The Union
Posted by Jared
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:
The Characters below belong to CLAMP and are borrowed for entertainment purposes only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[You are the chosen one. You who bear the everlasting light shall have to become one with the one that does not exist, and from the union of light and confusion the miracle shall be born. ] The words echoed in Nokoru's head as he awoke from his receding dream. The voice was not unfamiliar.[ It's almost as if I've heard it before… ] Nokoru racked his brains for the person who possessed the sweet voice that had filtered through his dream.
A trill of song woke him from his daze.[Oh no, Suoh's going to kill me ] Nokoru thought as he dashed about his room frantically, toothbrush in one hand, shirt in the other. With one arm dangling from his shirt sleeve, Nokoru hastily brushed his teeth with the other. Then, he changed out of his pyjamas, and tugged his uniform on in record time. He raced down the corridor to the dining hall, where toast and eggs sat on a low table waiting for him.
Nokoru seated himself down at the empty table. A part of him longed for his family to even eat at the same table as him, but he knew that all the Imonoyamas, due to their brilliance, had hectic schedules and could not find time for their family outside work. [Oh no, what am I thinking about this for? I'm so late already! ]Gulping his breakfast down, the boy grabbed his satchel and dashed out of the door.
* * * *
"Um…"
Suoh looked up as yet the short dark-haired student approached. [Where are you Kaichou?]Suoh cried inwardly as he braced himself for the question yet once more.
"Takamura senpai, should we continue to wait for Kaichou? It's almost time for the festival. And the parade has been scheduled to start in another five minutes and we are already running behind schedule." Akira asked timidly.
Consulting his watch, Suoh replied, "Well, I suppose we ought to get going now. I don't think Kaichou…" Suoh stopped in mid-sentence as the doors to the student council room were flung open and the final member of the Elementary Student Council and CLAMP Campus detectives skidded to a halt.
"Kaichou, look out!" Suoh yelled in alarm as Nokoru tried to avoid a collision with the towering stacks of undone paperwork piled up on the floor. Swiftly, he leapt over the table, and grabbing the blond around his wrist, managed to swing the boy around in a circle, allowing him to come to a stop safely.
"T..Th..anks…S…uoh.." Nokoru gasped as he flashed a grateful smile to his bodyguard, his lean chest heaving with exertion from the sprint he had just taken from home.
"Takamura senpai is so wonderful!" Akira trilled as he jumped up and down clapping his hands gleefully. Suoh sweat-dropped.
Nokoru was aware of Akira's concerned expression, and by sheer will managed to regulate his breathing and stood up tall, flipping his fan open with a flick of his wrist. "Time is precious" was written on the fan in a purplish- blue ink. "So, let's get going." He said as he sauntered out of the door. The other two glanced at each other before trailing their leader.
* * * *
[You must remember your task. Do not forget your purpose…]The voice echoed softly in the dark night sky. Nokoru opened his eyes wearily.[This voice…what is it trying to tell me?]Pain clouded his senses as he fell back into the waiting darkness.
* * * *
"Kaichou, are you okay? You're looking a little pale." Suoh was concerned.
"Yup, it's fine. Just didn't sleep too well last night. It's nothing. Don't worry Suoh."
"Kaichou, I made some tea. Here, it'll make you feel better." Akira offered the steaming cup to the blond.
"Thanks Akira." Nokoru said and smiled. "No one makes tea like Akira."
Akira blushed as he watched Nokoru savour the tea. Suoh stood by watching, still unconvinced. "Well," he conceded, "If you're sure…"
Akira left the room, knowing from experience that Nokoru would need a snack soon.
Nokoru grinned as replied, "Sure I'm sure. Just as sure as I am that the paperwork can wait just one more day… The weather's perfect for a hike, or a picnic, or…" Nokoru rattled on, trying to distract his friend.
"Kaichou…" Suoh began. "The paperwork has been piling up for a week now. It cannot wait for another couple of days. There's still all that planning for the upcoming ball, and the music festival, and the baseball match, and the soccer game…." Suoh droned on, sifting through papers on his own table to list out upcoming events.
Nokoru flipped his fan open, hiding his wry smile.[It worked.] he thought, trying to ignore his pounding head.[I just knew the paperwork would do it… Suoh can never resist it when I talk about shelving the paperwork. With luck, I'll be able to sneak out while he's still droning on…]
Nokoru crept out of the room while Suoh's back was turned. I made it? he thought in disbelief.[Well, Suoh must really be stressed not to notice.]
As soon as his charge made it out of the room, the blue haired secretary turned around. [I hope the break does him good.] he thought, as Akira returned, distressed to find that his Kaichou had apparently disappeared into thin air.
* * * *
[Noooo…Not the pain. Not again... ] Nokoru moaned in pain as he felt that familiar pain race through his body. He walked in a zig-zag motion, and fell to the ground in a dead faint when the stabbing pain assaulted him once more.
* * * *
Suoh sensed something was wrong. He couldn't explain. He just knew instinctively that Kaichou was in trouble, and that he needed help. He sprinted out of the room without a word, much to Akira's surprise.
Racing through the corridor, he leapt down the stairs, out of the door, towards the direction where he knew his charge had gone. Towards the forest, he ran, homing in on Nokoru as though he had an in-built radar. Faster and faster he ran, and seeing his young charge a little way before him, beginning to double up, walking in a zig-zag fashion, his heart almost missed a beat. His lungs were bursting, but he ran on, oblivious to the pain. He saw the blond raise both hands to his head, his fingers pressing tightly into his skull. He watched as his friend stumbled, heard the moan he let loose, and leapt forward, catching the limp figure before it hit the ground.
"Kaichou! Kaichou!" Suoh could not think of anything except the boy's title. He shook the limp body again and again, trying to rouse the unconscious figure. To his horror, he saw the colour fade from the boy's cheeks, felt the warmth of the body rise to an unnatural level…
* * * *
Suoh heaved a sigh of relief when the eyelids fluttered weakly. He looked on as Nokoru moaned a little, raising a hand to his temple, shaking his head a little as though trying to clear his vision. A few more blinks and a slight shift of the blond head allowed Suoh full view of the face of the one who he had sworn to protect.
"Suoh." Nokoru said simply when he noticed his bodyguard and friend watching him anxiously. He struggled to raise himself enough to sit up, but he fell back weakly against his pillows almost at once. Once more he tried, only to have the performance repeated.
"Here, let me help." Suoh leaned forward and gently raised the other, propping him up against the wall.[He's so frail...] Suoh suddenly realised when Nokoru just lay still, allowing him to move him about as though he had been no more than a rag doll.
Nokoru gave a smile of thanks. His face was worn and pale, and his blue eyes lacked their usual shine.[He's keeping that farce for me] Suoh realised, his sharp eyes noting the strain that Nokoru was under to act as though everything was normal. [He doesn't want me to worry!]
"…careless as usual. Lucky for me you were there." Nokoru finished with a smile.
"Wha…"
"Suoh, you weren't listening." Nokoru chided gently.
"I'm sorry." Suoh apologised, immediately contrite. "You were saying?"
Nokoru couldn't resist the temptation to tease even in his weakened state. "You should have seen the way you looked. For an instant there, I thought I was Nagisa." The ruse worked, and Suoh flushed.
"Ah, what a pity the photographic society wasn't there. The photographs would have made the news. Suoh Takamura losing his cool. The ladies would love that. I wonder what Nagisa would say though." Nokoru mused, a faint smile playing on his lips. A flick of his wrist and his fan revealed the words "Life is full of surprises".
"Kaichou!" Suoh retorted in a dangerous sort of voice. His Kaichou, meanwhile, was trying to pull a straight face and putting on a look of pure innocence. Suoh felt his anger melt away.[I don't know how he manages it. He just manages to look so angelic when he's up to mischief. And I fall for it every time.]
Suddenly, Nokoru began coughing. To Suoh's horror, as he handed the boy a handkerchief on the table nearby, the hand was bloodstained.
"Kaichou?" Suoh asked, concerned.
Nokoru gasped painfully for a while, Suoh's heart lurched and he tried to decide if the boy needed medical attention. He made up his mind, making for the door.
"Wait…" Nokoru said, his voice hoarse. "Don't call the doctor." The voice was barely above a whisper.
Suoh turned around reluctantly. "You need medical attention. Let me go fetch a doctor."
Waving his hand dismissively, Nokoru replied, "It won't do any good. They won't know what's wrong. It's nothing they can solve. The Nothing is attacking the ones of the circle."
[The Nothing? What exactly is he talking about?] Suoh thought in exasperation. He must be hallucinating.
"Suoh, look at me." Unwillingly, the amber eyes fixed upon the bright blue ones. "The Nothing is the force which balances all the power of goodness and light in this world. It balances the forces by destroying, turning creation to nothing, hence its name. Twelve guardians were chosen to keep this power in check. But the last battle with Tereka tipped the balance of power to the Nothing's favour. Now, the Nothing is attacking each guardian individually. When one is destroyed, the circle will be broken. The balance shall remain no more, and everything will turn to nothing. And... and…" Nokoru hesitated.
"It's starting with you." Suoh finished, his voice weak as he realised how powerless he was to protect his Kaichou.
"Suoh, it's not your fault. You aren't useless. You can help me. You and Akira." Nokoru said in an attempt to cheer his friend up.[Philip, you better hurry. I can't hold on much longer.]
Suoh looked sceptically at the blue depths. There was no glint of mischief there. Only pain filled those blue eyes that looked so familiar, and yet so painfully different. "What can I do?" He asked.
Nokoru smiled. "Trust me. Believe in me. Be my strength. You've never failed me Suoh. Don't fail me now."
Suoh nodded, tears in his eyes.[He still trusts me. He believes I can help him. I can't let him down. Not now, not ever. I have to believe…]
Nokoru gave a grateful smile and leaned back against the wall. He shuddered a little, his face betraying the pain that he was enduring as the battle raged within.
* * * *
Deep within Nokoru, at the very depth of his consciousness, in the cavern, a battle was raging. The mighty phoenix was struggling hard against… nothing. Its wings beat furiously against something that wasn't there. Something that sought to form a union with it through destruction. The beautiful wings were stained with the silvery blood. Its eyes were bloodshot, part of its leg seemed to have disappeared. The union had begun.
* * * *
Meanwhile, far away, in another part of the world, England to be precise, Philip Lynton heard the plea that Nokoru had made. [Where are you?] He asked.
[CLAMP School.] Came the answer, fainter this time.[The Nothing…]
[The Nothing? I'll come over right away. Where exactly in Clamp School are you?]
He waited for the answer. There was no reply…
* * * *
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew where I can find…Imonoyama Nokoru?" A boy asked with a trace of a foreign accent, consulting the paper in his hand.
Suoh looked at the boy suspiciously. "Kaichou is not feeling very well right now. Can I help you instead?"
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I have to insist. It's very important."
"I'm afraid I have to deny that request. Kaichou really needs to rest now."
Suddenly, the boy's green eyes clouded over, and in a strange, sing-song voice, the boy said "Bring me to the phoenix before it's too late. Hurry." He ordered.
Suoh gasped. "You…you are one of the guardians… As Kaichou had said. Quick, this way." He said as he ran out of the Student Council room with Philip in tow.
* * * *
[He's here. I can sense him. Hurry Philip.] Nokoru urged.
* * * *
The doors to Nokoru's room burst open, and Philip glided swiftly over to where Nokoru lay. He took Nokoru's limp hand in his own, shut his green eyes and reached down into the cavern where the battle continued. Down, down, down…
* * * *
Now, a falcon joined the phoenix in its struggle. The silvery wings enveloped the bruised golden ones protectively.[Heal] he thought, willing the wings to heal as he took the brunt of the attack from the Nothing.
The golden wings restored themselves to their original state. Protected by the barrier that the silver wings formed, the phoenix sounded a cry. It was a cry that echoed long in the cavern, a cry that sounded deep in the core of the Nothing, a cry that jolted the Nothing into consciousness.
Slowly, the Nothing gained form. First it was the chilling wind, then the blue sky, the blue mist, and finally the figure of a lonely girl decked in blue. [Don't be afraid] Nokoru said to her.[I'm not going to hurt you]The girl continued to back away.
[Why are you doing this? Why must you destroy everything? ]he persisted. [You want to be a part of everything, and yet you want to destroy?]
[No, you're wrong. I don't want to be a part of everything. I want to have supreme power. I will be the only one standing on this planet.]
[And be lonely forever.] Nokoru told her calmly.[Can you take it? So what happens after you have control over all? Then what? ] He challenged.
[I…I…I don't know… ]she broke down in tears, sobbing. [You don't understand. It's the only thing that I live for…the only thing that I can do. There's no one that I can truly talk to…Everything I come into contact with disappears and is absorbed by me. I don't mean it. But…I just can't help it…]
Nokoru was aware of the strain that Philip was under to keep him shielded from the power of the Nothing. To his horror, sections of the falcon were already beginning to fade.
[There is a way] he said.[Let ME absorb you.]
[Wha…]she asked in confusion.
[Don't resist. Let me absorb you into me. Become one with me, and let our powers merge. We will then be able to separate into our individual forms. You will have a form, as shall I. But I must warn you. You will lose your powers.]
[I don't care. I just want to have friends. Friends that I can't hurt and make them disappear.]
[Very well then. Let us begin. I call upon the power of the ancients. Come forth powers of greatness, powers that create, powers that bind. Join us both in this union where our powers combined. Let the prophesy be fulfilled, our destiny we build!]
Instantly, the phoenix glowed brightly and the brilliant gold of the phoenix merged with the bright blue of the Nothing. With a screech, the phoenix extended its wings to its fullest. It moved over to the Nothing, and enveloped it with its wings. The light surrounding the two changed to that of a brilliant green. Then golden. Blue emerged, gold rose, the colour kept alternating.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the colours stopped alternating. The gold returned, and yet the claws were now tinged with blue, as was the beak.[The transformation is complete] Nokoru realised.[She is free now.]
The girl smiled as she began to fade away. [Thank you.] she said.
* * * *
"Ah, Suoh." Nokoru said brightly. "Do you think it would be a good idea to go for a walk?"
"Kaichou, you still have tons of paperwork to do. Please concentrate."
"But Suoh, there's plenty of time."
"Plenty of time? The exchange students are arriving tomorrow, and you haven't even looked through their schedule yet."
"What exchange students?"
"Kaichou, haven't you even looked through some of that paperwork?"
"Well, no. I was busy."
"Doing what? Playing again."
"No, I was busy eating this time."
Suoh facefaulted. Some things never change.
Posted by Jared
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer:
The Characters below belong to CLAMP and are borrowed for entertainment purposes only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[You are the chosen one. You who bear the everlasting light shall have to become one with the one that does not exist, and from the union of light and confusion the miracle shall be born. ] The words echoed in Nokoru's head as he awoke from his receding dream. The voice was not unfamiliar.[ It's almost as if I've heard it before… ] Nokoru racked his brains for the person who possessed the sweet voice that had filtered through his dream.
A trill of song woke him from his daze.[Oh no, Suoh's going to kill me ] Nokoru thought as he dashed about his room frantically, toothbrush in one hand, shirt in the other. With one arm dangling from his shirt sleeve, Nokoru hastily brushed his teeth with the other. Then, he changed out of his pyjamas, and tugged his uniform on in record time. He raced down the corridor to the dining hall, where toast and eggs sat on a low table waiting for him.
Nokoru seated himself down at the empty table. A part of him longed for his family to even eat at the same table as him, but he knew that all the Imonoyamas, due to their brilliance, had hectic schedules and could not find time for their family outside work. [Oh no, what am I thinking about this for? I'm so late already! ]Gulping his breakfast down, the boy grabbed his satchel and dashed out of the door.
* * * *
"Um…"
Suoh looked up as yet the short dark-haired student approached. [Where are you Kaichou?]Suoh cried inwardly as he braced himself for the question yet once more.
"Takamura senpai, should we continue to wait for Kaichou? It's almost time for the festival. And the parade has been scheduled to start in another five minutes and we are already running behind schedule." Akira asked timidly.
Consulting his watch, Suoh replied, "Well, I suppose we ought to get going now. I don't think Kaichou…" Suoh stopped in mid-sentence as the doors to the student council room were flung open and the final member of the Elementary Student Council and CLAMP Campus detectives skidded to a halt.
"Kaichou, look out!" Suoh yelled in alarm as Nokoru tried to avoid a collision with the towering stacks of undone paperwork piled up on the floor. Swiftly, he leapt over the table, and grabbing the blond around his wrist, managed to swing the boy around in a circle, allowing him to come to a stop safely.
"T..Th..anks…S…uoh.." Nokoru gasped as he flashed a grateful smile to his bodyguard, his lean chest heaving with exertion from the sprint he had just taken from home.
"Takamura senpai is so wonderful!" Akira trilled as he jumped up and down clapping his hands gleefully. Suoh sweat-dropped.
Nokoru was aware of Akira's concerned expression, and by sheer will managed to regulate his breathing and stood up tall, flipping his fan open with a flick of his wrist. "Time is precious" was written on the fan in a purplish- blue ink. "So, let's get going." He said as he sauntered out of the door. The other two glanced at each other before trailing their leader.
* * * *
[You must remember your task. Do not forget your purpose…]The voice echoed softly in the dark night sky. Nokoru opened his eyes wearily.[This voice…what is it trying to tell me?]Pain clouded his senses as he fell back into the waiting darkness.
* * * *
"Kaichou, are you okay? You're looking a little pale." Suoh was concerned.
"Yup, it's fine. Just didn't sleep too well last night. It's nothing. Don't worry Suoh."
"Kaichou, I made some tea. Here, it'll make you feel better." Akira offered the steaming cup to the blond.
"Thanks Akira." Nokoru said and smiled. "No one makes tea like Akira."
Akira blushed as he watched Nokoru savour the tea. Suoh stood by watching, still unconvinced. "Well," he conceded, "If you're sure…"
Akira left the room, knowing from experience that Nokoru would need a snack soon.
Nokoru grinned as replied, "Sure I'm sure. Just as sure as I am that the paperwork can wait just one more day… The weather's perfect for a hike, or a picnic, or…" Nokoru rattled on, trying to distract his friend.
"Kaichou…" Suoh began. "The paperwork has been piling up for a week now. It cannot wait for another couple of days. There's still all that planning for the upcoming ball, and the music festival, and the baseball match, and the soccer game…." Suoh droned on, sifting through papers on his own table to list out upcoming events.
Nokoru flipped his fan open, hiding his wry smile.[It worked.] he thought, trying to ignore his pounding head.[I just knew the paperwork would do it… Suoh can never resist it when I talk about shelving the paperwork. With luck, I'll be able to sneak out while he's still droning on…]
Nokoru crept out of the room while Suoh's back was turned. I made it? he thought in disbelief.[Well, Suoh must really be stressed not to notice.]
As soon as his charge made it out of the room, the blue haired secretary turned around. [I hope the break does him good.] he thought, as Akira returned, distressed to find that his Kaichou had apparently disappeared into thin air.
* * * *
[Noooo…Not the pain. Not again... ] Nokoru moaned in pain as he felt that familiar pain race through his body. He walked in a zig-zag motion, and fell to the ground in a dead faint when the stabbing pain assaulted him once more.
* * * *
Suoh sensed something was wrong. He couldn't explain. He just knew instinctively that Kaichou was in trouble, and that he needed help. He sprinted out of the room without a word, much to Akira's surprise.
Racing through the corridor, he leapt down the stairs, out of the door, towards the direction where he knew his charge had gone. Towards the forest, he ran, homing in on Nokoru as though he had an in-built radar. Faster and faster he ran, and seeing his young charge a little way before him, beginning to double up, walking in a zig-zag fashion, his heart almost missed a beat. His lungs were bursting, but he ran on, oblivious to the pain. He saw the blond raise both hands to his head, his fingers pressing tightly into his skull. He watched as his friend stumbled, heard the moan he let loose, and leapt forward, catching the limp figure before it hit the ground.
"Kaichou! Kaichou!" Suoh could not think of anything except the boy's title. He shook the limp body again and again, trying to rouse the unconscious figure. To his horror, he saw the colour fade from the boy's cheeks, felt the warmth of the body rise to an unnatural level…
* * * *
Suoh heaved a sigh of relief when the eyelids fluttered weakly. He looked on as Nokoru moaned a little, raising a hand to his temple, shaking his head a little as though trying to clear his vision. A few more blinks and a slight shift of the blond head allowed Suoh full view of the face of the one who he had sworn to protect.
"Suoh." Nokoru said simply when he noticed his bodyguard and friend watching him anxiously. He struggled to raise himself enough to sit up, but he fell back weakly against his pillows almost at once. Once more he tried, only to have the performance repeated.
"Here, let me help." Suoh leaned forward and gently raised the other, propping him up against the wall.[He's so frail...] Suoh suddenly realised when Nokoru just lay still, allowing him to move him about as though he had been no more than a rag doll.
Nokoru gave a smile of thanks. His face was worn and pale, and his blue eyes lacked their usual shine.[He's keeping that farce for me] Suoh realised, his sharp eyes noting the strain that Nokoru was under to act as though everything was normal. [He doesn't want me to worry!]
"…careless as usual. Lucky for me you were there." Nokoru finished with a smile.
"Wha…"
"Suoh, you weren't listening." Nokoru chided gently.
"I'm sorry." Suoh apologised, immediately contrite. "You were saying?"
Nokoru couldn't resist the temptation to tease even in his weakened state. "You should have seen the way you looked. For an instant there, I thought I was Nagisa." The ruse worked, and Suoh flushed.
"Ah, what a pity the photographic society wasn't there. The photographs would have made the news. Suoh Takamura losing his cool. The ladies would love that. I wonder what Nagisa would say though." Nokoru mused, a faint smile playing on his lips. A flick of his wrist and his fan revealed the words "Life is full of surprises".
"Kaichou!" Suoh retorted in a dangerous sort of voice. His Kaichou, meanwhile, was trying to pull a straight face and putting on a look of pure innocence. Suoh felt his anger melt away.[I don't know how he manages it. He just manages to look so angelic when he's up to mischief. And I fall for it every time.]
Suddenly, Nokoru began coughing. To Suoh's horror, as he handed the boy a handkerchief on the table nearby, the hand was bloodstained.
"Kaichou?" Suoh asked, concerned.
Nokoru gasped painfully for a while, Suoh's heart lurched and he tried to decide if the boy needed medical attention. He made up his mind, making for the door.
"Wait…" Nokoru said, his voice hoarse. "Don't call the doctor." The voice was barely above a whisper.
Suoh turned around reluctantly. "You need medical attention. Let me go fetch a doctor."
Waving his hand dismissively, Nokoru replied, "It won't do any good. They won't know what's wrong. It's nothing they can solve. The Nothing is attacking the ones of the circle."
[The Nothing? What exactly is he talking about?] Suoh thought in exasperation. He must be hallucinating.
"Suoh, look at me." Unwillingly, the amber eyes fixed upon the bright blue ones. "The Nothing is the force which balances all the power of goodness and light in this world. It balances the forces by destroying, turning creation to nothing, hence its name. Twelve guardians were chosen to keep this power in check. But the last battle with Tereka tipped the balance of power to the Nothing's favour. Now, the Nothing is attacking each guardian individually. When one is destroyed, the circle will be broken. The balance shall remain no more, and everything will turn to nothing. And... and…" Nokoru hesitated.
"It's starting with you." Suoh finished, his voice weak as he realised how powerless he was to protect his Kaichou.
"Suoh, it's not your fault. You aren't useless. You can help me. You and Akira." Nokoru said in an attempt to cheer his friend up.[Philip, you better hurry. I can't hold on much longer.]
Suoh looked sceptically at the blue depths. There was no glint of mischief there. Only pain filled those blue eyes that looked so familiar, and yet so painfully different. "What can I do?" He asked.
Nokoru smiled. "Trust me. Believe in me. Be my strength. You've never failed me Suoh. Don't fail me now."
Suoh nodded, tears in his eyes.[He still trusts me. He believes I can help him. I can't let him down. Not now, not ever. I have to believe…]
Nokoru gave a grateful smile and leaned back against the wall. He shuddered a little, his face betraying the pain that he was enduring as the battle raged within.
* * * *
Deep within Nokoru, at the very depth of his consciousness, in the cavern, a battle was raging. The mighty phoenix was struggling hard against… nothing. Its wings beat furiously against something that wasn't there. Something that sought to form a union with it through destruction. The beautiful wings were stained with the silvery blood. Its eyes were bloodshot, part of its leg seemed to have disappeared. The union had begun.
* * * *
Meanwhile, far away, in another part of the world, England to be precise, Philip Lynton heard the plea that Nokoru had made. [Where are you?] He asked.
[CLAMP School.] Came the answer, fainter this time.[The Nothing…]
[The Nothing? I'll come over right away. Where exactly in Clamp School are you?]
He waited for the answer. There was no reply…
* * * *
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew where I can find…Imonoyama Nokoru?" A boy asked with a trace of a foreign accent, consulting the paper in his hand.
Suoh looked at the boy suspiciously. "Kaichou is not feeling very well right now. Can I help you instead?"
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I have to insist. It's very important."
"I'm afraid I have to deny that request. Kaichou really needs to rest now."
Suddenly, the boy's green eyes clouded over, and in a strange, sing-song voice, the boy said "Bring me to the phoenix before it's too late. Hurry." He ordered.
Suoh gasped. "You…you are one of the guardians… As Kaichou had said. Quick, this way." He said as he ran out of the Student Council room with Philip in tow.
* * * *
[He's here. I can sense him. Hurry Philip.] Nokoru urged.
* * * *
The doors to Nokoru's room burst open, and Philip glided swiftly over to where Nokoru lay. He took Nokoru's limp hand in his own, shut his green eyes and reached down into the cavern where the battle continued. Down, down, down…
* * * *
Now, a falcon joined the phoenix in its struggle. The silvery wings enveloped the bruised golden ones protectively.[Heal] he thought, willing the wings to heal as he took the brunt of the attack from the Nothing.
The golden wings restored themselves to their original state. Protected by the barrier that the silver wings formed, the phoenix sounded a cry. It was a cry that echoed long in the cavern, a cry that sounded deep in the core of the Nothing, a cry that jolted the Nothing into consciousness.
Slowly, the Nothing gained form. First it was the chilling wind, then the blue sky, the blue mist, and finally the figure of a lonely girl decked in blue. [Don't be afraid] Nokoru said to her.[I'm not going to hurt you]The girl continued to back away.
[Why are you doing this? Why must you destroy everything? ]he persisted. [You want to be a part of everything, and yet you want to destroy?]
[No, you're wrong. I don't want to be a part of everything. I want to have supreme power. I will be the only one standing on this planet.]
[And be lonely forever.] Nokoru told her calmly.[Can you take it? So what happens after you have control over all? Then what? ] He challenged.
[I…I…I don't know… ]she broke down in tears, sobbing. [You don't understand. It's the only thing that I live for…the only thing that I can do. There's no one that I can truly talk to…Everything I come into contact with disappears and is absorbed by me. I don't mean it. But…I just can't help it…]
Nokoru was aware of the strain that Philip was under to keep him shielded from the power of the Nothing. To his horror, sections of the falcon were already beginning to fade.
[There is a way] he said.[Let ME absorb you.]
[Wha…]she asked in confusion.
[Don't resist. Let me absorb you into me. Become one with me, and let our powers merge. We will then be able to separate into our individual forms. You will have a form, as shall I. But I must warn you. You will lose your powers.]
[I don't care. I just want to have friends. Friends that I can't hurt and make them disappear.]
[Very well then. Let us begin. I call upon the power of the ancients. Come forth powers of greatness, powers that create, powers that bind. Join us both in this union where our powers combined. Let the prophesy be fulfilled, our destiny we build!]
Instantly, the phoenix glowed brightly and the brilliant gold of the phoenix merged with the bright blue of the Nothing. With a screech, the phoenix extended its wings to its fullest. It moved over to the Nothing, and enveloped it with its wings. The light surrounding the two changed to that of a brilliant green. Then golden. Blue emerged, gold rose, the colour kept alternating.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the colours stopped alternating. The gold returned, and yet the claws were now tinged with blue, as was the beak.[The transformation is complete] Nokoru realised.[She is free now.]
The girl smiled as she began to fade away. [Thank you.] she said.
* * * *
"Ah, Suoh." Nokoru said brightly. "Do you think it would be a good idea to go for a walk?"
"Kaichou, you still have tons of paperwork to do. Please concentrate."
"But Suoh, there's plenty of time."
"Plenty of time? The exchange students are arriving tomorrow, and you haven't even looked through their schedule yet."
"What exchange students?"
"Kaichou, haven't you even looked through some of that paperwork?"
"Well, no. I was busy."
"Doing what? Playing again."
"No, I was busy eating this time."
Suoh facefaulted. Some things never change.