative. "How can you meditate at a time like this?"

"In such a time of confusion, it can only aid the ch'i, if one is centred and calmed . . ." Syaoran opened an eye and gazed at the blue haired reincarnation. "Clow disliked meditation, didn't he?"

There was a soft snort as Eriol sank down and sat beside him, he pulled his legs in and straightened his back, "He was always too restless for it . . . He would sit there and think of at least ten other things he could do . . ."

A smile passed over Syaoran's face. "Sakura can and will defeat them . . . and reclaim her cards . . . and that 'Clow Reed' will be defeated . . ."

Eriol breathed in slowly, "Since when did you become so calm, my descendant? I remember you as always very emotional . . ."

"Since I found something I could really believe in, for myself . . . Not for the good of the clan, but for me . . ."

"Sakura?"

Syaoran's eyes opened slowly, and he met Eriol's gaze, "But of course . . ."

The two exchanged an understanding, and continued their meditation.

"Blame will not get him back faster."

"But it makes me feel better about it!" Keroberos growled as he paced along the large stone railing, Spinel was sat, quietly with his eyes closed. The panther sighed deeply, as he opened his deep midnight blue eyes. "Does Hei-ying have any weaknesses?"

The winged lion shook his head, "I-he-I-I . . . Arggh!" He growled and turned again, pacing restlessly, "How can Yue do this?! Why doesn't he understand what's wrong?!"

"Keroberos . . ." Spinel spoke quietly, knowing that Keroberos needed to rage a little before he could be any use. "You must try to see this from Yue's point of view . . . he's confused."

"What is there to be confused about?! Hei-ying is a cold-blooded murderer!" Kero crouched down and hissed callously, "He would slit Yue's throat open if he thought it would get Clow so much as to look in his direction!" He threw his head back, and snarled, "The man was, is, will forever be possessed!"

"Does Yue know this?"

This stopped Keroberos. The lion sat and looked away, tears gathering in his gold eyes, and his usually cheerful lips drew into a mournful frown, "No . . . He doesn't . . ."

Spinel jumped up and sat beside the lion, the Moonlight bathing all around them, "Yue doesn't know who he is . . . We *must* help him find a new identity, he doesn't know where his loyalties must lie . . . we *must* show him, he doesn't know who to turn to . . . we *must* hold ready to show him the truth, perhaps a truth he most fears, but we will *endeavour* to help him . . ."

Keroberos looked down, "He's my little brother, Suppi . . . if Hei-ying turns him into . . . into . . . I . . ." The winged lion shook his head, "I can't kill him . . . I won't . . ."

"You might have to . . ." Spinel leant against Keroberos as the lion cried, "You might have to."

The lion tipped his head back and stared up, "I swore to Clow . . . to myself . . . to Yue . . . I'd never let anything harm him . . ."

"When the time comes, Keroberos, and perhaps it might, that Yue stands ready to kill Sakura . . . *You* must make *your* choice . . ." Spinel looked at him, and looped his tail around Keroberos', offering solace. "I tell you now, my loyalties lie with The Master, his with Sakura. I am bound by my very existence to protect those chosen by my master . . ." He sighed and tipped his head back, "And by extension remove those who would be a threat . . ." Keroberos and Spinel stared at each other as Spinel sent his silent warning, ". . . And those who would betray us . . ."

"I understand." Keroberos whispered, grateful for Spinel's level headedness.

The deep midnight blue eyes glistened slightly, the toll of the last few days taking hold, the pain of drawing battle lines hard upon the panther, "Sakura is your mistress . . ."

". . . And Yue my brother. . ." Keroberos breathed, the lion's eyes started to tear again, the Moon hung above them, just out of his reach . . . and his protection. "When the time comes . . . I . . . I don't know . . ."

Nakuru glanced at the balcony, then at Touya's bed. She sighed, got up, and lay beside him. She stared at the ceiling, "What do you see?"

Touya was silent before he answered, "I don't know . . . we have two options . . . we will find Yue frightened, and easy to bring back . . . or . . ." He closed his eyes, trying to stave off the tears again, "Or we will find Yue one of them and willing to kill Sakura before he comes back . . . either way, the bond between Yue and I is broken."

Nakuru sat up suddenly, and leant over him, "And that's it?!" She growled, "You're willing to accept that because Yue's thrown out some spat phrases –" She pressed his nose hard, "--In his *anger*, might I add, doesn't mean he isn't regretting it now . . ."

Touya smiled slightly, and pushed her away. "I love him, Nakuru."

"I know that!" She flopped back into bed, "Just as Syaoran loves Sakura-sama, and as Hiirawagizawa-sama loves Miss Tomoyo!"

"You think Eriol . . ." Touya shook his head, "No . . . I know it too . . ."

"Hiirawagizawa-sama just thinks he can't tell her because she is so in love with Sakura-sama . . ." Nakuru pointed up, pointing at the shadows on the ceiling, "Suppi-chan and I want her to stay, like Kaho-san did, only Tomoyo-chan is . . . is, Tomoyo-chan is . . ."

"Is?" Touya moved on to his elbow, "Didn't you like Kaho?"

Nakuru sobered, "Suppi and her got on great, but . . ." She shrugged, "We didn't get on so great, we were always competing for Hiirawagizawa-sama's attention . . . The time we spent in Japan without her just went on to *prove* it!" She lowered her arm and rested it over her forehead, "But with Tomoyo-chan. . . I want her attention just as much, she's pretty and smart . . . and I adore her . . ." Nakuru sat up, "And she always smells of lavender, which is Hiirawagizawa-sama's favourite!" She turned to Touya, and confided, "That and . . . it's just like a fairytale; my master and Tomoyo-chan will get a happy ending if they were together!"

Touya chuckled slightly, as she flopped back and hugged a pillow, "You like happy endings?"

"Especially in fairytales!" Nakuru pouted sweetly, "I just want my master to be happy, Suppi thinks so too . . . and Tomoyo-chan's just perfect for him . . ." She sat up and hugged her knees, "I want a fairytale ending for this too . . . but . . ." Touya sat up, and was surprised to find Nakuru sobered completely, she stared at the pool of Moonlight on the end of the bed, "In fairytales, good people don't die . . ." She smiled bravely, and nodded with surety, "When this is all over, we'll be able to fix things . . . but first, we must get sleep!" She got up and moved over to the bathroom, "Try to sleep some okay?"

Touya nodded, and lay back, staring hard at the ceiling. Trying to imagine what Yue was doing right at that moment.

"Yue . . . Where are you . . .?"

Tomodachi looked around the park with mild disinterest, Yukito, or rather Yue since the angel was in partial control, shivered as the light rain fell on them. It might have been the unusual shadows cast by the lights of the park but there was something wrong with Yukito's hair, it was getting a darker grey, much darker than he remembered it being. Tomodachi blinked, and shook his head. He spotted what he was looking for. "Come on."

Yuki shivered and followed mutely, Kyree had ordered them to go 'Shopping'. Hei-ying had rolled his eyes and glared at Saurian but hadn't told Yue much about the 'shopping' they were indulging with. He frowned slightly as Saurian's voice came ringing back to him, "Something large . . . and with a little alcohol please!!"

Hei-ying's false form slowed to a stop beside the bench, the alcoholic bum snoring loudly on bench. He reached down and started to shake the man, "Wake up . . ."

"What are you doing?"

Hei-ying paused and looked at him, "What does it look like? I'm trying to wake him." He turned his attention on the rough sleeper, "I said wake up!"

The drunkard blinked and stared at him in non-comprehension, "Wha . . .?"

"Get up, and collect your things . . . We've come to take you to shelter . . ."

Nakuru washed her hair; the smell of that bastard of a dragon still seemed to reek from her. She lifted a leg into the air and soaped it down slowly. She smiled as the bubbles slip down, she felt cleaner now. Lying back, she transformed to give her true form some attention too. After a vigorous soap, Ruby Moon closed her eyes and started to dose.

A soft knock at the snapped her eyes open, and she reached for a towel before permitting entry.

Spinel padded in, and sat on the floor, he glanced at her, "Keroberos is asleep as is Touya . . . you . . ." He peered at her, "Have been in here for the last three hours . . ."

She smiled and let the towel drop, "Water's still warm if you want in . . ."

Spinel frowned disapprovingly at her, prompting a laugh. He smiled and lay down, "I just thought you might want to talk . . ."

"Thank you, my dear brother . . ." Ruby let a hand slip down, and rub his ears, leaving soapy bubbles on his head. "Thank you . . ."

He shook his head, "Ruby!" She chuckled gently as he got up and rubbed his head on a towel. He walked back over and sat by the tub's edge. He stared at her, "Are you okay?"

"Mmmm . . ." Ruby hummed, "Just tired . . ." She leant back, her foam bubbles slipping over the edge as she disturbed them. "Suppi-chan . . . when did Yue's hair turn black?"

"What do you mean?"

"I just thought I saw a black . . ." She pulled up her plait, "One of these, in the same place . . ." She got up, and leant on the rim, "Since when did Yue get a plait?"

Spinel sighed, "I don't know . . . Are you sure it was a plait, not a trick of light?" Ruby nodded slowly, the blue panther sighed again, "I don't know what it could have been . . . perhaps we should as The Master about it."

"Maybe . . ." Ruby tilted her head; her damp hair framed her face. To Spinel, she seemed a little younger, her pink eyes wider. A smile twisted her lip as she caught him smiling slightly. "Suppi-chan?" He hummed slightly as she stroked his chin slowly, "Suppi-chan . . . do you think they have it too? Moony and that other Moon guardian of Clow's?"

"Perhaps . . . it does seem a little likely," The large cat purred as he started to nip and chew at her hand lightly, "You should get out now . . . I think you're done."

Ruby Moon laughed, "Or else I'll start to wrinkle like a prune, right?"

"Sugoi!!"

Yue turned slightly alarmed, and looked at Hei-ying's blank profile. Hei-ying had watched Saurian eat a thousand times . . . Yue had not.

He felt his head swim, as Saurian giggled delightedly, alternating between his small form and cat-sized form as he pounced all over the still withering man. "Help me . . ." He cried out wretchedly, "Please . . ."

Yue stared at the man's outstretched hand, but couldn't move. He glanced at Hei-ying again, "Why are we . . .?"

"Mistress thought it might help you."

"How?" The Moon angel stared back at the man, as Saurian chewed delightedly at his throat. "How is this helping me?" Hei-ying declined to answer, just nodded to the man. Yue frowned and decided to push it harder, not willing to accept the simple answer, "This is wrong."

The dark haired angel nodded slowly, "I know . . ."

"This is *murder*!" Yue shook his hand at the withering man, "We were never created to murder like this! Why would this help me? How could this---"

"Because Master Clow wished it." Yue blinked as Saurian hissed the interruption. The dragon stared at Hei-ying as he murmured, "Because Clow wished it . . . because every word he says . . . every action he makes . . ."

". . . Is ultimately true and right . . . and . . ."  Hei-ying closed his eye and sighed heavily, he looked tired in that moment. Yue frowned slightly; the words seemed like an old cruel spell he had once heard of. Clow had always been very adamant that the spell, the submission spell or whatever it was, was a very cruel spell, and that Yue should always advise his next master never to use it. Hei-ying opened his jade eye and stared blankly, almost remorsefully at Yue, "You and I must stand here and watch this because Clow wished it to be so . . ."

Yue bit his lip, he felt like a foolish child, one who had asked one too many questions and got an answer he should have known. Clow reed, his master, had wished this to be so . . . and he had had the insolence to question his master's will . . . his darkening purple eyes narrowed, he could not disobey Clow, he wouldn't allow such frailty to exist in him. "Hai!"

The dragon lifted his head and snickered, "You've been around humans too long . . ."

"What do you mean?"

"You're weak like them . . ."

"I am not weak!" Yue protested hotly. Saurian sniggered louder, and transformed again. He sat back and motioned the dying human.

"Prove it." The blood stained lips curled back into a mocking smile, "Or are you weak like they are?"

Hei-ying closed his eye as Yue stormed forward. The man's cries of pain regular and fading as Yue delivered swift kick after kick. He opened his eye, and watched as Saurian admired Yue's neat footwork. The man's jaw broken, and blood gushed from him. The man twitched, unable to escape the choking blood in his throat. Hei-ying glanced at Yue, and noted with some faint disgust, the black hair was spreading more.

The black haired angel shook his head and turned away, silently leaving Yue behind with the bastard that was the dragon. He walked down the corridor, as Saurian explained loudly, the various frailties of humankind, and explained his favourite methods of killing them, of eating them . . . it all seemed to run together after a while. The dark haired angel slowed to a halt as he felt his mistress' dark presence nearby.

"Why are you doing this to him?" He sighed, waiting for her to answer. He rolled his eye, "Your mind games don't work on me, Mistress Clow . . . Answer me . . ."

"But they do . . ." Hei-ying's head snapped hard to the left, his hair momentarily revealing his lost eye. Clow Reed, not a reincarnation, ghost or magic's keeper, Clow Reed the man stood there. His pale lips curled slightly, "What do you think? The Illusion card's still got it . . ."

Hei-ying faltered, "Clow . . ." He murmured longingly, Clow Reed smiled and stepped forward, deep blue eyes peering over the rim of his spectacles, spectacles that weren't twisted, rusted, blackened like Kyree's but new, polished. His robes, new and the faint smell of cinnamon, apples and magic drifted from him. Hei-ying's face grew innocent, all his hatred, all his pain fading and revealing the same innocence Clow once saw in a small boy reading about his existence. A cruel smirk passed over Clow's features as the taller man looked the angel over, lust clearly guiding his actions. Clow raised a hand and brushed it over Hei-ying's face.

The angel mewled quietly happy, "Clow . . . You . . . came back for me . . ."

"Of course I did . . ." Clow murmured, as Hei-ying leant forward, burying his pale face in Clow's robes, unaware the Illusion card was struggling hard against the spell and momentarily revealed Kyree in her true form. "Always for you . . . I have something to show you . . ." The Illusion card grew tired and Clow Reed's image re-established itself. Clow smiled and held up his hand, "Mirror?" Clow murmured, "Soon . . . When I have all my power, you shall have all of this once more . . . Very soon . . ."

Hei-ying blinked, and stared at Clow's hand as the Mirror card appeared in a flash, morphing into a hand held mirror as Hei-ying lifted his head. He gasped and pressed his back against Clow as he stared into the mirror.

His right eye . . . returned to him, his ear as pale and full as the other once more . . . his prized hair no longer in it's covering sloops.

"Oh . . ." Hei-ying moaned quietly, raising trembling white hands to the mirror, and then to his face, the scars and the pain were gone, he was a full angel again, he blinked as he gazed over his mirror counterpart's shoulders, white wings restored and balance once more, not a single bend or imbalance to show where Keroberos had broken the weaker wing ever.

Yue staggered out of the room, "Oniisan . . . Saurian wants to show you someth—" Yue stumbled to a halt, "Cl-Clow Reed?"

The Mirror disappeared as Clow looked up and opened his left arm, "Yue . . ."

Yue ran forward and buried his face into Clow's other shoulder, "Clow . . . I missed you . . ." He looked up excitedly, with all the excitement of a five year old . . .

She smiled, so proud of her small pretty display, her mother looked at her, pride filling her pale brown eyes. Saurian snickered as he leant closer to Hei-ying, snorting, "Watch this . . . I'll make her scream faster than she made those plants grow . . ."

Her small face so full of wonder . . .

. . . wonder, as he stared up at Clow Reed. Hei-ying blinked as he returned to the present, Yue's face and Carolyn's merging briefly, as they had when he had killed the girl. Neither Yue, nor Clow noticed Hei-ying's momentary slip, as Yue went on to babble, excited by his master's presence.

"Look, Clow . . . come see? I never fail you! Never . . ."

Clow smiled his precious smile, drawing warmth even from Hei-ying's cold heart. "Oh, Yue . . . my dearest little Moonbeam . . . you have failed me . . ."

Yue shrank away, "I haven't! I promise I haven't!" He drew closer again, and wound his fingers into Clow's robes, "I didn't do anything wrong!"

Clow tilted his head, and even Hei-ying could see Kyree was just feigning her disappointment, Hei-ying felt an odd sensation. Something to do with touching this Clow. He stepped away slightly, and watched the scene.

"Oh, but Yue . . ." Clow shook his head slowly, before cocking it to the side as if he was listening, ". . . I can still hear breathing . . ."

Yue blinked slowly, "You're right . . . I'll . . ." he turned, and glared down the corridor, "I'll stop it immediately . . ." Hei-ying and Clow exchanged a glance before watching Yue; he drifted, levitated off his feet slowly, drifting down the corridor. The white haired angel slowed to a perfect stop, as silent as a whisper before he drew his ice bow, and smirked, "Oi . . . here's your help . . ."

There was one more bloodcurdling scream as Yue waited for the man to recognise what was happening before he let the arrow go. As Yue beamed at Clow, Saurian yelled foul curses, and Clow went to observe Yue's archery skills, Hei-ying turned away. He felt cold, so very cold. He managed to get to his room before tipping over, he lay on the floor, kicking and wiggling, feeling the nausea and the cold racking sobs hurt again.

"Having another fit, eh Hei-ying?"

Keroberos murmured quietly from the door. Hei-ying looked up, the lion was sat there, but he was younger, leaner, this was a memory!

"Help me!" Hei-ying manage to choke out, not realising it was his mind playing tricks again, "Please! Help me!!"

Keroberos sighed and shook his head, walking away, disappearing silently.

"No, please, Keroberos!! Please help me!!" Hei-ying sobbed, reaching out to a ghost of the past for help come too late, "Don't leave me here like this . . . Keroberos!!"

The Mirror card appeared in her hand, and Kyree smirked, the Illusion card retained Clow's image for her. "So many uses, Mirror . . . so many uses . . ."

Three days past as the group readied themselves. Eriol had tried repeatedly to get Kaho, but the telephone lines to his home were cut. He sighed as he put the phone down, "I guess that confirms their location . . . They've taken my home."

"And what about Kaho-san?"

Eriol's face crumpled slightly, Sakura's innocent question hung in the air. He was silent before answering, "I think it's safe to assume . . . Kaho has been taken as well . . ." He sighed, "We are too far to tell . . . but I don't think I sense her anymore . . ."

Tomoyo wrapped her arms around Sakura, but the emerald eyes remained bone dry, "So . . . we travel to the Reed mansion . . .?"

Eriol nodded, "Our battlefield has been chosen . . ."

". . . And the lines drawn, right Keroberos?" Spinel asked quietly, the lion looked at him, understanding the panther's warning. They exchanged a nod, before Eriol continued.

"I wish to make one more stop before we face them . . . there is someone I need to see . . ."

Carolyn Zenith Reed ~ May there Always be hope. . .

Eriol smiled as he touched the damp stone, the rain falling in a soft patter all around. The stone glowed slightly as he cast the spell, Eriol leant over and whispered, "There now . . . no more monsters under your bed, sleep easy, child . . ." He straightened, and crouched down, "Sleep easy . . ." He pressed his hand against the freshly laid grass, Ruby and Spinel nudged the others back as they stood around the tiny lot. The ground moved slightly, and gave life to many pretty little flowers despite the season.

Sakura brushed her auburn bangs out of her eyes as the cold wind blew against them, the rain getting stronger. She glanced to the west, a storm was coming. Tomoyo walked past her and crouched by Eriol, "I wish I could have known her . . ."

Eriol murmured his reply, and the two talked a little as Syaoran looked around. So this was what was left of the Reeds, their legacy, their price paid in full. A small graveyard, by a tiny family church, on the side of a hill. The mighty fallen. He shivered deeply, this was not going to happen to his clan, his clan were not to be forgotten, he nodded, he would fight this battle and win. Sakura paused as she looked around, "Where's Clow Reed?"

"Pardon me?" Touya asked quietly, speaking for the first time since they left the hotel.

Sakura turned slightly, her large hood obscuring her profile, "His grave . . . where is he buried?"

"Not here . . ." Keroberos padded over to her, and glanced at Touya, "Yue and I got together before our sealing . . . we cast a spell utterly independent of Clow to make sure our creator would not be a skeleton in that damned favourite chair of his for the rest of eternity . . ." Touya smiled slightly, and crouched down by the lion.

"Where did you bury him . . .?"

Keroberos' gold eyes flitted to Eriol, the young man looked up, he too wanted to know. "It's a secret . . ." A smile crossed Keroberos' lips, "But it's somewhere where we could come to see you . . . we didn't think you would ever come back . . ." Touya and Eriol smiled the same grateful smile, dipping their heads at the same time. Kero looked up at Sakura, she was still gazing to the west. "What is it, Sakura? What do you see?"

Sakura blinked and came out of her small trance state. She turned slowly, the quiet chatter amongst the group died out as the seriousness of Sakura's eyes hit them. She looked each person long in the eye before sighing. Her decision made.

"Keroberos is the only one who will accompany me to the Reed mansion . . . the rest of you will return to the hotel, and await from my return . . . if I do not return, then you are to separate and return to Japan, no one will attempt to come for me . . . is that clear?"

"Kaiju---"

"No." Sakura murmured, not meeting his eyes, "I cannot, I will not put any of you in danger . . . This is my battle . . . I fight it alone."

"This is not just your battle . . ." Syaoran stepped forward, "The Li clan claim vengeance for the murder of Li Mei-rin--" Sakura started to shake her head, "-- And the protection of a future Li family member."

Touya glanced at the little wolf, and Syaoran met his look. Touya inclined his head slightly, and Syaoran took his approval. He stepped forward, and leant towards Sakura, "As well as funerals . . . the Li clan have strict rules about marriages . . . both bride and groom must attend or not at all . . ."

Sakura blinked, shaking her head. Her emerald eyes were wet, but she couldn't cry, not yet. She closed them and nodded, all right. She looked up, "The rest of you I cannot even begin to ask . . ." Touya stepped forward suddenly, moving behind her quickly. "Oniichan, no . . ."

"What?" Touya folded his arms; his robes' collar flapping hard against his neck, "I am your older brother . . ." He glanced down at Keroberos, "Right?"

The lion nodded, and Sakura sighed, she glanced at Tomoyo, "Please tell your mother that I'm thankful, and that if I don't come back . . . her cakes, even if they were bought, were always very nice . . ."

Tomoyo stood, glancing at Eriol before grabbing the hem of her purple cloak, "I'll be sure to mention it when we get home together . . ." she started to walk forward, careful not to slip on the dull damp grass, "Although I'm sure she's like it better from you . . ."

"Tomoyo-chan . . ." Sakura began quietly.

"I will not permit it."

Tomoyo paused as she stood in front of Sakura, she glanced behind her as Eriol stood, his fists clenched in anger. "I, Keroberos, Sakura, Touya and Syaoran will take the fight." He stepped past her fast, "You, Tomoyo, return to Japan tonight."

Her hand shot out and grabbed his shoulder, "I can—"

"You can't!" He growled, he grabbed her hand and shook it hard, "You have no magic skill to speak of, in comparison to the others you have nothing . . . I will not permit it!"

Tomoyo growled, "Sakura-chan—"

"Is a very powerful magician, you are not!"

"Are you saying she doesn't need me?!" Eriol stopped as he realised Tomoyo's voice with racked with pain, not only the emotional he just caused, but physical, he looked down at his hand, it was clenched around hers, her pale finger tips going bright red. He made himself let go, "No . . . I'm saying I don't want you to get hurt . . ."

"Why?"

"I . . ." He growled at his own cowardice as his voice failed him, "I . . . can't let you . . ."

Tomoyo stepped forward, and held her hand out blindly, Sakura's met it instantly, "Sakura-chan is my dearest friend, I love her with my heart . . . I will not let her go it alone now . . ." She smiled, and squeezed Sakura's hand, "I've been there for nearly every battle, and trust me . . . I can be more than a simple camera girl, sometimes it was just a word, or merely a small suggestion, but I helped a little . . . let me help a little now . . ."

Eriol shook his head, his blue hair twisting in the wind, while his robes' large hat rested easily on his head.

Tomoyo let go of Sakura and held her hand to Eriol's face; she smiled and leant in closer, laying a small kiss on his pale cheek while cupping it with a deep purple glove. "What makes you think I want to let you go either?"

The lavender-grey eyes blinked slowly as Eriol took this in, he sighed and looked away, "As stubborn and as persistent as you were at ten . . ." He flicked his eyes to her, "stay close, stay down, and stay out of the way . . ." He looked at his guardians as they moved forward. "Wait . . ."

Ruby paused, "Don't worry, Hiirawagizawa-sama . . . me an' Suppi will keep her out of the way . . ."

Eriol smiled and stepped towards them, he shook his head. "No . . ."

"Nani?!" Ruby coughed, as Spinel sat down, awaiting his master's continuance. Ruby flicked her head violently as she demanded, "What do you mean NO?!"

Eriol smiled slightly, "This is a battle I never prepared you for . . . never trained you to fight . . . to ask you to fight now, would be asking you to fight something you know nothing about, maybe don't even have the chance to win . . ." He sighed and spread his arms, his staff glowing into existence. He held it level, one side pointing to the east, the other to the west. His magic circle glowing faintly beneath him, he was ready to perform a powerful spell. Ruby and Spinel glanced at each other.

"Master?"

"Hiirawagizawa-sama?"

"You . . ." Eriol smiled warmly at them, ". . . are free . . . if you desire it, you need not obey me . . . and I shall give you your own sources of magic to survive . . . this will be your choice and your choice alone . . ."

Keroberos' mouth fell open; Sakura grasped her staff tighter, as Eriol posed the options to his guardians. Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun blinked, they could be freed, they were no longer required as his guardians . . .

"Suppi-chan . . ." Ruby looked down at Spinel, she sank to crouch at his level and stared at him very seriously, "Hiirawagizawa-sama is very delusional today . . ."

"Hmmm . . ." Spinel nodded.

"Think we should tag along . . . Just to make sure he doesn't faint?"

"Hmmm." Spinel nodded in agreement again. The two stepped forward and ducked Eriol's staff, clearly showing their decision. Eriol smiled and turned as his guardians continued their mocking conversation.

Sakura looked around again, her friends stood beside her. "Arigato . . ."

Hei-ying looked around, "Yue? Where are you?"

//I'm on the fourth floor . . .//

Hei-ying stepped up, and looked around. The fourth floor was somewhere he had been many times, Clow's room, and his own . . . he smiled slightly as he glanced at the open door. Ah . . . Yue had found his way into Keroberos' room . . .

"What do you think?"

"This was . . . Keroberos . . ." The angel frowned deeply, old, and older memories battled to make sense to him, he touched his head, twisting his fingers in his darkening hair, "But it . . . Kero didn't . . . never slept here . . ."

"Kero?" Hei-ying snorted, "Now the stuffed animal sounds like a frog . . ." He blinked, and sobered as Yue spun to him, "What is it?"

"Stuffed animal?" Yue murmured, "Syaoran . . . always uses that name, Keroberos hates it . . . he won't tolerate it when I say it, he only allows Syaoran to because . . ." He frowned as he tried to recall Keroberos' exact words, "Because it makes him forget the first person to call him by it . . ."

Hei-ying nodded, and stepped into the room, looking around, "That would be because I was the first . . ."

The white haired angel blinked and sat on the large summer yellow bed, small motes of dust floated around disturbed. The two looked out as the thunder growled outside. Hei-ying sighed and sat beside the angel, he stared at Yue's hair as the other angel started to twirl the black plait in his fingers absently, the black hair was spilling over the once white locks, the blackness had been spreading like a weed in the last three days. The top of Yue's head was almost completely black right down to the tips of his fringe. The long ponytail was virtually untouched, but . . . Hei-ying reached out and touched the lowest rung, there too a patch of black spread like a plague.

Yue was becoming just like Hei-ying . . . the jade eye threatened to fill with tears, as he stroked the hair slowly, the once beautiful white mane was becoming stained.

"How long do you think it will take for them to come here?" Yue's voice was distracted, his fingers twirling the plait slower. Yue was losing his mind too. "Do you think they will want tea and cakes? My false form makes wonderful cakes . . ."

Hei-ying blinked, and remembered the reason he had been looking for Yue. He had a hunch he wanted to try out. Yue and his false form acted as if they were separate entities, Yukito didn't seem aware of Yue, and Yue treated the form coolly. Clow never meant for that to happen, the false form and true form's personalities were not to be separate, he and Keroberos had always been aware that the false form was a disguise. But now Yue seemed to think . . . his eye narrowed slightly, he had a theory, maybe when he had tried to kill the younger angel the first time . . . something in Yue, something in his mind, had broken . . .

"He does adore them so . . . and eats so many . . ." Yue giggled and put his head in Hei-ying's lap, "Maybe I should cook some for you too . . ."

"That would be nice . . ." Hei-ying murmured back, his eye fixing on the earring, he played with it lightly, not calling attention to the fact he was trying to get it off. Yue giggled quietly and closed his eyes.

"Yukito makes so many . . . he eats them, all you know . . . he likes to make them for To-ya and he likes to make them for Sakura-sama but he can't now . . ." Yue frowned and opened his eyes, ". . . Do you know why?"

"No, Yue . . . why can't he make cakes anymore?" Hei-ying asked as he successfully slipped the earring off, there now Yukito's form was contained in this tiny gem . . .

"Because . . ." Yue sat up, and knelt on the bed, he bounced a little before leaning forward, "Because I killed her . . . I led her to her death and now everyone hates me . . . but not you . . . or Clow . . ." Yue blinked; "Do you think Clow would like some tea and cakes?"

Hei-ying slipped off the bed; hiding the deep blue earring behind his back, "Maybe . . . can I talk to Yukito?" He smiled, "I just want to asking him something . . ."

Yue smiled lopsidedly, "Okay . . ."

The angel spread his wings, and wrapped them around his body, calling forward his magic. Hei-ying's pale hand tightened around the earring, feeling it vibrate as Yue tried to access the false form. The wings parted and Yue sat on the bed, his expression grave. The angel slipped off the bed silently, his eyes locked with Hei-ying's. He quietly walked past him, to the door, he was going to leave. Hei-ying's jade eye glowed, and the key turned and locked. And then it lifted out of the lock, floated a brief second in front Yue's grave face before flying away.

Lifting a pale hand into the air, Hei-ying grasped the key.

"Let me out." The angel quietly protested, he nodded slowly, "When Sakura gets here she'll defeat you, she will!" He made a slicing motion with his hand, "Sakura-chan is more powerful than you'll ever be . . ."

Hei-ying's eye slid shut, his hands tightening around the key and the gem, "Yukito . . ."

"I know who you are! You are Hei-ying, aren't you?!"

"Yukito . . ." Hei-ying murmured again, almost mouthing the name.

"You tried to kill us, Yue and me!" Yukito growled, his normally calm and sweet personality shelved, "I don't know how you are keeping Yue from realising it but you tried to kill us both!"

Hei-ying growled, as the angel ranted on, his hand snaked out and grabbed the back of Yue's head. The angel started to shout, and tug away, as Hei-ying dragged him to the old dresser. He threw the younger creation into the seat and clamped his hands on the small shoulders and bent over. "Look."

The darkening purple eyes narrowed, "I'll do nothing for you!"

Hei-ying's pale hand wrapped around the defiant chin, and forced him to look. "See?! You're just like me! You're as broken as the stone on my chest; your mind is as split as mine . . ."

"Na-Nani?!" Yukito's mind revolted, as he stared into the reflective glass. Yue's face stared back, "What is this . . .?" He looked at his hands, bright royal blue gloves, sharp white sleeves, "This isn't . . ." He looked in the glass again, Yue's white hair, black in places. "This can't be . . ."

"You're insane . . ." Hei-ying smirked, he was right . . . he had killed something in Yue, and just as Yue had broken Hei-ying's, Hei-ying had broken Yue's mind. "You're just like me!"

"I hate you." Yuki stared at Hei-ying through the glass. "I hate you."

Hei-ying blinked, the almost sanity he felt around Yue rapidly fading as old feelings came back with Yukito, "Tell me, Yukito, tell me you love me . . ."

"I hate you . . ." Yukito turned, and spat into the older angel's face, "I hate you! I hate you!"

The jade eye narrowed, "Tell me you love me!"

"NO!" Yukito pushed him back, turned to the dresser. The items on it were so old, a dried Sunflower, paper, pencils; all covered in dust, he growled as he shoved it all off, "I hate you!! You did this to me!"

Hei-ying sat up, and stared at his leg, the scissors glinted temptingly. His jade eye slipped to Yue's body, as the snow rabbit raged and broke everything on the dresser. "Yue . . ."

No! Yukito shouted, but staggered weakly. "No . . ."

". . . Return to your true form. . ." Hei-ying glared at the split-minded being as he 'transformed' back into Yue, the fierce defiant glare disappeared, and the distracted wandering look returned, Yue smiled gently, "Did you have a nice conversation . . .?"

Hei-ying shivered, his full anger at Yukito drained away as his younger brother stared at him, eyes focusing and un-focusing all at once. Hei-ying stood and started to brush himself off, "No, He . . ." Hei-ying glanced at the scattered objects, breathing a little harder than necessary, disappointment in his mind, "He doesn't like me . . ."

"Why . . .?" Yue tilted his head slowly, his voice taking a decidedly distracted tone, "Why not?"

//Because he knows the truth// Hei-ying looked away and held up Yue's earring, "This is for you . . . it's Yukito's form . . ."

The angel blinked, his eyes wide as he took the small gem. He stared at it, "Is this all that is Yukito?"

Hei-ying paused before answering, ". . . Hai."

"All my life . . ." He tipped his hand, "All of it . . . that I can remember . . ." The earring bounced slightly and rolled on the hard wood floor, Yue continued to stare at it, "All my life I've had to hide behind the ever adorable Yukito . . . everyone's favourite snow rabbit . . ." A cruel smirk worthy of Saurian spread across Yue's feature, "Everyone does love him so . . . but when it comes to me, there is always disappointment. Awwww . . ." He turned and picked up the small wooden stool from the table. The angel sank to his knees. "Where could Yukito have gone? To-ya gives his power up, not to save me . . . no . . ." Yue brought the top of stool down hard, his voice taking on a mocking tone, "No! To save the ever adorable snow rabbit . . ." He brought the stool down harder on the earring, crushing it, the gem smashing, "Sakura won't fight me because she's scared of hurting the ever adorable snow rabbit! It's always Yuki, Yuki . . ." He brought the stool down with every hissed word, "YUKITO!!"

Thunder rumbled as they waited for the train.

"Mama!!" The small boy yelled, he was blonde, his head a bouncy mass of curls. He totted to his mother, a tall woman. she chuckled gently as she leant down to the little boy, the boy giggled, "Mama . . ." He murmured shyly, his accent clearly European, German. He leant closer to his mother, and pointed at the small group of strange people as they stood on the platform. The three tall men, and the beautiful women as stood like stone, all facing the track. Not a single smile between them. The small boy toddled away from his mother again, and ran over tripping slightly as he tugged at Touya's long over coat. The tall boy knelt and smiled weakly at the child as he spoke rapid German. "I'm sorry . . ." His mother apologised, "He seems to think you are magic persons . . ." She chuckled faintly, as she picked her child up, "Especially you . . ." The woman looked at the son, "He likes to look at the . . ." She smiled helplessly as she gestured the Moon symbol. "Er . . . der . . . was ist das, bitte?"

"The Moon?"

"Ah, danke . . . Ja, he likes to look at this Moon . . ."

Mama! The child shouted and whispered into his mother's ear, she giggled, and nodded.

"Please . . . he asks if you are a . . ." She paused, "A magic man . . . bitte, eine . . . magician?" Touya nodded slowly, as she relayed this to her son, the boy blushed sweetly and reached out to touch Touya's cheek. Syaoran leant towards him and whispered some quick Chinese, which Clow translated for him. //The boy has some magic, some Moon influenced magic, he's attracted by that . . . // Clow sighed quietly, // If Yue was here . . .//

The thunder rumbled loudly again, and the child frowned worriedly. He told his mother something, and pointed at the sky. She smiled helplessly as she turned to him, "I am very sorry . . . aber . . . he wants you to . . ." She looked up at the dark sky, her son pointed up, and shouted pleadingly. She shushed him and continued, "He wants you to bring back the Moon . . ."

Touya looked up, the Moon was hidden behind the storm's clouds. He sighed, more promising himself than the child, "I'll try . . ."

An hour, maybe two . . . he didn't care, they lay beside each other, Yue's raging quieted. He dipped his hands into the once brilliant white hair, the black had spread more completely now. Yue was becoming just like him. He sighed and pushed himself onto an elbow and observed the damage Yue had wreaked upon the old room. The bed was now leaning dangerously on one side, where Yue had broken a post; it's mattress overturned and the stuffing ripped out. Pillows lay gutted as white feathers floated gently, the beautiful yellow curtain were ripped and torn from the railings, the dresser was over turned, it's mirror shattered. The shards lay around them like diamonds, some were blood splattered where Yue had handled them, uncaring of the glass' sharp edge and had ripped everything.

Hei-ying sighed and turned his attention on Yue, his now black hair spread out around them, his eyes, once a delicate light amethyst, now a deep purple. Yue stared, stared at the ceiling, his arm draped over his forehead, showing his hand as it seeped red blood. The younger angel closed his eyes and sighed, "I feel so much better now . . . Now that little rabbit is dead . . ."

Hei-ying smirked a little as his brother drifted into a light slumber, Yue didn't realise that while he had destroyed Yukito's form, he hadn't killed the rabbit. He couldn't, the snow rabbit, and the angel were one . . . but just like him, neither could see the truth anymore . . .

Kyree smiled as she prepared herself for the next battle. So, now she would be dead, and Clow Reed would live once again. She could feel him, Clow Reed, could feel his lust, anger, and pride build again. His lust for the two angels that lay upstairs exhausted by their physical fights and her mind games. His anger at the card mistress for being the one who had his cards, and at his other reincarnations for being so pitifully weak and not taking back what was his. His pride at having defeated the card mistress, and for claiming back his angels now.

"There are no coincidences in this life . . ."

She smiled and tipped her head back, staring at the ceiling, and feeling the change of powers. Yue was changing, accepting the evil she was instilling in him. She looked into her mirror again, she was Clow Reed, she should be Clow Reed, she looked like him so much. A smile quirked her lips.

"Only . . ." A dark chuckle floated up from her, "Only . . . the inevitable . . ."

She was winning, she had already won.

"You know . . ."

Yue smiled as he felt gently fingers brush against his lips, his eyes opened sluggishly, "Your feelings for me could be described best as incest . . ." He propped himself up and stared at Hei-ying. The black haired angel tilted his head, and stared back. Yue couldn't deny that he felt some attraction back to his brother.

"It's the Yin Yang syndrome . . ." Hei-ying murmured, he turned away, "We're too close to each other to be apart . . ."

Yue smiled, "And soon we will never be apart again . . ." He lifted his hand and brushed back Hei-ying's hair, "We shall complete our way, and become one . . . our madness' cured . . ."

Something cold stabbed Hei-ying's heart as Yue spoke, so this was it. This was remorse, Hei-ying had finally done it, had finally caused Yue to feel something that he felt.

And how did it leave Hei-ying feeling? How could he rejoice from this victory?

Yue smiled and sat up, "I wish it had been you in the book with me, you and I would have been together for all eternity . . ." He turned serious, "It was Keroberos' fault that Sakura found us . . . and I didn't want her as my mistress . . ." He smiled brightly, "Now we have Clow back once more!"

"I'm sorry you're here . . ." Hei-ying mumbled as he sat up, he got up and walked out the room. Yue blinked and went after him. Hei-ying walked into his room, and sat on his bed. The dragon winged angel started to rub his temples, his mind beginning to feel a familiar dull pain, "I so sorry you are here . . ."

Yue stood before him mutely, his black hair shimmering dimly as the lightning lit the room briefly.

Hei-ying got up, and went to his dresser, plucking up Yue's white plait. Stroking it gently, he murmured, "I wish there was some way I could stop this . . ." His jade eye focused on his reflection, "Clow wanted me . . . to take care of you . . ." His eye crimped as Yue stood moved behind him, their only difference now, was that Yue's clothes were white, dirty and bloodstained, he had two dark purple eyes, and his fringe was shaggier. Hei-ying felt ready to cry, "I'm sorry, Yue . . ."

"I'm not . . ." Yue smiled lecherously as he wrapped his arms loosely around the jade-eyed angel. "I want you . . ." He hissed enticingly into Hei-ying's ear. "You and I should be one . . ."

Hei-ying closed his eye, "Don't . . . please don't . . ."

"Oniisan . . ." Yue's voice took on a slightly amused, childish tone, "Won't you teach me . . ." His pale hands worked on Hei-ying's clothes, "Come and play with me . . ."

Yue smiled as Hei-ying tilted his head slightly, Hei-ying watched their reflections in fascinated horror, as Yue dipped his head and kissed his neck like a vampire . . . and the lusting smirk rise on his own lips, as he gave in.

Saurian lifted his head as he felt an exchange of magic; he glanced at his mistress, as she stepped back from her mirror, "Aren't you going to stop them?"

She glanced at him, and smirked, "I was thinking of joining them actually . . ."

Saurian shivered with disgust, if there was one thing he could never enjoy, it was the idea of his brother screwing. It disgusted him the way anyone could take pleasure from such a sordid activity.

Kyree laughed as she sat back in her favourite chair, Clow Reed's favourite chair, and closed her eyes. The Cardcaptor was getting closer . . .

The final train journey felt the longest.

Sakura stared out the window, Syaoran held her hand, and sleep lightly, leant against her shoulder, Eriol and Tomoyo were leant against each other. Eriol's hand was wrapped securely around Tomoyo's and ever so often he'd open his eyes and check her, Nakuru's head bobbed side to side as the train rocked, Kero and Spinel curled around each other in her lap. Her brother sat opposite her, a frown that mirrored the storm outside taking almost permanent residence on his brow.

"Oniichan . . .?"

"Kaijuu?"

Sakura smiled slightly, "If I don't get my cards back—"

"You will."

She smiled again, "I will, and I will do everything in my power to get Yukito back for you . . ."

"And Yue . . ." Touya murmured, he stared out the window. "Yue and Yukito are one person; you cannot get one . . . without the other . . ." 

Sakura looked out the window, even she knew that the hidden Moon could not support Yue entirely, that . . . she shivered, and he was not drawing enough power from her to support himself . . . that Yue must have found another source, another mistress to draw magic from, "What state do you think we'll find them in?"

"I don't know . . ." he murmured quietly, watching the thunder roll across the clouds with anger, "I simply don't know . . ."

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

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

Lt. Zechs [gundam]: Where is this place?

Yue: [walking past] What the--?! Hey, you look like—

Lt. Zechs: --Like Me?!

Both: ARGH!

DrM: [waking up] Nani? What'samatter with you?!

Both: WHO IS THIS MAN?! [growls and point at each other] AND WHY DOES HE LOOK LIKE ME?!

DrM: [blinks stupidly] what in the hell are you talking about?!

Both: HE LOOKS LIKE ME!!!

DrM: [blinks stupidly] Nani? [slowly looks at readers as both start to fight about what they mean] do you know what they are talking about? [Shrugs] nah, didn't think you did . . . aiyaa . . . anyway, Mid-story checks everyone, I just want to know if anyone still wants email updates? If so, please leave your email address in a review please!! [grins] I have a feeling I've been sending email updates to people who don't read this story any more, and I just want to check!!

Yue: OI!! ANSWER ME!!

DrM: [yawns] hai, hai . . . [shrugs again] please R&R . . . while I sort these two out . . .