Dark's Burning Light

Dangerously Innocent

It was with great trepidation that I watched my parents leave. They wasted no time either, having packed and planned as soon as I had agreed to cast the spell in the first place. I suppose they would have left if I had died too, if only to bring the news to the half of my family that wouldn't have appeared immediately. It didn't do to dwell in things that did not come to pass though, so I returned to the secrecy and comfort of the family home and put those thoughts behind me.

No sooner had I closed the doors behind me than I heard a crash in the kitchen. It was followed by a roar and some other, indistinguishable sound. As soon as I ran in there I saw Cerberus grab a bag of flour in his mouth gently, then throw it at a surprised Yue. While Yue was distracted Cerberus began licking a white powdery substance off of himself, cleaning his golden fur in the manner that instinct would direct him. I groaned as I observed the mess. I should have been paying more attention to Yue specifically though. I didn't have time to utter a sound as the angel observed his counterpart and then brought an arm hesitantly toward his face and started to lick....

"No," I gasped, cringing inwardly at what I knew would not be the most pleasant first experience with food or taste.

Yue's face went blank in surprise and his mouth hung open in obvious displeasure. I hurried to get him a glass of water to wash it down, ignoring the loud purr coming from Cerberus. Yue cautiously drank, gaining a little enthusiasm when he realized that the pasty taste was actually leaving.

"Dare I ask what happened in here?"

They both started talking at once, Cerberus giving a boisterous and loud rendition of events while Yue spoke softly and carefully, but just as insistently. Neither would accept any blame, and the only events they could seem to agree on were that Yue had struck first, throwing the contents of the sugar bowl at Cerberus, and Cerberus had retaliated, as I had witnessed myself. I couldn't even make out the reason the fight had begun as they both spoke at once. I was very surprised to realize that Yue's voice was rising to match his counterpart's. Cerberus had started out loud in the first place and had gained volume, so the change in the quiet angel was quite pronounced. There was no way I could over-shout them, so I simply walked out of the room.

They both followed, growing louder to try to gain my attention. Finally I covered my ears and shook my head, trying to show them that I refused to listen.

In unison they shouted.

"Master Clow!!!"

As they filled their lungs again I finally managed to get a word in. "Stop."

Each looked argumentative, obviously trying to defend themselves against the words of the other. I held a hand up and glared.

"I really don't care who started it, or why. Please stop shouting at me."

Mumbled apologies came from each of them and twin looks of devastated shame settled in their eyes. It was Yue that actually spoke softly and put words to the looks that bewildered me.

"Master, did we fail you by yelling? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...."

The tears in his eyes made them shine like stars before slipping down his face and leaving trails in his still floured skin. "Fail you? Why would you think...?"

"You were so mad. You yelled at us."

Cerberus nodded solemnly. "It was scary."

"I didn't yell," I explained with a furrowed brow. "I didn't even raise my voice."

Their expressions only grew more remorseful at my correction.

"Neither of you failed," I explained gently, wanting to do anything to erase the pain in their eyes. "I was a little frustrated that you were yelling at me, but that's all. You two aren't in trouble, but the kitchen will need cleaned. The two of you will need to wash up as well--" I broke off as I saw Cerberus lick himself again. It wasn't ideal, but I could hardly fit him in our bath. It was spacious, but he was BIG!

Yue was looking at Cerberus with a faintly scandalized expression. "How can you stand that?"

Cerberus looked up innocently. "It's delicious. Sweet. You should try some."

Yue backed away slightly.

I laughed.

"Yue, that is all well and good for him, but there is a better way for you to clean yourself. Follow me."

I walked slowly up the stairs, realizing that sitting in a tub would only get my angel so clean...he needed water washing over him to carry off all the flour that now settled in his hair. With a smile I realized I had an excuse to use the magic washing room off of my parent's bedroom instead of the bath I usually used. Generations ago one of the family's most creative sorcerers had washed in a waterfall and had wanted to be able to do that at any time. He had harnessed the water magic to create a magical shower, then fire magic to heat it to just the right temperature. It was one of our family treasures.

Not that I expected Yue to appreciate that much of it. He was still too new to the world. He wouldn't know exactly what a stroke of genius it was to come up with something like that. That wasn't important.

"I'll start the water, you must get undressed." It was a simple incantation to start the water and warm it, then I turned to leave.

"What do I do now, Master?"

"What? You get under the water of course. Then you clean yourself off while the water clears it all away..." My words drifted off as I realized he had no idea what to do.

I wanted to run from the room screaming. I could explain patiently what he had to do, but some part of me, some evil and very persistent part of me, wanted to simply undress and show him. And a few other things. Yue was too perfect. And I had been so lonely....

And that was exactly why I had to behave myself. I wasn't thinking clearly and I knew it.

"Step under the falling water, Yue. Be careful, the tile will be slippery." I carefully averted my eyes, then drew the curtain over the opening. I stood just outside and waited, frowning at the direction my thoughts took. I grabbed a small wash cloth and handed it in to Yue, careful that only my arm made it in. "Use this cloth to wipe away the flour, especially where the water doesn't fall directly."

The scrap of fabric was plucked from my hand and I pulled my arm back quickly. I tried to make sure I gave him enough time to get most of the flour off. I tried not to time it by use of my imagination that seemed to be working in overdrive. I was about to walk further away, to the door maybe, but I instantly knew that Yue had gotten his legs tangled in his hair and was about to fall. I had just enough time to jump in and catch him before he fell....

"Are you okay?"

"How did you catch me so fast? You weren't even looking?"

I smiled, lost in his innocent and trusting eyes as he wrapped his arms around me for balance. He pulled himself up against me, but I could still not let go. My heart was pounding and I couldn't breathe. When he stood up he was so much closer. I couldn't move at all and I didn't want to break this moment. I found words coming from my mouth, answering his question, but I hadn't even thought about them. "I don't need to look to see. I couldn't let you just fall."

God! He blushed and I could feel the heat emanating from him. My own skin was burning in response, every inch of him that touched me setting my very soul on fire. I had to let go, I just had to.

Somehow I finally did.

I couldn't leave yet though. "I will wash your hair for you, Yue."

His smile was a sweet torture. "Thank you, I would appreciate that."

It was so hard to concentrate on that chore. As I gathered his long hair his entire body was exposed and I realized I still wore my robes. They were already drenched. I left them on despite the weight. I used every ounce of willpower I possessed to concentrate on what I was doing and not watch the shivers that occasionally traveled down his spine at the attention I was paying him.

Oh, and believe me when I say I shivered too.

I bowed my head as my fingers twined through his hair and spread the soap through the tremendous length of it. In the end I was kneeling at his feet and there I could feel how I lost control of my emotions. I barely gained control of my voice enough to say, "Now tilt your head back and put your hair directly under the stream of water."

I watched the soap slowly wash down and away from the silvery strands, and still I did not stand up. I couldn't. I remembered washing Tabitha's hair for her on our wedding night to help her relax and trust me. Her sunset colored tresses were nothing like the silken strands of silver before me, but the memory had come to me so strongly that I was overcome.

I don't know how long it took me to realize that Yue was kneeling in front of me, trying to look me in the eye. "Master," his velvety voice called softly. "Are you crying?"

Was I?

I inhaled deeply, standing up. "No, I just got some soap in my eye. I was trying to blink it away." Did he see through the lie? "My face is only wet because of the water bouncing up into my face from the floor." This time I added a reassuring smile and hoped it reached my eyes. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, wishing it would just go away. I didn't need this. Not right now. Not like this. I felt so guilty and disloyal for the thoughts I had been entertaining for this...this...this creation before me.

What right did I have to think about him like this? I didn't.

I stood, really feeling the weight of my wet robes now. It was a reminder not to lose myself like this anymore. I was foolish, mooning over my untouchable angel.

And I'd have to trail water all the way into my bedroom for my foolishness.

No. With control I didn't know I had I stripped off the offending clothes, turned off the water, and calmly handed Yue a towel. "Dry yourself off," I instructed calmly. My voice didn't react. My body didn't react. I just turned and walked out of the room after draping my clothes where they could dry safely. Then I walked to my room, still surrounded by the strange calm, and locked myself in. Only then did I allow myself to really cry. It was a thing, like laughter, that I had thought would be impossible after her death.

~~~~~@~~~~~

Author's Note: Yes, only one section to this chapter. Strange, isn't it? But such a full section....

Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes! It was the best birthday ever. ~grins~ Each of my reviewers are important to me! Thank you guys! Six Underground, Kira, Peacewish, L-chan, Tasumi Ashiru, Forsaken Tenshi, and Lady Kazune Kikenshi, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kind reviews. I hope that you find this chapter up to the standard I have tried to set for myself. You guys deserve it. J hehe (I've turned into *such* the little egotist, ne?)