A/N: Takes place five years after last chapter.
There were a couple of things in the last chapter that nobody picked up on,
or at least never mentioned in their reviews, but that's alright cause the
answers aren't coming yet anyway. ;o)
Forever For Love by Clow'd9
Disclaimer: You know what? These characters *are* mine! I stole them off CLAMP. . .problem with that? *Silence. . .* Good!
Chapter 2 - Revelations - part 1
It was a very early Saturday morning, in the quiet town of Tomoeda and the only people stirring before the fully risen sun were two young men, one tall and lean the other slender and compact. Intimacy expressed itself clearly in the affectionate smiles of the smaller man and the fond glances of the larger, they were not touching but these silent exchanges gave the impression that not long ago they had been wrapped snugly and familiarly around each other in a warm bed.
The dark haired man pulled his jacket tighter against the chilly breeze. "Jeez, why do you have to leave so early?"
The grey haired one smiled and laughed sweetly. "Toya you say the same thing each year."
Touya leaned against the bus stop and crossed his arms. "That's not the only thing that's the same each time. Once again I'm not going with you, do you realise in five years we've never once gone to this convention together?"
"I'll bring you back a trophy."
"Great, another one to dust."
Yukito laughed again. "Say's Mr 'Winner of Campus Athlete four years running'."
"Watch your mouth rabbit!"
The 'rabbit' winked cheekily. "'Fraid there's no time for you to tell me off, the bus will be here in a minute."
The taller man kicked a pebble off the curb. "I wish I could drive you."
"Toya its alright that you can't come. . .I really don't mind. I think I like going alone. Archery always makes me feel like some part of Yue is still with me. . .like he went away but left me with his abilities as a gift." The pale young man fiddled with the braid of silver hair encircling his wrist. He'd had the token from his true form sealed at both ends in silver and a clasp added so he could wear it all the time and he did.
His lover watched the movement quietly feeling as always the stab of regret, the only negative feeling he had had in the past five years with Yukito. He checked his watch.
"Have you got your gloves?"
"Hai."
"Your waterproof coat?"
"Hai."
"Emergency money?"
"Hai."
"Your-."
"Toya will you stop fussing!"
But Touya liked fussing over his Snow Bunny so he spent the next five minutes lifting up the others mans collar, pulling down his hat to cover the reddening tips of his ears and finally pressed up close so they had their hands in each others pockets.
". . .Are you taking a hot water bottle?"
"Toya!"
The coach arrived far too soon for Touya's liking and while his boyfriend waved enthusiastically at his teammates grinning through the windows at him Touya simply nodded in acknowledgment and turned the ever-friendly young man back to face him.
Wishing the shelter offered a little more privacy he never the less drew his lover in for a kiss and Yukito responded in his usual generous and frankly earth shattering way. Bending his body into him as limber as any bow and as lithe as his namesake, that single action always left Touya breathless. "How do you do that!" He muttered when he lifted his head his eyes dark and depthless.
Yukito licked his lips guilelessly. "Do what?"
"Press yourself into me. Make me feel like you narrow your entire focus down to me until I become your whole world."
"Well you are." Came the honest reply.
Touya hugged him. "I hate saying goodbye to you."
"It's only for two days Toya."
"It's not the days that worry me, it's the nights."
"You'll have to cuddle Bugs." The Snow Bunny grinned.
Secretly Touya was thinking the exact same thing about the giant plush toy. "Who are you going to cuddle?" The tanned man embraced the jealous lover role admirably.
Yukito paused for effect before replying. "If it's not the real Toya, I'll make do with dream Toya."
They were about to lose themselves in another kiss when one of the coach windows popped open and the archery captain appeared looking hyped and impatient.
"Break it up you two! We need to get going if we're gonna beat the city traffic, why else to you think we're leaving at such an unnatural hour!?"
With a restrained peck on the cheek and a promise in his eyes Yukito answered the call and stepped on.
"I'll see you Monday morning Toya."
The footballer shook his head. "Remind me why I'm not going with you again."
"Sakura. Kero. Home alone. Plus-."
"The gaki." Touya growled his purpose renewed.
"That's the spirit." The pale man moved further up the boarding steps. "Oh and Toya?"
The man in question raised his eyebrows in the process of standing back from onto the pavement. "Nani?"
"I'll bring you back *two* trophies."
The doors closed on Touya's chuckling face.
Yukito moved along the aisle nodding his greeting to various comments from either side and then with a strength that continually surprised people he swung his bag and equipment up and stored it in the overhead compartment before taking his seat next to his friend Reagan.
"Don't you two ever stop?" The sandy haired archer enquired half serious, half mocking.
Yukito blinked and deadpanned. "Why would we?"
Touya watched the ribald greetings and gentle teasing for the kiss they had all witnessed and smiled when he saw Yukito ignore them loftily, looking exactly as Yue would have only without the false forms smile, before blowing him a kiss and waving as the vehicle started to drive away.
The archer next to him pressed back against his seat as the other man leant over him to mouth something out the window, 'sleep tight Toya.' The man on the outside first pointed to himself then mimed hugging something before pointing two fingers over each side of his head and wiggling them, 'I'll cuddle Bugs.'
"You guys sure make a big deal about being apart for one day."
Yukito blinked. "One day? I thought-."
"-'it was two' yeah, yeah, you always do Tsukishiro and I'm always the one to correct you."
"Oh. . ." I'll have to call Toya later he thought as they pulled away from the curb.
Reagan looked exasperated when his companion settled back to sleep, not only had Yukito gone to bed late and gotten up early but the hours in between had been spent on a far more enjoyable activity than sleep.
After a couple of minutes Touya walked back to his car and drove home, although the house seemed very empty without Yukito.
"Tadaima." He called from the genkan and kicked off his shoes, of course it would be a first if Sakura was up this early on a Saturday.
"Oniichan!" Speak of the Card Mistress, his little sister, all 16 years and 5 foot 6 inches of her came skipping dangerously down the stairs in her pyjama's a newly opened letter in her hand. "Eriol's come back!" She squealed.
Touya groaned. The gaki, the freaky reincarnation. . .there were too many males in his kaijuu's life.
"He's coming over to see me later, that's alright isn't it? I'm gonna ask Tomoyo and Syaoran to come over too."
The older sibling thought quickly. If he remembered correctly the gaki had a major problem with the reincarnation. . .on second thoughts, he'd always rather liked Eriol, nice normal boy who didn't insist on carrying a dangerous weapon around all the time. . .at least his staff was portable.
"Did Yukito catch the bus okay?" Sakura called from where she'd disappeared into the lounge.
"Hai."
"You could have gone too you know. I'm old enough to take care of myself."
Touya knew what she said was true, she was still lively and obnoxiously genki in his opinion (Yuki could be forgiven because he was simply adorable) but she had matured into a relatively responsible teenager, the only problem was that with her years had come a beauty that had always been hinted at. Her features were not quite as elegant as their late okaasan's but her colouring was far more vibrant and needed no cosmetics for enhancement. His precious little sister had became a stunning young woman. . .not that he'd ever tell her that. He'd annoyed her once by telling Tomoyo what a lovely young lady she had grown into, which she had, Sakura had yet to earn the title of a 'lady' from him, she was still 'kaijuu.'
"Sakura!" Kero whined as he floated down the banister clutching his head. "It's not even tomorrow yet, I mean, it's still yesterday today, oh you know what I mean, IT'S TOO EARLY!"
Touya rolled his eyes and retreated to his and Yukito's room which seemed even emptier than the house. He sighed, *only* two days. . .
*****************************************************************
"Eriol!" Sakura threw herself at the youth hugging him enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you're back! So is Syaoran."
The blue haired reincarnation raised an eyebrow over the girls shoulder as his solemn descendant muttered something inaudible.
"Yes he is looking quite emotional, he's clearly resisting the urge to suffocate me. . .in a killer hug." When Sakura let go the two boys shook hands.
"You didn't bring Ruby and Spinel with you?" she asked.
"No. Ruby can be a trifle. . .effusive in her affections, I though I'd make my own greetings first. Now where is the lovely Tomoyo-chan?"
There was gentle laughter from behind them, huskier than when he had last heard it. "Well I don't know about the lovely part but I'm right here."
Eriol turned slowly and looked at her. "I agree, lovely is the wrong word. . .you look absolutely stunning." The girl blushed furiously as the reincarnation lifted and kissed her hand. The young mage had grown much taller and his face had lost some of its youthful roundness.
Sakura's eyes were shining as she watched them, her boyfriend alone hearing her whisper. "Kawaii!"
The Sun Guardian chose that moment to make his entrance. "How about me Eriol? Am I stunning too?"
The reincarnation looked delighted. "Keroberos! How are you?"
The tiny Guardian puffed up proudly and landed on the offered hand. "Still the top scorer on the Playstation *and* the only being capable of eating thirteen helpings of double chocolate fudge cake."
Eriol laughed. "You have so many talents my friend, where is your brother?"
Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo and even Kero looked surprised then uncomfortable. Only the Card Mistress spoke. "G-gomen. . .demo. . ."
The youth cocked his head quizzically. "You know, Yue? Hair to the floor, purple eyes, big wings. . .hard to miss."
Sakura bowed her head. "Well. . .Yue's. . .Yue's gone."
"Gone where?"
Kero shrugged but spoke sadly. "We don't know, he's just gone."
"You can't find him? When did he go missing?"
"Five years ago." Tomoyo's answered softly.
The wide lavender eyes blinked. "Excuse me?"
Sakura lifted her chin. "He's not missing Eriol. After you left. . .he came to me and asked for my permission to. . .fade."
"Fade?"
"Yes. He wasn't happy with me."
"He said that?"
"Well. . .no. He said he felt it was time to leave but that still means I'm not a good enough mistress."
"Rubbish." Syaoran declared firmly and took her hand in his.
Eriol formed his words slowly. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"We. . .we didn't tell you because we thought you would have felt his death, when we didn't hear from you we thought perhaps you were sad."
The pale face looked thoughtful before he smiled again. "Does Touya still live at home?"
Sakura blinked at the change of subject but moved on dutifully. "Yes. So does Yukito now but he's gone to his annual archery competition."
The grey eyes gleamed slightly. "I see. Is your brother home now?"
"Yeah he's in his room."
"May I speak with him?"
"Sure. Tomoyo and I will make the tea."
"Great idea." He smiled at Tomoyo as she moved away then he went upstairs.
He followed the young mans aura marvelling that even without his powers it was still one of the strongest he'd encountered. He knocked quietly and followed the request to enter. Touya was at his desk.
"Eriol?" He sounded surprised which was saying something for the restrained oniichan.
"Hello."
The tanned features tightened into a frown. "I hope your not planning on stirring up any trouble kid and I hope even more that you haven't brought that damned butterfly with you."
"No on both counts, Ruby is at home."
"In England?"
"No she came back to Japan with Spinel and I."
Touya sighed deeply. "I slept better at night knowing there was a whole continent between us."
Eriol laughed and glanced at the double bed and more specifically the giant Easter bunny settled against the pillows.
"I hear Yukito has gone to an archery contest?"
"Yeah, he caught the bus this morning."
"Didn't you want to go with him?"
The older man snorted. "I've wanted to go since the first time he went but something always comes up."
"What came up this time?"
"Otousan is away on a dig and there is no way I'm leaving kaijuu alone in this house. . .Yuki didn't seem to mind though."
The reincarnation was looking at the cuddly toy again and feeling a rare moment of uncertainty.
"Um. . .Touya?"
"Hmmm?"
"About Yue. . ." Ocean blue eyes speared him with a look.
"What about him?" The youth honed in immediately on the suddenly gruff tone.
"I-if Yue had disappeared Yukito would have too."
Touya sat back again. "He left him with my powers to keep him alive."
Eriol shook his head. "No. He can't leave his false form behind like that, there is no separating the two. . .and if Yue had died I would have felt it."
Touya breathed slowly. "What are you trying to tell me?"
". . .Yue hasn't gone."
"WHAT!!"
Forever For Love by Clow'd9
Disclaimer: You know what? These characters *are* mine! I stole them off CLAMP. . .problem with that? *Silence. . .* Good!
Chapter 2 - Revelations - part 1
It was a very early Saturday morning, in the quiet town of Tomoeda and the only people stirring before the fully risen sun were two young men, one tall and lean the other slender and compact. Intimacy expressed itself clearly in the affectionate smiles of the smaller man and the fond glances of the larger, they were not touching but these silent exchanges gave the impression that not long ago they had been wrapped snugly and familiarly around each other in a warm bed.
The dark haired man pulled his jacket tighter against the chilly breeze. "Jeez, why do you have to leave so early?"
The grey haired one smiled and laughed sweetly. "Toya you say the same thing each year."
Touya leaned against the bus stop and crossed his arms. "That's not the only thing that's the same each time. Once again I'm not going with you, do you realise in five years we've never once gone to this convention together?"
"I'll bring you back a trophy."
"Great, another one to dust."
Yukito laughed again. "Say's Mr 'Winner of Campus Athlete four years running'."
"Watch your mouth rabbit!"
The 'rabbit' winked cheekily. "'Fraid there's no time for you to tell me off, the bus will be here in a minute."
The taller man kicked a pebble off the curb. "I wish I could drive you."
"Toya its alright that you can't come. . .I really don't mind. I think I like going alone. Archery always makes me feel like some part of Yue is still with me. . .like he went away but left me with his abilities as a gift." The pale young man fiddled with the braid of silver hair encircling his wrist. He'd had the token from his true form sealed at both ends in silver and a clasp added so he could wear it all the time and he did.
His lover watched the movement quietly feeling as always the stab of regret, the only negative feeling he had had in the past five years with Yukito. He checked his watch.
"Have you got your gloves?"
"Hai."
"Your waterproof coat?"
"Hai."
"Emergency money?"
"Hai."
"Your-."
"Toya will you stop fussing!"
But Touya liked fussing over his Snow Bunny so he spent the next five minutes lifting up the others mans collar, pulling down his hat to cover the reddening tips of his ears and finally pressed up close so they had their hands in each others pockets.
". . .Are you taking a hot water bottle?"
"Toya!"
The coach arrived far too soon for Touya's liking and while his boyfriend waved enthusiastically at his teammates grinning through the windows at him Touya simply nodded in acknowledgment and turned the ever-friendly young man back to face him.
Wishing the shelter offered a little more privacy he never the less drew his lover in for a kiss and Yukito responded in his usual generous and frankly earth shattering way. Bending his body into him as limber as any bow and as lithe as his namesake, that single action always left Touya breathless. "How do you do that!" He muttered when he lifted his head his eyes dark and depthless.
Yukito licked his lips guilelessly. "Do what?"
"Press yourself into me. Make me feel like you narrow your entire focus down to me until I become your whole world."
"Well you are." Came the honest reply.
Touya hugged him. "I hate saying goodbye to you."
"It's only for two days Toya."
"It's not the days that worry me, it's the nights."
"You'll have to cuddle Bugs." The Snow Bunny grinned.
Secretly Touya was thinking the exact same thing about the giant plush toy. "Who are you going to cuddle?" The tanned man embraced the jealous lover role admirably.
Yukito paused for effect before replying. "If it's not the real Toya, I'll make do with dream Toya."
They were about to lose themselves in another kiss when one of the coach windows popped open and the archery captain appeared looking hyped and impatient.
"Break it up you two! We need to get going if we're gonna beat the city traffic, why else to you think we're leaving at such an unnatural hour!?"
With a restrained peck on the cheek and a promise in his eyes Yukito answered the call and stepped on.
"I'll see you Monday morning Toya."
The footballer shook his head. "Remind me why I'm not going with you again."
"Sakura. Kero. Home alone. Plus-."
"The gaki." Touya growled his purpose renewed.
"That's the spirit." The pale man moved further up the boarding steps. "Oh and Toya?"
The man in question raised his eyebrows in the process of standing back from onto the pavement. "Nani?"
"I'll bring you back *two* trophies."
The doors closed on Touya's chuckling face.
Yukito moved along the aisle nodding his greeting to various comments from either side and then with a strength that continually surprised people he swung his bag and equipment up and stored it in the overhead compartment before taking his seat next to his friend Reagan.
"Don't you two ever stop?" The sandy haired archer enquired half serious, half mocking.
Yukito blinked and deadpanned. "Why would we?"
Touya watched the ribald greetings and gentle teasing for the kiss they had all witnessed and smiled when he saw Yukito ignore them loftily, looking exactly as Yue would have only without the false forms smile, before blowing him a kiss and waving as the vehicle started to drive away.
The archer next to him pressed back against his seat as the other man leant over him to mouth something out the window, 'sleep tight Toya.' The man on the outside first pointed to himself then mimed hugging something before pointing two fingers over each side of his head and wiggling them, 'I'll cuddle Bugs.'
"You guys sure make a big deal about being apart for one day."
Yukito blinked. "One day? I thought-."
"-'it was two' yeah, yeah, you always do Tsukishiro and I'm always the one to correct you."
"Oh. . ." I'll have to call Toya later he thought as they pulled away from the curb.
Reagan looked exasperated when his companion settled back to sleep, not only had Yukito gone to bed late and gotten up early but the hours in between had been spent on a far more enjoyable activity than sleep.
After a couple of minutes Touya walked back to his car and drove home, although the house seemed very empty without Yukito.
"Tadaima." He called from the genkan and kicked off his shoes, of course it would be a first if Sakura was up this early on a Saturday.
"Oniichan!" Speak of the Card Mistress, his little sister, all 16 years and 5 foot 6 inches of her came skipping dangerously down the stairs in her pyjama's a newly opened letter in her hand. "Eriol's come back!" She squealed.
Touya groaned. The gaki, the freaky reincarnation. . .there were too many males in his kaijuu's life.
"He's coming over to see me later, that's alright isn't it? I'm gonna ask Tomoyo and Syaoran to come over too."
The older sibling thought quickly. If he remembered correctly the gaki had a major problem with the reincarnation. . .on second thoughts, he'd always rather liked Eriol, nice normal boy who didn't insist on carrying a dangerous weapon around all the time. . .at least his staff was portable.
"Did Yukito catch the bus okay?" Sakura called from where she'd disappeared into the lounge.
"Hai."
"You could have gone too you know. I'm old enough to take care of myself."
Touya knew what she said was true, she was still lively and obnoxiously genki in his opinion (Yuki could be forgiven because he was simply adorable) but she had matured into a relatively responsible teenager, the only problem was that with her years had come a beauty that had always been hinted at. Her features were not quite as elegant as their late okaasan's but her colouring was far more vibrant and needed no cosmetics for enhancement. His precious little sister had became a stunning young woman. . .not that he'd ever tell her that. He'd annoyed her once by telling Tomoyo what a lovely young lady she had grown into, which she had, Sakura had yet to earn the title of a 'lady' from him, she was still 'kaijuu.'
"Sakura!" Kero whined as he floated down the banister clutching his head. "It's not even tomorrow yet, I mean, it's still yesterday today, oh you know what I mean, IT'S TOO EARLY!"
Touya rolled his eyes and retreated to his and Yukito's room which seemed even emptier than the house. He sighed, *only* two days. . .
*****************************************************************
"Eriol!" Sakura threw herself at the youth hugging him enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you're back! So is Syaoran."
The blue haired reincarnation raised an eyebrow over the girls shoulder as his solemn descendant muttered something inaudible.
"Yes he is looking quite emotional, he's clearly resisting the urge to suffocate me. . .in a killer hug." When Sakura let go the two boys shook hands.
"You didn't bring Ruby and Spinel with you?" she asked.
"No. Ruby can be a trifle. . .effusive in her affections, I though I'd make my own greetings first. Now where is the lovely Tomoyo-chan?"
There was gentle laughter from behind them, huskier than when he had last heard it. "Well I don't know about the lovely part but I'm right here."
Eriol turned slowly and looked at her. "I agree, lovely is the wrong word. . .you look absolutely stunning." The girl blushed furiously as the reincarnation lifted and kissed her hand. The young mage had grown much taller and his face had lost some of its youthful roundness.
Sakura's eyes were shining as she watched them, her boyfriend alone hearing her whisper. "Kawaii!"
The Sun Guardian chose that moment to make his entrance. "How about me Eriol? Am I stunning too?"
The reincarnation looked delighted. "Keroberos! How are you?"
The tiny Guardian puffed up proudly and landed on the offered hand. "Still the top scorer on the Playstation *and* the only being capable of eating thirteen helpings of double chocolate fudge cake."
Eriol laughed. "You have so many talents my friend, where is your brother?"
Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo and even Kero looked surprised then uncomfortable. Only the Card Mistress spoke. "G-gomen. . .demo. . ."
The youth cocked his head quizzically. "You know, Yue? Hair to the floor, purple eyes, big wings. . .hard to miss."
Sakura bowed her head. "Well. . .Yue's. . .Yue's gone."
"Gone where?"
Kero shrugged but spoke sadly. "We don't know, he's just gone."
"You can't find him? When did he go missing?"
"Five years ago." Tomoyo's answered softly.
The wide lavender eyes blinked. "Excuse me?"
Sakura lifted her chin. "He's not missing Eriol. After you left. . .he came to me and asked for my permission to. . .fade."
"Fade?"
"Yes. He wasn't happy with me."
"He said that?"
"Well. . .no. He said he felt it was time to leave but that still means I'm not a good enough mistress."
"Rubbish." Syaoran declared firmly and took her hand in his.
Eriol formed his words slowly. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"We. . .we didn't tell you because we thought you would have felt his death, when we didn't hear from you we thought perhaps you were sad."
The pale face looked thoughtful before he smiled again. "Does Touya still live at home?"
Sakura blinked at the change of subject but moved on dutifully. "Yes. So does Yukito now but he's gone to his annual archery competition."
The grey eyes gleamed slightly. "I see. Is your brother home now?"
"Yeah he's in his room."
"May I speak with him?"
"Sure. Tomoyo and I will make the tea."
"Great idea." He smiled at Tomoyo as she moved away then he went upstairs.
He followed the young mans aura marvelling that even without his powers it was still one of the strongest he'd encountered. He knocked quietly and followed the request to enter. Touya was at his desk.
"Eriol?" He sounded surprised which was saying something for the restrained oniichan.
"Hello."
The tanned features tightened into a frown. "I hope your not planning on stirring up any trouble kid and I hope even more that you haven't brought that damned butterfly with you."
"No on both counts, Ruby is at home."
"In England?"
"No she came back to Japan with Spinel and I."
Touya sighed deeply. "I slept better at night knowing there was a whole continent between us."
Eriol laughed and glanced at the double bed and more specifically the giant Easter bunny settled against the pillows.
"I hear Yukito has gone to an archery contest?"
"Yeah, he caught the bus this morning."
"Didn't you want to go with him?"
The older man snorted. "I've wanted to go since the first time he went but something always comes up."
"What came up this time?"
"Otousan is away on a dig and there is no way I'm leaving kaijuu alone in this house. . .Yuki didn't seem to mind though."
The reincarnation was looking at the cuddly toy again and feeling a rare moment of uncertainty.
"Um. . .Touya?"
"Hmmm?"
"About Yue. . ." Ocean blue eyes speared him with a look.
"What about him?" The youth honed in immediately on the suddenly gruff tone.
"I-if Yue had disappeared Yukito would have too."
Touya sat back again. "He left him with my powers to keep him alive."
Eriol shook his head. "No. He can't leave his false form behind like that, there is no separating the two. . .and if Yue had died I would have felt it."
Touya breathed slowly. "What are you trying to tell me?"
". . .Yue hasn't gone."
"WHAT!!"