Author's Note:

FINALLY!!! Okay, so actually I hadn't thought this chapter would be ready until after I finished the next chapter on my HP fanfic, but SURPRISE!!!
Anyway... This is set out of Rainbowland and the only thing envolving the Color Kids and Rainbow are vague illusions. At the end of the chapter will be a clarifying summary of what exact is going on incase it isn't clear. ^_^

SHOUNEN-AI WARNING!

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~On to the Story~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Solemn eyes, deep and quiet, watched, the scene reflected in their violet-red depths. Even as they watched a ripple distorted the faces smiling on the water's surface. A slim tapered finger reached out, touching the water, sending more ripples to shake the images.

They were there, all of them.

Another ripple disturbed the water and the slim finger curled back into the pale palm it extended from as its owner sighed.

"You could learn a lesson from Selestien. At least he knows how to move silently without disturbing the water," a male voice broke the silence that had been. It was as solemn and deep as the eyes with which the man watched the pool before him.

"How could you tell that it was my ripple anyway? You were send ripples through the pool yourself."

"One," the solemn voice replied, "my ripples came from the center of the pool and had already ceased…" He let the statement hang for a few moment, listening to the anxious shuffling of the intruder. Logic scores a point. "Two," he continued after a moment, a smile adding life to the solemn tones, "my ripples were perfect, unmarred circles. Your ripples lacked much to be desired." Pride couples with arrogance for point two.

Silence fell once more, but for the soft footsteps as the intruder approached the sitting figure at the pool.

"I really must speak with Selestien about those lessons." The deep voice cut through the silence.

Sudden, light laughter bubbled up behind the speaker in answer. "You're still able to hear him approach as it is."

"Yes; however, his noise is less offensive and I feel better knowing that he is at least trying not to disturb me."

"Boosts your ego a bit does it?" Laughter graced every word. "Well, I'm sorry, but I wont put myself to all the strain and torture just so I can skirt around your sensitivity to sound. There is no point in it anyway if you would still be able to hear me and besides, you're egos big enough already without my help."

"Ouch…", humor danced lightly through exclamation. "You know how to aim well… when it suits you anyway."

"You're aim is deadly and a naturally common occurrence," the light voice answered, growing as its owner bent down behind the seated figure, "but I imagine that this time your words were nearly as serious and truthful as they usually are, right?"

There was a smile in the voice, sly and questioning, the innocence that had filled it before, fading slightly and the sitting figure wondered at the direction of the question.

"There couldn't have been any real meaning behind your words, Alex."

"What makes you so sure?" The solemn eyed young man asked, his heart tripping slightly at the other's use of his name. Hearing it on that voice so close to his ear and in such soft tones always had that effect on him.

"Because…" the soft spoken one let the word hang for a moment before continuing, "do you really want me to take after him? Would you really want me to spend the amount of time it would take to learn to walk softly with him? Alone?" The voice added the last with a sly curl to his voice. When the other made no move to speak, to take the bait, the voice continued, "Now that I think of it, that might be an interesting time. Talk to him about it would you?" Laughter filtered through again, "Unless you don't want me to that is… I would rather spend that time with you anyway."

Something warmed and sparked in the violet pools of red as the cool eyes turned to meet a pair of blue-green. Alex took a moment to study the face that held them; eyes the color of his own hair, just as his eyes mirrored the color of the other's hair, eyes the were as bright and cheerful as his were somber and cool. Lips the rosy color of the sunset that were as much inclined to pout as they were to smile. They were smiling now, full and knowing against perfect, pale skin so like his own. Violet-red hair, short and messy, tousled in a way that gave the impression that the other had just tumbled out of bed.

In so many ways they were so similar, but in so many more they were opposite. Alex knew that where the other's hair was short and tousled, his was long and perfectly neat as it fell down his back in a braid; the other's lips were the moody color of the sea during a storm rather that the cheerfulness of the sunset rose the other sported; his frame was taller and wider; and his voice was deeper and tended to sound harsh and lecturing at times.

So different… So similar… So perfect for each other…

Sadness filled his eyes and curled like acid in his gut as he looked into eyes that watched with love and understanding.

Fate had a funny sense of humor, Alex thought… or was it simply torture?

That's what it felt like as he turned back to the pool before him, closing his eyes tight against the pain, against the hope and love that shone in the other's eyes. "Xan… don't…."

"Shhh…"

Even the sound was bright and full of hopeful promises as lean arms enveloped Alex's shoulders and he couldn't stop himself from leaning into the other's embrace. Soft hair brushed the side of his face as the other buried their face into the soft crook of Alex's neck, warm breath skimming over pale skin as the light voice began to speak.

"I know, Alex. I know what you're going to say." Exasperation heated the words slightly as they continued. "Believe me, I know exactly what you are going to say. Would you like me to repeat the entire speech from memory? Dia has preached it so often that I could repeat it word for word." A harsh laugh escaped, "If I try, I think I could even mimic his tone and voice, but really, when you get down to the root of it, the gist of it is that: 'it's forbidden'.

The word 'forbidden' was said with such emotion and force that Alex winced. Reaching up Alex let his hand rest on Xan's arms, his thumb caressing slightly. In that touch there was more feeling than in anything either of them had ever experienced and Xan's head buried itself further into Alex's neck.

"I just want to know why?" Xan burst, the light voice breaking on the last word. "Not the damn speech they preach constantly… there is no reasoning behind it. It's just a memorized sermon that has been repeated so often that it has lost all its meaning. There is no meaning! Never was…" The bright voice became quiet, "It shouldn't be wrong… Love should never be wrong."

Alex gave in to instinct and tilted his head forward, letting his lips brush against the arms that wrapped around him, arms that were trembling with the force of the emotion.

That one innocent show of affection broke what resolve Xan still had and the sobs burst unchecked.

Alex comforted silently with hand and lips, but in his mind he knew part of the answer and what he couldn't bring himself to voice, Xan did.

Xan's voice was quiet and muffled against his skin that Alex could hardly hear it, but he managed to catch it.

"Why does love need to be held out of our reach just because I was born male?"

Alex flinched, twisting around in Xan's arms. "You know that isn't the whole of it, right?" Concern and an emotion deeper than they were allowed to explore filled the violet-red eyes. "Besides, we cannot be blamed for our sex… and if we were to be blamed then how do you know that you are the one at fault and not I?" Alex leaned back and forced a smile upon his lips because he knew the other needed it. "Or have you forgotten the fact that I am also male, is that it?"

Xan's eyes flickered slightly and his lips curled in response to Alex's attempt at comfort. "How could I? It's one of you're more attractive features". The smile flickered as he continued "I suppose that it is the fact that you are never at fault that makes me feel like it is my fault. Everything you do is perfect. You are perfect". The slyness was back, subtler than it had been, but it was there.

"I'm glad you noticed."

This time Xan laughed, his arms tightening around Alex, "You're impossible."

"It is one of my more attractive features," he replied, giving in to the impulse of leaning into the warm embrace. "Who wants anything that is simple?"

"As long as I have you I don't mind how chaotically complex things get."

He felt the change in the man in his arms, but let it pass. Moments like these were hard to come by and he wanted it to last just a little bit longer.

"Chaos is what we are facing, Xan."

And… the moment was gone.

Xan lifted his head and resituated to sit beside Alex, taking the other's hand in his. "How are they?", he ventured as his attention focused on the images still visible in the pool.

"They're at the beginning."

"I love you, but sometimes you can be so vague I just want to strangle you."

"It isn't vague… its profound. Full of meaning… at least to those with a brain."

"Ouch. I'm wounded." Xan exclaimed, pressing his free hand to his heart. "Such wit. I don't think I can survive much more."

"I'm surprised you've survived this long."

Xan smiled, "Alright, you win. Seriously though, when do we tell them? The Earth needs them at full power and knowledge."

"I know that, but the choice is not up to us… The Council must decide."

Xan made a sound of disapproval that bordered on a very rude description.

"Xan.", Alex's voice was all warning. "I will remind you that we both are part of the council."

"Yeah, the younger, more insignificant division."

"But still…" Alex began.

"The only reason we are even a part of the Council is because of our 'unique' circumstances."

"That's right, unique, as in special, two of a kind, no others quite like us. That gives us something more in our opinions. Dia, especially, gives our views the utmost consideration and importance."

"He watches us because we are special. Because we are different. We love and they have little concept of such an emotion. It is beneath them and were it not for our unique circumstances, we too would be just as beneath them."

"That isn't fair, Xan. It is that illogic which places us slight below them. Not in importance but in clear thinking. Our emotions cause flaws and because we are just as flawed as humans and as perfect in our logic, when unobstructed by emotion, as the Council we are an enigma. They care for us and cherish us as they do the humans they look after, but at the same time respect us for the same abilities as they possess and respect in each other." Alex's voice hinted at emotion, a force that rarely materialized except when exceedingly moved. "We are doubly blessed but not everything comes without a price. As an enigma, we are a curiosity to them, one that needs answers."

Xan leaned over against Alex, drawing calm from the contact and surety from the vivacity of his words. "I hate it when you are right."

"I know you do."

Xan glance back down at the pond as two girls took over the entire surface, one with hair a pale shade of amethyst, cut in uneven but attractive disarray and the other seeming to glow with golden hair that fell about her face and down her back from a ponytail. They were part of the future… a great part. "Selestien often comes to this pond… I now see why."

"They are beautiful aren't they?"

Xan grinned playfully as his hand tightened around Alex's. "And here I felt if there was competition for you it lay in Selestien. Do you favor them then, Alex?"

"You know better." He squeezed back in answer as his gaze remained on the two figures dominating the surface. "Selestien has waited as long as we for this moment. He has waited and he has watched and in watching he has chosen." Alex's hand trailed out over the girl's features and her image stirred as if sensing the gesture. "She is part of his path now."

"Do you see friendship in his future or will she hold the love he has long sought?"

"It is said that those in love have an insight into the relationships of others…" he let the statement hang, as he always did when giving Xan a hint at his feelings, "but I claim no such foresight. All I know is that she is a part of him in some way that only they may determine."

"Observant as always, Alex."

The voice was deep, rich, and lilting. It was a voice made for deep shadows, green forests, and moonlit nights. It was male. There was no mistaking the masculine tone that rose and fell, moving in and out like the ocean's currents. It was one they heard often, one they welcomed almost as often as each others.

"And you are silent as ever, Selestien." Alex answered.

"I thought we were pasted the walking part of our conversation, Alex." Xan entered.

"Afraid to bring back up that area?"

"Not at all. I know where your heart lies. I simply wished to continue our later conversation rather than the beginning."

"Indeed."

There was no fear of discrimination by Selestien, no barrier between affairs separated these three. In their years, decades, centuries of acquaintance a bond of friendship had strengthened between the three. And Selestien watched with affection and amusement behind the composed mask of pale features. Elvenborn he was fair in skin, his features angular and masculine with an underlying feminine beauty. Amber eyes, sculptured and tilted into a calm composure above the strong cheekbones, framed with silver-blonde strands of waist length hair decorated by identical braids above both of his ears which encompassed his hair and united in the back by a earth colored leather thong. Tall and lean at a height of 6'2", which put him above either of his friends, his feline form was toned, the pale fleshed marred only by a serpentine shape contorting in curls upon his right forearm. He always wore simple, earth toned colors of grey and green that even where the clothing was loose, it formed to his shape. Both of his friends could not help but admire the sight he made, as he appreciated their own at times, but between them there was nothing but platonic friendship and physical admiration. All three hearts were already spoken for.

"Are you sad to find your sight blinded in the matter of my love affairs?" Selestien queried as he stepped forward into the company of his friends.

"Not at all… confusing and troublesome matters in general. And in your case it must be so much more so."

Xan smiled for all three of them, neither of the others were much inclined to smile as often as he found it necessary to. He was the emotion of the group. Alex, the sense. And Selestien, the grace.

"You have your own problems with love that to concern yourself with mine or anyone else's must overcome even your resilience after a while."

"I have no problem with love. Merely the ramifications that being in such a state causes upon those around me." Alex situated closer to Xan, unconsciously, as his thumb ran over the hand in his own.

The gesture was not lost on either the recipient or the observer and left both hearts endeared and hurting.

Selestien cast a glance beyond the two and into the pool, his eyes fixing upon the girl in the depths. He knew her face, even though it had changed. He had watched her for years. First it had been everyone connected, then, gradually, it had been her he had come to see, her who he watched each day. She was as beautiful as he had imagined her to be once she reached her full bloom.

"Something caught your eye, Seles?"

"You know I hate it when you call me that, Xan, and, to satisfy your curiosity, my eye has been caught long before now."

Xan simply smiled.

"What brings you out here Selestien," Alex asked, "if not the vision in the pond?"

Selestien sighed, "Dia."

"Dia?", his two friends asked unanimously.

"Yes… he wishes a word with you Alex."

Xan's face lengthened and the pout that always made Alex smile tugged at the sunset colored lips. Alex's features became more serious and with one last squeeze of his love's hand he stood up and released it, automatically missing the connection.

"I'm sorry." Selestien offered.

"Duty calls and when it is Dia, duty must be answered immediately."

Xan grin reappeared at Alex's outright sarcasm and humor, which was exactly the reaction it was intended to bring about.

"I'll keep Xan company while you are gone."

"Like that is really a comfort."

"Jealous much?"

"If I didn't know Xan as well as I do I might have reason to be."

All three smiled and after sharing a few moments of quiet camaraderie Alex sighed and turned to stride away. Leaving Xan and Selestien to watch the pond together till he could return. Laughter soon danced up from behind him and he let a smile grace his lips before he wiped it away as he entered Council's Circle.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

The moment Alex passed into the Sacred Circle he felt the change in the air, the stir of magick and peace, the tension of the chaotic balance of all live that resonated and focused within the circle of stone. Stonehenge, it was called by the humans, to the Council of G.E.M.S. it was the seat of power, termed the Sacred Circle, but it transcended other realms as well. If you focused you could feel the presence of others near at hand. You could be standing side by side with someone and be unaware, but for the tingle that caressed your skin from the meta-physical contact.

It was a place of reverence and even Xan's uninhibited personality took on a degree of somberness when he entered for council.

Alex let his hands trail of the stone, rough and shaped by the elements and time, it was comfort. For all that nature herself had done, this monument to the forces of mankind and the magickal realms remained, buried in myth and tradition.

"You always had such respect for this place, Alex."

Alex didn't turn, instead he let his hand continue its journey over the warm stone. "The Circle forces respect on all who enter… or rather, it impresses respect. 'Forces' is too harsh a word for the effect one feels within the stones… Even Xan becomes quiet within the Circle," he added as an afterthought.

"I was watching you two." The voice stated sharply, a sad tone underlying the deep music of the voice.

"You always are."

"You know the views of the Council on this matter." There was a pause and the voice became tired, telling of the eons that it had withstood. "Why do you continue to go against our wishes?"

"You are so protective and indulgent with the humans we watch over, you care for them and they have taken a place in your heart as a foundling orphan kitten does within theirs. You love them for their emotion and give your own emotion to them, but you are ruled by logic and that care is the only emotion that survives because the Great Ones know it is necessary for you to fulfill your part in the chain of life. You accept them and yet I and Xan are to be shunned because we have been given the gift of human feelings. Why do you defy our hearts and your own?"

Fire burned in the voice that answered, "You are a Guardian! Humanity, the gift of emotion should not be yours, you must give logic the proper reign. We are here to guide, protect and nurture the weak thread of humanity and it is that humanity, that force of emotion, that makes them weak and possesses and calls upon us to guard them. They cannot be guarded by those who have the same weakness, the balance would crumble and our purpose would be gone… Can you not see the error in your logic? The error in this misplacement and freedom of your love to Xan?"

"DIA!!!!!" The name resounded through the Circle, seeming to echo, intensify and rebound. Alex regretted the rash action as his form took a rigid stature and turned to face the elder. Both of them could feel the bewilderment of the others within the circle. Emotions transcended all realms. "I make no, nor have I ever made any, denial of my feelings on this matter. I love. It is as simple as that and the fact that I love Xan goes without speaking for we both know it, whether you would deny it or not."

"Alex…"

"No!!!" The voice was quieter. Alex forced his voice to remain on a base level. "I can't stop. I wont… I love him."

Dia cut him off, anger lining his voice from the impudence of the youth. "A him, Alex! A him. That breaks and transcends all rules and boundaries of nature. You upset the order of our Mother and Father… you threaten the very balance you are here to keep! Do you are too intelligent not to realize what you are risking! Stop and think, Alex!!"

"I have… Many times, as you yourself should know." The voice was calm now, rooted in the surety of his emotion, the strength of his claim. "We are one, Dia. One that is Two. You can't understand that, you have never had to reach out in the middle of the night and touch someone simply to calm yourself because you begin to feel that half of your soul is missing. We can't spend three hours outside of each others company, Dia. Three hours!"

"Indeed, the circumstances of your creation and you role within the Council is unique. I see no reason why, just because you are bound together in you duty, that you feel the need to… attach yourselves in su-"

"Please, stop, old friend. Mentor." There was pleading in his voice and a demand of respect and listening in his eyes. "It goes far beyond that. We have been termed 'the twins' and in most ideals of the terms it is true. Created together. Bound for all eternity. We know each others thoughts, their feelings, and can't be without each other, but it is more. We are different. There is this stutter in my chest when he speaks, a shiver in my soul that resonates at his touch. My heartbeat answers and echoes him. We share the same colors in our make up." He paused, looking at the man who stood before him; clear and silvery skin and hair, that fell to his was in straight lines and almost disappeared against the gold cloth that draped over him in the roman style he had favored from the people he had loved beyond all races. His eyes were pure silver and seemed to bore into you as he spoke. "You are the only one of your shade, the only one with the Power of Diamond, but I share mine with Xan. The Power of Alexandrite, is made up of two and is a stone beyond your comprehension."

"I see only duty that binds you together."

"It is love as well. Love; the kind that humans romance about. The kind that binds two souls for an eternity without any fear, except that circumstances may divide them. We feel nothing of Death, immortal as we are, so the only thing that frightens us is your actions and rules."

"Please… Alex. Listen to reason."

"I'm sorry. Where Xan is involved, reason holds no reigns."

The heartfelt sigh shivered across Alex's skin, "It is as I feared, logic is second to emotion with you."

"In my duties, never. With Xan, always."

The old one shook his head and turned away from the youth. "This was not the reason I summoned you."

"It never is, and yet we never can overstep such unchangeable circumstances can we?"

"It is ever on my mind, I will admit."

"And I truly wish it did not cause you so much grief."

"I know that… I know."

Dia turned back to the young one and smiled wistfully, if I was not concerned and bound by the Council, I would let you go as you would. I want for your happiness, Alex."

"I have Xan and a good friend in you. I am content."

"But not happy."

Alex shuffled slightly but no more.

Dia chuckled softly. "I know you well, lad.. These old eyes have seen to much not to recognize discontentment. That is why I have put before the Council a new order and they have conceded with less difficulty that I would have supposed."

"What order?"

"The next phase as you put it will begin soon, as you know. You watch that pool so often." Dia paused. "As you know, it is the Council of G.E.M.S. which must guide and administer the tests of the Children. They have completed the first of the transitions, the first of the challenges and have passed, but there is more that just 'The Change' in this thing and Earth, the Universe and all the Realms are depending upon these Children. You have been chosen for the task of their guide, confidant, and administrator."

"I?"

"Yes, you are nearer their age than any of us and you have made a bond with one of the Chosen in Selestien have you not?"

"Yes…"

"They will need guidance tempered with patience and friendship."

"You can give it. You have done so over the centuries." Alex replied. "Remember Arthur? What of Gilgamesh? Solomon? Romulus and Remus? Hercules or Noah? What of them?"

"Arthur, who loved his sister and died by the hand of their son? Yes, that was brilliant." There was a smile curving his lips. "Another thousand years and I will be allowed to raise him and Morgaine from their sleep."

"You truly loved them, didn't you?"

"Beyond words… it is such a shame to see them wasted and a beautiful era of life and joy ended. The Goddess did love them so."

There was emotion and pain behind the words. Alex could remember the young man who had been King and the woman, his sister, who had been a High Priestess in the service of the Goddess, whom he had loved. Beyond guidance and knowledge there is little the Council is able to offer, to interfere with human events, to outright warn or actively change the course is forbidden and it was human hand and dark thoughts that brought down the great king and is sister.

"Indeed."

"Anyway… I have no wish for this responsibility and you have been chosen for the purpose. You will be accompanying, Selestien on his journey. You should be grateful." There was a finality in his voice, the topic of Arthur and Morgaine was closed for now.

"I am… I am simply in awe at the honor." Violet eyes narrowed at his old friend. "And what of Xan? Am I to leave him?"

"By the Devine, no!" Dia cried. "I have no illusions that I could separate you from him. Besides, as you said yourself, you cannot survive without him. No, Xan will be leaving with you as well. We are leaving it in both of your hands."

The weight that had settled over Alex lifted and his managed a smile and nodded. "Thank you."

Dia smiled and reached out to touch Alex's forehead. "Don't disappoint me."

"I wont."

"I know."

There was a silence that settled over the two before Alex's mind clicked. "When do we leave, sir?"

"We will let you know. Most likely no more that two weeks. We can't risk more than that."

There was fear and foreboding in his voice.

"Very well."

"Off with you now. You have been ready to go since you got here."

"I enjoy your company."

"Yes, but you have news and a young man.." there was a forced sound to his voice as he continued, "whose company you enjoy more. For what reason I know not. He is all emotion and spirit. So…" Dia faltered on the term.

"Human?" Alex offered.

"Indeed."

"There is logic in him, and a knowing that sometimes transcends my own. You know he has potential. He is dear to you as I am, Dia, I am not fooled."

"I care for him. I have never known anyone on who a smile was always somewhere on their face, but he can be sad and still there is a smile in his eyes or on his lips."

"I wont tell him you said that." Alex promised, smiling.

"I'll hold you to that. If he ever knew I care for him… Great Ones protect me!"

"Thank you."

"You two just be careful. I will call when the mission is ready."

Alex watched as Dia turned and left the Circle before he himself turned and exited the opposite direction, back toward the pond and his friends. The thought of the mission and the happiness of both friends had his step picking up slightly and a smile curving his lips as he came within view of Xan and Selestien.

'Two weeks', he thought as he sat down and began explaining the conversation, glancing at the figures in the pool. Would they be as much apart of him as Arthur was to Dia?

With one last glance at the faces in the water Alex turned back to Xan's smiling face.

They were going together…

TBC...

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Okay... This story is in an AR (alternate realm) these are characters which will play an important part in the story later... thus the mention and descriptions. Alex and Xan are, yes, both boys. The are Guardians of Earth's Mystic Stones, a.k.a. G.E.M.S. That explains the Council of G.E.M.S. that contains Dia (short for Diamond) and Alex and Xan who's names both appear in Alexandrite. Most likely there will be further explination later in the story. ^_^ Promise!

I don't know whether I have helped or confused you more on that part but... the reference to Arthur and Morgaine is my own opinion and not based on fact... it is partly based on 'The Mists of Avalon' but with my own feelings.

Hope you enjoyed the story... look forward to hearing from you and I hope I wont take so long next chapter.

Blessed Be my friends...