A reviewer called Emmastine ordered me to update so - HERE YOU ARE!!
To all my lovely reviewers; I grow ever more obsessed with anime/manga so please don't think my lack of updates equals waning interest. Just been very busy. Thanks for your patience and for coming back again!
Forever For Love by Clow'd9
DISCLAIMER: Bow to CLAMP, not me...well maybe me, but after CLAMP...okay?
Chapter 5 - Ever this day...'
Yue saw Touya scowl at him before turning determinedly from the window and disappearing from sight.
As the Guardian made his way back to the cottage he pretended his legs were far shorter than they were and that the gravel path would yield gold if he stopped at regular intervals to study it.
He'd hoped Touya's anger would have cooled over night but it was still there written in the angry, dusky crests across his cheekbones and the sharp accusation of his eyes. The man he had become was even more beautiful than the boy he had been. It hadn't exactly been a shock to see him again having been vaguely aware of the serious youth's growing maturity while he slept within Yukito. Mature indeed he was but then so he always had been. Yue smiled, forgetting to take his mincing steps. An extraordinary human. The only one - besides Eriol who had an unfair advantage - that could look him in the eye...and the only one who made it difficult for him to return the favour.
He stopped outside the door. Damn. He had meant to take longer. He fidgeted and then, quite pointlessly, turned full circle (which didn't waste much time).
You're too tense, Yue. He said aloud, still flexing his vocal cords. he berated himself as he started rolling his shoulders as if preparing for flight. There was still the odd twinge from the unused muscles, an extension of Yukito's own, and even that short flight last night had tired his wings.
The door opened while he was cracking his knuckles. Eriol looked him up and down, not there was a maturity that HAD surprised him, it was like having Clow mentally undress him only these eyes contained more speculation than appreciation.
He's not going to call you out, Yue. The boy chuckled.
No pistols at twenty paces? He responded wryly.
The reincarnation shook his head slowly. No-one does that anymore. He sounded regretful.
Time to face my fate I suppose. Yue muttered and received a sympathetic cluck from Eriol. Lead the way.
Yue was knawing on the inside of his cheek, an old habit reserved for anything that perplexed him, usually change, especially technology. He was not an adaptable creature.
Did you make this?
It's delicious.
Yue's right eye started twitching.
Are you going to eat that last one?
No, please help yourself.
He glared at the passing pancake.
Could you pass the jam please? Touya asked Eriol.
Eriol replied.
Never mind that the jam had been right by Yue's elbow. He slumped back in his chair and pulled a pair of chopsticks from the utensil pot at the centre of the table.
Wow, this jam looks like local produce.
Eriol smiled and swallowed his first mouthful with satisfaction. Just wait till you taste it.
Mmm, I see what you mean.
We'll have to keep our eyes open for fruit plantations on the drive back. Touya suggested.
Good idea.
In an effort to subdue his increasing boredom and to prevent an oncoming flash of temper Yue was now playing with the chopsticks. One hand twirling one nimbly around his fingers, the other balancing the remaining stick vertically from the tip of his index finger. He spared a little attention for the continuing conversation and found it increasingly riveting;
Eriol: I think pancakes made without eggs are just as good as they are made with them. The information that without eggs the mixture will stick to the pan is nonsense.
Touya: It does help bind the mixture though.
Eriol:
Yue: *Yawn*
His attention returned to the chopsticks...and from the chopsticks to his hair...hm...
Touya's jaw was clenching with the effort of not even acknowledging Yue. He was only indulging in this pointless culinary banter to distract himself.
Eriol chuckled abruptly. Very fetching, Yue.
Touya followed his gaze. The Guardian was blinking at them having just speared half his hair into a bun with the chopsticks.
People are supposed to eat with those you know.
Yue huffed. My hair is spotless.
I don't doubt it.
Determined to steer the conversation back to boredom Touya interrupted. So how come you were up so early, Eriol? He asked conversationally but exclusively.
I'm not much of a sleeper.
Yue did not seem willing to be ignored again as he chuckled warmly in response. I know who you got that from.
The boy nodded but neither seemed likely to elaborate. Cursing his curiosity Touya again directed his question specifically at the reincarnation.
Clow Reed.
Another chuckle came from the Guardian as he propped his chin on his hand. Clow always said genius was only granted to those awake to receive it. He had extraordinary stamina for a human and long after even I had fallen asleep he'd be sat up in bed scribbling away and I'd awake to find a new Clow Card on the side-table.
I seem to remember his time was spent on other activities as well. The reincarnation remarked. Yue's eyes grew wide and his cheeks red. I was referring to his drawings, Yue. Eriol responded sardonically and sipped his drink.
the Guardian tugged a little nervously at his ear. You don't remember *that* stuff do you?
Eriol tapped his nail on his mug and continued to hold it against his lips, looking through the steam. Probably best I don't answer that.
Yue folded his arms crossly. Why, that perverted, voyeuristic, incorrigible -.
What about these drawings? Touya interrupted, again speaking to Eriol and eager to move on from the subject of Yue and Clow's' intimate relations.
Clow was very artistic. Yue told him.
Eriol nodded. He had a great eye for detail and a passion for beauty. Touya's eyes flickered rebelliously to Yue's reminiscing face. Most of the cards started off as doodles and sketches. Even Yue did.
I was much more impressive in the sketch. The being in question muttered. I don't know why he decided against the horns...
Because you were supposed to be an angel.
Heh, look how that turned out. The Guardian wrinkled his nose. He looks at an enormous statue and dreams up Keroberos, but me? I'm divine inspiration' from a church service he was forced to attend to quell rumours that he worshipped the devil.
Clow was religious? Touya wondered aloud, forgetting to direct the question.
Sacrilegious more like, Yue quipped. He never understood how holy followers could be so dense'. As a creator he said God was someone to be admired but not revered as miracle when he was basically just a magician. Albeit a powerful one.
Eriol winced, seemingly at the memory. The kind of heretical behaviour that put him always at odds with the Li clan.
It was at the church service that he heard a particular Catholic prayer... Yue's pause was an obvious attempt to hand the stage to Eriol, clearly wanting him to say it instead but the youth just raised an eyebrow and sipped his tea stubbornly. Yue cleared his throat and began to recite it himself with slightly flushed cheeks;
"Angel of God, my guardian dear
To whom God's love commits me here;
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide."
He cleared his throat again which seemed to be a nervous habit. He was still blushing. Touya grudgingly admitted it was probably a personal thing to share with others.
Rather random inspiration even for Clow but it led to my creation so I can't complain.
Touya was incredulous. One prayer led to fifty-two magical cards and two Guardians?
Yue shrugged. I was with him for over a century but I would never claim to understand how his mind worked.
Amen to that. Eriol chuckled. But it wasn't just the prayer, at the time Yue began to take shape in his mind Clow was rather taken with -.
Touya jumped at the loud sound of Yue's head banging onto the tabletop and a groan of pleading protest escaping him. Eriol grinned and continued.
As I was saying, Clow was rather taken with a young aristocrat. Quite a social beauty too.
Yue was based on him? Who was he?
That's the worst part! Yue wailed. He...h-he was a-.
Eriol supplied brutally.
Touya blinked. A woman?
Yue's voice was muffled since his hands now covered his face. That's why I'm so pale and skinny! Don't ask me what the eyes are all about, perhaps they were a belated attempt to make me more scary.
Clow didn't want you to look scary.
But surely he didn't want me to look so ridiculous either! I mean just look at this hair! To emphasise his point he yanked the chopsticks back out so that the full weight fell once again to the floor. How impractical is this!? But he absolutely refused to alter my appearance so now I'm stuck with it!
Which leads us rather neatly back to our original topic; Clow loved to draw Yue and most of his opportunities arose after Yue had fallen asleep.
The Guardian shook his head mournfully. The pervert.
When Touya surged to his feet abruptly even Eriol jumped in surprise. I think it's time to get going.'
Yue's expression was more than a little panicked. But I -.
Eriol, can you grab the bag off my bed while Yue gets Yuki's.
Yue was biting his lip as he followed the reincarnation up the stairs, he could hear Touya briskly tidying the kitchen.
Go and get the bag Yue, the boy said over his shoulder quietly. It'll be alright.
He nodded mutely somewhat reassured but took a long time retrieving said bag, taking time out to peer discreetly out of the window to watch Touya manoeuvre a car into the gravel drive.
When he finally ventured out he found Touya stowing his and Eriol's bag in the boot and Eriol waiting to lock the cabin door, somehow Yue felt better knowing the reincarnation was hovering nearby in the process of posting the keys back through the letterbox. He stopped nervously behind the Touya, subconsciously hugging Yuki's bag against himself as he cleared his throat and spoke. Touya...I can't transform yet...
Touya turned to look at him with furious eyes. Transform? You think I'm going to let you off that easily? It's time for you to face the music and you will do it if I have to drag you all the way back by your Goddamn hair!
Yue frowned at the treatment. I'm sorry, I'm confused. I thought we- I mean, that you had...uh...
Forgiven you? Touya snatched Yukito's bag away from the Guardian. Not a chance. Yue winced when the car boot slammed violently shut. You made the two most important people in my life cry for your own selfish and completely unsatisfactory reasons!
But we talked. You seemed-.
*We* didn't talk, Yue! You and Eriol did, I just listened. I've never seen you laugh or smile and now you're doing both so naturally, do you even care that those things have come at the cost of other people's heartache?
I think -.
You don't think! That's your problem. Unless it involves Clow or the cards you don't even care!
That's not fair AND WILL YOU STOP INTERRUPTING ME! Yue exploded when Touya tried to break in mid-sentence. I'm not a child to be chastised and certainly not by someone who is himself both human *and* a child! I don't expect you to understand my thought process and fortunately we have nothing to do with eachother so you don't need to!
That's fortunate indeed. Touya muttered.
You know, I don't remember you ever being this bad-tempered. The Guardian observed.
I've never been betrayed before.
For the last time! I. Did. Not. Betra -.
Touya was equally emphatic. Not interested. Just get in the car.
Yue longed to say he'd fly instead but he knew he wasn't up to that sort of distance yet. Instead he flung himself into the back seat and folded his arms huffily.
The human informed him tightly.
Yue looked to where his tresses trickled out the car door to pool on the ground. He grabbed the silver trail and yanked it in beside him. Bloody hair! He kept his face fixed impassively forward but flicked a glare out the corner of his eye. He expected to see a smirk but instead he could see Touya checking more than once that he'd retrieved every strand before he very carefully closed the door. Yue raised an eyebrow. Eh?
After shutting the door carefully Touya called out to his other companion. Lets go, Eriol. He turned when he didn't hear the boy move and found him looking at him seriously.
You know...you shouldn't take on other people's hurt when you have enough of your own to contend with.
His piece said, the reincarnation circled the car and climbed into the front passenger seat. Touya took several deep breaths before he joined him and settled comfortably into his seat, started the ignition as he did so. He checked the rear view mirror before he took the wheel and found Yue staring at him angrily, his face was rigid and his mouth set.
No, Clow hadn't given him such alien eyes to make him scary, intimidating maybe, but not scary. Despite Yue's scathing opinion of his appearance he really was beyond beautiful and the feline eyes serve to make him hypnotically so.
Touya left the mirror like that. It was angled so sharply he could only see part of the road behind him but it allowed him to see all of Yue's face. He looked away and found Eriol watching him again, expressionlessly.
The boy asked him.
His eyes flickered to the mirror again. Those eyes were still watching him.
I'm ready. He lied...