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 Twenty-Two: My Trust Reborn In Thee

[Once again another chapter brought to you by the ever wonderful Intangible Bluegoo!! And {grins} I did say only Eriol would make it. . . who *needs* another half reincarnation of Clow Reed running around the place. . .? {laughs evilly}]

"Oniichan!"

Sakura screamed as she felt her brother's aura suddenly transfer outside, she threw herself against the glass and screamed, beating her gloved fists against the glass. "Oniichan!! No, Oniichan!!!"

He closed his eyes, he could feel the Silent card holding Touya up, it was waiting. . . waiting for someone to save Touya. Yue closed his eyes and turned away from the glass, pressing his back against the cool pane. He couldn't go back, why should he even try. . .?

Yue slid down the glass. He regretted everything.

The cards . . . he wished he never been charged with their protection.

Sakura . . . he wished the child wasn't here.

Keroberos . . . he wished the lion didn't have to be here to witness his final failure.

Kyree . . . he'd come to loathe. It was all a horrible mistake . . . one that he no longer had the power to correct. He sighed and sank his head into his knees.

"Yue . . . Yue . . . What are you going to do now?" He looked up and out of the window. It was rain; the icy cold wind blowing hard, the storm was very powerful. "What am I going to do? Why did Touya even bother to come?"

"Because he loves you. . ."

"He opened his eyes, Clow. . .?"

The real Clow Reed stood there, not an illusion, but his ghost. The medium he used so often to talk to Sakura face to face. Yue looked around, surrounded by stars. Dreamscape.

"Clow. . ."

"He'll die if you don't do something, Yue. . ." Clow turned and walked away, "I did not create you to do any of this. . . look in your heart, the one I crafted for you, and see the truth. . . Open your eyes, see the truth as it lies around you. . ."

"Clow . . . I'm. . ."

"Yue." Clow turned, and stared at the angel, "Apologise to Sakura later."

Yue nodded, "Will I ever see you again?"

The mage tapped his head, "I'll be here . . ." He tapped his heart, "And here . . ."

The angel moved his hand to his heart, and tapped it gently, ". . . And always here. . ."

Clow smiled, and nodded, disappearing again.

Yue looked out the window, and up. Silent, as perhaps a parting gesture to her old mistress, held Touya aloft for the fraction of a second before relinquishing her hold. Yue tried frantically to catch his eye, but it was obscured, there was not enough time.

//Let him fall!// Kyree sneered in his mind, //Let him die for what he's done to you. . .//

The Silent was weakening, no one was coming.

Touya closed his eyes; Eriol was leaning out the window to help him. The blue haired boy reached out with his arm, trying to bridge the gap with magic. Touya reached out too, but looked up at he felt Kyree send her own magic down on them instead of the cards.  Eriol pitched forward suddenly, a look of surprise on his face as he crumpled, before his eyes slid shut completely. "Master!" Spinel jumped forward, breaking his master's fall. The big cat gently lowered a senseless Eriol to the ground. But this wasn't one of his visions. The boy was twisting and jerking, as if he was in the grip of one of his own invisible threads.

Touya felt his breath take away, as the silent card let go. Giving up.

"Oniichaaaaaaannn!!!!"

Sakura screamed, unaware her screams were alerting some old threat in the darkness to her position. A dark chuckle sounded as he stepped into the room, "So. . . little Cardcaptor. . . this is where you are hiding. . ."

Sakura jumped as Touya fell past her. She was powerless, utterly powerless to help him. "Oniichan!!"

"Hello Cardcaptor!" She jerked back and scrambled up the stairs as Saurian suddenly flung open the door. "I've been wanting to get you on your own for so long now. . ."

//Yue!// Hei-ying opened the window, and leant out. //make your choice now!//

Yue stepped away from the glass, taking one more look around his room. He blinked, and ran forward blindly.

Touya managed to flip himself in the air, if he was going to hit the ground; he'd hit it with his back down. A sharp death, and an easy death. He stared up, the stars so pretty, //Sakura. . .//

And then a window shattered. Exploding outwards in a glitter of razor-sharp particles, shards of glass spun outward raining down, sparkling as they fell. A dark figure span and spread white wings. Touya smiled and whispered, "Catch me, my angel . . ." before his world passed out.

Sakura scrambled back; out of the corner of her eye she saw the shards of glass twinkle, and the blurred dark shape. //What . . . who . . . who am I seeing?// Sakura almost didn't recognise the glow of bright feathers and magic as it dived down past her window. //could it be. . .//

Keroberos and Spinel leant out the window, frozen by the fall. Behind them, Ruby and Eriol lay beside each other, Tomoyo comforting both, Syaoran held Tomoyo's shoulder, all with faces sickly-pale, everyone waited. Keroberos and Spinel watched as Yue closed in on Touya, the Moon guardian completely focused on his descent. They were moments away from hitting the ground, and already too far away to make out properly.

Eriol, shakily, managed a grimacing smile.

"Yue . . ."

The wind was fierce and pushed him back and forth as he dived. It made his eyes tear but he didn't dare close them. No energy or time for shields, either, as every ounce was put into increasing his downward speed, and he was unable to call on the cards' power. Flashes of light streaked past, lamps or windows, too fast to make out properly. His friend. . . eyes closed, limp. . .

. . . Snow. . . an oh-so-familiar dark-haired man, eyes stretched wide with fright and concentration, swooped down on him, leaning forward dangerously on his flying staff, hand outstretched in a plea. . . Yue was the one who was falling, helpless and hurt and broken, and then. . .

Yue's eyes opened against a vision that didn't make sense. He fought it . . . couldn't let the sight take hold, not yet.

//It never happened that way!// His mind protested, trying to hold on to what his childhood trauma had fantasised for him, //I never fell like that . . . Hei-ying. . .// He closed his eyes trying to hold old demons at bay, the air screaming past him, whipping his now black hair around his face painfully, //The truth. . . what's the truth?!//

Yet deep in his mind, there was the conviction that he was falling as Touya was, and they were both doomed . . . Yue felt his wings pack up; start to fail him as centuries old memories started to assault him. // . . . The truth . . . //

Hei-ying stared up, //Kyree!!// She was forcing Yue to fail. She was putting him through Hei-ying's last attack on him, making him relive old memories at such a time! She could kill him, she would kill Touya if only to keep Yue regaining his life back. The dragon-winged angel growled and pushed himself out the window. He had to wake Yue up.

//SAKURA!!//

Hei-ying's thought blasted through his head at mind splitting levels. Yue pulled up suddenly and drew his bow and arrow, blindly shooting into the building. His entire being protesting at letting Touya go, but somehow knowing it was all right. Sakura threw herself to the ground as Yue's arrow exploded the window, glass ricocheting off everything dangerously and ripping through Saurian's side. The dragon roared as the arrow force him down the stairs, tumbling out of sight. Sakura scrambled to her feet, and ran to the gapping hole in the window, Oniichan!!!

Yue panted as he stepped into the old stairwell, and closed his eyes. He slid down, exhausted by the flight. //To-ya . . .//

Wind whipping painfully fast in his hair, eyes, teeth . . . its howl was deafening. If he was screaming he couldn't hear it against the onrushing gale. . . a multitude of thoughts screamed through his mind, memories, worries, everything all at once. //How can I protect my precious cherry blossom now for someone falling so fast, this was taking so long Yukito, Yue. . . he was so fragile. . . how would he cope with my deathagainClowprayeditwouldn'tshatterhimagainPleaseSakuraI'mgoingtohitthe//

He hadn't even had the breath to cry out against the rushing air . . . he'd been too surprised, too shocked . . . but the impact snapped it out of him.

Sakura gather Yue up in her arms, and tried to drag him up, "We've got to go. . ."

"But I failed you. . . leave me here. . ." Yue mumbled, he struggled to his feet and stared dully at that the door, "I'll hold off saurian, you. . ." He waved his hand at her blindly, incapable of meeting her eyes, "You've got to go. . . go now!"

"Yue!!" Sakura shook her head, her hand rushing out and roughly grabbing his arm, "I don't have time for this, come on!!"

"But To-ya. . ." He still refused to meet her eyes, not even protesting about the way her tight fingers were hurting his arm.

"No, Yue!" Sakura shook his arm hard. She dragged him to the window, in time to see what had happened, pointing outward, directing his downcast eyes, "*Look*!!"

Keroberos slipped back, relief almost forcing his knees down, "I never thought I'd be glad that bastard is alive. . ."

Tomoyo grabbed him, "Touya-san?! Is he. . .?"

The lion shook his head and rolled his eyes with relief. Spinel looked at her over his shoulder, "Come and look for yourself . . . "

A steady beat of wings woke him, as they fluttered off the ground. His first sight was a rather stomach rolling sight of the coach directly beneath him, and the black horses pawing the ground nervously.

"Yue . . ."

There was a soft chuckle, "Not exactly . . . he's safe, don't worry . . ." The ground proceeded to move away, and strong arms were wrapped tight around his waist. Touya groaned again, there was a giddy feeling of deceleration and then the sea of stars in front of him were fading into darkness, but it wasn't total, unconscious darkness; some of the stars remained.

Completely winded, Touya gasped for breath as he was suspended twenty feet above a horrible demise. Hei-ying chuckled again, "Come on . . . pull yourself together or you'll start to hyperventilate . . ."

Touya felt Clow push himself forward and ask, "Why?"

"Because . . ." Hei-ying tightened his grip on Touya's stomach, "Because Yue wished it . . ."

Touya felt Clow step back, and his mind take a good dose of shock, his stomach protested at Hei-ying choosing it to grab, but it did save Touya from a dislocated shoulder. They were rising upwards now, against the wind that seemed to come from all directions.

Touya's head dipped once, twice . . . and the tall man passed out.

Yue closed his eyes and swallowed, as Hei-ying flew through the window. Landing softly beside them, Hei-ying let Touya down, and Sakura ran forward. "Oniichan!!" She cried out with relief, "Oniichan!! Speak to me!!"

Hei-ying smiled lopsidedly as he stepped over the broken glass to reach his younger brother, "are you okay?"

"I . . ." Yue tilted his head back, and looked at Hei-ying, his voice was quiet and even, observing quietly, "you tried to kill me . . ."

Hei-ying nodded, he felt so tired, he just wanted this to all end now. "Yes . . . I did."

". . . Why?"

"Because I thought Clow loved you too much . . ."

Yue nodded, understanding in his eyes, the very edges of his irises returning to their beautiful pale amethyst, "and I thought he didn't love me enough . . ." the angel looked down, "I'm sorry . . ."

"Don't be." Hei-ying knelt down and pulled out his scissors, he tilted Yue's head back, and pulled at the black plait. A simple cut, and it fell off Yue's head easily. Coiling it in his hand, Hei-ying handed the scissors to Yue, "remember me now?"

Yue cut the white plait from Hei-ying's head, "I do remember you. . ." he gave Hei-ying the white plait and the scissors, and stood as Hei-ying turned. The jade-eyed angel smiled, and threw both plaits out. Yue placed his hand on his brother's shoulder, and stared out. "I'm so sorry, Hei-ying . . ."

"Come on, Yue . . ." Hei-ying whispered, "we have a job to do . . ." And with that, Hei-ying turned away from the window, and held his arms out to Sakura, "may I . . . mistress Sakura?"

Sakura blinked and stared at him. The adventure had taken away her blind trusting nature, she eyed him carefully, before making her decision. She had asked him to join her, but could she trust him? She glanced at Yue, as he silently tended to Touya, unasked, //But then again . . .// she reasoned //. . . could I trust Yue anymore?// Sakura frowned, and realised that it would only aid Kyree to win if she didn't accept them now. Hei-ying looked at her, almost as if he could read her mind, he knew his actions didn't aid her decision on how she could trust him now. He closed his eye, and sighed, she couldn't trust him . . . not after what he'd one to Yue, taking her Moon angel, and turning him into the submissive wreck he was now . . .

"Yes. . . " Sakura murmured, walking closer, "you may . . ."

Hei-ying's jade eye snapped open, as she walked into his arms, allowing him to carry her.

"On one condition. . ." she stared at him, making him feel almost afraid of her gentle trust.

"What's that?"

She pressed her hand against his cheek, "you let me be your friend . . ."

Hei-ying blinked, the wind momentarily revealing his battle scars. "I . . ." he looked so shocked, that he might have dropped her, "you don't want me as a servant?" She frowned and glanced at Yue, then shook her head, Hei-ying felt something heal. "Of, course. . . Sakura . . ."

Hei-ying glanced at Yue, as the angel picked up Touya, the tall dark haired man still slipping in and out of consciousness. He sighed and stepped forward. Spreading his wings, and smiling slightly as he felt his dark scales touch Yue's white feathers.

Kyree staggered back, her angels. . . betrayed her, betrayed Clow Reed. . . she sank down, just missing her chair and buried her face into the seat, howling with her frustration. "How dare you?!" She screamed to no one and everyone, "I am Clow Reed, the only Clow Reed!! Damn you!! I will not be defeated like this!!" She straightened, and held out her hand, "saurian. . ."

Reddish orange eyes slid open and glowed in the darkness.

"Here they come!" Tomoyo called out, as she spotted the two angels break into flight, she turned away from the window to look at the group behind her. Syaoran was now standing, every trace of his injury gone. He was leant to the side, the only visible sign of his sheer exhaustion. Eriol had Ruby's head in his lap, passing his magic to her as he healed her, it was as if Kyree hadn't launched her attack on him. The reincarnation looked tired though, as he had the day she had visited. Spinel lapped at his sister's hand, silently trying to wake her. Keroberos sighed and padded to the window, silently urging them to hurry.

A deep orange wing flexed in the darkness, dust and rubble falling to the ground easily.

Hei-ying and Yue twirled in sequence, avoiding the Windy's air currents easily. They did so in silence, Sakura stared at her Moon guardian, Yue looked . . . ill, much sicker, he looked pale and harried, and it was hard to believe that he'd ever be the same again. She closed her eyes, //I'll help you . . .// She promised him silently, // I'll always try my best. . .//

//Good.//

Sakura's eyes burst open as the strange voice sounded in her mind, she peered at Hei-ying as he flew, he looked a little more focused than Yue. He smiled weakly, //I'm sorry, I've spent the last sixty years listening to people's thoughts . . . it's hard to get out of the habit. . .//

She blinked, //Ano . . .//

//Hai?//

//Yue. Is he---?// she paused as he looked pained, //Nani?// she asked as he suddenly stopped mid-flight. Hei-ying looked up at the window they were meant to fly to. They need to fly into it directly, but neither could fire at the window and still carry their cargos. "Yue?"

Hei-ying blinked and looked over at his younger brother, as he stayed silent.

Yue was watching the windy as she swirled around, trying to resist the control of Kyree. His wings beat slower, Touya frowning as he lay unconscious in his sleep. Yue's head started to rock back and forth, his eyelids dipping and spring up alternatively. He was so tired . . . Touya's magic was so welcoming, so life giving . . . he was of the Moon, and the real Moon was obscured from sight. . . he closed his eyes . . . or were they already closed?

Sakura frowned as Yue's wings slowed even more, surely Yue couldn't suspend himself in the air with just that wing beat . . .

He sighed slowly, allowing the air to drain from his lungs. He felt warm, so close to Touya's magic, he was vaguely aware he couldn't fly like this but . . .Yue's left wing slowed to a stop . . . it didn't matter anyway . . . all that mattered was . . .

//Yue?// He blinked, and glanced at Touya. The taller boy was frowning so deeply, worry etched across his brow, //Please, I know you're tired, so very tired but please, Yue, please . . . you must concentrate now . . .// The angel blinked at the strange request, and opened his mouth to ask why, when Hei-ying interrupted him.

"Yue." Hei-ying restrained a sigh of relief as Yue's attention drifted back into focus, his wings beating fully again. "Yue, we need to get access to that corridor . . ." Hei-ying smirked slightly, knowing what his middle brother would say if he asked. "Please inform Keroberos that he needs to open the window wider . . ."  

Bones cracked loudly, as the long neck rolled, easing up the tension. Razor sharp claws extended, biting into the stones and the frail woods of the floor.

//Keroberos?//

Kero's face suddenly blanked, a tender look passing over his face as he listened to Yue's tentative whisper.

//. . . Keroberos . . . please, I know I've been wrong . . . please answer me now?//

the lion's gold eyes turned gently, as he tried to keep his mental voice even, //I'd always answer, my little one. . .// he closed his eyes, blocking out everyone but his little brother's quiet voice. Yue was remorseful, even scared as he asked, //Could you open the window wider . . . so we can fly right in?//

Keroberos' eyes snapped open and he stepped in front of the window, //I'll do better than that!!// he growled, "Gaki, away from the window!"

Syaoran stepped aside quickly, pulling Tomoyo with him. "What are you doing?"

"Making a runway!!"

A drop of gooey saliva dripped from smirking cruel lips. "Oh butterfly girl . . ." His dark red tongue slipped out and licked dry lips, "sweet butterfly girl . . . how I hunger for you . . ."

The fireball burst out eagerly, and a square of Clow's mansion was ripped away. The window blew out the furthest, followed by the burning wooden frame.

"Cover your heads!

Hei-ying drew his wing up, as he yelled the warning. Sakura buried her face into his neck, and he glanced over at Yue. Touya couldn't protect himself, so the angel flipped them over, so they faced downward. The Moon angel closed his eyes, as he felt hot sparks of debris bounce off his wings and his back. Touya opened his eyes slowly; as he smelt hot ash fill the air around them. Yue's face was by his, angel eyes closed, he looked tired, and remorseful. Touya blinked, they'd done it . . . they'd won Yue back . . . //My angel . . .// Touya sighed mentally, wrapping his arm around Yue to shift some of his weigh off the angel's arm. He buried his face into the pale neck, restraining himself from bestowing kisses.

The last of the ash and debris dropped by, and Hei-ying started to fly again.

Yue paused and pulled back slightly from Touya, and stared into the taller man's deep blue eyes. Pale lips parted, whispered apologies, but Yue seemed to lose his courage, and looked away, looking down at the foreboding ground again. Touya pressed his lips together, //Later . . . // he thought to himself, watching Yue's expression carefully, //Everything must come later . . .//

Yue's eyes started to widen, some life flowing back into them.

Touya frowned and followed the angel's gaze, the hole, where the two angels and their precious passengers had flown from, had started to smoke slightly, small wisps of black smoke treacled out. Yue's head snapped upward, "Oniisan!"

Hei-ying pulled up again, stopped and looked down, "What is . . . it . . ." His voice trailed off as he recognised the smoke, "Yue. . . come on!"

"Oniisan!" Yue stared down, a frown on his face, "What is it?"

"Come on!" Hei-ying called urgently, spreading his wings further. It was then the building groaned . . .

. . . Tomoyo stumbled slightly as she sank down by Eriol, he was frowning deeply. She looked around as the building groaned again, "What's that noise?"

Spinel got up and sniffed the air, "Powerful magic. . ." He looked over as Ruby Moon grumbled and sat up, "We've got to move. . . they'll want to land soon."

Ruby blinked, and smiled gratefully as her brother helped her stand, "What's the Clow-awful noise?"

Syaoran looked around, "I don't know. . ." He glanced out, "Keroberos?"

The lion was standing by the ruin that was the window; he looked out, "GET A MOVE ON!!"

"Yue!" Hei-ying snapped, real anger in his voice, "We do not have time to sate your curiosity, fly now!"

Touya blinked as Yue instantly complied, the two angels racing up. He held Yue tightly as he glanced down quickly. The driving rain did nothing to stop the smoke, his eyes widened as the smoke became a dark red glow. "Yue. . ."

"I don't know what that is. . ." Yue murmured back, increasing his flight until they drew level with Hei-ying and Sakura, "What is that?!"

Hei-ying remained silent, allowing the event to speak for itself . . .

Eriol grabbed Tomoyo's hand as his home made another sickening tremble, the building screamed out in protest.

Touya stared in horror, Clow's horror as his former home tore itself apart.

Hot shards of every kind of debris shot out, wood, metal, stone, glass, all exploded outward!

Touya stared down as the small wisps of smoke and fire became a huge fireball, racing out eagerly. Like a fiery phoenix, saurian suddenly burst out of the Reed mansion, leaving a massive hole where the third and second floor once met.

Tomoyo stumbled over as the building shook and groaned loudly, "What's happening?!"

Eriol got up, and quickly pushed Ruby along the corridor, "Everyone, run!!" He grabbed at Tomoyo's hand again and pulled her onto Spinel's back, "Come on!!"

Keroberos spun, and allowed Syaoran to jump on, without complaint. They had to get out of the corridor, out of range!

"GET OUT THE WAY!!" Hei-ying yelled as he and Sakura landed first. He pushed Sakura forward, making her run. "Get out of the corridor!! Quickly!!"

Syaoran looked back, "Keroberos! Slow down!" He reached out, trying to grab Sakura's hand. Their fingertips brushed, Sakura's face creasing with her desperation as she ran. "Sakura!" Syaoran called, "Come on!"

She bit her lip and pulled up her magic cane, holding it out for him. Hei-ying alternated his glances, one at Yue and Touya as they made their landing strike, one to Sakura as her Li clan head pulled her to safety on Keroberos' back, and finally one downward, with the pelting rain as Saurian batted his massive wings, transforming into his ultimate form as he flew upward. "Come on!" Hei-ying urged Yue, "Come on!!"

As soon as his younger brother, and Kinomoto Touya had landed, Hei-ying helped Yue support the weaker Touya to escape. They had mere seconds, the briefest of moments to get out of the corridor. No one dared look back. Tomoyo closed her eyes, and prayed Sakura was safe, as she wrapped her arms as tightly around Eriol's waist. Eriol felt his jaw tense up painfully as he stared ahead, one hand firmly, almost harshly clamped on his sun guardian's fur, his other hand over the small clasp of Tomoyo's linked hands. Sakura stared at the back of Syaoran's head, she couldn't focus on anything else, she could feel saurian flying up the mansion eagerly.

Ruby stepped to the side suddenly, and waited for Yue and Hei-ying to run past her, "Come on . . . run, runrunrunrun!"       

"We are, Ruby!" Yue muttered as she helped them push Touya along, he was still a little dazed. Hei-ying was scanning the walls of the corridor. They'd only got a few meters, and the end of the corridor was at least three minutes away thanks to the maze card. "Quickly!" He yelled as the maze resisted his control collar, and a door suddenly came up, slamming open for them, "Inside!!"

Saurian grinned as he increased his speed and flew straight past the opening in the side of the building.

Tomoyo cried out as Spinel lost his footing, the vacuum created by saurian too much for anyone to stand up against. Eriol clamped his hand on Tomoyo, and swung his half size staff out quickly. Syaoran winced, and held Sakura tightly, as the sharp points of Eriol's staff nailed the billowing flannel of his trousers to the floor. Support for the both of them, as the gusting vacuum lessoned.

Yue handed Touya to Hei-ying, pushing them to safety. The black haired angel understood easily, and helped the others up. Hei-ying and the mortal magicians scrambled into the room.

Their time had just run out.

Chunks of the ancient architecture fell to the ground, pounding craters into it as saurian latched on to the building like some great bird to a branch. He grinned darkly and flexed his long neck, twisting it so he could push his head into the corridor.

Yue and Ruby stood by each other, Keroberos and Spinel either side of them. Hei-ying stepped out of the room, and looked down the corridor as Saurian's immense head came slithering towards them. //Bastard . . .// His jade eye narrowed.

"Hei-ying . . ." Ruby held up her hand, "Stay with our masters . . . they need protection."

A soft click of the door again told the four guardians Hei-ying agreed without argument. Ruby and Yue's right foot slid back as they took a fighting stance. Keroberos crouched lower, breathing in, reading himself for attack. Spinel's hackles shivered visibly.

The dragon grinned as he came slowly closer. "Oh butterfly girl . . . I was looking for you. . ."

Yue's bow and arrow appeared, the almost invisible string singing as he pulled the ice arrow back.

"Mmmmm. . ." Saurian's red eyes glowed dimly, "Do you know why?"

Keroberos' claws dug past the worn red carpet, and into the old wood floor, he growled deeply from the pit of his stomach.

The rank breath of the arrogant dragon rolled before him, as he hummed, "I look forward to having you, my dear . . ."

A small bead of Ruby red energy started to boil as Spinel opened his jaws, fury rippling his fur more than anything.

The giant head slithered to a stop, "I'll pluck your wings off . . . little butterfly girl . . . and roast you alive . . ."

A red glow lit shadows across Ruby's face as she held up her hand, her Ruby shards forming. She tried not to show her pleasure at Spinel's absolute fury of the dragon's words, "You can try . . ."

A lazy smile spread over his dark lips, "Oh . . . how I *will* enjoy you . . ." His expression became shuttered as he summoned his fire from deep within his stomach. Massive jaws spread as wide as they could in the corridor, blood stained teeth and rank breath filling their senses.

//Wait for it . . .// Ruby whispered to her fellow guardians, as they watched the dark red glow at the back of the dragon's throat. //Three . . .//

Sakura leant over her brother as he lay back against the farthest wall from the door. Syaoran was knelt beside her, his sword up at not only the door, but the black haired angel. He didn't want to trust the turncoat so easily. Eriol and Tomoyo huddled together, his black cloak wrapped around her shoulders at they waited.

Saurian closed his eyes blissfully, already planning what he was going to do to Hei-ying. He didn't care about their raised weapons, confident that they could not defeat him.

//Two . . .//

Hei-ying was stood, a metre away form the door, and raised his arms. A vivid jade green energy field buzzed loudly, surrounding not only the door, but the entire wall. He didn't want to risk anything breaking through. He could feel Saurian's arrogance, Spinel's utter fury, Yue's remorseful desire to get things right. Ruby and Keroberos shared the same almost eager pleasure as they pooled their magic together.

He smirked darkly, and opened his jade eye.

"One."

The door blew straight off it's hinges, nearly making him flinch as it bounced off the energy field, chunks of plaster, of wood and wall exploded against it, as the massive meeting of magic occurred. Through the holes of the wall, Hei-ying watched in great pleasure as the force blew saurian back.

The massive dragon was dragged back, expelling all his fire as he was winded. The fire raced down the corridor, Yue grabbed Ruby and slammed her towards Keroberos, and then dived over to cover Spinel. Knowing that the butterfly wings of the younger two weren't built to fend off such heat, the two older guardians pushed Ruby and Spinel down, and spread their stronger wings against the hot fire.

Sakura winced as she felt some of the heat seep through Hei-ying's forcefield. Hei-ying closed his eye against the heat, but kept his hands steady as the fire burned itself out.

Ruby grunted under Keroberos as the lion shook his wings, "Thanks . . ."

The lion grimaced, shaking himself as hot embers still burnt him as they fell from his wings. "Don't mention it . . ."

Yue pushed off Spinel silently, and walked swiftly down the ruined corridor to see what had become of saurian. The rain gusted in, a cool relief as the four guardians looked down. Yue sighed, shivered deeply, the cold feelings in his heart, and the icy wind hard to bear. He quickly drew his bow and arrow, shooting off three arrows in quick succession. The thunder beast, the windy spirit, and the storm card all disappeared and raced away. The natural storm continued as it had before, rumbling deeply as it pelted the rain at them. Keroberos looked up, and snorted darkly at Ruby's expression, "don't worry about the horses . . ." he looked down at the downed dragon, and the crushed carriage and horses below. "Considering Kyree raised them from the dead . . . I wouldn't worry too much about them . . ." He glanced at Spinel who glared down in uncharacteristic vehemence, "Come on Suppi, we've got masters to tend to . . ."

The blue panther nodded, and spat down. A final insult. He glanced at Ruby Moon, before turning away silently, his long blue tail twitching side to side with unfulfilled emotion.

Ruby smiled slightly and turned back to Yue. The angel was dirty, and tired looking, blood from the small cuts he'd earned earlier seeped into his ruined robes. He was staring at the sky forlornly, Kyree still denying them access to the Moon, his hands were wrapped around his elbows giving him a frail look.

Ruby turned her attention to the sky, the cold wind blowing around them. She knew there would be time to deal with everything later, so why did Yue look like he had no future? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Hey Yue?"

She opened her eyes to see him look at her, the same remorseful, forlorn look in his eyes. She shrugged with one shoulder, and picked off from small piece of dirty from his shoulder, "Back straight, eh?" She sighed, and moved slightly closer, tipping his head up, "And head up . . ." Ruby whispered, she tipped her head down the corridor, just as Eriol and Sakura emerged form the room, "They trust us to be ---"

"Who we were created to be . . ." Yue nodded as he finished the line, he dipped his head down again, "I'm—"

"I missed you." Ruby interrupted his quiet apology, she smiled brightly, trying not to wince as it stretched her bruised cheek. It was worth it, for the way he looked up suddenly in surprise, she winked gently with her black eye, "I do like you, Yue . . ." She linked her arm with his and pulled him back to their group, "We *are* family, you know . . ."

Spinel licked the back of his paw slowly, as Keroberos sat beside him. The lion spoke in low tones to the panther, but fell silent as Hei-ying stepped out and looked down at the sun guardians, not so surprised at the rage in the blue panther's stance. "Saurian?"

Dead. Keroberos answered simply, he swung his head towards Spinel, isn't that right, "Suppi?"

The deep blue eyes of the panther narrowed slightly as he paused, and nodded.

Hei-ying's jade eye widened, "You've got it too."

Spinel looked at him, surprise in his eyes, "Syndrome?"

The black haired angel nodded, and then glanced down the corridor, "The butterfly girl?"

Spinel looked down the corridor, Ruby stretched her arms in the air, and rolled her neck. She caught his stare, and smile, winking as she waved at him. A smile twitched his lip briefly, before he looked up at Hei-ying, "Her *name* is Ruby Moon."

"Forgive me," The angel bobbed a quick bow, "Ruby Moon?"

The large cat nodded, "You . . . and . . ." A look of disgust formed, "That dragon?"

Hei-ying's head fell back, and he laughed harshly, causing Sakura to look at him as she looked around. The sound sounded so cold from him. He stopped suddenly and wrapped his arms around his body, "never." He glanced down the corridor, Spinel's eyes widened as he realised who Hei-ying shared the syndrome with. Keroberos started to growl as he reached the same conclusion.

"Suppi." He spat warningly, his gold eyes locked with Hei-ying's dull jade. "A moment."

Spinel looked between the two before moving away. Hei-ying quickly knelt by Kero, the lion's tail twitched from side to side. "Keroberos—"

"If you have touched him . . ." The lion spat in disgust, he shook his head, "A single kiss . . . anything. . ."

Hei-ying's eye dropped down, staring through the lion. He couldn't deny it.

The strike was so fast Hei-ying didn't even see it. He fell back, and clutched at his face, raw pain and blood seeping across his face.

"KERO-CHAN!!" Sakura yelled as the lion stalked closer to the downed angel, she ran over to him and tried to hold him back, but he was too angry. He pounced on Hei-ying, "You bastard! How dare you! He's only a child!!"

"Get off me!" Hei-ying yelled, anger spilling out, he pushed Keroberos off, and stood touching his face, a three lined cut scarred across his cheek. "How dare *you*!" He pulled back his slopping hair, "You claimed this eye, stuffed animal! You will not claim another!"

The two archenemies glowered at each other, old hatred and renewed fury igniting. Sakura blinked in surprise as the two started to speak in a rapid fire language, she only understood snatches of it, and heard Syaoran mutter beside her, "German . . ."

"Shut up! Both of you!" Eriol and Touya suddenly pitched forward, Clow's voice suddenly filtering through, "Stop it, stop it now!" The two ignored him, and grew even more ferocious, obviously swearing at each other. Clow growled, both Touya and Eriol shaking in barely contained anger, "I said stop---"

"Oniisan! Oniichan! Papa!" Yue suddenly cried out, his voice taking on a whole new tone, as he clutched his head. "Stop it!! *Stop* it!!"       

The former family stopped instantly, Touya and Eriol turned and stared at him, "You . . . you remember . . ."

Yue stared at the ground, almost trembling, "Yes." He rasped, his true voice filtering through, "And I want you to stop it."

Hei-ying felt a sudden pull, Yue . . . Yue needed him. He moved to step forward, when he noticed Touya felt the same urge. Touya's movement and Keroberos' deep growl beside him made the dark haired angel curb his instinctual desire. As Touya wrapped his arms around Yue, Clow whispering apologies for now, and the time before; Hei-ying felt . . . felt . . . he closed his eye and looked down, he wanted to help Yue . . . but Touya . . . a shiver racked his spine, he opened his eye and tilted his head up slightly. Touya was the one for Yue, as much as he was loathe to admit it, no matter how much he wished it wasn't true . . . Touya loved Yue, and Yue . . .

The white haired angel's eyes were closed, and he wrapped his arms around Touya tentatively, nervous about what he could do and could not. "To-ya . . . Clow . . . I . . ."

"Shhhh . . ." Touya closed his eyes, and held Yue closer, "Shhh . . ."

Hei-ying stared at them, Yue loved Touya . . . Hei-ying sank down, aware the only person watching him was his middle brother. 

Keroberos glared at Hei-ying, "You bastard . . . he's only—"

"He's not anymore!" Hei-ying snapped quietly, "Okay? Get it out of your thick head, Keroberos; he's not a child anymore!"

"You're sick . . . Yue's---"

"Got it just as badly as I have." Hei-ying tried to calm himself, part of him knew that Keroberos had every right to be disgusted, he was disgusted himself. "We've both got the syndrome."

"That's no excuse." Keroberos growled, he glared at Hei-ying, "I'll never forgive you."

Hei-ying stared at him, and nodded slowly. "I know."

"Never . . ." The lion glanced at their youngest brother, "I'll never forgive you. . ."

Hei-ying raised his hand and gingerly stroked the lion's bejewelled ear, "I know . . . Keroberos, I know . . ."

Yue stepped away from Touya, his eyes not quite meeting the dark blue of Touya. He looked up, as he felt Kyree cast another spell. Glancing at Hei-ying, Yue could tell he felt it too. Kyree was dampening their power link to her. They were having to survive on what little she allowed them, what little they could scrap from the hidden Moon was not enough and . . . 

Sakura stepped forward, and touched his arm, as Yue suddenly sank to his knees in front of her.

"Mistress . . ." He murmured quietly, not wanting to beg for his life, "I . . . Kyree's not supporting . . . I mean . . ." He moved his head toward the end of the corridor, the dark storm still raging, "I can't draw power from the Moon and I . . ."

Sakura sank to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, rubbing his back slowly.

"It's okay . . . I'm here, Yue . . ."

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

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

DrM: And you didn't trust me!!

Touya: NO!! [grabs DrM and shakes her hard] You evil bitch, the ground's hard and cold, it woulda killed me!! you mean cow!!

DrM: don't be mean to me!! or I'll send Grace after you, and then you'll be in trouble!!

Touya: Grace? Who the fuck is Grace?!

Eriol: I thought it was Alice. . . who the fuck is Alice. . .

DrM: what the. . . look, [sighs] I know it's a short chapter, but the next one's the big chapter. . . our guys verses. . . Kyree!! Yay!!

Kyree: I'll beat them to a bloody pulp. . .

Grace: I'm sure you will, ma'am.

Kyree: Who the fuck are you?!

Grace: [smiles sickeningly sweetly]

DrM: don't ask, don't tell. I implore you readers, please review. . . five more and, and, and. . . I've hit the Magic 300 . . . but knowing my luck. . . I'll probably get stuck on 299 or something cruel like that. . .

Grace: [pats shoulder] Golly DrM. don't worry I'm sure someone out there will have pity!

DrM: [irate] Who the fuck are you?!