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

[Ahem . . . this is the chapter where everyone gets some 'fun' . . . well, everyone but Kero . . . but a threesome with Ruby is out of the question . . . {mumbles} and I forgot to mention a lil fact about the whole Suppi/Ruby Thing – So it's explained in here {giggles} anyway, everyone gets some, the pairings are average, and as Syaoran notes: 'This is a corny situation' but I'm a huge sucker for happy endings, esp. happy endings with lots of 'loving'. So if you don't love the 'loving' just wait for the next chapter, because that's the BIG happy ending. This is just all the Lemony-Yaoi-Yummy-ness I have to get out of my system . . . I mean, Kyree got a lot, and our guys didn't, soooooooo . . . think of it as a huge big resetting of the Force . . . Please R&R!! ALSO: I'm moving to be close to my university, in about a week's time, so if you guys don't hear from my for a month or two. . . that'll be why . . . but don't worry, I'll be loaded up on my CCS disks, and music, and I'll have Dudley, my ever faithful computer, by my side. . . I won't have the Bluegoo though, 'cause she's off to another part of England. . . but then, there's email, and damned if I won't use it!! Enough of my goddamn babble, on to the fic!!]

Part Twenty-Five: There Lies . . .

Let this be our last battle . . .

Syaoran caught her hand before the knuckles touched the dark wood door.

Sakura looked at him quizzically, it had been only a few hours since everything had happened, the fight, the deaths, all of it . . . and now, it all seemed a lifetime ago. Sakura loosed some of the cards on the house, asking them to clean what they could, fix the massive damage, and thankfully most of it could be done by the cards. Eriol mentioned that the bigger bulk of it, the structural damage from saurain's massive claws, the broken windows, and the collapsed stairs would be needed to be done by their own magic, but the general consensus was that this was a thing that could be left to later. First . . . the personal damage would need to be assessed.

The four guardians had carried the body of Hei-ying to the room before her, and locked the door. They had been in there for an hour and Sakura wished to know what was happening. Syaoran pulled her away from the door, murmuring that the guardians would be greatly insulted if she dared to disturb them, and that this was something that the guardians had to do alone.

Sakura allowed herself to be walked along the corridor, away for the massive locked door. The four guardians' business was their own. She looked at Syaoran, he had changed out of his robes, they would need to be fixed. She chuckled mirthlessly as she looked around; robes weren't the only things that would need fixing. Ruby and Spinel were still terribly injured, Eriol had sighed quietly as he assessed their wounds. Ruby would need new wings, a few ribs had been cracked, and there was no telling how much internal damage there had been. Her hands would need some care, simply for the overuse they had sustained. The same went for Spinel, he too would need work, but Eriol had given them a temporary reprieve, Ruby's body was had been suspended between her false form and her true, putting away her wings, but retaining her eyes and hair colour, the bruises and cuts were too numerous to count, so no one really bothered.

Eriol had mentioned something about doing the same for Spinel, but Sakura had been too tired to take any of it in, she glanced at Syaoran's hand as he guided her to their  room. She wanted nothing more than to curl up and cry for a little while.

This our last fight . . .

The green magic flickered and swirled away, like a sun in space, the magic simply swirled away. As with every magic being's death rites, the magic was dispersing, as the physical form could no longer contain it. Yue and Keroberos stood one side, Ruby and Spinel the other. They watched in silence as Hei-ying lay still on the make-shift coffin top, his hand had slipped from the table, and like vaporous ice, the magic slipped from his hand and swirled into nothingness, there was no other way of it, Hei-ying's very being swirled into nothingness.

Ruby closed her eyes, her head tipping forward, "Master Clow's dead."

No one refuted her claim, it was too true, but she was the first to say it aloud since the death. She slipped her hand onto Spinel's head as he sat beside her; he stared at the dark angel's profile. The pale features so similar to Yue's, it seemed like the foretelling of the future, when even Yue, Keroberos . . . even the cards would one day lie like this, magic glowing and then fading away. He sighed and nodded, "Clow Reed, the master, is dead."

He looked over at Keroberos, the lion had been mostly quiet since his eldest brother's death, and Spinel was curious as to how he felt. Keroberos felt . . . he didn't know what he felt . . . he knew he felt angry at Hei-ying, the dull anger never left, not since the day of Hei-ying's sealing, to the day of his death. This anger would forever and always be. He stared hard at Hei-ying's face, the jade eye closed and peace reigned. Part of Keroberos was only here to make sure Hei-ying was really dead, another because he wanted to be with Yue, and he had to admit . . . some small part of him felt . . . almost sorry for Hei-ying. When it was all revealed, Hei-ying had only done what he thought Clow had wanted, he'd never asked to be anything but what he was created to be and ultimately it would forever be a single mistake Clow Reed made once, so very, very long ago that had resulted in everything . . . from the death of Marcibay Hilligans, to the last fight of Sakura . . . a single mistake of Clow's had been the lynchpin.

Keroberos sighed, part of him felt sorry for Hei-ying, but on the most part . . . Keroberos would never forget nor forgive Hei-ying for his actions . . . he stared at the last closed jade eye, he couldn't forgive Hei-ying for his own mistake. Hei-ying, like Yue, like Keroberos, had always had some semblance of free will . . . it was forever hindered by the obedience spell, but as he had finally realised, the spell was forever in his own interpretation. Hei-ying had realised this, but had realised it too late. For this, Keroberos could never forgive him . . . it had cost them all too much, Sakura had lost her father, her friends, had almost lost her cards and her guardians . . . she had most certainly lost a large part of her wide-eyed innocence. Eriol had lost Kaho, a dear friend, he lost his link to Clow reed, almost lost himself, and his guardians, everything he had ever strived for. It had all been too much . . . and Keroberos . . . he looked up at Yue, he was the only one who looked like he was actually mourning for Hei-ying, the lion sighed and shook his head . . . Keroberos could never forgive that.

"Clow's dead . . ."

Yue blinked as his brother added his voice, he raised his hand and stroked Keroberos' head gingerly, the lion looked exhausted, both emotionally and physically. It was so hard for them all. He looked around quickly, Ruby and Spinel looked like they wanted nothing more than to curl around each other and sleep for a few dozen years. Yue closed his eyes, knowing he'd have to say it, "Papa's dead . . ." His eyes popped open, the other guardians were staring at him as he continued. His real voice, not the chilled collected one he used for his true form, nor the cute tender one he used in his false, but his real voice echoed slightly, "Oniichan Hei-ying too . . ."

Ruby nodded, and sank so she could wrap her arms around Suppi; she buried her face into his shoulder, the blue fur cushioning her cheek as she started to cry slightly, tiredness finally too much for her battered body. Yue sank down too, and stared at Keroberos. The two guardians stared at each other for a long moment, for a moment, Yue thought he could see a large cut on Keroberos' face, and knew that there had been a moment like this before, when they had stared at each other. The large lion was wet and cold, but all he wanted was to know that his little moonbeam was safe. Yue sniffed, and felt like a little child again as he leant forward, wrapped his arms around Kero and cried for his biggest oniichan and for his papa.

The fairness in war . . .

Eriol sighed as he walked along the fourth floor's corridor. Repeating a job Clow Reed had done after the attack from Hei-ying. He had sealed Hei-ying's room, sealed in the deep greens and the red roses behind the thorned star and rose door. He could feel Yue and Hei-ying's auras still, staining the bed. He closed his eyes and shivered slightly, as he locked the door finally. He turned and looked into Keroberos' old bedroom, this room had been almost completely destroyed, he closed the sun and sunflower door, locking it with another spell. Yue's door he never even looked through, he slammed it shut with a single twist of his hand, the last room he looked into was Clow reed's former bedroom, Kyree had taken it as her own. The bed reeked of her aura, and of Yue's and of Hei-ying's . . . he stepped in, pointedly noting he felt no shiver of familiarity from Clow reed. He looked at the bed, it was mussed still, no one had bothered to clean it. Semen from one or both angels still lay splattered on the deep violet sheets, making his stomach curl with disgust. It was what it all boiled down to, in this bed Clow had taken a very young Hei-ying and whispered deadly lusty commands, it was in this bed Clow had tasted Yue but been denied full consummation of his angel.

Eriol sighed and sat on the bed.

"Clow . . ."

In the blink of an eye, everything changed, everything . . . the bed was no longer the scene of any disgusting acts, but a warm sanctuary. The sheets moved, as the warm body in them stirred. Clow Reed, as he was at the end of his life, sat up and stared at Eriol. He glanced out his window, no doubt seeing soft snowfall where Eriol could only see rain. Eriol smiled sadly, he had always wondered when this moment would come.

"Hello Eriol . . . why are you here?"

". . . I think you know . . ."

For the most part that was all Eriol had to say, he made a little joke with Clow, but got up, and stepped back into the shadows as Clow's family, and Hilligans came back to inform Clow of the news. He stepped back further, through the sun, moon and star door, and closed it silently, locking all the old ghosts behind it.

Is as the fairness in love . . .

Syaoran pushed open their bedroom door; the room was large, almost as large as his bedroom in china. He smiled slightly as he felt Sakura walk past. She was silent as she stepped into the room, crawling on to the bed, bouncing slightly. "Syaoran-kun?"

"Hmmm?" He asked as he pulled off the loose white shirt, and climbed up after her. He was too tired to be too worried about gentlemanly conduct, he smiled at her slightly as she got up again and walked around the room. Sakura opened the wardrobe, and peered in, finding nothing. She sighed and opened her hands, a deep pink glow appearing and leaving a silken nightie. Syaoran chuckled quietly; "You've taken to being a thought magician very well . . ."

Sakura glanced down at the light rose coloured nightie, "I know . . . it's like something clicked into place now . . ." She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as Syaoran slipped behind her and hugged her, "I can't imagine being anything less now . . ."

He kissed her ear gently, "Me either . . ."

The candles flickered on, as Sakura turned her head and returned the kiss gently. Syaoran broke the kiss and sat back on his heels, watching her as she began to undress. "Ano . . . " He murmured as she shrugged out of her robes' top, "Would you like a moment alone?"

Sakura paused, thinking about how this must look. They were surrounded by candles, the bed was spacious and warm, he was dress in only loose white slacks, she was peeling herself out of her uniform's last layer. Sakura snorted, and they were sixteen, well . . . Syaoran was verging on seventeen now, but still . . .

Syaoran blinked as Sakura continued to undress, chuckling to herself. Only when she down to her underwear and a vest did she turn to him. She was laughing and weeping at the same time.

"Nani? Sakura?" Syaoran's hand came up instantly to wipe the tears away, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know . . ." she admitted as she pulled the vest over her head, she smiled as she lay back, and pulled Syaoran over her. He smiled with confusion, as she stroked over the part of his stomach that had been punctured by the mirror card, "I almost lost you today . . ." She whispered, staring into her little wolf's deep amber eyes, "I was so scared when I saw the sword come ramming through the wall . . ."

Syaoran smiled gently, "That's passed now . . ." He stroked the side of her face, "It's over now . . ."

He dipped his head, and captured hers with his lips, savouring the sweet taste of Sakura blossoms. His hand idly moved down her face, down her throat to rest on her collar bone. Sakura's hand came up and rested on his, pulling it slowly down her body, as they celebrated not losing each other. He pushed the strap down, and smiled into their kiss as Sakura let his hand go, allowing him to do what he wanted.

Their kiss came apart, as the two breathed deeply, Syaoran smiled, "This is a corny line . . . in a corny situation . . . but . . ." He sat up, and made himself breathe, "Are you sure . . .?"

"This is a corny response, to a corny line, in a corny situation . . ." Sakura laughed and climbed further up the bed, bouncing slightly, "But I don't care. Of course I'm sure . . . besides . . ." She winked, as she lay back, and let him climb over her again, "I assume the Li clan don't have too many traditions . . . you know about relations before marriage . . ."

Syaoran kissed gently, shyly, as he murmured, "Oh . . . I don't know . . . as the clan head . . . I could always make some up . . ."

She threw her head back and laughed out loud, Syaoran smiled again and kissed her throat. Gentlemanly conduct no longer very high on his priorities any more. Sakura wiggled slightly, and hummed deep within her throat. "I guess as the clan head's wife, and as the mistress of the cards, I guess I can make some up as well . . ."

"Oh really?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and kissed her nose lovingly.

"Really . . . like . . ." She closed one eye and tried to concentrate as he daringly dipped a finger into the cup of her bra. "Like . . ."

"Like . . .?" Syaoran smiled knowingly, as he stroked his hand lower, "Like what, Mistress Sakura?"

She smiled back at him, and arched her back unconsciously, encouraging him to go further. "Like . . . keeping that up . . ." she raised her hand and stroked the side of his face, staring in almost wonder, "I almost lost . . . everything . . . but I . . ."

Syaoran rolled over, and sat on the edge of the bed, "I know . . ." He stood and pulled off his white trousers, and climbed under blankets quickly. He opened his arms and motioned her to do the same. He tried not to gulp too loudly as she stood and peeled off the last of her clothes too. He frowned slightly at the bruises the fight had left on her, on him the bruises were acceptable, but on her . . . he shook his head and held his hands out to her.

Sakura winced as she lay down. He notinced this immediately, "Nani?"

"Nothing," She sat up again, giving him ample view of her creamy back, she rolled her shoulder. "I'm gonna be very sore in the morning . . ."

Syaoran smiled slightly as a very dirty pun appeared in his mind, he shook his head and run warm hands over her aching shoulder. Let me help? She sighed as he squeezed gently and firmly, he chuckled quietly, "My butler, Wei, helped me learn this . . ." She moaned slightly as he moved down her back, he continued absently, "For when I had been fighting too much . . . he thought it might come in handy if I married Mei-rin . . ." He paused, and trailed off.

She turned to him, he stared at her and frowned. Sakura shook her head, "There was nothing we could have done to protect her . . . the least we have done is got her revenge . . . ni?"

"Hai." He nodded slowly, "But that's something . . . I could have married her, but then . . ." He frowned deeper, then shook his head, clearing his mind of 'what ifs', "I wouldn't be here with you . . ." He raised his hand and stroked her face. Sakura smiled sadly, and turned her head until she could kiss his palm.

"I know . . ." She whispered, then chuckled quietly trying to lighten the mood, "Oniichan would have a fit if he walked in now . . ." Syaoran smiled, as she leant forward and hissed goodnaturally, "Particually if he knew how undressed we are!"

Syaoran smiled, "Ah . . . But, as I hope you'll come to learn . . ." He winked, "I always sleep this way . . . with my Sakura in my arms . . ."

"Hoe?" She blinked adorably.

He smiled, "I still have Sakura-bear . . . she's lying in my bed in japan . . . probably wondering when I shall return for her!" Sakura giggled as he lay back, and opened his arms for her, "It's so late now . . ." He murmured, "Let's sleep . . ."

Sakura wrapped herself around Syaoran, and just breathed his scent as she buried her face against his neck, she smiled at the mixed smell of cool, moon magic and a sharp Chinese scent that always seemed to cling around syaoran, a sort of china rootginger and spice. His arms were around her now, no hidden enemy in the form of The Snow Rabbit's Friend, no disgustingly vile dragons with sharp, bloody tails . . . no more Clow Reed . . . hating her for being this happy.

Syaoran's arms tightened slightly, his eyes were closed and he was breathing deeper now. She closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep too, contenting herself with the rise and fall of her little wolf's chest. His voice in her mind, echoing slightly, and lulling her to sleep, her naked body pressed against his, time for their physical confirmations later.

//My Cardcaptor Sakura . . . I love thee// 

Let this be our last battle . . .

The hairbrush moved almost silently through her hair as she stared out absently. Her back ached slightly where her broken wing had been ripped, and she felt the bruises and cuts even if they were hidden. The moon was partly hidden behind the clouds, Ruby sighed, just when she needed it too . . .

A door clicked behind her quietly, and a familiar presence stepped in.

"Hi Suppi . . ." Ruby murmured, still gazing out the window. Evidently Eriol had finished giving Suppi a temporary form. She smiled as she felt him come to a stop behind her. "Moon's still hidden . . . and sunrise is a few hours away. . . wanna stay up for it?"

"I'd rather go to bed . . ." Spinel's voice floated back to her, he stepped closer, "What about you?"

She chuckled lightly, "I'd love for a bath . . . I can still smell that bastard's breathe on my skin . . ." She pulled her hair over her other shoulder and brushed it slowly. "I thought you were dead."

"I know . . . but I had no other choice . . ." He chuckled lightly as he moved behind her, "Besides . . . I'm here now . . ." Ruby looked up as a hand appeared around her and pulled the curtain across. Spinel's silver cuff wrapped securely around his arm. Another hand touched her hip, caressing it gently, as pale lips pressed against her exposed neck and mumbled, "I can't smell him . . . only my beautiful Ruby Moon . . ."

"Suppi . . ." Ruby closed her eyes and let the cuffed hand take the hairbrush and drop it to the floor, "I thought . . ."

He chuckled again as he turned her around to look at him, "I know . . . but I got impatient. . ." He stepped forward and hugged her, "We haven't got much of a choice . . . We either get it over and done with now . . . or wait for the syndrome's effects to step in again . . ."

Ruby pulled back and stared at Spinel's humanoid form. Like Yue, his eyes were narrow and slit like a cat's; they were a deep smoky blue, with deep almost black blue eyebrows and hair. Spinel always kept his hair tight back, pulling only a few bangs to frame his face, the rest kept in a tight pony tail which fell to his waist. He kept it over his shoulder, a stark contrast to his cream coloured clothing. His spectacles reflected what little moonlight there was.

Ruby smiled as she stepped closer to him, leaning her body against him, "What a terrible burden . . ."

"Hmmm . . ." Spinel murmured as he ran his hands down her sides, he smiled, "Ruby?"

"Hai . . .?"

He slipped his arms under her knees and picked her up, "How would you feel about that bath now?"

She giggled as he carried her to the anjoining bathroom, it took only a few moments to prepare, and for a cat that usually hated bathing with Ruby, Spinel slipped into the tub surprisingly quickly. Ruby grinned as she slipped into the bath tub wth him, sitting between his legs facing him. He soaped up her leg as she swung it over his shoulder, and kept eye contact as he soaped further down the limb. An hour later, after both had had a very vigous bathtime, the Yin-Yang came into full effect. They dried each other slowly, and wrapped thick warm towels around each other.

Ruby sighed and stepped forward into his arms again, squealing as he picked her off her feet and swung her around, until they tumbled into bed together. From there, only the Yin-Yang controlled them, Ruby was fiery and passionate, while Spinal was loving and worshipful. For a short while Ruby would be on top, her head rolling back and forth as she rocked on him, bringing mewling protests from him as she alternated between fast and slow for him. Other times he would take her, kissing her more than he moved, lacing his fingers in her soft hair, and loving her slowly. Ruby opened her wide pink eyes, and gazed up into sharp dark blue, "Suppi . . ." She purred as his brow creased with concentration, "Suppi . . ."

Spinel dipped his head, slipping his tongue into her mouth as he pushed back and forth, "Ruby?" She giggled and waved her hands over his hair ties, the dark midnight hair falling all around, he sighed mockingly, "Ruby . . . don't start something you know you can't finish . . ."

Ruby pouted at him, in her adorable way, "What couldn't I finish?"

He closed his eyes, and sighed in a mock of his habitual way, "Ruby, you know what I mean . . ."

A smile quirked her lips as she brushed his hair back, she felt deliciously warm way deep below. "What do you mean, Suppi . . .?"

He pressed his lips against hers, speeding up slightly as his self-control broke, "Stop calling me that . . ." Ruby groaned quietly, breaking into a quiet mewl, murmuring his name . . . the *wrong* name over and over, Spinel growled deep within his throat, "Ruby . . . Ruby . . . Ruby!"

She started to giggle, not in her usual shrill way, but in a sweet way, one only he ever heard. Her legs tightened around him, as he started to laugh too, pressing his face into her shoulder. He adored her really, this was the kind of thing he remembered when she angered him, that below the annoyingly ditzy moon guardian, was this sweet and gorgeous butterfly. His butterfly.

Ruby sighed and hugged Spinel as he stilled, his motions slowing gently. They lay like that for a few moments, just savouring each other. It was rare that the syndrome caused them to be like this, but . . . Ruby closed her eyes as Spinel started to whisper old poems to her, she smiled and held him tightly . . . but sometimes . . . they just needed to be close.

This our last fight . . .

The moon light barely illuminated the room enough, it fell on to the bed, the deep blue sheets shimmering with silken softness. Eriol's robes were slung over the back of a chair, her cloak, what was left of it, hung behind the door. The top layer of her clothing was pooled around her feet. She was standing in front of a mirror, checking herself over for any more injuries. Eriol sighed inaudibly as he watched from the doorway, he knew she could feel him close by, but she allowed him to watch anyway. She was beautiful, half in shadows, half in light. Leaving him desiring nothing more but to worship at her feet. He looked around and saw the nightie she planned to sleep in that night. It was one of Kaho's silken nighties, he picked it up, remembering the last time he had seen it. Thrown over his shoulder as he and Kaho 'played' in bed together.

". . . just like that Kaho woman . . ." The dragon smirked, "He had her too . . . her aura reeked of his, his scent on her skin . . . Did you know that, concubine? Ooooh . . . she tasted of wine too . . ." 

He growled to himself quietly, as he put the nightie back into a drawer, the dragon's mocking tone still echoing. Eriol had loved Kaho, for a little while as he had told Touya, but he respected her more. He glanced at the purple haired girl as she pulled her top over her head, and looked at her arms. They were covered in bruises and cuts, a monstrosity against her beautiful pale arms. He sucked in a breath as she bent over to check her legs, he smiled and was a gentleman. He moved noiselessly out, and smiled to himself, waiting until she had straightened again before stepping into the bedroom, it was a silent agreement between them, that she would stay with him tonight. Eriol loved her . . . not like he had Kaho, that was different, this . . . this was something he could do, had to do completely independent of Clow Reed . . .

Tomoyo smiled as she saw Eriol stand behind her in the mirror. He leant forward and placed a small kiss on her shoulder, moving her hair out of his way. He closed his eyes, looking like he was swooning, as he kissed her again. She felt her bra clip snap open, and he pulled the small slip of clothing off. He smirked at her unrepentantly, as she glared at him in the mirror. Eriol moved her long hair so it covered her front, patting it down in unnecessary care over her bosom. Eriol kissed the back of her neck again, "I've looked forward to this . . ."

Tomoyo chuckled quietly, as he slid his arms around her waist. "Really?"

"Mmm-Hmm . . ." He hummed, "At first it was just an insane desire to kiss the back of your neck . . ." He sniggered, and pressed his face against her neck, "I practically had to blindfold myself whenever you wore your hair in anyway that showed just this pale patch of skin . . ."

Tomoyo tilted her head so she could see his face again, he was staring at her tenderly, "When I was a ten-year-old girl?"

"When you were a ten year old girl . . . I just wanted to kiss you . . ." He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against her neck, mumbling quietly, "Peck you on the cheek, and tell you that you were a very good little girl . . ."

"Patronising Eriol . . . you are very patronising . . ."

Eriol turned her around, "I know . . ." He opened eyes slightly, and pressed himself against her, "I love you . . . and you realise what that means?" She smiled sweetly, as he kissed her again, "It means I'm going to have to never let you go . . . and . . ." He blinked innocently, and dipped his head to her shoulder again, "I may have to love you forever . . ."

Tomoyo laughed as she hugged him tighter, smiling as he kissed her shoulder again. "I bet you say that to all the girls . . ."

Eriol's head snapped up.

"He had her too . . . her aura reeked of his, his scent on her skin . . . Did you know that, concubine?"

"What is it?" Tomoyo asked as Eriol stepped back. "What?"

Eriol looked at her, "I slept with Kaho, you know that, don't you?" She nodded, and he continued, "Do you mind?"

"He got to you, didn't he?" She looked at him intently, stepping out of his arms, "That dragon? He really hit a nerve . . ."

"Do you mind?" Eriol persisted, not caring about the dragon, just that Tomoyo was okay.

Tomoyo brushed past him, peeling off her clothes, and pulling on one of his shirts. She folded her legs under her, and hugged a knee. Tomoyo stared at him, her chin resting on one knee, "A little . . . but then . . . it must bother me in the same way my love for Sakura bothers you. . ." She sighed, as he knelt in front of her. "I can live with it, live with the idea that you have and always will be older than me," She reached out and stroked his head, "And frankly it doesn't matter, does it? All that matters is that you love me . . . and . . ." She plucked his glasses from him, and smiled as she leant over and kissed his forehead, // I love you, Hiirawagizawa//

He chuckled as he stroked her legs slowly, working up them higher. He knelt on his knees, and leant up to capture her lips, his hands stroking closer and closer to her body. He leant closer as her legs parted and she wrapped herself around him, deepening their kiss. He felt himself given in, and his body tighten with pleasurable urgency. //Call me Eriol . . .// he chuckled darkly in her mind, as they relayed their previous conversation, //And now, as fair is fair, Miss Tomoyo . . . I think since I lost Clow, it's time you lost something . . . //

Tomoyo snorted into their kiss, and pushed him back, she shook a finger at him. "For shame!" She giggled sweetly, unaware the front of the shirt was showing an ample amount of breast, for shame, "Eriol!"

"I fear, my lady . . . you are undone!" He pressed his hands on her chest and sighed, staring at her sincerely, "I love you."

"I love you too . . ." Tomoyo whispered back, as he pushed her back, and lay on top of her. Eriol dipped his head and kissed her deeply, moving against her. Telling her without words what he would do for her, how he longed for her. He adored her, closed his eyes, and breathe in nothing but the sweet scent of her magic. Hearing her sweet voice, as she gently reassured him once again.

//I love you too . . . //

Tomoyo closed her eyes, as Eriol cast a spell. She delighted in the strange feeling of knowing he was casting magic. Eriol chuckled as he felt Tomoyo squirm under him, as she realised—

"Eriol!"

He raised an innocent eyebrow as he propped himself up above her, "Nani?"

"Bad magician!" Tomoyo smiled at him, her dark hair offsetting her naked creamy shoulders, he had cast a sneaky spell, removing all material obstacles between them, "Very bad magician!"

He grinned unrepentingly, as he rolled his hips against her. "Won't be saying that later . . ."

"Eriol!"

"Will be saying that later . . ." Eriol smiled as he ran his hands over her. He paused and stared at her for a moment, "Tomoyo?"

"Mmm . . ." She hummed, pulling a lock of his hair out of her eyes. Eriol smiled at her suddenly, and half closed his eyes. Tomoyo gasped and squealed quietly as eriol cast another spell. They were floating! She twisted her head to see her long hair pooling under them as he moved them up the bed. She looked at him closely, "How are you doing . . .?"

He smiled gently and lowered them slowly, "Levitation." Eriol rolled to one side, and pulled the top blanket over them, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to face him. "I adore you . . ." He whispered gently as he moved his hand over her hip, "I've adored you for a very long time."

Tomoyo rolled her hip enticingly, and shuffled closer to him, "I know . . ." She kissed him, moved her leg over him, "I love you too."

He breathed for a little while, before moving his hand against her, "This may hurt . . . this first time . . ." He looked down, staring at her collar bone, "But I . . ." He lifted his eyes to her, "I'll always be gentle with you . . ."

She smiled as he touched her shyly, "I know that too . . ." She leant her forehead against his, "I've always known that . . ."

To live again . . .

Touya opened his eyes as the door opened and shut soundlessly, handled with infinite care. Light played across the room as the figure entered. Whatever the guardians had to take care off had been finished for well over two hours now, he could tell by Keroberos. The lion had stalked away from the room, then returned every half hour. Checking on Yue. The angel hadn't come to bed, even though he had agreed to come sleep with Touya. The figure paused before the bed, one more spike of guilt and doubt, before the mattress dipped slightly as the figure climbed in behind him.

The cool space behind him rapidly warming.

Freshly showered, a mix of Yue's lavender and ice and Yukito's warm sweet scent hung in the around him. Touya turned his head, not quite able to make out who was behind him. "Yue?"

There was no response.

"Yuki?"

Again nothing.

Touya rolled over to find Yukito curled on his side, staring at him with wide amber eyes. Touya tilted his head slightly, his question still hung in the air, the pair of souls hadn't yet answered him. Yukito blinked slowly, Yue's serious contemplation cooling his normally warm openness. "I . . . *We* . . ." He shook his head, "There is nothing to forgive To-ya . . ."

The taller boy inclined his head, "I understand."

"No. . . I don't think you do." Yukito murmured, he drew a breath, "There will always be regret, Yue and I both said things that should never have been said, as did you and Clow Reed . . . but now, now that has passed, we can try to rebuild our relationship, or at least reclaim our friendship, both Yue and I would like that. We . . . we can be. . ."

"Shut up."

The adorable amber eyes blinked twice, "Nani?"

"I said shut up." Touya murmured and pressed his lips against his lover, he breathed harder as he sat up and took in Yukito once more. Touya sighed, running his fingers over Yukito's body slowly. "I missed you . . ." He leant over and kissed Yukito's chest, nuzzleling the small patch of springy white hair. "And I missed you . . ."

Yuki chuckled slightly, "What does that mean?"

Touya looked up, "It means I missed both of you . . . you and Yue . . ." His serious blue eyes warmed playfully, "I really missed both of you . . ."

The snow rabbit smiled, "We missed you too . . ." He chuckled, and mewled slightly. This made Touya blink, Yue mewled in the same way . . . Yuki opened his eyes, and smiled, "Yue asks if you still love us . . ."  A funny look suddenly passed over his face again as if Yue had mentally kicked him. Yukito giggled, "Well? He really, really wants to—"

There was a bright glow as Yue suddenly transformed in. the angel sat up, and started to undress. He glanced at Touya, before mumbling, "I only said one 'really'."

This brought a laugh from Touya, "I'm sure you did . . ." He pulled Yue back, and kissed him, "Answer your question?"

A similar funny look came over Yue's face, and he frowned, "Yukito says it didn't . . . but he's lying . . ."

"Pity . . ." Touya murmured and rolled over, facing away from angel, "I would have kissed you again . . ."

He smiled as he felt the angel sit still for a moment, then the mattress dip and bounce as he settled behind Touya. The blue eyed boy smiled as he felt cool fingers play over his hips. Hesisitant. Touya moved his hand to cover his mouth and stop a snort from escaping as he imagined another funny look cross over Yue's face, Yukito egging him on. He hadn't imagined the cool fingers slipping under his waist band. His back straightened slightly, as the cool fingers touched him gently, almost nervous.

"Go on . . ." Touya murmured without meaning to, he pressed himself forward, allowing the cool fingers find their goal. He bit the back of his hand as the fingers tightened and started to pump slowly. Touya closed his eyes, just getting used to the rhythm. He rocked his hips back and forth with it, just content to listen to the breathing by his ear, and the press of something hard and warm against his back.

"I love you, To-ya . . ."

Touya's eyes snapped open, he didn't recognise that voice. He knew it was Yue, was Yukito's but . . . the voice was . . . he closed his eyes and waited for the sweet voice to speak again. The hand sped up slightly, and the press seemed hotter. Touya could feel himself panting slightly, pushing back but pushing forward at the same time.

"I've missed you . . ."

The voice . . . it was Yue and Yukito's real voice, the angel and the snow rabbit were merged, just for this . . . they both wanted Touya, and both loved him . . . both wanted him like this so . . . the divide between them came down. Touya sighed and rolled forward slightly, pressing his face into the pillow and panted louder. Whoever it was, Yue, Yukito . . . he didn't mind which, he loved them both so much . . . whoever it was climbed onto him, and rubbed themselves against him more. Making it clear what was needed. Touya bit into the pillow as the pale hand tightened and pulled more, both gentle and urging at the same time. He just needed a little push, just something to make him break . . .

"I love you . . ." Light lips brushed over his ear, smiling as they landed sweet kisses, Touya gasped. His eyes shot wide as he reached his peak, just a little push . . . just one more little thing. Yue or Yukito, Yukito or Yue. Just one more little thing would break him now, the pale fingers tightened slightly, adding sweet pain to it. But that wasn't the push, nor was lithe body moving over his, pressing hard against him. Just one small little . . .

". . . To-ya . . ."

Touya closed his eyes and roared into the pillow, probably got heard by anyone on the floor, but he didn't care. The pale hands continued to milk him for a few seconds until he finally begged them, to stop, stop because he couldn't take it any more . . .

"Yue . . ."

He withdrew his hand and looked at it, it was dripping with a whitish goo. He smiled wickedly as he felt Touya roll onto his back, and look up languidly. The dark haired man groaned as he watched pale lips part and lap his fingers clean. There was a sigh as he pulled the blanket back, and crawled down Touya's body, biting, kissing, laping here and there, until Touya stood at semi-arousness. The angel giggled sweetly and wraped his mouth around Touya, the taller man groaned out loud to see this angel look so innocent as he started to suck hard. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again there was Yukito. He laced his hands into the dapple grey hair, wanting this side of the being just as much.

". . . Yuki."

The snow rabbit looked up, a shiny drop of drool slid down his chin, as he flashed kittish white teeth, "My turn . . ."

. . . One more time . . .

He couldn't sleep anymore, sunrise was just a few minutes away, he felt it.

Keroberos shook his head as he fluttered down the corridor, he could feel his mistress and Syaoran sleeping deeply. He shuddered slightly as he realised if, no, *when* Sakura married the gaki, Keroberos may have to start taking orders from him . . . he balanced this with the realisation that if Eriol marred Tomoyo, then Ruby would have to take orders from Tomoyo and that Tomoyo would make Ruby have some sort of fashion sense.

He paused as he passed Ruby and Spinel's room. Their magic reeked from the room, and it was hard not to imagine how it got to that state. He grinned and mentally filed it away as potenticial Suppi-blackmail material . . . although, he giggled slightly as he remember what Suppi had done to the dragon, teasing him about Ruby wasn't perhaps the best idea.

He stopped outside Yue, Yukito and Touya's room, and pushed the door open. Touya was sprawled across the bed in a manner that left little to the imagination, and those with magic senses didn't need to probe any deeper than the thick layer of expended magic to find out what had happened. As Touya snored lightly, Keroberos looked around for Yue or yuktio.

"Oniichan . . ." Yukito's slightly distracted voice came, "Even if I was in my true form . . . I would sense you . . ."

Kero chuckled, "I just thought I'd check on you . . ."

Yukito stepped out from behind the curtain, "Thank you . . ." He looked out the window, "Sunrise is coming . . ."

"I noticed . . ." The little gold bear landed on the snow rabbit's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"A lot of people died . . ." Yukito murmured, "A lot of people . . ."

Kero nodded. "But sometimes Fate has to be cruel like that . . ." He gazed out, "Particually when people try to force Fate to change . . ."

A nod was all he got in answer.

In This Tainted Soul . . .